Gu Nanci: …Emmm, not exactly.
But she did feel a bit warmed.
Gu Nanci comforted him with a few words and finally managed to calm down Wen Jiuyi, who was brimming with righteous indignation: “It’s fine, I’ll probably be okay after resting for a few days.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll definitely recover before the performance. After all, I still have to carry you.”
Wen Jiuyi: …What kind of nonsense are you spouting at a time like this!
But perhaps moved by empathy for Gu Nanci’s miserable situation, Wen Jiuyi opened his mouth and, for once, swallowed his retort.
Wen Jiuyi worriedly said, “Don’t push yourself too hard. How about I take you to the hospital?”
“No.” Gu Nanci firmly refused.
What a joke. If she really went and got a full-body checkup, her gender issue would be exposed in no time.
“You…” Thinking it was just childish resistance to hospitals, Wen Jiuyi suggested instead, “How about going to the infirmary? It’s right upstairs, very close!”
“Got it, got it. Hurry up and go practice. Don’t hold me back!” Gu Nanci pushed the chattering Wen Jiuyi into the room.
“…Gu Nanci, I sincerely suggest you get a scan.” Wen Jiuyi let out a long sigh.
Preferably a brain CT.
Delusions are also an illness!
Gu Nanci, who understood the implied meaning: …
The warmth came and went quickly.
Gu Nanci: Death stare.jpg
“You’re done for! Don’t even think about me carrying you anymore.” Gu Nanci said with a cold expression.
Hah! She wasn’t the Gu Nanci who was worried about meal money yesterday.
Now she was Gu Nanci with a net worth of millions!
Did he still think he could buy her as a teammate with a week’s worth of meal money? Dream on!
Gu Nanci coldly turned her head away.
Footsteps approached from behind, and someone called out to Wen Jiuyi: “Brother Wen? Brother Wen! They just announced a gathering to record the performance groups!”
As they spoke, they came face-to-face with the expressionless Gu Nanci and froze instantly.
Even though they might curse her in private, when confronted with that breathtakingly beautiful face, they all stood there speechless.
Not only was her appearance otherworldly, but when she wore a cold expression, her aura of unattainable elegance was even more striking.
“Gu… Gu Nanci, over there… they’re calling for a gathering…”
“Okay, thank you.” Gu Nanci said calmly, walking ahead.
Wen Jiuyi followed closely behind, teasing playfully: “Are you really that angry? No way, no way? …Gu Nanci? …Nanci? …Cici?”
“Shut up!” Gu Nanci was speechless, feeling disgusted.
Watching the two leave one after the other, the trainees who had come to call them stood frozen in place.
They began to question reality more than a little.
“Why is Brother Wen so close with Gu Nanci?”
“Damn! I rushed over here hoping to get on Wen Jiuyi’s good side and team up with him for the performance! And now? Did Gu Nanci just beat me to it?”
“I don’t get it! Isn’t Gu Nanci just a useless vase? How did he manage to latch onto Wen Jiuyi?”
Wait!
From what they just saw, it seemed more like Wen Jiuyi was the one shamelessly clinging to Gu Nanci!
What kind of potion did Gu Nanci feed him! …More importantly, could they learn it too and use it themselves! (Indignantly)
…This recording session took place in a newly renovated conference room, originally two rooms combined into one, spacious and open. The front area was set up with tables and chairs, while the back was equipped with cameras, live-streaming equipment, and a team of staff.
At the very front, facing the contestants below, was a row of judges’ seats. Several instructors who usually taught vocal and dance classes sat on either side.
In the center seat sat a woman with impeccable makeup, dressed in a sharp and professional suit—Qin Bei, the deputy director of the artist management department.
Qin Bei squinted, glancing at Xi Ruqian, who had just taken a seat beside her, and hesitantly said, “About the opening later—”
Before she could finish, Xi Ruqian responded with a wave and a smile, a clear refusal.
Qin Bei: “…”
After a moment of silence, she turned to look at another guest brought in to lend support—Tang Xingjie, the director of the business department.
Tang Xingjie, nicknamed “Tangtang,” had a round belly and a round face, famously easygoing and affable like the Maitreya Buddha.
Qin Bei’s eyes lit up, full of hope as she said, “Brother Tang, could you handle the opening later—”
But as soon as the Maitreya Buddha-like Tang Xingjie heard the first word, he immediately looked up at the ceiling, pretending to be deaf and mute.
There was no helping it—no one wanted to take on the thankless task of being the head judge.
None of them wanted to play the villain.
Besides, after the artists debuted, they would inevitably have to work with the business and public relations departments. If they started off with a harsh judge persona, how could they expect the artists to trust them in future collaborations?
Thus, Qin Bei, who had been forced to step in while her superiors were away on business: “…”
Damn! With the debut of a new group, she also wanted to be the gentle, kind-hearted leader sister!
Useless men! Not a single one of them could step up when it mattered!
Forced to play the villain once again, Qin Bei clenched her fists in frustration.
Suddenly, she noticed two people entering the room one after the other.
“Huh… isn’t that… Gu Nanci…?” That face was too recognizable. In today’s entertainment industry, where plastic surgery was rampant and newcomers often suffered from severe facial blindness, Gu Nanci stood out with a level of beauty that was both striking and unforgettable.
Although she had learned about Gu Nanci during last night’s internal meeting, seeing him face-to-face still made her feel a pang of regret.
No wonder Fu Zhi kept repeating that it was a waste of such talent.
It really was! With such exceptional natural gifts, why not pursue a proper career as an artist instead of following some black-and-red publicity strategy? What a shame!
But… Qin Bei paused, staring in confusion at the person behind Gu Nanci. She rubbed her eyes in disbelief. “Wait… Wen Jiuyi?!”
This was a familiar face to all the leaders in the artist management department. Ever since the Debut Battle program was launched, Wen Jiuyi and Cheng Yang had been the company’s ace contestants, the first names on the list of potential debut members.
For other contestants, participating in Fire was about competing for a debut spot.
But for them, joining this program was purely about showcasing their talents on stage and gaining fans to break into the mainstream!
One was a notorious, black-and-red publicity stunt, used as a stepping stone for the show. The other was a promising, upright future star.
How on earth did these two end up together???
Just as Qin Bei was puzzled, it was no surprise that when these two were seen sitting side by side once again, the online comments section went wild, mirroring the earlier reactions of the trainees.
[Sigh, after my little Jiu’s brain started acting up, now his eyes are failing him too… Why did you have to befriend Gu Nanci of all people?! (Going crazy online)]
[Tsk, so does that mean my Gu-picking system has some ambition now? Actually knows how to climb the social ladder? (A Gu-hater’s doge emoji) (Don’t draw your swords! I’m on your side!)]【(Furious to the point of darkening) (Starting conspiracy theories) Could it be that the Gu royal family is forcing him to suck blood, and Wen Jiuyi is being forced to nurse the royal family!】
【Holy crap! That actually makes so much damn sense!】
【Absolutely! Look at my Brother Wen! Isn’t that a fake, business-like smile! (Firmly convinced)】
…Although, but.
It doesn’t seem that fake.
The casual onlookers who joined in silently questioned.
But it doesn’t matter—experience says that any stance criticizing Gu Nanci is correct.
So without even looking, they followed the comment’s logic, assuming once again that Gu Nanci was stirring up trouble.
Wen Jiuyi’s fans grumbled and cursed, not wanting to be associated with Gu Nanci, the center of controversy, but their idol stuck to him like glue, refusing to leave.
Wen’s fans were almost fuming on the spot.
Ci’s fans… There were no Ci’s fans.
Only a uniform crowd of Ci-haters, joining in the mockery.
Has their pretty but useless little waste started growing a brain?
He actually knows how to cling to a skilled player and suck blood now!