As soon as these words were spoken, the entire venue fell into silence.
At the very beginning of the competition, during a mere individual showcase segment, there was actually a bye.
Anyone hearing this couldn’t help but exclaim: How privileged must this royalty be!
The internet instantly erupted.
【Holy shit! Did Gu Nanci save the h-dik CEO’s life or something?】
【A bye even before the official competition starts! To keep Gu Nanci from losing face, you’re really going all out, huh, you dog of a dik!】
【What the hell, I’m speechless—how can they come up with such an absurd excuse? Are they really going to guarantee her debut all the way? I’d explode on the spot if that happened! (Angry)】
The public opinion, which had slightly improved due to the playful nature of the trending hashtag about Gu Nanci, instantly reverted to the previous state of widespread mockery under such blatant favoritism.
Thus, the fourth trending topic of the night, #Gu Nanci, Privileged Royalty#, soared once again.
The confused masses of netizens finally found familiar ground and flocked to mock and criticize.
Gu Nanci lowered her gaze, her dark pupils carrying a hint of coldness.
Watching the production team on stage, who seemed eager to wrap things up, they quickly announced her bye, delivered a closing statement, and within seconds, the live stream ended, concluding the day’s broadcast.
Slowly, Gu Nanci curled her lips and let out a faint, ambiguous chuckle.
Privileged royalty?
How truly “privileged” indeed—aside from a few reaction shots that briefly swept over her, she had no other screen time, and her only individual showcase was taken away.
As if they were afraid of her stepping onto the stage!
What was even more laughable was that everyone was actually swayed by that excuse, believing it and indignantly launching a full-scale online condemnation.
With the live stream over, the studio began to disperse.
Gu Nanci didn’t move, sitting quietly in her seat, her breathtakingly beautiful face expressionless, as if lost in thought or pondering something.
The surrounding contestants whispered among themselves, holding their breath and sidestepping as they passed by, afraid of disturbing this “royalty” and being assigned as supporting roles to the “prince” during the performance.
Seeing the cameras turned off, Wen Jiuyi no longer had to hold back. With a dark expression, he pushed Si Chang away in an instant and roared, “Get lost! Don’t touch me!”
Unexpectedly, Si Chang on the other side was even more impatient, even wearing an expression as if Wen Jiuyi was beneath him. “If it weren’t for mutual benefit, who’d bother with you?”
He rolled his eyes and left haughtily.
Wen Jiuyi: “…!!!”
Wen Jiuyi was so angry he felt his lungs were about to explode.
Then, he spotted Gu Nanci, whom everyone was avoiding.
After hesitating for a second, he still strode over, becoming the only one to actively approach her while everyone else kept their distance.
Wen Jiuyi walked closer, leaning against the back of the seat. He was about to pat Gu Nanci’s shoulder in a brotherly manner but, remembering something at the last moment, quickly softened his touch and gently placed his hand down.
“What are you thinking about? It’s over! Come on, let’s head back to the dorm together!”
Gu Nanci slowly withdrew her gaze, looked up, and stared at Wen Jiuyi with some surprise.
“What? Touched? No, no, I refuse to be moved. Just train hard with me from now on and don’t cause trouble. When the time comes, we’ll team up and kill it on stage!”
Gu Nanci: …That really isn’t necessary.
“Alright, alright, let’s go. You’re lucky enough to skip this round and avoid the criticism, so don’t think you’ll get another chance to escape. Rest well tonight—starting tomorrow, it’s intense training. The first performance is next week!”
“Lucky?” Gu Nanci raised an eyebrow, staring directly at Wen Jiuyi. “You think it’s lucky too?”
“…Well, isn’t it? Didn’t you get a bye—”
“Don’t mind him, he’s just an idiot.” A clear, cool voice rang out, soft yet carrying undisguised mockery.
Looking up, it was Cheng Yang who had walked over.
This was the first time Cheng Yang had directly faced Gu Nanci, and he couldn’t help but inwardly sigh that the goddess Nuwa was truly biased beyond measure.
He was considered quite handsome in the industry, but placed next to Gu Nanci, he seemed utterly blurred out by comparison.
Another one dazzled by that face, though he quickly snapped out of it. Cheng Yang pushed Wen Jiuyi aside by the shoulder with one hand while curiously asking Gu Nanci:
“How did you offend the company? For them to do this to you?”
“Offend? Isn’t he the empty-slot emperor—”
Cheng Yang stared at Wen Jiuyi with a look that said ‘are you stupid?’ “What kind of ’emperor’ gets pushed into the spotlight before the show even starts? Getting all the criticism without any of the benefits?”
“—You mean!” Wen Jiuyi was also clever. Though he always seemed a step behind Cheng Yang, a little hint was all he needed to catch on.
His pupils contracted, and he slapped his forehead in sudden realization. “Damn! Then… the company is really shady! They’re straight-up using you as a promotional pawn!”
They’d earn traffic for the show while throwing him out as a live target to draw all the hate from the contestants.
Then he’d be eliminated in the final round of performances. The show gets exposure, netizens vent their anger, anti-fans are satisfied, the real ’emperors’ remain protected—everyone wins.
Only Gu Nanci, bearing the identity of a fake ’emperor,’ would carry the stigma all the way, his reputation getting worse and worse.
Maybe it wasn’t a total loss—going through this would probably boost his blackened popularity even more!
…But what idol seriously wanting to make it in the entertainment industry would want to live with that kind of notorious fame forever!
Wen Jiuyi’s expression shifted, and when he looked at Gu Nanci again, his gaze held indescribable complexity.
“You…”
Beside him, Cheng Yang also lowered his eyes, watching intently.
Although they too had fought their way through the trainee elimination system, valuing gains and losses more than their peers, compared to the darker, more chaotic entertainment industry, they were still relatively simple and kind-hearted.
This was the first time they’d seen someone like Gu Nanci—slandered by everyone yet with no way to explain himself. The extreme heaviness of reality made both of them feel an involuntary tightness in their chests.
It was too dark, so dark it was suffocating.
Even Cheng Yang, who always prided himself on being one step ahead, fell silent, asking himself inwardly whether he could endure such a situation if he were in it.
Both hesitated, words on the tips of their tongues but unsure what to say.
Suddenly, they saw the quietly bowed Gu Nanci move.
The youth stood up, his tousled hair lightly swaying. His stunningly beautiful face lifted with a smile, his voice lazy as he looked at Wen Jiuyi:
“I think what you said makes a lot of sense.”
Wen Jiuyi was confused: “…Wh-what?”
Gu Nanci patted his shoulder, speaking earnestly: “Get some good rest. Training starts tomorrow morning. I’ll carry you.”
Wen Jiuyi: …???
Bro, are you dreaming?!
Not noticing Wen Jiuyi’s shocked expression, eyes nearly popping out, Gu Nanci turned before leaving, nodding to Cheng Yang with a serious tone: “Thanks!”
With that, he walked out of the studio.
“…Is he crazy? He must be crazy!” Wen Jiuyi muttered incessantly.
Cheng Yang also wore a complicated expression.
Just as they stepped out right after him, they saw Gu Nanci stopped by a middle-aged man.
The man grabbed Gu Nanci, clearly suppressing anger while trying to negotiate kindly, saying repeatedly: “Little Ci, stop making trouble. Let’s talk, Uncle!”
Gu Nanci didn’t even lift an eyelid, delivering a triple rejection: “Busy sleeping, no time, next time.”
Then he turned away neatly, not leaving a single corner of his sleeve behind.
Wen Jiuyi, Cheng Yang: “…”
This mental fortitude is… impressive!