The day to join the variety show was drawing closer.
It wasn’t until his phone calendar reminded him that Qin Nian remembered he had a variety show to participate in.
The world of variety shows felt distant to him. Even in his previous life, he rarely engaged with the entertainment industry, let alone participated in a variety show.
Qin Nian didn’t understand the entertainment industry, but he knew that if he wanted to earn money, he should approach it with sincerity and diligence. After all, he had signed a contract, so he needed to familiarize himself with the variety show.
He searched his phone for several popular variety shows, prepared some paper and a pen, and planned to watch them when he had free time after teaching Feng Yuanyuan piano.
Only after searching did Qin Nian realize that there were indeed many variety shows online, but none had reached explosive popularity. In his previous life, the show he was about to join had been a massive hit, even someone like him, who rarely watched entertainment programs, had heard others mention it.
Qin Nian tilted his head, pondering. There were differences between this life and the last, and he wondered if this show would become popular again.
He considered looking up what “Brilliant Star” was about, but since the production team hadn’t started filming yet and was keeping the show under wraps, there was no information available.
So, Qin Nian couldn’t find any details about the production team.
He recalled overhearing classmates talk about who did what on the show, who argued with whom, and whether anyone made mistakes.
It all sounded very dramatic.
As he watched downloaded variety shows, Qin Nian took notes and managed to summarize some patterns.
Generally, aside from talent shows, most variety shows involved the production team assigning tasks periodically, which the guests completed using their skills.
Qin Nian thought it was like playing a game, where you just needed to achieve the goals set by the production team.
He figured he would simply follow the tasks given by the production team and complete them, which should allow him to earn the compensation promised in his contract.
When Feng Wang passed through the living room, he saw Qin Nian with paper and pen, staring thoughtfully at his phone screen, occasionally jotting things down.
Curious, Feng Wang glanced over just as the variety show transitioned, and the show’s title appeared on the screen:
“Where Are We Going Today?”
Seeing Feng Wang, Qin Nian hurriedly covered his phone in a fluster.
“Mr. Feng, aren’t you going out?”
Feng Wang gestured, “I’m just about to head to the company. What are you watching so intently?”
Qin Nian glanced at his densely packed notes, feeling a bit embarrassed. It seemed unusual to take so many notes while watching a variety show.
He replied, a bit sheepishly, “I’m watching a variety show.”
Feng Wang hesitated for a moment, then nodded without further comment, reminding him to rest his eyes before leaving.
At the company, Feng Wang.
Yang Huan was diligently handling the tasks Feng Wang had assigned, placing the documents requiring Feng Wang’s signature on his desk.
As Feng Wang signed the papers, a thought struck him, and he looked up to ask.
“What is a variety show?”
The question came out of the blue, startling Yang Huan. “Why are you suddenly interested in this, sir?”
Feng Corporation did have entertainment subsidiaries, but Feng Wang had little interest in them as long as they met their quarterly targets.
Recently, the trend in the entertainment industry was indeed variety shows, which had launched several small stars to fame.
For celebrities, acting required auditions and performances, whereas participating in variety shows was relatively easier. With several examples of stars becoming hugely popular through variety shows, many celebrities were eager to join them.
Given the current trend, Yang Huan assumed Feng Wang might want to invest in a variety show or start getting involved with the entertainment subsidiaries.
“Do young people really like variety shows these days?”
Yang Huan was puzzled but explained, “Yes, variety shows are indeed aimed at teenagers, so it’s normal for them to like them.”
“Like them enough to take notes while watching?” Feng Wang was puzzled.
Yang Huan was equally confused. Watching variety shows was supposed to be relaxing, so why take notes?
“I saw Qin Nian today, taking notes while watching a variety show.”
Hearing this, Yang Huan recalled that a few days ago, Qin Nian had mentioned during contract signing that he would soon participate in a variety show.
So, he was preparing by taking notes for the show.
Yang Huan found it amusing, “Didn’t Young Master Qin say he was going to join a variety show?”
Feng Wang asked, “When was this?”
Yang Huan replied, “The day he signed the contract, but you were on your phone, so it’s understandable you missed it.”
With this explanation, Feng Wang was still puzzled, “Why would he suddenly join a variety show?”
Feng Wang’s question made Yang Huan realize something was off. Qin Nian had just returned to the city and was relatively unknown. Although the Qin Family was considered upper-middle class in Ning City, given their attitude towards Qin Nian, it seemed unlikely they would let him join a variety show. In the public eye, Qin Nian was a “nobody.”
Variety shows typically didn’t feature unknowns; they preferred celebrities with some fame and fanbase.
Even if the production team included unknowns, they were usually strategically placed with scripts to help build personas for aspiring stars.
Yang Huan was confused, “Should I look into it?”
As Feng Wang’s secretary, known for his efficiency, Yang Huan had his ways.
If it were anyone else, he wouldn’t be so eager, but this was Qin Nian. Over the years, Yang Huan had never seen Feng Wang mention anyone, let alone let someone stay at the Feng residence.
Seizing opportunities early was wise.
Since there was something fishy, Yang Huan was determined to find out.
Feng Wang gave him a look, his tone ambiguous, “You’re quite proactive.”
Yang Huan: ……
Making money isn’t shameful.
Yang Huan worked quickly.
Using his connections, he soon gathered information and reported back to Feng Wang.
“The people at the subsidiary said Young Master Qin is from the Gu Family, recommended by Gu Huai. Since the Gu Family is a major investor in ‘Brilliant Star,’ and Young Master Qin’s mistaken identity adds a twist, they invited him, and he agreed.”
Feng Wang toyed with the pen in his hand, his expression unchanged. It hadn’t been long since Gu Huai had made things difficult for Qin Nian at the Qin Family banquet. Would he really be kind enough to recommend Qin Nian for a variety show?
“Gu Huai and Qin Nian don’t get along, do they?”
Yang Huan didn’t deny it and continued, “And they said yesterday, Gu Huai recommended another person.”
“Qin Jiaxu.” Yang Huan paused, understanding the strategy, “Having both the real and fake young masters on the same show is bound to create explosive content.”
Moreover, Gu Huai, being an influencer, often featured Qin Jiaxu in his photos and videos.
Liu Baixu had some fame in her early years, and Qin Jiaxu, as her beloved son, naturally benefited. Additionally, Ning City occasionally reported on Qin Jiaxu’s competitions, so those who followed entertainment news knew of him.
Gu Huai’s recommendation of Qin Nian to the show, followed by Qin Jiaxu’s participation, clearly indicated their intentions.
Feng Wang pondered, his finger tapping rhythmically on the mahogany desk.
When Feng Wang returned to the Feng residence.
It was afternoon, the servants’ break time.
Qin Nian, who usually practiced piano in the hall, was nowhere to be seen, but there were sounds coming from the kitchen.
Feng Wang walked over to find Qin Nian in the kitchen.
Small and focused, he stood by the counter, handling ingredients with ease.
Qin Nian always gave off a gentle, neighborly vibe, like a well-behaved child. Yet, his skill in the kitchen was anything but amateurish, moving seamlessly from blanching to chopping.
Feng Wang noticed the pink apron Qin Nian wore, borrowed from one of the servants.
From his angle, he could see the apron strings loosely tied at Qin Nian’s back, resembling little tails that swayed as he moved.
The young man hummed a tuneless melody as he washed ingredients, the notes rising and falling unpredictably, barely qualifying as a tune.
It was hard to imagine someone who played the piano so beautifully could hum so terribly.
It was kind of endearing.
Feng Wang thought.
Like what? Like a little wife waiting for her husband to return home, especially obedient.
Qin Nian placed the meat and herbs into the medicinal pot. To prevent Feng Wang from getting tired of the taste, he used chicken instead of ribs today and added some seaweed and coconut water to enhance the flavor.
After finishing, Qin Nian clapped his hands happily and turned to remove the apron, only to see Feng Wang standing at the door.
Startled, Qin Nian quickly recalled if he’d done anything strange.
Perhaps? Besides humming a bit of the Symphony of Fate.
He blinked and greeted honestly, “Mr. Feng.”
Feng Wang remarked, “You seem happy, even humming. What were you humming?”
Qin Nian confessed, “The Symphony of Fate.”
Feng Wang nodded, “Quite fitting for fate.”
The melody rose and fell, full of twists and turns, indeed a symphony of fate.
Qin Nian: “……”