Renee Morgan sat up, clutching her phone. "What military training program?"
"I’m a Real Man, they’ve already done two seasons before. They had some really popular A-list actors and celebrities as anchors, but it never really took off. This time, the director wants to try with unknowns and D-list celebs—hoping to spark something viral. I sent your info over, your résumé is gorgeous, and the director settled on you instantly."
"Listen, Morgan, I really believe in you, honestly. Sure, all your previous roles were just side characters, but you’re stunning and you can really act. I just don’t believe you won’t make it big."
Warren was basically one step away from slapping her thigh and vouching—Renee Morgan was the next rising star on the horizon.
However, Renee, already knowing she’s destined to be cannon fodder, showed no trace of joy. Her face was pale, drenched in sweat.
"Morgan, Morgan..." Warren wasn’t sure if she was listening.
"Yeah, got it, sis." Renee forced herself to keep it together, exchanged a couple more words, then hung up.
Renee was totally out of it, but couldn’t cry.
That feeling sucked—like a cancer patient, knowing they’re terminal but still slogging through chemo, just too scared to die.
But that zombie struggle doesn’t change anything—you still die in the end, and the pain doesn’t get any lighter.
After getting to her apartment, before she even had a chance to rest, she got another call from Warren, telling her the reality show [I’m a Real Man] would start filming in three days, and she’d be coming to pick her up tomorrow.
Warren explained on the phone: "You should get two days off, sure, but the filming site is a military district and they won’t let outsiders in. Everyone has to gather at the designated hotel, and then the production team will drive you all inside."
So Renee had to head to the hotel first to meet the other participants, and the director’s crew might start shooting right from the get-go. Because of this extra step, she needed to go early—three days until filming, but she had to leave tomorrow.
Renee assured Warren she was feeling okay, not to worry, she’d be at the designated hotel on time.
Warren insisted on coming by tomorrow, said she had stuff to tell Renee face-to-face, made her feel more reassured that way.
Renee didn’t refuse again, hung up, then collapsed on the bed and closed her eyes.
After a while, she took a deep breath and let it out: "Screw being cannon fodder. Whoever uses me as a stepping stone, I’ll make sure they crash and burn."
She hurled her pillow across the room, got up, and headed to the bathroom—tomorrow she’d be meeting up with the crew at the hotel, so tonight she was gonna do skincare. Kill them with beauty, whatever.
The next day, after breakfast, Warren drove Renee to the hotel for the meetup.
In the car, Warren reminded her about how reality shows work. Renee’s an actor—just focus on her acting, don’t bother creating some fake persona on the show, and don’t blindly accept the "script" the crew hands you. Don’t let them set you up as the gullible contrast for the show.
Black fame is still fame, sure, but that kind of fame is dangerous—it could end an artist’s whole career.
The company had Renee join the show mainly to boost her popularity, with plans to push her onto the big screen later. Warren and the whole top management really believed in Renee’s looks.
Of course, her overall package was top notch—killer body, trained in the arts, acting with spark. All together, how could they not mold her into a top-tier leading lady?
Renee listened closely, but her mind kept drifting.
She knew how much the company and Warren valued her. In fact, in her dream—even after falling into the troughs over and over—neither the company nor Warren ever abandoned her.
Sure, part of that was sunk costs making it hard to cut ties, but mostly they just saw the star quality in Renee.
They always believed, with her talents, she could make it and send the company soaring.
Just as they reached the hotel entrance, Renee relaxed and said goodbye to Warren. "Sis, go on home. Parking’s a mess here. I’ll be fine on my own."
"Alright, you got everything I told you, right, Morgan, sweetie?" Warren triple-checked, finally letting Renee go after she nodded.
Renee waved goodbye to Warren, then dragged her suitcase into the hotel lobby.
Just as Warren expected, the production team had already started filming at the hotel.
Renee wasn’t surprised at all, greeted the staff, and headed to the inner lounge.
Warren had timed her drop-off perfectly—when Renee got inside, three guests had already arrived.
The three guests were two guys—both actors who’d played small roles in some well-known shows but never got famous.
The female guest was a regular participant—chosen through the application process to join these low-profile artists for military training and experience frontline army life.
Renee’s appearance made the three guests pull exaggerated faces.
—Wanting camera time was real.
—Thinking Renee looks better than a big star was real.
Renee, a few minutes late, didn’t know that just before she arrived, the crew had announced: this season would be shot live, entire process broadcasted, based on audience votes.
Netizens commented:
—Who even cares about nobodies and regular people?
—What everyone wants is to see elite military life—and, secondarily, those soldier boys with muscles~
Compared to edited highlights, livestreams are more likely to produce surprises and show the real army life.
Renee was still oblivious to what had just happened.
She had no idea the cameras were now live on her.
With the crew pouring money into promos, a few thousand fans were coming and going in the livestream room.
Right now, the barrage of comments was full of question marks: [Man, each season gets worse. At least previous guests were top male idols and A-list actresses. What’s the selling point this time?]
[Yeah, I heard this season’s guests are mostly nobodies and newcomers. Only one washed-up male actor and one faded actress to keep it together.]
[This is a defense-themed show, not a runway. Who cares about star power? Last season had big names, sure, but did any of them actually complete military training? All fake effort, just so the show ended on a happy note.]
Amid the exploding barrage, one comment caught the crowd’s attention.
User: Aqua Is My God: [Renee Morgan? Is that the Renee Morgan I know?]
Everyone started goading: [Dude, you were a B School academic star. Got some gossip to drop?]
Aqua Is My God: [She was our neighboring college’s B Film School queen—heard she got in as a martial arts talent. Don’t ask how I know. Back then, it wasn’t just B Film School, the whole B district was full of her fanboys.]
The chat instantly exploded.
[...]