“I Am a Singer” is a flagship program of Apple TV. Every year, it invites renowned domestic and international singers to compete on stage.
Its viewership ratings far surpass those of similar programs.
Chen Duo was immediately thrilled. He knew Gu Yanqiu was just waiting for an opportunity. Now the chance had arrived, and it was such a prestigious platform.
But after the initial excitement, he quickly calmed down.
Gu Yanqiu was an idol who needed a singing and dancing stage, while “I Am a Singer” was a vocal competition platform. The performers were usually veteran artists from national-level troupes.
In such an atmosphere, singing and dancing would appear somewhat frivolous and unsuitable for such an elegant stage.
Chen Duo gasped—this was clearly setting Gu Yanqiu up with a sacrifice script!
If Chen Duo could figure this out, how could Gu Yanqiu not see it?
Yet their team was still dazzled by this heavyweight opportunity.
After all, this was a top-tier platform in the industry, with extremely high viewership ratings and online discussion.
The fact that he could even get on was already a miracle.
The project manager came to the conference room and told Gu Yanqiu and his agent: “This season has been revamped to live broadcasts with unedited live vocals. The originally scheduled guest can’t make it, and the performance is in two days. The assistant director is my college classmate who noticed Gu Yanqiu’s current popularity. He specifically extended the invitation, and I’ve already accepted.”
“But this stage doesn’t match our style…” The male agent, afraid of losing this opportunity, spoke cautiously.
The manager said: “It’s just for one episode. Weren’t you saying you lacked stage opportunities? Now you’re getting a heavyweight one directly. I’ve already arranged for flight tickets—you need to leave immediately. Give me the song list, and I’ll have the team there handle the arrangement.” She added: “The car is waiting downstairs. There’s no time left—discuss any concerns you have in the vehicle.”
“This…” The male agent had never taken on such a rushed job before and finally realized what was wrong. The company had explicitly stated it would be a one-round appearance. They had to complete rehearsals, song arrangements, and live broadcast within two days. Even veteran artists with over a decade of stage experience might hesitate to take on such intensity.
Now they were sending an utterly obscure idol to do it. This was clearly a sacrifice.
Their dilemma was that, even knowing this, they didn’t dare refuse. After all, if it were an easy job that paid well, how could it possibly come to him?
Gu Yanqiu said: “Thank you, Sister Zhao. I’ll prepare well.”
Project Manager Sister Zhao nodded and glanced at her wristwatch: “Go now.” Efficient and decisive, without a trace of emotion.
The two packed up and got into the van—a vehicle they normally wouldn’t have access to. This was only because there were too many fans and fan photographers outside Apple TV, and they didn’t want to be photographed inappropriately and criticized.
Once in the car, Gu Yanqiu was still wearing the same outfit from the café concert, which was now in disarray. After reporting it, the male agent urgently arranged for a styling team to put together a new outfit. They even borrowed a restroom there for Gu Yanqiu to take a shower.
Gu Yanqiu blushed crimson with embarrassment. Probably no one else had ever come to a styling studio just to take a shower.
But there was no other choice. Just yesterday, he couldn’t even afford to extend his time at the café concert. Now he had landed the top singing program resource.
After he finished styling, even the stylist kept taking photos: “So handsome.”
“I already thought you were incredibly good-looking on screen, but you’re even more striking in person. I’ll be watching your show on TV.”
Gu Yanqiu said, “Thank you.”
Sitting in the car, that overwhelming sense of unreality still lingered in his mind.
Just because of one photo, he could get such an opportunity. Even if it was a sacrificial role. But what if he could defy the odds? What if more people noticed him?
Perhaps it could change his destiny. His heart started pounding wildly.
He opened the chat window, saw Chen Duo’s WeChat, and wanted to say something to her.
But he truly didn’t know what to say, only feeling immense gratitude.
Meanwhile, as he prepared for the show, online mockery erupted again.
“I’m already cringing in advance. This season’s guest lineup for ‘I Am a Singer’ is epic-level luxurious. First there’s an opening act from an international superstar, plus domestic industry leaders. Saying it’s a battle of the stars isn’t an exaggeration. And now they’re bringing in a singing-and-dancing idol? Is he just there for decoration?”
“Maybe it’s like Tian Ji’s horse racing strategy. So what if you play your ace? I’ll counter with my weakest card!”
“Oh my god, I can’t even. I usually enjoy watching handsome guys! But this is just embarrassing for such an occasion. It feels like other big shots are gearing up for an East-West showdown, while we’re still here babbling nonsense.”
“Isn’t this like performing K-pop at a state banquet? I admit I laughed the loudest at that joke, but this is too much punishment.”
“Rather than being publicly mocked, better not to watch. I don’t want to witness a public execution.”
“Yeah, wasn’t there solid evidence he’s being kept? He wouldn’t bring his borderline inappropriate acts to such a big stage, would he?”
“Damn, sister upstairs, please don’t say that – I’m already visualizing it.”
“This is too explosive.”
The online ridicule grew so intense that some even left comments boycotting the show under the program’s posts, using particularly sharp language.
The production team remained unmoved.
While others were thoroughly annoyed, Gu Yanqiu’s fan group was celebrating like it was New Year.
“My brother finally got a good opportunity!”
“I can make new posters now.”
“Even his former team members never got this level of exposure, right?”
“Actually, we should all thank Duoduo the most.”
“Exactly.”
“Thank you Duoduo +1”
“Thank you Duoduo +2”
Even those who hadn’t attended the café concert had heard from other sisters about fan photographer Chen Duo and her boyfriend’s deeds.
They had given Gu Yanqiu proper respect in that situation. Then produced godly photos that brought him such great opportunities.
For those following obscure idols, this felt like the happiness of discovering a powerhouse was actually among them.
Just look how other top fans were eyeing covetously, trying to poach her.
They couldn’t be more anxious.
After all, this was something you couldn’t obtain even by begging. A purple star in the fandom! An all-rounder fan photographer whose single photo could bring resources like “I Am a Singer.” No one would believe it if told.
Truly verifiable achievements.
Moon said in the group: “I want to support him at the venue. Does anyone know how to get tickets?”
A user called Little Beauty responded: “No way. ‘I Am a Singer’ tickets are mostly through lottery registration, with a small portion from sponsors. The live broadcast is in two days – tickets were allocated long ago. There’s nowhere to get them now.”
If anyone else had said it, people might have argued or refuted, but when Little Beauty said it, everyone’s spirits sank.
After all, when Little Beauty first joined the group, she made it clear that she was a fan-scalper—both a fan and a scalper. Many people secretly contacted her to buy concert tickets for other singers.
Even she said there were none. Then there must truly be none.
“What should we do? I really want to see Qiūqiū’s live performance.”
“Forget it, there will be chances in the future.”
“Didn’t Duoduo say that Gu Yanqiu will appear on more stages in the future?”
“Right.” Moon chimed in. The previously low morale began to lift once again.
“I’ll go watch him on TV to show my support.”
“It’s been so long since we’ve seen Qiūqiū on stage. It’s already been two years since his debut.”
“Then let’s go support him in the comment section of *The Singer*.”
“Right. Even though we’re small in number, we should still make our voices heard. Let everyone know that Gu Yanqiu has fans too.”
“Okay. I’ll go do that right now.”
“…”
The group chat buzzed with activity.
The agent had been lurking in the fan group all along. Seeing everyone so lively, she wanted to ask Gu Yanqiu to make a surprise appearance and say a few words. But seeing him resting with his eyes closed, she didn’t dare bring it up.
They hadn’t slept at all the previous night. Now, with back-to-back schedules, they had rehearsals at Apple TV in the evening, followed by a live broadcast the next day.
Better to focus on getting through this immediate challenge first.
…
The news of Gu Yanqiu’s participation in *The Singer* not only stirred up controversy online but also caused an uproar within their own company.
“Why give such a great opportunity like *The Singer* to Gu Yanqiu? Our Li Ziyue is a rising star with several hit web dramas under his belt.”
Li Ziyue’s agent fought fiercely for him.
After all, this was *I Am a Singer*—even being mocked on the show was worth it for the exposure.
Besides, as fellow singing and dancing idols, if Gu Yanqiu could go, so could Li Ziyue.
Li Ziyue’s agent argued, “I really don’t understand what the company is thinking. Ziyue signed a twenty-year contract—he’s deeply tied to our company. If he becomes popular, the company benefits. But Gu Yanqiu’s contract expires in less than half a year. What if he blows up after this and has other ideas? Wouldn’t that just be paving the way for another company?”
It was no wonder Li Ziyue’s agent was anxious. After all, they were the same type of artist. While others might not see it, those within the company knew very well that Gu Yanqiu’s skills were top-tier.
His dancing ability was almost on par with that of a professional dancer. Several times, when passing by the practice room, they had seen him dance with such power and precise rhythm that it could captivate anyone for minutes.
That was why Li Ziyue vehemently opposed Gu Yanqiu. As his agent, they were on the same page.
Thanks to their relentless efforts to suppress him, coupled with his lack of stage opportunities, Gu Yanqiu had already become a marginalized figure in the company.
As for that so-called café concert he funded out of his own pocket—they had mocked it relentlessly. Who would have thought he’d actually get a chance to turn things around? An artist who went nearly a year without any exposure suddenly had a fan photographer.
And not just any fan photographer—one with exceptional skills. A single photo brought in billions of views, a free trending topic, and even landed him the massive opportunity to appear on *The Singer*.
It was enough to give Li Ziyue and his agent a heart attack just thinking about it.
This time, they specifically brought in the project manager to analyze the pros and cons, with the underlying implication being that even if Li Ziyue couldn’t make it, Gu Yanqiu would still have to withdraw from the competition.
The female project manager said, “This person was personally selected by the deputy director of the singing program. I’d like to push Li Ziyue forward, but the other party doesn’t want him. Who told you that your discussion heat isn’t as high as Gu Yanqiu’s?”
Li Ziyue’s agent knew this was the truth and remained silent for a long while.
The female project manager added, “Anyway, he’s only signed for one episode.” She didn’t spell everything out clearly, but being in the same industry, those who understood, understood!
He was going to be ridiculed. Even top-tier programs in the industry needed to provide occasional gimmicks and discussion topics from time to time.
Although he was controversial online, he wasn’t considered a risky artist. Plus, with his current online popularity soaring, Apple TV had taken a liking to him.
To put it bluntly, in these kinds of talent shows, it’s not about which artist the entertainment company wants to push, but whether the other party wants them or not.
Seeing the impatient expression on the manager’s face, Li Ziyue’s agent could only say a few polite words before leaving the conference room.
As soon as he stepped out, he was caught by Li Ziyue, who had been waiting by the door. Anxiously, Li Ziyue asked, “How did it go?”
The agent replied, “There’s nothing we can do. The station wants him, and the company can’t influence that. Just relax for now. It’s clear he’s being set up as a sacrifice. He won’t cause any waves.”
The agent could only comfort his artist this way.
But Li Ziyue didn’t see it that way. Back during the talent show, Gu Yanqiu was always in the A-class. His understanding of music, composition, dance—he was a hexagon warrior in solo performances.
During the talent show, as a competitor, the psychological pressure of facing him was terrifying.
He still couldn’t forget the oppression he felt from such a strong opponent.
Later, Li Ziyue managed to turn things around with a web drama, while Gu Yanqiu gradually faded because there weren’t many good stages for idols domestically.
Li Ziyue hadn’t even had the chance to enjoy this sense of superiority for long, and he absolutely didn’t want Gu Yanqiu to make a comeback.
Li Ziyue said to his agent, “Don’t you have a cousin who works as the music director at Apple TV?”
The agent’s eyelids twitched heavily. “What are you trying to do?”
Li Ziyue said, “Since Apple TV has given him the script to be sacrificed, why don’t we make sure that script plays out for real?”
“Don’t do anything reckless. This is a live broadcast,” the agent warned. Though usually unreliable, he had kept this secret to himself. But having worked with Li Ziyue for so long, it was possible the artist had picked up on it.
Li Ziyue hardened his heart, knowing that if he didn’t offer this old fox some incentive, he wouldn’t budge. Although he had never done anything like this before, the thought of Gu Yanqiu making a comeback was worse than death to him. Compared to that, everything else seemed trivial. “Didn’t you say there’s a wealthy older sister in the jewelry business who wants to connect with me privately? Help me arrange it. I can book a room and wait for her.”
Hearing this, Li Ziyue’s agent was overjoyed. “You said it yourself.”
Once an artist takes the plunge, they become much easier to control. Li Ziyue had a solid fan base, and among his fans were a few particularly influential ones. Just one meeting could bring him a hefty commission.
Who wouldn’t want to profit from an artist on both ends? It was just that Li Ziyue had never agreed before, so the agent hadn’t pushed too hard. He never expected that the possibility of Gu Yanqiu making a comeback would break Li Ziyue’s defenses to the point where he was even willing to take such a step.
He agreed without a second thought and went to ask his cousin to handle the matter.