“You’re awake? How are you feeling?” Qiu Ling looked at the woman lying in the hospital bed.
Li Yao shook her head.
Qiu Ling sat down beside the bed. “How did you faint like that?”
Li Yao still shook her head. Although she had now accepted the memories of this body, she had just woken up here, so she tried not to answer when others spoke—less talking meant less chance of making mistakes.
Qiu Cen softened his tone when he saw Li Yao silent. “I know this time it wasn’t your fault, but the impact wasn’t good.”
Li Yao knew that this body had been a minor celebrity at the lower tier of the entertainment industry.
Qiu Ling said, “The company knows you’ve been wronged this time, so they’ve signed you up for a variety show, a live broadcast across the whole star system.”
Qiu Ling felt sorry for the girl. This variety show was supposed to be compensation for Li Yao, but everyone inside knew it was really to support the company’s other rising star.
Looking at Li Yao’s appearance — perfect bone structure, delicate features — she was a natural beauty.
The company had signed her mainly because of her natural beauty. The capital star system was technologically advanced, and beauties were everywhere, but compared to natural beauties, others fell short.
Originally, Li Yao was heavily promoted by the company, but she lacked a bit of charisma, making her bright, delicate face appear somewhat plain and dull.
Plus, the original owner’s personality was dull and unwilling to flatter company executives, so she gradually became marginalized.
Qiu Ling advised, “This time the resources are good, the price is fair, and it’s a long ten-year contract.”
Qiu Ling worried Li Yao might be scared off by the ten-year length, so she explained that time differs on each planet: ten years on one planet might be only two years on the capital star.
Hearing “ten years,” Li Yao was surprised. A ten-year variety show contract — if she landed it, would that mean she could earn money for ten years?
She knew this was a star system, different from Earth. Now that she was a star, was it her turn to live the 2.08 million per day lifestyle? A ten-year variety show invitation was a guaranteed steady job for her.
Qiu Ling persuaded, “I’ve read the contract, no problems. The only issue is the length. You only have two years left on your current contract with the company. I think when you come back you should terminate it directly. The company executives admire your beauty and want to do something for you, but you have no power, no backing, and you’re an orphan. Participating in the variety show is risky, but it’s better than falling into those people’s hands.”
Li Yao knew this agent was good to the original owner. She thought for a moment and said, “Let me see the contract.”
A ten-year life on one planet — if something happened, the show crew wouldn’t help, and there was even a death waiver attached.
Li Yao asked, “A survival-type show?”
Qiu Ling nodded, “Seems like it. The production team doesn’t want to reveal more details. But Yao Yao, I have to tell you, Bai Shuya will also be there. She’s the company’s favorite rising star now. She doesn’t like you, so stay away from her.”
Li Yao carefully read the contract—no loopholes. She thought, now wasn’t the right time for her to stay in the star system. Better to join the show. The pay would be deposited monthly to her account. After the show, people around her would be strangers, and she could directly retire from the circle.
“I understand. Should I sign here?” Li Yao asked.
Qiu Ling smiled, “You seem even dumber after getting sick.”
Li Yao happily signed her name.
Qiu Ling looked at Li Yao’s handwriting, “Your handwriting’s getting better.”
Before Li Yao could think of a reason to explain, Qiu Ling said for her, “Looks like I don’t know you well enough—not just me, maybe no one really does. Sigh, you have to believe you’ll become better.”
After signing the contract, Qiu Ling gave a few reminders and took the contract back to the company.
Because Li Yao took the blame for Bai Shuya, the company put Li Yao in this show as well.
Since the company owed Li Yao, she got a 90-10 profit split, with the company taking only 10%.
Also, it was a live variety show with a tipping system for Li Yao. The contract stated that except for platform fees, the remaining tips belonged entirely to Li Yao. The company wouldn’t take a cent.
Qiu Ling understood that Li Yao was just a minor “black-red” star with a thin fan base. The company didn’t think the tips from the live variety show would be much.
Qiu Ling sincerely hoped Li Yao could earn more tips so she could live better after leaving the company.
The entertainment company had no idea that soon they’d regret underestimating Li Yao, helplessly watching a huge amount of money flow into her pocket.
Qiu Ling took the contract to the company. Bai Shuya was satisfied with Li Yao’s tact. Even in a live variety show, Bai Shuya’s favorite way was still to highlight herself by contrasting with Li Yao’s dullness.
Director Zhou planned a ten-year live variety show—the ten years referred to the time on that planet, which equaled two years on the capital star.
It was best if participants were famous, but the famous stars were busy with activities, filming TV dramas and movies, earning money, and unwilling to take risks.
So Director Zhou invited somewhat familiar but “cold” artists and minor controversial stars like Li Yao.
After confirming participants, they gave them a week to finish current work or rest if they had none.
At this moment, Li Yao was looking complicatedly at the man in front of her.
“Li Yao, I think we’re not compatible. Let’s break up,” the man said disdainfully.
At first, he dated Li Yao because of her fame and beauty, but after two years, her fame was fading.
She was indeed a top beauty in the entertainment circle, but so dull that she wouldn’t even like holding hands. Her agent cherished her like the apple of his eye. Who knew how many big shots she had slept with, yet she still pretended to be innocent with him.
Li Yao dug this man out from the original owner’s memories and quietly tapped her phone—now was the perfect time to record.
She coldly asked, “What did you just say?”
Pang Bohan was dissatisfied with everything about Li Yao now: “I said we’re breaking up.”
Li Yao asked confusedly, “Why?”
“Why? Look at where you are now. You’re basically hated across the entire internet. I’m the unlucky one being with you.”
He looked her up and down. “And in our two years of dating, we only held hands. I don’t even know who you’re pretending to be innocent for.”
Li Yao looked at him coldly, trying hard to restrain herself. Her superpower was stirring too; otherwise, she wouldn’t be in the hospital. One punch from her could kill him.
Li Yao asked, “Is that your excuse for cheating?”
Pang Bohan sneered, “Why say it so harshly? She can give me the resources I want. She’s all about me. She’s my best girlfriend.”
Li Yao nodded, “I agree to break up, but let’s be clear: if either of us turns back first, they’re a dog.”
Pang Bohan sneered, “Don’t think so highly of yourself, Li Yao.”
Li Yao watched his leaving back. The phone was still recording; interstellar technology was really convenient.
She sent the recording to Qiu Ling so that if she was out shooting and cut off from the outside, Sister Qiu could handle things for her.
She stared at the hospital ceiling—ten years of interstellar variety shows. She was actually looking forward to it.