First Selection

Qin Ran couldn't help but laugh when she saw that one-word reply. She sent back an emoji before tucking her phone into her pocket and heading off to class.

Not long after the self-introduction recording, it was time for the first round of filming, which would also serve as an elimination round, cutting down the number of contestants to 50 for the next phase of the competition.

Both Yu Shuman and the company sent Qin Ran invitations to attend the live recording. The invitation from Yu Shuman was likely from her manager, encouraging her to invite friends and classmates to cheer her on. Yu Shuman didn't hesitate to send Qin Ran one, insisting she come to witness her "dazzling performance."

The company's invitation offered her a better seat, clearly reserved for internal staff.

Without hesitation, Qin Ran accepted Yu Shuman's invitation and declined the company's offer. She even skipped class to attend, joining up with Yu Shuman's roommates to take a cab to the recording studio.

Though Yu Shuman couldn't come out to greet them, as the boss behind the scenes, Qin Ran had already coordinated with the company. They provided Yu Shuman's friends and classmates with cheering materials, as well as snacks, drinks, and small gifts.

When Sister Li, with her powerful aura, spotted Qin Ran among the group, she toned down her presence, becoming as warm and approachable as a friendly neighbor. She welcomed them warmly, organized everything they needed, and even had an assistant escort them to their seats.

Recently, 99 Entertainment had caused quite a stir in the industry. Its origins were mysterious, and even the boss's name was unknown. The company had been newly established, yet its financial power was so immense that it shocked everyone. In just over a month, it had turned the entertainment industry upside down, even poaching talent from big companies and signing several well-known stars.

This company seemed to have money falling from the sky, snatching people up and even covering their breach of contract fees while offering them such generous terms that other companies were left dumbfounded.

"Damn it, damn it! Where on earth is this company getting all its money from?! Who does business like this?!"

The words "financial powerhouse" were practically engraved on 99 Entertainment's reputation, and many celebrities were now eagerly hoping for a chance to be scooped up by this hero-like company. But after a spree of poaching, 99 Entertainment had slowed down, focusing on consolidation instead of stirring up more trouble.

As for Qin Ran, she found a way to justify her actions: a company couldn't be built around just one artist. By bringing in other talents, she could provide cover for Yu Shuman, and having senior colleagues in the same company would smooth Yu Shuman's path.

The system didn't hesitate for a moment, approving her spending and even "transferring" the funds to her account. With all the recent expenditures, Qin Ran had amassed a decent personal fortune, and her spending had reached a level that increased the cashback ratio from 100:1 to 50:1—a significant improvement.

But putting that aside, thanks to 99 Entertainment, Yu Shuman's friends and classmates were enjoying some excellent treatment. One of Yu Shuman's roommates, pulling Qin Ran aside, couldn't believe her luck: "Is this kind of treatment normal for attending live shows? This is too good to be true!"

It didn't take long for her to realize that not everyone received the same treatment. Contestants from big-name companies fared well enough, though their perks weren't as lavish. The ones who suffered the most were those from small companies—seats were scarce, and neither they nor their support teams received any special attention or consideration.

Such is the way of the world, where people fawn over the powerful and ignore the weak. It's not that the staff were bad people; their work had simply worn down their compassion, leaving them little motivation to fight for others. Without Qin Ran's intervention, Yu Shuman's group would have likely faced the same situation, struggling to find seats, with close friends and roommates squeezing in wherever they could, too timid to even hold up their handmade support signs.

On a larger scale, Yu Shuman herself wouldn't have had much better treatment.

Qin Ran sighed. She disliked trouble, but there were some things she still felt compelled to do. She pulled out her phone and sent a message to Sister Li. Upon receiving it, Sister Li glanced over in her direction, sighed, and reluctantly got up to instruct her assistant to handle the matter.

Shortly after, the assistant returned with a large batch of ice-cold drinks, distributing them to the staff and the small company teams. As they handed out the drinks, they thanked everyone for their hard work, offering a small gesture of kindness. The recipients responded with genuine gratitude, not just for the drinks, but for being seen and treated as equals by a major company. In the cutthroat entertainment industry, such gestures were rare and deeply appreciated.

Small acts of kindness might seem insignificant, but when done consistently, they can make a significant difference in others' lives.

After ensuring that the drinks were distributed, Qin Ran turned her attention back to the stage, where the performers were beginning their acts. She wasn't just there to watch Yu Shuman; she also kept an eye on the female lead and other potential talents for the company. A single flower doesn't make spring; only when hundreds of flowers bloom together does spring truly arrive. Qin Ran didn't want Yu Shuman to stand out too much. Instead, she wanted her to shine brightly among a field of talent, noticeable yet not isolated—this, she believed, was the best way to protect her.

The first episode was more like an open audition, with only a few moments of each performance making it into the final cut. But as an audience member, Qin Ran had to sit through the entire show. Each performance lasted about four minutes, and with 50 contestants to be selected from a pool of 150, they were in for a long day.

By noon, Sister Li led the group of Yu Shuman's friends, classmates, and company staff to a nearby restaurant. The area around the studio didn't have many dining options, but there were a few upscale restaurants catering to visiting celebrities.

Without hesitation, Sister Li picked the most expensive one. After all, with the boss in attendance, she had no reason to worry about the bill. She even arranged for Yu Shuman, who was in the middle of her preparations, to join them for the meal. When Yu Shuman arrived, she was dressed simply in a dance practice outfit, with only light makeup and her hair styled in soft waves, giving her an air of effortless charm. Her roommates were amazed that she could join them at all.

Yu Shuman thanked Sister Li in front of everyone, and Sister Li waved it off, saying it was no big deal. It was only then that the others realized it was thanks to Sister Li that Yu Shuman could join them. Once seated, Sister Li didn't hold back, ordering a variety of signature dishes. With Yu Shuman's friends, classmates, and the staff, they filled a large private room, and the meal ended up costing over ten thousand yuan. But Sister Li didn't bat an eye.

Everyone left the meal feeling stuffed, except for Yu Shuman, who ate lightly due to the upcoming performance. The group was made up of Yu Shuman's close circle, all familiar with each other, leaving Qin Ran feeling somewhat out of place. Yu Shuman noticed this and chose to sit next to her, frequently offering her food and reminding her not to be shy since the company would cover the cost.

...Of course, the company would cover it, and the bill would eventually come to her.

But having Yu Shuman by her side brightened Qin Ran's mood significantly. The only downside was Sister Li's occasional probing glances, which made Qin Ran uncomfortable. While she could keep her identity hidden from most, she couldn't fool the CEO or Sister Li. As the person responsible for the company's operations and Yu Shuman's manager, they were in the know. To involve herself in Yu Shuman's career, Qin Ran had to reveal her identity to Sister Li.

Sister Li was discreet and wouldn't divulge her secret, but her curiosity was evident, and she couldn't help but glance Qin Ran's way from time to time.

Yu Shuman, having eaten only a few bites, decided it was time to leave and get ready. Before leaving, she turned to Qin Ran with a determined look in her eyes, "Just wait, I'm going to wow the audience today!"

She clenched her fist and gave Qin Ran a playful punch in the air. Amused, Qin Ran replied, "We're all looking forward to it." With that, Yu Shuman marched off confidently, leaving the others to finish their meal. Once they were done, Sister Li settled the bill and led everyone back to their seats.

The afternoon contestants were noticeably more skilled than those in the morning, which was why the production team had scheduled them later, giving them ample time to prepare. It takes hours to perfect stage makeup, and no big-name artist wants to be rushed. It was those without backing who bore the brunt of the early slots.

Finally, at 2 p.m., after hours of waiting, Qin Ran saw Yu Shuman take the stage. There she stood, resplendent in a black sequined dance outfit, looking radiant under the stage lights. After a brief chat with the judges, she turned towards the audience and flashed them a dazzling smile.