After Spectating Gossip, the Entertainment Industry Thinks I’m a Big Shot – CH4

Chapter 4

Thanks to Cheng Xin’s remark, Gu Xingshi ended up having to explain everything for another half hour. The room was in utter chaos.

Thankfully, Meng Yuansheng didn’t misunderstand and thought Cheng Xin was just being dryly humorous.

Wiping sweat off his forehead, Gu Xingshi reintroduced the two to each other. After shaking hands, Meng Yuansheng couldn’t help but ask, “Did you pick that song?”

Cheng Xin shook his head and looked toward Gu Xingshi.

Gu Xingshi’s heart skipped a beat as he quickly asked, “What’s wrong?”

Had Meng Yuansheng discovered that they were too broke to afford a popular song, so they had to settle for something obscure?

“I’m just curious,” Meng Yuansheng explained. “Why pick such an unknown song?”

Gu Xingshi: “…”

Uh, well, obviously because they couldn’t afford a mainstream hit!

But if Meng Yuansheng found out how broke they were, would he leave on the spot?

Gu Xingshi forced himself to bluff through. “I just felt that this song really matched A Xin’s vibe!”

Meng Yuansheng thought of the seductive charm Cheng Xin had shown while dancing, and he nodded subtly. Recognizing and highlighting an artist’s unique qualities, and then using that to guide their career, was certainly the mark of an excellent agent.

Thinking about how this dedicated agent had gone all the way to Ning City to sign him and even gone out of his way to expose Jiang Mo’s awful behavior, Meng Yuansheng was nearly moved to tears.

The saying “A hero lays down his life for one who understands him” probably captured his feelings exactly.

Gu Xingshi, seeing Meng Yuansheng wasn’t questioning him further, sighed in relief. Close call! He almost lost him!

The thought made him feel a sudden sense of urgency.

Getting Meng Yuansheng to sign up and securing his spot was more important than anything else. Leading both Meng Yuansheng and Cheng Xin to his office, Gu Xingshi pulled out a contract.

Meng Yuansheng read the contract thoroughly and was surprised to find its terms surprisingly lenient. It felt less like a contract for a trainee and more like a partnership. While he reviewed the document, Gu Xingshi was feeling equally nervous on the other side. This was the only contract template he’d found on the company computer that didn’t require him to pay a salary. Managing just Cheng Xin’s expenses was hard enough; he couldn’t afford to pay a second person.

Finally, Meng Yuansheng finished reading. After carefully examining it a few more times and finding no hidden traps, he realized it was an exceptionally generous contract. It was so generous that he felt almost unworthy of signing it. He asked solemnly, “What do I need to do to sign this contract?”

Gu Xingshi’s eyes lit up, and he quickly pulled out the application form for [Boy Group Training Camp], which he had prepared in advance. “All you need to do is sign up with Cheng Xin.”

Meng Yuansheng took the form, confused at first, but his eyes widened as he recognized the name.

[Boy Group Training Camp], Season Two?!!

This was the hottest audition show of the moment! Season One had sparked widespread attention. Even those who hadn’t made it to the finals had gained enough recognition to break into the industry. For many fresh talents, it was one of the best entry points into entertainment.

In Meng Yuansheng’s former company, trainees fought tooth and nail for this spot, with some almost tearing each other apart for it. And the lucky one who secured it had to sign an additional restrictive contract with the company.

But here he was, joining a new company and immediately getting an opportunity to apply, all with an incredibly lenient contract.

It felt almost too good to be true!

He was moved, but then a thought occurred to him. “Wait… isn’t it a little late to be applying?”

As far as he knew, for a high-stakes show like this, companies began negotiations and preparations immediately after the previous season ended. By now, the contestant lists were probably finalized.

But Gu Xingshi, ever calm, replied, “Late? Not at all. We’re right on time.”

Meng Yuansheng was stunned. Did he mean that he could squeeze them into the lineup last-minute? That would require considerable connections!

Sure, Le Shi wasn’t what it used to be, but in its heyday, it had been a giant in the industry. With its established ties, it was not surprising that Gu Xingshi could pull some strings.

Gu Xingshi’s ability to uncover even his involvement in creating content ideas for Jiang Mo’s projects—confidential company information—only reinforced Meng Yuansheng’s belief that LeShi was a company with hidden power and influence.

Any concerns he had about Jiang Mo’s reach and influence in the industry melted away. And the fact that someone as resourceful as Gu Xingshi wanted to sign him must mean he had potential too, right?

With this thought, Meng Yuansheng’s eyes started to shine a little brighter.

Years of being demeaned by Jiang Mo had left Meng Yuansheng insecure and self-doubting, which had dimmed even his natural beauty. But now, it was as if a layer of dust had been swept away from a precious gem, revealing its true brilliance.

*

With the two application forms in hand, Gu Xingshi looked up at the towering building ahead. Sweet Orange Video, the company producing [Boy Group Training Camp], was headquartered here. This high-rise, known as the Tiancheng Building, belonged to Wen’s Group and housed other companies like Starshine Media and Tianji Gaming.

At the reception, the young woman behind the desk gave Gu Xingshi a strange look when he mentioned he was there to sign up for [Boy Group Training Camp].

Everyone knew the application period had technically ended; in fact, some trainees’ companies were already starting pre-show promotions. The public registration period on the website was just a formality at this point.

She was about to turn him down but recalled that in recent meetings, leadership had been adamant about transparency and caution in response to strict government crackdowns on reality show practices. Her supervisor had emphasized the need for prudence, warning staff against any hint of impropriety.

Putting on her sweetest smile, she said, “If you’ll please wait a moment, I’ll check with Sweet Orange Video’s staff.”

Gu Xingshi didn’t mind waiting and made himself comfortable on the lobby sofa. Just then, his system chimed in with excitement.

System: [Host, there’s fresh gossip! Want to hear it?]

Gu Xingshi perked up immediately. [Yes, yes! Spill!]

System: [You know the Wen family, right?]

Gu Xingshi shook his head, so the system offered a quick background. The Wen family was one of Beijing’s old-money dynasties, though it had faced setbacks in recent years due to infighting. But under the leadership of the current head, Wen Yue, they had regained their peak.

Wen Yue was not only powerful but incredibly handsome and consistently ranked as Beijing’s “Most Eligible Bachelor.”

System: [Yesterday, Wen Yue visited the company, and a popular Starshine actress tried to get close to him. Not only did he completely ignore her, but his security even detained her. Turns out, she had someone taking photos to try and start a scandal!]

Gu Xingshi: [Whoa, that’s harsh!]

System: [Oh, just wait…]

Before he could hear the rest, a staff member approached him, smiling politely. “Mr. Gu, I’m Xiao Li from Sweet Orange Video. Sorry to keep you waiting.”

Reluctantly shelving the half-finished gossip, Gu Xingshi followed Xiao Li to a conference room upstairs.

Xiao Li poured him some water, apologizing, “Please give us just a moment while I fetch our manager.”

Gu Xingshi felt a bit puzzled. He was just here to register—no need for managerial involvement. But with nothing else to do, he refocused on the system’s tantalizing gossip.

System: [The worst part is, not only did that little starlet ruin her future, but a whole chain of people in Starshine Media and Sweet Orange Video got punished along with her…]

Gu Xingshi: [How tragic…]

System: [Oh, and another thing—yesterday, while that starlet was trying to grab Wen Yue’s attention, she accidentally pulled off one of his cufflinks. Those cufflinks were jadeite—worth half a million for the pair!]

Gu Xingshi suddenly bolted up. [Where did it fall?! …Ahem, I mean, not that jadeite is important. I’m just thinking of lightening the load for the cleaning staff, you know?]

System: […]

Gu Xingshi quietly slipped out of the conference room and glanced around the empty hallway. Xiao Li, who was supposed to get the manager, was nowhere to be found. Following the system’s guidance, Gu Xingshi quickly found the cufflink hidden behind a potted plant.

Its green hue was so vivid and flawless that even Gu Xingshi, who knew next to nothing about jade, could sense its value. Selling it might just fund his company for half a year…

While Gu Xingshi was lost in thought, someone called out to him from behind.

“Mr. Gu?”

He nearly jumped out of his skin, turning to see Xiao Li and a middle-aged man looking at him curiously. He quickly shoved the cufflink into his pocket.

The man, who introduced himself as Sun Hongfei, a Sweet Orange Video manager and a key figure in [Boy Group Training Camp], hadn’t noticed anything amiss and greeted him warmly, making Gu Xingshi feel a little sheepish.

After some polite conversation, Sun Hongfei frowned, seeming to realize something. “Wait… You’re not here for an inspection?”

Gu Xingshi looked at him blankly. “Inspection? No, I’m here to submit these.” He held up the application forms.

Sun Hongfei’s face flushed with frustration. He’d rushed over like his life depended on it, only for it to be a misunderstanding! Just as he was about to dismiss Gu Xingshi, something tumbled out of Gu Xingshi’s pocket and rolled onto the floor.

Both men looked down at the object.

Sun Hongfei’s eyes went wide in shock.

He recognized that jadeite cufflink! The quality of the jade, the deep green color, the delicate design—there was no mistake. This was Wen Yue’s cufflink from yesterday! But how did it end up with someone else?

He eyed Gu Xingshi with disbelief and suspicion. “This is…?”

Gu Xingshi sighed internally. Great. Dropped it at the worst possible time, he thought. Now that it had been seen, selling it was out of the question. Reluctantly, he handed the cufflink over. “This… is your Wen Yue’s cufflink. You can give it back to him.”

Sun Hongfei was even more shocked.

It was actually Wen Yue’s cufflink! Wen Yue, known for his ruthlessness and his strong dislike of being touched, had personally given it to someone? This was the same Wen Yue who had just shown how little patience he had for that actress yesterday. And now, Gu Xingshi had his cufflink?

Sun Hongfei’s mind raced. Could it be…? Wen Yue had always been distant toward women. Could his interests lean in a different direction?

He glanced over at Gu Xingshi. With his clear, innocent expression, soft lips, and a faintly displeased pout, Gu Xingshi gave off an air of purity—like a young master who had been carefully sheltered from the world’s harshness.

It all clicked for Sun Hongfei.

This wasn’t just some application. It was an excuse, a pretense! Gu Xingshi wasn’t here for [Boy Group Training Camp] at all. He had come to assert his presence after hearing about yesterday’s incident.