The Talent Show Begins: A Beauty and an Adorable Cat Head

Qin Yan stared silently at the disconnected call. Recalling the unfamiliar voice from the receiver, he inexplicably felt irritated.

Trainee, was it?

The production here was nearly wrapped up, and he happened to have some free time.

Why not make a guest appearance?

The more Qin Yan thought about it, the more perfect the plan seemed. He immediately picked up his phone and called his manager.

"Qin Yan?"

As Qin Yan's exclusive top-tier manager—and one of the industry's best—Guan Tong was busy every day. She had to screen Qin Yan's filming invitations, endorsement offers, and more. She was the very image of a career-driven powerhouse.

But Qin Yan should have been filming right now. Had something happened?

Just as she was about to ask so she could prepare herself, the person on the other end dropped a bombshell.

"Sis Guan, Xiaowen said we previously turned down an invitation from Trainee, right? Contact the director again. I'm going."

Guan Tong: ???

Trainee? A talent show?

Qin Yan, tell me honestly—did you hit your head while filming?

If Qin Yan had not called her directly, Guan Tong would have suspected someone else was impersonating him.

"Didn't you say you wanted to rest after this shoot and told me not to take on any work for you? And... Trainee? Qin Yan, don't tell me you've lost your mind and want to become an idol?" That was what she said, but Trainee had actually invited Qin Yan as a special guest.

Guan Tong was only trying to tease him.

"But why did you suddenly decide to be a guest on a talent show?"

Qin Yan was just like her: an absolute workaholic.

This was the first time he had wanted to do something outside his field that supposedly lowered his status.

Faced with Guan Tong's question, Qin Yan was speechless. He thought for a long time but could not come up with a good excuse.

"I wanted to go, so I'm going."

That nonsensical answer left Guan Tong utterly baffled. What the hell?

Was this really Qin Yan?

Just then, a phone notification popped up.

[It was reported that Lin Sen and Jiang Fang would be joining Trainee.]

Guan Tong glanced at it. She did not make the connection, but something still felt strange. Still, since Qin Yan wanted to go himself, she would not stop him.

At Qin Yan's current level, saying he was lowering his status was just a joke. His ability and standing spoke for themselves. Who would dare slight him?

"Fine. I'll talk to the director."

"Thanks."

Qin Yan hung up with satisfaction, but before he could enjoy himself for long, his mind was filled with that earlier phone call again.

"Brother Fang."

"Brother Fang."

"Brother Fang."

The words played on repeat in his mind until the director called for action and pulled him back to reality.

At the villa.

Ning Xiao had tidied up his appearance, while Yun Feng had basically eliminated the threat posed by the little chick.

"Brother Fang!"

The young boy sat down beside him with complete familiarity. "Thank you so much for today! Otherwise, I would've been doomed."

Kitten disliked the newly arrived two-legged creature. It leaped into Jiang Fang's arms and declared its territory.

Jiang Fang had just finished telling Qin Yan they would talk next time. Before he could even receive a reply, the kitten pounced onto his arm, and his hand accidentally hit the red button.

[Call ended.]

Jiang Fang: ...

Kitten guiltily meowed, "Meow~"

Looking at the disconnected call, Jiang Fang could practically picture Qin Yan's dumbfounded expression.

Forget it. He had already said what he needed to say. He would apologize and treat him to a meal when they met next time.

Jiang Fang looked at the young boy.

"Once the rain stops, have Yun Feng take you home. Even if you want to run away from home, at least prepare properly." He had brought nothing, and he had not even put on his shoes or clothes properly. This was clearly just a child throwing a tantrum.

The moment Jiang Fang mentioned going home, Ning Xiao immediately deflated.

He did not want to go home at all.

But then he reconsidered. He had to go home! Otherwise, would all the things in his house not be left to that damned excuse for an older brother?

That was right!

With that thought, he was instantly revived at full health.

Ning Xiao grabbed Jiang Fang's hand and looked at him with wide puppy eyes full of gratitude.

"Brother Fang, you're my idol!"

"I've followed you before. Wilderness Survival was seriously so cool, and it felt amazing watching you shut Bai Ziyu down!!!"

"Oh, right. I heard that guy is going to be sentenced to fifteen years. Is that true?"

It had to be said, he really was a young puppy—he chattered nonstop, overflowing with energy.

Jiang Fang assumed he was simply an ordinary viewer who enjoyed satisfying stories and did not think much else of it.

Jiang Fang nodded.

"I hereby declare that from today onward, Brother Fang is my idol!" Little Puppy Ning gazed at him with sparkling eyes. "Oh, right! Brother Fang, are you joining some kind of talent show? Don't worry, I'll definitely vote for you! I'll make sure you debut in the center position."

Jiang Fang: That really would not be necessary.

In short, after the rain stopped, the puppy Kitten disliked was safely sent home.

Half a month later.

Jiang Fang packed his luggage and prepared to head to the Trainee venue.

While Lin Sen was practicing with the director, most of the preliminary preparations were already complete, and auditions had begun. Only the mentor lineup had yet to be finalized.

Who could have expected that Lin Sen's invitation to Jiang Fang would also bring along a major celebrity?

The director of Trainee was smiling so hard his eyes nearly disappeared.

That was Qin Yan!

Qin Yan, who was practically never on variety shows!

Originally, the director had sent the Best Actor an invitation just to try his luck, without much hope. Sure enough, Best Actor Qin's side quickly declined.

Not only that, since this was the entertainment industry's first talent show, it had Fruit Channel's flagship reputation behind it, but the station's leadership did not value it. Forget resource support—even funding was lacking. Otherwise, the director would not have been so indulgent just because Lin Sen invested in it.

The result of that neglect was that Trainee was practically nonexistent.

Because of that, even finding mentors had been difficult.

Big names would not come, the director did not want people with too little fame, and those with middling fame were not worth their asking price. Back and forth, it had truly stumped him.

The director had tried contacting singing queen Qiu Qian, H-country boy group top star Duan Yu, and Fang Yi, but none had replied yet.

He had already given up hope and planned to just find whoever he could.

Then—

Qin Yan's manager suddenly called, saying he had accepted the show's special guest invitation! The only condition was flexible scheduling!

The director looked up at the sky. Had a pie fallen from the heavens?

And this huge, sweet pie had landed right on his head?!

He was instantly revived at full health.

With Qin Yan's influence, once his name was announced, there would be no need to worry about the show's ratings.

After all, he was the entertainment industry's youngest Three Golden Awards Best Actor and had even broken into Hollywood. His national recognition was no joke—grab anyone off the street, and they would know him.

More importantly, with Qin Yan's name attached, the director would no longer need to worry about finding good mentors!

Sure enough, as soon as the news leaked out, yesterday you looked down on me, but today I'm beyond your reach.

In the end, three mentors were confirmed.

Singing queen Qiu Qian, H-country boy group top star Duan Yu, and rising rap king Fang Yi.

One pure vocalist, one singing-and-dancing performer, and one rapper.

Just right.

"Ding-dong—"

On the way to the show, Jiang Fang suddenly received a message from Qin Yan.

[Qin Yan: Good luck with filming. Also, I prepared a surprise for you~]

[Jiang Fang: Got it~ I'll do my best, but what's the surprise? Can you give me a little hint in advance?]

[Qin Yan: If I told you, it wouldn't be a surprise. Focus on filming. You'll find out soon.]

As they chatted, they arrived at the filming location.

The show's production team had been somewhat obscure, but things changed after Qin Yan joined. Fruit Channel attached unprecedented importance to it and added a large investment. The final filming location was set at a private estate.

It was extravagantly luxurious.

As contestant after contestant arrived, Trainee officially began.

Before this, the show itself had already generated a wave of buzz because of Jiang Fang and Lin Sen. After Qin Yan joined, the fans went even crazier, nearly screaming Weibo into collapse.

The program shot straight into the clouds, its popularity exploding.

As soon as the opening livestream began, hordes of netizens rushed in.

[Ahhhhh, I'm here, little broke show! Who would've thought my Qin would ever appear on a variety show!]

[Yuyu! Yuyu! H-country boy group's top star! The most handsome idol!!! Incredible at singing and dancing, highly recommended.]

[Qianqian, my wife, I'm here!!]

[Fang Husky became a mentor? Unbelievable. Is he going to train a pack of little huskies?]

[I heard there are a few familiar faces among the trainees. Wonder if that's true or not?]

[I heard a few came back from overseas talent shows and already have some fan bases. Leaked photos are out, so it should be real.]

[What about Jiang Fang and Lin Sen?]

[Ever since the Bai Ziyu incident, Jiang Fang hasn't appeared publicly for a long time, right? Even so, he hasn't left the trending searches. Isn't that making all those entertainment industry people who buy trending topics insanely jealous?]

[Not sure about Lin Sen, but Jiang Fang probably won't, right? Going there and back would take a month, and school starts in just over a month. He has to attend school, doesn't he?]

As the comments continued, the discussion drifted completely off-topic. Only once the show officially began did everyone settle down and watch the livestream.

The livestream cameras began at the estate gates.

That meant every trainee had a chance to appear on camera.

Perhaps because it was the country's first talent show and the auditions had selected the best of the best, this group's overall quality was truly good. There were plenty of handsome guys of every type, dazzling the viewers.

Everyone in the livestream happily snacked on sunflower seeds, drank soda, and admired the beauties. It was a wonderful time.

At the estate gates.

It was midsummer, and the weather was scorching.

His silky black shirt clung to him with a faintly cool touch. Because of the heat, its collar hung wide open, revealing Jiang Fang's glowing white collarbones and neck. He wore black casual pants and carried a cream-colored crossbody bag, while a black mask concealed his breathtaking beauty.

Though he wore all black, he did not look dull in the least. Instead, it made his striking features even more dazzling, his skin whiter than snow.

Jiang Fang got out of the car, pulled his suitcase, and headed toward the gates. Yun Feng did not follow him. After all, it would not be good to stand out too much in front of the cameras. That would not protect Jiang Fang—it would only put him in greater danger.

But how could something like that stump him?

Yun Feng cleverly transformed himself into a member of the production staff.

It was the peak arrival period, and there were many people around. Jiang Fang was in no hurry, leisurely following behind the crowd.

Little did he know that his beauty had drawn countless glances over people's shoulders.

"A beauty really is different. Even at a talent show, he looks like he's taking a casual stroll through a garden. It feels more like he's attending a banquet."

"Is he also a contestant on Trainee? Wuwuwu, I want to meet him so badly. He must be insanely handsome."

"Count me in, but that handsome guy looks so aloof!"

People who knew one another gathered together, secretly glancing at Jiang Fang as they discussed him in low voices.

Before anyone realized it, more and more people had gathered around Jiang Fang.

Just as someone worked up the courage to ask for his contact information or at least greet him, a wave of wailing suddenly erupted not far ahead.

"What happened? What's going on up there?"

"Did something happen?"

"I think they're checking for prohibited items..."

"What? That terrifying? They're checking us before we even get through the gates?"

Listening to the people ahead of him, Jiang Fang froze and lowered his head to look at his small bag.

At that exact moment, an adorable little cat head suddenly popped out of the crossbody bag in front of him.

Jiang Fang: Prohibited item.

The prohibited item meowed, "Meow~"