Chapter Summaries

Chapter Summary

• Public fallout over Wang Song’s scandal: The controversy surrounding Wang Song quickly faded from trending searches by evening. Old Chen, the notorious paparazzo who had fabricated rumors about Chu Xiyue, unexpectedly issued a public apology, admitting that he had invented claims that she had a sugar daddy and behaved arrogantly after being paid. His unusual willingness to apologize shocked netizens, especially since he had previously refused to admit wrongdoing even after lawsuits.
• Skylight Group protects Chu Xiyue: Numerous accounts that had viciously attacked Chu Xiyue also posted apologies. Netizens discovered that Skylight Group’s legal team had sent lawyer’s letters to the paparazzi and haters. Because the legal team was famous for never losing, the recipients quickly deleted their defamatory posts, causing the negative news about Chu Xiyue to disappear almost completely. Rumors resurfaced that the owner of the Rolls-Royce associated with her was a Skylight Group executive and that she might be financially supported by him, but people immediately stopped spreading the claims out of fear of further legal action.
• Cheng Heyun’s possible motives: Chu Xiyue realized that Cheng Heyun had likely ordered the legal action because the scandal also implicated him. Since industry insiders knew the Rolls-Royce belonged to him, the rumors could damage his reputation by suggesting he was keeping a female celebrity. Chu interpreted the lawyer’s letters as a practical way to clear up the misunderstanding. However, the Gossip-Eating System suspected Cheng Heyun’s concern may have been more personal, though it lacked proof.
• Chu Xiyue’s career rises: With the rumors suppressed, Chu gained more followers and received offers from variety shows, television dramas, and films. She ignored all of them, remaining focused on the competition. The contestants, whose phones had been confiscated, knew nothing about the scandal, while the mentors deliberately avoided discussing Chu’s connection to Skylight Group.
• Third public performance: After another elimination, only thirty-three contestants remained, and the third public performance began. The performances were highly polished and close to debut quality. Xu Huaichun ranked first, Wen Lun second, and the remaining contestants were tightly matched. Chu encouraged the contestants, respecting their determination even though she could not predict their futures.
• Unexpected romantic gossip: After the production team hosted a late-night meal, Chu stayed at the base. Just as she was falling asleep, the system excitedly announced that Zhao Luo had confessed to Ge Zhenghao. Chu immediately became alert, initially mistaking Ge Zhenghao for Yi Shaoshang because she expected another dramatic romance involving him. The system clarified that Zhao Luo had summoned Ge Zhenghao to the garden, apparently intending to confront a romantic rival, but instead confessed his feelings directly.

Character Development and Interactions

• Chu Xiyue remains calm and professionally focused despite the sudden increase in popularity and career offers. She also reveals her strong curiosity about romantic gossip, eagerly abandoning sleep to witness Zhao Luo’s confession.
• Cheng Heyun acts decisively to defend Chu Xiyue and protect his own reputation, though his true feelings and motivations remain ambiguous.
• The Gossip-Eating System continues serving as Chu’s source of secret information and shows growing suspicion that Cheng Heyun’s actions stem from more than simple damage control.
• Zhao Luo and Ge Zhenghao become the center of a new romantic mystery. Their relationship appears complicated by unrequited feelings and rivalry, but Zhao Luo’s unexpected confession changes the situation.
• The contestants demonstrate increasing skill and competitiveness, while Chu’s brief encouragement shows her growing respect for their ambitions.

Significant Themes

• Power and reputation: Skylight Group’s legal influence demonstrates how power can rapidly erase public accusations and control the narrative.
• Ambiguity in relationships: Cheng Heyun’s protective behavior may conceal personal affection, while Zhao Luo’s confession overturns Chu’s assumptions about the contestants’ romantic entanglements.
• Ambition and perseverance: The contestants’ increasingly impressive performances and fierce rankings emphasize the difficulty of pursuing fame and debut.
• Gossip as entertainment and knowledge: Chu and the system treat secret romantic developments as exciting discoveries, reinforcing the chapter’s focus on rumors, public image, and hidden relationships.

Chapter Summary: “Watching a Confession”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chu Xiyue is confused when Zhao Luo, who previously pursued Yi Shaoshang, suddenly confesses to Ge Zhenghao.
• The system explains the complicated relationship among the three men:
  • Zhao Luo and Yi Shaoshang met online, hooked up several times, and developed an unrequited relationship after Zhao Luo wanted something serious.
  • Yi Shaoshang rejected Zhao Luo because he preferred more delicate partners and had never viewed their relationship as serious.
  • Zhao Luo joined the reality show after learning Yi Shaoshang would participate, hoping to continue pursuing him.
  • Yi Shaoshang, however, fell for Ge Zhenghao, making Ge Zhenghao Zhao Luo’s romantic rival.
• Out of jealousy, Zhao Luo repeatedly harassed Ge Zhenghao through minor acts of sabotage, such as wetting his bed and throwing away his toothbrush.
• Ge Zhenghao recognized Zhao Luo’s behavior but chose not to retaliate or confront him.

Character Developments

• Zhao Luo: His resentment toward Ge Zhenghao gradually changes into romantic affection. After Yi Shaoshang rejects and abandons him following an argument, Zhao Luo is comforted and cared for by Ge Zhenghao. This kindness causes him to transfer his feelings to Ge Zhenghao.
• Yi Shaoshang: He makes his rejection of Zhao Luo explicit and prioritizes Ge Zhenghao, warning Zhao Luo not to target him again. His indifference after Zhao Luo injures himself emphasizes how little emotional attachment he has to Zhao Luo.
• Ge Zhenghao: His apparent saintliness is explained by his traumatic past. His younger brother died of an illness, and because Zhao Luo resembles him, Ge Zhenghao instinctively treats Zhao Luo with unusual patience and tenderness. He cares for Zhao Luo’s injured wrist for half a month, even helping him with tasks such as bathing.
• Chu Xiyue: She acts as an amused observer, piecing together the romantic confusion and humorously commenting on Ge Zhenghao’s reputation for attracting male admirers.

Character Interactions

• Yi Shaoshang confronts Zhao Luo about bullying Ge Zhenghao, clearly stating that he never loved Zhao Luo and only regarded their previous encounters as casual.
• Zhao Luo falls down the stairs during their argument and sprains his wrist. Yi Shaoshang leaves without helping him.
• Ge Zhenghao finds Zhao Luo, comforts him, takes him to the infirmary, and continues changing his dressings and caring for him throughout his recovery.
• After the third public performance, Zhao Luo believes he will soon leave the show and confesses to Ge Zhenghao in the garden.
• Ge Zhenghao gently rejects him, explaining that he sees Zhao Luo only as a younger brother and likes women.
• Zhao Luo asks whether they have any chance, but Ge Zhenghao assures him that he will eventually find someone better.

Significant Themes

• Unrequited and misdirected love: Zhao Luo’s feelings shift from Yi Shaoshang to Ge Zhenghao after repeated rejection and emotional neglect.
• Trauma and substitution: Ge Zhenghao’s kindness toward Zhao Luo is linked to his grief over his deceased younger brother, causing him to unconsciously treat Zhao Luo as a substitute sibling.
• Compassion versus romantic interpretation: Ge Zhenghao’s familial care is mistaken by Zhao Luo for romantic interest, highlighting how emotional vulnerability can distort the meaning of kindness.
• Romantic entanglement and comic misunderstanding: The chapter uses the tangled love triangle—and Ge Zhenghao’s repeated rejection by men despite being straight—for humor.
• The consequences of emotional neglect: Yi Shaoshang’s rejection and indifference leave Zhao Luo vulnerable to seeking comfort elsewhere, while Ge Zhenghao’s compassion unintentionally deepens Zhao Luo’s attachment.

Chapter Summary: Zhao Luo and Yi Shaoshang Come to Blows

Key Plot Points and Events

• Zhao Luo confesses his feelings to Ge Zhenghao, but Ge gently refuses him.
• Though visibly hurt, Zhao accepts the rejection calmly and thanks Ge for listening. He reveals that he is leaving soon and may never see Ge again, so he has no regrets.
• Ge appears conflicted but says nothing, leaving Zhao alone to collect himself.
• From upstairs, Chu Xiyue witnesses the confession and notices a mysterious red glow in the garden. After Zhao leaves, Yi Shaoshang emerges from the shadows, implying that he saw the entire exchange.
• Excited by the complicated romantic situation among Zhao, Yi, and Ge, Chu privately tells Cheng Heyun about it, disguising the men as “Contestants A, B, and C” to avoid exposing their identities or sexual orientations.
• Cheng is stunned by the revelation, especially after realizing that all the contestants in Chu’s story are male.
• The next morning, while filming and livestreaming, Chu learns that Zhao Luo and Yi Shaoshang have begun fighting.
• Although she pretends to be concerned about maintaining order, Chu is clearly eager to witness the confrontation. She hurries to the scene, asking the system whether the fight is still ongoing.

Character Developments

• Zhao Luo demonstrates emotional maturity and resignation. Despite heartbreak, he respects Ge’s decision and leaves without blaming him.
• Ge Zhenghao appears shaken and possibly conflicted by Zhao’s confession, but he suppresses his feelings rather than responding openly.
• Yi Shaoshang is revealed to have witnessed Zhao’s confession, intensifying the romantic rivalry and suggesting that his feelings for Ge may provoke the confrontation.
• Chu Xiyue remains highly observant, excitable, and fascinated by romantic drama. Although she presents herself as responsible, she primarily wants to enjoy the spectacle.
• Cheng Heyun is exposed to an unfamiliar and complicated situation, reacting with surprise and disbelief.
• The system continues to humorously comment on the characters’ behavior and Chu’s lack of genuine concern.

Significant Themes

• Unrequited love and acceptance: Zhao’s graceful response to rejection highlights the pain and dignity involved in letting go.
• Hidden feelings and romantic rivalry: Yi’s secret observation suggests an increasingly tense love triangle centered on Ge Zhenghao.
• Gossip versus privacy: Chu is eager to share the dramatic story but deliberately avoids revealing the men’s identities or outing them.
• Entertainment and spectacle: The emotional conflict becomes another form of entertainment for Chu, the livestream audience, and potentially the show itself.
• Public roles versus private motives: Chu outwardly acts like a responsible mentor while inwardly treating the fight as exciting gossip.

Character Interactions

• Zhao Luo and Ge Zhenghao: Zhao confesses, receives a rejection, and departs on bittersweet but respectful terms.
• Yi Shaoshang and Zhao Luo: Their previously close relationship turns hostile after Yi witnesses Zhao’s confession, culminating in a physical fight.
• Yi Shaoshang and Ge Zhenghao: Yi’s apparent feelings for Ge are reinforced by his reaction to Zhao’s confession.
• Chu Xiyue and Cheng Heyun: Chu enthusiastically recounts the romantic entanglement, while Cheng listens in shock.
• Chu Xiyue and the contestants: She rushes to intervene in the fight, though her excitement reveals that she is more interested in observing the drama than stopping it.

Chapter Summary

• Plot and events: Zhao Luo and Yi Shaoshang’s argument escalates into a serious physical fight near the dressing room. The contestants and production staff gather around them, but repeated attempts to separate them fail, leaving the area and several props in disarray. Chu Xiyue arrives hoping to witness the drama and accidentally makes matters worse when her offhand suggestion about taking the fight to the dance studio is broadcast in the sudden silence. The livestream audience reacts with shock and amusement, questioning whether the fight is staged.
  When Chu Xiyue realizes the two men will not stop, she orders Ge Zhenghao to intervene. Although Ge initially protests that he cannot physically restrain them, both fighters immediately stop when he tells them to. Chu then questions them about the cause of the conflict, but they refuse to answer.
• Character development: Chu Xiyue continues to present herself as a responsible mentor while secretly enjoying gossip and drama. She cleverly recognizes that Ge Zhenghao has influence over both fighters, though she maintains a dignified façade afterward. Ge Zhenghao unexpectedly demonstrates authority over Zhao Luo and Yi Shaoshang, suggesting that both men care deeply about his opinion. Zhao Luo and Yi Shaoshang remain stubborn and embarrassed, choosing silence rather than expose the personal reason for their fight.
• Underlying conflict: The system reveals that the fight reportedly began because Zhao Luo confessed his feelings to Ge Zhenghao the previous night and was rejected. Yi Shaoshang, who witnessed the confession, became jealous of Zhao Luo’s recent closeness and special attention from Ge Zhenghao, then deliberately provoked him. The two men are therefore implied to be competing for Ge Zhenghao’s attention, though neither openly admits it.
• Themes: The chapter combines romantic rivalry, jealousy, concealed feelings, and comedic misunderstanding with the spectacle of reality television. It also highlights the contrast between public image and private motives: Chu acts like a serious mentor while pursuing gossip, and the contestants conceal their emotional entanglements beneath a public fight. The livestream audience’s commentary adds another layer, turning the conflict into entertainment and emphasizing how easily personal drama becomes public spectacle.
• Character interactions: Chu Xiyue attempts to mediate between Zhao Luo and Yi Shaoshang, then successfully uses Ge Zhenghao to stop them. Ge’s command has immediate effect, revealing his unusual influence over both men. Zhao Luo and Yi Shaoshang avoid speaking to each other after the fight and keep Ge Zhenghao out of the explanation, while Chu chooses not to expose the suspected romantic rivalry despite learning the truth.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• During an argument between Zhao Luo and Yi Shaoshang, Teacher Chu Xiyue demands an explanation.
• Zhao Luo suddenly reveals on the livestream that he and Yi Shaoshang previously dated and that their fight resulted from a romantic dispute.
• Yi Shaoshang panics and denies the relationship, fearing the public consequences of being exposed.
• The livestream audience and nearby contestants are shocked by the revelation, especially because the confession occurs in front of nearly one hundred thousand viewers.
• Zhao Luo deliberately continues exposing private details, revealing that Yi Shaoshang has a distinctive mole on his buttocks—information confirmed by another contestant who once accidentally saw it.
• He further claims that Yi Shaoshang asked him out seven times and offers to read their old messages aloud as proof.
• The viewers and contestants become intensely invested in the scandal, eagerly waiting for Zhao Luo to reveal even more.

Character Developments

• Zhao Luo: Shows a dramatic shift from his former attachment to Yi Shaoshang. He is now bitter, resentful, and determined to ruin Yi Shaoshang’s chances of remaining on the show. His willingness to reveal their relationship publicly demonstrates both his desperation and desire for revenge.
• Yi Shaoshang: Changes from confident and provocative to frightened and humiliated once Zhao Luo exposes their past. His instinctive denial and embarrassed reaction make the accusations appear credible.
• Chu Xiyue: Is shocked by Zhao Luo’s sudden confession and confused about his motive, though the system explains that jealousy and resentment drove him to act.
• Other contestants: Initially uncomfortable and judgmental, they quickly become fascinated spectators, prioritizing gossip over concern for either man.
• Livestream viewers: React with intense curiosity, treating the revelation as sensational entertainment and encouraging Zhao Luo to disclose more.

Significant Themes

• Public exposure and loss of privacy: The livestream transforms a private relationship conflict into a public scandal.
• Jealousy and revenge: Zhao Luo’s actions are motivated by resentment that Yi Shaoshang may remain on the show and pursue Ge Zhenghao.
• Entertainment culture and voyeurism: Both contestants and viewers eagerly consume the humiliating details of the pair’s private lives.
• Homophobia and prejudice: The contestants’ instinctive retreat and discomfort reveal their homophobic attitudes, even as their curiosity overrides their initial shock.
• Power through confession: By revealing the relationship first, Zhao Luo gains control over the situation and threatens Yi Shaoshang’s reputation and career prospects.

Character Interactions

• Zhao Luo directly confronts Yi Shaoshang and refuses to retract his accusations.
• Yi Shaoshang attempts to deny their past relationship but is undermined by his emotional reaction and the supporting testimony of another contestant.
• Chu Xiyue acts as an authority figure seeking to resolve the fight, but the confrontation turns into an explosive public revelation.
• The contestants observe, speculate, and exchange gossip about the relationship.
• The livestream audience amplifies the conflict by demanding further proof and encouraging Zhao Luo to read the former couple’s messages aloud.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Yi Shaoshang finally admits that he and Zhao Luo used to be in a relationship after Zhao Luo pressures him to acknowledge it publicly.
• Their relationship is clearly no longer affectionate; the two behave as rivals, particularly because they are fighting over their mutual connection to Ge Zhenghao.
• Mentor Chu Xiyue punishes both contestants for fighting in the practice room, requiring each to write a 3,000-word self-criticism. The contestants who failed to stop the fight must each write an 800-word reflection.
• A video of the confrontation is uploaded to Weibo, triggering several trending searches about the pair’s relationship, their fight, and the possibility that they have come out as a couple.
• Fans react in opposing ways: individual fans are upset, while CP fans enthusiastically interpret the fight as evidence of hidden affection and search for clues about the real reason behind it.
• Netizens suspect Chu Xiyue knows the truth because she appeared unsurprised by the fight. Although she refuses to expose Ge Zhenghao and potentially damage his career, she privately tells Cheng Heyun through a voice message.
• Yi Shaoshang’s popularity drops sharply after his previous relationship with Zhao Luo becomes public. Both men fall below the advancement line and are eliminated.
• Attention then shifts to the fourth public performance, the final competition before the contestants are narrowed down to twenty-two finalists. Contestants will perform in teams with mentors and invited guest performers.
• The guest performers are revealed to be WED Boy Band. Chu Xiyue vaguely recognizes the group until the system reminds her that its leader, Duan Xu, and member Pang Gaofeng were involved in a notorious scandal involving both men pursuing the same woman and ultimately entering a relationship with her.

Character Developments

• Yi Shaoshang: Forced to publicly acknowledge his past relationship with Zhao Luo. His reputation and popularity suffer severely, leading to his elimination.
• Zhao Luo: Deliberately pushes Yi Shaoshang into admitting their former relationship, demonstrating his hostility and willingness to expose the truth. He is eliminated alongside Yi.
• Chu Xiyue: Shows a sharp understanding of the contestants’ personal drama. She protects Ge Zhenghao by refusing to reveal his identity, but satisfies her curiosity by confiding in Cheng Heyun.
• Cheng Heyun: Receives yet another shocking entertainment-industry secret from Chu Xiyue. The revelation leaves him mentally overwhelmed and causes him to reconsider his understanding of relationships and scandals.
• Ge Zhenghao: Though not directly present, he is revealed to be the third person involved in Zhao Luo and Yi Shaoshang’s conflict. His innocence and future ranking motivate Chu Xiyue to keep silent.
• Duan Xu and Pang Gaofeng: Introduced as members of WED Boy Band and connected to another sensational romantic scandal, setting up a new source of potential drama.

Significant Themes

• Public exposure and reputation: A private relationship becomes a viral scandal, demonstrating how quickly public opinion can affect an entertainer’s career.
• Fan interpretation versus reality: Fans reinterpret the contestants’ hostility as romantic “sweetness,” showing how fandoms construct narratives from limited evidence.
• Entertainment-industry sensationalism: The survival show benefits from constant scandals and trending topics, while the contestants bear the personal and professional consequences.
• Secrets and selective disclosure: Chu Xiyue chooses not to reveal the entire truth publicly, balancing her desire to gossip with her concern for Ge Zhenghao’s future.
• Romantic rivalry and unconventional relationships: The chapter emphasizes complicated love triangles and the blurred boundary between personal relationships and public entertainment.

Character Interactions

• Zhao Luo and Yi Shaoshang: Their confrontation escalates until Yi admits their former relationship. Their interaction is openly hostile, revealing that they are now rivals rather than lovers.
• Chu Xiyue and the contestants: She acts as an amused but authoritative mentor, punishing the fighters and the bystanders for violating or failing to enforce the show’s rules.
• Chu Xiyue and Cheng Heyun: She privately shares the true reason behind the fight with Cheng, who reacts with disbelief and fascination.
• Chu Xiyue and the system: The system helps her remember WED Boy Band by reminding her of the group’s infamous romantic scandal, foreshadowing further complications in the competition.

Chapter Summary: “Five-Person Group, Three Scandals”

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chu Xiyue eagerly anticipates the arrival of the show’s mysterious new supporting guests, especially after hearing rumors about the WED Boy Band.
• The production team keeps the guests’ identities secret, causing livestream viewership to rise dramatically when the five members finally appear.
• The guests are revealed to be WED, a newly formed, highly polished boy band from Azure Sea Entertainment:
  • Duan Xu, the popular leader
  • Fu Yu, the gentle main vocalist
  • Pang Gaofeng, the cheerful dancer
  • Song Xuyuan, the dependable older-brother type
  • Tang Tongzhou, the cute youngest-member type
• Chu Xiyue and the audience are particularly interested in the rumored feud between Duan Xu and Pang Gaofeng. According to gossip, the two once fought over the same woman, creating a scandal involving romantic rivalry and a love triangle.
• Everyone expects the two men to clash on camera, but when the band begins assigning performance groups, Duan Xu calmly recommends a dance-heavy group for Pang Gaofeng. Pang accepts without argument.
• Their unexpectedly peaceful interaction leaves Chu Xiyue and the viewers confused and disappointed, raising doubts about whether the supposed feud is genuine or exaggerated.

Character Developments

• Chu Xiyue: Continues to attract attention because of her beauty and her apparent ability to uncover scandals. Rather than being impressed by WED’s looks, she focuses entirely on their rumored romantic drama and eagerly hopes to witness a confrontation.
• Duan Xu: Is established as WED’s charismatic, popular leader. His calm and considerate treatment of Pang Gaofeng contradicts the public image of a bitter romantic rival.
• Pang Gaofeng: Appears cooperative and composed, accepting Duan Xu’s suggestion without resistance. His behavior also challenges the rumor that he and Duan Xu are openly hostile.
• The livestream audience: Becomes increasingly invested in the potential scandal, speculating about the truth behind the alleged feud and hoping the two members will fight.
• The WED members: Are presented as deliberately distinct in appearance and personality, reinforcing the group’s carefully constructed idol appeal.

Significant Themes

• Public image versus reality: The rumored conflict between Duan Xu and Pang Gaofeng does not match their calm behavior, suggesting that entertainment gossip may be misleading or incomplete.
• The appeal of scandal: Both Chu Xiyue and the viewers are more interested in the band’s rumored secrets than in their talent or appearance.
• Manufactured entertainment and suspense: The production team withholds the guest list and invites a group with known rumors, seemingly encouraging speculation and possible conflict to boost ratings.
• Beauty, fame, and danger: Chu Xiyue’s beauty makes her highly appealing on camera, but her reputation for exposing scandals also makes her seem dangerous to people with secrets.

Character Interactions

• Chu Xiyue privately questions why Duan Xu and Pang Gaofeng are appearing together despite their alleged history.
• The livestream audience shares her expectations and openly hopes for a public confrontation.
• Duan Xu distributes the performance materials and pauses before giving Pang Gaofeng a suitable dance-heavy group.
• Pang Gaofeng responds politely and agrees, creating an unexpectedly harmonious exchange.
• Chu Xiyue and the viewers react with surprise, unable to reconcile this friendly interaction with the rumors of rivalry and romantic conflict.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chu Xiyue questions whether the rumors about the WED Boy Band are reliable, but the system confirms that the core gossip is true, though some details differ.
• The system explains why Duan Xu and Pang Gaofeng now coexist peacefully: after their previous fight over Chi Ying, Chi Ying threatened to break up with both of them. They responded by promising never to fight again.
• The truth about Chi Ying’s supposed pursuit of Fu Yu is revealed. Fu Yu was actually her childhood friend and accomplice. Chi Ying pretended to chase Fu Yu so she could get close to Duan Xu and Pang Gaofeng, whom she truly wanted.
• Fu Yu deliberately supplied Chi Ying with information about the two men, helping her make both of them fall in love with her. His rejection of her was also staged, allowing Chi Ying to appear heartbroken and encouraging Duan Xu and Pang Gaofeng to accept becoming “the other man” for her.
• The other band members are also involved in questionable behavior. Song Xuyuan secretly sells band and industry gossip to paparazzi, including the story about Duan Xu and Pang Gaofeng’s fight.
• The most shocking revelation concerns Tang Tongzhou. He was not part of the original four-member lineup and allegedly secured his place by entering into a sexual arrangement with Azure Sea Entertainment’s general manager, Xu Wenyi, and Xu Wenyi’s wife.
• The system claims that Xu Wenyi and his wife routinely exploit entertainment-company artists, and that Tang Tongzhou willingly participated because he was determined to debut. Chu Xiyue is stunned by the extreme lengths he went to for his career.

Character Developments and Interactions

• Chu Xiyue becomes increasingly fascinated by the band’s hidden scandals. Her curiosity turns the revelations into an entertaining investigation, and she reacts with disbelief and excitement.
• Chi Ying is revealed to be highly strategic and manipulative. She engineered a romantic situation in which Duan Xu and Pang Gaofeng competed for her, then used their devotion to make them accept an unusual relationship arrangement.
• Fu Yu shifts from appearing gentle and harmless to being exposed as the most calculating member of the group. He secretly orchestrated Chi Ying’s plan while pretending to reject her.
• Duan Xu and Pang Gaofeng are portrayed as rivals whose intense feelings for Chi Ying led them to fight, but they eventually agree to coexist peacefully for her sake.
• Song Xuyuan maintains a friendly public position within the group while secretly profiting from confidential information.
• Tang Tongzhou is shown as ambitious and willing to endure serious personal humiliation and physical consequences to obtain a place in the boy band.
• The band members’ relationships are defined by hidden schemes, rivalry, exploitation, and self-interest rather than genuine teamwork.

Significant Themes

• Ambition and sacrifice: The chapter emphasizes how far people may go to achieve fame, including manipulation, betrayal, selling secrets, and compromising personal dignity.
• Hidden identities and appearances: Characters who seem gentle, harmless, or romantic often conceal calculating motives.
• Power and exploitation in the entertainment industry: The story presents the industry as a system where influential executives abuse their power over aspiring artists.
• Unconventional relationships: Romantic competition and negotiated coexistence replace conventional ideas of love and fidelity.
• Gossip as narrative and currency: Rumors reveal hidden truths while also functioning as a profitable commodity for people like Song Xuyuan.
• Comedic shock and sensationalism: Chu Xiyue’s exaggerated reactions turn the disturbing revelations into darkly humorous entertainment.

Plot points and events

• Chu Xiyue notices Tang Tongzhou looking nervous and avoiding her gaze, though she does not realize why. The system reveals he has been secretly involved with the company general manager’s wife to help WED Boy Band recover after scandals nearly ruined the group.
• Song Xuyuan asks Chu Xiyue for an autograph and claims to admire her acting. When he learns that none of her dramas ever aired—because their leads were disgraced or production stalled—he awkwardly admits he is not actually her fan, but does like her.
• His clumsy clarification that he likes her “like an older sister” leaves the group amused. Online, however, his fans accuse Chu Xiyue of pursuing him, prompting her fans to retaliate with insults.

Character developments and interactions

• Tang Tongzhou appears guarded around Chu Xiyue, while the system’s revelation shows how far he has gone to protect his group’s career. Chu Xiyue responds with surprise and respect.
• Song Xuyuan comes across as shy and somewhat naïve: he tries to flatter Chu Xiyue without knowing her career history, then becomes flustered when his words sound romantic. Chu Xiyue and Li Fan’er share the awkward moment with him.
• The exchange exposes the aggressive rivalry between the two celebrities’ fan communities.

Significant themes

• The hidden cost of fame: Tang’s career-saving actions suggest the personal compromises behind entertainment-industry success.
• Celebrity image versus reality: Song’s fans construct a story of Chu Xiyue pursuing him despite the harmless, awkward interaction.
• Public scrutiny and online hostility: A minor misunderstanding quickly becomes a fan conflict, showing how celebrities’ interactions are distorted and amplified online.

Chapter Summary: Chu Xiyue and Wen Lun’s Big Scoop

• Song Xuyuan’s scheme: After embarrassing himself on the show, Song Xuyuan privately contacts Paparazzo B and offers to fabricate a scandal claiming that Chu Xiyue sexually harassed contestants. He plans to record and sell the supposed evidence, motivated by another rival who bribed Paparazzo A through an intermediary.
• The intended rumor: The system discovers that Song Xuyuan plans to link Chu Xiyue romantically and improperly with Wen Lun, since Chu has shown him unusual consideration and some obsessive fans already “ship” them. The system explains that this makes the rumor more believable than claims involving the other contestants.
• Chu Xiyue’s reaction: Chu is angry, but she focuses as much on the insult to her taste as on the attempt to ruin her reputation. She cannot believe anyone would think she was interested in Wen Lun, whom she views as a boastful former lovesick teenager who once drank himself into pediatric emergency care after a breakup. She also seems to understand that Song Xuyuan is plotting against her, and her knowing stare briefly makes him panic.
• Fourth performance preparations: Chu’s team consists of Wen Lun, Hu Weiyi, and Su Pingyan. Wen Lun serves as the main vocalist, Hu handles the chorus, and Su performs a notable solo dance. Their ancient-style performance is well balanced, allowing each contestant to showcase his strengths rather than concentrating all attention on one person. Chu’s role is relatively minor, but she practices seriously and helps rehearse the group’s choreography and vocals.
• Interactions and relationships: Rehearsals involve occasional physical contact, including hand-holding and waist support, but the three contestants behave respectfully and avoid taking advantage of the situations. Chu and Wen Lun’s cooperative relationship, however, is enough for outsiders to misinterpret their interactions.
• The scandal breaks: While Chu is busy preparing backstage on the day of the fourth public performance, Paparazzo A publishes a trending Weibo post accusing a popular female celebrity surnamed C—clearly Chu—of seducing and coercing young male contestants. An attached practice-room video shows only Chu and Wen Lun together, with Chu apparently saying, “As long as you nod... if you're willing to go all out... you'll get what you want...” The clipped, unclear footage is designed to make an innocent rehearsal conversation appear sexually suggestive.
• Themes: The chapter highlights the dangers of manipulated media, online rumor culture, fan-driven shipping, exploitation within entertainment reporting, and the gap between private intentions and public interpretation. It also emphasizes Chu’s sharp, irreverent personality and the growing threat posed by people trying to sabotage her career.

Chapter Summary: “An Accident on the Fourth Performance Stage”

Key Plot Points and Events

• A secretly recorded video of Wen Lun and Chu Xiyue is released online. In the clip, Chu Xiyue appears to threaten Wen Lun, saying that if he does not agree to something, she can force him to comply or expose his weakness.
• Netizens interpret the conversation as Chu Xiyue using Wen Lun’s vulnerability to manipulate him and possibly promising him the center position in exchange for something personal. Rumors quickly spread, portraying her as hypocritical and predatory.
• Paparazzo Little A reveals that he deliberately purchased the video to smear Chu Xiyue. He was paid 500,000 yuan for the exposé and believes the evidence is strong enough to avoid legal consequences from Tianyu Group.
• Meanwhile, Chu Xiyue and the contestants remain unaware of the online scandal because they are performing at a remote cultural center with poor phone reception.
• During the fourth public performance, groups perform in lottery order. Wen Lun draws the tenth and final position, which is considered disadvantageous because the audience may become tired after watching many performances.
• Earlier groups suffer from declining audience enthusiasm, and some contestants lose confidence and make performance mistakes. Chu Xiyue recognizes that the competition tests not only talent and popularity but also psychological endurance.
• Chu Xiyue’s group delivers an impressive performance: she appears in a white ancient-style costume, Wen Lun and the other contestants support her like knights, Hu Weiyi leads the climactic chorus, and Su Pingyan performs a sword dance.
• Their performance successfully revives the tired audience, earning thunderous applause.
• Just as the applause dies down, a female audience member throws a bottle of water at Chu Xiyue and shouts for her to leave the entertainment industry. The shocking attack leaves the contestants, audience, and livestream viewers stunned.

Character Developments

• Chu Xiyue: Her public image is suddenly threatened by the leaked video, though the chapter presents her as composed, observant, and professionally capable. She understands the psychological pressures of the stage and leads her team through an outstanding performance.
• Wen Lun: He appears resistant and distressed in the leaked recording, suggesting that he is being pressured or has a secret vulnerability. Onstage, however, he performs confidently and contributes to the group’s successful performance.
• Little A: He is portrayed as opportunistic and greedy. Confident that his purchased evidence will ruin Chu Xiyue, he focuses on his financial gain and underestimates the possible consequences.
• Other contestants: They show both strong ability and vulnerability. Some lose control under weak audience reactions, while Chu Xiyue’s teammates maintain their composure and perform effectively.

Significant Themes

• Public image versus reality: The video is edited or incomplete, allowing netizens to form harsh conclusions without knowing the full context.
• The power and danger of rumors: Online speculation rapidly turns an ambiguous conversation into accusations of coercion, sexual manipulation, and hypocrisy.
• Pressure of competition: The performance stage tests mental resilience as much as skill. Audience enthusiasm, performance order, and public opinion can all affect contestants’ results.
• Exploitation and media manipulation: Little A uses scandal for profit, showing how celebrities can be deliberately targeted and commercially exploited.
• The contrast between performance and private crisis: While Chu Xiyue’s group appears triumphant onstage, her reputation is collapsing online at the same moment.

Character Interactions

• Chu Xiyue and Wen Lun: Their tense exchange in the leaked video creates the central mystery. Chu Xiyue appears forceful, while Wen Lun refuses to yield, leaving their true circumstances unclear.
• Little A and his informant/boss: Little A buys damaging material and plans to profit from spreading it, emphasizing the transactional nature of the scandal.
• Chu Xiyue and her teammates: She leads the group through the difficult final performance slot, while Wen Lun, Hu Weiyi, and Su Pingyan each contribute distinct elements to the stage.
• Chu Xiyue and the audience: Her performance wins back the audience’s attention, but immediately afterward she becomes the target of a hostile spectator’s public attack, ending the chapter on a cliffhanger.

Chapter Summary

• Major incident: During a live event, an unknown masked girl throws a mineral-water bottle at Chu Xiyue and is immediately restrained by security. The girl loudly accuses Chu Xiyue of seducing and “stealing” her brother, apparently referring to idol Wen Lun, and threatens to throw sulfuric acid at her next time.
• Public reaction: The venue and livestream descend into chaos. Many viewers assume the attacker is an extreme Wen Lun fan and use the incident to renew online attacks against Chu Xiyue, whom they already accuse of abusing her position and pursuing contestants. The production team considers shutting down the livestream, but Chu Xiyue refuses.
• Chu Xiyue’s response: Remaining calm and authoritative, Chu Xiyue quiets the crowd and approaches the restrained girl despite the bodyguards’ concern. Rather than simply having her removed, she questions the girl directly about her identity and fandom.
• Exposing the attacker: Chu Xiyue claims she has seen the girl before and identifies her as a fan of Song Xuyuan rather than Wen Lun. When questioned about basic details of Wen Lun’s life—his birthday, preferences, age, height, weight, and food—the girl cannot answer, revealing that she is likely pretending to be a Wen Lun fan.
• Further evidence: Chu Xiyue notices that the girl is wearing expensive WED Boy Band merchandise shoes worth 8,000 yuan. The girl attempts to hide them, strengthening Chu Xiyue’s accusation that she belongs to another fandom and may be deliberately disguising herself to frame Wen Lun’s fans.
• Character development: Chu Xiyue demonstrates composure, confidence, sharp observation, and skill at controlling a hostile public situation. Instead of appearing frightened or defensive, she turns the confrontation into an investigation. The attacker is portrayed as unstable and deceptive, while the online audience remains sharply divided and quick to judge.
• Themes: The chapter highlights the dangers of celebrity fandom, online mob mentality, identity deception, and the gap between public perception and truth. It also emphasizes Chu Xiyue’s struggle against manufactured scandals and her growing ability to defend herself publicly.
• Character interactions: Chu Xiyue confronts the masked attacker while security restrains her; the girl responds with insults and threats. The mentors and bodyguards attempt to protect Chu Xiyue, while livestream viewers and fans argue over whether she deserves blame.

Chapter Summary: Chu Xiyue Confronts a Hater

Key Plot Points and Events

• During a public event, a woman attacks Chu Xiyue while pretending to be a fan of Wen Lun. Chu exposes the deception by identifying the woman’s clothing and accessories as expensive Song Xuyuan fan merchandise.
• Online viewers realize that the woman is actually a devoted Song Xuyuan fan, prompting speculation about why she would target Chu, who seemingly has no connection to him.
• Chu reveals that the woman’s actions could result in a criminal record. The fan becomes increasingly agitated and admits she is willing to do anything—including going to prison or killing Chu—to make Song Xuyuan happy.
• Song Xuyuan attempts to intervene from backstage, but Chu prevents him from immediately reaching the stage. She uses his visible anxiety to suggest that he is not pleased by the fan’s devotion.
• Chu publicly mocks both Song Xuyuan and the fan, declaring that “like idol, like fan.” She then implies that Song Xuyuan may have encouraged the attack, causing the audience and livestream viewers to turn their suspicion toward him.
• The system explains that Song Xuyuan’s former agency, Azure Sea Entertainment, has suffered because several of its films are delayed after their leading actors were exposed as disgraced celebrities. Song Xuyuan learned that Chu was connected to these problems and arranged for fans to target her in order to curry favor with the company’s higher-ups.
• Song Xuyuan finally reaches the stage and denies knowing the woman. Chu deliberately highlights his rejection, asking the fan how she feels after risking her future for someone who claims not to know her.
• The fan insists that she acted alone and refuses to believe Chu’s attempt to create doubt about Song Xuyuan. Chu identifies her online alias as “Rising Sun,” further demonstrating how thoroughly she has investigated her.

Character Developments

• Chu Xiyue becomes more assertive and ruthless. Rather than quietly enduring harassment, she exposes the attacker’s identity, humiliates Song Xuyuan, and takes control of the public narrative.
• She also recognizes that she has been too tolerant of people who see her as easy to exploit, prompting her to adopt a colder, more intimidating attitude.
• The female fan is revealed to be fanatically devoted to Song Xuyuan. Her willingness to commit violence and sacrifice her freedom shows how completely her identity and morality are tied to her idol.
• Song Xuyuan is exposed as manipulative and self-serving. Although he pretends not to know the fan, his panic suggests that he is afraid of being associated with her actions. His attempt to use her to please his former agency also reveals his lack of courage and responsibility.
• The system continues to provide Chu with hidden information, allowing her to uncover the fan’s identity and understand the larger motive behind the attack.

Significant Themes

• Blind celebrity worship: The fan’s extreme loyalty shows the dangers of idolizing celebrities to the point of abandoning personal judgment and legal boundaries.
• Manipulation and exploitation: Song Xuyuan and the entertainment company exploit the fan’s devotion for their own interests, while denying responsibility once the plan is exposed.
• Public image and truth: The confrontation takes place before a live audience, allowing Chu to dismantle the false narrative in real time and redirect public suspicion toward the real instigator.
• Justice and accountability: Chu emphasizes that devotion does not excuse criminal behavior and that both the attacker and those who encouraged her should face consequences.
• Power reversal: The supposed victim gains control of the situation, while the attacker and the celebrity she worships lose authority and credibility.

Character Interactions

• Chu directly challenges the fan about her criminal actions and exposes her as a Song Xuyuan supporter.
• The fan fiercely defends Song Xuyuan and threatens Chu, while Chu responds with sarcasm rather than fear.
• Song Xuyuan tries to stop the fan and later denies knowing her, but Chu uses his anxious behavior to undermine him.
• Chu deliberately asks the fan to confront the painful contradiction between her absolute devotion and Song Xuyuan’s public rejection.
• Through her accusations and revelations, Chu forces the audience to reconsider the relationship between Song Xuyuan, his agency, and the attack.

Chapter Summary

Chu Xiyue confronts Rising Sun, a devoted Song Xuyuan fan who has attacked and insulted her. She reveals that Rising Sun became involved after being contacted by a Weibo account called “Sunshine,” which claimed to be connected to Song Xuyuan and spread accusations that Chu had harassed and sabotaged him on the show. Rising Sun was encouraged to punish Chu on her idol’s behalf.
Chu then exposes the deeper truth: “Sunshine” is likely Song Xuyuan’s secret account, meaning he used Rising Sun as a weapon against Chu. Rising Sun refuses to believe this, insisting that Song would never privately contact a fan or behave in a way that could damage his public image. Song Xuyuan also denies owning the account and apologizes for Rising Sun’s actions, asking Chu to let her go because she is young.
Chu rejects his defense and presents evidence from the Sunshine account. It had posted an unwatermarked version of one of Song’s selfies only two minutes after his official post. The image had also been edited to make Song look darker, shorter, and less attractive, suggesting the account was not run by an ordinary admirer but by someone with direct access to his photos—possibly Song himself. Livestream viewers investigate the account and begin debating the evidence, with many concluding that Song used an alt account to manipulate Rising Sun and attack Chu. The incident rapidly becomes a major online scandal under the trending topic “Chu Xiyue Spills the Tea on the Spot.”

Character Developments and Interactions

• Chu Xiyue demonstrates sharp investigative ability and psychological control. She methodically exposes Rising Sun’s motivations and then turns her accusations toward Song Xuyuan, refusing to be intimidated by either of them.
• Rising Sun is revealed as an extreme, emotionally dependent fan. She believes she is protecting Song, but her loyalty makes her easy to manipulate. Even when confronted with evidence, she fiercely defends him and redirects her hatred toward Chu.
• Song Xuyuan appears calm and sympathetic while attempting to shield Rising Sun, but his denial becomes increasingly suspicious once Chu connects him to the Sunshine account. His concern is partly for his public image, since private contact with fans is considered a serious taboo.
• Chu and Rising Sun clash directly: Chu exposes that Rising Sun’s supposed act of loyalty was manipulated, while Rising Sun responds with insults and threats.
• Chu and Song Xuyuan engage in a public battle of credibility. Song tries to present himself as innocent and compassionate, but Chu counters with concrete evidence.
• The livestream audience acts as an investigative chorus, checking the evidence in real time and transforming the confrontation into a viral entertainment scandal.

Significant Themes

• Celebrity worship and manipulation: Rising Sun’s unquestioning devotion allows Song—or someone posing as him—to use her against Chu.
• Public image versus reality: Song’s polished celebrity persona conflicts with the possibility that he secretly manipulates fans and maliciously edits images.
• Online evidence and collective judgment: Social media users verify the account and photographs, showing how quickly private wrongdoing can become public controversy.
• Loyalty without critical thought: Rising Sun believes she is defending her idol, but her unquestioning faith prevents her from recognizing that she may have been exploited.
• Exposure and accountability: Chu’s willingness to reveal hidden behavior challenges the entertainment industry’s tendency to protect popular figures from consequences.

Chapter Summary — Page 155

• Song Xuyuan’s scheme is exposed: The “Sunshine” Weibo account is revealed to be Song Xuyuan’s secret account. He had used it to pretend to be a victim, manipulate his extreme fan Rising Sun, and persuade her to attack Chu Xiyue while keeping his own involvement hidden. A photo unexpectedly proves that he uploaded the original image, destroying his carefully constructed plan.
• Rising Sun turns against him: Realizing that Song Xuyuan really was Sunshine, Rising Sun is devastated—not primarily because he deceived her, but because he privately contacted a fan. As an extreme career-focused fan, she angrily criticizes him for neglecting his singing and losing sight of his supposed dream. Her harsh words shock both the livestream audience and those present.
• Chu Xiyue dismantles Song Xuyuan’s victim persona: Chu reveals that Song did not grow up poor or neglected, as he had claimed. Although his parents were divorced, both were wealthy businesspeople who remained unmarried, loved him, and provided him with a large monthly allowance. He entered the entertainment industry not to pursue a dream, but for a daily salary of 2.08 million.
• Rising Sun’s faith collapses: Song’s hesitation makes it clear that Chu’s accusations are true. Rising Sun realizes he had lied about his background and manipulated her sympathy. She accuses him of using the Sunshine account to claim he was bullied on the show and persuading her to target Chu.
• Public backlash intensifies: Online viewers condemn Song for exploiting fans who earn modest incomes while presenting himself as a poor victim despite being wealthy. They also question why he wanted Chu attacked despite having little genuine connection with her.
• WED members defend Song: The other four members of WED come onstage and position themselves protectively around Song. They accuse Chu of slander and demand an apology, claiming the alt account does not belong to Song. Their intervention suggests strong group loyalty, but also appears self-serving and performative.
• Chu attacks the group’s hypocrisy: Chu mocks their supposed “brotherhood,” accusing them of pretending to be impartial while shielding Song. She then directly insults Tang Tongzhou, alluding to his alleged habit of accompanying the general manager and his wife to parties and suggesting that his excessive partying has damaged his health.

Character Developments and Interactions

• Song Xuyuan: His manipulative, fraudulent public image begins to collapse. His panic and silence reveal guilt, while his dependence on lies and fan manipulation becomes clear.
• Rising Sun: She shifts from devoted supporter to furious, disillusioned accuser, though her anger comes from feeling that Song betrayed her ideals and career expectations.
• Chu Xiyue: She remains confident and aggressive, using evidence and personal information to expose Song and challenge WED’s members without hesitation.
• WED members: They close ranks around Song, prioritizing loyalty and reputation over accountability.
• Chu and Tang Tongzhou: Their confrontation becomes openly hostile, with Chu using personal allegations to undermine his moral authority.

Significant Themes

• Manipulation of fandom: Song exploits fans’ emotional investment and personal hardships to control their behavior.
• The collapse of manufactured personas: Public images built on fabricated poverty and victimhood can be destroyed by concrete evidence.
• Blind devotion and projection: Rising Sun projected her own childhood struggles onto Song, making her especially vulnerable to his lies.
• Performative loyalty and hypocrisy: WED’s defense of Song appears less like justice and more like a public-relations response to protect their group.
• Truth versus reputation: The livestream setting turns private deception into public spectacle, allowing Chu’s revelations to rapidly reshape public opinion.

Chapter Summary: “#WED Boy Band Brawls”

Key Plot Points and Events

• During a livestream, Chu Xiyue publicly accuses Tang Tongzhou of taking “Sea Dog Pills” while having sexual relationships with Azure Sea Entertainment’s general manager and his wife.
• She explains that the pills allegedly contain excessive androgens and Sildenafil, warning that prolonged use may cause irritability, poor concentration, hair loss, and sexual dysfunction.
• Tang Tongzhou vehemently denies everything and threatens to sue Chu Xiyue for defamation, but his panic and guilty reactions make the allegations appear credible.
• Chu Xiyue calmly demonstrates her legal knowledge, pointing out that Tang would need to pursue a private defamation lawsuit rather than simply call the police.
• The livestream audience begins examining Tang’s recent behavior and appearance, noticing his increased irritability, weaker concentration, slower dance memorization, and apparent hair loss.
• Tang privately worries that the medication may truly be damaging him and resolves to get a medical examination, while still refusing to admit anything publicly.
• Duan Xu intervenes on Tang’s behalf, defending Tang and the company’s general manager and threatening Chu Xiyue with legal action and possible retaliation from the powerful entertainment company.

Character Developments

• Chu Xiyue becomes increasingly bold and aggressive. Rather than backing down under public criticism, she uses her knowledge of law and medicine to expose Tang and challenge his threats.
• Tang Tongzhou shifts from confident denial to visible fear and internal panic. His behavior suggests that Chu Xiyue has exposed a genuine secret, though he remains determined to protect his career.
• Duan Xu reveals himself as protective of WED’s collective interests and willing to intimidate Chu Xiyue. His warning also shows the power imbalance between her and the entertainment company.
• Rising Sun momentarily abandons her anger toward Tang after becoming fascinated by the scandal, showing how strongly celebrity gossip can affect even devoted fans.
• The audience changes from attacking Chu Xiyue to investigating Tang’s past behavior, helping amplify the accusation through speculation.

Significant Themes

• Public image versus hidden misconduct: Tang’s carefully maintained idol persona begins to collapse when his private conduct is exposed.
• The power of livestreams and online gossip: A single accusation rapidly spreads, with viewers analyzing old footage and turning rumors into apparent evidence.
• Celebrity exploitation and scapegoating: Chu Xiyue resents being used by others to enhance their own reputations and refuses to play the role of a convenient target.
• Institutional power and intimidation: Duan Xu invokes the company’s influence to pressure Chu Xiyue into silence, highlighting the entertainment industry’s unequal power structures.
• Truth, denial, and reputation management: Although Tang may be guilty, the cameras force everyone to maintain public deniability and protect their careers.

Character Interactions

• Chu Xiyue and Tang Tongzhou: Their confrontation dominates the chapter. Tang threatens legal action, while Chu Xiyue counters with precise legal explanations and damaging allegations.
• Chu Xiyue and Duan Xu: Duan Xu attempts to intimidate her into apologizing, but his threats emphasize the company’s influence rather than disproving her claims.
• Tang Tongzhou and the livestream audience: His defensive expression and visible panic encourage viewers to believe the accusations.
• Rising Sun and Tang Tongzhou: Despite her previous disappointment in him, Rising Sun becomes absorbed in the scandal and begins scrutinizing him like the other viewers.
• Duan Xu and Tang Tongzhou: Duan Xu publicly protects Tang as part of WED’s shared interests, recognizing that one member’s scandal could damage the entire group.

Chapter 98 Summary

Plot points and events

• Duan Xu publicly defends WED Boy Band and threatens legal action against Chu Xiyue for spreading rumors, winning renewed support from the fans.
• Chu Xiyue retaliates by exposing alleged scandals involving the band members:
  • Song Xuyuan supposedly sold paparazzi information about Duan Xu and Pang Gaofeng sharing a girlfriend.
  • Fu Yu allegedly helped arrange the situation involving Chi Ying so she could benefit from both sides.
  • Tang Tongzhou is accused of having an intimate relationship with company manager Xu Wanyi and her husband.
• Song Xuyuan immediately denies leaking anything, while Duan Xu and Pang Gaofeng confront Fu Yu about his relationship with Chi Ying.
• Fu Yu insults them as idiots, prompting Duan Xu to punch him. Pang Gaofeng joins, Song Xuyuan is dragged into the fight, and Tang Tongzhou initially tries to intervene before losing his temper and joining as well.
• The entire five-member band ends up in a chaotic brawl onstage.
• Chu Xiyue watches from the side while eating sunflower seeds and enthusiastically commentates on the fight through her microphone.
• The livestream is abruptly banned for “bloody violence,” but viewers record and repost the footage. The incident and the band’s alleged scandals rapidly dominate Weibo’s trending searches.

Character developments

• Chu Xiyue demonstrates that she is far more dangerous and resourceful than her opponents expect. Rather than defend herself against rumors, she turns the confrontation around by exposing everyone else’s secrets and calmly enjoying the resulting chaos.
• Duan Xu shifts from forceful defender to an impulsive aggressor when Fu Yu refuses to answer his questions.
• Pang Gaofeng reveals his loyalty to Duan Xu—or at least his willingness to join the confrontation—by immediately entering the fight.
• Fu Yu remains evasive and contemptuous, but his reaction makes the others more suspicious of his connection to Chi Ying.
• Song Xuyuan instinctively denies betraying the group, while Tang Tongzhou initially acts as the most rational member before being pulled into the violence.

Significant themes

• Public image and scandal: The chapter satirizes how quickly celebrity reputations collapse when private affairs become public entertainment.
• Rumor versus proof: Chu Xiyue’s accusations initially seem like gossip, but the band members’ shocked reactions and physical conflict make the rumors appear credible to viewers.
• Entertainment as spectacle: The members’ scandals and brawl overshadow the official performance, showing that controversy attracts more attention than talent or staged entertainment.
• Power through information: Chu Xiyue gains control by revealing secrets at the most damaging possible moment, turning the livestream into a public trial.
• The hunger for gossip: Viewers are more fascinated by the scandals than by the performance, eagerly recording and reposting the banned broadcast.

Character interactions

• Duan Xu and Chu Xiyue clash verbally, with her mocking his attempt to intimidate her.
• Duan Xu and Pang Gaofeng turn their suspicion toward Fu Yu after Chu Xiyue’s revelation about Chi Ying.
• Fu Yu’s insult escalates the confrontation into a physical fight.
• The conflict spreads through all five members, transforming their internal tensions into a public brawl.
• Chu Xiyue remains outside the fight, acting as both instigator and commentator while the audience watches the band destroy its own reputation.

Chapter 158 Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Online gossip explodes after the WED Boy Band scandal, with accusations that members Pang, Duan, Fu, Song, and Tang Tongzhou exchanged sexual favors for promotional resources at Azure Sea Entertainment.
• Netizens connect the revelations to earlier scandals involving Azure Sea Entertainment heir Xu Wenchong, his wife, and He Jinyuan, as well as the suspiciously rapid rise of stars such as Su Qing and Liao Buyin.
• Although the livestream is shut down, audience members reveal what happened afterward:
  • Pang and Duan initially team up to beat Fu.
  • They then attack Song, prompting Song and Fu to join forces against Duan, badly injuring and apparently breaking his surgically altered nose.
  • Tang attempts to attack Chu Xiyue but is stopped by Wen Lun, who protects her.
  • Police arrive and take all five WED members, the girl who threw a water bottle at Chu, and Chu herself to the police station.
• At the police station, Chu gives her statement and emphasizes that Wen Lun acted defensively. Video evidence confirms the sequence of events, while evidence on Song Xuyuan’s phone shows that he encouraged fans to attack Chu.
• Since Chu did not physically attack anyone and was also targeted, she is released after cooperating with the investigation.
• The underage girl’s parents offer a private settlement. Chu refuses unless the girl publicly apologizes on Weibo, otherwise threatening legal action.
• After leaving the mediation room, Chu encounters Cheng Heyun, who is visibly relieved to see that she is unharmed and gently asks if she is all right.

Character Developments

• Chu Xiyue demonstrates strategic control and composure. Though she provoked the conflict by exposing the group’s secrets, she avoids physical involvement and successfully presents herself as an innocent victim.
• She also shows firmness by refusing a private settlement without a sincere public apology, indicating that she values accountability over convenience.
• Wen Lun reinforces his protective and heroic image by intervening when Tang attacks Chu, prompting audience members to speculate about a romantic pairing between him and Chu.
• Tang Tongzhou and the other WED members descend into open violence, exposing the group’s internal hostility and the destructive consequences of their scandals.
• Cheng Heyun reveals genuine concern for Chu, instinctively checking her condition and showing growing emotional attachment.

Significant Themes

• Public scandal and celebrity culture: Private misconduct becomes mass entertainment, with rumors rapidly spreading through social media and affecting the reputations of both the WED members and Azure Sea Entertainment.
• Exposure and collapse: Once hidden secrets are revealed, the group’s carefully maintained public image disintegrates into infighting, violence, and police involvement.
• Accountability versus reputation management: Chu rejects a quiet settlement and demands a public apology, emphasizing consequences and transparency.
• Manipulation and power: Chu’s knowledge and calculated disclosures allow her to turn the WED members against one another, while the entertainment industry is portrayed as corrupt and exploitative.
• Romantic protection and emotional tension: Wen Lun’s defense of Chu fuels shipping rumors, while Cheng Heyun’s concern suggests a deeper and more personal relationship developing between him and Chu.

Character Interactions

• Chu testifies in Wen Lun’s favor, framing his attack on Tang as an act of defense.
• Tang tries to attack Chu, but Wen Lun intervenes and restrains him.
• The WED members turn on one another in shifting alliances, with Pang and Duan first fighting together, followed by Song and Fu joining forces against Duan.
• Chu confronts the underage attacker’s parents indirectly by demanding a public apology rather than accepting their proposed settlement.
• Cheng Heyun meets Chu at the police station and expresses quiet but unmistakable concern for her safety.

Chapter Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Chu Xiyue is released from the police station after the confrontation that occurred during the variety show. She assumes Cheng Heyun came because her brother, Chu Chengyun, asked him to help.
• Wen Lun unexpectedly emerges and enthusiastically embraces Cheng Heyun, believing his brother came to bail him out. Cheng Heyun reveals that he did not even know Wen Lun had been detained.
• Chu Xiyue explains that Wen Lun protected her during the conflict. Wen Lun immediately downplays his actions while proudly emphasizing that he could not stand by while men bullied a woman.
• Chu Xiyue realizes that Cheng Heyun may have come specifically because he was worried about her. Cheng Heyun confirms that Chu Chengyun probably knows nothing about the incident, indirectly revealing his personal concern.
• Their brief exchange creates a subtle romantic tension. The system notices Chu Xiyue’s emotional reaction but deliberately stays silent, amused by the developing relationship.
• The five WED members are released the next day and issue a clarification statement, but public opinion no longer supports them.
• The scandal causes major financial damage to Azure Sea Entertainment and related companies, wiping out hundreds of millions in market value.
• Furious, Xu Wanyi orders his subordinate to investigate Chu Xiyue’s background and determine who is supporting her. After hearing that she may be close to the president of Dawn Entertainment, he dismisses Dawn as insignificant.
• Xu Wanyi orders his assistant to retaliate by suppressing Chu Xiyue’s career. The assistant instructs the public relations manager, Gou Dong, to intercept all of her work contracts and effectively blacklist her.
• Gou Dong hesitates, implying that carrying out the order may be more difficult than Xu Wanyi expects. The chapter ends as the conflict between Chu Xiyue and the Xu family’s entertainment empire escalates.

Character Development

• Chu Xiyue: Becomes more aware of Cheng Heyun’s concern for her and experiences the beginnings of romantic feelings. She also gains greater visibility and influence after exposing the misconduct surrounding the show.
• Cheng Heyun: Demonstrates that he came to the police station independently, apparently out of concern for Chu Xiyue rather than Wen Lun. His usually restrained emotions briefly reveal a gentler, more personal side.
• Wen Lun: Shows loyalty and courage by defending Chu Xiyue. Although impulsive and comical, he is perceptive enough to notice the possible romantic connection between Chu Xiyue and Cheng Heyun.
• Xu Wanyi: Reveals his arrogance and belief that the Xu family controls the entertainment industry. Rather than reflect on the scandal, he resorts to intimidation and career suppression.
• The system: Acts as a humorous observer of Chu Xiyue’s emotional and romantic development, choosing not to interrupt the moment with commentary.

Significant Themes

• Power and resistance: The Xu family uses its industry influence to silence artists, while Chu Xiyue’s public truth-telling challenges that power structure.
• Abuse of authority: Xu Wanyi treats blacklisting and coercion as routine tools, exposing the corruption of the entertainment industry.
• Emerging romance: Cheng Heyun’s unspoken concern and Chu Xiyue’s flustered reaction signal the beginning of a relationship.
• Loyalty and protection: Wen Lun protects Chu Xiyue physically, while Cheng Heyun supports her more quietly and personally.
• Public opinion and consequences: Although the WED members attempt to clarify the incident, the public has lost trust in them, and the scandal produces serious financial repercussions.

Character Interactions

• Chu Xiyue and Cheng Heyun: Their conversation reveals mutual awareness and restrained romantic tension, especially when Chu Xiyue realizes he came for her.
• Wen Lun and Cheng Heyun: Wen Lun comically assumes Cheng Heyun came to rescue him, but is disappointed when he learns the visit was not about him.
• Wen Lun and Chu Xiyue: Chu Xiyue thanks him for defending her, and he modestly accepts the praise while maintaining his chivalrous image.
• Wen Lun and the potential romance: Wen Lun quickly notices the chemistry between Chu Xiyue and Cheng Heyun and plans to report it to his aunt.
• Xu Wanyi and his subordinates: Xu Wanyi commands his staff to investigate and destroy Chu Xiyue’s career, while his subordinates show some hesitation about confronting her.

Chapter 160 Summary

Plot and events

Azure Sea Entertainment considers how to retaliate against Chu Xiyue after their earlier conflicts. The PR manager points out that Chu has no commercial endorsements or acting projects to sabotage—her only current work is the variety show Boy Group 101. Since Lingyun Group is rumored to be connected to the show’s investment, they cannot have her removed. Assistant Gou therefore orders the company to suppress existing trending topics and manufacture negative ones instead.
By the following afternoon, positive or unrelated searches involving the WED Boy Band, the Xu Family, and Azure Sea Entertainment disappear. They are replaced by a series of sensational accusations against Chu Xiyue, including claims that she used sexual favors to obtain opportunities, has a financial backer, bullied others, became a mistress, and underwent plastic surgery. Most of the claims have no evidence and are attributed vaguely to “industry insiders” or former acquaintances, but the sheer volume of repetition causes them to spread rapidly.
Paid commenters flood Chu Xiyue’s Weibo and the variety show’s livestream with abuse. They accuse her of fabricating scandals against other celebrities and use misogynistic rumors about backers and mistresses to damage her reputation. Although some viewers point out that several scandals she exposed were confirmed by police, their defenses are buried under the coordinated attacks.

Character developments

• Chu Xiyue remains remarkably calm despite the overwhelming abuse. Rather than reacting emotionally or trying to refute every rumor, she recognizes that the real enemy is the organization behind the campaign.
• Assistant Gou displays confidence in the effectiveness of capital-driven public relations warfare and is pleased with the results. He understands that destroying a female celebrity’s reputation is especially easy when rumors involve sexual relationships or financial patrons.
• The PR manager shows practical awareness of Chu’s unusual situation: despite having millions of followers, she has no commercial resources for the company to block, forcing them to rely on defamation instead.
• The system becomes protective and indignant on Chu Xiyue’s behalf, offering to delete and blacklist the hateful commenters. Its exaggerated, “domineering CEO” attitude provides comic relief, while Chu’s restraint demonstrates her greater strategic maturity.

Character interactions

Chu Xiyue teases the system for sounding like a character from a domineering CEO novel after it proposes punishing the haters. She then rejects its offer to delete the comments, explaining that the commenters are merely paid tools. In her view, eliminating the source of the campaign will naturally cause the paid attacks to disappear.

Significant themes

• Manipulation of public opinion: The chapter highlights how coordinated paid commentary and trending topics can make lies appear credible through repetition.
• Power of capital in the entertainment industry: Companies can use money and influence to erase favorable coverage, create scandals, and attack a celebrity’s career without needing factual evidence.
• Gendered reputational harm: Rumors that a female celebrity is a mistress or has a financial backer carry lasting stigma, making such accusations particularly destructive.
• Strategic composure versus emotional retaliation: Chu Xiyue refuses to be distracted by surface-level abuse and focuses instead on confronting the people orchestrating it.