The first thing the viewers saw was a wide shot of the entire studio. The lights glittered brilliantly, and the floor was clean and polished, making an impressive sight.
"Would all contestants please take your seats immediately. The live recording is about to begin. Counting down now... 10... 9... 8..."
Shang Shujue, who had just come out of the restroom, heard the announcement, quickly washed his hands, and dashed out.
He ran into his assistant, Chen Ruijia, halfway there and slammed on the brakes, almost skidding away...
"Jiajia, where's my number badge?"
"Shujue, here's your badge. Quick, pin it to your chest and get in there. Don't be the last contestant to sit down."
Chen Ruijia attached the red badge with the number 18 in white lettering to Shang Shujue's chest.
Only then did she lead him running toward the entrance.
"Thanks. I'm going in."
After thanking Chen Ruijia, Shang Shujue entered the studio. People were milling about, and it still looked a little chaotic. The cameras hadn't turned his way either, much to his relief.
[Phew... good thing I made it. Huh? There are so many people. Are there no empty seats left? Where am I supposed to sit?]
As soon as Shang Shujue entered the studio and saw all those people moving around, his thoughts sprang to life. He looked around without finding an empty seat and narrowed his eyes in confusion.
Everyone who heard Shang Shujue's thoughts checked the seats beside them. Zhang Zhichen noticed that there was still a seat on his left and immediately stood up, raising a hand.
"Mr. Shang, there's an empty seat over here. Come sit here."
Hearing Shang Shujue's thoughts, Yu Yang had been about to ask a staff member to guide him when he saw Zhang Zhichen speak up.
He immediately wiped the sweat from his forehead. They had almost held up something important. Thank goodness Mr. Zhang was there.
Shang Shujue looked toward the voice. He paused briefly when he saw the gentle, refined Zhang Zhichen, then nodded with a faint smile and went over to sit down.
*[Oh my~ As expected of this novel world's beautiful, kindhearted, gentle, refined, multitalented protagonist shou.
He even went out of his way to look after a universally despised guy like me. Why am I a little touched?]*
Shang Shujue's thoughts rang out again. Hearing phrases like "novel world" and "protagonist shou," everyone involuntarily glanced at Zhang Zhichen, their eyes widening.
Everyone: Zhang Zhichen, you're gay! And a bottom! No way-I refuse to accept this! ∑(❍ฺд❍ฺlll)
Zhang Zhichen: ...I'm confused too. I'm attracted to girls-∑(❍ฺд❍ฺlll)
*[ε=(´ο｀*))) Sigh, what a shame. Such a wonderful protagonist shou... and he ended up with the wrong person...]*
After sitting down, Shang Shujue sighed inwardly again, but refused to delve any deeper.
Left hanging halfway through, everyone was itching for more. Zhang Zhichen in particular felt as though every one of his internal organs was suffering!
╯﹏╰
Everyone: Fuck-what's with only telling half the story? Cryptic assholes are the worst-ꐦ≖ ≖
Since Shang Shujue didn't want to think about it anymore, everyone could only let it go and pretend they knew nothing.
Seeing Shang Shujue settle comfortably into his seat, everyone sighed inwardly, feeling a little disappointed.
Zhang Zhichen, however, inexplicably felt glad that he hadn't thought about anything else.
He didn't know why, but he kept feeling that if Shang Shujue had thought a little more just now.
Everyone present might have learned something unbelievable, and that information would make him one of the focal points during the competition ahead...
After all, having people feast on your gossip in public was truly hard to talk about. Even if it was something bad, it was difficult to comment on.
Zhang Zhichen glanced at the handsome man, who had unscrewed a bottle of mineral water and started drinking after sitting down, then turned his gaze toward the stage, his mind awhirl.
He doesn't look as awful as people online say... He's actually quite good-looking.
Not only that, he seems to have some special ability-predicting someone's future through gossip or something. That's really interesting...
"Aaah! It's starting! It's starting! This year's amateurs are such high quality. They're all so handsome, oh my great-grandma~"
"Woohoo~ Baby Chenchen is so handsome! Guys, this Zhang Zhichen is such a treat. Don't forget to vote for him! We have to get him to debut!"
"Aaah! Who arranged the seating?! Why is that scumbag Shang Shujue sitting with my baby? I object! Production team, separate them right now!"
"Aaah! Baby Xu Zhichen is so handsome! I love you! Look at me! I can't take it, they're all so handsome! Guys, do you get it?! So handsome!"
"So many people~ So fancy~ This season is definitely going to blow up. Shang Shujue is walking traffic! The production team sure knows how to save money! Get! ٩( 'ω' )و"
The moment the livestream appeared, the viewers watching were bombarded by a screen full of handsome faces.
Casual viewers went wild over their looks, while fans of contestants who already had small followings cheered frantically. It was incredibly lively.
Quite a few of them disliked Shang Shujue, but there was no denying that his presence earned Zhang Zhichen and the amateurs beside Shang Shujue considerably more screen time.
Besides, most of the people sitting around the two of them were naturally handsome men who would look great even on camera without makeup.
Whether Yu Yang had done it deliberately or not, he had placed all these men whose looks could stand up to scrutiny in one section. Every sweep of the camera was a feast for the eyes.
Even the people sitting around them received plenty of camera attention because of their looks.
Among all the contestants, their looks could score over ninety points.
There was no denying that the director knew how to stir things up. Anyone else who wanted screen time would have to pull some antics to fight for it.
When Shang Shujue saw the image that appeared on the big screen after the camera swept past them, he raised his eyebrows, unable to resist a few narcissistic remarks to himself.
[Heh, I still look this perfect. Even surrounded by handsome guys of every style, I'm still the best-looking one~]
Everyone who could hear his thoughts: "..."
Bro, we never knew you could be this narcissistic. You don't hesitate at all when praising yourself...
Shang Shujue took another sip of water, completely oblivious to the strange atmosphere around him. The host had yet to come onstage.
He quietly shifted positions, propping his chin on one hand and narrowing his eyes slightly, looking rather relaxed.
[Hiss... the guy sitting in front of me is called Yu Zeqi, right? He looks a little nervous. Even his ears are red... This must be his first time on a variety show like this.]
Yu Zeqi was already very nervous. Hearing Shang Shujue suddenly mention his name, his whole body jolted.
He unconsciously gripped the hem of his outfit, looking somewhat stiff, his eyes uneasy.
As luck would have it, the camera hadn't moved away yet and captured his uneasy yet ethereal, clear, and innocent appearance. Some mom fans instantly showered him with kisses, flooding the bullet comments.
"Aaah... is this trainee baby called Yu Zeqi feeling shy and nervous? Aah, baby, you're just a sweet, soft little cupcake! So cute (♡⌂♡)"
"Oh my god! The live director really knows what they're doing. A little cupcake suddenly popped up among all those handsome guys? He's so sweet, so pure, and so cute (♡⌂♡)"
Everyone was completely unaware, merely stealing a discreet glance at Yu Zeqi on the big screen.
He wore a Western European-style performance outfit. His features were pretty and fresh, and his makeup was exquisite.
He radiated a gentle, pure aura. Even looking slightly uneasy, he made people want to approach and befriend him.
[This kid has such an innocent air. He looks like the kind of fool who'd help count the money after being sold...]
Yu Zeqi blushed. "..." I'll take that as a compliment.
Shang Shujue quietly made that snarky remark in his mind, tapping his cheek lightly with a finger. Whatever he saw made a mischievous smile curl his lips as he laughed wildly inside.
*[Hahaha... he just got scammed out of two hundred yuan yesterday, and even after realizing it, he didn't get his money back.
He even cried while comforting himself that suffering a loss was a blessing... Hahaha... he really is a fool. Hahaha...]*
Yu Zeqi wanted the ground to swallow him. "..." I'm not!
Everyone: "..." Their eyes widened... That actually happened?
Shang Shujue clutched his stomach, struggling to hold back his laughter. Yu Yang hurriedly told the live director to switch cameras and called for the host to get onstage. He really had no time to indulge Shang Shujue's antics.
*[Go home, kid... go home...
Don't end up getting tricked into bed by some asshole... and think they're just freezing and looking to you for warmth...
Hahaha... I can't with this... holding back laughter hurts so much...]*
Yu Zeqi paled in shock. "...?!"
Everyone: "..." Holy shit, are we allowed to hear this? Bro, can you think about something else?!
"Fuck! What did Shang Shujue see? Is he holding back laughter? What's so funny? Or is there something wrong with his head?!"
"No idea, but isn't this guy way too good-looking when he smiles? What do I do? I kind of want to become a fan."
"The person above must be starving if they'll swallow anything. Go back and find something better!"
Shang Shujue knew nothing of the comments in the livestream, while the trainees around him who had noticed Yu Zeqi's expression.
They were all astonished. That expression on Yu Zeqi's face... Could Shang Shujue's thoughts be true?
Yu Zeqi himself was almost as red as a tomato. He felt gazes shooting toward him from every direction, leaving his nerves taut and his expression nearly beyond his control.
Perhaps the live director sensed his helplessness, because the camera finally moved to the stage.
The host, Lei Linya, finally walked onstage, and the music started, drawing everyone's attention back. At last, it felt like a talent show.