Chapter 1

"Hello everyone, I don't think I need to introduce myself much. Even as a newcomer, I should have been recognized on the front pages of entertainment news. Yes, I am Xu He, the trainee who plagiarized a famous singer's work and refused to admit it."

In a rather simple waiting room, a trainee selection interview was nearing its end.

They competed in singing, danced, showcased their talents and strengths, and just like in all trainee selections, they tried to prove how excellent and worthy of being chosen they were.

Only one of them would have the chance to secure a spot, participate in the competition, and debut as a national idol.

So the competition was intense.

At the moment, only a few trainees were left to be evaluated.

Then, amidst the shocked gazes of the other trainees, Xu He, the fifth-to-last to enter, continued:

"Not only that, the reports also said that this wasn't my first time plagiarizing. I've copied many other songs before, but the methods were hidden or not yet released, so they weren't exposed."

"Do you think that's all? No, I can also share with you that the media published an article a few days ago, confirming not only my plagiarism but also various other despicable acts. It's quite a spectacle, and you should pay attention."

"Oh, no need to look so surprised. Didn't I say before that what you see isn't the whole story, so the rest is even more interesting."

It was really something.

The trainees present could guarantee that when Xu He first entered, everyone thought he still looked decent.

Not as bad as the reports suggested.

But they didn't expect... it to be even more interesting than they imagined?

Was this something he could say?

Anyway, their skin was already on edge from listening.

This guy, in any entertainment article, would definitely qualify as the villain, right?

If not for his low status, he would definitely be a major boss.

The interviewer, while trying to suppress a gulp, couldn't help but ask curiously: "I only saw the first wave of reports. The new one you mentioned..."

He couldn't help but lean forward a bit.

"Of course, this report is very popular. Just search it and you'll find it."

But as long as he wanted to listen, Xu He wouldn't be stingy. He put on a mysterious air with his hand and continued loudly: "For example, I used fans' money to date, and I've had seven or eight girlfriends. I know it doesn't sound very exciting, and it's not many for a trainee, and I don't have any children, right?"

This statement made the trainees on the scene uneasy.

Fortunately, Xu He didn't delve deeper but said:

"But the report says I was always dating multiple people at the same time. You know, a time management master."

"And there's more. I was caught bullying crew members, which is pretty despicable, right?"

"Even more shocking, according to various reports, I've not only been kept by a rich woman, but I've even seen the 'Happy Ball' of a rich woman! And not just one, but multiple at the same time!"

He seemed to have a lot more to list, but the trainees' mouths were already wide open.

No, was this an audition or a competition to see who was the worst?

And...

Although it sounded like there was more to the story, was it necessary?

The more he emphasized his news, the less hope he had of becoming an idol.

Because if you're a famous idol, when something happens, fans will defend you, the company will help with PR, and capital will cover it up. But you, Xu He... although you're not an ordinary trainee, you're definitely not a big deal, right?

Who would care about these things, especially since the evidence is already there...

Did he hope the interviewer would sympathize with him?

Indeed, the interviewer sighed: "Alright, I understand. The interview for today is over."

He was experienced and knew:

No matter what he said next, Xu He would have the same attitude, as it seemed he was just short of writing "I don't want to audition" on his face.

"Alright, thank you."

Xu He also sighed, a bit regretful:

He hadn't even mentioned the most interesting part, which was his love for eating Lao Tan pickled vegetables with double-smoked sausages.

But he didn't stay longer.

He got up and left, shocking the other trainees again: Was this a lack of respect for the interviewer, or complete self-abandonment?

They couldn't figure out why.

But what they couldn't imagine was, half an hour later...

"I understand everyone's situation. You are all excellent, so I have made my final choice..."

Then, the interviewer organized the materials and, under the expectant gazes of the others, nodded and smiled:

"That is, Xu He!"

...

The remaining trainees were first stunned, then the room exploded, and some were even emotionally agitated:

"What?"

"Why Xu He?"

"So is this a backroom deal, or pre-determined?"

No matter what, it seemed Xu He and the interviewer were there to mock them. The implication was that even someone as bad as Xu He would be chosen over these trainees?

The room was in chaos.

However, the interviewer himself didn't show any particular emotion—neither about Xu He's early departure nor the trainees' reactions.

He became even calmer and looked at the materials in his hand:

"Xu He, 22 years old, very simple background."

"Not to say everyone here is an orphan, but there's one whose father ran away shortly after he was born, leaving a child who always talks about 'blue silver entanglement.'"

"There's one who took his little sister to the temple fair, bought a sugar-coated haw, and then loudly performed magic tricks."

"There's also one whose parents went missing when he was young, and after graduating from high school, he wanted to go to Cassel College..."

"So, growing up in such a peculiar environment, it's not bad that Xu He didn't go astray and even managed to attend the Capital Liu Ye Performing Arts College. Although it's a bit of a fly-by-night school, at least he went to college and started creating during his university years, and got signed after graduation."

"But unfortunately, these are all illusions. He was exposed for plagiarism not long ago, followed by a series of scandals..."

"Desperate, he encountered a company on the verge of bankruptcy. Unable to pay the breach of contract fee and not wanting to be shelved with the company, Xu He used his last connections to become a trainee, probably aiming to secure the audition spot to get out of the company contract..."

By this point, it was already a summary of the background.

So the interviewer didn't believe that Xu He really didn't want to audition—struggling hard a while ago and now giving up?

He must have seen through the interviewer's intentions.

Not bad for someone who has been in such big news.

Unfortunately, if there were no scandals...

Without the scandals, they wouldn't have such a suitable candidate!

So, thinking about this, the interviewer finally looked up and smiled at the crowd: "Do you feel不服气 (unfair)?"

"..." The crowd fell silent, not speaking.

But their eyes silently agreed.

The interviewer then continued with a smile: "You don't think that with the company on the verge of bankruptcy, there would really be any outstanding trainees among you who haven't been sold yet, do you? The good seeds were sold long ago."

This heart-piercing statement made many trainees' necks turn red instantly.

But they quickly became dejected, as it was indeed the truth.

But...

Isn't it better to choose someone without any scandals for the audition?

On the other side, the interviewer found it somewhat amusing: "And do you look down on Xu He?"

"Do you think he's already a failure and has no use?"

"I'll tell you, some people may seem like failures, but as long as they are placed in the right position, they still have great value..."

...

The interviewer didn't fully reveal his intentions, as it wouldn't take long for the smart trainees to figure out why once the show aired—and with the sky-high breach of contract fees, these people wouldn't be stupid enough to talk about it.

The situation was actually very simple: the interviewer was there to choose a failure.

The worse, the better.

Because, as mentioned earlier, the company was about to go bankrupt.

Everything that could be sold was sold, and what couldn't be sold, like today's audition spot—although the annual audition show selects the best, to encourage small and medium-sized entertainment companies, 30% of the spots are randomly distributed to all entertainment companies.

This company got one spot this year, which could only be given to one of its own artists. To prevent other companies from snatching the spot at the last minute, the list of candidates was determined by a lottery.

So, it was indeed hard to find a loophole.

But sometimes, what seems unsellable can still be traded.

After much maneuvering, the big company, Taiyang Entertainment, got this spot: of course, the policy couldn't be changed, so they still had to choose from the remaining trainees.

But when they came to choose, they weren't being kind.

They didn't want to select a strong opponent.

Instead, they wanted a trainee who wasn't good at singing or dancing, to participate in the first round of auditions and ensure the success of their own trainees.

In other words, to deliberately perform poorly and compete against their own people from Taiyang Entertainment...

To ensure the advancement of the big company's trainees.

To prevent the trainee from backing out, they would secretly investigate the trainee's past and use it as leverage—making the trainee comply by threatening to expose their past if they didn't cooperate.

So the selection criteria were actually...

Whoever was the worst and had the most scandalous past, they would choose.

So almost everyone was wrong.

These trainees really thought Taiyang Entertainment was there to save them, but a top company doesn't lack trainees, especially those left over. No matter how hard they performed, the company wouldn't be impressed.

Among them, only Xu He performed poorly on the spot.

And was promptly chosen.

Not bad for a seasoned veteran, instantly grasping the interviewer's intentions... right?

According to the person involved, it wasn't like that.

"I thought performing poorly would get me eliminated, but I just realized that my unwillingness to audition and my poor performance... actually fit their plans perfectly."

On the bus, Xu He looked out the window.

Holding his phone, he was speechless, pausing in the conversation:

This was probably the most frustrating news he had heard in the month since he came to this world.