Transmigrated as the CEO's Top-Tier Stand-in - Chapter 24.1

Chapter 24.1

Ji Yu’s Interview: The Story Behind the Change

Ji Yu only spent about ten minutes in the interview room this time, but because Director Wang Luoshui personally conducted the interview and it was during a time when everyone was busy practicing, few trainees in the show knew about it.

After watching her leaving figure and the video footage, Wang Luoshui remained alone in the room. Although she wore a fashionable denim jumpsuit with a sophisticated open design at the collarbone, giving her a sharp and cool appearance, she was currently frowning at the camera recording, wearing an expression of deep distress.

“Director Wang?”

Her assistant rarely saw her look so hesitant. However, since this was the time when mentors Qi Feng and Night were checking on the trainees’ progress, and the assistant knew Wang Luoshui’s habit of personally monitoring the screens at such times, she spoke up to remind her.

Wang Luoshui snapped back to attention. Her eyes fell on the slightly curled edge of her light-colored denim skirt. After smoothing it with her fingertip, she turned to the assistant, acknowledged the recording focus of the day with a soft “Mm,” but after glancing at the time, she remained seated.

The assistant, though puzzled, said no more, quietly closed the door, and left.

Wang Luoshui was left alone in the room, still touching her brow in worry.

She had long been curious why Ji Yu was so listless and apathetic when participating in the show, completely out of sync with the sunny vitality of the other girls, and utterly unlike someone chasing a dream.

However, the interview just now resolved all her doubts.

Wang Luoshui knew clearly what kind of reaction this segment would provoke when broadcast.

The value of the show would be elevated, and Ji Yu herself could instantly compensate for her poor early performance. Furthermore, if the public opinion was handled properly, this wave could generate significant momentum for Dream Chasing 100.

But.

She closed her eyes.

The scene of her interviewing Ji Yu played in her mind.

“Why have you been able to make such significant progress from the initial stage until now? What prompted you to make such a change?”

This was indirectly asking on behalf of the audience why Ji Yu performed ordinarily during the initial stage—neither her singing, dancing, nor other talents were outstanding—but had suddenly burst into light during the theme song performance. Was it because the initial stage song she chose wasn’t appealing enough, or was there another plan?

The girl sitting in front of the camera gazed down, a faint smile on her face. She didn’t directly answer the question but shifted to another topic:

“Actually, my biggest dream was once to be a member of a girl group—to debut, form a group, and reach the pinnacle, just like all the girls who came to this show.”

“I had a friend at the time who practiced tirelessly with me day and night. We had promised each other that we would walk the flower path together…”

She paused here, then lowered her voice, seemingly not wanting anyone to detect her current emotions, and she kept her gaze away from the camera.

From her use of the word “once,” Wang Luoshui realized there was a story worth exploring. She remained silent, quietly waiting for Ji Yu to slowly gather her emotions and continue:

“But she was much better than me. She debuted and formed a group before me and realized her dream one step sooner.”

“But… later, she encountered many, many bad things in this industry. Because I wasn’t close enough, I couldn’t be by her side during her most difficult time, and I can never make up for that regret. I chose to avoid and distance myself from the place that hurt her. However, singing and dancing had been a habit I maintained for many years; it had almost become the focus of my life, and I couldn’t shift it quickly.”

“So I tried hard to live a normal person’s life, from nine-to-five, but unfortunately, due to certain circumstances, I ultimately couldn’t do it and eventually found myself back here.”

Ji Yu gently exhaled. It was then that Wang Luoshui saw her look up, a hint of warmth in the smile on her lips: “This show is very special. The girls here are very friendly, something I never imagined before coming. Since meeting Ling Lan, I’ve been surrounded by this goodwill, which made me… suddenly bold enough to want to try. I want her to see this show, to see me in it.”

“She was once harmed by the malice in this industry, and I was too immature then. Even by her side, I couldn’t give her strength or support, couldn’t even feel a tenth of her pain. But now, perhaps I have a little more qualification than before to experience the world she experienced. Maybe…”

“Maybe I really can forge a different path?”

“Or, I am a bit greedy: it was always her who encouraged me. This time, can I be the one to give her strength?”

“The show is called Dream Chasing 100. Everyone here is a girl who wants her dreams to come true. If I can create a miracle here, perhaps my long-standing regret can be redeemed?”

From her focused gaze, Wang Luoshui felt a profound strength.

It was an attitude of finally being relieved and willing to embrace a new life after being worn down by long-term suffering. She had seen many people in the industry, witnessed countless ups and downs, and now understood that when a person is willing to walk out of immense pain, a bright and smooth path lies ahead.

If Ji Yu successfully debuts one day and truly becomes an idol, her fans will surely feel this strength from her.

This was the kind of talent a top girl group desperately seeks, the true embodiment of the term “idol” in the entertainment industry.

She suppressed the shock in her heart, looked at Ji Yu with a complex gaze, and after a moment, remarked meaningfully: “This friend must be very important to you to have such a profound impact, right?”

Ji Yu seemed to understand what she was hinting at.

She merely smiled, her eyes slightly moving, radiating boundless warmth, and said slowly with a tenderness Wang Luoshui had never seen before:

“Yes.”

“She is my light.”

Wang Luoshui’s initial shock was replaced by another—

She instinctively thought of Meng Rendong, who was downcast due to her breakup with Ji Yu.

She recalled Meng Rendong’s words about Ji Yu’s deep affection for her, and then thought of the person Ji Yu referred to:

Good at singing and dancing, once a girl group member.

This had nothing to do with Meng Rendong, the CEO of Imperial Entertainment.

When Wang Luoshui met Ji Yu at the Mengdao Bar previously, her impression was of a well-behaved, quiet person, completely obedient to Meng Rendong. At that time, she assumed their relationship was a case of one willing to discipline and the other willing to take it, so she gave Meng Rendong many chances to reconcile afterward.

But now.

Seeing the deep affection and pain in Ji Yu’s eyes when speaking of this unknown “friend” was undeniable, especially since that “friend” left Ji Yu with such a profound, indelible memory.

Comparing the two, even a blind person like Wang Luoshui could tell that Ji Yu’s love for Meng Rendong was far from deeply rooted.

Recalling Meng Rendong’s earlier words in the lounge, which included “Just because she gave her absolute all at the start, I thought she would always love me that way…” Wang Luoshui felt extremely uneasy.

And Meng Rendong clearly didn’t know this yet.

What should she do as Meng Rendong’s friend?

Unflinchingly expose the truth and make Meng Rendong stop thinking about this person forever?

Or pretend not to know anything and keep it hidden? But what about after the show airs?

Wang Luoshui couldn’t help but rub her forehead again.

She couldn’t understand why just making a show had dragged her into so much trouble between friends.

Ji Yu’s Resolve and the Mentors’ Concern

Director Wang’s troubles were not for outsiders to know.

Ji Yu, however, felt a sense of relief. After walking out of the interview room, she let out a long breath, then realized she felt drained. On her way to the F-class studio, she leaned against the corridor wall to recover for a long time.

The System knew that speaking those words from her heart was her utmost effort, a farewell to the long years of pain. It felt a little heartache but also joy for her, saying:

“Yuyu, you are amazing.”

“If Si Tian really sees you on the show in this world, she will definitely be happy for you.”

Ji Yu very lightly shook her head.

She wasn’t expecting Si Tian to be happy to see her like this, given how Si Tian was severely hurt in this industry and would likely never want to return or engage with the people and things here again. She was just thinking that she had the System and decent self-care skills, and having met Meng Rendong upon arriving in this world, she had always been financially secure.

But what about Si Tian?

Waking up from such immense despair and finding herself still alive, would she feel fortunate, or would she attempt suicide again out of hopelessness?

Thinking of the latter possibility, Ji Yu broke out in a cold sweat, praying that Si Tian would give her another chance, see her, be found by her, and allow her to accompany her for the rest of her life, driving away all the nightmares and shadows.

This was Ji Yu’s greatest wish.

Thinking of this, she straightened up again and walked towards the F-class studio, asking the System as she went:

“When is the first episode of the show airing?”

“Three days from now, after your theme song assessment is over, the first episode of the show will be broadcast.”

Ji Yu was about to curve her lips but, thinking of her initial stage performance, realized it would be good if she could even be spotted in the group frame. The smile she had just put on collapsed. Then she clenched her fist and walked straight to the F-class studio.

She had to keep working hard.

After a moment, Ji Yu asked again:

“By the way, can I really steal the spotlight from Chu Nanxing, the female protagonist?”

“If your detection is wrong, I won’t be responsible. Now that I’ve started this, I can’t stop.”

The System affirmed her: “Of course you can. Please try hard to get more screen time and strive to be the female protagonist, Yuyu!”

While Mentor An Ran was coaching two students on the high notes of “Go!” in A-class, and Dance Mentor Zhi Tao was correcting some imprecise movements in B-class, Qi Feng and Night went against the usual routine and visited the F-class studio first.

When Ji Yu arrived, the two had just sat down.

Qi Feng turned and saw her, giving her a slight smile, the beauty mark at his eye corner as seductive as ever: “Now that everyone is here, let’s see how you practiced the theme song yesterday.”

The other F-class trainees immediately covered their faces, seemingly unwilling to recall their dismal progress.

Faint answers emerged from the crowd:

“Not well.”

“It’s over.”

“Feng ge, save the children QAQ”

Hearing such discouraging words, Qi Feng’s expression didn’t change much. He merely said gently: “Why is it over? Although Zhi Tao hasn’t arrived yet, Night ge and I are here, aren’t we? We’ll check on you first so that any problems can be found early, instead of being exposed on assessment day, right?”

Night, wearing a black hoodie and sitting next to Qi Feng with his legs stretched out, was as taciturn as ever. You could vaguely see a bit of silver light from his long earring peeking out from under his hood when he turned his head. Today’s style was punk metal, making him look even cooler.

Hearing Qi Feng’s words, he didn’t speak but directly signaled the staff member with the speaker to play the theme song. Clearly, this meant agreement.

The F-class trainees were initially on the verge of tears, but encouraged by their mentors, they quickly found their positions, crowding together. Qi Feng shook his head again, smiling as he held up the microphone:

“In batches. Six at a time. That way I can watch properly. Alright, discuss among yourselves, who goes first?”

The trainees who had practiced with Ji Yu, Jiang Lianque, and Rong Bai earlier in the morning suddenly cast their gazes towards her. One of them quietly leaned in and said: “Yu ge! Go! The chance to win glory for our F-class and shock the mentors is up to you!”

With Ji Yu setting a high standard, even if the others performed slightly worse afterward, at least Qi Feng and Night wouldn’t deem them hopeless and completely untalented, and develop a sense of disappointment towards their class.

Ji Yu, abruptly nominated, was stunned for a moment but did not decline. She unusually walked into the central front row.

The five others standing next to her were clearly the ones she had seen diligently practicing singing and dancing in front of the mirror when everyone else in F-class was demoralized.

Qi Feng: “Ready?”

The six nodded in unison.

Soon, the theme song “Go!” played once more in the room. This time, Ji Yu, finally facing the camera, fully displayed the strength she had previously concealed to everyone.

For just a few dozen seconds, even the few girls who had seen her dance before couldn’t help but look at her with admiration. As for the others who hadn’t seen it, they involuntarily tugged at their friends’ sleeves in awe.

Night’s gaze lingered on Ji Yu’s eyes for two seconds, then he showed a thoughtful expression.

The smile on Qi Feng’s face unconsciously faded, the beauty mark at the corner of his eye making his features look slightly sharper at this moment, but he was watching everyone’s movements very seriously—

Until the music finished for the first time.

Near the end, one girl forgot the final lyrics, perhaps due to nervousness, and could only hum along. Another girl performed a movement incorrectly, causing her rhythm to be disrupted, and she stopped midway.

The remaining people all had their own issues.

The only person who managed to finish the entire singing and dancing performance was Ji Yu.

Her pose was frozen at the end, her breath still slightly trembling, but since Qi Feng hadn’t spoken, she didn’t detach from the theme song’s emotion, and her expression remained unchanged. After a few seconds, Qi Feng finally picked up the microphone and said:

“Good.”

The six girls immediately let out a sigh of relief. Ji Yu looked over with them, but her eyes were not anxious or nervous; instead, they were exceptionally calm, as if she could accept any result with equanimity.

Qi Feng made eye contact with each of them. When he reached Ji Yu, his smile widened slightly, and he said warmly:

“You danced very well.”

“Whether it’s coordination, balance, hitting the beats, or the singing part—it was all done well. Your performance just now can be set as the current full-score standard. As long as you maintain this state until the assessment day, the final result will not disappoint you.”

After listening, Ji Yu bowed to thank him for his guidance: “Thank you, Feng ge.”

Qi Feng shook his head: “No need to thank me. Everything you achieve is due to your own effort; I can’t help you much.”

After saying this, his gaze softened slightly as he looked at Ji Yu, continuing: “But I hope that if you have spare time, you can appropriately help your partners around you.”

Ji Yu nodded seriously in agreement: “I will.”

Then Qi Feng pointed out the problems of the others. Compared to Ji Yu’s near perfection, the other trainees had more issues. Qi Feng began to coach them specifically. If there were details he missed, Night would quietly walk over, and after asking a trainee to repeat a movement, he would shake his head, push back his hood, walk to the mirror, and demonstrate the exact movement himself.

When it came to professionalism, both mentors were very serious. Qi Feng lacked his usual gentle demeanor and was strict with his demands. Night, meanwhile, didn’t mind that the style of the girl group dance didn’t match his cool, handsome image, and would perform a hip-swaying movement five or six times upon a trainee’s request.

Only after every member of F-class had received guidance did the two leave for the next class.

The door of the F-class studio closed.

Qi Feng walked ahead, his ash-gray short hair styled with gel to achieve a deliberately messy aesthetic, sparkling with glitter powder. He turned to ask Night:

“What do you think?”

Night thought of Ji Yu’s performance and gave two words: “A surprise.”

Qi Feng immediately knew who he was talking about, and a sense of relief grew in his eyes. Previously, after seeing Ji Yu’s state, they both thought the girl would remain downcast and just coast through a few episodes before leaving the show.

But she suddenly started trying.

And with such a stunning result.

She was clearly a bright pearl hidden deep in a giant clam, gradually revealing her brilliant luster to the world.

If Ji Yu hadn’t been willing to try herself, they couldn’t have done much for her. Even encouragement would have felt helpless and hollow. But now that Ji Yu was shining on her own, Qi Feng couldn’t help but want to support her, and not just Ji Yu, but everyone there who cherished their dreams and was willing to fight for them.

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