Transmigrated as the CEO's Top-Tier Stand-in - Chapter 32

Chapter 32

Curious passersby clicked on the trending topic #HardcoreFishFanCheering#. Those unfamiliar with fan culture wondered what kind of gourmet fish powder (a homophone for “fish fan” in Chinese) this was, only to be confused by the word “cheering” that followed. It wasn’t until they saw a video uploaded by an enthusiast.

In the video, the shooter’s phone camera briefly swept across the stage of Dream Chasing 100. In the dark venue, the scattered light boards flashing red, blue, and gold edges looked like stars misplaced in the night sky. The camera then settled on the very back.

A pillar of intensely penetrating orange-yellow flashlight beam pierced the darkness. The slender light column cut through the gloom, swaying slightly. That alone would have been strange, but within the light beam was a fish-shaped dark shadow moving back and forth. If the surrounding music hadn’t been so loud, the intermittent appearance and disappearance of the shadow, which didn’t quite match the flashlight’s swaying, would have felt even more bizarre.

Someone next to the camera said: “Hello everyone, this is the scene of Dream Chasing 100. That person in the back row must be a fan of Ji Yu, right?”

The video abruptly ended there.

The audience who clicked in were all: “???”

“I thought some gourmet fish powder was becoming a spirit, but this is it? The title misled me… By the way, the young ladies inside are all very pretty, but I don’t know any of them.”

“What kind of show is this? It’s hilarious.”

Although everyone who clicked in realized the title was misleading, it didn’t stop some from genuinely searching for the performance scene and learning who Ji Yu was. They also wondered if anyone had captured who that hardcore cheerleader in the back row was, which led them to become interested in Dream Chasing 100‘s unprecedentedly fresh idol competition format.

“The sky is clearing, the rain is stopping. Seeing so many young ladies, I feel great again!”

“Ah! Ji Yu is so outstanding, why am I only seeing this now?! Heavens, was I blind before?”

“I was there in person. Just got home. I have to say, before seeing the Center, I was unconvinced, but after watching the whole thing, I crawled home on my knees… Sister Ji Yu is too strong! She deserves it! Wuwuwu!”

“In one minute, I want all the information about Ji Yu from birth to the present! All of it! Do you hear me!”

“Isn’t the Center the wife I’ve been waiting for all these years!”

In no time, countless casual fans automatically flooded into Ji Yu’s Weibo and Super Topic even before the third episode of Dream Chasing 100 was released. Simply because of this performance, fan groups, fan clubs, official Super Topic content, and other related elements were organically established. They even started discussing Ji Yu’s future cheering slogans and fan color.

Because this night’s hardcore cheering was so deeply ingrained in people’s hearts and sparked widespread discussion on platforms like Tianya and Rabbit Zone, marking Ji Yu and her fans’ first appearance in the public eye, someone in the fan group suggested:

“How about we use orange as the support color? Golden Orange. It has great commemorative significance!”

“I agree!”

“It’s a shame Sister Ji Yu is still on the show and her phone was confiscated, otherwise we could ask her… Wait, hasn’t she signed with a company yet? I haven’t seen an agent or assistant with her?”

The discussion in the group continued to expand. Fans began worrying about Ji Yu’s future career development. After tentatively setting the fan color, they started designing cheering slogans, integrating the Super Topic, and spontaneously arranged to boost Ji Yu’s popularity rankings.

All of this only reached Ji Yu’s ears a few days later.

Ji Yu had just come out of the classroom when the program staff arranged for her to go to a meeting room. Dream Chasing 100 kept the trainees’ schedules very tight. Following the three-day theme song assessment, a self-selected stage assessment was quickly scheduled.

The program provided them with six groups of songs and dances in different styles, allowing them to freely choose and form teams. Each group was then divided into two small teams, A and B. They had ten days to learn the routines, after which they would directly perform on stage. While teams A and B would battle for victory, the most popular group and individual would also be selected for additional rewards.

During these ten days, the trainees were not entirely confined to the program. Following the debut of the first public performance stage, trainees in Class A like Ji Yu and Ling Lan would begin to receive opportunities and resources, especially individual trainees like Ji Yu and Chu Nanxing, as major companies would start making their move.

Ji Yu held a cup of hot water and sat on the sofa in the meeting room. The bottom of her pink top was tied in a knot, revealing her beautifully contoured waist and snowy white shorts. She was spacing out, thinking.

But not about the visitor.

She was asking the system: “It’s been so many days since the performance… Do you think Si Tian saw me?”

The system replied with an exaggerated tone: “Yuyu, your performance was so dazzling that day! You even trended! The show is so hot now, as long as she’s not living in the deep mountains, she definitely knows about you! Rest assured! Yuyu! She must have seen it!”

Ji Yu felt a little more settled, then noticed something: “What trending topic?”

The system quickly told her: “It’s about someone using a flashlight to cheer for you during your stage performance that night…”

It instantly pulled up several trending topics from that night and netizens’ reactions. Ji Yu recalled the flashlight beam she saw that night, and a faint smile appeared at the corner of her lips. Although the camera had panned over at the time, the last row was too far away and too dark, and the distance between the flashlight and the person was not close. At most, people could see the silhouette of a girl, but no one knew who it was.

Ji Yu had guessed it might be the fan who said they had an exam but came early, didn’t prepare a light board, and so borrowed a flashlight temporarily.

But she couldn’t contact the outside world at the time, so the speculation couldn’t be verified and eventually became a mystery. However, she couldn’t deny that seeing the fish shadow swaying in the light had touched her heart.

This was her first public performance stage in this world.

And the method used by the fan to cheer was so unique. She thought it would be difficult for her to forget.

Just then.

The meeting room door opened again.

A woman wearing leopard-print rimmed glasses and European/American makeup walked in. She was about 1.75 meters tall. Ji Yu’s gaze had to lift slightly when she stood up. Then she heard the other party introduce herself:

“Hello, I am Kong Rufan. My profession is a talent manager, and I currently work at Huangting Entertainment. Miss Ji should know why I’m here.”

The style was direct and concise.

Ji Yu, however, slightly misunderstood her intention, assuming she was sent by Meng Rendong. Thinking of her relationship with Meng Rendong and her career plans, Ji Yu lowered her eyes, gave a polite smile, and then said: “Manager Kong, it’s nice to meet you. I know about Huangting Entertainment, but… I personally don’t want to sign with a company, so I’m afraid I have to disappoint you.”

To her surprise, Kong Rufan didn’t seem surprised at all and simply said:

“It’s alright. My contract with Huangting expires in the next couple of days. I’m currently going through the termination process. If you want to pursue a personal studio path, that’s fine, it’s just a bit difficult…”

She casually used a person she had managed before as an example.

At the same time, the system supplemented the investigative report in Ji Yu’s mind: “Yuyu! This person is an ace manager! She has managed a songstress and an actor! Her professional interest is discovering promising newcomers she believes in. She has fifteen years of experience, and her current resources and achievements include…”

Ji Yu’s expression changed slightly.

Kong Rufan finished her introduction at that moment, glanced at Ji Yu’s expression, and suddenly flashed a confident smile: “What? Has a better manager than me approached Miss Ji?”

Ji Yu shook her head, seemingly unsure how to respond: “No, no, Manager Kong is the most outstanding manager I’ve encountered so far, but I have a personal question I’m curious about. You and President Meng of Huangting Entertainment…”

Kong Rufan already knew what she was going to ask.

She interrupted: “I watched your public performance. Your stage presence is great. Since you were able to climb from Class F to secure the Center position, you should believe in your ability to attract others, for example, I came specifically for you.”

After speaking, she leaned in slightly and winked her right eye at Ji Yu, mimicking the powerful wink Ji Yu had given the camera during her performance. However, the move, which was full of seduction when Ji Yu did it, became full of charisma when performed by Kong Rufan.

Ji Yu heard the other party whisper: “I know about your relationship with Meng Rendong. To be honest, when I first heard you were involved with her, I doubted your judgment—”

“Fortunately, you’ve seen the light. Listen to my advice: focus on your career. Isn’t that more promising than dating a simpleton?”

Ji Yu: “…”

It was the first time she had heard someone describe Meng Rendong as a “simpleton.” She couldn’t help but purse her lips and smile.

Unexpectedly, Kong Rufan’s thoughts drifted due to the topic and she muttered: “Hmm, I need to prepare a crisis public relations plan for this. If someone malicious brings this up later, I need to figure out a way.”

Ji Yu heard that Kong Rufan was already thinking on her behalf even before they officially partnered, so she also corrected her attitude, seriously looked at Kong Rufan, met her gaze for a few seconds, and then said:

“Manager Kong has managed A-list stars and actors before and later joined Huangting, where the compensation must be excellent. I’m just worried that starting a personal studio might mean I can’t afford your salary at first.”

Kong Rufan waved her hand. Ji Yu thought she would say she didn’t care about money, but instead, she continued: “Don’t worry.”

“The people I choose have never disappointed me. I will work hard so that you can earn more than enough to pay my salary.”

Ji Yu unexpectedly liked her temperament. Her smile brightened, and she actively extended her hand, seriously saying: “Then, may we have a pleasant collaboration?”

Kong Rufan shook her hand, then readily pulled a document from her bag for Ji Yu to read slowly. While Ji Yu read, Kong Rufan casually mentioned:

“Oh, by the way, I checked online recently. Your fans spontaneously formed a fan club, created a Super Topic square for you, and there are fan groups. You are currently in a career upswing, and it’s best to integrate all these resources. Can I guide them officially?”

Ji Yu nodded.

Kong Rufan then talked about the photoshoot for B Magazine. Knowing the program scheduled it for three days later, she told Ji Yu that she would help her look at styling and select a photographer in the next couple of days, as Kong Rufan had a very good relationship with the chief editor of that region.

Hearing her systematic arrangements, Ji Yu couldn’t help but feel relieved. The benefit of having a manager was evident, especially one with such experience. It genuinely made things much easier for her.

“I’ll follow all of Manager Kong’s arrangements.”

After the system helped review the contract, Ji Yu knew there were no issues. After signing at the end, she looked up at Kong Rufan with a smile, her tone much gentler.

Kong Rufan raised an eyebrow. Although she knew Ji Yu had a good temper, meeting her in person and realizing her new partner was sensible and understood the importance of entrusting professional matters to her professional hands made her feel relieved.

She absolutely hated those people who became arrogant the moment they gained popularity.

The contract was signed, and work matters were discussed. Next came matters of entertainment. Kong Rufan had been observing Ji Yu’s fan groups for a few days, knew the fan name they had chosen for themselves, and the support color they had selected. She then told Ji Yu about these details.

Ji Yu’s eyes curved with a smile. She chatted with Kong Rufan for over half an hour until Kong Rufan worried about delaying her progress, saying she would visit her next time. She then escorted Ji Yu back to the classroom.

Chu Nanxing was right there in the Class A classroom.

Seeing Ji Yu and Kong Rufan laughing and talking in the corridor, her expression subtly changed.

Kong Rufan shifted her attention, offering Chu Nanxing a polite smile, seemingly having forgotten the time she rejected her at Huangting Entertainment. Then, she turned and left, taking the elevator down to the first floor.

She took out her phone and made a call:

“President Meng, just notifying you that your ex-girlfriend has much better judgment than that young lady from the Chu family.”

Meng Rendong seemed unsurprised by this, especially after hearing Kong Rufan’s praises for Ji Yu at the venue earlier. Her tone was flat:

“Is the deal confirmed?”

Kong Rufan nodded, walking from the lobby outside the hotel. She stood in the sunlight, took out a pair of sunglasses, tossed the car keys to the doorman, and said with a beaming smile: “Yes, as of today, I am Ji Yu’s manager.”

Meng Rendong sounded relieved: “That’s good.”

Kong Rufan teased her: “What, didn’t you strongly recommend Chu Nanxing to me before? Is this you proving to me that… clothes are better when new, but people are better when old? That the lost one is the best?”

She had asked Meng Rendong about their relationship when she saw her cheering for Ji Yu at the venue.

Although Meng Rendong only said “ex-girlfriend,” an expert like Kong Rufan could naturally tell who dumped whom. With her contract with Huangting Entertainment ending soon, and no longer being in a superior-subordinate relationship with Meng Rendong, her tone in the conversation was more playful.

Meng Rendong didn’t mind her teasing, but her tone was more serious than before:

“She has always been great.”

“She deserves the best.”

Before, I was ignorant, thinking that everything I gave was the best and what Ji Yu wanted most.

But that wasn’t the case.

Now, she only tried to bring the things she thought were good to Ji Yu. If Ji Yu chose them, that was great. If not, it didn’t matter.

Meng Rendong thought, I wonder… if this counts as progress?

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