Reboot the heyday

Wang Taika was indeed stunned by Tian Xiaojuan's words.

The girl in front of me, who would never be given a second glance in a crowd, and even if she were, it would be because she was ugly, now seemed to possess a different kind of sharpness.

Moreover, these words didn't seem like a spur-of-the-moment decision. When they came from Tian Xiaojuan's mouth, there was no gritted teeth, no impassioned fervor, and even a hint of self-deprecating laughter. Therefore, this wasn't a harsh remark made on impulse, but rather an answer that had been thought about for a long time, suppressed for a long time, and repeatedly pondered in her mind before finally settling down.

Interesting. Tian Xiaojuan has made Wang Taika look at her in a new light to some extent.

Wang Taika laughed: "You're quite ambitious!"

Tian Xiaojuan paused for a moment, then lowered her head, her lips curving slightly as if she had already smiled.

Wang Taika asked, "Do you know why I signed you?"

Tian Xiaojuan shook her head: "I don't know. I always thought it was because the company was short-staffed, or maybe you pitied me?"

The real reason is that Wang Taika didn't know either. It happened a long time ago, and he doesn't handle these details of the business, so how would he know?
However, this didn't stop Wang Taika from spouting his cynical wisdom: "I would never sign someone just because I pity them. Pity is the most useless thing in the world. The person who gives it feels noble, and the person who receives it feels like they've been given charity. Neither side is happy."

Tian Xiaojuan pursed her lips and didn't say anything.

“I signed you because someone showed me some of your videos.” Wang Tai paused, pretending to recall, “Actually, I’ve forgotten the content of the videos, but I remember you; you were very serious. So a serious person shouldn’t be let down.”

Tian Xiaojuan raised her head, a hint of disbelief in her eyes.

“So what you just said proves that my idea was right.” Wang Taika looked at Tian Xiaojuan: “Singing, dancing, any skill can be practiced and honed. But I saw a certain drive in you, and that’s what’s unique. It’s that ‘I’m going to prove it to you’ spirit.’”

Tian Xiaojuan's lips trembled slightly: "Oppa, you're not trying to comfort me, are you?"

Wang Taika raised an eyebrow: "If you're completely useless, do you think I'd comfort you? Don't forget, I'm a businessman, not here for charity. So I need you to debut, and then I'll ruthlessly exploit you. Exploit your spirit, exploit your body, use everything you have to make a fortune, to satisfy my extravagant lifestyle!"

Tian Xiaojuan pursed her lips, thinking to herself, "Does this sound like they're going to treat me like a personal plaything?"

It wasn't that Tian Xiaojuan was overthinking things, but Wang Taika's words were so compelling that one couldn't help but make those connections.

Tian Xiaojuan was insecure about her appearance, so she naturally didn't think too much beyond that. From a work perspective, Wang Taika wanted her to make money for him, which was still quite reasonable.

Although the entertainment industry is a world of unscrupulous companies exploiting their artists, Tian Xiaojuan is now willingly exploited by Wang Taika. She even secretly longs for the opportunity to be exploited by such a ruthless boss.

Pulled back to reality, Tian Xiaojuan looked at Wang Taika with gratitude.

“This drive you have is more valuable than any talent,” Wang Taika encouraged. “There are plenty of talented people, and plenty of beautiful people. But people with this drive are extremely rare. Talent is a gift from God, beauty is a gift from your parents, but drive is something you force yourself to develop.”

In the end, Wang Taika actually got serious. Because he really hated people who wasted their talent.

This has nothing to do with whether you work hard or not. It's a talent that many people want to have, but some people are born with it and don't cherish it. That's unfair.

"Thank you, I understand." Tian Xiaojuan was greatly encouraged.

This is also related to her status. In fact, there were many people who encouraged Tian Xiaojuan, but none of them had the same influence as Wang Taika.

Wang Taika looked at Tian Xiaojuan, then suddenly changed the subject: "But speaking of which, Tian Xiaojuan, you're not getting plastic surgery now because you're acting out of spite. You feel like you've been forced into this situation, and you want to prove with your abilities that you don't need to rely on your looks. But have you ever considered that perhaps your looks are also a part of your strength?"

Tian Xiaojuan was stunned: "Is that so?"

“I’m not saying you have to rely on your looks to make a living,” Wang Taika explained. “I mean, when an idol stands on stage, the audience sees everything about you. Your singing, your dancing, your expressions, your appearance—these things are all added together, not separate. If you’re very talented, that’s a plus. But if you’re not good-looking, that’s a minus. Adding and subtracting, have you ever calculated your final score?”

"I know." Tian Xiaojuan's voice was somewhat bitter. "I know my current score isn't high enough. That's why I practice so hard, trying to increase my bonus points so much that others can't catch up. Even if I lose points, I'll still be higher than others."

“Alright, that’s ambitious. Let me put it another way.” Wang Taika smiled, took two steps forward, stood in front of Tian Xiaojuan, and looked down at her.

"Tian Xiaojuan, I'm begging you now, on behalf of the company, to get plastic surgery. This isn't an order, not a suggestion, it's a plea. How about that? Will that satisfy your obsession?"

Tian Xiaojuan froze.

Wang Taika said, "Because the company believes you can debut in the future. You have that potential, but your face, whether you think it's good or not, is currently the biggest obstacle between you and the stage. The company is willing to spend money, find the best doctors, and give you the longest recovery period. As long as you agree."

Tian Xiaojuan's hand trembled as she held the water glass. She bit her lip, her eyes red as if about to bleed, but no tears fell. She wouldn't cry; she never let anyone see her cry.

To everyone's surprise, Wang Taika was willing to give her such a way out, allowing her to reconcile with him in a gentler manner.

Tian Xiaojuan was determined, but she wasn't stupid, so she didn't hesitate any longer and nodded directly: "I'm willing."

Willing? Then let's go to the bridal chamber!

Just kidding, just kidding. I'll have to get the surgery done first before I can see anything.

Wang Taika said, "Then it's settled. Someone will handle the specifics with you later. Your only task now is to keep practicing until no one can replace you. Once you debut and become famous, just remember not to hate me. Because I really will exploit you."

"I will completely accept Oppa's exploitation of me!"

Tian Xiaojuan lowered her head, her shoulders trembling slightly. Then she raised her head, looked at Wang Taika, her eyes glistening with tears, but the corners of her mouth were curved in a smile.

"Oppa, thank you."

"Don't thank me, I've heard too many thank yous today." Wang Taika waved his hand and turned to walk towards the elevator. "Go back and rest early, don't practice too late. Your face may not look very good right now, but you'll have to be on camera sooner or later, so don't get dark circles under your eyes. Hey, you won't be angry if I say this, will you?"

Tian Xiaojuan was both amused and exasperated by Wang Taika's words. She stood there, watching his figure disappear.

The corridor fell silent again.

Tian Xiaojuan stood there for a long time. Finally, she turned around and, instead of going back to the practice room, walked towards the restroom.

The bathroom light was voice-activated. Tian Xiaojuan pushed the door open and the light turned on, its stark white light illuminating the tiles, glaringly bright.

Tian Xiaojuan placed the water glass on the sink, walked to the mirror, looked up, and gazed at herself in the mirror.

Her eyebrows were so thin they were almost invisible, her complexion was dull, her lips were chapped, and her dark circles were so heavy she looked like she'd been punched. Her hair was casually tied in a ponytail, with stray strands sticking haphazardly to her forehead. She looked haggard and ugly; no wonder she'd scared the other person earlier.

But this is who I am, this is Tian Xiaojuan.

Tian Xiaojuan stared at herself in the mirror for a long time. Then she raised her right hand, swung it around, and slapped herself hard across the face.

"Snapped!"

The sound was crisp and echoed in the empty bathroom.

My face was burning with pain, five finger marks were clearly visible, and half of my face was numb.

Tian Xiaojuan turned on the tap, letting the water flow through her fingers, watching it swirl and rush into the sewer. She stood there stunned for a moment, then scooped up a handful of cold water and splashed it on her face.

The water was icy cold, and when poured onto my burning cheeks, it felt both painful and pleasurable.

Tian Xiaojuan raised her hand and gently touched her reddened cheek. She gasped in pain, but she smiled.

It was a laugh that came from the very core of his being, a laugh tinged with ruthlessness.

I examined my face in the mirror again. It was red, swollen, ugly, and covered in tear stains, yet it stubbornly refused to bow its head.

Tian Xiaojuan spoke to her reflection in the mirror, her voice hoarse, but each word seemed to pierce the air like nails: "Remember this, you slapped yourself today. If you want to prove yourself, you'll be the one slapping others from now on!"

The reflection in the mirror showed something burning in its eyes. But it wasn't humiliation or anger; it was ambition. A wild ambition that had been suppressed and stifled for too long, finally able to see the light of day.

Although we don't know if she'll look better after plastic surgery, or if anyone will like her after her debut. Nobody knows what the future holds.

But Tian Xiaojuan looked at herself in the mirror and didn't care, because there was one thing she was sure of.

From this day forward, no one can easily deny her anymore.

Including herself! (End of Chapter)