Life countdown begins, ice queen bursts into security room

Shanghai Hongqiao Airport Terminal 2, 6:40 AM.

Jiang Fan, carrying a guitar and a suitcase, stood at the end of the queue at the economy class boarding gate.

He wore a black shirt with a light dark gray jacket over it.

Her hair was unkempt and lay loosely.

His facial features were particularly distinct in the morning light.

The two girls in front of him kept turning around to look at him, whispering to each other.

Jiang Fan didn't pay attention.

He took out his phone and glanced at the WeChat message Li Cheng had sent him last night.

"Recording on Friday, you must be there by Wednesday."

"When you arrive, go directly to the 23rd floor and find Xiao Wu from the production team. After signing the contract, check into the contestant hotel."

The boarding announcement came on time, and the line began to move forward.

Jiang Fan put away his phone and followed the crowd into the covered bridge.

…………

It's 1 p.m. in Shenzhen.

The office area for the production team of "Rising Star" is located on the 23rd floor of the Penguin Building.

Jiang Fan walked out of the elevator with his guitar on his back. The corridor was full of staff members carrying folders and equipment boxes.

Xiao Wu, the receptionist, is a young man who wears glasses.

He took the ID card from Jiang Fan and typed a few words on the computer.

"Jiang Fan... a standout track, a direct entry spot."

Xiao Wu looked up and sized him up. "Just you alone? No manager with you?"

"no."

Xiao Wu's expression was somewhat subtle.

There are 36 contestants in three tracks. The others either have management teams or companies standing behind them.

Jiang Fan was the first person to come with just a guitar on his back.

He didn't say much, but pulled a stack of contract documents out of the drawer.

"Here's the contract, in duplicate."

"The production team will provide food and lodging. During the competition, it is strictly forbidden to accept media interviews without authorization. The copyright terms are on page seven."

Jiang Fan took the contract and flipped through it page by page.

The terms and conditions are standard and there are no obvious typos.

Five minutes later, I signed and pressed my fingerprint.

Xiao Wu carefully put away the contract and handed him a room key and a work badge.

"All contestants will be staying at the Penguin Hotel across the street. Your room is 1208. The recording will officially start at 8 PM on Friday, the day after tomorrow. Please meet at the makeup room in Area B of Penguin Video at 4 PM."

"If you're late, Director Liang will go crazy."

Jiang Fan nodded, took the room key, and left.

As I approached the elevator, a clear female voice came from behind me.

"Wait a moment."

Jiang Fan turned around.

A girl in her early twenties walked towards us.

She was wearing overalls with the "Rising Star" logo printed on them, and a support sign hanging on her chest. Her name was Lin Xiaoqing.

Lin Xiaoqing's gaze lingered on Jiang Fan's angular face for a few seconds.

There are many handsome guys in this year's talent show, but Jiang Fan has a kind of incongruous calmness.

He stood out awkwardly among a group of young people eager to show off.

"You are... Jiang Fan from the Duxiu track?" Lin Xiaoqing asked, her tone inquiring.

Jiang Fan nodded: "It's me."

"Director Liang just mentioned you, saying that you were personally recommended by Teacher Li Cheng."

As Lin Xiaoqing spoke, she subtly observed Jiang Fan.

Her skin is in good condition, and she is easily recognizable even without makeup.

Especially his eyes, which were so deep that they didn't seem like those of an ordinary person.

"Thank you for your consideration," Jiang Fan replied politely, then stepped into the elevator.

As soon as the elevator doors closed, Lin Xiaoqing turned and ran towards the director's dressing room.

"Director Liang, I just ran into Jiang Fan at the elevator entrance."

Lin Xiaoqing pushed open the door and spoke to Liang Boyuan behind the desk.

"Her appearance is definitely photogenic; she doesn't have the typical 'internet celebrity' face."

"However, she seems to have a rather quiet personality and doesn't talk much."

Liang Boyuan tapped his long, slender fingers on the table.

"That old fox Li Cheng has a sharp eye. The people he personally put in here are definitely not just good-looking. He'll be a key person to watch during the live broadcast of the first stage the day after tomorrow."

"Okay, I'll arrange it right away."

Lin Xiaoqing nodded and turned to leave.

Liang Boyuan looked at the empty office and muttered something to himself.

"Li Cheng, you'd better not have misjudged him."

……

Penguin Hotel, 12th floor.

When the elevator doors opened, the corridor was already quite lively.

Small groups of young people gathered together.

Some were carrying musical instruments, some were taking selfies with their phones, and some were exchanging WeChat contacts.

There are three tracks, with twelve participants per track. Most of the participants have arrived today.

Jiang Fan walked through them, and several scrutinizing gazes fell upon him.

All the faces were unfamiliar.

Among this group, most of them were trainees, and some were formally trained at music academies.

Amateur contestants are already rare, and someone like him with zero experience and zero background is an absolute anomaly.

He swiped his card and entered 1208.

The room is small, facing south, and has a floor-to-ceiling window offering a view of a corner of Pengcheng Bay.

Jiang Fan leaned his guitar against the wall and stood by the window for a while.

The system panel hung quietly in the corner of the field of vision.

[Remaining lifespan: 5 days]

Lifespan Balance: 600 points

Time is tight.

I must advance smoothly from Friday's first stage performance.

Only by reaching a higher position can he have the opportunity to access more highly compatible targets.

Only then can they continue to live.

..............

Meanwhile, a thousand kilometers away in Shanghai, at Tomson Riviera.

The morning sunlight streamed into the bedroom through the gaps in the curtains, but it couldn't dispel the weariness between Xu Qingya's brows.

She picked up her phone from the bedside table and saw a series of messages from Yang Lele:

"Qingya, the private investigator also checked. He paid in cash for the rent and didn't sign a contract."

"And there's been no one at the rental apartment since this morning. It's like they've vanished from Shanghai."

Xu Qingya stared at the screen for a long time.

She placed her phone face down on the bed, got up, went into the bathroom, and casually took off her silk nightgown.

The body reflected in the mirror had beautiful lines but appeared somewhat thin.

Xu Qingya turned on the shower. As the water gushed down, she braced her hands against the tiled wall, her mind filled with the image of that security guard's back.

"Jiang Fan..."

She murmured the name softly, her voice drowned out by the rushing water.

After taking a shower, Xu Qingya walked barefoot on the thick wool carpet.

She took out a silk robe and draped it over herself, the belt gently tightening to outline her curves that could drive countless fans wild.

The phone rang.

It was a call from agent Sister Chen.

"Qingya, don't forget your flight to Shenzhen tonight. Tomorrow is the mentor rehearsal for 'Rising Star,' and the day after tomorrow it's live."

Xu Qingya paused in her act of drying her hair.

"What time is it?"

"Lele and I will pick you up at 7 p.m.

Four o'clock in the afternoon.

Yang Lele rang the doorbell, carrying several sets of clothes.

"Qingya, I've prepared your outfit. It's that minimalist black suit with a deep V-neck and high-waisted wide-leg pants. It will show off your long legs and will definitely make for great airport street style photos."

Xu Qingya responded and went into the dressing room to change into the well-tailored suit.

The high-waisted design accentuated her figure to the extreme.

Yang Lele glanced at the door and muttered, "Those legs are really long."

Xu Qingya put on sunglasses in front of the mirror.

"Let's go."