I'm a web novelist, and you want me to work in the entertainment industry?

After lunch, Cheng Che and Xue Zhiqian returned to their respective rooms.

With nothing much to do in the afternoon, Cheng Che planned to stay in his room and do some writing or something.

While I was lying in bed, Tian Xiwei called me on video.

"Hello, hello, good afternoon, miss." Cheng Che waved at the camera.

Tian Xiwei was sitting in her rest tent, dressed in her costume and with makeup on.

She gave a small yawn, then said softly, "Have you finished lunch?"

"I finished eating. I ate with Teacher Xue and told him about our relationship," Cheng Che said.

Tian Xiwei nodded, offering no objection; after all, Cheng Che's opinion was her opinion.

"Oh, right." She suddenly seemed to remember something, and her expression turned serious. "I have something important to tell you."

"What important matter?" Cheng Che asked, suppressing his smile.

"It was Sister Zhang who told me," Tian Xiwei explained. "She said that in the past few days, several entertainment companies have had new trainees who have been training for many years debuting."

Cheng Che looked bewildered: "Isn't this normal?"

When an entertainment company has a new artist debut, isn't that the same as when a new book is released on a Chinese website?

"No, no, no..." Tian Xiwei shook her right index finger in front of the screen, "This time it's a little different."

"How so?"

"All the trainees who debuted this time are boys. It is said that they are all musical talents with creative abilities, and they all follow the path of humor and wit, and know how to use memes," Tian Xiwei said.

"Moreover, according to Sister Zhang, those companies are already secretly preparing to put those newcomers into all sorts of reality shows."

Cheng Che scratched his head, feeling that something about this character was a little strange, yet strangely familiar.

This isn't a persona, isn't this just the path he took to get where he is?

He was just an ordinary person who was unexpectedly chosen by Lao Wang, while the others were all professional trainees.

"So, do you understand?" Tian Xiwei asked solemnly.

"Maybe... I understand?" Cheng Che said uncertainly, "Are they planning to take over my business?"

"That's right!" Tian Xiwei snapped her fingers, thinking that her little Cheng Zhu was indeed smart.

"What Sister Zhang means is that so many trainees with similar personas debuting one after another in a short period of time are mostly preparing to share your spoils after you 'collapse'."

"After all, the reason you have so many fans in the entertainment industry is because you're both talented and fun!"

Cheng Che understood, and he was greatly shocked.

The entertainment industry is still dirty; the schemes are all interconnected.

He had previously thought that the enemy was spending money every day to hire online trolls to ruin his public image, with the aim of driving him back to the online literature circle... Wasn't this a case of hurting the enemy a thousand while hurting himself eight hundred?

So that's what they were waiting for me!

Imagine if a celebrity suddenly "collapses" for various reasons, but the fans who once liked him won't just disappear into thin air.

At this point, if someone similar to, or even better than, the person they originally idolized appears, it's entirely possible that they would switch their allegiance to that person.

This is similar to someone who has just broken up and is heartbroken. If they meet a new person who matches their preferences in every way, they might fall in love with him/her in a very short time.

"No wonder Xiao Tang said the enemy's offensive seems to be getting more and more intense these past few days," Cheng Che said. "Are you planning to give me some big work soon?"

"I'm not sure, but it might be." Tian Xiwei leaned close to her phone screen. "You're recording a show these days, so be careful."

"I know."

The two chatted for a while longer until Tian Xiwei's film crew was about to start work in the afternoon, at which point they hung up the phone.

Cheng Che didn't rest after that. He took out his laptop and typed away for an entire afternoon.

……

……

The next day was the day of the rehearsal for "The Voice of Creation".

The stage has been set up in the studio, the lights and sound system have been tested and adjusted, the floor is covered with various cables, and staff members are coming and going.

Rehearsals are conducted in shifts, with each guest on the show having 1-2 hours to prepare for the stage.

Cheng Che's rehearsal time was in the afternoon, and the person in front of him was Xue Zhiqian.

He arrived at the studio half an hour early and ran into Xue Zhiqian backstage.

He must have just come down from the stage; even in this late autumn season, a little sweat had seeped out on his forehead.

"Oh, you're here." Xue Zhiqian raised her hand and greeted Cheng Che. "I've just finished here."

"Thank you for your hard work, Teacher Xue," Cheng Che said.

"Hey, have you ever performed on stage before?" Xue Zhiqian asked casually.

"Absolutely not." Cheng Che shrugged. "I'm an innocent newcomer to the music scene with no stage experience whatsoever, and I've never even been on stage before."

"I see." Xue Zhiqian nodded.

Cheng Che's behavior on various programs is so natural that people often subconsciously assume he's a seasoned veteran.

But in reality, although his claim of being "harmless" is suspected of being a lie, the label of "newcomer to the music scene" is not an exaggeration when applied to him.

"It's nothing." Xue Zhiqian smiled nonchalantly. "I don't have anything planned for this afternoon. Feel free to ask me if you need anything."

"I'm not bragging, but I've been in the music industry for so many years, and I have a lot of experience on stages big and small."

"Then I shall respectfully comply."

Cheng Che didn't stand on ceremony—he had no experience with stage performances, and neither did his father, so it was always good to have a senior to guide him.

After all, this is Lao Zi's first official stage, so it's always good to be serious.

Cheng Che and Xue Zhiqian found two chairs backstage and sat down. Xue Zhiqian took the initiative to tell him a lot of things to pay attention to on stage.

For example, how to hold the microphone when singing, how to ensure the in-ear monitor works properly, how to secretly look at the teleprompter without being detected...

Cheng Che, unusually, didn't cause any trouble and listened quietly to his senior's experience sharing. He would ask questions whenever he had any doubts, and Xue Zhiqian didn't hold back.

Cheng Che felt he had really struck gold this time. He hadn't spent a single penny, but had received personal instruction from a senior like Teacher Xue.

"Teacher Xue, what's it like to perform on stage?" Cheng Che asked this question as a final question.

"What does it feel like...?" Xue Zhiqian exhaled, a look of reminiscence flashing in his eyes.

"Before a performance, there's always nervousness and anticipation," he said. "But once you actually start singing, all those worries disappear."

"Because at that time, all you could think about was singing."