Chapter 84: You Can Play the Flute?

“Boss, he said he wants the xiao from the recording studio.”

“He likes playing the xiao?”

The recording engineer couldn’t help but laugh at Ji Ya’s words.

What a risqué suggestion!

Ji Ya only realized something was off after a moment and frowned slightly. “Just give it to him.”

The engineer realized he might have angered the boss and hurried after her back to the office. He immediately made her favorite milk tea—something she usually avoided for the sake of her figure. Only then did Ji Ya’s expression soften into a faint smile.

“And tell the accountant to transfer some money to him as well.”

The engineer quickly set off to handle the instructions.

...

The private jet took off at eleven and landed on schedule.

The production team had arranged a hotel. The new artists were mostly housed on the 6th to 8th floors, while the veterans with more status were given rooms on the top floor. Even the room assignments hinted at special treatment.

Because of Ji Fei’s influence, Lin Yu was placed on a middle floor—neither high nor low, right in the center. Anyone with half an eye could see what this implied, but everyone participating in the talent show knew the inside story: if something wasn’t yours to fight for, don’t fight for it.

Lin Yu had barely entered his room when Xiao Lin, having already learned the rules of the show, knocked on his door.

“These are the show’s rules,” she said, handing him the program list and giving him a detailed briefing.

“Twelve contestants compete, divided into six groups for the challenge round. The order of performance is determined by drawing lots. After the performance, judges and the audience will score. Those with higher scores advance to the next round, those with lower scores go to the elimination round.”

“Your current popularity can’t compare to those established veterans. If everything depends on the draw, you might end up facing an opponent with a huge fanbase and be completely crushed in the audience vote.”

“I’ve already contacted the director’s team to try to get you matched with other new singers. This way, your talent and the buzz you create might give you a better chance of winning.”

Lin Yu had no objections to the company’s arrangements. He’d seen plenty of talent shows before, but never participated himself. Only now, after learning the behind-the-scenes details, did he realize that the tension audiences felt waiting for the scores had always been masterfully manipulated.

The winners were often predetermined. It wasn’t just up to the audience’s voting efforts—though it depended on just how “dark” the showrunners wanted to be.

“If something goes wrong during the drawing, don’t worry. There’s a backup plan—the director’s team can adjust the votes.”

Lin Yu: …

So all the buffs are activated, huh?

But it didn’t matter to him. From the moment he decided to join the show, he’d planned to win recognition through his true ability.

Facing strong opponents would only fuel and showcase his talent.

He wasn’t nervous. Even the strongest rivals would only be obstacles for now. He had a repertoire of songs that would explode in popularity four years from now—he was way ahead of the curve.

Most importantly, many of the strongest competitors were under Ji Fei’s wing. Knowing Ji Ya’s style, if she wanted to promote a newcomer, she’d definitely pressure the veterans to take it easy on him.

Thinking of it this way, this show seemed quite different from the ones he’d watched before. The veterans were here to serve as stepping stones for the newcomers or the hottest stars. The only ones truly in the running were those with both backing and buzz.

“Sister Xiao Lin, you don’t need to worry so much. The stronger the opponent, the more motivated I’ll be. Unless… the other side makes a move first, we can’t just sit and wait for failure, can we?”

Xiao Lin pursed her lips helplessly. “You really are confident.”

“But for a newcomer, a bit of boldness isn’t always a good thing.”

Though she sounded critical, she still let him do things his way. “If you insist, I have no objection. Do as you wish.”

“If anything happens, you still have other gigs lined up. The boss has already mapped out your next year. If music doesn’t work out, there are plenty of acting jobs waiting.”

“The boss doesn’t mind investing in a few projects, even getting popular actresses to play your leading lady.”

Wow…

Wealth really does breed boldness…

Just like that, they’d throw millions at a project the way regular people drop ten bucks!?

Unbelievable! Terrifying! I need to seize every chance to curry favor with the boss!

“Sister Xiao Lin, for now, please don’t arrange anything else with the director’s team. If anything gets out later, it could hurt my future.”

“In this industry, rumors are deadly. If I start pulling strings before I’m even famous, and it all comes out later, it won’t be good for any of us.”

“Don’t worry, as long as capital keeps its distance, I trust my own ability.”

Seeing his determination, Xiao Lin stopped trying to persuade him. She patted his shoulder and stood to leave.

“Don’t forget, in this industry, singers don’t just stick to music. The company invests in film and TV too. If you want to get your face out there, just say the word.”

“Leading man—take your pick.”

Hearing this, Lin Yu was completely reassured. It seemed that as long as he was signed to Ji Fei’s label and didn’t slack off, he’d make it big!

For now, all he needed was a good night’s rest before tomorrow’s competition. Glancing at the clock—just eleven—he found himself with nothing to do, so he decided to play a few rounds of games before bed.

Not that he wasn’t tired—despite his words, he was a little nervous. He’d never performed on a real stage in front of so many people, with judges who were industry veterans. Of course, he felt some pressure.

But his gaming skills from his previous life were still sharp, and he breezed through match after match, racking up wins and climbing straight to the King rank.

His hidden MMR was sky-high. He was even being matched against Grandmasters.

As soon as he ranked up in King, several of his jungle heroes were already local champions. After just a day off, he had over a hundred friend requests from cute girls and dozens of offers from boosting studios—all of which he ignored. Lin Yu had only one goal: rank up!

A bank notification popped up—three hundred thousand deposited. Lin Yu was stunned, then realized it must be pocket money from Ji Ya. With a grin, he bought every skin in the game!

As soon as he reached VIP10, a special notification popped up—an all-skin Jungle King! It caused a sensation in his server.

Countless girls sent voice messages, some boys even pretending to be girls and calling him “big brother.”

Wealth truly is freedom!

The next morning at five, Lin Yu got up, did some cardio, had the hotel butler bring him coffee to wake up, then napped for another half hour of beauty sleep. By seven-thirty, the production staff came to call him down to assemble.

As soon as he stepped into the elevator, he bumped into an old acquaintance, who greeted him with a cheerful wave: “Hey! Brother Yu, the legend of the battlefield in the rain—Lü Bu!”