Volume One, Chapter Thirty-One: Su Muyu Is Actually a Mentor?

Wang Linkai, standing nearby, struggled to suppress his laughter.

Everyone knew that Director Yan Ming was infamous in the industry for his strictness. What he hated most was a bad attitude. Regardless of whether someone was placed on the show by investors, once they were on, they had to maintain the proper attitude.

Now, while everyone else was preparing with feverish intensity, Jiang Yu was sleeping. Even if he wasn’t kicked off the show on the spot, his impression would certainly suffer.

“I’m Jiang Yu.” Jiang Yu rubbed his nose, answering awkwardly. He knew he was in the wrong.

“So you’re Jiang Yu.” Yan Ming sized him up from head to toe.

Naturally, he had heard of this young man, and he quite liked Jiang Yu’s songs. He considered Jiang Yu exceptionally talented—a dark horse in the entertainment industry.

Looking around, he saw all the contestants dressed in outlandish costumes.

Yan Ming had a keen eye. Perhaps these contestants in bizarre outfits could boost ratings, but they would never make it far.

He had tried to contact Jiang Yu for a long time, hoping to bring him onto the show and elevate the program’s quality.

But after many attempts, he never managed to reach him. Then Su Ling came to him and offered Jiang Yu’s spot. Yan Ming agreed without hesitation.

With Jiang Yu joining, the show would gain a huge draw, and his current popularity would surely bring a major boost.

Yet this young man’s attitude was abysmal. Everyone else was preparing, but he was the only one sleeping.

“They’re all getting ready, and you’re sleeping—this is your attitude?” Yan Ming’s tone was calm, but everyone could tell he was angry.

“Director, are you talking about preparing makeup?” Jiang Yu was confused for a moment before he understood. “If you mean makeup, I don’t need it.”

Such arrogance!

Yan Ming looked Jiang Yu up and down again, then glanced at the female staff members nearby, whose faces were glowing like spring breezes and whose eyes sparkled with admiration.

He had to admit—Jiang Yu was indeed handsome, the kind of man blessed by heaven.

If it were mid-season, Yan Ming might have overlooked this for budget reasons. But it was just the start.

“Young man, I don’t like your attitude,” Yan Ming said coolly. “Do you believe I can have you removed from the show at once?”

“Director Yan, you’re a man of vision and breadth. I’m sure you won’t kick me off,” Jiang Yu replied confidently with a smile.

Yan Ming raised an eyebrow. “Why not? Your attitude alone is reason enough.”

“You let me join the show because you’ve already learned about me and recognize my talent,” Jiang Yu said, glancing around at the contestants with their monstrous makeup.

“You agreed so readily to let me in because you wanted to raise the show’s standard, didn’t you?”

“There’s another girl group show starting at the same time next door. I imagine you don’t want to lose out to them, do you?”

“So you mean, if you join the show, you’ll definitely beat the other program?” Yan Ming stared at Jiang Yu.

“Young man, you’re very confident.”

Jiang Yu’s lips curled slightly. “Director Yan, why don’t we make a bet?”

“What kind of bet?”

“The song I’ve prepared for the first episode will be no weaker than the two you’ve already heard. And every episode after that will be just as strong.”

“Let me participate for one episode—see how it goes. If it doesn’t meet your expectations, eliminate me right away. You lose nothing. What do you say?”

Everyone who heard this was stunned.

What did he just say?

Every episode would feature an original song?

The show would record a maximum of twelve episodes in a season. With larger numbers in the first two episodes, split across two, that meant at least eight or nine songs.

One original song per week—this was explosive in the entertainment industry.

Yan Ming paused, dumbfounded.

Such confidence! As director, he knew exactly how remarkable “Bare Face” and “Phoenix Flower Lane” were.

Now this young man claimed his new songs would be just as good…

“You guarantee every song will be original and no weaker than those two?”

“Yes,” Jiang Yu nodded. “Even if you record a hundred episodes, I believe in myself!”

As someone who had crossed over and could borrow songs, his confidence was unshakable.

“Alright, I’ll take your bet!” Yan Ming’s lips curled up in a smile. “I look forward to your performance! All departments, prepare for taping!”

Wang Linkai gritted his teeth. He hadn’t expected Yan Ming to let Jiang Yu off so easily.

Yan Ming finished speaking and led the staff towards the set.

As he walked, a broad smile spread across his face.

“Director, you seem happy today,” a staff member remarked.

“I’ve met an interesting young man—talented and proud.”

“I think he’s a bit too arrogant, like a calf unafraid of tigers.” The staff member shook his head.

“But he’s no calf.” Yan Ming smiled. “Didn’t you see his speech at school? Daring to challenge fate itself—he’s a young tiger.”

“I just hope this tiger doesn’t drop the ball during taping, ha ha ha.”

With that, Yan Ming’s expression turned serious as he picked up the walkie-talkie.

“Begin work, final checks for all units.”

“Camera crew in position.”

“Technical crew in position.”

“Lighting in position.”

“Stage manager in position.”

“Alright, all departments, countdown: 10, 9, 8… 3, 2, 1!”

Bang.

A brilliant spotlight lit up the stage.

The audience began to file in.

“Idol: Two and a Half Years” officially began.

All the contestants waited backstage.

“Bro, impressive! I didn’t expect you to talk to the director like that,” Guo Qiang said, coming up beside Jiang Yu.

“That’s right, Brother Yu is always awesome!” Liu Bin said, brimming with excitement.

Jiang Yu smiled. “It’s nothing. Let’s all do our best!”

“Let’s do it!”

As the three chatted, a mocking voice drifted over.

“Someone sure talks tough—original songs for a hundred episodes? I just wonder if your skill matches your mouth.”

Liu Bin and Guo Qiang turned to look. Of course, it was Wang Linkai. They wanted to defend Jiang Yu, but all they heard was two words.

“Idiot!”

Jiang Yu didn’t bother with him, uttering the words clearly and directly.

“Pfft!”

The two couldn’t help themselves and covered their mouths in unison.

“You!” Wang Linkai’s expression turned dark. If one looked closely, the powder on his face seemed to crack.

Jiang Yu ignored him completely and turned away.

After the host finished reading the sponsor ads, the four mentors took turns appearing on stage.

The audience erupted in cheers.

Song Changying and Chen Tong, both veteran singers, appeared first. Their bearing was impressive, but their popularity lagged a little.

When the next mentor took the stage, the cheers were deafening.

Backstage, Jiang Yu’s eyes grew wide with surprise.

She was here too, and as a mentor!