Volume One, Chapter 71: Jiang Yu Returns
At the main entrance, all the contestants were gathering. When they saw Jiang Yu approaching, everyone’s eyes widened in shock.
The news online over the past two days had been boiling over.
Typically, when an entertainer is caught up in such a scandal, they might lie low for a while, waiting for the furor to die down. No one expected that Jiang Yu would actually return to participate in the program.
“Yu, you’re here!” Liu Bin called out as he ran over to him.
“All the news online has been about you lately. Are you alright?” Guo Qiang also hurried over. Although he didn’t speak, his worried expression said it all.
A warm feeling flickered in Jiang Yu’s heart; sincere friendship like this had become rare in the entertainment industry.
“Don’t worry, I’m fine.”
Guo Qiang patted him on the shoulder. “That’s good to hear.”
“Jiang Yu, you actually came back!” At that moment, an annoying voice interrupted them.
They turned to see Wang Linkai, smirking. “Congratulations are in order—your name has been everywhere these days, the heat is off the charts! It’s enviable, really!”
Jiang Yu’s face remained expressionless as he turned away, but two words slipped from his lips: “Idiot.”
Then, smiling, he looked at Guo Qiang and Liu Bin. “Come on, let’s go eat.”
Behind them, Wang Linkai glared at his back, simmering with anger. Those words again!
“Jiang Yu, don’t get cocky. This episode will be the one where you’re utterly disgraced.”
Jiang Yu paused, turned back, and looked at him deeply.
“What do you mean by that?” Liu Bin immediately demanded.
“Nothing at all.” Wang Linkai grinned arrogantly, staring at Jiang Yu. “I’m just waiting to see you fall into the abyss.”
With that, he strode away.
“What’s wrong with that guy? Is he delusional or just a drama queen? What’s he getting at?” Liu Bin asked curiously.
Jiang Yu shook his head. “Ignore him. Let’s go eat.”
“Yu, we can’t eat right now—it’s time for the contestants to assemble. The director will be here soon.”
“You’d better be careful,” Guo Qiang interjected, stepping forward and gripping Jiang Yu’s arm with a serious look.
Jiang Yu stopped and looked at him. Guo Qiang had been in this industry far longer than Jiang Yu and, while not an expert, was certainly more seasoned.
If even he was saying this, could it be that Star Entertainment was planning something again?
“If he dares speak like that, it means they’re definitely planning to target you during this recording,” Guo Qiang said, his tone grave.
After a moment’s thought, Jiang Yu nodded. “Thanks, Qiang. I’ll be careful.”
Just then, Yan Ming walked in.
He immediately spotted Jiang Yu.
Jiang Yu caught his gaze and smiled at him.
But Yan Ming’s expression was complicated. Even though Su Ling had told him yesterday that Jiang Yu would be returning to the show, seeing him now stirred up emotions he couldn’t quite put into words.
The rules were the same as before, but what surprised Jiang Yu was that this episode would be broadcast live.
Although it caught him off guard, it didn’t really matter to him.
A day passed.
At last, it was time to start recording.
This episode had drawn extraordinary attention—not just because it was live, but also because of Jiang Yu’s return.
As soon as the livestream began, the barrage of comments started flooding in.
“I heard Jiang Yu is back?”
“Damn, why hasn’t he left the industry yet? What’s the production team doing?”
“Did he buy a new song and return? Or did he fail to cash in and get kicked by the team?”
“People like him, with no talent or morals, should get out of showbiz!”
“That’s right, he should be banned outright.”
It wasn’t just the comment section; the live audience felt the same.
Whenever other singers’ photos appeared, the applause was endless. But when it was Jiang Yu’s turn, applause was sparse, mixed with boos.
Finally, the mentors took the stage—Song Changying, Chen Tong, and Su Muyu, one after another.
Xu Kun was last, as he would be giving the opening performance today.
As Xu Kun took the stage, he immediately spotted Jiang Yu in the contestants’ area, his gaze full of mockery and provocation.
Jiang Yu replied with a look of disdain.
The music began.
But when Xu Kun sang the first line, Jiang Yu’s face changed. He looked utterly humiliated.
Only now did he understand why Wang Linkai had spoken that way.
Su Muyu’s expression also turned cold. The day Jiang Yu returned, he had sung this very song to her in the music studio. The melody was different, but the lyrics were identical!
Her first reaction: there was a traitor in the company.
Su Muyu immediately took out her phone and sent a message: “Aunt, something’s happened.”
“?”
“Jiang Yu’s new song was stolen. There must be a mole in the company.”
“What are you talking about?”
Meanwhile, Xu Kun continued singing on stage.
The comments rolled by:
“Wow, is this our brother’s new song? It’s amazing!”
“Brother has released a new song, awesome!”
“So good! The pride of the Chinese music scene!”
The audience was screaming and cheering non-stop.
The entire venue was electrified.
“He’s so handsome! The new song is incredible!”
“It’s powerful, such strong lyrics!”
“Fantastic!”
“I’ve never heard a song this good before—it’s his way of shouting back at the haters!”
“Go, go, go, brother! Fighting!!”
In the contestants’ waiting area, even the other participants couldn’t help but praise the song.
“This is phenomenal!”
“No wonder Xu Kun is so famous—he really can write songs like this!”
Even Guo Qiang and Liu Bin were impressed.
“Xu Kun is actually quite talented. This song is just too good!”
“Yeah, he’s way ahead of me.”
Wang Linkai, keeping a close eye on Jiang Yu, couldn’t help but laugh when he heard Liu Bin and Guo Qiang’s comments. “Jiang Yu, what do you think of this song?”
Jiang Yu’s face was dark. “Your company is really skilled at dirty tricks, aren’t they?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. But seeing you like this makes me happy!” Wang Linkai couldn’t hide his glee.
Liu Bin and Guo Qiang noticed Jiang Yu’s gloomy face and hurried to ask, “Yu, what’s wrong? What happened?”
Jiang Yu exhaled slowly. “This song—I wrote it. It was meant for this competition.”
“What did you say?”
The two were stunned.
...
“Everyone, please support my new song!” Xu Kun’s performance finally ended, and he smiled as he interacted with the audience.
“Of course we’ll support you!”
“You’re the best, number one in the world!”
Listening to the cheers, Xu Kun’s lips curled as he turned to the other three mentors. “What do you think of my new song?”
Song Changying nodded. “It’s a great song. I really like it!”
Chen Tong also nodded, smiling. “Wonderful, absolutely brilliant!”
Xu Kun nodded in satisfaction. “What about you, Ms. Su Muyu? Do you like it?”
“It’s a very nice song. I like it a lot,” Su Muyu replied, her expression icy.
“But did you really write this song?”