Chapter Fourteen: Do You Look Down on Me, Chen?

The short video Pang Tong scrolled to was a three-minute compilation. The content was straightforward: it pieced together all the moments when Ke Min insulted others. The comments section was filled with mocking remarks about Ke Min.

But that wasn’t the main issue.

The real problem was the trap Chen Fang had set for her earlier—she seemed utterly unable to climb out of it. On the live broadcast during the open auditions, Ke Min had brazenly insulted all the contestants, calling them trash and worthless, unworthy of standing on stage.

In an instant, the entire internet turned against her.

The production team of “Starlight Road” decided to terminate their contract with Ke Min. Even the entertainment company backing her issued a public apology.

“Chen Fang, she’s finished.”

“She’ll probably have to leave the entertainment industry.”

Pang Tong was delighted. To see someone who’d been so arrogant at the auditions now meet such a downfall was truly satisfying.

Chen Fang shook his head. “Fatty, you still don’t understand the entertainment world.”

Was this really enough to force Ke Min out of the industry? Not a chance! In this business, as long as you don’t break the law or get officially blacklisted, there will always be a way back. Insulting people isn’t illegal—it’s just poor manners. Chen Fang had never seen anyone forced out of the business just for bad manners...

Once the storm passed, her company would buy some positive press, publish a few articles, maybe have Ke Min donate some money to charity, and she’d be back in the game. That’s all there was to it. Pang Tong was still too naive.

But Chen Fang didn’t bother explaining the intricacies. From the beginning, he never expected to destroy Ke Min completely with this incident—he just wanted to give her a hard time. Now that his goal was achieved, he was content.

After watching a few related videos, Chen Fang lost interest.

“Tonight, we’ll keep busking on the streets,” he instructed.

Pang Tong wedged his bulky body into the sofa, puzzled. “We’ve already made enough for rent and food. Besides, you’re about to compete in the next round of auditions. Shouldn’t you be spending all your time practicing?”

Chen Fang considered this and realized it made sense. Forget it—no busking tonight. It was better to set aside more time for practice.

...

Night fell.

At the crossroads by People’s Park, two familiar figures appeared beneath the outdoor awning of the same café as before.

“He didn’t come tonight,” You Nianwei said, staring absentmindedly at the fountain.

Xi Yuanyuan looked at her, expression odd. “Nianwei, don’t tell me you’ve really fallen for that Chen Fang? Aren’t you a little old for love at first sight?”

You Nianwei sighed. “Yuanyuan, I fall for every handsome guy at first sight.”

Xi Yuanyuan rolled her eyes. Still, she couldn’t help recalling Chen Fang’s rebellious smile under the streetlamp that night. He really was quite attractive.

“Yuanyuan, have you really given up?” You Nianwei was confused. Her best friend was never one to surrender so easily—she’d only quit after trying many times.

“I’m waiting,” Xi Yuanyuan replied softly.

Waiting? You Nianwei didn’t understand.

Seeing her confusion, Xi Yuanyuan explained, “The second round of ‘Starlight Road’ auditions is about to begin. I’ve already requested that the higher-ups at my company watch Chen Fang’s performance together in the conference room. If he does well enough, I can get him a Class B contract.”

You Nianwei didn’t know how valuable a Class B contract was—after all, she wasn’t in the entertainment industry. But judging by Xi Yuanyuan’s expression, it was clearly a big deal, something very hard for a newcomer to obtain.

“Your company values Chen Fang that much?” You Nianwei was amazed.

Xi Yuanyuan shook her head. “We don’t have any outstanding artists right now. The company’s desperate. Since I’ve been pushing for Chen Fang, they have high hopes for him. Let’s hope he doesn’t disappoint.”

You Nianwei pursed her rosy lips around her straw, biting down on the tip as she mumbled, “But what if you offer him a Class B contract and he still turns you down?”

Though she hadn’t spent much time with Chen Fang, she felt it was possible.

Xi Yuanyuan gave a cold laugh. “He’ll agree.”

You Nianwei wasn’t fooled. Seeing how confident Yuanyuan looked, it was clear that the so-called Class B contract was her trump card.

Time flew by.

In the blink of an eye, two days had passed.

Today was the second round of “Starlight Road’s” auditions.

“Fatty, let’s go,” Chen Fang urged Pang Tong.

Today, he wore a hip-hop inspired outfit: a white T-shirt under a brown leather jacket, paired with loose, comfortable jeans.

Wait, something was missing.

After searching for a bit, Chen Fang finally found a cowboy hat under the sofa. It was originally Pang Tong’s, but his head was too big so he’d given it to Chen Fang after finding it uncomfortable.

Chen Fang looked at himself in the mirror, snapped his fingers, and declared, “Perfect!”

Pang Tong sighed in defeat. It just wasn’t fair.

Chen Fang was almost unfairly handsome—and what hurt even more was that he seemed to get even better-looking every day. It simply defied all logic.

“Let’s go!”

Chen Fang had practiced hard for this day. Ji Mei had even called him early in the morning to cheer him on. With all the attention on him online, everyone was curious to see what he’d sing in the second round.

The two of them left together.

By midday, Chen Fang arrived at the competition venue.

From the second round onward, only contestants were allowed backstage, so Pang Tong could only stay in the audience. The show’s organizers were considerate enough to give Pang Tong a front-row seat.

Backstage, Chen Fang immediately spotted Ji Mei, dressed in her usual professional attire—a serious and focused Ji Mei had her own unique allure.

Chen Fang hesitated, not wanting to disturb her. After all, as the main director backstage, Ji Mei had a lot to manage, and greeting her would take up precious time.

But, unexpectedly, Ji Mei noticed him and came over. “It’s only been a few days and you don’t even say hello anymore?”

Her gaze was tinged with reproach. This troublesome man hadn’t even thought to call her. In fact, it was Ji Mei who’d called him this morning under the pretext of reminding him about the competition.

“I was afraid you’d be busy,” Chen Fang replied with a gentle smile.

At that, all of Ji Mei’s minor complaints dissipated. With a man like this, who knew just how to handle her little moods, she simply couldn’t stay upset.

Ji Mei led Chen Fang towards the lounge.

Along the way, she spoke with some concern. “You might run into a bit of trouble.”

Chen Fang was momentarily puzzled.

Ji Mei’s expression was a mixture of helplessness and frustration. A few days ago, she’d received a call late at night and hurried out—because of this very matter. “Because of Ke Min’s scandal, her company has pushed a trainee into this round of auditions at the last minute. It’s obvious—they’re here for you.”

Clearly, the production team had allowed it.

Chen Fang’s performance on stage had made both Ke Min’s company and the producers uncomfortable.

Ji Mei had protested, but it hadn’t helped much.

Chen Fang just smiled indifferently.

They wanted to use him as a stepping stone to regain some face? At the very least, send a male star! Sending just a trainee—what did they take him for? Did they look down on him that much?