Chapter 98: Gathering of the Seekers (Request for Votes)

Kyoto.
Inside a certain event hotel.

Jiang You, just back from an event, was fuming with anger. “We’ve already signed a contract with Brothers Entertainment. How can they just back out and replace me on a whim?”

He had barely returned to the hotel and hadn’t even rested when his manager broke the news: he’d been replaced on the show "Slow Tempo."

It wasn’t unheard of in the entertainment industry for production teams to swap cast members before filming began, but Jiang You never imagined it would happen to him.

“Brothers Entertainment is willing to pay the penalty for breach of contract just to make the switch. There’s nothing the company can do,” his manager Sun Dan explained.

Having debuted just a year ago, Jiang You was still considered a relative newcomer in the entertainment circle. He had some resources but was far from having access to top-tier opportunities.

Brothers Entertainment’s first foray into variety shows caused a huge stir in the industry, comparable to a major film production by Shengshi Entertainment.

They invested vast resources into this variety show, ensuring it would garner significant attention and buzz.

Simply participating in this show would have been a major boost for Jiang You’s career.

But now, he had been replaced.

“Sun Jie, do you know who replaced me?”

Since Brothers Entertainment was willing to pay the penalty just to make the replacement, Jiang You knew his chances were gone.

Whoever could take his place while carrying such a heavy cost had to be someone with considerable backing.

Right now, all Jiang You wanted was to know who had taken his spot.

Even if they replaced him, he wanted to know who it was.

“Brothers Entertainment hasn’t disclosed the name,” Sun Dan said. “But there’s a rumor it’s An Chuxia from Splendid Entertainment. It’s unconfirmed, but it seems likely.”

“An Chuxia, the perennial runner-up?” Jiang You exclaimed. “Splendid and Brothers teaming up? Would Shengshi just stand by and allow that?”

He wasn’t a naive newcomer; anyone in the music scene knew the status of the three giants in the industry.

The three were fierce rivals, none willing to concede dominance, each striving to be the leader of the music world.

Sun Dan shook her head. “That part is unclear, but knowing Shengshi Entertainment’s nature, they won’t let this go quietly.”

Shengshi Entertainment was notorious for being tough and relentless.

They were the first to break entertainment industry conventions, splurging on talent and film projects.

They were stubborn yet cunning, evident in how they secretly encouraged Brothers Entertainment to launch a variety show.

Jiang You felt bitter and unwilling to accept this. He had waited a long time for this opportunity, only to have it snatched away so easily.

His frustration and helplessness were palpable.

This was the entertainment industry.

If your company wasn’t strong enough, the big three could just break contracts at will. If the person behind you was one of the three giants, you wouldn’t be the one replaced this time.

At that moment, Sun Dan’s phone rang. She checked it and smiled. “The company has scheduled several new variety shows for you. Although 'Slow Tempo' is gone, there are other good programs. Plenty of great shows.”

She said that, but a program as buzzworthy as "Slow Tempo" was truly rare.

Jiang You replied listlessly, “Are these all company-led shows? What kind?”

This was essentially the company’s way of compensating him by offering alternative variety programs.

Sun Dan glanced at her phone. “There’s 'Charge Forward' from Watermelon Entertainment, 'I Am a Paraglider' from Mo Hai Culture, and 'The Life We Yearn For' from Shengshi Entertainment.”

Watermelon Entertainment?

Mo Hai Culture?

Shengshi Entertainment?

Jiang You and Sun Dan immediately exchanged looks, peering at the phone together.

Watermelon and Mo Hai provided detailed information, but Shengshi had only sent the show title, nothing else.

Jiang You hesitated, “Sun Jie, is it really Shengshi Entertainment?”

It didn’t seem likely. Shengshi had just suffered a major loss in film, both financially and reputationally.

Having just taken a hit crossing into film, would they dare to venture into variety shows so soon?

“There’s no fake news from the company,” Sun Dan replied. “See, Shengshi Entertainment is striking back.”

As one of the three giants, Shengshi wouldn’t just watch Splendid and Brothers join forces.

Sun Dan looked at Jiang You. “Between the three, I don’t recommend Shengshi. Watermelon and Mo Hai are both fine choices. Though not giants in variety shows, they have solid first-tier capabilities.”

Shengshi’s entry into variety would attract attention but their preparation time was short, making it seem like a spiteful move against Brothers.

Sun Dan wasn’t optimistic about "The Life We Yearn For."

Jiang You decided firmly, “I’ll choose Shengshi.”

He understood Sun Dan’s concerns but deciding and acting were different matters.

Shengshi’s intent was clear: to oppose Brothers Entertainment directly. Watermelon and Mo Hai had no real reason to feud with Brothers, but Shengshi did.

Of course, Jiang You had his reasons for choosing Shengshi.

Having just taken a heavy loss in film, Shengshi’s move into variety was partly out of spite to confront Brothers Entertainment, but they wouldn’t act recklessly. Their preparations might be insufficient, but not entirely lacking.

“Xiao You, Shengshi…” Sun Dan started, but Jiang You interrupted:

“Sun Jie, I admit there’s some gambling in this choice, but I believe I will succeed.”

...

Meanwhile,

Teacher He, just home, received a call.

Seeing the caller ID, he smiled before answering, “Lao Liu, what brings you to call me?”

The caller was Liu Quan, a signed lyricist and composer at Shengshi Entertainment, known in the industry as “Liu Dad” because of his stature as a top-tier songwriter.

Unlike Jiang You, who was a newcomer with many peers vying for the same spots, Teacher He was a veteran in the entertainment world.

To secure Teacher He’s participation in the show, Shengshi didn’t hesitate to have the top lyricist make the call.

This was the power of the three giants, this was Shengshi.

Small companies wouldn’t even dare to make such a call; they lacked the backing of a “lyric dad” or “composer dad.”

...

After market research, Shengshi acted swiftly.

Inviting guests, poaching talents—everything moved quickly.

Since this was Shengshi’s first variety show, they naturally lacked sufficient personnel reserves.

If it were just producing an album or shooting a music video, Shengshi could deliver top quality within a day.

But for a variety show, they lacked the specialists.

What to do? They had to poach talent, and Shengshi had experience in that.

Everything proceeded smoothly.

That day, Old Qin visited Li He, who was known for slacking off.

This time, his suspicion grew; there had to be something going on!

Only a few days had passed since Xiao Zhang called Jia Bei to her office—less than three days.

Old Qin was the leader of Group Seven, yet one of his subordinates could bypass him and talk directly with superiors. Something felt off to him.

If it weren’t for knowing Xiao Zhang’s close relationship with her husband, Old Qin might have suspected Li He was being kept by Zhang Yang.

Old Qin’s gaze shifted oddly. “Li He, Xiao Zhang wants to see you.”

“All right.”

Li He picked up his phone from the desk and walked out. Once outside the workspace, he quickly unlocked his phone and paused the recording.

()

Let’s start with a small goal—memorize this in one second: Book Guest Residence.