Chapter 28 - TV Debut

Translator: Lynn

In the men’s clothing store, a tall young man stood before a smooth and bright full-length mirror. He had short, crisp hair, and his well-defined eyes held a soft charm. His white and tender face resembled freshly peeled duck egg whites. He tried on the latest autumn clothes from the store—a navy blue military coat with gold-plated double-breasted buttons, paired with slim trousers of the same color. The outfit looked no less impressive than the one worn by the model on the poster.

As Director Long Zichen proudly observed, it was evident that the handsome guy being praised was our classmate Jian Jie.

Jiang Xinya had helped Jian Jie contact the brand, and upon hearing that Jian Jie was preparing for popular shows like “Super Star Interview Show,” the supervisor eagerly offered the latest men’s clothing of the season. Thus, Jian Jie and Long Zichen went to one of their stores to make their selection.

While trying on the outfit, a shopping guide lady provided timely advice, “This outfit truly complements your demeanor.”

Long Zichen couldn’t resist expressing his approval, “Yes, indeed! This one stands out the most. Let’s go with this. Honestly, Xiaojie looks good in anything he wears!”

“…Brother Chen, let’s save the compliments for later. There are many people around, and they might feel nauseated,” Jian Jie teased Long Zichen, pretending to be concerned.

Long Zichen nodded seriously, “Alright, I’ll praise you later~~”

Unbeknownst to them, the shopping guide couldn’t help but wonder what these two men were up to, lingering around the store for so long.

With their clothing chosen, they happily returned to the company for rehearsal.

Early on Sunday morning, Ding Jiangyu and his staff picked up Jian Jie in a luxury car and headed to the TV station for the recording of “Interview Show.” Long Zichen wanted to accompany Jian Jie, but given his position as a manager, it would be inappropriate. Besides, he had plenty of work to do, so he reluctantly watched Jian Jie sit in Ding Jiangyu’s car with envy. The employees of the company wisely avoided this scene, knowing they didn’t want to face Long Zichen’s wrath today.

Now, back to Jian Jie.

Ding Jiangyu, as a senior, displayed great kindness towards newcomers. Normally, newcomers often faced various difficulties while attending announcements. The process could take hours of document checking and preparation. However, with Ding Jiangyu’s stature, the staff dare not delay their time. In fact, they were happy to welcome him and his guests. Having stars of their status on the show ensured high ratings, and it was crucial to maintain a good relationship with them.

Thanks to Ding Jiangyu’s influence, Jian Jie and his entourage entered the studio effortlessly. The “Interview Show” was recorded in the TV station’s grandest studio, No. 1. Half of the studio, in front of the camera lens, was extravagantly decorated with bright red sofas and luxurious sets. Five cameras were positioned to capture every angle, while the program producers, live band, and other staff stayed in the back half.

As Jian Jie had accompanied Ding Jiangyu in rehearsals before, he was familiar with the routine. Today, his role was to be Luye, and he took his part seriously.

The show began with the host introducing the guests for this episode. As a newcomer, Jian Jie sang another single with Ding Jiangyu and had written two of his hit songs. The host engaged in a pleasant chat with him for a while. Then, the focus shifted to Ding Jiangyu, delving into his past scandals, the album’s creation process, and everything related to him. Jian Jie only needed to sit and listen with a smile. He felt content without having to say much. The camera would occasionally pan to him, capturing moments of him laughing due to the amicable interactions between the host and the guests.

In the latter half of the show, Ding Jiangyu deliberately praised Jian Jie as the most promising newcomer of the near future, allowing the host to ask him a few questions. Being supported by the “King of Heaven,” Jian Jie gladly went along with the discussion. The host inquired about his recent work arrangements, and Jian Jie revealed that he was working on a new album, subtly promoting it.

During the last recording of the program, Ding Jiangyu and Jian Jie performed the single “Start Over” live. They also showcased their musical talents, with Ding Jiangyu playing the specially prepared white piano by the program group, and Jian Jie accompanying him on the folk guitar gifted by Long Zichen. Their harmonious singing was fresh and moving, creating a beautiful and enchanting scene. The host and all the staff couldn’t help but stand up and applaud after the performance. When the segment was aired, it received exceptionally high ratings of 25%, which was ten percentage points higher than the average, delighting the TV station and the program group.

The over one-hour recording session concluded quickly. Apart from the stunning performance at the end, Jian Jie’s overall performance was considered quite satisfactory. Nevertheless, his appealing image as a singer was enough to attract attention, as photographers were eager to capture more shots of him. In this industry, appearance plays a significant role in judgments.

The “Interview Show” featuring Jian Jie will be broadcast at 10 o’clock next Friday night, and everyone is eager to see its impact.

After leaving the TV station, Ding Jiangyu invited Liu Dongping, Mr. Xiaoguang, Jian Jie, and Lei Ting’s staff to dinner to express gratitude for their assistance in promoting him. Jian Jie was accompanied by his assistant Zhou Jia. However, while they were still dining, Long Zichen’s phone calls kept pouring in, as Jian Jie had accidentally left his phone off during the recording, and he had forgotten to turn it back on. Long Zichen, growing increasingly anxious, kept trying to reach him, fearing the worst scenarios, including Jian Jie being coerced by the “King of Heaven” Ding Jiangyu. In his mind, he was playing out dramatic scenes where he had to save Jian Jie from peril.

Finally, Ding Jiangyu, feeling amused and under pressure, handed the phone to Jian Jie, telling him that it was his producer calling.

Jian Jie was puzzled by Long Zichen calling Ding Jiangyu instead of him. Upon answering the call, he heard Long Zichen’s worried voice, bombarding him with numerous questions and concerns about why his phone was off and how he couldn’t reach him for so long.

Apologizing, Jian Jie explained, “I turned off my phone during the recording and forgot to turn it back on. Sorry, Brother Chen.” He quickly switched on his phone and saw multiple missed call notifications from Long Zichen.

Worried that it might be something important, Jian Jie inquired, “Is there something urgent?”

Feeling somewhat embarrassed, Long Zichen scratched his head and said, “Oh, it’s nothing serious. I just went to buy honey loquat water. When will you be back?”

“Ding Jiangyu invited us to dinner. I’ll be back soon.” Although he wanted to return quickly, it would be impolite to leave the dinner early.

Long Zichen replied, “Then I’ll keep it for you. Come back soon.”

“Okay.”

After hanging up the phone, Ding Jiangyu smiled and commented, “Your producer really cares about newcomers and never lets his guard down.”

Jian Jie nodded, “Yes, Brother Chen is very attentive to newcomers.”

Meanwhile, Jian Jie’s assistant, Zhou Jia, who was quietly eating, couldn’t help but think, “Such special treatment is only for you! Everyone pretends not to be envious, but secretly, we all wish we were in your place.”

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