Chapter 32: Subtle Thoughts

“Hello, everyone! This is the production team of Star CEO. This year, we will be using a brand new approach with live streaming throughout the entire program, showing the most real and vivid sides of our guests to the audience.”

On the streets and alleys, the promotional ads for Star CEO are everywhere, demonstrating the program team’s and investors’ immense financial backing. Outdoor billboards, public transportation, and even the small screens in elevators are all part of the advertising push.

Passersby, even without intentionally watching, can hear bits and pieces as they walk from one end of the street to the other.

A young couple, dressed in matching T-shirts, linger in front of a storefront window, commenting on the video ad playing:

“Every year it’s something ‘new,’ yet it’s always the same old thing. Mediocre celebrities, middle-aged CEOs who have gained weight, and exaggerated editing. I bet this year won’t be any different.”

The host in the video, unaware of the audience’s sarcastic remarks, continues cheerfully:

“This year’s invited guests are a super surprise you never saw coming! Truly heavyweight figures!”

Seeing that her boyfriend’s interest had been piqued, the girl scoffed, “What heavyweight figures could they have? Did they somehow get King Xie?”

On the TV, the host excitedly revealed the first big name:

“That’s right! One of this year’s biggest stars—Xie Ting, the three-time global Best Popularity No.1 and the king of all industries!”

“…Oh my god, is this for real?!” The girl exclaimed, her cheeks flushed with excitement.

Her boyfriend frowned, annoyed, “Hey, you really like him that much?”

“Obviously! I love Xie Ting! He’s super handsome! Every girl’s dream guy!”

The host revealed the second big name:

“And also the mysterious new rising star, who just won the National Star Show Championship—Xiao Chen!”

“Ahhh! Chenchen! My husband! No objections!” The girl excitedly pressed her face against the window, almost wanting to dive into the screen.

Her boyfriend rolled his eyes helplessly. “Weren’t you just saying you loved Xie Ting?”

“I’ve defected!”

The host continued with a string of bombshell announcements:

“This year, we’ve also invited an extremely, extremely, extremely famous young entrepreneur—”

The three “extremely”s were emphasized, and the boyfriend snorted in displeasure, “Here we go again with the famous entrepreneur nonsense. Last time they called a famous entrepreneur, and he turned out to be a greasy, middle-aged guy with a receding hairline…”

“—He is, Ji Chenxuan, the president of Huanyi Entertainment Group!”

The young couple was immediately stunned: “…What?!”

Ever since the teaser for Star CEO was released, announcing that both Xie Ting and Ji Chenxuan would be appearing on the show, it was like a spark hitting boiling oil, instantly setting off a media frenzy across gossip platforms in the entertainment industry.

Especially Ji Chenxuan, the infamous bachelor known as the “diamond king,” who always attracts attention wherever he goes.

Since the show’s inception, Star CEO had been trying to get Ji Chenxuan to join, but every year, he had refused. The persistence of the show had almost become a running joke in the entertainment industry.

—#HasStarCEOBeenRejectedByJiChenxuanAgainThisYear?

The waves of heated discussions hit the servers with such force that they almost exploded. The momentum was overwhelming, and the spread of the news was far more powerful than the costly promotional efforts made by the program team.

Originally, the producer had little hope when sending the invitation to Huanyi Entertainment, never expecting that their relentless persistence would actually pay off!

When they received Zhou Tong’s affirmative reply, the producer almost cried with joy! It was truly a miracle that their unwavering sincerity had finally touched the cold-hearted president of Huanyi!

Zhou Tong couldn’t help but sneer inwardly: “…You’re thinking too much.”

—

Weekend, Star CEO Variety Show Recording Site

Liu Bing led Xiao Chi off the van, walking while quietly briefing him.

“This variety show has a powerful backer and a huge audience, with high exposure. Every episode invites eight guests, divided into four teams. Each team consists of a celebrity and a CEO. The pairings are determined by a random draw, so no one knows who they’ll be paired with.”

“Each team competes based on their viewership ratings. The winning team not only gets great exposure but also the opportunity to cooperate with the investors.”

In the warm April, the temperature was rising quickly. Xiao Chi, dressed in a bright sports shirt with his hands in his pockets, had his messy bangs blowing in the wind. When the sunlight hit him, he looked as though he were glowing.

Liu Bing was almost dazzled by him. He quickly pulled out a pair of brown sunglasses and put them on his nose. “This time, the guests are all high-profile figures who were invited with great effort and a large budget. We’re lucky to be part of this.”

Various sets were being built around them. Xiao Chi looked around curiously. “Besides me and Ji Chenxuan, who else is here this year?”

“As for the celebrities, I know Wen Anran and the rising film and television star Zheng Xi are here. And…” Liu Bing paused, his eyes narrowing as he watched someone approach. “Xie Ting.”

Xiao Chi followed his gaze. Xie Ting walked over slowly, his face gradually coming into view from the shadow of the backlight, with a warm smile.

Xie Ting stopped in front of them, nodded at Liu Bing, and then turned his attention to Xiao Chi, casually extending his hand. “Good to see you again, little star.”

Xiao Chi shook his hand and seriously corrected him, “I’m Xiao Chen, twenty years old, not a little star.”

“Hehe, I’ll remember that.” Xie Ting smiled, his eyes narrowing as he held onto Xiao Chi’s hand a little longer, as if he wanted to tease him further. But Liu Bing was already tugging on Xiao Chi’s arm, pulling him back two steps.

The grumpy manager raised an eyebrow, half-joking, “Take your hand off, stop taking advantage of my kid.”

“Hey, I’m just saying hello!” Xie Ting raised both hands in mock surrender, making an exaggerated wounded expression. “Sanshui, you’ve changed. Now that you have a new kid, you’re abandoning the old one!”

Liu Bing: “…”

He then winked at Xiao Chi. “I heard that President Ji will be coming soon. By the way, I wasn’t invited as a celebrity, but as a partner of the studio. If we end up in the same team, that’ll be interesting.”

Before Xiao Chi could respond, Xie Ting waved and walked away.

“What’s wrong?” Xiao Chi looked down at Liu Bing, who was gripping his sleeve tightly.

Liu Bing pulled him forward, his dark eyes hidden behind the sunglasses, and without looking sideways, he said, “Don’t mind that guy. He’s a notorious playboy who loves beautiful people—especially young like you. You look all obedient and soft, like a little white rabbit. You’ll make any man feel protective.”

Xiao Chi raised his fist and waved it in front of him, calmly saying, “I’m strong enough, I don’t need anyone’s protection.”

Liu Bing sneered, “You? With those pale little arms and legs?”

Xiao Chi was puzzled. “Yeah, what’s the problem?”

“Xie Ting served in the military before his debut. He trained in close combat, learning quick, precise, and ruthless fighting techniques. It’s not the same as you occasionally hitting the gym to work on your pretty muscles.”

“Actually, I also…”

As they neared the recording site, Liu Bing made a ‘shh’ gesture with his hand, continuing his incessant instructions like a worried nanny. “Don’t argue with me. Remember, keep your distance from him, or you’ll regret it. When the live broadcast starts, don’t say anything weird.”

Xiao Chi nodded, swallowing the words “I’ve learned over a dozen types of martial arts.”

The host of Star CEO was named Tian Tian, known for her exaggerated facial expressions and endless flattery. As the guests arrived, Tian Tian buzzed around, offering praise to everyone, making them laugh uncontrollably.

As a fresh newcomer, Xiao Chi didn’t know anyone at the site. Apart from Xie Ting and the host, no other guests took the initiative to talk to him. Instead, Wen Anran walked leisurely toward him, smiling as she greeted him.

“Xiao Chen, long time no see! Do you remember me? I’m Wen Anran, also from Huanyi. I guess you could say I’m somewhat of a senior.”

Xiao Chi nodded slightly. “I remember you.”

Wen Anran, acting like an older brother, sat beside him and spoke in a gentle tone, “When we first met, there was a small misunderstanding. I hope you don’t mind. This is your first variety show, right? Don’t be nervous. If you have any questions, just come to me. As your senior, I’ll do my best to help you.”

Xiao Chi blinked, touched. “Thank you, Uncle, you’re such a good person!”

Wen Anran’s expression froze slightly. “…Uncle?”

Suddenly, there was a commotion at the door. The last to arrive was Ji Chenxuan. As soon as he appeared, a crowd of young men and women rushed to greet him, eager to strike up a conversation.

Wen Anran’s gaze sharpened, but instead of heading toward Ji Chenxuan, he stayed close to Xiao Chi, leaning in slightly to ask in a low voice, “I heard from the company that you seem to have a special relationship with President Ji?”

Xiao Chi hesitated for a moment. Remembering their agreement, he reluctantly denied it. “…Not really.”

Ji Chenxuan’s gaze swept across the room. He scanned the crowd before his eyes locked onto Xiao Chi’s, and Wen Anran was caught in the same gaze.

He furrowed his brows for a moment before withdrawing his gaze and following the host Tian Tian’s instructions, quietly sitting down at his seat.

The first day of the live broadcast was indoors. Each guest sat in a unique lounge chair, surrounded by high-tech, futuristic holographic backgrounds.

After introducing the basic rules and backgrounds of the guests, Tian Tian waved her hand, and metal panels slowly rose from the floor in front of each guest, flashing random numbers.

“Guests and viewers alike, now we’ll begin the drawing for the team pairing. One celebrity and one entrepreneur, each pair will exchange roles and experience the other’s unique work and life.”

Each of the eight guests pressed a button on the metal panel in front of them. Xiao Chi’s number was 888, which meant he was paired with Xie Ting.

Ji Chenxuan’s number was 726, and his partner was Wen Anran.

The moment the team pairings were announced, the expressions of the four were all different—intense and subtle.