Chapter 39: Four-Hand Duet

“Hello everyone, welcome to Star CEO. I’m your host, Tian Tian. In this season, eight guests have brought you a series of spectacular performances, and we’ve also seen the side of the artists and CEOs that you don’t usually get to see. After a review of past highlights, let’s now take a look at the current ranking of the four guest groups’ viewership!”

Behind the host, a holographic projection displayed four three-dimensional small pyramids. They varied in width and height, with each group’s viewership and growth rate clearly shown.

The pyramid for the first group, consisting of a rising star and a game producer, was the most typical. The second group, with a cross-talk comedian and the president of Sanyo, came next. The third group, featuring Wen Anran and Xie Ting, had the flattest and smallest pyramid, achieving the “public execution” achievement with ease.

The fourth group, the “Double Chen” duo, had a unique inverted trapezoidal shape, with the slope both steep and high—its shape was the most unusual of all.

In Xie Ting’s live stream room, his fans were furious, loudly accusing Wen Anran of dragging the group down. If it weren’t for him, how could the mighty King Ting’s viewership be at the bottom?

Wen Anran’s fans originally tried to defend him, but the fierce fans of Xie Tianwang overwhelmed them in no time. In a few sentences, they were silenced and had to lie down and take the insults.

Meanwhile, in Xiao Chi’s live stream room, apart from the usual laughs and support from the “Haha Party” and the Double Chen CP fans, there was a jubilant atmosphere:

“Chenchen, go go go! You were the champion in singing, and you have to be the champion in variety shows too!”

“As a career fan, I’m more concerned about the benefits of the winning prize and the cooperation with investors—will there be big-name endorsements?”

“Ugh, does this mean the sweet days of supporting Double Chen are coming to an end? Please, we need the same cast for the second season!”

At the live broadcast site, Wen Anran sat quietly in the corner, still as a statue.

He was wearing an expensive designer suit, with a prestigious watch on his wrist—things he valued highly in his daily life. But now, all these meticulously prepared items seemed lifeless, his popularity, heat, looks, and resources all fading in comparison to Xiao Chi’s presence.

He was just a newcomer, right? Wasn’t he just using his good looks to climb into Ji Chenxuan’s bed?

It didn’t matter, let him continue basking in his pride, but that wouldn’t last much longer!

He had hidden a brow razor in his sleeve and, while checking the instruments with Xiao Deng, secretly tampered with the violin. As long as Xiao Chi played it with the same quick and forceful bowing as at the wine party, he would look bad for sure.

Even if Ji Chenxuan investigated afterward, with Xiao Deng as a brainless fan to vouch for him, they would only blame the poor quality of the rented violin, leading to this “accident.”

Wen Anran recited the script of this self-directed and self-performed play in his mind, becoming more smug with each passing thought. The small table in front of him now had a fresh bottle of mineral water, which he grasped in his palm, squeezing it until it made a harsh noise.

People have to look out for themselves, right? To climb up, one has to step on a few stepping stones, doesn’t one?

The host once again engaged in a customary flattery, and as the music pit on the wide stage behind them began to rise, all the camera angles switched to the new stage. Wen Anran finally awaited the long-anticipated ensemble segment.

The chorus piece was a familiar song to the audience, Dream Awakening. After a rearrangement, the simple melody had become highly versatile.

In terms of musical skills, the artist group showed off their tricks, while the CEO group was not as proficient. Apart from Ji Chenxuan playing the piano, the rest of the group were devil-level singers. When they prepared to go on stage, they looked as though they were ready for a heroic sacrifice.

Wen Anran was last, his gaze fixed on Xiao Chi, waiting for him to take the stage, slowly moving toward the violin’s position. Closer, closer, but then—Xiao Chi suddenly stepped over it!

Without even glancing at the violin, Xiao Chi ended up sitting at the three-legged piano alongside Ji Chenxuan!

Wen Anran was completely caught off guard, his face turned as ugly as a stone in a smelly ditch.

What was going on? They had clearly used the violin in rehearsal! Were they suddenly going to switch to a four-hand piano duet?

Wen Anran’s thoughts were in a mess. He couldn’t understand it at all. They hadn’t practiced this. Who gave Xiao Chi the courage to switch instruments on live TV?

With only moments before the official start, host Tian Tian warmed up the stage as the guests in front joked and laughed, preparing to go on.

Before Wen Anran could adjust from the frustration of his failed plan, a hand suddenly reached in front of him, stopping his steps. It was Xiao Deng, who had been checking the instruments with him.

Wen Anran suppressed his bad premonition, furrowing his brows. “Is something wrong?”

Xiao Deng’s face was bright red, her eyes filled with hesitation as she looked at him. “Wen… Brother Wen, the director, just told me that the fourth group of guests has changed the instruments they’ll be using. The violin part is now missing, and they said you can play the violin, so they want you to fill in. What do you think?”

“What did you say?!” Wen Anran’s face changed drastically, his eyes wide in disbelief, his anger showing clearly. “What kind of nonsense is this? We clearly rehearsed, and now they’re just switching it? It’s almost time to go on stage and now you come to tell me this?!”

Xiao Deng was scared stiff by his sudden outburst, her face turning pale as tears started to fall. She didn’t understand why the director had made such a strange request and only vaguely guessed it might be due to some kind of pressure from a powerful force.

“Oh? Mr. Wen, why are you so angry? Your makeup’s going to smudge at this rate.”

Liu Bing’s sarcastic voice was easily recognizable, like a knife stabbing into Wen Anran’s ears. Startled, he turned around and met a pair of sharp, domineering eyes, just as unpleasant as his own temper.

Wen Anran forced a smile, his lips curled into a grin that didn’t reach his eyes. “Liu Sanshui, what’s wrong with your artist? Is it really necessary to bully people like this by making last-minute changes? Does President Ji allow him to act like this?”

“Bullying?” Liu Bing smiled faintly, slowly pulling out her phone and showing him the video. “The bullying is directed at a certain underhanded little person. You can either go on stage now and swallow the bitter fruit you’ve sown, or I can expose your little behind-the-scenes tricks, ruining your reputation. You choose.”

“You… how could you…” Wen Anran was struck as though by lightning. A chilling and terrifying sensation crawled up his spine like a snake. He looked at Liu Bing as if staring at a demon—no, even demons weren’t as terrifying as him!

Wen Anran didn’t know how he made it onto the stage. He was like a marionette, soulless and puppet-like.

As he placed the violin on his shoulder, both his arms trembled, and his head felt like it was half-paralyzed. He tried to distance himself as much as possible, as if the instrument in his hands wasn’t a violin, but a bomb that could explode at any moment.

The tune he played was an incoherent mess, neither a melody nor in tune. His embarrassment and awkwardness were laid bare for the thousands of viewers in the livestream, who mercilessly criticized him.

Liu Bing snickered backstage, his laughter sending a chill down Xiao Deng’s spine. In fact, the violin Wen Anran had tampered with had long been replaced by Liu Bing. This was Xiao Chi’s variety show debut—he would never allow any accidents to affect his protegee’s exposure.

But Wen Anran kept playing dirty tricks, and Liu Bing wasn’t going to let him get away with it without a lesson.

On stage, Xiao Chi was fully immersed in the four-hand piano duet with Ji Chenxuan, completely unaware of the behind-the-scenes scheming.

The duet had been a last-minute decision. The sheet music on the piano stand was set up to automatically turn the pages. Xiao Chi, with his incredible memory and AI-level playing skills, effortlessly kept up with Ji Chenxuan’s tempo.

Together, the two of them, four hands, fluttered across the black and white keys like butterflies in a garden, creating an elegant, moving melody. The harmonies were captivating, and their occasional exchanged glances added to the emotional connection. The stage lights were soft and dreamy, making the moment feel like an impossible dream.

Under the spotlight, amid the applause and music, they played side by side, so close that there wasn’t a sliver of space between them. Their synchronization was perfect, full of passion and intensity.

Ji Chenxuan secretly wished the duet would last longer, but the short five minutes passed in the blink of an eye.

As the last note of the piece was still hanging in the air, Xiao Chi turned to look at him. His dark eyes seemed to crush the starlight, clearly reflecting Ji Chenxuan’s face, giving the impression of a deeply affectionate gaze.

Under that look, Ji Chenxuan felt as though the whole world had quieted down, becoming soft and peaceful, creating an overwhelming urge to kiss.

“How did I play?” Xiao Chi asked, excitement lighting up his eyes.

Ji Chenxuan smiled gently. “You were fantastic.”

Xiao Chi’s eyes sparkled with excitement. “Shall we go back and play more? I have so many more pieces, although I haven’t organized them yet…”

Ji Chenxuan couldn’t bear to refuse. “Then let’s clear them up.”

Xiao Chi paused, a rare shy expression appearing on his face. “There are so many people here, and it’s still live. Isn’t it a bit inappropriate?”

“Huh?” Ji Chenxuan looked at him in confusion.

Xiao Chi looked around furtively, almost as if sneaking around. He moved closer, silently leaning his face toward Ji Chenxuan.

Ji Chenxuan was even more bewildered. “What are you doing?”

Xiao Chi glanced at him from the corner of his eye and whispered, “Didn’t you say you wanted to kiss me?”

“…”