Chapter 25: This is what you meant by ‘I’ll learn it as soon as I try,’ huh…

【Shang Que: A bunch of idiots.】

【A denial from the Emperor, hahaha.】

【Although both the palm and the back of the hand are full of thorns, Shang Que chose the one that hurts the most. What does that mean?】

【It means that throughout the dynasties, emperors trusted their most trusted eunuchs the most.】

Hearing Shang Que’s response, the director, amused by the situation, fanned the flames, saying, “So, Shang Que’s choice is not to change partners, right? Do you need to reconsider?”

“What’s there to reconsider? You think she can choose you instead of me?” Ji Jingchuan frowned, speaking with a sarcastic tone that actually seemed quite sincere, “You didn’t think she was calling you one of the idiots just now, did you?”

The director’s grin immediately faded, and he awkwardly shifted the topic. “Alright, since Shang Que has decided not to change partners, it’s time for the remaining four guests to make their choices. Before that, let’s watch the solo interviews from this morning to see if anyone has changed their mind.”

The first to be shown was Ning Sheng’s solo interview. On screen, she sat down in her chair with some confusion and asked, “Why am I suddenly having a solo interview? Is there a mole in today’s task?”

【Hahaha, I remember she just met the Emperor with Ji Jingchuan and Jiang Yizhe, and then was called by the staff. No wonder she’s thinking this.】

【Ning Sheng: I’ve just become the Minister of Rites, am I already plotting to usurp the throne?】

Thankfully, the director quickly dismissed her assumption. “Actually, after today’s live broadcast, there will be an opportunity to change groups. If you could choose another guest to partner with, who would you choose?”

Ning Sheng sighed with relief but then frowned slightly, thinking seriously before answering, “I’d still choose Lu Zhixu. We have good chemistry as partners. But if I had to choose someone else, I’d probably choose Shang Que.”

“Why?”

Ning Sheng curved the corner of her lips, “Because she’s the Emperor.”

【I, the Minister of Rites, vow to follow the Emperor to the death!】

【Emperor, do you see now who the loyal ministers are and who the treacherous ones are?】

Shang Que: …

At the time, the director didn’t realize they were talking about establishing a dynasty, and thought Ning Sheng was referring to some sort of pre-established royal figure in a selection show. He was stunned and quickly explained, “We’re a serious variety show, there’s no such thing as royalty here. Everyone competes on their own merit.”

It wasn’t until now that he finally understood. “So, you’re really talking about an actual Emperor?”

【Director: That startled me. How did I not know our show had royalty involved?】

【You can tell he’s nervous; he didn’t even cut this explanation out, leaving it in to air.】

【Hahaha, because all six guests have sponsorships for the show, the director must’ve been thinking, ‘Don’t say weird stuff or I’ll lose my sponsors!’】

Next up was Lu Zhixu’s interview. The director started with the usual question: “If there were an opportunity to switch partners, who would you choose?”

“Ning Sheng.”

“Aside from Ning Sheng, who would you choose from the other four guests?”

“There’s no one else.” Lu Zhixu still wore a friendly smile on his face, but his tone was firm. “I can’t separate from her.”

【Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, can’t separate from her～】

【The main character just handed out sugar, who’s happy now, I won’t say!】

【(On stage) (Adjusting tie) (Proud) Yes, how did you know I ship Xu Xu and Sheng Sheng!】

Next was Lin Jinyi’s interview. After hearing the director’s question, she frowned slightly. “I’ve just barely gotten used to this. You’re telling me to change?”

“It’s just a hypothetical situation,” the director immediately changed his wording when he saw her dissatisfaction. “If you had to choose a friend from the remaining guests, who would you want to be friends with?”

Lin Jinyi’s expression softened a bit. “Shang Que.”

【As expected of the Emperor, everyone loves her.】

【I thought Lin Jinyi would pick Shang Que straight away. I remember she’s a fan of Shang Que, and in the beginning, she even snubbed Jiang Yizhe when he wanted to partner with her. Didn’t expect them to get along so well now.】

The director then asked, “Do you have anything to say to your current partner?”

“What do you mean?” Lin Jinyi’s expression changed instantly, suspicion evident. “Is Jiang Yizhe going to quit recording? Is this a farewell video?”

“Not not, it’s just that we’ve already recorded up to the fourth episode of our variety show. I believe by now, no matter whether you started off as friends, opponents, or strangers, you all have gained some understanding of each other. So, the production team wants to ask you how you feel about each other.”

Lin Jinyi gave a slight “oh” and, not knowing how to say something sentimental, she thought for a moment before awkwardly saying, “Although sometimes he can be pretty childish, he’s still reliable, and he takes the initiative to take care of almost everything… Hmm, having a friend like that feels pretty good.”

She said with some concern, “You guys better not let him quit recording. I don’t want to have to work with someone I’m not familiar with again.”

After watching her interview, Jiang Yizhe was surprised. “He asked me the same thing, and I thought you were going to quit.”

What followed was his interview, where the director immediately asked him the same question.

Jiang Yizhe reacted the same as Lin Jinyi, chasing after the director to ask if she was going to quit.

“Just treat it as that,” the director explained several times, but eventually, he broke down and said, “If this were a farewell video, what would you want to say to Lin Jinyi?”

Jiang Yizhe’s expression was filled with shock and reluctance. He thought for a long time, then his first words were, “Lin Jinyi is a good person.”

“Hahaha, always playing the good person card.”

“Little chicken feathers think everyone in the world is a good person.”

He looked at the camera, speaking sincerely, “You’re very beautiful, tall, and thin. Whether in person or on camera, you can really brighten up the room. My younger sister even asked me who this beautiful sister, like Elsa from Frozen, was when she was watching the show with me, so don’t worry about your appearance or body, and don’t believe those who criticize you.”

“But what impressed me more while doing tasks with you is how hard you work. Even though you occasionally complain, you’ve never backed down, and you never blame your teammates…” Jiang Yizhe said a lot, then summed up, “Anyway, I hope you can be more confident because you’re really outstanding.”

“Oh my, what a sincere little brother Jiang Yizhe is. Even though he often seems silly, he’s the most genuine when looking at others.”

“Yes, when he praised Lin Jinyi’s beauty and figure, there was no lingering look at all.”

“It seems like Miss Lin is about to cry. Sincerity is the best weapon to defeat someone who is tough on the outside but soft on the inside!”

This segment, although long, was fully preserved by the production team, probably because they wanted Lin Jinyi to see it.

In the next interview video, the director smoothly asked, “If Lin Jinyi leaves, who would you most want to team up with?”

“Will there be new guests?”

“There will be. Do you want to team up with a new guest?”

“No,” Jiang Yizhe scratched his head shyly and confessed, “I want to team up with Sister Shangque. I’m worried that if Lin Jinyi leaves, Ji Jingchuan won’t have a partner. But if there’s a new guest, then there won’t be any worries.”

“Ji Jingchuan: Am I supposed to thank you for thinking of me?”

“Who else but Shangque can hold Ji Jingchuan down? This would be so cruel to the new guests, wouldn’t it?”

“When the new guests arrive, they’ll face hell-level challenges. The sky’s falling!”

As expected, hearing this, Ji Jingchuan exploded: “Who told you to worry about me? You, a chef in the imperial kitchen, want to overthrow my position?”

“I thought Lin Jinyi was leaving, that’s why I thought this way,” Jiang Yizhe hurriedly explained.

“Don’t even think about it. If you keep thinking, I’ll give you an order to commit suicide!”

“An emperor’s treacherous reign.”

“Looks like the emperor is really popular. Everyone chose her.”

“Of course, Shangque is the emperor!”

In the end, no one changed partners, but the hashtag #ShangqueIsTheEmperor continued to dominate the trending searches.

After the variety show ended, Shangque went home and saw the topic but didn’t have the courage to click on it.

Just then, several messages suddenly popped up on WeChat.

[Galaxy’s Biggest Fool]: Your Majesty, are you there? Your Majesty?

[Galaxy’s Biggest Fool]: Shangque, Shangque, Shangque!!!

[Shangque]: If you have something, present it. If not, retire.

[Galaxy’s Biggest Fool]: I want to discuss something with you.

[Shangque]: No need to discuss, you can retire.

[Galaxy’s Biggest Fool]: Please listen first!!!

[Galaxy’s Biggest Fool]: I have a single to re-record for a new MV. Could you come and be the female lead?

[Shangque]: [Recommending contact Fu Xingzhi]

[Shangque]: For business inquiries, contact my agent.

【Galaxy’s Biggest Fool】: Of course I looked for it! You think I didn’t? As soon as he heard it was my agent, he deleted it right away. I don’t know what kind of grudge they have with each other.

Shang Que suddenly remembered that before recording this variety show, Fu Xingzhi had asked her to find a chance to beat up Ji Jingchuan. She had forgotten about it after finishing the escape room task.

【Shang Que】: …Is there a possibility that it has something to do with you having a grudge?

【Galaxy’s Biggest Fool】: We’ve barely met a few times. Is he jealous of my genius?

【Shang Que】: Fine, whatever, you go ahead, what single?

【Galaxy’s Biggest Fool】: That song “Listen”, it’s going to be included in the new album, so we need to shoot a new MV. Have you recently taken on a martial arts drama? If you play the female lead for me, as a trade-off, I can sing the OST for your drama for free.

【Shang Que】: Let me ask the director if they agree.

【Galaxy’s Biggest Fool】: How could they disagree? If they don’t get so excited they can’t speak, that would be a miracle. Other dramas want me to sing for them, but they can’t get me!

Ji Jingchuan certainly has the capital to be confident. As one of the top celebrities in China’s entertainment industry, countless production teams want to work with him.

Sure enough, the director’s reaction was exactly as Ji Jingchuan had guessed.

【Director Jiang】: Huh? Huh!! Huh!!!

【Director Jiang】: Is what’s on the hot search true? Shang Que, you’re not really the emperor, are you?

【Director Jiang】: Long live the emperor, long live the emperor, ten thousand years!

Shang Que: …

The next day, Shang Que went to sign the contract at Fanxing Entertainment. Such matters are usually handled by both companies going through the process, but Ji Jingchuan insisted there was a surprise and insisted she come in person.

When she arrived at the studio, Shang Que found out the surprise was—

“Garlic baguette.” Ji Jingchuan said proudly, “I baked it myself. It’s not like the ones you get outside. Shang Que, you should secretly enjoy it.”

Shang Que, who hadn’t eaten breakfast, opened it and took a bite. The taste was a little different from the ones sold in stores. It seemed like he had re-baked it. The edges were crispier, and the inside had butter added, making it chewy and soft.

“How is it? Isn’t it delicious?”

Shang Que didn’t argue, but instead asked, “You can bake bread?”

“This kind of thing, isn’t it easy to learn?” Ji Jingchuan smirked, “This is my first time baking, and I succeeded right away. I really am a genius.”

After briefly looking over the contract, Ji Jingchuan took her on a quick tour around. Fanxing mainly promoted idol boy bands. In addition to the talent shows, they also trained many trainees, most of whom looked quite young. In the air-conditioned training room, each of them was sweating profusely while practicing.

Shang Que stood outside watching for a while and suddenly asked, “Did you train like this before?”

She remembered that Ji Jingchuan had debuted through a talent show at only seventeen, so he couldn’t be much older than the kids here.

“Not bad, wasn’t too hard.” He spoke casually, but then noticed something and turned to say, “Wait a second,” before walking through the partially open door to approach a boy practicing basic moves on his own.

The distance was a bit far, but Shang Que could vaguely hear him say, “Don’t push your legs like that, it’ll damage your ligaments.”

He stood in front of the boy, teaching for a few minutes, and others began to gather around. In the company, everyone was familiar with Ji Jingchuan’s face.

“Alright, while the teacher isn’t here, take a break and don’t overdo it, don’t wear your body down before debuting,” he waved his hand and quickly walked out of the training room, his usual mischievous smile back on his face. “How come the kids now are so silly? They just do whatever the teacher says, no flexibility at all, not like me back then…”

“Did you get injured back then?”

Ji Jingchuan paused, vaguely brushing it off, “When practicing dance, a bit of injury is inevitable, but it’s no big deal.”

He changed the subject. “Oh, it’s almost noon. Shang Que, do you want to come visit my place? If you really want to, I can reluctantly cook you a meal at home.”

Shang Que glanced at him. “It’s not impossible.”

Ji Jingchuan immediately responded, “Alright, I can tell you really want to.”

*

Ji Jingchuan’s house wasn’t far from here, just a ten-minute drive. It was a spacious, bright open-plan apartment. As soon as they entered, there was a row of display cabinets embedded in the wall, filled with trophies. The coffee tables, desks, and walls were all covered with posters and framed pictures of him.

The level of narcissism was clear.

Shang Que glanced around and asked, “I’m thirsty, where’s the water?”

“The kitchen, the cups are in the cabinet next to it.” Ji Jingchuan was rummaging through the fridge in the living room when he suddenly thought of something and quickly stood up to stop her. “Wait a second, I’ll pour it for you!”

But it was too late; Shang Que had already stood at the kitchen door. Looking at the dozens of burnt baguettes on the counter, she slowly raised an eyebrow. “This is what you meant by learning it once and succeeding?”