After the meal, the atmosphere was wonderfully harmonious, a complete turnaround from the beginning. In just that short time, Liang Xiaoliang had come to see Young Master Su in a new light.

Shen Mingzheng felt the same way.

He knew the moment Liang Xiaoliang said those words that Su Ning’s trip was likely successful.

This Liang Xiaoliang, the head of Qilin Entertainment, didn’t flatter or take bribes. Even Chen Yuan, who had known him for many years, couldn’t reach his heart, but Su Ning could, just like he had persuaded Chen Yuan and Li Chu before. It was like the unexpected yam cake suddenly placed in front of him.

It seemed he always knew what others were thinking.

It was quite magical.

After dinner and sending Liang Xiaoliang off, it was about eight o’clock, and it wasn’t too late to head back to Hai Cheng.

Not long after Su Ning got into the car, his phone rang. It was Chen Yuan, her voice so loud that even without speakerphone, Shen Mingzheng could hear her clearly.

“Liang Xiaoliang just contacted me!”

“He said he met you, and now he’s going back to discuss with his company. He actually gave in so quickly, Su Ning, what exactly did you say to him?!”

Su Ning was calm, replying, “Just had a meal, Liang is a decent guy.”

Chen Yuan: …

Knowing Liang Xiaoliang for so many years, she knew it wasn’t that simple, but she didn’t probe further since the outcome was favorable. The call was actually about another matter.

Chen Yuan was quick to act, having already approached the remaining candidates according to plan.

“Friendly competitors” from other shows agreed readily to join. Two slots were for contestants eliminated earlier, and while two of their companies were contemplating debuts and knew their chances in the Idol Star Map competition were slim, they declined, opting not to vie for this segment of popularity.

Finding anyone lower-ranked didn’t make sense, so Chen Yuan adjusted her strategy and quickly secured agreements with two renowned idol agencies.

With three revival slots, two from other shows, two trainees from other major companies who had never formally debuted, and Li Chu as agreed by Su Ning, these eight were almost set, except for the two from Qilin Entertainment.

Once Liang Xiaoliang formally agreed, Su Ning would officially become the main liaison for Idol Star Map Season Four from Guang Ying Entertainment, leaving no room for others in the company to object.

Chen Yuan had informed Shen Mingzheng earlier about these eight candidates and now duly informed Su Ning.

With the revival competition announced in advance, the five previously eliminated or competing under other banners likely guessed this move, but the other five, whom she planned to keep under wraps, were intended to add an element of mystery beneficial for the broadcast’s heat.

So when she brought it up with Su Ning now, their reactions were surprisingly aligned: “Start with silhouettes.”

Since trainees weren’t widely recognized, silhouettes wouldn’t be easily identified, yet this small disclosure was enough to fuel discussions among interested audiences.

“Okay,” Chen Yuan felt reassured, “once Qilin confirms their candidates, I’ll start posting on the official blog.”

But Su Ning objected, “No, start posting the silhouettes early tomorrow morning, one at a time, each an hour apart. Chen, the peak of attention is now; delaying will only see it wane.”

“But Qilin hasn’t…”

“As long as Liang decides quickly, it’s completely timely,” Su Ning insisted, “This needs to be settled while it’s hot. If we drag it out, Qilin might have more demands.”

“We need to pressure them, knowing Liang Xiaoliang’s nature to never let go once he bites, we can’t pamper him; decisions need to be swift.”

Just as he had managed Liang Xiaoliang in their talk, this sense of urgency shouldn’t end with Su Ning’s departure but needed to continue in another form.

This Liang Xiaoliang didn’t get to his position by being simple. Given time, complications could arise.

While discussing with Chen Yuan, Su Ning tilted his phone towards Shen Mingzheng and asked, “What do you think, Assistant Director Shen?”

He knew Shen Mingzheng had been listening.

Shen Mingzheng replied, “Sounds good, no objections from me.”

He added, “You really understand Liang Xiaoliang well, not like it’s your first meeting, more like you’ve known him for a long time.”

“Wasn’t that what Assistant Director Shen informed me about earlier?” Su Ning chuckled, “If you hadn’t had Chen send over those files, I might not have managed so smoothly.”

Chen Yuan: …

Honestly, she had no objections, but at that moment, her attention seemed to drift.

“…Not? You two are still together?”

Chen Yuan checked the time; she thought Shen Mingzheng would’ve left after giving Su Ning some directions in the morning, at most leaving an assistant to help, never imagining Assistant Director Shen would stay on.

“Yeah, we’re still together.”

Su Ning didn’t understand her surprise. He thought Shen Mingzheng, though seemingly aloof, genuinely helped when necessary.

Nice, kind, and responsible—what’s not to like?

After chatting a bit more with a somewhat shocked Chen Yuan, they hung up as night fell. Su Ning felt more relaxed and unconsciously leaned to one side and fell asleep.

When he woke up, he was beside his own house and familiar streetlights, covered with someone else’s jacket, almost mistaking it for the day before.

But he soon came to.

And today, Shen Mingzheng didn’t mock or sneer, just gently woke him up and told him they’d arrived.

Su Ning rubbed his eyes, and when getting out of the car, tried to return the jacket, but Shen Mingzheng refused, shaking his head, “Keep it on, it’s raining outside.”

This season in Hai Cheng was just like that, with a large temperature range. If you wore a thin shirt during the day, you’d freeze at night, and the occasional drizzle made it feel even cooler.

Su Ning didn’t particularly like rainy days, perhaps a shadow lingering in his mind, but Shen Mingzheng’s jacket brought a touch of warmth, making him feel better.

Chen Tao was ready to hold an umbrella outside the car, but Shen Mingzheng said, “I’ll do it,” and escorted Su Ning to the door. Su Ning thanked him, then suddenly remembered something, turning to Shen Mingzheng, “Assistant Director Shen, you still have a piece of clothing at my place from yesterday.”

Shen Mingzheng had walked a few steps away, and through the fine rain curtain, his figure was blurry, but his voice came through clearly: “No rush.”

“Su Ning, we’ll have plenty of chances to meet in the future.”

His words rang true.

Su Ning waved his hand, replying, “Then Assistant Director Shen, head home early. Good night, sleep well.”

He indeed had a good night’s sleep.

The next morning, Chen Yuan started posting the silhouettes as discussed yesterday.

Idol Star Map Season Four was indeed bustling with big news daily, as if it had secured a permanent spot on the trending searches. This type of long-duration variety show feared losing steam mid-to-late season. Initially, the heat had slightly waned, but now there was a noticeable uptrend, with opinions gradually becoming more positive.

Once the silhouettes were released, public attention swiftly refocused, quickly returning to the program itself.

“Ah, he’s back to compete! He was so close before, it was a pity he was eliminated. I’m voting for him!”

“Damn, there were rumors that Orange Video dug up competitors from Feiteng Video’s Boiling Youth for this revival competition, so it’s true! Is this like a direct challenge?”

“It’s such a pity he didn’t debut before. He’s really talented, but his small agency couldn’t afford proper promotion. The few scenes he got were badly cut, and when the truth came out, many felt it was a shame. Charge, let’s get him to debut on Idol Star Map Season Four!”

“My gosh, doesn’t this silhouette look like Xiao Bai from Mu Mu Lin Entertainment, the web influencer with two million followers on Sound Wave? I heard he signed with an agency to debut soon, didn’t expect it this fast!”

“I think it looks a bit like Sea Man from D station, the one with three million followers, who does everyone think it resembles more?”

“So anxious! So with all this setup for the revival competition, will Qilin come or not?!”

“Forget it, you’ve gone mad looking at marketing leaks. How could Qilin’s trainees come? They’re too high-end to care about a single revival competition?”

“Lol, are you that superior? Idol Star Map Season Four’s heat has broken Orange Video’s record for the past three years. Qilin has also been on a downward trend due to talent shows these past few years. What’s so high-end about that?”

As more photos leaked, the discussion became hotter than the program team had anticipated, with both excitement and arguments.

Su Ning, however, remained calm.

He had just arrived at the company on time, found a small practice room, and watched Li Chu dance seriously.

He had only seen the documents and previous videos yesterday and hadn’t yet had the chance to see Li Chu dance in person. He wanted to watch carefully.

Li Chu was well-rested today, looking more spirited, and the doctor had visited, stating there were no major issues, only that he should take care of his knee. Unlike his somewhat listless appearance yesterday, his movements and expressions were strong in the small practice room, as if he was on a dazzling, large stage.

After watching for a while, Su Ning knew he had chosen the right person.

What was rare was that he felt Li Chu danced with an energy that matched his innocent, flower-like appearance, giving off a very special aura. If one were a talent scout, this unique aura would be termed “star quality.”

Just by looking at his face, Li Chu wasn’t extremely beautiful; he was youthful and pure. Underneath the right amount of adolescent fragility, his movements were powerful, creating an attractive contrast.

He was perfect for an idol.

If it were just good moves and technique, he’d be more suited as a dancer. To be an idol, the most important thing was this “aura,” and Su Ning could confirm this with just one glance.

This was the confidence he had built over his previous life in the entertainment industry.

He also received a call from Liang Xiaoliang here, and as soon as he answered, he heard the other side shouting, “I knew it was your bad idea you gave Chen Yuan. What’s the hurry?! Can’t we discuss it?”

“I discussed it with you yesterday,” Su Ning replied, knowing what he meant without playing dumb, “Liang always makes quick decisions, never dragging his feet. Besides, the revival competition is urgent, time waits for no one. I’ve discussed this with Director Chen; the program’s timeliness is crucial. If Qilin wants to join, we welcome them; if not, we need to quickly find others, no worries.”

He knew that public opinion and attention were catalysts for Liang Xiaoliang at this moment, especially since the revival competition’s popularity was evident. At this rate, it couldn’t be bad, but it made Qilin’s needs seem more urgent.

As he spoke, the eighth silhouette was posted, coincidentally that of Li Chu.

Since no one could recognize him, guesses tended towards various web influencers or trainees from smaller circles known for some fame. But Liang Xiaoliang, who often kept an eye out, recognized him at a glance, almost like he had Li Chu PTSD.

Su Ning heard him take a deep breath.

Time was running out for Qilin.

Liang Xiaoliang didn’t hang up, seemingly in a meeting, just covering the microphone to talk to someone beside him, then continued cursing at Su Ning, “…you really are cunning and sly!”

It seemed he knew he intended to negotiate with Idol Star Map Season Four to secure better conditions for the two competing trainees, but the current situation left no room for discussion.

Su Ning was well aware of this, so he didn’t respond, instead gesturing for the panting Li Chu to come and rest.

Li Chu obediently sat beside him.

Today, Su Ning had remembered to bring sandwiches, vegetable juice, and lemon water for him. Li Chu usually drank vegetable juice to maintain his figure, and although he often made it himself, it wasn’t very palatable. Su Ning didn’t know how he mixed it, but it tasted much better, and the sandwiches were delicious, just like before.

Moreover, what surprised Li Chu today was that Su Ning didn’t just sit there watching; he helped adjust Li Chu’s movements and rhythm, and not just blindly. His insights were sharp, and indeed, a slight difference in arm strength could change how a move was displayed, with markedly better effects.

Li Chu had high standards for his professionalism, and Su Ning actually had the ability to provide such guidance, and not aimlessly; he truly respected him for that.

After a while, Liang Xiaoliang seemed to have made a decision, sourly saying to him, “I’ve sent the data for the two to Director Chen. Are you satisfied now?”

Creating silhouettes from photos also took time; he understood he couldn’t drag it out too long.

Hearing this, Su Ning felt instantly reassured.

Although he was confident, until the results were confirmed, everything was an unknown.

“Of course, I’m satisfied, but I believe you will be too, Liang,” he said, “Pleasant cooperation.”

But Liang Xiaoliang was still somewhat reluctant, asking, “Is Li Chu next to you? I heard you call him, I want to talk to him.”

Su Ning replied, “He’s busy, just talk to me.”

Liang Xiaoliang insisted, refusing to hang up unless Li Chu came over. Su Ning couldn’t keep resisting him, so he turned on the speakerphone.

Li Chu glanced at the caller ID on the phone and roughly understood, also hearing the voice, he knew it was Qilin’s Liang Xiaoliang. As soon as the phone was handed over, he heard the other side say, “Li Chu, you’re going to lose, you’ll definitely regret leaving Qilin later.”

Liang was really…

Su Ning frowned, his first instinct was to cover Li Chu’s ears to prevent him from hearing such words. After covering them for a while and then letting go of one hand, he faced Li Chu sternly and said, “Reply to him.”

Li Chu was stunned; he didn’t really care about this, he had stood up Liang, so such an attitude was normal for him, thus he appeared rather slow-witted at the moment, “Then, then, what should I reply?”

“Scold him for talking nonsense, say you will win.”

“…you’re talking nonsense,” Li Chu looked at Su Ning and obediently repeated, “I will win.”

He was as compliant as a primary school student, his voice even a bit hesitant, which made Liang Xiaoliang, after hearing it, let out a somewhat triumphant chuckle, as if the frustration previously caused by Su Ning had largely dissipated. He then spoke to Su Ning over the phone, “Young Master Su, I see he doesn’t have the spirit, you pushing him won’t work, wait until he competes…”

He didn’t finish his sentence, because Su Ning hung up the phone.

“Don’t listen to him, what does he know?” Su Ning comforted him, “Liang Xiaoliang is just talking nonsense in frustration, such an ungracious adult, at his age, still can’t control his temper with kids.”

Li Chu: …

It took him a moment to realize that Su Ning had referred to him as a kid in his earlier words.

Right.

Since their meeting at Diao Chun Jiang, Su Ning had been treating him like a child.

Previously, he could have scorned Su Ning for pretending, but now, Li Chu found he really couldn’t bring himself to do it.

Su Ning, Su Ning is actually really good to me.

He thought, conflicted inside.