Tui Buliu returned to the parking lot, only to find Chi Luyang there alone.

“Minister,” Chi Luyang lowered his head sheepishly as if he’d done something wrong, “I’m sorry, I lost track of Hui Ji…”

“He didn’t get lost,” Tui Buliu wasn’t concerned, opened the car door, and sat in the back seat, “He went to see his grandma.”

“Ah, to see his grandma?” Chi Luyang looked up, his eyes filled with the naivety of someone new to the job, “How did you know?”

Tui Buliu didn’t answer, so Chi Luyang continued to murmur, “Actually, I wanted to ask you earlier at the set, how did you know Hui Ji went to the hospital?”

Tui Buliu tapped his knee with his right index finger, reminding him, “I asked you to do a background check on Hui Ji.”

“I did,” Chi Luyang nodded, “I found out his birth date, how many people are in his family, everything.”

“Then you should also know he visits his grandma at the hospital every week,” Tui Buliu said slowly, “Now that he’s recording the show, he only has half a day of personal time each week, so he must be visiting his grandma.”

“I see,” Chi Luyang suddenly understood, then felt ashamed, “I only knew his grandma was sick, I didn’t think he’d take time off to see her…”

It wasn’t hard to guess, but Chi Luyang thought Hui Ji was a terrible person, willing to risk losing points from the program group just to visit his grandma… Such a warm gesture seemed unrelated to him.

“Ah, it’s my fault,” Chi Luyang shook his head, “I judged him too quickly.”

Tui Buliu: “Don’t judge a person’s character based on others’ words; truly understanding someone is about observing their actions.”

And considering Hui Ji’s upbringing, this grandma likely holds a significant place in his heart.

They didn’t wait long in the car before Hui Ji emerged from the inpatient department.

Tui Buliu sat in the back with a tablet, drawing a mind map of Hui Ji’s career development.

Hui Ji opened the rear door, saw Tui Buliu sitting in the back, closed it, and sat in the front passenger seat.

This action startled Chi Luyang for a moment, and he glanced nervously at the rearview mirror. Only when he saw Tui Buliu’s usual expression did he finally relax.

As he started the car, he curiously asked Hui Ji, “Went to see your grandma?”

Hui Ji responded with a cold “Mm,” his expression icy. With the band-aid on his face, he looked particularly fierce.

But thinking about how the other had gone to visit his grandma, Chi Luyang didn’t find him so scary and said, “Hey, if you were going to see your grandma, you could’ve just said so. When you left suddenly, I thought you went somewhere else.”

Hui Ji fastened his seatbelt without responding to the overly familiar small talk.

The black sedan left the hospital, heading in a direction opposite to the program group.

Watching the scenery pass by outside the window, Hui Ji felt a cold sneer rise within him.

They said they’d make him a superstar, but are they showing their true colors so soon?

“Where are we going?” He leaned his head on his hand, speaking lazily.

Chi Luyang glanced up, seeing that Tui Buliu had no intention of answering, so he replied, “The minister said to eat first, then take you back to the program group.”

Still making excuses?

Hui Ji snorted coldly, deliberately provoking, “I’m cutting fat, so I won’t eat out.”

“You can watch us eat,” Tui Buliu spoke from the back seat, his tone indifferent, “The main reason for finding you is to discuss work.”

Dinner and work talk…

Ha, the usual trick of Tui Buliu, starting with kindness before getting tough.

Hui Ji watched the scenery pass by outside, his gaze icy.

It was the same in his previous life.

After the second performance, Tui Buliu also invited him out for a meal and talked about work.

At that time, he didn’t know that his manager had been exposed for a sky-high contract and had already switched to Lin Su’s camp. That conversation seemed like Tui Buliu was planning his career path, but in reality, it was to help Lin Su debut in the C position, threatening him to “be sensible.”

“Aren’t you short on money? If you’re willing to cooperate, the Lin family will give you a satisfactory amount.”

Hui Ji’s heart sank, and he retorted, “Are you cheating?”

“How can this be called cheating?” The manager laughed, hinting, “It’s just a collaboration, mutually beneficial.”

Hui Ji’s expression was mocking, “Mutually beneficial…”

“Exactly, all you need to do is try to make it to the finals, then perform poorly at the final performance and fail to debut.” The manager held up a finger, “Just this one small mistake, and you’ll earn more money than you could in a lifetime. And you don’t need to worry about future development; your talent is evident to everyone. This failure will only make your fans more regretful, solidifying your fan base and ensuring your future stardom.”

“No need,” Hui Ji had never been so insulted, and he stood up with a cold face, “I won’t cooperate with your dirty tricks. Even on my own, I can still have a bright future.”

“That’s not certain,” the manager laughed, “Do you really think talent shows are based on ability?”

Hui Ji’s expression turned cold, “What do you mean?”

“You haven’t reached that level yet, so it’s normal you don’t understand,” the manager tapped the table, speaking condescendingly, “Let’s put it this way, can you guarantee you’ll debut? What if you don’t? What about your grandma waiting for heart surgery? Can she wait for you to participate in next year’s show?”

After hearing this, Hui Ji’s face turned completely cold.

He knew better than anyone about his grandma’s health; he didn’t have another year to wait.

But that didn’t mean he would use such dirty means to gain money. Moreover, music was the only thing his mother left him after she passed away, and he wouldn’t allow himself to turn music into a tool.

Hui Ji got up to leave, unwilling to discuss further, “No need for you to worry, I have my ways.”

The manager hurried after him, “Do you know how much he’ll give you?”

But Hui Ji had already turned and left, not sparing him another glance.

“If you refuse me now,” the manager said in frustration, “you’ll regret it one day!”

Perhaps, but not now.

Hui Ji turned and walked out, his spine still straight, his bones unbroken.

And this time, the trainees were more ordinary than he imagined; even if he couldn’t get the C position, debuting wouldn’t be difficult.

But Hui Ji underestimated Lin Su’s determination to debut and overestimated the other’s moral bottom line. He didn’t expect this conversation to be the end, but rather a signal for Lin Su to act against him. On the eve of the finals, his right hand was broken, and he lost the chance to debut…

By the time Hui Ji snapped back to reality, the car had already stopped outside a high-end restaurant.

Hui Ji unbuckled his seatbelt and got out, staring intently at Tui Buliu behind him. With life starting over, this time he was determined to make Tui Buliu pay.

Tui Buliu had been working on Hui Ji’s artist development plan for the past few days. He had already drafted several plans, but after today’s interaction, he found that Hui Ji’s image differed from the investigation, so he made adjustments in the car.

But no matter how detailed he was, this conversation was inevitable.

Artists aren’t objects; they can’t be entirely controlled by their managers. An artist’s growth and development result from joint efforts by the manager and the artist.

Entering the private room, Tui Buliu asked Chi Luyang to order food, then turned to Hui Ji, “Before we eat, let’s have a brief meeting.”

Hui Ji responded with a “Mm,” secretly turning on his phone’s recording function.

According to the previous life’s development, this was the crucial scene where Tui Buliu would try to tempt him, and he couldn’t just sit idly by.

Tui Buliu set the tablet aside and began, “This time, I mainly want to understand your personality, preferences, and expectations for future development.”

Hui Ji glanced at him but said nothing.

Tui Buliu, accustomed to leading conversations, wasn’t bothered by the silence and continued, “You’ve already performed twice in ‘JUST ME,’ how do you feel? Confident about debuting?”

Hui Ji seemed to ponder seriously, then looked up and replied, “Of course, I want to debut, but everyone in the show is talented, so I can’t say for sure about the final result. But no matter what, I’ll strive to debut.”

Tui Buliu glanced at him and asked, “Were you placed in Group A for both performances?”

Hui Ji: “Mm, I was surprised to be favored by the mentors.”

Tui Buliu: “Any plans for the future?”

Hui Ji: “I haven’t thought too far ahead; I just want to do my current work well and strive to debut in the talent show.”

After Hui Ji finished speaking, Tui Buliu didn’t ask further, and the room fell silent.

Chi Luyang listened attentively, his impression of Hui Ji improving.

Indeed, he shouldn’t have disliked Hui Ji based on hearsay. After interacting with him, he realized Hui Ji was actually quite nice, just looked fierce and intimidating at first glance.

“Hui Ji,” suddenly, Tui Buliu’s cold voice broke the silence, “don’t lie to me.”

Chi Luyang: ???

Lie? How was that a lie? Hui Ji seemed cooperative just now. Could it be a misunderstanding by Tui Buliu?

Chi Luyang looked at the two of them.

“Are you dissatisfied with my answer? Or…” Hui Ji sneered, “Do you already have plans for me? Does my opinion even matter?”

Tui Buliu stared at him, his expression stern and cold, “Answer the previous questions again.”

“Alright, you want the truth?” Hui Ji sneered, tearing off his obedient facade, “The truth is it’s boring; everyone in the same period is average. If these kinds of people can debut, the entertainment industry is doomed.”

Chi Luyang: ???

Is this something you can say?? Isn’t that too arrogant?!

Being Hui Ji’s manager, is that okay? Chi Luyang was shocked, instinctively looking to Tui Buliu for confirmation.

The latter’s expression remained unchanged, calmly saying, “Continue.”

“There’s nothing more to continue,” Hui Ji leaned back lazily, “I’ve said everything I needed to say.”

Tui Buliu: “Why don’t you want to debut?”

Hui Ji’s expression changed for a moment, but he quickly adjusted, “Who said I don’t want to debut?”

“Yeah,” Chi Luyang was also surprised, quietly agreeing, “Isn’t participating in a talent show all about debuting?”

Tui Buliu looked at Hui Ji, his tone calm yet pressuring, “Do you want to debut?”

“Of course I do,” Hui Ji smirked, his voice dripping with sarcasm, “Fame and fortune, I’d be crazy not to want to debut.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Tui Buliu stood up.

“Minister?” Chi Luyang was still confused.

Hui Ji glanced at him but said nothing.

“If you don’t trust me, then this cooperation is unnecessary.” With that, Tui Buliu picked up his computer and left, not sparing Hui Ji another glance.

It wasn’t until Tui Buliu left the room that Chi Luyang reacted, “Wait, why did the minister leave? Oh my gosh! The food hasn’t even arrived yet!”

Hui Ji sat silently, holding his phone.

“And why is the cooperation off?” Chi Luyang was anxious, wanting to follow, but as he stood up, the waiter entered with the food, fearing they’d think he was skipping out on the bill, so he sat back down, chattering, “I really don’t get it. The minister’s been staying up late writing plans these days, doing so much research, and now it’s all for nothing?”

“Plans? Research?” Hui Ji raised an eyebrow, looking at Chi Luyang, “What are you talking about?”

“Your plans, and career development research.”

His plans? And career development research?

Why prepare these? What game is Tui Buliu playing?

“Do you have them? Let me see.”

“I do, I do.” Chi Luyang took out his laptop, showing it to Hui Ji. “But this is last night’s version. The minister made changes in the car, so I don’t have the latest version.”

Hui Ji looked and saw it was filled with dense content. His image analysis, development direction, fan operation… There was even a plan to contact a heart surgeon for his grandma’s surgery.

After reading, Hui Ji frowned tightly, “All done by Tui Buliu?”

“Yeah, mostly by the minister,” Chi Luyang said awkwardly, “I don’t understand these things, just helped him gather information.”

Is this the usual trick of starting with kindness before getting tough? But if it’s just for show, it’s too detailed.

And in his memory, Tui Buliu wasn’t this meticulous. Inviting him to dinner, persuading, then threatening was already the best tactic he could think of.

But why change tactics this time? And Chi Luyang’s presence is intriguing; in his previous life, Tui Buliu didn’t have this silly assistant.

Hui Ji looked at Chi Luyang, seemingly making small talk, “When did you become his assistant?”

“A week ago?” Chi Luyang recalled, “The minister apologized for Lin Su’s incident, then asked me to be his assistant. I thought he was a bad guy and got scared. But after interacting, I found the minister very reliable and professional, a great leader.”

So the change happened after the Lin Su incident? But why? Hui Ji frowned, feeling things were getting complicated.

“Don’t worry,” Chi Luyang saw his grim expression, thinking he was worried about not debuting, and comforted him, “Though I haven’t been with the minister long, I think he’s someone who keeps his word. If he says he’ll help you debut, he definitely can.”

Hui Ji snorted lightly, “There’s no such thing as a free lunch.”

“Really, the minister thinks highly of you.” Chi Luyang was anxious, defending Tui Buliu, “He asked me for information on over a hundred trainees, spent a whole night choosing, and finally picked you, even giving up being Lin Su’s manager for you.”

Tui Buliu gave up being Lin Su’s manager for him? What a joke!

In his previous life, he…

Hui Ji was puzzled but maintained a nonchalant expression, “Isn’t that expected?”

Chi Luyang: ?

Hui Ji: “After all, the trainees in the company, except for me, are all useless.”

Chi Luyang: ???

Chi Luyang was speechless, finding an excuse to leave, “You take your time, I’ll go get the minister back for dinner.”

“Wait.”

Hui Ji suddenly tossed the laptop into his arms.

“What? Why are you giving it to me? I said I was going out.” Chi Luyang hadn’t reacted yet, and Hui Ji was already standing up.

Chi Luyang: “Where are you going?”

“To call him for dinner.” Hui Ji left without looking back.

He wanted to see what game Tui Buliu was playing.

Hui Ji strode into the garden, seeing Tui Buliu’s back from a distance through the plants.

He stood by the pond in a white shirt, tall and slender, his neck long. The deep blue sky enveloped him, revealing a touch of vulnerability and solitude.

Hui Ji paused, then continued toward the pond.

But halfway there, he noticed a stranger standing next to Tui Buliu.

Hui Ji hesitated about whether to approach, then saw the man laugh.

“Hahaha, I didn’t expect you to know so much about breeding,” the man patted Tui Buliu’s shoulder, full of admiration, “Here’s my card, you must visit my ranch sometime.”

“Certainly.” Tui Buliu nodded, a faint smile on his lips.

Seeing this smile, Hui Ji’s lips curled into a mocking grin.

Talk about grooming him, making dozens of pages of plans, even giving up Lin Su for him… yet the work isn’t even finished, and he’s already chatting happily with another stranger.

Is he that eager? So quick to forget what just happened?

Indeed, it’s all just a routine.

Hui Ji crossed his arms, watching coldly. Only after the man left did he approach, his voice icy, “Seems I came at a bad time, interrupting your chat with someone else.”

Tui Buliu turned, his expression returning to its previous coldness, “Have you thought it through?”

Hui Ji frowned, suppressing his temper, “Why didn’t you continue being Lin Su’s manager?”

Tui Buliu raised an eyebrow, seemingly surprised by the question but didn’t refuse to answer, “Managing him is boring.”

Lin Su was used to solving everything with money, relying on his family background. Though smooth sailing, his career became visibly dull.

But Hui Ji was different…

Tui Buliu looked at Hui Ji, seeing in his dark eyes a rebellious, ambitious spirit.

He didn’t dislike either.

Watching someone with nothing climb to the top was far more interesting than assisting a pampered person in playing games.

“My choice of you is simple; you’re the most promising among everyone.” Tui Buliu withdrew his gaze, his calm demeanor carrying a natural arrogance, “If I’m going to manage someone, it has to be the best.”

Promising… the best…

As expected.

Soon, Tui Buliu would use that routine again, trying to make him quit this talent show, right?

“Don’t bother,” Hui Ji said coldly, “This time, I must debut…”

Tui Buliu: “I’ll help you debut in the C position in the talent show.”

The two voices almost overlapped. Hui Ji looked at Tui Buliu in disbelief, his remaining words stuck in his throat.

Tui Buliu glanced at him, “What, scared?”

Hui Ji opened his mouth, hardly believing what he’d just heard, “What did you just say?”

Tui Buliu: “I’ll help you debut in the C position in the ‘JUST ME’ talent show.”

Hui Ji blinked, still unable to process.

Tui Buliu wanted to help him debut in the C position? But how was that possible?

Could it be that Tui Buliu was already in the same camp as Lin Su, and all those debut plans were just tools to lull him?

Yes, that must be it.

Knowing he shouldn’t trust him, yet a sliver of hope uncontrollably rose within Hui Ji.

He thought, what if?

What if Tui Buliu was telling the truth, what if this time, Tui Buliu really valued him and was willing to believe in him?

Could he try to trust him?

Hui Ji looked up at the man before him.

The sun had set, night was falling, and only the western sky held the last bit of light. This dim light fell on Tui Buliu, outlining a handsome profile.

This was a sight Hui Ji had never seen in his memory.

The current Tui Buliu was much more upright than the one in his memory. Just by looking at his figure and demeanor, it was impossible to tell he was someone who had done countless bad deeds.

But most people are wolves in sheep’s clothing, and the so-called wealthy are even more so.

No, he couldn’t be deceived by his appearance.

Hui Ji quickly snapped back to reality.

He clearly realized that his trust was pure and foolish, without any foundation. If the other betrayed him, it would leave him in a hopeless situation.

Suddenly, the man before him lifted his head.

“What, lost your confidence?” Tui Buliu raised an eyebrow, his expression carrying a faint mockery, “Where did your fearless spirit go?”

“You’re the fearless one, aren’t you?” Hui Ji withdrew his gaze, speaking coldly, “Offering to help me debut in the C position, don’t you know the spot’s already predetermined?”

Tui Buliu raised an eyebrow, seemingly surprised, “What do you know?”

“Anyone with a bit of sense can figure it out,” Hui Ji didn’t fall into his trap, his expression stern, “Lin Su’s family background is there, and they invested billions in the show. The C position was decided for him long ago.”

“Things are man-made,” Tui Buliu didn’t mind, “Until the last moment, no one knows the final outcome.”

Hui Ji snorted, clearly not believing, “Easy for you to say.”

“You don’t have to believe me, but I need you to prepare well for the performance, ensuring your talent can debut. As for the rest…” The man looked up at him, his tone reliable and assured, “Leave it all to me.”

Leave it all to me.

Even someone as guarded as Hui Ji had to admit, Tui Buliu was a master at enchanting people. He would paint a beautiful picture, drawing you in, making you fall.

In his previous life, he believed him, but what was the result? What kind of end did he meet?

Hui Ji closed his eyes, suppressing the turmoil in his heart.

No matter what, in this life, he would never trust Tui Buliu again, not even once.

Author’s Note:

Later Hui Ji: I was indeed regretful, very regretful. If I had realized it earlier, I wouldn’t still be chasing after my wife now. Woof.