Chapter 13

When He Ransheng realized that the broadcast of the fourth round of performances had failed to achieve the desired effect, he had already thrown a furious tantrum. Upon noticing the program team's notice, he smashed whatever was at hand and went straight to the director to demand answers.

The director, seeing He Ransheng storming in, wasn't angry; instead, he smiled and said, "When we signed the contract, it was only to ensure you'd stay until the final episode and participate in the top-four ranking, wasn't it? Whether we deliberately arrange Qi Linyuan to compete against Lu Xiang or against Lü Luo, that's outside our agreement. However, because we respect Mr. He and Ms. He, we've done our best to accommodate your requests. Now we're planning to hype things up with the free script; ultimately, it's for the good of the show and to raise the prestige of the top four..."

He Ransheng nearly ground his teeth to dust. "But Qi Linyuan will be resurrected... All our scheming was to eliminate him!"

The director thought, that's your goal, not mine. Qi Linyuan's popularity is overwhelming; keeping him would be awkward with every royal family, so eliminating him was a painful necessity. Otherwise, he wouldn't want to eliminate him at all—keeping him would stir up the ratings nicely. But the director only thought this; what he said was, "He's already been eliminated. No matter how he performs in the free script, all the buzz he creates will become your glory. In the end, he'll only be able to watch as you are crowned on screen. Isn't that wonderful?"

This explanation calmed He Ransheng slightly. He pondered a moment and said coldly, "Then I want the best script."

The director beamed, "Rest assured, we know what to do."

After saying this, seeing He Ransheng leave in a huff, the director snorted softly as well. But soon he adjusted to an even more humble demeanor and made a call: "Director Zhang, before we started the show, we did sign ranking commitments with several contestants, so it’s hard for us to go back on that. But please assure President Ji that for this free script, we will be fair and impartial, everything according to the audience’s wishes."

When the other side replied, he nodded repeatedly, "Of course, of course, we understand. I'll get to work now."

After hanging up, he looked at the spot where He Ransheng had disappeared, his face full of delight. "Connections... In this entertainment industry, whose backstage is stronger, it changes every moment, nobody can really judge, right?"

.

Meanwhile, Qi Linyuan and Le Xi each received calls from their agencies, reminding them to pay close attention to online trends and not to wait for results before preparing; once the first stage voting results are out, they should start getting ready.

"Don't waste this opportunity," both agents said the same thing.

The two exchanged glances and looked at Zhou Siqi, who burst out laughing, "What? Worried I'll be jealous? Not a chance! I had already prepared a gaming console, wanted you to play with me, but now I guess I'll be playing alone... Hey, why don’t you come to my place to prepare? If you get tired, you can watch me play games..."

Zhou Siqi’s words were truly asking for trouble.

Le Xi was silent for a moment, exchanged another look with Qi Linyuan.

Zhou Siqi sensed danger, but it was too late. He could only shout, "Don’t hit! Don’t hit! Go easy! Hey, hey, hey! Even if you must hit, don’t hit my face—I need it to earn a living!"

"Earn a living with it?" Le Xi rarely scoffed, "You dare to claim you earn a living with your face in front of Linyuan? Have you no self-awareness?"

Qi Linyuan had intended to be modest, but seeing Zhou Siqi's exaggerated expression under their 'control,' he decided humility wasn't necessary. "Exactly, have you no self-awareness?"

"Hey, hey, hey! You can’t do this!"

"I’m just an innocent, unlucky contestant who got eliminated!"

"Serves you right for not memorizing your script!"

"Stop playing games and work on your memory..."

"Exactly!"

……

.

The results of the first stage of the free vote came with no surprises. The four remaining contestants all made it into the top eight; among the eliminated, Qi Linyuan and Le Xi, who were the most popular, also made it into the top eight. The other two were a promising junior royal and a junior cannon fodder who had performed reasonably well. All in all, the audience had no objections to the list.

Compared to the list itself, Qi Linyuan's overwhelming first-place vote was even more striking. Even Le Xi and Lü Luo, who were vying for second place, couldn't come close to his numbers.

The flow of the second and third stages proceeded smoothly, seamlessly connecting. By Friday of that week, the voting results were out, and on Saturday morning, the eight contestants were already in Studio 2, listening as the production team announced the final segment vote results and the rules for the free script performance.

When Qi Linyuan saw He Ransheng, the latter's expression was even more terrifying than the day he lost but heard the judges heap praise upon Qi Linyuan.

Qi Linyuan smiled radiantly, his charm only deepening He Ransheng’s scowl.

"The free script performance will feature guest stars. If possible, we'll invite actors from the original segment to pair with you; if not, we'll invite seasoned veterans to act alongside you.

"For the best effect, we've coordinated with the copyright holders and secured the full script. We hope everyone will read through it and, within the limited segment, present a character that is not confined to it, but feels whole.

"Now, let's see which eight segments have been chosen for the final performances."

The host began from the contestant ranked eighth in popularity, working up, revealing each person's assigned segment and the messages from voting audience members.

Most segments were from popular film and television works; Qi Linyuan might not have seen them, but he had heard of them. His own segment, however, was the only one not from a popular work; neither the segment's quality nor the actor's performance could be compared to the other seven.

Had this been Qi Linyuan’s first time seeing the segment, he might have been bewildered, but he’d already reviewed the nominations and was familiar with all five nominated works. Of these, only one was an original screenplay; the other four were adaptations from novels or comics. The most-voted segment happened to be from the most popular source material.

[It’s last year’s new drama, so there’s little chance of a remake. We can only hope for it in variety shows. Brother, keep it up! Even if we only get five minutes of a proper Yun Jian, it’ll be worth it!]

[Having read the original thanks to the book fans, I think it fits Linyuan quite well. Challenging yourself can wait until you’re older; while you’re young, play more beautiful characters!]

[Just passing through as a voting troll—if I say I want to see Qi Linyuan act like the drama version, will the fans come for me?]

Though none of the three audience messages mentioned the original actor by name, two were laced with sarcasm.

Qi Linyuan had no doubt the staff had deliberately chosen these, just for the drama. Yet having seen the original actor’s performance, he found it hard to feel any sympathy.

Actors may be compelled by circumstance, but once you accept the role and the paycheck, you ought to act with care.

If you lack skill and heart, and the audience mocks you, isn’t it deserved?

As for bearing grudges...

Qi Linyuan glanced at He Ransheng’s livid face. When you owe so many debts, what’s one more? It wasn’t his first time being resented anyway.

.

Stone was an orphan. He had no name, no parents, not even the name 'Stone' was given by others—it was what he called himself.

He thought that if he were a stone, he wouldn’t feel hunger from not eating, nor pain from being beaten, and could live just fine.

One day he met someone—a kind-hearted immortal cultivator—who brought him back to his sect, taught him spells and swordsmanship, and gave him a name: Yun Jian.

From then on, Stone had a proper name and a 'home.' Though he had endless spells and swordsmanship to practice, and though his fellow disciples never invited him to secretly share food, he still felt this was a warm place.

To keep this warmth, he followed his master’s instructions and the sect’s rules, striving to grow into the ideal immortal cultivator in the eyes of ordinary people—looks, demeanor, character... He was outstanding in every way among the sects.

His master was satisfied, and though his fellow disciples remained distant, they would seek his help with unfamiliar spells and techniques.

He once believed this was his present and his forever. Until, one day, the sect welcomed a new member.

"This is your junior sister, my last disciple," said Master Bai Mei.

The junior sister was named Hong Yuan; she was adorable and lively, beloved by all in the sect, Yun Jian included.

He treated her well like all his fellow disciples, and Hong Yuan adored her most handsome senior brother, even secretly offering him candy she had brought from the foot of the mountain.

"What are you doing?!" As Yun Jian raised the candy to his lips, a thunderous shout erupted.

Both looked up in confusion, only to see a sword light descend from the sky, slashing at Yun Jian’s hand holding the candy.

Yun Jian instinctively gathered his sword energy and met the sword light head-on. The air shook, grass and trees within dozens of miles were flattened, and Hong Yuan was flung away by the shockwave.

Yun Jian caught her, but the candy slipped from his hand and disappeared.

"Your cultivation is nearly complete. Do not indulge in worldly things, or all your efforts will be wasted!" Moments later, the owner of the sword light—Master Bai Mei—appeared before them, his face stern.

Though Yun Jian did not understand, he obeyed Master Bai Mei’s instructions, continued to train, and maintained his image as the perfect senior.

Years passed like this. Then, a demon lord descended, bringing devastation to the world. Despite the efforts of many cultivation sects to save humanity, they could only slow the destruction.

At this time, news spread that Hong Yuan was born with a spiritual bone, innately countering the demon lord. Even when she joined forces with her beloved, they were still no match.

With all the sects at a loss, Master Bai Mei finally emerged from retreat. Looking at his youngest disciple, he said, "If you wish to save the world from calamity, you still lack a sword—a sword named 'Yun Jian.'"