Chapter One: A Former Teammate's Scandal

Yuanxing, July 5th, 2023.

While jogging, Lin Xing answered the phone.

“Director Feng, you’re too polite. Honestly, I had no idea you’d left Tansheng TV. I’ve been volunteering at Dapeng Mountain these past few months and was completely offline. I just got back…”

Still jogging, Lin Xing continued, “The recording is the day after tomorrow, right? Don’t worry, I’ll be there.”

After hanging up, Lin Xing quickly searched for Feng Gang on “Lingdu.”

“Breaking News: Feng Gang Leaves Tansheng TV to Join Banana Video!”

“Feng Gang’s Feud with Tansheng TV Erupts Online—Sources Say He Resigned in Protest Over Variety Shows Being Controlled Entirely by Online Traffic!”

“Hot-tempered Xiao Gangpao Unchanged After Twenty Years, But This Time Tansheng TV Has Had Enough!”

“Insiders Claim Feng Gang Didn’t Resign—He Was Forced Out!”

…

All these headlines were from three months ago. During that time, Lin Xing had been volunteering at Dapeng Mountain, where the high school principal was his benefactor.

Fifteen years ago, the original Lin Xing had come to Dapeng Mountain to film “Life Swap,” only to be caught in a landslide. The principal saved him.

Because of this, every year before the college and high school entrance exams, Lin Xing would make a trip there.

Knowledge changes fate.

For children from poor families, the college entrance exam may not be the only way out, but it’s certainly the best. Compared to other paths, studying is already the simplest option left in this world.

But in recent years, with illiteracy rampant and internet celebrities dominating, elementary, middle, and even high school dropouts—children of debt dodgers and the like—all began pouring into the entertainment industry.

Not to mention top stars—even a minor celebrity might make 2.58 million a day.

Why bother studying, working, or grinding at a job when you can earn a fortune as a star?

So, five years ago, the principal invited Lin Xing to do charity work and give talks, telling the children that getting into university was their only real path.

At first, Lin Xing refused.

In his previous life, he’d managed to get into the best university in HEB Province—at least he wasn’t illiterate. But in Yuanxing, he really was. Everyone in Yuanxing knew Lin Xing hadn’t graduated elementary school.

The principal didn’t mind: “I’m not after your knowledge. I just want to use your face to show my students—if you don’t have a face like this, don’t even think about shortcuts.”

Lin Xing had to admit, when he first transmigrated, he was stunned.

This face… how to describe it?

Have you seen Bai Gu when he was young? Or Ah Zu, Andy, Aaron, or Ming-ming? He didn’t need Photoshop or filters—just pure, flawless handsomeness.

As a career planner, Lin Xing knew exactly what this meant. The bad news: neither he nor the original Lin Xing had any special skills or cheat codes. The good news: neither did the original.

In recent years, the original Lin Xing had gotten by entirely on his looks.

When you realize you can succeed just by showing your face, why bother working hard?

If you can become a top star just by lying flat, why stress over pronouncing “embankment” correctly or using the right words? But so what? Isn’t being handsome a kind of talent, too?

Lin Xing figured if the original could become a star, so could he.

So, he spent a night drafting a plan. He’d debuted in a trio called “Stellar Glory”—Lin Xing, Wu Yao, and Chu Hai. Chu Hai was the oldest and the leader, so Lin Xing wanted to talk to him first. After all, they’d been popular for five years.

As a former career planner, Lin Xing knew the entertainment industry’s shelf life: three years is a small hurdle, five years a major one.

But before Lin Xing could even find Chu Hai the next day, Chu Hai exploded.

Who could’ve expected it?

Chu Hai wasn’t just secretly married—he had two kids.

Fans went crazy.

Public opinion stormed through the internet, and “Stellar Glory” called a press conference. Chu Hai wept on stage, declared he would be a brave man, and announced his departure from the group.

With the leader gone, the group naturally broke up.

Lin Xing left too.

Experience never lies.

Over the next decade, Lin Xing gradually faded from the spotlight.

In the blink of an eye, ten years had passed.

He never expected that as soon as he returned from Dapeng Mountain, he’d get a call from Feng Gang.

After all, the producer and director of “Life Swap” back then was none other than Feng Gang.

Feng Gang had always had a great reputation in the industry, often helping newcomers. Not only did he give “Stellar Glory” extra screen time during their first variety show, he personally coached Lin Xing, Wu Yao, and Chu Hai on how to perform.

“What a coincidence,” Lin Xing muttered as he stopped the treadmill, then called his agent, Sister Dao.

“Xing, you’re back?” Sister Dao picked up instantly, excitement in her voice. “I thought you’d be back tomorrow! This week, ‘How Stars Fall in Love’ invited us to be panelists. I’ve just about nailed it down—was waiting for you to sign the contract.”

“Sister Dao, this week might not work,” Lin Xing replied, shaking his head. “I just agreed to join Feng Gang’s variety show.”

“Feng Gang?” Sister Dao’s voice jumped three octaves. “Xing, you have to think carefully! Feng Gang’s show only invites nobodies and washed-up stars. It won’t help your popularity at all. I think he’s just desperate now—imagine making a reality show where celebrities do manual labor! Who’d watch that?”

She spoke earnestly: “Xing, ‘How Stars Fall in Love’ is already a phenomenon. Even if you’re just a panelist, your breathtaking looks will draw everyone’s attention. We’ll hire some PR, plant a few articles—so long as you’ve got the face, you’ve got the clout.”

Lin Xing laughed. “But it’s Feng Gang, after all…”

“Come on, Xing, you’ve been at Dapeng Mountain these months, you don’t know—Feng Gang was kicked out of Tansheng Media. Half his former clout was thanks to the platform. Now that he’s left Tansheng TV, what resources does he have?”

She scoffed: “Originally, ‘Farm It, Stars!’ planned to invite a bunch of divas, singers, and top celebrities. Now? It’s full of nobodies.”

Lin Xing blinked. “But Feng Gang said he was planning to invite Wu Yao, too?”

“Not a chance.” Sister Dao snorted. “Wu Yao is as slippery as an eel. You think he’d join a flop like this? He’s a movie star now; Feng Gang couldn’t possibly get him. I’m telling you, Wu Yao—wait, what’s going on? Is something urgent—”

“What is it, Sister Dao?” Lin Xing asked.

“Oh my—” Her voice was tinged with shock. “Xing, Wu Yao’s in trouble… I’m coming to your place right now. Don’t respond to anything! Turn off your phone!”

Puzzled, Lin Xing hung up. He’d rarely seen Sister Dao so rattled.

Wu Yao in trouble?

What could he have possibly done?

Before Lin Xing could process it, his phone erupted with calls, messages, and app notifications, all going off like fireworks.

#WuYaoDomesticViolence#

#GirlfriendAccusesWuYaoOfGamblingAndBeatingHer#

…