Chapter 101: A Love Reality Show from Another Perspective

The room was lively, but everyone still sat mainly with their own alliance.

“Having fun is all well and good, but some people just aren’t reliable—don’t get too deep. Ouch, Miao, why did you pinch me again?” Sig protested, glaring.

Yun Miao ignored Sig. Leaning toward Tang Zhichu, she whispered, “Don’t listen to him. The world only gets complicated if you overthink things. Little Tang, the most important thing is to follow your heart. Come on, tell me—who did you choose in the end?”

Tang Zhichu knew it. Whenever she chatted with Yun Miao, the conversation always turned to gossip about romance shows.

“Miao, why don’t you watch it yourself? In our line of work, we’ve all signed contracts—we can’t leak anything.” Tang Zhichu was helpless.

Yun Miao pushed a plate of grilled skewers toward Tang Zhichu. “Eat something. I know, I won’t spread it. I may love gossip, but I keep secrets better than anyone. I’m just curious—curious about who you chose. How about this: send me a text, I’ll read it and delete it right away, deal?”

Under the table, Tang Zhichu tugged at Sig’s sleeve.

Sig lifted his chin—a silent understanding they'd developed since the last recording session.

“Miao, you’re ruining the fun. It’s like watching a drama—the process is what matters. Everyone online says spoilers curse your whole family. Miao, please stop pinching me. Yesterday my girlfriend even asked why my arm was so bruised. How am I supposed to explain that?” Sig moved his chair closer to Shen Jianxin.

Tang Zhichu shrugged. “Miao, you wouldn’t want me to spoil it, would you? Xi is ruthless—he’d say spoilers curse your whole family.”

Yun Miao shot Sig a sharp look.

Sig unconsciously leaned closer to Shen Jianxin.

Shen Jianxin laughed heartily, picking up his own drink and clinking it with Tang Zhichu’s glass. “Come on, Little Tang, cheers!”

Their glasses held soda; though everyone clamored for alcohol, no one dared drink openly in front of the production team. Officially, drinking was forbidden—otherwise, points would be deducted.

After eating and drinking, Tang Zhichu stood up.

Many people greeted Tang Zhichu warmly—he needed to return the favor, especially at such gatherings.

Sig moved to follow, but Yun Miao grabbed his arm.

“Stay put. Do you really think Little Tang is a child?” Yun Miao said, sounding a bit annoyed.

Sig glanced at Tang Zhichu, who had barely taken a few steps before he was chatting and laughing with someone.

Sig smiled and went back to eating.

Yet moments later, Yun Miao signaled to Sig again with her eyes.

Sig didn’t understand. “What’s wrong?”

“Little Tang may not be a kid, but there are still plenty of bad people out there,” Yun Miao whispered.

Sig looked back, seeing Tang Zhichu sitting with the Sunflower Alliance, deep in conversation with Sister Wei.

Sig waved dismissively. “Sister Wei is fine—I don’t worry about her. You know there are others I can’t stand.”

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Bai Xiwei’s reputation was excellent, and she was friendly, but why had her team lost three times in a row? Because Bai Xiwei was too democratic—she always asked who wanted to go on stage and let whoever volunteered take the chance, giving all opportunities to newcomers. It was those newcomers who failed to seize them.

But not a single person blamed Bai Xiwei. When her team was eliminated, the losers competed to be the ones sent home.

Bai Xiwei’s own story was legendary. When she debuted, she signed with a terrible agency—a ten-year contract that not only drained her but elevated that trash company far beyond its means. In the end, she had to fight them in court. Bai Xiwei can’t even sing her early original songs now because the company owns the copyrights.

Only after breaking the contract did Bai Xiwei’s talent and reputation explode, propelling her to become one of the top female musicians in the Chinese music scene.

Bai Xiwei’s achievements are pure, with no embellishment.

Even Sig, who’s part of the hip-hop world, respects Bai Xiwei.

Yun Miao glanced toward Tang Zhichu, thoughtful. She truly loved the romance show Tang Zhichu had produced.

Being part of the industry, Yun Miao watched romance shows with more insight than the average viewer—she was among the few who were truly clear-eyed. She even knew the real reason why Chen Siyang initially chose Tang Zhichu.

A newly signed artist with a major company, top-tier in every way—would she really risk her future for genuine love on a reality show?

At first, Yun Miao watched with scorn, but the more she watched, the more hooked she became.

She noticed countless small details. Chen Siyang cried in the cinema, but the camera only caught a fleeting glimpse because Tang Zhichu stretched, blocking the lens.

When the camera switched, Chen Siyang seemed to wipe away her tears herself.

That scene stuck with Yun Miao—she suspected Tang Zhichu deliberately shielded the moment.

Later, during their dinner, Tang Zhichu did something the audience still hasn’t quite understood: after going to the restroom, he leaned against the railing behind, watching Chen Siyang instead of approaching.

Some viewers commented on the sweetness, others said Tang Zhichu was skilled—the scene radiated romance.

But Yun Miao watched through tearful eyes. It wasn’t romance—it was Tang Zhichu giving Chen Siyang space and time to process, to grow.

Yun Miao, being a married woman, was sensitive to such things. She believed Tang Zhichu saw Chen Siyang’s insincerity—but he didn’t exploit it. Instead, he guided her to face her own heart.

That’s why Yun Miao was so obsessed with gossiping about Tang Zhichu’s romance show.

It was sincerity piercing through falseness—that moved Yun Miao deeply.

Why, when Tang Zhichu stepped up to challenge Liu Xingyun in the previous recording, did Yun Miao only say “thank you” rather than act surprised?

Because she felt she understood Tang Zhichu. She’s the bored woman who watched the romance show four or five times; Tang Zhichu dared to stand up because he was confident.

All she needed to do was say thank you.

Still, their friendship was shallow on the surface. No matter how curious Yun Miao was, no matter how much she shipped Tang Zhichu and Chen Siyang, she could only probe through gossip.

She truly wanted to know if Tang Zhichu and Chen Siyang ended up together.

So when Yun Miao saw Tang Zhichu chatting with Bai Xiwei, she instinctively frowned—just like those viewers who dislike Zhou Yun and Tang Zhichu going on dates, her heart held a subtle displeasure.

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When Sig remained unmoved, Yun Miao said, “I heard the production team is allowing a rule where you can buy people with points.”

Sig paused, looking up. “Really?”

“Yeah, just like when new members join—points are auctioned.”

Sig recalled, then quietly set down his skewers and stood.

Shen Jianxin laughed, heartily amused.

Yun Miao glanced at Shen Jianxin with a trace of guilt. “We’re just messing around.”

Shen Jianxin nodded—whether it was a joke or not, it didn’t matter to him.

He was highly tolerant of Tang Zhichu, because Tang Zhichu had not entered through the usual channels. Shen Jianxin was the only musician who knew this.

At first, Shen Jianxin thought Tang Zhichu was just another person with connections, the kind with a powerful background.

He knew Yu Hua, after all. Yu Hua wasn’t just a variety show producer—he was also part of the capital world, his family holding shares in the Penguin Group.

Tang Zhichu was personally recommended, pushed in by Yu Hua.

After the first episode, Shen Jianxin’s opinion changed. Watching Tang Zhichu, he thought, “No wonder he came from the capital circle—he really has something.”

To Shen Jianxin, Tang Zhichu was Yu Hua’s chosen protégé, brought in as a capital circle favorite.

With talent and background, greatness was inevitable.

Shen Jianxin had once resisted the capital circle, but later grew indifferent.

Now, tasting a bit of success, Shen Jianxin found that dealing with the capital world wasn’t so bad.

The more impressive Tang Zhichu became, the more impressive Shen Jianxin felt as his mentor.

Past fifty, Shen Jianxin’s greatest professional desire was to influence the music scene—so he loved supporting newcomers.

A talented rookie with capital backing, working under him, brought a wonderful sense of accomplishment.

That was why Shen Jianxin so easily accepted Tang Zhichu’s independent actions.

Even if they lost this episode—or two in a row—Shen Jianxin would protect Tang Zhichu at all costs.

(End of chapter)