Yun Chen wasn’t wrong—the Miracle Boys’ real concern wasn’t Li Mengjiao or Zhang Yangning. Both were female artists who debuted through Hunan TV’s talent show, and no matter how popular, they couldn’t compete for the same opportunities as the male group.
Yun Chen was different.
A Taiwanese model by origin, his looks matched or surpassed the Miracle Boys. Though he debuted at 25, his rise was meteoric, propelled by *The Princess’s New Clothes*. His status didn’t yet rival the Miracle Boys, but judging by the audience’s reaction, his short-term popularity was neck-and-neck!
The entertainment industry is cutthroat, especially among similar types. Yun Chen’s momentum was already snatching jobs from the Miracle Boys—and being Yuan Fenghui’s protégé made it a stinging slap in their face, and dangerous too!
Those who’ve done wrong carry guilt.
No one knew the truth behind Yuan Fenghui’s move from Taiwan to the mainland better than the Miracle Boys.
Yu Tianlin and his teammates feared Yuan Fenghui’s revenge, believing she was grooming Yun Chen to steal their resources.
For now, Yun Chen was only active in the mainland, but nothing stopped him from returning to Taiwan or sweeping Hong Kong and Asia.
With this mindset, the Miracle Boys accepted Hunan TV’s gig.
As team leader, Yu Tianlin could rein in his teammates. Ignoring Yun Chen, Li Mengjiao, and Zhang Yangning was his way of sizing them up.
Zhang Yangning had potential but hadn’t fully bloomed.
Li Mengjiao, with sky-high popularity, could sing, dance, and act in idol dramas—Yuan Fenghui’s ace.
Female artists might not compete directly with the Miracle Boys, but entertainment resources could be traded or bundled. If an investor insisted on Li Mengjiao for a project, Yuan Fenghui could demand a key role for Yun Chen in the same project or even a lead in another.
If Li Mengjiao stayed hot and favoured by investors, Yuan Fenghui had plenty of room to manoeuvre.
The dairy brand Li Mengjiao endorsed loved her, signing a two-year deal. As a major Hunan TV sponsor, they’d push her onto every flagship show.
And where Li Mengjiao went, Yun Chen could tag along for exposure.
This was common in Taiwan—established stars often brought junior colleagues to events or shoots. As long as Li Mengjiao stayed popular, Yun Chen would have endless opportunities.
Back to Yun Chen.
Yu Tianlin felt a weight in his chest hearing the crowd’s cheers.
Yun Chen’s singing was barely above amateur—just a tad better.
But how many in the audience, or watching at home, could judge vocal skill?
Singing a track from *The Princess’s New Clothes*, a drama currently dominating airwaves, Yun Chen’s familiar melody pulled the audience into the show’s world. He was both himself and the drama’s male lead, blending real charisma with the character’s aura, captivating the live crowd and, through the broadcast, enchanting millions more.
A triumphant public debut!
Yu Tianlin’s mood sank, his three teammates silent.
Li Mengjiao exhaled, tossing her hair proudly and boasting to Zhang Yangning, “Told you my method works!”
Ignore the audience—they’re just cabbages!
Zhang Yangning nodded vigorously. “You’re the best. You owned the stage during the competition.”
She’d wanted to say this last year, but as rivals, admitting it would’ve boosted Li Mengjiao’s morale at her expense.
Now, as allies in the same camp, no need to hold back!
Spending time with Li Mengjiao, Zhang Yangning saw her lack of guile. Communicating with her was best done bluntly—praise or criticism, she wanted the truth. And she dished it out the same way. Those unaccustomed to her directness might think she was showing off, but Zhang Yangning found it refreshing compared to Xu Mei’s honeyed words hiding calculations.
Zhang Yangning wasn’t flattering—Li Mengjiao’s stage control genuinely impressed her, and she was learning her confident stage presence!
Li Mengjiao raised her chin smugly.
Yu Tianlin and his teammates watched their interaction closely.
Yu Tianlin’s mind stirred: Li Mengjiao, young and fast-rising, was a bit spoiled. As Yuan Fenghui’s ace and a resource pipeline for Yun Chen, if she “stumbled,” Yuan Fenghui would take a hit, and Yun Chen would lose steam.
Yu Tianlin didn’t see himself as cruel—kindness doesn’t survive in entertainment. If they didn’t protect themselves, Yuan Fenghui’s ruthless revenge awaited.
He knew her well.
Yuan Fenghui was tough on others and herself.
Yu Tianlin recalled the early days of the Miracle Boys, struggling for gigs. Yuan Fenghui took them to pitch to stations and hit shows. Once, a producer jokingly said if she downed a bottle of baijiu, they’d get a slot.
Without a word, Yuan Fenghui drained it.
She held her own at the table, but collapsed outside the restaurant.
That bottle perforated her stomach!
The producer, sheepish, visited her in the hospital with fruit. Yuan Fenghui, smiling from her bed, reminded him of his promise.
“Sister Yuan’s so bold, I’ll keep my word~”
That coveted variety show slot, secured by her grit, launched the Miracle Boys when a director spotted them, kickstarting their fame.
Signing that contract, Yu Tianlin and his teammates wept and laughed.
They’d idolised and owed Yuan Fenghui, vowing to share glory with her… Their drama soared, they became top idols, but as fame grew, their bond with her soured, ending in betrayal.
