Yun Chen finished his performance.
He bowed to the audience with great poise.
So handsome!
His refined aura set him apart from Taiwan’s “barbershop” style male idols, perfectly matching the male lead of *The Princess’s New Clothes*. The role made Yun Chen, and Yun Chen elevated the drama!
The audience’s cheers couldn’t be faked.
As Yun Chen left the stage, the female fans remained electrified.
The stage’s blinding lights hid the audience from him, easing his nerves but leaving him drenched in sweat.
As the lift descended, Yuan Fenghui handed him a towel.
“Thank you, Teacher Yuan.”
Yun Chen wiped his sweat, took the water she offered, and smiled gratefully.
The four Miracle Boys, watching this, felt uneasy.
Truth be told, Yuan Fenghui had been just as attentive when she was their manager, ensuring they never worried about trivialities during shoots or gigs.
Now, their company’s vice president handled their affairs, with dozens of staff and multiple assistants, but none matched Yuan Fenghui’s care.
Having been under her wing, the Miracle Boys grew picky, cycling through batches of assistants.
Yuan Fenghui was exceptional in many ways, but her flaw was being too domineering, too controlling!
As newcomers, they needed her iron grip, following her every arrangement. But as their fame grew and options expanded, her unyielding control—refusing to let them choose their own roles or gigs—bred resentment. Their discontent piled up, leading to their split.
If they couldn’t stand her dominance, Li Mengjiao’s trio wouldn’t either.
Yu Tianlin steadied himself and led his team out of the backstage.
From start to finish, Yuan Fenghui didn’t spare them a glance, her focus entirely on her three charges.
These three dummies performed well tonight.
But no praise—praise made them cocky, especially Li Mengjiao, already overly confident. A few kind words, and she’d float to the sun!
Yun Chen, though, deserved some credit.
Performing after the Miracle Boys and holding his own showed real mettle!
Yuan Fenghui was very pleased with him. Since Wen Ying recommended him for *The Princess’s New Clothes*, her eye for talent was spot-on.
Thinking of Wen Ying, Yuan Fenghui recalled Tianjiao’s next project, asking Yun Chen with a smile, “So, found your groove yet?”
She meant whether he’d tapped into that “big star” feeling. Yun Chen recalled the blood-pumping thrill of the spotlight, his heart racing, and nodded slightly.
This was fame!
Why chase stardom?
Not just for wealth and status.
Being adored and admired by so many was addictive in itself!
Yun Chen’s reaction pleased Yuan Fenghui.
Carving raw talent to shine before the world was her career’s pursuit.
“Perfect timing. Wen Ying and the others are coming to Hunan tomorrow. If you and Zhang Yangning have script questions, ask her then.”
The ratings celebration was set for the day after. Yuan Fenghui hoped Wen Ying would arrive tomorrow. Yun Chen’s grip on the towel tightened, “Teacher Yuan, is there…”
Some kind of trouble?
Li Mengjiao and Zhang Yangning approached, cutting him off.
“Just a small matter. Leave it to me,” Yuan Fenghui said.
Before the gala, she’d stepped away briefly, returning without a hint of distress. But knowing her, with the Miracle Boys strutting on Hunan TV’s turf, would she really do nothing?
Sigh, whatever intel she’d gathered, she wasn’t sharing with Yun Chen, Li Mengjiao, or Zhang Yangning, waiting for Wen Ying’s arrival.
…
Yuan Fenghui pinned high hopes on Wen Ying, eager for her to join in Hunan, unaware that Wen Ying hadn’t yet won over her “king and queen.”
Oh, the “king” was a freebie with a phone top-up, ignorable. The “queen” held the real power, requiring careful respect.
With Yun Chen’s performance done, the gala lost half its allure for the Wen family. Wen Ying sat upright, back straight, but her fingers fidgeted on the sofa cushion, her face hesitant.
Chen Ru noticed, finding it amusing: so predictable.
“Bad grades?”
Huh?
Wen Ying blinked, confused.
The monthly exam results weren’t out yet!
“Uh, decent, I guess…” Wen Ying glanced at Wen Dongrong.
Her intense look triggered Wen Dongrong’s radar.
Before he could speak, he felt his wife’s gaze.
This big-and-small duo wouldn’t let him watch the gala in peace!
Wen Dongrong tossed the remote, stood, and fake-coughed, “This gala’s no good. I’m off to read.”
Plastic father-daughter bonds stayed plastic, never turning to steel!
Wen Ying fumed at his lack of loyalty, glaring daggers at his retreating back, wishing to stab him through. Chen Ru, stone-faced, said, “If your grades are fine, what’s on your mind? Speak, or go read like your dad!”
Wen Ying mumbled, “…*The Princess’s New Clothes* has great ratings. Hunan TV invited me to the ratings celebration.”
Her head dipped, showing Chen Ru her crown.
“When?” Chen Ru’s tone was neutral.
Wen Ying peeked up—seemed not mad—gaining confidence. “It’s on the 2nd. Teacher Yuan from Tianjiao hopes I’ll go tomorrow.”
Chen Ru said, “Oh. With who?”
No outright refusal? There’s hope!
Wen Ying’s confidence surged. “Wang Shuang and Xie Qian. We’ll meet Li Mengjiao and Yun Chen for the celebration.”
She’d considered mentioning only Wang Shuang, as Chen Ru once suspected her and Xie Qian of puppy love. Naming Xie Qian might spark overthinking.
But as the words formed, Wen Ying changed her mind.
Hiding it would imply guilt.
She and Xie Qian were just good friends, nothing to conceal. One lie needs countless more to cover—Wen Ying didn’t want to lie.
Chen Ru stared at her, dimming Wen Ying’s bold spark, then nodded.
“Fine, go.”
Wen Ying beamed!
Honesty was the way.
Trust is mutual. Sneaking to Hunan last time was wrong; this time, asking upfront, Chen Ru didn’t object.
Wen Ying hugged Chen Ru excitedly and dashed to her room.
Chen Ru, on the sofa, smiled slowly.
But then a new question arose: Wen Ying was invited for her screenwriting, Wang Shuang for being a Tianjiao shareholder’s son… but why was Xie Qian going?
