Love Variety Show: The despised me exploded in popularity

"First, congratulations to Zhouzhou for securing a spot and successfully advancing to the Top 4. Do you have anything you want to say to the audience about the next competition?"

Lin Wanzhou was a bit startled, worrying on behalf of Xu Qingyan. It was only when the female host turned the topic to her that she came back to her senses and replied,

"The next round? Um... I don't have any particular thoughts at the moment."

The female host thought she meant she hadn't decided on what song to perform next, so she smiled and asked again,

"You have a week's time, looking forward to your wonderful performance next time."

Lin Wanzhou didn't respond but rather looked towards Xu Qingyan, who was being ignored, as if to ask for his opinion. The host also noticed this scene, and her eyelids twitched involuntarily.

An alarming thought popped into her mind unbidden, wondering if it could be...

Not just her, but the other guests, including Zhang Yuqi, who should have been eliminated, all turned their gazes towards him. If Lin Wanzhou doesn't participate, would that mean the competition would have to push her forward to the next round?

Xu Qingyan smiled and stated directly,

"I won't be coming anymore, afraid the voting next time won't be as sensitive."

A hiss could almost be heard across the venue as everyone drew in a breath. He had said it outright, not disguising his words in the slightest. It seemed the next thing he might say was about the show playing dirty tricks.

Finally, someone from the production team reacted, directing the female host to hastily end the interview, which could have included a segment to record the contestants' thoughts and feelings after the competition.

Now everything was canceled, the audience of eight hundred also began to leave one after another. The recording ended in such an awkward manner, and the guests left by a special exit.

Seizing the opportunity of the dispersing crowd, Lin Wanzhou quietly pulled Xu Qingyan aside.

"Are you really not coming next time?"

"Yes." Xu Qingyan glanced at Pei Muchan who was still standing nearby playing with her phone, clearly waiting for him, so he got straight to the point, "With Sister Yun looking out for you, you probably won't have any issues."

"But I reckon..." He lowered his voice, "the one they'll push in the end won't be you, at most you'll just be there for show, and maybe the next round from the Top 4 to the Top 2 will be your last."

"You should discuss it with Sister Yun. If it's just for the exposure, it's indeed worth going. As for the song choice, you don't need to worry, I'll think of a solution when I get back."

Lin Wanzhou shook her head, "If I can't win the championship, I don't really want to participate. And besides, if you're not coming, I don't want to come either."

"Championship isn't all about skill, it doesn't work that way," Xu Qingyan laughed, "You should discuss this with Sister Yun, no need to decide too early."

"Oh." Lin Wanzhou slightly turned her head, her gaze drifting off to Pei Muchan on the other side playing with her phone, her voice dropping, "Are you going back to Xinghai tomorrow?"

"Yeah, it's too late to go back today for sure."
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"Then... after you go back, are you really going to shoot a music video?" Lin Wanzhou bit her lower lip, seemingly mustering courage, "Is it because... you want to stand up for her?"

"Yes, today was a waste of a good song." He felt some helplessness, thinking to himself he should have said not to come in the first place.

But having gone through the process was good, too. Even though he was eliminated, the production team couldn't very well cut out all of Pei Muchan's performance – playing this up as a stunt had its benefits.

It was a loss, but better than nothing; there was still time before this episode aired. The production team could edit, and he could make his own video, ready to face off.

"If it were me, would you... do the same?" She asked tentatively.

"Of course," Xu Qingyan replied without hesitation, pausing for a moment before adding, "Mainly because I considered Sister Yun might want you to continue on stage, otherwise I would have fallen out with the production team just now."

Upon hearing this, Lin Wanzhou's drooping corners of the mouth slowly rose again, feeling somewhat less aggrieved.

"It's still best not to get too strained with them, in case they... in the future..."

"It's okay," Xu Qingyan said, "I am the 'Song King' and indeed hold some influence in the music variety circle, but no flower blooms for a hundred days. There are other variety shows besides theirs."

"They can't blacklist anyone; if a variety show loses its appeal, they have to switch to another project. Don't worry too much, in the end, a singer's worth is determined by their professional skills."

Lin Wanzhou nodded and murmured a soft agreement.

She felt Xu Qingyan's words were understated, but she could hear the underlying message – he was almost ready to bluntly say "What can a crappy show like theirs blacklist? I have plenty of songs."

It sounded a bit youthful and impetuous, but she found that youthful spirit quite attractive.

Xu Qingyan was already quite savvy with his songwriting and composing. If his personality had also been as calculating and worldly-wise as a middle-aged uncle, it wouldn't have been as charming.

She wanted a music mentor, but not an actual father figure.

She could tell that Xu Qingyan was holding his breath, waiting for the program to air next week so he could have it out with the crew. Whether or not it would be a success, she couldn't say, but the music video was quite costly.

Even if it did succeed, it would likely be at a loss, because hardly anyone could make their money back from making a music video.

"Then you go, she's still waiting for you, we'll see each other again in a few days." Lin Wanzhou's tone was slightly sour, but she wasn't too jealous, as she could see their relationship was normal.

At the moment, everyone was focused on work; fame was just too hard to achieve.

Although Pei Muchan was eliminated, she still had her studio. In contrast, she herself had nothing, having given everything to her previous company in exchange for the fastest freedom.

"None of the people at Cloud Wing Entertainment are good people, remember that!" She made a point to seriously remind him at the end, staring straight at Xu Qingyan.

"Ahem, I know." Xu Qingyan was somewhat embarrassed, feeling as if he was caught in an affair.

However, Jiang Ling had interacted with him, but it was unlikely that she would sever ties with her previous company just because of his words. Lin Wanzhou had lost so much; wouldn't Jiang just bleed money ending her contract?

Anyway, it didn't matter to him.

....

"Let's go."

Returning to Pei Muchan, he gestured for her to come.

"Okay."

The two took advantage of the night to leave the hotel. Pei Muchan was silent all along the way, until they stepped into the hotel elevator. That was when she let out a sigh and turned to ask.

"Are you really going to shoot the music video?"

"Yeah, did you think I was just talking big?" Xu Qingyan put away his phone and showed a hint of weariness, "Actually, even without this incident, I had already wanted to make it."

Hearing this, Pei Muchan lowered her eyes briefly before speaking.

"I'm sorry, it was my fault for insisting on coming."

Ding! The elevator door opened.

"This has nothing to do with you, it's just the top seven to four." Xu Qingyan walked out first, looking back, "Jiang Jingsheng was supposed to secure a spot in the top four, but who knew he would be overtaken by Wang Yu."

"They're not controlling your votes, but for the next round, they either have to organize a revival round, or they'll have to eliminate Jiang Jingsheng. Compared to that, eliminating you is more stable and cost-effective."

"So it was purely bad luck, not your fault."

Listening to him say this, Pei Muchan felt more at ease even though she knew he was trying to comfort her.

"Thank you."

"No need, it's what I should do, Director Pei." Xu Qingyan's footsteps echoed down the hallway, "Ready to shoot the MV, Director Pei, how much budget can you provide?"

"Really going to shoot it?"

"Of course, otherwise this trip would really be a loss." He had reached the room door, beeping as he swiped Pei Muchan's room card, his luggage still inside her room.

"What's your plan?" Pei Muchan asked, closing the door behind her after entering.

The room was bathed in the warm light of an ambient yellow lamp, and Xu Qingyan, pushing his luggage cart, stopped not far from her.

"If the show won't give you a stage, then create one for yourself."

It was something he had wanted to do for a long time, spending money on a music video. The logic was similar to doing stage design, and he had long been eager to give it a try.

"Incorporate traditional Peking opera, make a short film out of it. Fate, stage, the role of Qingyi, blending many elements together. It can express much more than just lyrics and composition."

"If done well, along with the airing of 'I Am the Song King' this round. No matter the outcome, it can draw attention to sell songs, and the MV becomes another selling point."

"If you want to be famous, you have to constantly stir the audience with genuine substance."

"What do you need me to do?"

Hearing him speak this way, Pei Muchan didn't hesitate. Ever since their discussion about whether to make the MV for "Always Quiet," she had noticed that Xu Qingyan seemed particularly fond of art direction.

From then on to his suggestions for the "I Am the Song King" stage, it was always his guidance. It was just that this time the show hadn't provided her with stage design, and now she could spend her own money to do something even better.