Reborn as a Substitute

The magazine quickly published the photos and they caused quite a splash in public opinion.

“The Demon and the Believer”, a setting that was obviously very suitable for a cp, quickly aroused the interest of netizens. Ji Sheng and Xie Xuanming’s different expressive styles and undeniable tension between them made this set of pictures a family heirloom for stoned chickens and cp fans, and word about the photos spread around, making Ji Sheng and Xie Xuanming rather famous in certain circles.

[Who are these two?? The sexual tension is too strong, I feel like they’re going to DO it in the next second]

[Quickly bring the bed over for the two of them!!]

[Tsk tsk, feeling like I’m playing with something extraordinary]

[So who are these two after all this talk??? Show the way for the stoned chicken!]

[Guide cp super topic—Xiefang Jifang, both of them are “Music First” contestants, if you are interested, you can vote for them~]

[……]

The popularity of the magazine pictures soared all the way and finally even floated to a low position in the hot search and stayed there for a while. Xiefang Jifang cp also followed closely, and with it Ji Sheng and Xie Xuanming’s already impressive ranking moved up.

The former, who initially fluctuated between first and third places, firmly stayed in the first place after this battle, gradually developing a trend of continuous victories. The latter managed to make it to the front row and join the predicted number of debutants.

The best strategy for a talent show was to preemptively seize a high position at the beginning of the show. After all, the experience of countless predecessors told both players and show fans that contestants who were hot at the beginning might not be able to debut in the end, but the possibility of a player who was in jeopardy at the beginning to debut was almost zero.

It was rare for someone to rise to the top after one public performance, like Xie Xuanming, and this was also thanks to his stunning face that helped to attract a number of fans as soon as it appeared on the screen.

The second and third public performances were mainly to stabilise the rankings. The players in the lower ranks might change their places, but the position in the front row was difficult to shake.

In the second public performance, Xie Xuanming did very well, ending the second public ranking going up instead of dropping, from the cut-off edge of the debut position into the middle position, with a vague momentum towards the high position.

“Now we can form a band together.” After the second ranking came out, Ji Sheng rubbed his hair and said happily.

Xie Xuanming lowered his head and smiled.

Talent shows were about being popular, but they were definitely not just a competition of popularity. Ji Sheng’s thoughts were a bit naive.

But Xie Xuanming didn’t say anything. He only let out a small “en”, as his fingers moved to hook the tail of Ji Sheng’s hair and gently bend it.

“Xie Xuanming, come here for a while.”

On a certain night two days before the third public performance, Xie Xuanming was suddenly called away by the staff during practice.

“Why?” He got up.

“Record a single interview.”

Xie Xuanming nodded to his teammates and followed the staff out.

Not even halfway out, Xie Xuanming was keenly aware that the direction the staff was taking was not the interview room.

But he didn’t say anything, just stuck his hand in his pocket and moved it a little.

The two walked in silence to the area where the players were not allowed to enter. The staff took Xie Xuanming to an office, knocked on the door lightly, turned his head and said, “Here we are, go in.”

Xie Xuanming looked up at the plate on the door

【Chief Executive Officer】

He pushed the door open without saying a word.

“Xiao Xie is here?” Compared with the indifference of the staff, the CEO showed great enthusiasm. As soon as Xie Xuanming entered the room, the man straightened up as if he had been waiting for a long time, calling his name with a smile.

No fish is too small to catch.

Xie Xuanming looked at the man twice to make sure he hadn’t spoken to him before.

“Can I help you?” He stood still at the door.

“Sit down, sit down and let’s talk.” The CEO smiled and pointed to the chair.

Xie Xuanming was silent for a moment, then walked to the table, pulled the chair and sat down.

“Xiao Xie performed very well recently, so he should have gained a lot of fans.”

“Generally.”

After greeting him with a smile, the CEO turned to the real purpose of calling him.

“That’s it… There are a few fans who pay more attention to you after watching your performance. We hope you can meet them, chat, have a meal or something…”

Xie Xuanming understood.

He originally thought that his family background had been discovered and the program team called him here to suggest that he should pay some money to buy a debut.

It seemed that this was not the case. His family background had not been revealed, and the program team was looking for another value from him.

Xie Xuanming curved his lips expressionlessly, “Do you want me to be an escort?”

Met with such a lack of face and bluntness, the CEO choked and said unhappily, “What are you talking about? “Music First” is a serious show… just a small fan meeting, have a meal and exchange a few words, how can it be mixed up with an illegal and criminal act?”

“What I’m talking about is escorting someone to socialise.“ Xie Xuanming’s face did not change, “What did you think I meant?”

“…” The CEO knew that he was mocking him but had to pretend he didn’t understand; there was still some hope to achieve much with little effort, “You aren’t expected to go to any bad place.” 

Raising the corners of his mouth, Xie Xuanming smiled back.

The CEO spoke again:

“The show will be over in another week. Although the program team confiscated mobile phones, you should be aware of your popularity… Xuanming, you are among the upper ranks, but you are not as popular as Sheng Kongzhi as the lead singer, and you are not number one as a keyboard player, let alone as a guitarist. In other words, you have the possibility of making a debut, but it is not guaranteed.”

“Oh, then I’m going to have a meal, and you will reserve a debut place for me.” Xie Xuanming concluded, “Is that what it means?” 

“…there is no need to put it so bluntly.”

“I am relatively stupid and don’t understand less straightforward words.”

“That’s what it means.”

“Oh.”

The CEO leaned forward: “That’s it, what do you think?”

The debut positions always were a battle of the capital behind the contestants. Xie Xuanming had good prospects, but KUZI investigated several times and regrettably found him to be an ordinary university student with a miserable background and no sponsor behind him. However, his future financial potential was great. KUZI, who did not want to let go of this fortune but could not sacrifice its vested interests at hand either, was delighted to receive the hint of a few bigwigs and readily agreed to this perfect solution.

Now the only thing that was needed was Xie Xuanming’s consent.

The CEO was keeping an eye on Xie Xuanming, but Xie Xuanming was not the only one he kept an eye on. There were also several other popular and unsupported contestants from smaller companies whom the CEO was going to invite to talk next.

He hoped to make a start with Xie Xuanming.

“I want confirmation.” Under the CEO’s eager gaze, Xie Xuanming stretched out a hand and gently tapped on the table, “I know you guys are looking for me to talk about a deal, but I don’t know if you’re only looking for me. In case I agree to go today, in a couple of days those ‘fans’ will look at someone and kick me out, won’t I be whoring myself for nothing? I can’t rest easy, I need your assurance – if I agree to go to dinner today, then I’ll definitely be offered a place in the debut.”

Xie Xuanming laid the unspoken rules out on the table, and the CEO stopped being vague with him.

“Yes.” The man said bluntly, “No matter if anyone else is invited, as long as you go to the dinner, you will be the one to debut.”

“Oh, then I’m relieved.” Xie Xuanming smiled but there was an inexhaustible coldness in his eyes.

He leaned back in the chair and stared at the CEO like a cheetah prepared to spring or like a hunter closing the net.

The man was inexplicably bothered by the cold light of his eyes, and a premonition appeared in his heart.

His intuition was right.

In the next second, Xie Xuanming raised his other hand that he had been holding in his pocket.

pop

With a crisp sound, a voice recorder was placed lightly on the table.

The CEO’s gaze followed it slowly and his expression became a little bit ugly: “What do you mean? ”

Xie Xuanming spoke word for word under his gloomy gaze, “I will not be an escort, and you will not try to force the other players to go.”

He raised his chin, motioned at the voice recorder and said coldly:

“If I hear that such a thing happened to a player, I won’t be the only one who will enjoy this recording.”

On the way back to practice, Xie Xuanming met Ji Sheng who was waiting in the corridor.

Seeing him, Ji Sheng jumped over in three steps, hugged his shoulders familiarly and asked, “Where have you been? I’ve been waiting for you here for a long time.”

“Recorded a solo interview.” Xie Xuanming held his wrist in a reverse grip and asked in a low voice, “What are you looking for me for?”

“Can’t I look for you if there’s nothing?” Ji Sheng was unhappy, “You are too snooty, right?” ”

“You can.” Xie Xuanming said, “But it’s better if there is something.”

“You kid!” Ji Sheng squeezed his face angrily, leaned close to his ear and whispered, “My roommate smuggled a few takeaways. Will you come over for dinner tonight?”

“Okay.” Xie Xuanming was amused by his mysterious appearance and smiled briefly, “I will go to your dorm after practice.” 

Ji Sheng rubbed his hair in satisfaction.

The important news was shared, but Ji Sheng was still holding Xie Xuanming, wandering down the corridor without letting go of his hand.

“The show will be over in half a month.” Ji Sheng said enthusiastically, “After that, we’ll form a band, release an album, and tour.” 

Xie Xuanming smiled: “That’s great.”

Ji Sheng pushed him in dissatisfaction: “You are so perfunctory.”

Then he looked up and said dreamily, “When I go on tour, I’m going to do some stage diving. I’ve been wanting to try this for a long time, but it’s not possible with bar gigs. I’m going to do it on tour.”

He poked Xie Xuanming: “Remember to record a video for me and record the whole process in full.”

“Your fans will record it for you.” Xie Xuanming pondered, “But you might not be able to climb up if you jump.”

Ji Sheng grabbed him by the neck and threatened, “What? Are you going to drift away after your debut and not recognize me as your brother anymore, so you’re making excuses for not recording a video? I just want to ask, will you record it or not?!”

“Alright. “Xie Xuanming patted him as if coaxing a child, “I will, I will record it for you.” 

“Can’t you say that earlier?” Ji Sheng let him go with satisfaction and slapped him on the shoulder, “I’ll go back first. Remember to come to our dorm after you finish practising.” 

He waved his hand, turned around and left.

Xie Xuanming also raised his hand to wave at his back, and stood still for a while after putting it down.

I will record it for you.

Standing in the first row of the livehouse, with one hand supporting you as you fall down and the other holding the mobile phone, I’ll capture the happiest moment of your life.

A gentle smile appeared on Xie Xuanming’s face, fleeting like the August wind, and faded away.

He turned and entered the practice room.