Chapter 7 The Second Brother Appears

Jian Xingsui was unaware of Fu Jinxiao's observations.

His part-time job would end that afternoon. When collecting his paycheck, his co-worker, Xiao Mi, lamented, "Xingsui, you're really leaving? Once you go..."

Jian Xingsui replied emotionlessly, "I'll see you again in a few days."

Xiao Mi couldn't help but laugh.

Indeed, after ending his temp job, Jian Xingsui would begin preparations for the first episode of the show "Starlight." He knew he'd only participate in one episode, but he wanted to give his best. Partly to do justice to the show and partly because... the judge was Fu Jinxiao. Although he didn't believe he'd have any significant interactions with the star, he wanted to be prepared.

His manager, Wang, shared, "From what I've heard, some contestants have already been selected by major companies even before the show's recording."

Jian Xingsui responded, "Sounds about right."

Wang sighed, "But this time, the show producers are planning something big. Recent talent shows haven't been doing well, so they want to live stream this one, offering a fresh experience to viewers."

Jian Xingsui was taken aback, "A live stream?"

In the original novel, it was clearly a recorded show. Why the sudden change?

"Could it be that the flap of a butterfly's wings has stirred things up again?" Jian Xingsui wondered. However, upon reflection, he realized that he'd probably be eliminated in the first round anyway. So, he didn't dwell on it too much.

A day before the official recording of the show, all the contestants received an electromagnetic card. This card served as their ID, granting access to the recording site, dormitories, and collecting items. Likely to make the card distinctive, the production team made it quite large, inconvenient for those with small pockets.

Jian Xingsui received a notice from the showrunners, asking them to familiarize themselves with the venue the day before recording.

This meant that all the contestants would meet a day earlier. For Jian Xingsui, meeting anyone except An Ran was fine. Arriving early, he decided to visit the restroom first. As he approached, someone was already there, on the phone, complaining, "What's with this production team? Why is this card so big? I don't even have a pocket in this outfit. Even using the restroom is a hassle."

The speaker had an arrogant and capricious tone.

Jian Xingsui paused. The person on the phone looked up, revealing a punk hairstyle, a studded black leather jacket, and a defiant appearance. Despite the alternative look, his outfit was clearly expensive.

Jian Xingsui recognized the logo on the shoes. Once the young master of the Jian family, he was familiar with luxury. This brand catered only to top-tier VIP customers, and the custom-made clothing he wore likely started at an eight-digit price.

"Hey," Shen Xingchen waved at him, "Come here."

Pointing at himself in confusion, Jian Xingsui asked, "Are you calling me?"

Annoyed, Shen Xingchen nodded, "Who else is here? Can you hold my card for a second? I need to use the restroom."

Taking the card, Jian Xingsui agreed, "Sure."

Waving, Shen Xingchen said, "Thanks, man."

After he went in, Jian Xingsui waited by the railing. Unexpectedly, a panting figure soon approached. Turning his head, he recognized a familiar face: An Ran!

An Ran appeared frantic, as if he had lost something. Seeing Jian Xingsui, he paused, "It's you..."

Jian Xingsui nodded, "Yes."

"Have you seen my ID card?" An Ran inquired.

Jian Xingsui shook his head, "No."

Intending to leave, An Ran noticed the two cards in Jian's hand, hesitating, "Whose card is that?"

Jian replied, "Not yours. Someone else's."

An Ran recalled that when Jian Xingsui registered, he was the only trainee without a team. How then did he possess two cards? Ever since she arrived, she had only been down this corridor to visit the restroom, and Jian Xingsui was standing right here. It’s possible he found her card!

Hesitating, An Ran stayed put.

Zhou Xun, who had been following An Ran, approached. Seeing the standoff, he quickly asked, "What happened, Ran?"

With Zhou Xun beside him, An Ran whispered, "Nothing, just looking for my card."

Noticing the two cards in Jian's hand, Zhou Xun immediately questioned, "Jian Xingsui, did you take An Ran's card?"

Wide-eyed in disbelief, Jian Xingsui felt incredulous.

Did he naturally have a face that looked like he was always up to no good? Did merely standing around make him seem guilty?

An Ran had come with a boy band, not just Zhou Xun but two other members. They quickly joined, asking about the situation.

Zhou Xun pointed at Jian, "This is the Jian Xingsui I told you about."

Everyone's gaze turned to Jian.

Zhou Xun accused, "Jian Xingsui, I've warned you against bothering An Ran. Are you withholding his stuff now?"

The electromagnetic cards, being just that, didn't display names but only had a show logo. Thus, it was impossible to tell them apart visually.

The other two boys turned to An Ran, asking, "Is it true, Ran?"

An Ran hesitated. She couldn't be sure, but she also recalled how Jian Xingsui often made things difficult for her. If he had indeed found her card, he might claim it belongs to someone else. Even though Jian Xingsui denied it, she didn’t clarify immediately. Instead, she looked at him with pleading eyes, whispering, "This card is very important to me. Can you give it back?"

...

Jian Xingsui frowned, retorting, “It’s not yours. Why should I give it to you?”

This statement didn’t sit well with the others.

They knew An Ran’s character; she wouldn’t falsely accuse someone. They had heard of Jian Xingsui's past actions from Zhou Xun. Their glances towards Jian turned cold, ready to intervene, when a voice echoed from the restroom, "What are you all doing blocking here?"

Dressed all in black, Shen Xingchen emerged from the restroom with a nonchalant air, casting a puzzled look at the group.

Although Jian Xingsui didn’t recognize him immediately, Zhou Xun did. Who in the affluent circles didn’t know of Shen Xingchen? The Shen family has been among the top elite in City A, rivaled only by the Fu family. The young man before them was none other than the second son of the Shen family, Shen Xingchen.

Everyone familiar with him knew Shen Xingchen had a prickly temperament and wasn’t someone to be trifled with.

The once arrogant Zhou Xun was now subdued. He explained, “Mr. Shen, we were trying to retrieve a teammate's ID card.”

Shen Xingchen inquired, "From where?"

Zhou Xun pointed to the card in Jian Xingsui’s hand.

Following Zhou Xun’s gaze, Shen Xingchen noticed his own ID card in Jian Xingsui’s hand. With a smirk, he shot a glare at Zhou Xun, giving him a kick, “Are you trying to start trouble? That's my card, what are you thinking?”

...

A heavy silence enveloped the surroundings.