When Shen Minglang uttered those words, the director felt as if the world was collapsing.

Initially, they had managed to invite investors and mentors from top-tier companies for this event. Securing Fu Jinxiao had been a cause for three sleepless nights of celebration for the production team. Yet, they hadn't anticipated being put in such a tight spot now.

Comparing the Shen and Jian families, both were major investors, but the Shens held the upper hand. While the Shen family had never explicitly demanded special treatment for Shen Xingchen, the Jian family had always been demanding, which left the production team believing they only had to appease one party. They couldn't have been more wrong.

Now the Shen family had voiced concerns.

Seated right before them was another influential figure, Fu Jinxiao. Although he was known for his professionalism in the entertainment industry, it didn't mean he was easy-going. If the director had to choose between offending the Shen and Jian families or Fu Jinxiao, he'd likely choose the former. Angering the corporations might jeopardize this show, but offending Fu Jinxiao would ruin his career in the entertainment industry.

Given that both powerhouses had spoken, the director knew where he stood.

"Fine," the director conceded. "We also recognize some issues with the previous version. By tomorrow at the latest, we will release both the complete and special edited versions to the audience."

Shen Minglang nodded approvingly, "Good, I like doing business with smart people."

The director then turned his gaze to Fu Jinxiao.

The man, seated and exuding a calm demeanor, responded with a satisfied smile, "Thank you, director."

Although inwardly frustrated, the director managed a gracious smile, "Both of you are too kind. It's our duty."

...

After hanging up the phone, Shen Minglang turned to his parents.

Xu Enzhen asked, "Minglang, is everything settled?"

Shen Minglang nodded, "Yes, they've agreed to release a new version."

"That's good," Xu Enzhen sighed in relief, a gentle smile on her face. "Now we can finally give justice to that young man."

Shen's father, sitting on the couch, remarked, "Xingchen, he's grown up, yet he still tattles to us. It's rather embarrassing!"

That afternoon, Shen Xingchen, having secretly secured a phone, called the landline at home. He rambled on like a grade schooler, mainly complaining about two things: First, how his roommates worked hard to win a competition but barely got any screen time. Second, he accused the production team of malicious editing, alleging they mistreated his junior, which he found utterly unjust.

Xu Enzhen comforted her husband, "When our child faces hardships outside, shouldn't he confide in his family? What if he kept those feelings bottled up? Would that make you happy?"

Mr. Shen huffed coldly but said no more.

The Shen family always had a protective streak. Though they teased the younger brother for being a mere student, they immediately contacted the show producers to address the issue.

After the call, Shen Minglang sat on the couch, turning to his mother, "You seem fond of Jian Xingsui. Is there a reason?"

Xu Enzhen, taken aback by the question, smiled softly, "Minglang, you might not know, but he bears a striking resemblance to you and your brother. When I see him, I feel like I'm looking at my own children."

Shen Minglang, observing his mother's gentle smile, was momentarily lost in thought.

Years ago, when Xu Enzhen was pregnant with her third child, it wasn’t an ideal time. She was frail but persevered. After giving birth, she hemorrhaged severely. Everyone was in chaos, only to hear tragic news: the eagerly awaited child, brought into this world at such a high cost, suffered a cardiac arrest the same night.

That year was a devastating blow to the Shen family.

Xu Enzhen developed postpartum depression. At its worst, she had hallucinations and spoke deliriously. She'd wake up from dreams, insisting their youngest was alive.

The family watched with broken hearts.

It took almost five or six years for Xu Enzhen to somewhat move on from the trauma, and yet, not completely. With her sons grown and the house increasingly empty, she often spent afternoons in the nursery.

Once, at her son Shen Xingchen's graduation, she chatted with younger students in the hallway. Learning their age, she stood still for a while, smiling bitterly, "So they've grown this much."

The loss of their child was a deep wound in the Shen family.

Shen Minglang found himself fond of Jian Xingsui but wondered, "I've heard some colleges hold grudges against him because of his past. They say he's of questionable character."

"Minglang, haven't I taught you? Never judge someone by others' words," Xu Enzhen chided, "If we believed such tales, wouldn't our Xingchen be a demon?"

Shen Minglang chuckled, conceding the point.

Xu Enzhen sighed, "I may not know Jian Xingsui well, but a boy who hides to shed tears when hurt - how bad can he be?"

She wasn't out to defend anyone specifically.

But the thought of her youngest son, if he were alive and facing such treatment, was unbearable to her.

...

the next day

"Star Show" was released on major streaming platforms.

Viewers were in uproar, some in shock, others sentimental. Many wanted to confront the editor with banners reading: "Editor, come out and face the music!"

Although "Star Show" ran briefly, it brought many contestants into the spotlight. Jian Xingsui gained fans too. They remained silent earlier, overshadowed by overwhelming negative comments.

Now vindicated, none behaved rudely online. One fan's comment under the show's official post quickly became a top comment, short but heart-wrenching:

"I'm not sad, but I can't imagine how devastated he must've felt watching the edited version."

That simple comment pierced many hearts.

Faced with unjust editing, Jian Xingsui could only swallow his grievances in silence. But if the full version hadn't been revealed, how many more times in unseen corners did he suffer in the same way? The thought of the undisclosed incidents terrifies them.

Many of those who once criticized Jian Xingsui have disappeared. They were once very active, but now they seem to have selectively turned a blind eye, with not even an apology. Even now, fans of other participants promote their favorites, while An Ran's fans continue to praise her beauty and talent under the full video.

This time, however, some netizens felt a distaste.

Finally, someone mentioned:

"I think An Ran is from royalty."

"The amount of screen time he gets is so annoying."

"Not many people around me actually like An Ran, so why does he have so many votes?"

"They always emphasized looks and talent, but from the full video, many of the others are also quite good."

Overpromotion leads to a severe backlash.

Gradually, more attention turned to Jian Xingsui. What's more, some observant individuals noticed something:

"Did anyone notice how similar Xingsui and Xingchen look?"

"Oh my, someone finally voiced my thoughts!"

"Haha, they always call each other brothers. Should we get a paternity test?"

Initially, these comments were made in jest, but when seen by those concerned, they weren't taken lightly.

The Zhang couple slowly put down their phones. The room was eerily silent as both seemed lost in thought, the atmosphere heavy and foreboding.

quite a while

Zhang Xiangyang whispered, "Honey, should we turn ourselves in?"

"Turn ourselves in for what?!" Zhang Xia became agitated. "No one would ever find out as long as we remain silent!"

Zhang Xiangyang looked at his distraught wife, sighing deeply.

At that hospital, where his wife had once been a nurse, their child was born almost on the same day as the Shen and Jian families' children. Tragically, their baby passed away shortly after birth.

What shattered Zhang Xiangyang was his wife's inability to accept this. She committed the gravest mistake of their lives. In an era with limited surveillance, she used her familiarity with the hospital to swap babies from the incubator. Initially, she took the Shen's baby but fearing health issues due to the mother's weak condition during childbirth, she exchanged it with another.

It would've been resolved had she just returned the child, but in her emotional turmoil, she acted irrationally. By the time they discovered her actions, it was too late.

...

Zhang Xiangyang said, "Xia, it's been so many years. An Ran is back home. Let's send Jian Xingsui home too."

Zhang Xia, tears streaming down her face, said, "If it were any ordinary family, it might be okay. But we're talking about the powerful Shen family. Remember how Lady Shen was? If she learns we're behind this, she'll skin us alive."

At this, Zhang Xiangyang hesitated.

Zhang Xia added, "Even if we don't confess, Jian Xingsui will still live. But if we do, our lives are in danger. We can't be that selfish. We'll just be better to him or move somewhere else. I believe he won't blame us."