Chapter Six: My Parents' Astonishment! Journey to the Capital!

“Yes, I did sign up… but I’m just making up the numbers, don’t overthink it,” Jiang Yi replied, too indifferent to be annoyed. He added, “A superstar? Impossible. I’ll probably be eliminated in the first round.”

Zhang Ji was left speechless by Jiang Yi’s own self-effacement, unable to push the subject further.

Their classmates could see through Zhang Ji’s intentions, but none said anything. They all offered Jiang Yi polite compliments, though Jiang Yi knew that some were genuine, while others were just waiting to see him make a fool of himself.

Jiang Yi didn’t care. He was only going to show his face and perhaps make a name for himself, or promote one of his songs to help sell his script later. All he needed was to complete the system’s task.

After that, Jiang Yi exited the class group chat.

“Your song ‘Like You’ is nice. But it’s a bit too similar to ‘Those Years’—both are love songs, though one’s sad and the other’s sweet.”

By now, Jiang Yi had mastered “My Inner Thoughts When I Like You.” With some time to spare, he picked another: “Let’s do a British rock ballad. I’ll choose ‘The Secret That Cannot Be Told’ by King Zhou. That movie was also his directorial pinnacle…”

Both songs were guaranteed hits. The first had exploded in the first season of Future Star on Earth’s equivalent show, the only breakout performance from the Beauty Track. Or, at least, King Zhou’s songs never failed.

He pulled up the lyrics and began practicing singing and playing:

“Cold coffee leaves the coaster,
The feelings I’m holding back are far behind…”

Meanwhile, outside the door, his parents were listening intently, both thrilled. The Zhou family’s walls weren’t well insulated, so they didn’t even need to press against the door to hear him.

Jiang’s mother whispered in awe, “Old Jiang, our son is singing a new song again… and it sounds different from before! I can’t believe he can write such beautiful songs—more than one, even! I haven’t even tired of the last one…”

“Our son is definitely going to be famous…” Jiang’s father agreed, “This song is very catchy…”

Of course, he hadn’t even reached the chorus yet; they were simply doting parents.

As Jiang Yi’s voice soared into the climax, the British rock melody of King Zhou blended with the bright tone of a youthful boy, unleashing remarkable charm:

“You said, putting love down
Would let you walk further…”

Jiang’s father declared, “I love this song. It’s even more powerful than the last one!”

His mother countered, “I prefer the previous one—so sweet and tender, so careful in asking the woman he loves…”

“This one is better!” his father argued.

“The first song was better!” his mother retorted.

“This one!”

“The first!”

“This one!”

“Oh, getting bold now, are you? Still want dinner?”

“I’m sorry!”

“The first one is better, right?”

“This one! Even if I don’t get dinner, I’m sticking to it!”

Meanwhile, Jiang Yi was completely unaware that his singing had sparked such a debate between his parents.

Three days passed, all spent in his room. Once he’d practiced all three songs to perfection, he was ready to set off. Plane tickets were already booked—why take a train when Chatter Company was reimbursing him?

“Son, your dad and I have been bragging! Don’t come home without the championship!” his father said as they dropped him at the airport.

“Dad, that’s your business. Don’t blame me if you lose face…” Jiang Yi rolled his eyes. “I’ve already said, I’m just making up the numbers!”

“Don’t pressure him,” his mother chided his father. “It’s a big show, there’ll be lots of talented people. Just go see the world, Yi.”

“Alright,” Jiang Yi nodded. “I’m just going for the experience. Alright, I’m off.”

He waved, guitar on his back, and entered the airport.

As the plane soared through the clouds, Jiang Yi gazed at the white expanse outside and thought, “Even if I get eliminated in the first round, as long as I get ‘Those Years’ out there, it’ll be easier to sell the script later. That’s my strategy…”

Even with these classic songs in his arsenal, Jiang Yi wasn’t too confident. His singing and guitar skills were only average, barely passing. As for other talents, he had none.

Soon, the plane brought him to the capital.

Following the address, Jiang Yi arrived at Chatter Company, where he was received by staff and settled into the trainee dormitory.

Chatter Company had rented an entire apartment building for the contestants.

“This is a double room. You’ll probably have a roommate later. Settle your things, rest a bit, and if you’re up for it, head to the company for an on-site initial interview… We need to get to know you all, so we can market you better. Both our big bosses, Long Dandan and Ma Xiaohan, will be there, so do your best. After that, once the Star Mentors arrive, we’ll start recording officially, and the live broadcast room will open on TengE Video.”

“Got it, thank you.”

“Rest as long as you need, then head over. The initial interviews are ongoing during normal office hours.”

“Understood.”

After the staff finished their instructions, they left.

Jiang Yi rested for a while. Before he could head over himself, he was notified that the initial interviews were almost over and he should come now.

So, with his guitar on his back, he walked over to Chatter Company. Although the three Star Mentors were all being promoted on TengE Video and trending on Weibo, they hadn’t actually arrived yet—they’d come tomorrow. Today was just the production team meeting the contestants in person.

Jiang Yi was led upstairs by staff. Outside the interview room, he saw a boy who looked like another contestant just leaving.

Before Jiang Yi could exchange words, a staff member ushered him along, “Come, I’ll take you in. The two bosses are inside… Don’t be nervous, just be yourself…”

He was led inside.

“Hello, directors…” Jiang Yi was still a bit nervous. After all, before transmigrating, he’d been an ordinary young man, not someone from the entertainment industry. Singing in front of so many people was bound to make him tense.

Especially when he saw Chatter Company’s two big bosses, Long Dandan and Ma Xiaohan.

Long Dandan wore her hair in a ponytail, with no makeup, exuding the aura of a capable career woman. Ma Xiaohan had short hair, was rather petite, but her eyes shone with a sharp, scrutinizing light.

Both were powerhouses in the talent show industry, just like their counterparts on Earth. Many stars in this entertainment world had been discovered by them during the television era.

“Jiang Yi, is it?” Long Dandan glanced at his profile, frowning slightly. “No professional background? Can’t dance? Only a bit of guitar, and you write your own songs?”

She’d seen too many contestants. Many claimed to write original songs, but few did it well.

Still, since her team had selected him, and considering his good looks, she guessed he was chosen for the Beauty Track.

“Your dream is to be a screenwriter?” Ma Xiaohan also frowned. “Your original songs are all written for your scripts? You’re just here to try your luck, make up the numbers?”

The two bosses hadn’t focused on early screening materials; they only began understanding contestants at the live interview stage.

“Well then…” Jiang Yi realized from their demeanor that his information didn’t impress them. There was no point in further explanation.

He cut to the chase: “May I perform first?”