Chapter 126: Point of Conflict
Bai Qingyin had gone to the restroom, and when she returned, she immediately heard the familiar sound of scolding coming from the next room.
The next second, she saw the little assistant from the neighboring room running out, her nose red.
The little assistant spotted Bai Qingyin instantly. Her eyes were a little flustered and upset, but after seeing Bai Qingyin, she forced a smile: “Sister Bai, good afternoon.”
“What’s Xiao Ye throwing a tantrum about this time?” Bai Qingyin asked, lifting her chin toward the door of the neighboring lounge.
The “Xiao Ye” they referred to was Ye Weiyu, 21 years old this year. Last year, in the second half, he appeared on a variety show talent competition.
After that competition, Ye Weiyu signed a contract with a talent management company called Jinxiu Culture.
Jinxiu Culture was a subsidiary established by an old film and media company, and its prospects in the industry were highly anticipated.
As a subsidiary, Ye Weiyu thought that as a rising star under them, he would receive a lot of preferential resources. He hadn’t expected that their philosophies would differ so greatly.
Jinxiu Culture had chosen Ye Weiyu because of his talent and potential in performance. They hoped to train him professionally, allowing him to first hone his skills and professional capabilities, and later leverage the parent company’s connections and resources to follow a specialized career path.
But Ye Weiyu disagreed. From his perspective, coming from a talent show, he should capitalize on his current popularity to gain fans quickly—doing romantic variety shows, idol dramas, securing big-name endorsements—and money would pour in.
After several months of conflicts, both sides compromised. Ye Weiyu accepted professional training while also participating in a few variety shows, even serving as a regular guest on one.
As for films and TV dramas, Jinxiu Culture felt that Ye Weiyu wasn’t ready, and they also didn’t value online dramas, so they kept him under control.
The young woman was an assistant assigned by Jinxiu Culture to Ye Weiyu, named Tang Huocai, 22 years old this year.
Because of the significant conflict between Ye Weiyu and his manager, most communication between the company and the artist went through Tang Huocai as a “relay station.”
For this show, Jinxiu Culture had heard through official channels and initially considered sending another artist, but Ye Weiyu, for some unknown reason, insisted on participating.
Jinxiu Culture didn’t think much of it—they were just filling the roster, so they let him attend.
However, based on Ye Weiyu’s performance yesterday, Bai Qingyin immediately noticed—this guy was trying to connect with Jin Ding Entertainment!
Since Lou Cheng hadn’t given him any reaction, he went on to contact the agent from Jin Ding Entertainment who accompanied Lou Cheng.
Bai Qingyin was stunned: some people’s misfortune is truly self-inflicted.
Still, she had a good impression of Tang Huocai.
Even after just a couple of days of brief interactions, Bai Qingyin could tell that Tang Huocai was highly capable. If she weren’t tied to Ye Weiyu, her future would be very promising.
Yet, somehow, Ye Weiyu had bewitched her—Tang Huocai was devoted and meticulous in taking care of him.
Hearing Bai Qingyin’s inquiry, Tang Huocai maintained a smiling, apologetic demeanor: “It’s nothing, Sister Bai. It’s just that Weiyu has been controlling his diet lately, eating less carbs, so his mood is off. Please forgive him.”
Bai Qingyin glanced at the wet marks on Tang Huocai’s shoes—whether from latte or milk, it seemed splashed—and her pant legs were a little wet as well.
Since the young woman was willing to endure it herself, and Bai Qingyin was an artist from another company, she didn’t press the issue, only nodding slightly before returning to her lounge.
Bai Qingyin’s assistant, Tao Jing, was quietly eating a boxed meal in the lounge. Seeing Bai Qingyin enter, he whispered: “Sister Bai, the next room was noisy again. Ye Weiyu got mad at Tang Huocai because his drink was cold.”
“I’m considering switching lounges,” Bai Qingyin said, slightly troubled.
In terms of this show’s ratings, her and Lou Cheng were about equal in popularity, but in terms of buzz, Lou Cheng’s side had the edge—mainly because Jin Ding Entertainment was excellent at fan operations.
Le Yi ranked third in popularity, partly due to the supporting male role in Moonlight Romance which had gained him a bit of fame.
Finally, Ye Weiyu was last in popularity among the four. His frustration was understandable, but Bai Qingyin wasn’t his mother, so why indulge him?
“Tao, later contact the director and let them know I’m planning to walk around the school this afternoon to scout good candidates. The teaser goes out tonight; I want to see if we can add some extra shots.” Bai Qingyin instructed.
Tao Jing responded immediately: “Understood!”
Meanwhile, Tang Huocai, having cleaned her pants and shoes, entered the lounge.
Ye Weiyu had calmed down by now, sitting in a chair, dejected. Seeing Tang Huocai enter, he immediately apologized, full of guilt:
“Vivian, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have lost my temper just now.” He covered his face, his voice low and heavy.
“I just kept thinking that from yesterday until now, I haven’t found suitable students. I was too anxious…”
“The teaser goes out tonight. If I don’t find good material, I’ll look invisible in the preview…”
He lowered his hands, looking at Tang Huocai with pleading eyes: “Vivian, please help me. If this continues, I won’t have any popularity left!”
Tang Huocai took a quiet breath. She really liked Ye Weiyu. Ever since she watched that talent show, she had felt he was radiant and brilliant.
That’s why she became his assistant at Jinxiu Culture—to help him closely, hoping he could shine even brighter.
She knew Ye Weiyu was impulsive and anxious, which wasn’t good, so she always tried to calm him.
But every time he pleaded in this tone, she couldn’t help softening.
Tang Huocai comforted herself: since he came to the show, wanting more screen time was normal. If she didn’t fight for it, he’d get nothing.
She was his assistant; naturally, she had to help.
“I heard something from the production team. Apparently, the student list that Le Yi and Bai Qingyin wanted to collaborate with had the same name appear,” Tang Huocai said.
Ye Weiyu was surprised: “It’s not just the same name?”
“They’re in the same class. I think the chance of them being different people is very low,” Tang Huocai explained. “Directors Xu and Wu also found it interesting and plan to edit some footage around it.”
“If you, Weiyu, also invite this student, it will create a point of conflict, and all three of you will definitely be included in the footage.”
Ye Weiyu immediately got excited. He wasn’t interested in the student; in his view, the show’s focus was on the artists.
So far, he hadn’t carefully chosen students for his group, focusing instead on which performance he would do, planning to find a few students later as support.
Since it didn’t matter who he chose, he decided to compete with Bai Qingyin and Le Yi—it would be exciting to watch.
“Good, this afternoon we’ll go find that student. Just act natural,” Ye Weiyu decided immediately. “By the way, what’s the student’s name?”
Tang Huocai replied: “Gu Qinghuan.”
“Class 1-3, Gu Qinghuan.”
