Chapter 5

The audition hall was abuzz with nervous energy. Assistants scurried about with clipboards, lights hummed faintly overhead, and the air carried the faint tang of brewing coffee. The judges' table, however, exuded an entirely different vibe, stiff with skepticism and thinly veiled irritation.

Director Chen flipped through the audition list with a frown that seemed permanently etched on his face. Beside him, his assistant adjusted her glasses nervously, anticipating the moment he would inevitably explode.

Shen Liang strode forward, his steps confident and deliberate. An arrogant smirk on his face as he looks down on the table where the judges are. He wore a casual outfit that somehow still radiated sophistication, his sharp features framed by perfectly tousled hair. His aura was magnetic, demanding attention even from those determined to ignore him.

"Next up, Shen Liang, number 117," the assistant announced, her voice faltering slightly.

The director froze mid-note, his pen hovering over the page. He turned slowly to the assistant, an incredulous expression darkening his features. "Shen Liang? Are you serious?"

The assistant adjusted her glasses nervously. "Yes, Director Chen. He's next in line."

Ren Jiuxiao let out a dry laugh, leaning back in his chair. "This should be entertaining. Shen Liang, the industry's favorite scandal magnet, auditioning for Meteor Star Survival. Alright, didn't see this coming.."

Director Chen's reaction was immediate. His hand froze mid-turn of a page, and his frown deepened into a full scowl. "Shen Liang? You can't be serious." He slammed the clipboard down onto the table.

Ren Jiuxiao, a grizzled industry veteran with a penchant for blunt honesty, let out a dry laugh. "Well, this should be good. The walking scandal himself. What's he doing here? Looking for another producer to throw drinks at?"

The assistant flinched, gripping her clipboard tighter. "He… he submitted his application through the standard channels. His qualifications meet the requirements, Director."

"Qualifications," Director Chen sneered, the word dripping with disdain. "His only qualification is being a magnet for bad press. This is a star survival show, for heaven's sake. We're here to find professionals who can handle challenges, not someone who'll bring the tabloids down on us."

Ren Jiuxiao smirked, leaning back in his chair. "Actually, isn't that kind of the point? This is live entertainment. Drama pulls viewers, and if anyone can stir up drama, it's Shen Liang."

"That's not the kind of drama we need!" Director Chen snapped, pointing his pen at the judge. "The audience wants underdog stories, talent breaking through, people they can root for, not some arrogant diva with a string of scandals."

The assistant cleared her throat cautiously. "With all due respect, Director Chen, controversy does drive viewership. Shen Liang has… a lot of black fans and antis, yes. But that means people will tune in just to see him fail, or succeed. Either way, it gets engagement."

Director Chen's scowl deepened. "We're not running a circus. This is a competition to mold rising stars, not a battleground for social media wars."

Ren Jiuxiao shrugged, a hint of amusement in his tone. "I don't know, Li. You're underestimating the power of a polarizing figure. The audience eats that up. And who knows? Maybe he'll surprise us."

"Doubtful," Director Chen muttered and groaned, tossing his pen onto the table. "This is a disaster waiting to happen. The entire premise of this show is to mold rising stars through challenges and public voting, and you want to throw him into the mix? He's got years of baggage."

The assistant hesitated before responding, her tone tentative. "Actually… that might not be a bad thing."

The director blinked, as though he hadn't heard her correctly. "Excuse me?"

"Think about it," she continued quickly, glancing at the clipboard in her hands. "This is a live survival show. Controversy drives engagement. Shen Liang may have a lot of black fans and antis, but that's exactly why people will tune in. They'll want to see him fail, or prove them wrong."

Ren Jiuxiao raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at his lips. "She's got a point. The audience loves drama, and Shen Liang practically breathes it. If we're after ratings, he might actually be a goldmine."

Director Chen rubbed his temples in frustration. "This isn't supposed to be a circus. The whole point of this show is to find genuine, trainable talent, not stir up internet wars."

The assistant straightened her shoulders, emboldened by Ren Jiuxiao's agreement. "But the audience decides who stays and who goes, right? Let them decide if Shen Liang deserves to stay. If he can handle the challenges and public scrutiny, he'll prove himself. If not, he'll crash out early, and it'll still get views."

Director Chen sighed heavily, clearly torn. "I hate that you're making sense."

In the back of the room, Xu Yichen leaned back in his chair, watching the scene unfold. His sharp eyes didn't miss the subtle shift in the director's posture, a tensing of shoulders, a faint grimace, and a quick, silent exchange with one of the assistants.

"Bzzz~ Bzzz~" 

His eyes swiftly moved to the system who was softly vibrating while floating beside him. The system's indignant voice cut through Xu Yichen's thoughts. "That director! He hasn't even heard, Shen Liang yet, and he's already judging him! That's so unfair!"

"Oh?" Xu Yichen chuckled softly, his lips curling into a smirk. "I didn't know you care about a cannon fodder"

Truthfully, Shen Liang reminded Xu Yichen of a kitten, arrogant, independent, and always carrying an air of defiance. The type that would arch its back proudly, daring you to approach, only to scratch you the moment you tried. Yet, in rare moments, it might lower its guard and allow a fleeting touch, but only on its own terms. Cute, undeniably so, but that was all. To Xu Yichen, Shen Liang was just another person, mildly entertaining and pleasant to watch in passing.

But then, Xu Yichen's sharp gaze flicked to the system. The faint hum of its energy caught his attention, its childish demeanor unusually quiet yet brimming with an odd intensity. Something about its reaction made Xu Yichen pause.

His eyes narrowed thoughtfully, a subtle crease forming between his brows. When he finally turned back to Shen Liang, his earlier detachment was gone. This time, he leaned forward, his posture attentive, his piercing gaze fixed solely on Shen Liang.

For a moment, the world seemed to shrink, leaving only the man standing before him and the unspoken intrigue that had begun to unfurl in Xu Yichen's mind.

"I don't!" The system sputtered, its tone unconvincing, if the system could sweat it would be sweating buckets as it notices how Xu Yichen is looking at Shen Liang. Calm, collected, and Shen Liang appeared clearly in his pupils. "I mean, why should I care about a cannon fodder like Shen Liang? It's just… it's just unprofessional, that's all!"

"Of course," Xu Yichen drawled, his amusement evident. "You're only upset because of professionalism."