Chapter 529: Wen Ming 19
The young production assistant, wearing flats and carrying Wen Ming’s water bottle, still couldn’t keep up with her.
When Wen Ming pushed open the door to the main breakroom, the five singers who had arrived earlier were all whispering amongst themselves. She entered with natural poise. "Has the seventh singer gone on stage yet? I’m not late, am I?"
"No, not at all," the five singers in the room all stood up. Wen Ming quickly took a couple of steps forward. "Please, everyone, sit down. There’s no need to be so formal. You’re making me a little embarrassed."
After shaking hands with each of them, everyone sat down on the sofas. Just then, the seventh singer took the stage. Seeing the chubby figure, Wen Ming chuckled softly. "I had a feeling it might be Sui Yu. I can’t believe it’s really him."
"We didn’t expect the production team to invite you, either," a male singer in his forties said with a smile. "Sister Ming, you’ve never done variety shows before. Everyone was so surprised to hear you were coming."
"You can just call me by my name," Wen Ming said, smiling. "To be honest, I entered the industry later than most of you. I feel a bit undeserving when you address me so formally."
"I haven’t been busy lately, and it’s been a long time since I’ve had a chance to connect with my peers, so I wanted to take this opportunity to mingle with other talented musicians."
Wen Ming knew how to exchange pleasantries; after all, she’d been navigating the industry for many years. Her friendly attitude immediately put the room at ease. Just then, it was time for Sui Yu’s performance, so everyone quieted down to listen to him sing.
Wen Ming rested her chin on her hand and watched Sui Yu. ’Looking at them now, the starting lineup for this music show is exactly the same people from my memory. As for the replacement singers later on, I have no idea.’
In a smaller breakroom next door, the hosts were also in discussion, basically deciding who would act as whose agent. You could say the battle had already begun.
And Wen Ming, being the most popular target, was someone all seven hosts wanted to sign. After all, the number of episodes they, the hosts, would appear in depended on how many rounds their chosen singer could last.
When Sui Yu returned from his performance, the breakroom was already buzzing with energy. Sui Yu had an easygoing personality. "So lively in here! Wen Ming? Long time no see! You’re looking better than ever."
Wen Ming shook his hand as well. "It must have been four years. You’re as sharp as ever, Mr. Sui."
A singer asked curiously, "You two know each other?"
"Hah," Sui Yu laughed heartily. "I sang the theme song for Wen Ming’s first movie. In a flash, four years have passed."
"Oh, so that’s the connection," the other singers nodded, apparently surprised that Wen Ming and Sui Yu had that kind of history.
Sui Yu said with a smile, "I was really surprised to see you standing on that stage. I haven’t seen you perform live in all these years. But it’s about time you made an appearance. Look around the industry—you’re usually the most low-key one of all."
Wen Ming smiled. "Well, that’s why I’m here now, isn’t it? We should grab a meal together sometime, catch up properly."
"Absolutely," a female singer chimed in with a laugh. "Let’s get hot pot after the recording is done. It’s way too cold."
Wen Ming replied, "I have no objections. As long as everyone’s happy."
Because she had experienced all of this once before, Wen Ming already knew these singers well. So, being with them, she was in a very relaxed state, constantly chatting and laughing.
This continued until a production assistant came to remind everyone to return to their individual breakrooms and wait for the temporary agents to come and sign them.
Wen Ming sat down in her breakroom. ’I’m a little curious,’ she thought. ’Who will come to sign me this time? Will it still be the same host from my memory? Well, whoever it is, they’re welcome.’
Old Gao poured tea for Wen Ming. "I came here to record the show with you, and what happens? I get replaced. Isn’t this just a fine mess?"
Wen Ming said, "It’s just the show’s format. Think of it as a nice break for you."
Old Gao thought to himself, ’A break? Hard to say.’ If someone got eliminated, he’d be busy again. Aze was champing at the bit; he’d probably be the first replacement as soon as there was an opening.
Not to mention all the other singers at the company. The moment they heard Wen Ming was on the show, every single one of them wanted to sign up.
Just as Old Gao was about to speak, a soft knock came at the door, and a round face squeezed in. "Ms. Wen Ming, are you in? I’m Shen Tan..."
There was a jostling crowd behind him, and Shen Tan was unceremoniously shoved inside by the other hosts who had come after him. Shen Tan grew anxious. "I was here first!"
"It’s not about who gets here first! Let’s compete on our own merits!"
"You guys can’t be like this!"
Wen Ming found this amusing. ’In my past life, not nearly this many people came to sign me. The only host who approached me was a relatively unknown one at the station, which is why I ended up signing with Shen Tan.’
Now that she had a bit of a career and some fame, her popularity had naturally grown. Wen Ming couldn’t quite put her feelings into words, only that the entertainment industry was a truly pragmatic world.
Wen Ming took a look. There were six hosts in total, with only one missing; he had probably gone to find Sui Yu. Right now, the six hosts were surrounding her, all introducing themselves.
Shen Tan, the host from her past life, was not to be outdone, chattering away with the rest of them.
Wen Ming raised her hand. "Alright, everyone, there’s no need to fight. I’ll sign with Shen Tan. He was the first one here, after all."
Shen Tan felt as if a giant meat pie had just fallen from the sky and landed on his head. "Really? Ms. Wen Ming, you’re really signing with me?"
Wen Ming smiled. "Of course, it’s true."
When she had no fame, Shen Tan had been the one to sign her. Later, as she gradually became more famous, Shen Tan still contacted her from time to time, so a bond of friendship had formed. Now, returning to a familiar place and seeing a familiar face, Wen Ming didn’t want to change too much.
Wen Ming chose Shen Tan. The remaining hosts were certainly envious, but no matter how envious they were, they still had their own tasks to complete. They had to go find other singers to sign; they couldn’t risk one of them actually being eliminated in the end, right?
As soon as the other hosts left, Shen Tan sat down next to Wen Ming. "Ms. Wen Ming, I’m pretty familiar with things here at the station. If there’s anything you don’t know, please feel free to ask me!"
Seeing that Shen Tan was much more reserved than she remembered, Wen Ming smiled. "No need to be so nervous. I’m pretty easy to get along with. Let’s just be friends. A few of us singers made plans to get hot pot tonight. You should come along, too."
"Okay! I’ll help Sister Ming carry her bag." Shen Tan was, after all, someone who navigated the industry. The moment Wen Ming showed a bit of goodwill, he immediately seized the opportunity. He wasn’t calling her "Ms. Wen Ming" anymore; he’d switched to "Sister Ming."
Wen Ming smiled. "That’s much better. How long is the recording for the first episode?"
Shen Tan glanced at the schedule. "It’s not short. In a little while, everyone will gather for the director to announce the results of the first round. Then tomorrow we record the second episode. We should be done by tomorrow evening."
Wen Ming actually knew the show’s schedule; she was just asking to make conversation. As she listened to Shen Tan explain, her thoughts had already drifted to what kind of hot pot they would eat that night.
After the hosts had each signed their contracts, the singers and hosts gathered together in the main studio to wait for the director to announce the results of the first round. The hosts sat behind the singers, every one of them with lips pressed tight in nervousness.