With Yu Linwan's greeting, the entire production team treated Mo Jianing with the utmost courtesy.
The host repeatedly cued her during the filming, and the judges showered her with praise. Yu Linwan also provided Mo Jianing with a top-tier team, coupled with a million-dollar post-production vocal tuner…
The overall effect was amplified. Before long, Mo Jianing had garnered a considerable following. A series of personas crafted by her team positioned her as the most attention-grabbing newcomer. She repeatedly expressed on screen that she knew how to interact with people, possessed a genuine personality, and was admired for her talent, leading others to regard her as the group's darling. Even the artists she collaborated with acted as if they doted on her immensely.
Mo Jianing consistently claimed to still be a student, knowing nothing yet, and that her parents were ordinary wage earners. She expressed a desire to earn money to improve her parents' lives and to perform her singing and dancing for more people, realizing her stage dream.
Such down-to-earth and simple aspirations resonated with many, who found her truly authentic.
After all, the entertainment industry nowadays was either about crafting princess personas or prince personas, with everyone seemingly born with a silver spoon in their mouths, eliciting envy.
Suddenly, a grounded and hardworking treasure of a girl emerged, appearing pure and unpretentious!
On stage, Mo Jianing wore exquisite makeup, singing and dancing. In the dance studio, she often practiced until the lights were turned off before resting. Occasionally, she would shed tears, but she would endure them silently, only to start anew time and time again.
Behind the scenes, Mo Jianing was accompanied by four assistants and a massive team that catered to her every need.
As the talent show just began, subsequent collaborations were already being planned.
From the clothes and shoes she wore to the watches she adorned, the cups she drank from, and even the digital products she used, Wanyuan Entertainment facilitated suitable brand partnerships.
Mo Jianing, the supposed "grassroots amateur," lived a life akin to a top-tier artist in private.
The artists and hosts on the same program were all seasoned professionals. They offered pleasantries and words of flattery, introducing her within the industry as General Manager Yu's god-sister.
Mo Jianing willingly enjoyed the preferential treatment. When such introductions were made, she would simply smile sweetly, attributing it to General Manager Yu's kindness and their affinity, which led him to offer her support.
She, Mo Jianing, was likable, which was why she had achieved her current status.
After all, countless well-known young actresses in this industry had ascended by sleeping with men. Mo Jianing, on the other hand, had people willing to promote her without resorting to such means, proving her exceptional capabilities.
That was enough.
Meanwhile, other amateurs on the same show could only watch with envy as Mo Jianing enjoyed her sparkling life in the center of the stage.
Even if they knew these were all illusions, they were bound by confidentiality agreements and couldn't reveal a word.
Of course, there were those who disapproved, especially those who had heard Mo Jianing sing firsthand. Upon hearing the audio recordings, meticulously edited by a million-dollar vocal tuner, they lamented the depth of the industry's complexities.
When Mo Jianing's team was once again staging photos to create an image of her diligence, claiming she was "working hard on her day off while other trainees were resting," and had cleared all the trainees from the dance studio, someone couldn't help but say, "Yinyin, you're the one with the best vocal conditions and you practice the hardest every day…"
"It's alright, our fates are different. I'm already happy to be able to sing," Yinyin said with a shallow smile, wiping sweat from her forehead with a towel. "By the way, how are your dance steps coming along? I can't connect two eight-counts."
"It's very simple, I'll teach you," someone offered, demonstrating. "Three two three four, turn~ five six seven eight."
Yinyin counted the beats and tried to follow along diligently. Her foot slipped, and she almost fell. At that moment, someone from behind supported her, allowing Yinyin to regain her balance.
Once stable, Yinyin immediately turned around to thank them, "Thank you, I'm sorry."
"It's alright, be careful," the person's voice was gentle and steady. He was handsome, dressed in a perfectly tailored suit, causing the trainee beside her to blush involuntarily.
Yinyin took a small step back, thinking she shouldn't be blocking someone's path in the corridor.
At that moment, the tightly closed practice room door suddenly opened. Mo Jianing leaned against the doorframe, looking at the man with a joyous expression. "President Song, long time no see. Are you looking for me?"
"It has been a while," Song Junhan said with a light chuckle. "I'm here for a meeting. I watched your performance video, you did very well."
Mo Jianing pursed her lips into a shy smile, her eyes sparkling. "I'm glad you like it. I still have so much to learn and need to practice more."
"Alright then, I won't disturb your practice," Song Junhan said with a faint smile before shifting his gaze from Mo Jianing to Yinyin. "Is your foot alright?"
"It's fine, I'm perfectly alright. Thank you for your help just now." Although Yinyin didn't know Song Junhan, she heard Mo Jianing address him as "President Song" and guessed he was likely a high-ranking executive or a significant figure. She quickly waved her hands in thanks.
Song Junhan then smiled faintly and strode away.
"Oh my god, he's so handsome!" a trainee dared to whisper after Song Junhan had walked away.
"Yes, he is."
"What does that have to do with any of you!" Mo Jianing was clearly displeased with other women coveting Song Junhan, her tone sharp and full of hostility.
Hearing Mo Jianing's words, the two trainees who had been discussing immediately fell silent, their expressions somewhat awkward.
Seeing the two tactless women hastily avert their gazes, appearing timid, Mo Jianing rolled her eyes and then focused her attention on Yinyin.
When Yinyin saw Mo Jianing looking at her, her heart leaped into her throat, fearing that Mo Jianing would recognize her.
However, she thought that since her skin had already recovered, her current appearance was vastly different from when her face was disfigured, and Mo Jianing surely wouldn't recognize her.
After all, back then, Mo Jianing had found her presence disgusting and mostly communicated through her phone.
She… she probably wouldn't recognize her… right…
"Don't think I don't know what you're plotting," Mo Jianing said, looking at Yinyin. "You'd better understand your place and not harbor any improper thoughts, otherwise…"
Mo Jianing's expression turned sinister and fierce. "You won't even know how you died!"
After issuing this warning, Mo Jianing snorted and turned back into the practice room to resume filming.
After Mo Jianing left, the other trainees dared to approach Yinyin and comfort her. "Are you alright? You look so pale!"
"N-nothing," Yinyin felt her heart pounding like it would leap out of her chest when Mo Jianing looked directly at her, fearing that if she were recognized, Mo Jianing would make her a voice double again.
Her face had already healed, she didn't want to be a voice double, she only wanted to sing for herself.
"I, I'm done practicing for today. I'm going back now." Yinyin gave the others a forced smile and waved goodbye.