As soon as Chu Cheng took his seat in the front row of the judges' area, the audience on both sides of the venue immediately began covering their faces and screaming, almost drowning out the host's voice coming through the microphone.
"Ah, I didn't know Chu Cheng was so good-looking! He's as good as a celebrity!"
"This big shot is so low-key, you can barely find any photos online, and he's not even on Weibo."
"Is he still missing Mrs. Chu? I think I can do it!"
"I heard he's still single, if only I'd done my makeup better today, ooh..."
"No matter how good-looking you are, they won't be interested in you. In the entertainment industry, there are countless beautiful women vying for his attention... He must have gotten tired of it long ago..."
"I'm starting to get obsessed with the back of his head, how can someone have such a good-looking back of the head!"
This was Chu Cheng's first time participating in a variety show. Previously, he had only given interviews for some commercial magazines and occasionally attended award ceremonies, with very few opportunities to show his face. At that time, Su Lanqiao was still in England, and it was difficult to find information on Chu Cheng online.
The web pages he often visited were just the long-outdated Baidu Baike, and the pictures stored in his phone were some old photos taken in college, dating back many years.
A month ago, during an advertising audition, Su Lanqiao saw Chu Cheng after several years. He was completely different from his student days, tall and mature, dressed in a black suit exuding the temperament of a sophisticated man. Su Lanqiao nearly felt weak in the knees on the spot.
However, for Chu Cheng, the changes were even greater. He had grown from a 1.6-meter small kid to a nearly 1.8-meter tall figure, with changes in his appearance and physique. It was normal for Chu Cheng not to recognize him.
Su Lanqiao dared not imagine that Chu Cheng had come to this show because of him, but seeing him sitting calmly in the judge's seat, locking eyes with him directly with a meaningful gaze, made his heart skip a beat.
Why did he come?
The two of them stared at each other from a distance of over ten meters.
The host pressed his hand, signaling the audience to quiet down, "It seems that the appearance of some heavyweight guests has excited the audience a lot. So, let's not waste any time and go straight to the first round of the show. Each group has five contestants. The audience will directly choose their favorite contestant for advancement based on their number. The judges will vote to select their favorite from the remaining four, with the contestant receiving the most votes advancing directly, and the rest will compete in the elimination round tomorrow."
The background music played as Su Lanqiao, with the number 1 tag, and four others in his group walked onto the stage one by one. He chose a modified black Tang suit with golden dragon embroidery, complementing his deep facial features and giving off a peculiar beauty.
His catwalk wasn't very mature, as he had very few experiences, but he maintained a stoic expression, slightly raising his chin and confidently striding forward.
After reaching the front of the T-stage, Su Lanqiao changed his posture, then turned around and walked back, completing the entire process in one go.
Soon, the first group's catwalk was completed, and the five contestants lined up in the center of the stage, waiting for the audience's votes.
"Countdown, 3! 2! 1! Alright, the voting channel is now closed," the host glanced at the data on the big screen behind, "Congratulations to contestant number 4 for advancing directly to the next round. You can now go backstage to rest."
Number 4 gave a slight bow and then exited from the side passage.
Su Lanqiao looked back at the voting results; he had received 43 votes, not great, not bad. He needed to work harder.
"Okay, next, we invite the mentors to evaluate the performance of these contestants, starting with number 1," the host continued following the script.
The director of the Fashion Week, David, took the microphone and asked, "I heard that contestant number 1 is mixed-race?"
"Yes," Su Lanqiao reluctantly acknowledged.
"You have a very distinctive look, very international. I really like this style," David smiled and paused for a few seconds, "but your catwalk still needs practice. We have separate training sessions later, and I can personally teach you."
David had come out of the closet a few years ago. His words prompted a round of knowing laughter from the audience. He continued, "But for today, I will vote for contestant number 3. After all, number 3 has had international stage experience and is more stable on the ramp."
"David is really witty," the photographer Li Xiang took the microphone and quipped, "I really like the style of number 1, youthful and promising. So, number 1, are you single? Can I add you on WeChat?"
Are all the judges this flirty? They waste no time in teasing.
Su Lanqiao pursed his lips and replied softly, "I'm single, but I don't add people on WeChat."
"You won't add people on WeChat? Then I'll also vote for number 3," Li Xiang leaned back into his seat and smiled, "Just kidding. In terms of the overall smoothness of the catwalk, number 3 is indeed much more mature than number 1. You still need to work harder."
Su Lanqiao bowed slightly, "Thank you, instructor. I will work hard."
"Alright, it's my turn, right? Can I say a few more words? Where's the microphone?" When Chang Chao waved his hand, the host smiled and replied, "Sure, sure. Our benefactor is speaking; we will bring over the microphone right away."
Su Lanqiao raised his eyebrows. Was his commentary time particularly long? Or was he being given special treatment?
Chang Chao held the microphone lazily and spoke, "Little Qiao, a few days ago we had dinner together. You looked obedient and well-behaved, but I didn't expect you to be so sharp on the runway. This style should attract a lot of girls, right?"
"Yes!!!" The audience screamed in agreement.
"Listen to the audience's cheers, it looks like you're going to be popular," Chang Chao smiled, "However, based on today's performance, I will also vote for number 3."
Su Lanqiao was close to laughing out of anger. On the surface, he maintained a polite smile, not daring to show any more emotions. They were all people who praised with one hand and criticized with the other. Forget it, he could consider it as getting a few more moments in the spotlight.
The host summarized, "Although it's not yet time for number 3 to receive comments, based on the opinions of the mentors, the voting in this round has already resulted in the direct advancement of our number 3 contestant. The remaining contestants will compete in the second round of elimination tomorrow."
Chu Cheng gestured towards the host to speak.
"The results are already clear. Is there anything else Mr. Chu wants to say?"
Chu Cheng adjusted his tie and spoke his first words of the day, "Although the results are out, I would like to use my vote to encourage Su Lanqiao. I think he did a great job, very considerate."
Su Lanqiao, who had been wearing a mild smile, could hardly hold it any longer. He even started to feel that Chu Cheng was being too flattering. "Thank you, Mr. Chu."
"Wait, I haven't finished praising," Chu Cheng's expression remained unchanged, his tone serious, but his words were quite humorous, causing a burst of laughter from the audience. He continued, "Su Lanqiao is indeed a newcomer, but he didn't entirely follow the traditional style of the catwalk. He incorporated some of his own choreography. I think this is the trend for future international models, very innovative."
Chang Chao slowly turned his head to look at Chu Cheng, expressing a shocked feeling of "Bro, aren't you over-praising?"
This was also the first time Su Lanqiao had heard Chu Cheng speak so much at once. His face was inexplicably blushing.
The comments had already moved on to others, but he was too preoccupied to pay attention. The praise from Chu Cheng kept echoing in his mind.
Was this guy starting a new trend today by showering people with compliments? If the microphone was in his hands, he wanted to say, "Praise me a little more, I can handle it."
Their group's performance was over, and Su Lanqiao, along with the other contestants, descended from the stage to the rest area, waiting for individual interviews.
Number 3, holding a direct advancement card, grabbed his sleeve and, after turning off his microphone, asked in puzzlement, "At the beginning of the show, Xia Ran said that you have a good relationship with Mr. Chu, is that true? He praised you so much?"
It wasn't just number 3 who was puzzled; Chu Cheng did seem to be favoring him a bit too much. Su Lanqiao awkwardly smiled and waved his hand, "No, if it were true, he would have given me a direct advancement card. By the way, congratulations on advancing."
3 nodded thoughtfully, "Hmm, you make a good point. Good luck in the elimination round tomorrow."
"Number 1, come to the adjacent room for an interview," the assistant shouted in the lounge.
Sulan Qiao got up and walked to the small room next door. The setup there was very simple, with a black background panel and two spotlights. Apart from the camera and the interview crew, there was no one else.
As he walked over to the chair in the middle, feeling the intense light shining on his face, he felt like a suspect being interrogated.
The interviewer glanced at the notebook in hand and asked in order, "The first question, what is your opinion on Xia Ran participating in this program?"
Here comes the sharp question as soon as I arrive.
Sulan Qiao crossed his long legs and leaned back on the chair, not showing any nerves as a newcomer, "I have no opinion. This is an open platform, and everyone competes fairly."
"From the past interactions between the two of you, there seem to have been many unpleasant incidents. This time, being assigned to the same dormitory again, how do you feel about spending time together?"
Isn't it your program group's decision to put us in the same dormitory? And now you dare to ask?
Sulan Qiao sighed helplessly, "I respect the arrangement of the program group, and that's how I will treat him like any other contestant—without any special feelings."
The interviewer, feeling that Sulan Qiao's official-sounding response was not very interesting, skipped two questions and then asked with a gossipy expression, "This time, the judge panel includes Chu Cheng from Chu Group, who only confirmed to sponsor the program today. Is this related to you? There seem to have been some rumors about the two of you online before."
Sulan Qiao was completely helpless. He himself didn't know why Chu Cheng had appeared on the scene.
Could it be that he mentioned this program in the morning? That's not likely.
"Mr. Chu has his own considerations. It has nothing to do with me whether I participate in this program or not. I only saw him when I arrived," Sulan Qiao added, "Don't overthink it. We're just ordinary friends, not even close friends."
The interviewer nodded, realizing that this person's answers were too tight-lipped. There was nothing else to ask, so the crew let him go.
By the time all the recordings were over that night, it was already 10 o'clock. The team returned to the dormitory building by the bus.
The assistant took out a bag and handed back the contestants' phones one by one. "You now have half an hour of free time. You can go for a meal or stroll around the area. The curfew time is 11 o'clock, so please come back on time. Violations will result in disqualification."
The contestants eagerly took back their phones, as if they had been locked up in prison for days, and made plans with new friends for the half-hour free time.
Sulan Qiao then opened WeChat and sent a message to Chu Cheng, "I did see you tonight. Happy to see you."
Chu Cheng immediately called back, and the vibration of the phone made Sulan Qiao's palms tingle. Startled, he quickly found a inconspicuous corner and spoke in a low voice, "I'm at the entrance of the dormitory building. What's the matter?"
"Go left along the road from the dormitory building. I'll be waiting for you there," Chu Cheng said softly. The signal was bad on his end, and his voice came through intermittently, making Sulan Qiao's ears burn.
Chu Cheng came to find him after the show? What kind of day is today?
He avoided the crowd, quickly crossed the greenery next to the building, and checked behind to make sure nobody was watching. Then he turned and ran left at full speed, and sure enough, he saw Chu Cheng's Rolls-Royce.
Heh, he changed the car back again.
Sulan Qiao walked over, bent down to knock on the window, and the window rolled down, revealing half of Chu Cheng's face. "Get in."
Sulan Qiao went around to the other side, opened the car door, and sat in next to Chu Cheng. Old Chen sensibly got off the car and squatted at the roadside to smoke.
Now the two of them were sitting side by side. Sulan Qiao had a lot of questions he wanted to ask, but he was at a loss for words, and couldn't decide what to say. He looked at Chu Cheng foolishly, feeling like he couldn't control the way his mouth was twitching upwards.
Forget it, I won't ask. Seeing him today is already a pleasant surprise.
Chu Cheng handed over a box. "Old Chen said the pastries from this place are delicious. They're for you."
"Specifically for me?" Sulan Qiao sat in the soft leather chair and felt his legs getting weaker.
If Chu Cheng were really putting in the effort to pursue someone, what would it be like? This person is too skillful in taking care of others, tender and deadly.
Chu Cheng made a sound of agreement, rested his hand on the car window, and casually asked, "I just finished watching the backstage interview. They asked about me, and you said we're just ordinary friends."
"Then how else should I answer? I'm afraid of causing trouble for you," Sulan Qiao took a bite of the cake, a mango flavor, with a light, sweet fragrance spreading in his mouth, a soft and chewy texture.
He mumbled his response, and then suddenly realized something. The corners of his eyes lifted. "Are you upset with that answer?"
Chu Cheng cleared his throat, looked down, and lit a cigarette. The smoke filled the car, "No, just a casual question."
Sulan Qiao oh'ed and continued to fight with the dessert in his hand. In a while, he finished it all, "It really is delicious, thanks Mr. Chu."
"As long as you like it. How long until curfew?" Chu Cheng flicked the cigarette ash into the ashtray in the car.
Sulan Qiao checked the time on his wrist, "Ten minutes. By the way, Mr. Chu, how did you end up at the program location? I heard you only decided to come at the last minute today."
Chu Cheng, after exhaling the last puff of smoke, looked at him thoughtfully for a moment, "Afraid my pet might be bullied. I came to the scene to support him."