Her debut and meteoric rise had been nothing more than a product of the girl-group survival show craze.
Without that perfect timing, her limited dancing skills and so-called acting—wide eyes and a stunned face—
would never have turned her into a star; it would have been pure fantasy.
Jiang Cheng remembered the show had something like 'Produce' and '101' in its name; back then it had been red-hot.
Instead of answering Yang Chaoyue, Jiang Cheng picked up his phone and searched for 'Produce', '101', and related words.
After trawling through results, he found nothing.
He pocketed the phone, lifted his gaze, and looked at the two pretty young women in front of him.
Then he spoke with absolute seriousness.
'If you're cut, go practice. Tears prove you still care. Better to dance two more rounds than cry. You both have the looks; the company is investing in you—remember that.'
'Women with your same stats are everywhere. The company doesn't keep idle hands. Before fame, beauty and body are worthless—understand? Climb the pyramid on your own.'
Though Jiang Cheng's words were ruthless—even cruel—
the two sitting opposite knew these were inescapable facts.
In that instant, the girls who had been quietly sobbing seemed suddenly awakened.
Together they stopped crying and exchanged an awkward glance.
Yang Chaoyue bit her soft lower lip so hard it looked about to bleed.
'We understand, Chairman Jiang. Please rest assured—we'll give everything we've got and work twice as hard!'
While Jiang Cheng lingered quietly in the doorway,
a forty-something woman in a tailored blazer hurried out of the room.
She looked attractive, though fine lines at the corners of her eyes betrayed her age.
The moment she spotted Jiang Cheng, her anxious face blossomed into a radiant smile as she stepped forward.
She offered a warm handshake. 'Chairman Jiang, hello! I'm Zhao Ling, head of the company's girl-group trainee department. What an honor to have you here today.'
When Jiang Cheng gave a slight nod, Zhao Ling quickly turned and fixed a piercing stare on Yang Chaoyue and the other girl.
Seeing their tear-streaked faces, her earlier friendliness turned stern.
Jiang Cheng watched the transformation with calm detachment.
He asked no questions and offered no intervention.
He merely said, 'I was just passing and thought I'd take a look.'
Zhao Ling dared not be negligent; she nodded respectfully and gestured for him to proceed.
'Chairman Jiang, since you're here, let me show you around.'
As Jiang Cheng walked ahead, Zhao Ling shot the two remaining girls a fierce glare.
Without a word, her eyes flashed like a naked blade, commanding them to follow.
Under that silent pressure, the girls trembled like startled rabbits and lowered their heads in dread.
They obeyed at once, scarcely breathing, and timidly trailed Zhao Ling and Jiang Cheng into the room.
'Chairman Jiang, this is our newly expanded practice wing for the month!' Zhao Ling said brightly, leading him forward.
'Manager Yu decided that with more trainees, the old half-floor wouldn't suffice, so she approved a full additional level,' she explained as they entered the spacious lobby.
Practice-room doors now bore bold signs: A, B, C, D.
When Zhao Ling ushered Jiang Cheng into Room A, the two girls behind her looked even more dejected.
'Chaoyue, that's really Chairman Jiang, right? I'm not dreaming?'
Yang Chaoyue's mouth drooped, her eyes reddened. 'Yes, it's him. Ugh, Xinxin, I feel awful—they went inside.'
'I know, me too… Why did they reshuffle classes today? I wanted to dance for him,' Chen Xin wailed.
'Right? If only I'd come one day earlier, I could've shown off my long legs,' she sobbed, stroking her thigh.
'Long legs? With your figure, they're elephant legs. Better to flash my big chest—ugh,' she sniffled.
'What? I've lost ten pounds—what more do you want? Anyway, big boobs are nothing a couple of pads can't fix,' she shot back.
'Pfft, jealous? Mine are natural—no surgery.'
'Jealous of what? Every hot star today is flat as a board. Big boobs look bulky on camera.'
While the two outside bickered over bust sizes, Jiang Cheng lounged comfortably on a sofa in Practice Room A.
When Zhao Ling entered with the unfamiliar man, the dozen glowing teenage girls froze and stared.
Zhao Ling waved to the music coach, who cut the pounding track.
She then smiled and beckoned the girls to gather round the sofa.
Whispers rippled through the room.
'Who is that? He's gorgeous.'
'No idea—new trainer? Or maybe a trainee…'
'You don't know him? He's our boss—Chairman Jiang!'
'Seriously? How do you know? He's so handsome…'
'Remember Zhang Lili? I was with her when she brought coffee to Sister Xiaoxiao. She made me wait outside, then actually hit on Chairman Jiang right in front of Sister Xiaoxiao—got herself booted from the company.'
'Oh, that incident! I heard about it—so you were there? Why didn't you tell us?'
'I didn't go in. When Chairman Jiang yelled at Lili, I ran off in fright.'
'Speaking of Lili, I heard she left and filmed a web-drama—one of those kinds.'
'What kind?'
'Triple-X. She got implants, latched onto a director, and signed on as lead without reading the contract—turned out to be porn.'
'That's tragic…'
All were girls of seventeen or eighteen, brimming with youthful energy.
Once they realized this refined, handsome young man was their boss…