Yun Ya could utter simple syllables by three months, speak by six months, walk steadily by nine months, and by the age of one, she could read and remember books, expressing her thoughts completely. Ji Lanyi always thought her daughter was a freak and had her medically checked. The doctors discovered that the child not only possessed linguistic capabilities far beyond her age but also had the logical thinking of an adult and the highest IQ of her peers.
Compared to Yun Ya's cleverness, her twin sister Yun Miao was diagnosed with congenital deaf-mutism. For Ji Lanyi, who was prideful about her reputation, this was a massive blow. Therefore, she invested all her energy in Yun Ya. Both children had not attended kindergarten by age five; Yun Miao did not need to, but Ji Lanyi hired professional teachers specifically for Yun Ya's intelligence, training her rigorously. Ji Lanyi aimed to shape her daughter into the number one socialite, the number one prodigy, to cover up the stain Yun Miao brought to her.
Yun Ya indeed met her expectations. At four, she could read English newspapers, self-taught all elementary school courses, and showed an exceptional talent for mathematics. She was proficient in etiquette and music as well, receiving much praise and envy from the high society ladies at gatherings.
Taking advantage, Ji Lanyi then had Yun Ya participate in several children's intelligence contests. Yun Ya was the youngest contestant but won with an overwhelming advantage, making the title of child prodigy even louder. However, due to the niche audience of these contests, Yun Ya wasn't widely known, remaining a secret only within the upper circles of Jiangzhou.
The same television station that held the intelligence contests noticed Yun Ya's potential and contacted Ji Lanyi, wanting to invite Yun Ya to a reality show on Jiangzhou Television Station. They believed her prodigy status combined with her loli appearance would surely make her an instant hit, especially since reality shows had become saturated with adults causing viewer fatigue, and switching to children like Yun Ya would guarantee huge popularity.
Ji Lanyi, however, thought it would be below her daughter's class to attend a reality show, comparing her daughter, a noble socialite, to mindless actors. Hence, she declined without hesitation. The television station felt it was a pity, and the producer of the reality show didn't give up, repeatedly trying to persuade Ji Lanyi but was always rejected. Eventually, they realized that she was from a wealthy family that didn't care about fame, so they gave up and found another girl similar to Yun Ya. She wasn't as exceptional but was still passable.
Just as all pre-production was completed and filming of the first episode was about to start, someone contacted them—Ji Yunya had agreed to do the show.
Changing cast last-minute is taboo, but the producer immediately decided to replace the other girl with Ji Yunya. His first choice had always been Ji Yunya, and the other girl was just a backup. Being meticulous, he had invested a lot of effort in this show, with many at the station watching hungrily. He needed to ensure perfection. Postponing the filming due to Yun Ya meant burning money every day, but having made a military order at the station chief's, if successful, he would firmly establish his position; if it failed, he would be ready to pack up and leave.
When he first saw Ji Yunya, he sensed great potential in her, different from all other children he had met. Not only was she incredibly intelligent, but she was also beautiful like a doll—a perfect weapon for this dazzling reality show in a world where looks were everything, both for children and adults. The producer was filled with fiery passion and fighting spirit.
Yun Ya was given the highest level of treatment; she was led by staff to the producer's office, meeting the persistent man.
He appeared to be in his thirties, lean, with a plain white t-shirt, denim jeans, simple yet casual, and shaggy hair. He was quite handsome upon closer inspection, but the stubble significantly detracted from his appearance, overall giving off the image of a sloppy middle-aged man.
Yun Ya noticed his unruly eyebrows, a sign of a hot-tempered and easily angered personality. Dark circles under his eyes suggested a lack of sleep from frequent all-nighters, and his yellow-stained teeth and nicotine-stained fingers indicated a heavy smoking habit. Despite his turbid gaze, there was a sense of confidence and pride, indicative of a self-assured and opinionated person.
Yuan Pan saw the little girl staring at him with bright, piercing black eyes, neither fearful nor timid, which he found interesting. He greeted her with a smile, "You must be Ji Yunya?"
Yun Ya nodded, "Hello, Uncle."
"Don't be shy, take a seat. What would you like to drink? I'll have my assistant buy it for you, cola or milk tea?"
"Thank you, Uncle, but I'm not thirsty right now, no need to trouble you." Yun Ya said, taking a seat with Yun Miao.
Noticing the quiet little boy beside her, who was absorbed in a Rubik's cube and had not looked up at him once, Yuan Pan couldn't help asking, "Who is he?"
"He's my twin brother. He can't be without me, so I always bring him wherever I go."
Yuan Pan squinted; the child seemed to have some issues.
His attention returned to Yun Ya. Every time he saw the little girl, she surprised him more. Articulate and responsive, her thinking and reflexes matched an adult's so that encountering such talent in a five-year-old seemed almost defying nature, making him feel as if he was conversing with an adult, not a little girl.
This really is like finding a treasure. Look at this little face, this temperament, it would be outrageously unjust if she didn't become a star.
"Uncle, it's like this, I've agreed to do the show, but Uncle, you need to promise me two things," Yun Ya said calmly.
Yuan Pan raised his eyebrows, curious why only she had come. Where was her mother with the commanding presence and unparalleled beauty?
"Your mother, she... ."
Yun Ya said indifferently, "She has some matters to deal with, so she may not be around for a while. You can ask me alone about the show, Uncle."
After thinking for a bit, Yuan Pan said, "Okay, what do you want me to promise?" After all, the contract was with the little girl, and it was fine as long as there was a guardian present.
"Firstly, my identity must remain a secret before the show airs, no news can leak out, otherwise I can exit the program at any time."
Yuan Pan was already planning to use Yun Ya as his trump card, introducing her in a mysterious manner to create a bigger surprise later on; in this regard, they were coincidentally on the same page.
"Agreed."
"Secondly," Yun Ya held Yun Miao's hand and looked at Yuan Pan, "my brother has to participate in the show as well."
...
On the ride back, Yun Miao leaned against Yun Ya and fell asleep. Yun Ya let him rest on her lap and covered him with a blanket. She looked down at his peaceful sleeping face, her profile gentle and tranquil.
Ji Die felt a twinge in her nose as she watched. Ever since the young Miss had left, the young lady seemed to have grown up overnight, a lot. Even though she was actually the younger sister, she acted like an elder sister in front of the young master, taking care of him with all her heart and effort.
"Young Miss, why did you agree to record the show? It's very hard work, and with your uncle..." Ji Die was afraid Yun Shen wouldn't agree, and that would lead to complications.
Yun Ya lifted her gaze and looked at Ji Die with eyes dark and serene, "That's why, before the show airs, we have to keep it from Father, and by the time it's broadcasted... he won't be able to stop it anymore."
Ji Die was puzzled, "What do you mean, young Miss?"
Yun Ya smiled, but said nothing more.
Ji Lanyi felt that participating in a reality show was beneath her status, so she outright refused. Although Ji Lanyi was strict with her and not kind to Miaomiao, she was both their strongest and biggest umbrella of protection. Now that Ji Lanyi was missing and their grandfather had passed away, she and Miaomiao were left unprotected. Before they could strengthen themselves, she had to make Yun Shen, Yun Shu, and even Kang Jinse dare not touch them.
Becoming a household name as child stars was their greatest camouflage.