Qin Ran couldn't let Yu Shuman suffer the fate described in the novel, especially since the current Yu Shuman was different from how she was portrayed in the story. The novel detailed Yu Shuman's past: her mother fell ill with leukemia during high school and passed away, despite Yu Shuman selling off all their assets in a futile attempt to save her. Forced to drop out, Yu Shuman started working odd jobs until she was scouted by an entertainment company and became a minor internet celebrity, leading to her participation in the talent show.
The current Yu Shuman, however, had a different trajectory.
This deviation made Qin Ran breathe a sigh of relief, but she quickly realized that if she did nothing, the story might still unfold as it did in the novel, leaving Yu Shuman to suffer the same tragic fate.
How could she allow that to happen? For the first time, a deep sense of fear gripped Qin Ran's heart. The idea that her beloved senior, Yu Shuman, might become someone else's stepping stone was intolerable.
Qin Ran clutched the insider documents tightly, crumpling the A4 papers in her grasp. After much thought, she called upon the system.
The system, sensing that its moment to shine had finally arrived, responded eagerly, filled with renewed energy. Qin Ran asked the system how much money it could provide.
Proudly, the system replied, "It's limitless. I have an unlimited supply of money, so you don't have to worry. I'm a legitimate system, not one of those that try to swindle and sabotage their hosts. My goal is to make sure you live a happy, carefree life."
For once, Qin Ran praised the system, "You're truly a good system."
The system, flustered by the rare compliment, felt a bit shy. But with the system's assurance, Qin Ran began to take bold actions.
Most people, after acquiring a system, might struggle to figure out what to do with such a large sum of money. At best, they would indulge in luxury and leisure. But becoming a significant player in the world of capital wasn't easy.
Qin Ran, however, was different. She had grown up surrounded by wealth and knew exactly how to re-enter that world. While Yu Shuman was still adjusting to life on set and enduring the intensive training, Qin Ran had already acquired an entertainment company through strategic means. She spared no expense in hiring a professional manager and securing a reliable, top-tier agent through a headhunter.
Yu Shuman's contract was with her original, small entertainment company, so Qin Ran simply bought out the entire company and absorbed it into her new conglomerate. She had Yu Shuman's contract transferred to her newly acquired company. Within a week of starting her training, Yu Shuman received a call from her previous manager, who sounded thrilled, informing her that their company had been acquired and was now part of a much larger entity. A new manager would soon take over her representation.
After hanging up the phone, Yu Shuman felt a mix of excitement and anxiety. That morning, she received the news, and by the afternoon, she was meeting her new manager. The new manager, a fashionable woman in her thirties, exuded authority and competence. She managed to bypass security and meet with Yu Shuman in the rest area, where she laid out Yu Shuman's new plan.
Such talent shows were notorious for being scripted, and Yu Shuman had originally been cast as a minor character meant to fill in the background. But with the backing of a wealthy company that had sponsored the show with an offer the production team couldn't refuse, Yu Shuman was now slated for the spotlight.
"The higher-ups see great potential in you. They plan to give you significant support, and while it's up to you to make it to the final round, rest assured that reaching it won't be an issue," the manager, who introduced herself as Sister Li, explained. She then handed Yu Shuman a phone, instructing her to use it discreetly, as it was against the rules, but assured her that staff would turn a blind eye as long as she was careful.
Yu Shuman accepted the phone, feeling increasingly bewildered as the situation unfolded. But she wasn't naive. She knew how these shows operated and understood that her newfound backing placed her in a much better position than her peers.
Yu Shuman lacked formal training in singing and dancing, so she spent even more time in the practice rooms than the other contestants. The staff, aware of her connections, allowed her extended access to shared spaces, and under the director's guidance, they even filmed her rigorous training sessions, later incorporating the footage into the show.
Soon, Yu Shuman faced her first on-camera challenge—a self-introduction segment. Even her makeup was handled by a team hired specifically for her, rather than relying on the show's resources. Although a few other contestants had similar privileges, she wasn't alone in this regard, which relieved her somewhat. The company clearly wanted to make a strong impression in this first segment, and Sister Li herself came to oversee the process. She sat nearby, legs crossed, ensuring that every detail of Yu Shuman's look was perfect.
"We need to make you memorable. The first episode won't give you much screen time, so we need to make sure you stand out," Sister Li instructed, while also scouting the competition. After making her rounds, she returned and conferred with the makeup artist. Eventually, they decided on a look that emphasized Yu Shuman's mature, commanding presence, accentuated by her beauty mark.
When it was time for Yu Shuman to record her self-introduction, Sister Li patted her on the shoulder. "I won't give you a script. Just say whatever feels right. Remember, you have our full support, so just have fun." For some reason, Yu Shuman felt that Sister Li's words, "just have fun," were laced with an odd sense of frustration.
It wasn't her imagination. No typical manager would ever encourage their artist to "just have fun." Most would insist on a strict, rehearsed script. But these words came straight from the mysterious boss behind the scenes, who seemed to want nothing more than for Yu Shuman to enjoy herself.
This made Sister Li question what kind of relationship Yu Shuman had with the mysterious boss.
Yu Shuman, somewhat dazed, sat on the high stool under the bright lights, facing the camera. When the director gave the cue to start, she was momentarily at a loss for words, having come with no prepared script. She introduced herself briefly, and when the director asked why she joined the show, she hesitated before deciding to be honest.
"My company told me to come. They said it would make me famous."
The director, taken aback, pressed on, "And what made you want to pursue a career as an entertainer?"
"I was scouted while working part-time. The company said I'd definitely become famous. Plus, being an entertainer pays well, right? I really want to make money."
The director felt like the conversation was hitting a dead end, but he keenly picked up on the mention of money and asked, "Why are you so eager to make money?" It was a loaded question, one that could easily backfire on her. Despite receiving investment from 99 Entertainment, the director still harbored some resentment.
As he observed the slightly confused girl before him, her face suddenly lit up with a radiant smile. "Because I want to give back and show my gratitude. During my toughest times in high school, when my mother was seriously ill, it was the help of anonymous donors and many others around me that got us through. I want to repay their kindness, at least by returning the money."
This less-than-five-minute self-introduction clip was sent to Qin Ran's computer shortly after it was filmed. Sitting on her bed in the dormitory, she put on her headphones and played the video. Every word Yu Shuman spoke brought a smile to Qin Ran's face. Her somewhat clueless yet earnest senior was undeniably charming.
Qin Ran sent feedback to the company: "Keep those three answers, and you can do what you want with the rest." After sending the message, she climbed down from the top bunk, slung her backpack over her shoulder, and headed to class. Although she was the secret owner of 99 Entertainment and had earned a decent return on her investment, it only meant she no longer needed to work part-time. She still had to attend her classes.
As she left the dorm, her phone vibrated. Opening her chat app, she saw a message from Yu Shuman, who informed her that she now had a phone, though she had to use it discreetly. She also mentioned how impressed she was with the makeup team at her new company, who made her look amazing.
Attached was a selfie, taken in what appeared to be a restroom, clearly snapped in secret.
Though Qin Ran had just seen Yu Shuman under perfect studio lighting, she found this candid selfie even more beautiful. In the self-introduction video, Yu Shuman had appeared somewhat confused, like a lost puppy, except when she spoke about her gratitude. But in this selfie, she smiled with a bright, confident expression—the kind of smile that Qin Ran loved the most.
She saved the photo and pondered for a moment before replying. As someone who wasn't used to socializing, Qin Ran hesitated before finally typing out a response: "Don't forget about me when you get rich and famous."
Yu Shuman quickly replied with a single character: "Woof."