Chapter 15 Chapter 15

While the online debate raged, the "Boy Group Training Camp" program team posted a new Weibo.

The Weibo stated that the program team highly valued fairness and impartiality. To this end, they decided to adopt a full-length live broadcast starting from the next episode, and to establish a professional judging panel and other measures to resolutely safeguard the fairness of the program.

This Weibo immediately garnered public favor.

In contrast, Jiang Mo was subjected to even more ridicule.

Jiang Mo smashed a pile of things in his room, but still couldn't calm down.

Seeing him like this, his manager swallowed the complaints he was about to utter.

He and Jiang Mo were in the same boat; if Jiang Mo got into trouble, he wouldn't be faring any better.

"The top priority now is to salvage your reputation," the manager said.

Jiang Mo looked at him suspiciously.

For unsubstantiated rumors, which weren't a big deal, the manager could handle them himself. Why was he asking him?

The manager said solemnly, "I saw Shen Yu go to Meng Yuan Sheng's manager yesterday."

Jiang Mo was slightly panicked: "When did this happen?"

The manager shook his head: "I don't know, but Shen Yu seemed very friendly towards him, and they chatted for quite a while."

Jiang Mo's face immediately turned grim.

He knew Shen Yu. This person seemed gentle, but he wasn't that easy to deal with.

After learning Shen Yu's identity, Jiang Mo had actively approached him, leveraging the lyrics written by Meng Yuan Sheng, and it had taken him half a year to become friends with him.

Shen Yu was exceptionally good to his friends, generous, forthright, and loyal.

But he was just as cold and ruthless towards his enemies.

Jiang Mo felt as much panic now as he had enjoyed using Shen Yu's resources then.

"No! He absolutely cannot find out!"

The manager sighed: "I think so too, but I have a way to solve both problems. It's..."

Jiang Mo's eyes lit up: "Tell me quickly!"

The manager: "Leak the information that Meng Yuan Sheng didn't resign voluntarily, but was expelled from Jinyou for plagiarizing your song. Shen Yu is a singer-songwriter, and he despises plagiarism. This will resolve the crisis on that front, and even if Meng Yuan Sheng later claims those lyrics were his, no one will believe him anymore."

If this plan succeeded, Meng Yuan Sheng would be despised by everyone and his path into the entertainment industry would be completely blocked.

Jiang Mo hesitated.

He did resent Meng Yuan Sheng for leaving him and causing him so much trouble, but they had been in a relationship for many years and still had feelings for each other.

Seeing this, the manager said, "This is the only way, and it's better sooner than later. Decide quickly."

A glint of malice flashed in Jiang Mo's eyes.

It wasn't his fault; if Sheng Sheng hadn't been so willful, none of this would have happened.

After everything was over, if Sheng Sheng could repent and return to him, he would accept him without reservation.

So Jiang Mo nodded firmly: "Okay, let's do it your way."

-

A day later, a Weibo post exploded online.

【My name is Li Fang, a regular employee at Jiang Mo's studio. Seeing all the black and white reversals online, I can't help but speak up! The truth is not what you're saying!】

【Meng Yuan Sheng was Brother Mo's friend. Because he wasn't hired through official channels, Brother Mo felt it wasn't right to take advantage of the company, so he always paid him out of his own pocket. To be honest, Brother Mo's only mistake was paying him privately instead of through the company, which caused this mess.】

【As for why he left, it certainly wasn't because of social security or anything. It was because he plagiarized Brother Mo's unreleased song, intending to debut on his own. Unfortunately, he was discovered. Brother Mo, considering their friendship, didn't expose him, only kicking him out of the studio. Unexpectedly, instead of gratitude, he backstabbed him.】

【As a conscientious and moral person, I am willing to come forward and report this. I hope everyone sees the truth and doesn't let good people suffer!】

Below, the poster included a selfie holding their work ID.

With the real-name verification and internet water army stirring things up, the online sentiment shifted.

【This is a story of the farmer and the snake! Jiang Mo is too pitiful!】

【"Let the bullets fly for a while" was right! I knew things weren't that simple! There's a reversal!】

【If he really didn't get paid, how could he have worked with Jiang Mo for so long? Isn't that simple logic? That's why I didn't believe it from the start.】

【I sympathized with Meng and scolded Jiang Mo before, I'm sorry!】

【Wuwuwu the truth is finally revealed! Thinking about the slander Brother Mo suffered recently makes me want to cry】

…

Soon, Jiang Mo also reposted this Weibo.

He didn't mention Meng Yuan Sheng, only expressing gratitude to Li Fang for speaking the truth. Then, he changed the subject, saying that he had previously lacked legal awareness and was embarrassed to discuss contracts with friends, so he paid him privately. As for plagiarism, that was in the past, and he wouldn't pursue it further, hoping everyone wouldn't keep pressing the issue.

He naturally attached information on his payments to Meng Yuan Sheng over the years.

Another wave of sympathy for Jiang Mo ensued.

Gu Xing Shi was about to vomit from the saccharine words.

What payments!

It was clearly Meng Yuan Sheng who paid upfront! He actually dared to use it as evidence!

Damn渣男(scumbag)!!

If he hadn't collected enough evidence, he would have thrown it in the scumbag's face right now!

Meng Yuan Sheng also pursed his lips tightly.

He didn't expect Jiang Mo to be so ruthless.

Gu Xing Shi calmed down, remembering his suggestion to Sun Hong Fei. He didn't expect it to be used so soon.

He shared his plan with Meng Yuan Sheng.

Meng Yuan Sheng, after listening, realized this was the best solution.

Gu Xing Shi looked at him intently: "Can you do it?"

He knew Gu Xing Shi wasn't asking about his ability, but whether he could overcome the years of suppression by Jiang Mo, and truly win a battle for himself.

This was not just a battle to regain his reputation.

It was also a battle for him to break free from his shadows and rise from the ashes.

He solemnly nodded: "I can!"

-

After recording the theme song, the first public performance was next, also the first live stage of "Boy Group Training Camp".

Half an hour before the competition, the staff were busy with adjustments.

Gu Xing Shi stood in the corner, staring at the stage, lost in thought.

Yin He Feng, with his plump body, agilely hopped over obstacles on the ground and came to Gu Xing Shi: "Mr. Gu, the competition is about to begin, why are you standing here?"

Gu Xing Shi looked at Yin He Feng in surprise.

After Jiang Mo's Weibo post, the managers who had previously surrounded Gu Xing Shi, calling him brother, either became cold or gloated.

Only Yin He Feng remained as close as ever.

His expression softened: "Picking a good spot, preparing to watch a show."

Yin He Feng: "?"

He looked around.

This spot was on the side of the stage, some distance away, but the angle perfectly allowed a view of the judges' seats.

Gu Xing Shi smiled: "Brother Yin, if you're free later, come here, I'll treat you to a show."

Yin He Feng had been worried that Gu Xing Shi, young and inexperienced, wouldn't know how to handle his artist's sudden situation, intending to offer advice.

Unexpectedly, Gu Xing Shi was surprisingly calm and rational.

Besides relief, he was also proud.

He knew his judgment was right, this Mr. Gu was definitely not an ordinary person.

So he didn't ask further and readily agreed.

The competition quickly began.

Meng Yuan Sheng's group was third.

Their performance was a high-difficulty Chinese-style song, "Snow Fills Chang'an Road".

As soon as they appeared, the barrage was full of insults towards Meng Yuan Sheng, with some speaking up for him, but they were quickly drowned out by the insults.

Gu Xing Shi glanced at it, then closed his phone, looking towards the stage, out of sight, out of mind.

Pre-competition training footage was playing.

In Meng Yuan Sheng's group, besides him and Cheng Xin, there were five others.

These five were initially indifferent towards Meng Yuan Sheng. But one dance stunned them. Then, Meng Yuan Sheng tirelessly guided his teammates, arranging both training and daily life meticulously.

When dividing parts, other groups were still politely haggling when Meng Yuan Sheng quickly divided them based on the strengths and weaknesses of each member, with everyone completely convinced.

Gu Xing Shi was very satisfied. He glanced at Jiang Mo and found his smile stiff.

Stiff now?

The climax hasn't even come yet!

As the music began, Meng Yuan Sheng appeared first, a stunning Chinese dance that captivated the audience.

The other members then appeared together.

Their movements were synchronized, and each person had their own highlights.

The RAP instructor couldn't help but ask the dance instructor: "I remember xx and xxx couldn't dance before, right?"

The dance instructor nodded: "Yes, Meng Yuan Sheng and Cheng Xin taught them move by move. How is it? They look pretty good, right?"

The RAP instructor was amazed: "More than pretty good! Looking at their performance, I'd believe they've studied dance for years."

Their conversation was captured by the live camera.

Many viewers started to waver.

Meng Yuan Sheng seemed pretty good, not like a selfish and shameless person.

After the performance, everyone was still immersed in the atmosphere, wanting more.

The seven performers stood beside the host for brief self-introductions.

According to the rules, the professional judges and the audience would now score them.

Meng Yuan Sheng, in a white, ethereal gauze robe, had an air of aloofness and detachment.

When the host prompted the judges for comments, he suddenly raised his hand: "May I request a challenge?"

This was a new rule added this episode.

After their performance, trainees could challenge a judge. Winning added 1000 popularity points, losing sent them to the danger zone.

Jiang Mo, on the judges' panel, suddenly had a bad feeling.

Sure enough, Meng Yuan Sheng's gaze locked onto him: "I would like to challenge Judge Jiang Mo."

The scene erupted in an uproar.

Jiang Mo's face was livid, angrily glaring at Meng Yuan Sheng.

In the past, if he got angry, Meng Yuan Sheng would become anxious and fearful, apologizing immediately, regardless of whether he was wrong or not.

But now, Meng Yuan Sheng showed no fear, a faint, provocative smile on his lips.

"Improvised creation."

"Judge Jiang Mo, you wouldn't dare, would you?"