Chapter 29 Chapter 29

After Ning Wen Zhuo returned to China, he thought he would be constantly harassed by Ning Tian You and had already prepared himself.

However, to his surprise, things were unexpectedly calm even half a month after he joined the company.

If Ning Wen Zhuo hadn't suffered so much under Ning Tian You's hand all these years, he might have actually believed that his uncle was a kind and compassionate person.

Shao Peng also found it strange when he found out.

Both of them thought Ning Tian You had some ulterior motives. Several probes later, however, Ning Tian You remained surprisingly restrained, only uttering sour remarks about Ning Wen Zhuo being arrogant when pushed too far.

After investigating, Ning Wen Zhuo found out that a powerful figure had warned Ning Tian You, causing him to hesitate.

This powerful figure was none other than "Helper," a person who helped people selflessly.

Only he would silently help him without letting him know.

This gentle kindness slowly melted the ice in Ning Wen Zhuo's heart.

He was very clear.

For such a powerful person, he had almost no value to be exploited.

There were plenty of people he could choose to cooperate with; though he didn't want to admit it, Ning Tian You was more useful than him.

Perhaps, as the name suggested, he was just a helper, someone who helped people for the sake of helping.

But he felt useless.

Helper had already told him the truth about his parents' death, but he had made no progress since returning to China.

Furthermore, Helper had created such a good opportunity for him, allowing him to enter the company, yet he was manipulated by the cunning Ning Tian You and relegated to a marginal department, making it impossible for him to fight back.

Ning Wen Zhuo felt somewhat dejected, then a wave of panic arose.

Had Helper helped others?

If others were more useful than him, would Helper be disappointed and ignore him?

Actually, he had recently noticed Helper's coldness towards him.

Not only were his replies not as timely as before, but the content was also much more perfunctory.

The thought that Helper was disappointed in him made Ning Wen Zhuo's heart pound.

No!

Not like this!

He looked at the pinned chat box on WeChat.

He wanted to ask Helper for help, but he was afraid of disappointing him.

Therefore, he typed and deleted countless messages in the input box.

Finally, after revising the message seventeen or eighteen times, Ning Wen Zhuo steeled his heart and sent it.

-

Gu Xing Shi was extremely busy recently.

The finals of "Boy Group Training Camp" were approaching, and the atmosphere was tense. There was so much to do.

This was Gu Xing Shi's first time participating in such an event. Compared with those organized and well-funded companies, many aspects of their operation were far behind.

Especially the voting process. Many companies seemed unassuming in the early stages, their fans seemingly nonchalant. In reality, however, experts had orchestrated strategies, waiting for the final push.

Gu Xing Shi was completely caught off guard.

He had to learn and work simultaneously, having no time to focus on anything else.

Finally finishing a phase of his work, he took a breather and opened his phone, discovering several messages from Ning Wen Zhuo.

Gu Xing Shi felt a pang of guilt.

Previously, to deal with Ning Tian You, he brought Ning Wen Zhuo back to China and then neglected him.

Yet, Ning Wen Zhuo didn't blame him.

He only blamed himself for being useless. His pitiful and apprehensive demeanor was a stark contrast to his initial vigilance and suspicion; instead, he was overly well-behaved and sensible.

Gu Xing Shi felt guilty.

He couldn't help but reflect on whether his actions were too callous.

Therefore, he immediately replied to Ning Wen Zhuo, explaining that he had been busy and wasn't ignoring him.

Ning Wen Zhuo listlessly handled his tasks, occasionally glancing at his phone. Each time he didn't see a new message, his hopeful heart felt like a burst balloon.

After several attempts, even Shao Peng couldn't bear it anymore.

"Young Master, who are you waiting for?"

Ning Wen Zhuo pursed his lips. Shao Peng was the person he trusted most; he would share anything with him.

But for some reason, he felt differently towards Helper, treating it as a private secret he didn't want to share.

Just as Ning Wen Zhuo was agonizing, his phone suddenly rang.

He stood up abruptly, hitting his knee against the table corner. He ignored the pain and quickly opened his phone.

Upon seeing Helper's reply and realizing that he wasn't disappointed, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.

With that, Ning Wen Zhuo confidently voiced his concerns.

Gu Xing Shi saw the overwhelming company matters, felt dizzy, and hastily claimed ignorance.

He didn't know what Ning Wen Zhuo had imagined, but he pitifully and fearfully sent an apology.

Gu Xing Shi rubbed his forehead in frustration, feeling that if he refused again, Ning Wen Zhuo might cry.

He could only reply: [I don't really understand. If you must ask my opinion, I'll just say something casually.]

Ning Wen Zhuo immediately cheered up, repeatedly stating that he would accept any advice.

Gu Xing Shi relaxed.

He was indeed unfamiliar with many things, but he had recently been obsessively learning about idols, so he could discuss that.

His advice was simple.

However, Ning Wen Zhuo was extremely enthusiastic, reacting positively to everything he said.

Gu Xing Shi, in high spirits, inadvertently talked too much.

Ning Wen Zhuo frowned at the chat log.

He found that Helper mainly talked about idols, and those were common knowledge.

But, was the common knowledge from Helper just ordinary common knowledge?

From Ning Wen Zhuo's experience, Helper never did anything useless.

Every word he said was meaningful.

Therefore, he must have misunderstood Helper's deep meaning.

Ning Wen Zhuo began to analyze.

He had told Helper about his predicament and asked for solutions.

Helper initially refused, which was understandable. Helper had helped him before, but this time, it was about internal company affairs, which was too deeply involved.

Ning Wen Zhuo regretted his impulsiveness.

Fortunately, Helper didn't hold it against him, even softening and guiding him.

——Idols.

Ning Wen Zhuo pondered.

Xingmao Media did have an idol company called Xingmao.

However, as far as Ning Wen Zhuo knew, this company had suffered a setback due to its involvement in the XX brand incident and was struggling to recover, with some even suggesting its dissolution. However, Xingmao Media had invested heavily, so the upper management was hesitant.

Could Helper be suggesting that he take over Xingmao?

That...wasn't impossible.

Ning Wen Zhuo thought about the information he had read before.

Firstly, Xingmao's hardware was still good, and because of the incident, Ning Tian You's direct subordinates and sycophants had left, leaving behind mostly those who were diligent.

Furthermore, as a company only two or three years old, Xingmao's structure was relatively simple, lacking the redundancy and bloat of larger companies, making it suitable for him.

Secondly, as a company about to be abandoned, if he chose to go there, Ning Tian You wouldn't mind and might even welcome it, certainly not hindering him.

He would be free from the constraints of the main company and more likely to achieve success.

And most importantly, compared to mature industries like television and film, idols were a blue ocean industry with enormous market potential, far from fully developed in China.

This meant that he would have ample room for growth.

The more Ning Wen Zhuo thought about it, the more he realized this was a perfect strategy, tailored for him.

Helper was indeed powerful, simply pointing him in the right direction, proving far more helpful than his days of painstaking thought!

Although he had witnessed Helper's effortless and profound methods in previous events, he was still deeply shocked.

Ning Wen Zhuo took a deep breath, calming his excitement.

Having determined the idol direction, what should he do?

He decided to stop thinking.

Since Helper had mentioned idols, he must have had a specific direction in mind.

With the right answer, why waste time on wrong choices?

On the other hand, Gu Xing Shi saw Ning Wen Zhuo's message: "What direction should I take with idols?"

Wasn't there a standard answer?

Without thinking, he replied: [Of course, the stage.]

Ning Wen Zhuo, overjoyed for a second, fell into doubt again.

Stage?

The answer was too vague.

No.

He couldn't think that way.

He must not understand Helper's deeper meaning.

Ning Wen Zhuo frowned and started thinking again.

Xingmao's current trainees weren't good, so Helper's "stage" couldn't refer to their stage skills.

As for Xingmao's facilities, they were built according to the standards of top international idol companies, including recording studios, dance studios, styling rooms, and a 200-square-meter indoor studio.

This was intended to help trainees adapt to the stage, but it had been underutilized.

Could Helper be referring to this stage?

No, think deeper.

In China, there are few singing and dancing stages for idols, except for talent shows and gala events.

Even debuted idols rarely have regular stages. Some even joked that many singers and dancers are frozen immediately after debut.

Those with good looks and acting skills can act, others can become variety show guests. Those without other skills, no matter how strong they are, cannot survive in this industry.

So, what if he provided such a stage?

There's no such program in China, meaning he would be the first.

With so many idol groups debuting and companies training singers and dancers, he wouldn't lack participants.

Show fans and development fans are the most loyal fans, they are the natural audience of the program.

Ning Wen Zhuo wouldn't need to promote it, they would do it themselves.

Ning Wen Zhuo's breathing quickened.

That's it!

It must be!

Every aspect perfectly matched him, it was tailor-made!

Without Helper's reminder, he wouldn't have thought of it.

Helper was simply amazing!

He looked at the WeChat chat box, his eyes burning.

Of course, having direction didn't mean success.

For example, the platform, the capital, and the core of the program.

But Ning Wen Zhuo was increasingly confident.

He believed Helper had answers to those too.

Sure enough, after he sent the question, the other party replied quickly.

[Boy Group Training Camp]

It was still Helper's style, simple yet full of information.

Ning Wen Zhuo was no longer panicked, confidently analyzing.

As everyone knows, "Boy Group Training Camp" was jointly organized by Xingyao Media and Sweet Orange Video, backed by a behemoth—Wen's Group.

This directly solved the first two problems, platform and capital.

What capital could be bigger than Wen's?

Moreover, with Wen's backing, even if Ning Tian You discovered something wrong, he wouldn't dare act rashly.

As for the third problem.

Ning Wen Zhuo watched the entire season of "Boy Group Training Camp," suddenly enlightened.

Fairness!

This was the core of "Boy Group Training Camp" from beginning to end.

Even with scandals involving Jiang Mo and Ji Yi Wei, it didn't affect the public's opinion of the show.

Almost all platforms praised this season as the best ever.

Douban and other platforms gave it over 9 points.

Generally, the first season of such a show has the highest score, gradually decreasing afterward.

However, this season's "Boy Group Training Camp" had a high opening and soared, scoring 1 point higher than the previous season, which was unimaginable.

This was all due to the simplest and most difficult thing—fairness.

This was the key point Helper wanted to convey.

Thinking of this, Ning Wen Zhuo, although happy to understand Helper's true meaning, felt ashamed.

He suddenly remembered his childhood, when his parents occasionally took him to the film set. They talked about films and TV series with shining eyes.

They told him that they made better films and TV series with sincerity and quality to attract viewers.

He was proud of his parents and even considered becoming like them.

But over the years, for revenge and to bring down Ning Tian You, he became lost.

He thought about profits and losses but not the audience.

He seemed to become like Ning Tian You.

Helper's words cleared the fog.

Pulling him out of the torrent of greed.

He was no longer confused, his impetuousness gone, he calmed down.

He stopped thinking about gains and losses.

He earnestly thought about making a good show.

-

The rehearsal site for the finals of "Boy Group Training Camp."

Gu Xing Shi watched Meng Yuan Sheng and Cheng Xin's rehearsal, contentedly walked out of the studio, and met a dejected Yin He Feng at the door.

Gu Xing Shi asked curiously: "Brother Yin, what's wrong? Did something go wrong with Yuan Ye's rehearsal?"

"No, it's fine." Yin He Feng said, still frowning.

Gu Xing Shi: "Is the fan vote result not good? It shouldn't be. I remember his position was quite high in the latest popularity ranking. High-position debut should be no problem."

Yin He Feng: "No, I'm not worried about the finals, but about after the debut."

Gu Xing Shi was even more puzzled: "What problems will there be after the finals debut?"

Yin He Feng looked at him enviously: "Whether it's Meng Yuan Sheng or Cheng Xin, their faces are so handsome. Meng Yuan Sheng can act, Cheng Xin has a sense of variety. Meng Yuan Sheng can also compose. They'll have more work than they can handle. You won't have this worry, but our Yuan Ye, a powerful performer, where can he fit besides the stage?"

"But as you know, the Chinese entertainment industry has few stages for singers and dancers, I'm afraid he will be unemployed after debut..."

Gu Xing Shi was silent.

As he learned more about the idol industry, he understood Yin He Feng's worries.

This wasn't just Yuan Ye's dilemma.

Even Meng Yuan Sheng and Cheng Xin were the same.

They truly loved the stage.

Seeing their efforts, one wouldn't doubt their love for the stage.

Acting and variety shows were just a last resort.

Their true place to shine was only on stage.

Gu Xing Shi looked at Meng and Cheng who had left the stage and were still discussing how to improve their performance, feeling even more distressed.

Yin He Feng sighed: "If only there were a stage for singers and dancers."

This scene was witnessed by Sun Hong Fei.

Before, he would have only sighed with Yin He Feng.

But thinking of the news he had just learned, he puffed out his chest proudly.

He had just learned that Sweet Orange Video would launch a new music show.

It was a long-planned project, initiated by Mr. Wen.

Mr. Wen always planned ahead.

Before the first season of "Boy Group Training Camp," he had this plan, a crucial step in building his entertainment empire.

No wonder Mr. Wen, despite his busy schedule, paid such attention to a small talent show.

This program should have been launched long ago.

Several production teams at Xingyao Media were vying for it.

But Mr. Wen thought further.

He saw not just one show, but the entire idol industry.

He wanted to expand the market, not just win battles.

So, he didn't want his own people to be both players and judges, but to find a third-party company.

Unfortunately, no suitable company was found.

Either the program lacked novelty, simply copying foreign ones, or it was unrealistic and didn't consider the market and audience.

This dragged on until now.

But a few days ago, someone finally solved this problem.

According to Sun Hong Fei's leader, he might be transferred to Sweet Orange Video's external cooperation department, and this program might be his first project.

With a promotion imminent, Sun Hong Fei couldn't sit still.

However, his leader didn't know much. Only Mr. Wen and Sweet Orange Video's president would know more.

Sun Hong Fei didn't dare to ask the president, and immediately thought of a more suitable person—Gu Xing Shi.

As Mr. Wen's lover, Gu Xing Shi must know a lot.

Seeing him approach, Gu Xing Shi and Yin He Feng were surprised.

After some pleasantries, Sun Hong Fei was about to speak when Gu Xing Shi's phone rang: "Sorry, I'll check a message."

Sun Hong Fei almost choked.

But the next second, he saw Gu Xing Shi excitedly say: "Brother Yin, I heard that a music show will be launched soon, weekly broadcast, you don't have to worry about the stage anymore!"

Yin He Feng widened his eyes: "Really?!"

Sun Hong Fei thought: As expected.

He coughed lightly, preparing to speak: "About this..."

But before he could finish, he was interrupted by the excited Yin He Feng.

Yin He Feng grabbed Gu Xing Shi's hand, speaking incoherently: "Brother Gu, is the news true? I...I'm not saying you're lying, but this is too important, I..."

Gu Xing Shi understood his feelings, patted his shoulder: "Of course it's true, a good friend told me..."

Sun Hong Fei thought: As expected.

He coughed lightly, preparing to speak: "About this..."

But before he could finish, he was interrupted by the excited Yin He Feng.

Yin He Feng grabbed Gu Xing Shi's hand, speaking incoherently: "Brother Gu, is the news true? I...I'm not saying you're lying, but this is too important, I..."

Gu Xing Shi understood his feelings, patted his shoulder: "Of course it's true, a good friend told me..."

Sun Hong Fei thought: Of course it's true, Mr. Wen said so himself, how could it be false!

But, Gu Xing Shi called his husband a "good friend", so pure.

However, listening, he felt something was wrong.

He couldn't help but ask: "Mr. Gu, what's your friend's name?"

Gu Xing Shi didn't think there was anything to hide, and said frankly: "His name is Ning Wen Zhuo, the producer of this music show."

Sun Hong Fei: "!!!"

Wait!!

Who is this Ning Wen Zhuo!!

Is someone trying to poach Mr. Wen's corner!!!