Chapter 54.2: Brother Ye vs Elder Brother

　　As the filming progressed, a field of contestants stood in the studio to observe.  As such, it was inevitable that a murmuring went through the crowd.

　　“President Jiang is so hot! With that face of hers, it’s such a waste for her not to debut.”

　　“Yes, she is indeed breathtakingly beautiful. Those in the large shared room were privileged enough to have been in the presence of President Jiang at such a close distance today. Oh man, President Jiang’s visage couldn’t be more perfect! On a closer inspection, I actually think her beauty has the potential to be a movie queen. So, if she were to begin her acting career, I’d bet she will become the greatest movie queen of the next generation!”

　　“Sure, she is indeed poised and a sight to behold, but I personally feel that President Jiang isn’t that photogenic. Instead, I reckon she’s better looking in person than on camera!”

　　“That’s right, she does seem to emanate a distinctive sense of vividness. Perhaps, this is the epitome of the saying, ‘True beauty lies beneath the surface,’ that our forefathers were trying to describe?”

　　“Ran Mengmeng looks good too! Although she might not be breathtakingly beautiful, she’s still very sweet looking!”

　　“So long as President Jiang isn’t in the picture, many of our contestants are all considered very good looking. Ran Mengmeng is very sweet looking, while the innocent-looking Liang Zhenyu embodied the essence of classic beauty. In comparison, I much prefer Liang Zhenyu’s appearance!”

　　“I like Liang Zhenyu as well, and I heard her dancing is very impressive!”

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　　“Lsv sdzu vbyv, cwv Lk Zwl kp yzps liwyzzu yp yxygkdt! Fkdnl pbl byp yzalyeu cwkzv wr y vld-xkzzksd-pvasdt qyd cypl, pbl kp vbl xspv rsrwzya nsdvlpvydv. Tldnl, vbyv xwpv cl obu vbl rasewnvksd nalo byp lmvldele y prlnkyz kdhkvyvksd vs bla.”

　　Ju vbl vkxl kv oyp vbl plnsde byzq sq vbl pbssvkdt, lhlausdl bye tasod psxlobyv vkale sq pvydekdt. Zlv, psxl clnyxl kdnalypkdtzu flyzswp yp vblu oyvnble sd.

　　“R’x ps flyzswp sq vblpl 3 zyeklp obs olal yczl vs qkzx y nsxxlankyz okvb vbl Mkvzl Frsdpsa! Ebyv yd spvldvyvkswp nsxxlankyz vbkp kp!”

　　“Qspb, R’x ps flyzswp vblu yzz pllx vs byhl yd kddyvl byzs sq vbl nldvla rspkvksd, yde R nyd’v blzr oydvkdt vs nau! Gzps, kv pllxp vbyv vbl nyryckzkvklp sq vbspl kd swa cyvnb yal kdnalekczu pvasdt yde xydu byhl qyd cyplp sq vblka sod. Fktb, obu eslp kv pllx zkjl R’zz dlhla byhl vbl nbydnl sq ryavknkryvkdt kd vbl nsxxlankyz qkzxkdt.”

　　“R jdso, aktbv? Ls xyvvla bso R zssj yv kv, R vbkdj Lk Zwl zssjp vss xwnb zkjl y twu yde pvknjp swv zkjl y psal vbwxc obld pbl pvydep okvb vbl svbla vball.”

　　“Fbb, usw pwal byhl vbl twvp vs pyu vbyv! Psd’v usw jdso vbyv Lk Zwl byp y pkgyczl qyd cypl?”

　　“Bdkplm pvuzl byp yzoyup clld yczl vs nyrvwal y okela ywekldnl, yde pbl byp vbl xspv elhsvle qyd cypl. Tldnl, R’e rwv xu xsdlu sd vbl qynv vbyv Lk Zwl okzz xyjl bla elcwv yp y xlxcla sq vbl tkaz taswr!”

　　“R vbkdj Syd Yldtxldt’p nyryckzkvklp yal y xyvvla qyxkzkya vs lhlausdl, yde Lk Zwl kp y rsrwzya kdqzwldnla. Tsolhla, yp qsa Usdvlpvydv Hblduw…… Ohld vbswtb pbl kp olzz-nsddlnvle, kpd’v kv y zkvvzl vss xwnb qsa bla vs cl vyjld nyal sq ps czyvydvzu aktbv qasx vbl pvyav?”

　　“I’ve also heard that she was handpicked by President Jiang, so could it be that they are friends? How is she so fortunate to have a best friend like President Jiang?!”

　　Once someone began this topic, a plethora of thoughts flashed across every girls’ mind.

　　“Wait, let me emphasize that this is something that I’ve only heard about, so there’s no way I can guarantee its accuracy! It’s said that the whole President Jiang’s recommendation thing is a cover. After all, Liang Zhenyu had made her way to Country H at the age of 13, so it’s impossible for her to be President Jiang’s best friend. In any case, I’m not surprised if she has a crazy powerful backer who recommended her to this program and handpicked her for this first commercial. I mean, I doubt that this is a decision that President Jiang can make on her own. On top of that, the entire production crew, including Teacher Qiao, seems to be paving the way for her.”

　　“Wtf! I’m so sorry, but I’m really jealous of her now.”

　　“If you must know, I’m also……”

　　A girl with a more upright attitude interrupted, “I think everyone shouldn’t go overboard with your attempt to visualize what exactly had occurred. Even though Liang Zhenyu applied late, she truly has the capabilities. As a matter of fact, I’ve followed all the works the group she had debuted in Country H had released and found that they are very talented. However, it’s just that the artistes that their company prioritized in boosting their popularity were already A-listers. I guess she just lacks that bit of luck, so she decided to develop her career here instead.”

　　Another little girl added, “That’s right! Liang Zhenyu has clinched the title for countless dance championships abroad and in her home country. Not only that, but she has also attained gold medals in competitions involving dances like ballet and ballroom dancing. As you can see, she certainly has the capabilities. Otherwise, how was it possible for the production crew to allow just about anyone to cut the line?”

　　Even so, there were still some who remained unimpressed. “I’m not suggesting that she doesn’t have the capabilities. Even if she does, the fact remains that she is well-connected.”

　　“……Alright, already. Break it up, you guys! Anyways, we eventually will have to depend on the netizens’ votes to qualify for a spot to debut in a girl group, so it’s not like we will be relying on our connections. Even if she really is well-connected, it’d be useless if her capabilities aren’t sufficient enough to gain the viewers’ favor.”

　　*****

　　Now that the commencement of the closed-off management was just around the corner, Liang Jingche made haste to visit his sister in person.

　　Ever since she stepped into this industry, Liang Zhenyu had always kept her family background under the wraps, keeping in line with her family’s common practices. After all, the entire family clan kept an incredibly low profile. Although they were one of the wealthiest families, not once had they ever done anything ostentatious.

　　Paying particular attention to his sister’s circumstances, Liang Jingche deemed the time and venue of their meetups to be very important.

　　At this juncture, the trainees mostly had gone to bed after lining up for the showers.

　　Liang Jingche had given her some daily necessities and snacks right before Jiang Dai, making Liang Zhenyu feel self-conscious.

　　“Why have you bought me marshmallows, Brother? It’s not like I’m still a child.”

　　Upon hearing that, Liang Jingche became somewhat embarrassed. “……I remember that you were always fond of them when you were little, so I just happened to buy some.”

　　As soon as she pictured the scene of the new banking tycoon buying snacks at a supermarket for his sister, Jiang Dai could not refrain from laughing……

　　“Chairman Liang certainly has a sister complex, but I’ll be sure to take good care of Zhenyu. So, don’t worry about it. Even if I’m unable to keep an eye on her all the time, there’s always Qiao Jinye, and I’ve already ceremoniously requested that he take care of your sister.”

　　“Ahem… Well, President Jiang sure is different after becoming an investor. You now elicit the confidence of a Party A¹ 甲方爸爸: It is a nickname for Party A, whereby in any business cooperation, Party A is considered the side that provides the funds. and don’t stand on ceremony at all.”

　　Before his voice had completely faded away, the three raised their eyebrows one after another. It was indeed true that one could not speak of the devil in the day, let alone at night, for he should appear.

　　Since they had been friends for years and were now alliance partners, Jiang Dai was by no means acting estranged from him. “Am I being impolite, or are you being petty for such a small matter, Young Master Qiao?”

　　Unexpectedly, Qiao Jinye narrowed his eyes and even went as far as to lift his hand to pet Jiang Dai’s head.

　　It had been so long since they had such intimate interactions that Jiang Dai was rendered stunned.

　　As for the other two, they both had varying countenances on their faces.

　　“……” Liang Zhenyu thought inwardly, ‘Not only is my brother’s love rival far too competitive, but he is also handsome and cool. Standing next to Sister Dai at noon, he appeared like a cute puppy. Yet, he’s acting more like a wild puppy now.’

　　“…………” The only thing that had gone through Liang Jingche’s mind was ‘Hehe.’

　　Even so, they had a little chat before realizing that it was getting late. Hence, Liang Jingche had his little sister return to her dorm to get some rest.

　　However, Liang Zhenyu was somewhat reluctant to take her leave, stating that she would only head back after Sister Dai had left.

　　Turning to look at Jiang Dai, Liang Jingche suggested, “Alright, let’s go then. I’ll send Miss Jiang home.”

　　Before she had a chance to utter a single word, Jiang Dai noticed that not a ripple disturbed Qiao Jinye’s countenance as he refuted, “There’s no need for you to go to the trouble of sending her back since I’ll be the one doing that. At the same time…… I still have some work matters to discuss with her.”

　　Detecting an overbearing aura from Qiao Jinye, the corners of Liang Jingche’s lips quirked up indifferently as he placed his long, powerful fingers on Jiang Dai’s shoulder. Without a moment’s delay, he asked earnestly, “Will you be heading back with Mr. Qiao, Daidai?”

　　Sure enough, a deep frown of disapproval marred Qiao Jinye’s face once he heard how Liang Jingche addressed her.

　　Seeing how things had panned out, Jiang Dai was rendered stupefied as she was unable to figure out what on earth was wrong with these two.

　　Be that as it might, Liang Jingche could feel the man’s gaze burning into the back of his head. As such, he retaliated without the slightest hesitation but with a gaze that appeared indifferent, calm, and composed.

　　Perhaps, Jiang Dai’s ex-husband could evoke a sense of crisis within Liang Jingche since Huo Rongshen was an evenly matched rival. Even so, he still assumed that Jiang Dai would never be willing to take Huo Rongshen back again, so that was why Liang Jingche knew deep down that not once had he ever taken Huo Rongshen seriously.

　　As for this childhood friend of hers, Liang Jingche had always looked down on him……

　　Not only had he gone to school, but he had also grown up with her. Yet, he was unable to sweep Jiang Dai off her feet during her time of innocence, let alone now.

　　Unwilling to back down, Qiao Jinye took the initiative to take hold of Jiang Dai’s hand. “Now, tell me, whose car will you be taking?”

　　Upon hearing that, several question marks surrounded Jiang Dai’s head as a confused frown creased her forehead, just like the meme of an elderly man looking at his phone on the train² 地铁老头看手‌‌机: It looks just like this. .

　　On the sidelines, Liang Zhenyu held her tongue meekly, as two little guys were having a dreadful row in her heart.

　　One of them cheered, “Brother Ye is so handsome, and he has such an intimate relationship with Sister Dai! Gosh, I can totally ship this ‘Queen X Wild Puppy’ couple forever! Boohoo…”

　　Meanwhile, the other refuted, “However well Brother Ye might be, my brother is also equally as good! What’s more, Brother has been secretly in love with Sister Dai for such a long time that he had never entered any romantic relationships when he was abroad. When he found out that Sister Dai had a significant other, he was all the more depressed that he wasn’t in the mood to date for 2 years. After all that he has endured, it should be time for Brother to finally get his chance! Even though Brother Ye is popular, he would never be closer to her than her elder brother.”