Chapter 144: Artist Showdown, Rising Stars

The artist PK livestream session officially began.

The artists from Gang Studio, led by Li Gang, held the right of first choice for the competition topics. This meant that Gang Studio could fully tailor the challenges to their own artists' strengths.

"Xiao Ran, you aren't actually going to give this Li Gang a position, are you..."

Mu Ran curled her lips. It wasn't entirely out of the question. With An Lan and Li Gang in the company, she could finally become a hands-off boss.

An Lan leaned closer to Mu Ran, whispering. As she spoke, she caught a unique, enchanting scent emanating from her. "Xiao Ran, I’ve been meaning to ask you—what perfume is this? It smells so good."

Those standing near Mu Ran on the stage turned in unison to look at the woman, whose expression remained calm and unruffled. They all took a sharp breath; indeed, the air was filled with a captivating fragrance.

"Your train of thought is quite a leap."

Mu Ran didn't give An Lan a direct answer, but images of perfume blending flickered through her mind. She must have known how to create fragrances in the past.

"An Lan, I don't want you to endure things alone when trouble arises. We are best friends..." Mu Ran stood elegantly beside the SY artists, her posture graceful yet possessing an imposing aura. Her fox-like eyes, crinkled with a smile, scrutinized the curious An Lan. Her gaze finally settled on An Lan's neck. "Are you and Gu Xiao...?"

Even though she had been hypnotized, fragments of memory concerning those around her surfaced in Mu Ran’s mind from time to time. Something had definitely happened between An Lan and Gu Xiao. Gu Xiao had just messaged her asking her to comfort An Lan, but Mu Ran had no idea what had transpired between them. Why did An Lan need comforting?

She watched as the woman’s expression suddenly darkened. An Lan glanced at the artists nearby, and they, being tactful, stepped back to give the two women space.

"Xiao Ran, I know you aren't fully hypnotized. Your willpower is incredibly strong. But please, don't get involved in my affairs." An Lan’s voice was laced with grievance and anger; she did not want to hear the name "Gu Xiao" from anyone.

"Fine. But if you feel wronged, tell me. I’ll settle the score for you." Mu Ran’s tone was authoritative. She didn't want any entanglement between Gu Xiao and An Lan because a fragment of memory in her mind depicted their future: Gu Xiao crippled, and An Lan engaged to another man. Though they moved in the same circles, they were worlds apart.

"Xiao Ran, is there any way to forget someone?" An Lan was silent for a moment before looking up into Mu Ran’s smiling eyes with a serious expression. She clenched her fists slightly, clearly troubled.

Mu Ran narrowed her eyes, roughly guessing what had happened. Gu Xiao must have taken advantage of An Lan and then refused to take responsibility.

"Yes," Mu Ran replied. She didn't know why she was so certain she could help An Lan forget him.

"I don't want to be hypnotized." An Lan’s sharp yet restrained gaze remained fixed on the live set as she whispered, "Gu Xiao doesn't love me. I want to forget him, but I don't want to be hypnotized."

"The 'Forget-Me-Not' fragrance." Mu Ran gracefully reached out to stroke An Lan’s rigid back, soothing her until her body finally relaxed. "Once the livestream ends, I’ll ask Gu Xiao to go skiing. You come along, and I will help you."

An Lan didn't doubt Mu Ran for a second. She nodded and offered a dry, forced smile. She didn't know what the 'Forget-Me-Not' fragrance was, but she hoped it could truly help her let go of the man who had been etched into her heart since her youth.

Just then, the host of the livestream invited Mu Ran onto the stage.

"President Mu, the PK topic chosen by President Li is—singing and dancing. Each group will select one artist to compete. The song and dance style are of their choosing."

Gang Studio had already fielded a male singer-dancer, who stood on the stage brimming with confidence and raw energy. His name was Ji An. He had significant online popularity, having participated in a well-known national male idol survival show. He was highly skilled and had ranked well, though he hadn't made the final debut. Ji An was fiercely competitive; he looked down at the ten SY artists from the stage, his eyes filled with undisguised disdain. He had heard that SY focused primarily on actors, with very few singers or dancers.

The host prompted, "President Mu, please select an artist to accept the challenge."

Mu Ran glanced at Ji An. An icy, chilling aura radiated from her, and her beautiful face remained impassive. Sensing a cold, terrifying gaze upon him, Ji An shuddered involuntarily; a chill ran down his spine, and he tempered his look of contempt.

"I choose Yi Yang to compete."

The SY artists on the stage all turned to look at a young girl standing in the very corner. Their eyes were filled with disbelief and even pity. Yi Yang was the most recent artist to sign with SY; she was still in her senior year of high school, plain in appearance, and seemingly devoid of singing or dancing talent. Since everyone had met her, she had always worn thick black-rimmed glasses and a heavy hairstyle that obscured her features.

"Yi Yang, are you sure you can do this? Would you like me to go in your place?" The trembling girl bowed her head, afraid to look at the blinding stage lights and the cameras. She was timid and shy; this was her first time facing such a crowd, and soon she would have to sing and dance for hundreds of thousands of viewers. She couldn't imagine it, and she didn't dare step onto the stage.

A beautiful girl with an elegant aura standing next to Yi Yang gently nudged her shoulder, offering a faint smile. "Yi Yang, did you hear me? If you're afraid, I can go for you." Beneath her smile, the girl’s eyes flickered with impatience. Of all the SY artists, she disliked this talentless Yi Yang the most. Why did President Mu choose her first? They shared an artist apartment, and she had never noticed Yi Yang having any talent. The other artists were all speculating why President Mu had personally signed her.

"President Mu, let me take the challenge instead of Yi Yang."

An Lan walked over, gesturing for the cameraman to move away. She sneered at the girl who was trying to steal the spotlight. "President Mu has her reasons for choosing Yi Yang. Why are you meddling in business that isn't yours?"

The girl, stung by the cold rebuke, pursed her lips and lowered her head, not daring to speak. "I just thought Yi Yang looked too nervous. I was doing it for the company."

An Lan rolled her eyes and pulled her aside, whispering a warning. "Mind your own business. If I catch you pulling any useless stunts or forming cliques in SY, you'll be out the door immediately!"

The girl trembled, her legs weak as if she might collapse. But with so many people around and the cameras rolling, she couldn't let anyone look down on her or laugh at her. "I understand, President An."

An Lan gave a disdainful snort and turned to Yi Yang. She patted the girl’s shoulder with an encouraging smile. "Don't be nervous. I believe in you—not just because I think you're great, but because President Mu does too."

An Lan’s gentle, smiling voice calmed the girl's racing heart. "Go on up. President Mu is waiting for you."

Yi Yang’s weak expression gradually hardened with resolve. She bit her lip, nodded at An Lan, and then looked up at Mu Ran, who was watching them from the stage. Yi Yang was petite, and when she stood next to Mu Ran, she was a full head shorter.

"Yi Yang, please, just relax. Since I signed you to SY, I must have seen your potential. Dance whatever you want, and don't worry about winning or losing." Mu Ran looked down, her shining fox-like eyes fixed on Yi Yang’s earnest face.

A series of images regarding Yi Yang’s future flashed through her mind. In the future, Yi Yang would become an incredibly talented singer-dancer who would break through all boundaries. The girl was exceptionally gifted; as long as she was given the spotlight, she would surely shine with brilliant radiance. However, her future ended tragically. In the vision, Yi Yang hadn't signed with SY, but with Zhaoyang Films. There, the girl had been reduced to a toy for the capital. Her brilliance had lasted only a few months before she faded away due to the company's dark dealings.

Mu Ran didn't know why these visions of the future flashed in her mind, but she believed that if she gave Yi Yang a chance, she would rise to the occasion.

"President Mu, thank you." Yi Yang’s doe-like eyes were filled with gratitude. Her family background was poor, her parents had passed away young, and she had survived on her grandparents' welfare. She had met the cold, beautiful, and ethereal Mu Ran while working part-time at a café. Being a fan, she had recognized her. When Mu Ran offered to sign her to SY, she hadn't believed it—she had no talents and wasn't pretty, so she thought it was a joke. But she had truly entered SY, the leading film and television company in the capital, and was now about to perform for hundreds of thousands of people.

Mu Ran was her guardian angel.