Chapter 11

At this moment, an anxious and agitated voice came from outside: "What are you doing, what are you doing, do you all want to quit? How dare you block Mr. Mao's way, I'll make you all pack up and leave if you don't believe me."

The voice of Wang Wen, the producer and director, rang out, and everyone scattered at once.

Wang Wen was already powerful as a producer, and if he also served as the director, he could be said to have the entire competition under his control.

As for Zhao An, he didn't care much about the competition and was only listed as an artistic director to repay a favor to the Beijing TV station. Therefore, no one dared to ignore Wang Wen's words.

At this moment, a bald, middle-aged, fat man walked over, smiling and said, "George, don't be angry. We made thorough arrangements. This was just an unexpected incident. The dancers are just warming up, and the contestants are still getting their makeup done. There's still some time before the competition starts. Please, Mr. Mao, go rest. I guarantee no one will disturb you. If they do, I'll be the first to kick them out."

George seemed very satisfied with the high-handed response and grunted, gesturing for Mao DuoDuo to go ahead.

Just as Mao DuoDuo and the others were about to enter the dressing room, a woman wearing sunglasses and with long, flowing hair turned around. Seeing Ye Ming, she looked as if she had discovered a new continent and swayed her snake-like waist over.

She looked Ye Ming up and down and then said, "It really is you, Ye Ming. I didn't expect it. You've fallen so low. Thirty years on the east bank, thirty years on the west bank. It seems you couldn't even last three years. Tsk tsk, pitiful."

Ye Ming carefully examined the provocatively dressed woman, and a surge of anger rose in his heart. Su Xiuxiu, his girlfriend, or rather, his ex-girlfriend.

Moreover, Ye Ming was only a nominal boyfriend, a part of a publicity stunt.

Because she had climbed the social ladder, she decisively broke up with Ye Ming last year. After the breakup, she even called Ye Ming a Chen Shiming, accusing him of abandoning her.

Everyone has their own aspirations, and Ye Ming couldn't say much about it. But Su Xiuxiu had a very poor character. In the past, she often used Ye Ming as a negative example, saying he was lazy and ungrateful.

It seemed that stepping on Ye Ming was a source of pleasure for Su Xiuxiu.

Ye Ming had never seen anyone hold a grudge like she did. Every time Su Xiuxiu released an album or appeared in a movie or TV show, she would use Ye Ming for publicity.

Later, Ye Ming gradually understood that Su Xiuxiu didn't want to recall her days as an extra or her relationship with Ye Ming. So, whenever she thought of it, she would step on him.

Because of her intense fear of those memories, she found pleasure in stepping on Ye Ming.

Mao DuoDuo walked over, took off his glasses, and said, "Xiuxiu, what's going on? Did you run into an old acquaintance?"

Su Xiuxiu smiled flatteringly and said, "Mao Mao, this Ye Ming is no ordinary person. He was heavily promoted by Xinghua Film and even trained in Hong Kong for half a year. Unfortunately, Xinghua Film went bankrupt, and I don't know how he managed to get into this competition. You should take good care of my friend."

A cold light flashed in Mao DuoDuo's eyes, and then he said with a warm smile, "Training in Hong Kong, I remember. They even wanted me to be a teacher, but I was busy at the time and didn't agree. Don't worry, since he's your friend, I'll take good care of him."

Everyone could feel the tension in the air.

In an instant, almost all the contestants subconsciously avoided Ye Ming, as if associating with him would bring bad luck.

As Mao DuoDuo entered the private dressing room with a cold expression, the corridor became lively again.

But at this moment, everyone intentionally ignored Ye Ming, as if he were invisible and didn't exist.

This was the influence of a top-tier star. If he wanted to step on someone, a word or even a look or expression would have countless people follow him, ruthlessly stepping on that person.

Mao DuoDuo clearly had such power.

With one word, the scales of victory began to tip, and Ye Ming was instantly isolated.

But Chen Xi comforted Ye Ming without a care, saying, "Forget it, forget it. Mao DuoDuo is really petty. He seems so kind on stage, but I didn't expect him to be so petty off stage. He's clearly trying to suppress you. I can't believe I liked him so much."

She pouted angrily and stuffed her autograph book into her backpack, looking like a little girl who had lost her favorite toy.

This was nothing. There was once an actress who was rumored to have a scandal with the lead actor on a set. As a result, she was blacklisted by the lead actor's wife for three years and didn't get any roles.

That was for an unverified rumor, and she was blacklisted for three years.

However, Ye Ming also felt unlucky. He had offended a judge for no reason, which made it dangerous to achieve a good score, and even being eliminated in the preliminary round was a possibility.

As a top-tier star, Mao DuoDuo would not cause a rift with the TV station over suppressing a newcomer. Therefore, the one who would be sacrificed was Ye Ming.

Thinking about this, Ye Ming said helplessly, "I'm just a victim of circumstance, Xixi. You're also here to participate in the competition. This outfit won't do. If possible, find a performance costume quickly. Otherwise, you'll be eliminated in the first round."

Fortunately, everyone was intentionally isolating them, so no one heard what Song Jun said.

Chen Xi was very dejected, resting her chin in her hands and staring blankly at the ceiling, saying, "Boring, boring. I came here to chase stars, but I was pushed away. Actually, let me tell you a secret."

She looked around to make sure no one was paying attention and then said with a sly smile, "I'm not here to participate in the competition. I'm here to chase stars. I went through a lot of trouble to find an acquaintance and pretend to be part of the makeup team to get in. But now it's boring, really boring."

Soon, even the TV station staff knew that Mao DuoDuo wanted to step on Ye Ming. Therefore, they looked at Ye Ming with pity. A newcomer who offended a top-tier star like Mao DuoDuo was courting disaster.

During the draw, the staff member walked straight to Ye Ming with a knowing smile and said, "Ye Ming, right? It's your turn to draw. But you don't need to. You're the first one. Quickly send your accompaniment over. You're up soon."

If it were a gala, the opening and closing acts would be performed by important guests, which would be good positions.

But for a competition, being the first to perform was not a good position.

Because the judges are fresh and alert, they tend to be more critical. Any slight mistake could mean a failed performance.

Moreover, the first performer faces the most pressure and is the most likely to be nervous, which is a significant challenge for a newcomer. This was one of Mao DuoDuo's ways of suppressing Ye Ming, and he didn't even need to say anything; the TV station staff would help him.

Not many first performers achieve good results.

However, the staff member was clearly disappointed. Ye Ming showed no disappointment and calmly sent his accompaniment over.

Soon, the judges arrived, and the competition officially began. Ye Ming, dressed in a tuxedo, waited backstage for the host to finish the opening remarks.

At this moment, Su Xiuxiu walked over as if guided by fate, gloating, "How does it feel, Ye Ming, to be suppressed? You think you can turn things around just because you trained in Hong Kong for half a year? To do well in the competition, you need connections. Do you know what number I am? Number five. You're really pitiful. Why don't you beg me? Maybe you'll pass the preliminary round. Otherwise, it's hard to say."

Ye Ming looked at Su Xiuxiu calmly and said, "That's your true feelings, isn't it? I don't know how you managed to get close to Mao DuoDuo, but let me give you a piece of advice: those who do evil will eventually destroy themselves. It's better to do good."

This wasn't just talk. Ye Ming knew very well that Mao DuoDuo was eventually assassinated because of his involvement in a case.

It was said that one of his close male friends was behind the case. After that, Mao DuoDuo's image plummeted, and he never recovered. In China, unlike in some foreign countries, even if an artist comes out, their career is often severely affected.

Even in 2014, no artist in the industry dared to come out.

From that period, Mao DuoDuo almost completely withdrew from the entertainment industry. Although he didn't officially announce his retirement, he was no longer a legend in the industry.

All that remained were scattered rumors and jokes.

Ye Ming was sure that Su Xiuxiu wouldn't believe him, so he spoke frankly.

Sure enough, upon hearing Ye Ming's words, Su Xiuxiu's face darkened, her eyebrows furrowed, and she said coldly, "You don't know when to die. If our Mao Mao wants to get rid of you, it's like playing a game. Fine, I'll watch you get eliminated in the preliminary round and go back to being an extra. You're only worth ten yuan a day."

After Su Xiuxiu left, Chen Xi popped up from somewhere, laughing, "Your friend is so fierce. It seems you've offended her a lot, or she wouldn't hate you so much."

Ye Ming said mysteriously, "She's not my friend. She's my ex-girlfriend. Do you believe me?"

Chen Xi shook her head, laughing, not believing a word Ye Ming said.

At this moment, Ye Ming said, "She's a publicity friend. We were in the same company, and the rumors were all her doing. It had nothing to do with me."

At the time, even if Ye Ming had wanted to pursue Su Xiuxiu, she wouldn't have given him a second glance. As an extra who had just signed with Xinghua Film, it was impossible for him to pursue her.