Volume One, Chapter 91: He Gave Far Too Much

In the broadcast studio, the audience seats were already filled to capacity. It had to be said, the production team had truly outdone themselves—even the aisles had been put to use, all to squeeze in a few more ticket sales at astronomical prices.

The crowd buzzed with excitement.

“I heard Jiang Yu is coming back as a special guest tonight to perform? After all that drama, is he really coming back?”

“That’s why I paid a fortune for this ticket. If the show tricks me, I’ll storm the place myself!”

“There are posters with his face outside the doors—it can’t be a lie. If it is, the whole team won’t have a peaceful year!”

“Husband, where are you? I’ve been waiting so long!”

In the control room, Yan Ming listened to the cheers echoing from the auditorium and couldn’t help but sigh. The recording hadn’t even started, yet the crowd was already chanting Jiang Yu’s name. In this venue, his fans made up nearly eighty percent of the audience.

Their thunderous cheers drowned out the remaining twenty percent.

Jiang Yu’s rise had been meteoric. He’d started as a greenhorn, but now, even Yan Ming himself had to treat him with respect. Though he wasn’t quite at the level of the top-tier celebrities yet, it was just a matter of time.

Most of the contestants in the waiting area wore bitter expressions. When Jiang Yu had first appeared on the show, he lagged far behind. Yet in just over a month, he had left them in the dust. To say he’d surpassed them was too kind; he’d completely outclassed them.

The show’s taping began.

One by one, contestants took the stage. But the audience’s reactions were lackluster, with only scattered applause. Their eyes were glued to the door where the performers entered, always hoping Jiang Yu would appear next.

Contestants leaving the stage looked even more despondent. Before Jiang Yu’s return, the show’s popularity may have waned, but at least the audience would respond, giving them a bit of confidence. Today, knowing Jiang Yu was present, it felt as though they were mere extras to the crown prince’s drama. No matter how well they performed, they could never eclipse him.

At last, all the contestants had finished singing.

Guo Qiang and Liu Bin were lucky enough to advance once more. Guo Qiang had company backing, but Liu Bin, unsigned and powerless, survived thanks not just to his singing, but also because Yan Ming knew he was friends with Jiang Yu—a favor extended to Jiang Yu.

After all the contestants had performed, the host took the stage, wearing a professional smile. “Ladies and gentlemen, tonight we have a very special final act. This performer has created many legends on this stage. Before he appears, let’s watch a short interview.”

“Jiang Yu! Jiang Yu!”

“He’s really here! Jiang Yu is really here!”

“Husband, how can I live without you?”

As the cheers echoed, Jiang Yu’s image appeared on the giant screen behind the stage.

It was an interview. Even regular guest performers got an interview segment; Jiang Yu, all the more so. Yan Ming truly understood the audience’s expectations. Jiang Yu’s journey—from contestant, to quitting, to returning as a guest—was as sensational as any headline.

In the video, Jiang Yu sat back, looking utterly at ease, not the least bit nervous. Across from him sat the interviewer.

The first questions were the usual softballs, designed to ease the guest in. No matter how unhappy a star might be, or what rivalries they harbored, they’d always utter some platitude for the camera. The more insincere ones might even turn on the tears and offer some words of encouragement. All part of the act.

“Mr. Jiang Yu, welcome back to ‘Two and a Half Years of Idol.’ During your time away, did you ever think of life here on the show?”

Jiang Yu shook his head, answering bluntly, “No.”

The interviewer was taken aback. What kind of answer was that?

Quickly regaining composure, she continued, “Do you feel that the show has helped you reach your current level?”

Jiang Yu looked at her, raising an eyebrow. “On this show, it was either someone picking a fight with me, or me picking one with someone else. You tell me—how did that help me?”

Laughter erupted among the audience.

The interviewer bit her lip, choosing not to probe further—who knew what this wild card might say next? She hurriedly moved on. “Finally, what brought you back to the ‘Two and a Half Years of Idol’ stage? Was it the excellence of the show, or something else?”

Jiang Yu looked at her seriously. “Honestly, I hadn’t planned on coming. After all that happened before, I was done. But your director, old Yan, he offered me way too much to refuse!”

The interviewer was left speechless. No one had expected such a response.

Was that really something you could say on camera?

The audience burst out laughing at Jiang Yu’s deadpan delivery and the interviewer’s barely contained despair.

“Baby, you’re adorable!”

“Look, the interviewer’s about to cry!”

“Hahaha, ‘I didn’t want to come, but he offered me too much!’”

“Sigh, what official could withstand such a test?”

Backstage, Yan Ming was both amused and exasperated. This was what he’d asked for—Jiang Yu’s interview in its entirety. But who could have predicted this? The kid was completely unpredictable.

A crew member looked at Yan Ming. “Director, should we keep this part of the interview in the final cut?”

Yan Ming thought for a moment, then decided to keep it for the broadcast.

On stage, only three mentors remained. The other two seemed unfazed, but Xu Kun, watching the audience’s reaction, looked conflicted. The little kitten he once scorned had grown into a tiger—one neither he nor Star Entertainment could shake.

No, that was wrong. Even as a cub, a tiger is still king of beasts.

The video ended, and the host strolled to center stage, smiling. “I think everyone knows who’s about to perform. Please, let’s hear his name—loud and proud!”

The audience erupted in thunderous applause and cheers.

“Jiang Yu! Jiang Yu!”

“Jiang Yu, your mom loves you!”

“Jiang Yu, I’m spending my husband’s money to support you!”

The voices soared to the rafters.

Amid the roars, Jiang Yu walked out, smiling.

“Hello, my friends! Jiang Yu is back—I’ve missed you all so much!”