A Baffling Debut

“Lights, fill in… You over there, move aside, don’t block the camera.”

“Boss, it’s about time. The lines have been checked. No problems.”

“…”

What am I doing?

Aya Tone stood on the stage bathed in spotlight, still holding the microphone the director had handed him.

Ah… (｀・ω・´)

Zoning out…

When you zone out, your mind can’t help but wander to other nonsensical things.

Huanxing Entertainment, an incubator dedicated to creating top-tier stars. Aya Tone vaguely remembered scrolling past a few artists recently who seemed to be under this company’s banner.

Putting aside everything else, their acting skills were absolutely top-notch, evoking an involuntary sense of immersion.

It would take immense experience to bring such artistry to life—nothing achievable in just a day or two.

And also.

The female lead they chose had a contrast that suited Aya Tone’s tastes.

But then again, what was I doing?

He had been holding the microphone for nearly ten minutes now. Everyone else was busy with this and that, leaving him as the only superfluous one?

Standing still, Aya Tone’s thoughts gradually detached from his body, drifting toward some unknown distance.

So boring…

****

Half an hour earlier.

“Now?” Aya Tone mumbled, a dried fish hanging from his mouth, eyes dazed as he chewed unconsciously.

It all happened too suddenly. I’m not ready, man.

Sure, I agreed back then, but it’s been so many days. Can I still back out?

Ah—

The thought of scrolling through my phone one day and seeing my own stupid face…

Wahaha, my brain is trembling.

“Stop acting crazy.”

“Huh?”

Before the white-haired one could react, Fire Finch hoisted him up with one hand, like picking up a little puppy.

She knew Aya Tone’s personality all too well.

He’d agree glibly, then inevitably regret it in a couple of days. If she didn’t force him a little, he might even sneak off when the regret kicked in.

Aya Tone had done that plenty of times.

By the time his feet touched the ground again, he was already in Huanxing Entertainment’s dressing room.

Aya Tone: Someone plays dirty, shipping me by air!

****

“Good work, everyone. Thanks for your hard work.”

The oppressive atmosphere in the recording studio instantly dissipated with Wu Xin’s satisfied acknowledgment.

Aya Tone gradually snapped back to reality amidst the noise.

Is it over?

The whole experience left Aya Tone with only one word — bewilderment!

He had just stood there stupidly, said nothing, and then it was goodbye?

Was showbiz money really this easy to make?

Aya Tone felt like he had discovered a new continent. No wonder so many people fought tooth and nail to break into this circle.

So profitable…

“Director Wu, that’s it?”

Wu Xin, completely focused on the playback, suddenly felt a poke at his back. Anger flared up instantly.

But when his eyes landed on the figure in black, the fire in his belly died out immediately.

Hoisting his nearly two-hundred-pound frame, he scrambled up from his chair, bowing and scraping obsequiously. “Is there something you need, my lord?”

“What do I need to do?”

Meeting Aya Tone’s deep-set eyes, Wu Xin felt for a moment like he was being stared down by a monster. His voice lost its momentum.

“You’ve already done perfectly. With my years of filming experience, your acting can rival the best actors. The Oscar statuette was practically custom-made for you…”

Listening to Wu Xin’s endless flattery, Aya Tone couldn’t help but rub his nose in embarrassment.

“It was nothing, really…”

“No, no, no, you mustn’t sell yourself short. On this stage, you are the brightest star, you…”

Wu Xin’s praise was over the top. If Aya Tone had a tail, it would be wagging wildly by now.

Watching Aya Tone float away, Wu Xin slowly wiped the smile off his face. “What are you all staring at? If you don’t want to work, get lost!”

At the director’s outburst, the gossip-loving staff didn’t dare to linger for the conclusion.

They scattered in all directions, afraid that a moment’s delay would make them the target of his anger, and then they’d get their pay docked for no reason.

But their eyes still honestly followed the spot where Aya Tone had left.

Ah, these Z国人, always so fond of a spectacle.

…

“President?” As soon as they stepped out of the recording room, Fire Finch smiled and scooped Aya Tone into her arms.

“Wuwuwu!” Damn! I’m dying…

This Aya fellow didn’t know when he was well off, struggling frantically to free himself from the abyss.

How infuriating!

Careless, I didn’t dodge!

That sneaky President, launching a surprise attack!

But Aya Tone was a mage. Without using reinforcement magic, how could his physical strength match Fire Finch’s?

After multiple failed attempts to break free, Aya Tone stopped struggling and chose to enjoy it instead.

What’s that saying again?

If life robs you, don’t be sad, because you’ll find that after enduring the initial pain, you’ll feel pretty good later.

Bah!

Good my ass!

Seeing his soul about to leave his body, driven by a strong will to survive, Aya Tone channeled his inner magic, covering his skin with a repulsion spell.

Fire Finch, caught off guard, was sent flying towards the wall by the repulsive force.

“Phew, phew, phew…” This… is this what freedom feels like?

Finally able to breathe, a tear of happiness escaped the corner of Aya Tone’s eye as he marveled at how good it was to be alive…

…

That night.

Aya Tone, phone in hand, crept into the living room like a thief, only after Aya Jiu had gone to sleep.

During dinner, Wu Xin had sent him the first cut, but with Aya Jiu around, he hadn’t opened it right away.

“Why not just tell Little Jiu earlier? Watching a video at home all secretive—people would think you’re watching some kind of adult film.”

“I don’t want to talk to you.” Aya Tone leaned back on the sofa, ignoring the voice behind him.

“Still mad?” Fire Finch flipped over the sofa back and landed next to him with a sly grin. Her body leaned in slowly, just a finger’s width away from touching him.

“…” Aya Tone silently scooted his butt away, carefully distancing himself from Fire Finch.

Too close—if something went off by accident, it wouldn’t be good.

Pushing the unhealthy thoughts out of his mind, he tapped on the video, not noticing the change in Fire Finch’s expression beside him.

The spotlight pierced the darkness like a silver pillar. In the silence, a white-haired girl stood alone at the center of the stage.

Her fluffy silver hair was like clouds of moonlight, loosely tied at the back of her head, with a few strands falling at her neck, trembling with each breath.

A plain white gauze dress trailed on the floor, the hem embroidered with faint silver stars that shimmered under the lights.

The girl lifted her head slightly, her glass-colored pupils reflecting the sea of lights, her hands clasped over her chest like a flower bud awaiting dawn.

Mm, beautiful.

As expected of me.

Aya Tone thought shamelessly to himself.

When the first note broke free from the phone’s constraints, Aya Tone’s mind went completely blank.

The hand holding the phone trembled slightly.

The singing was sometimes as clear as cracking glaciers, sometimes as lingering as morning mist.

So beautiful, so beautiful that…

“Is this really me?”

Even if the King of Heaven came down, that voice in the video was not me!

Because!

I’m tone-deaf! I can’t sing at all!

In this regard, Aya Tone had a good sense of self-awareness.