Chapter One: My World Has Already Fallen Apart, and Only Now Do You Arrive?

Parallel world. Blue Star.

On what was supposed to be an ordinary weekend, the entire internet was turned upside down. Weibo crashed. Douyin lagged. Bilibili, WeChat, Little Red Book, Zhihu—almost every social platform boiled over. All for one reason: the hottest young idol in the current entertainment industry, Wang Mo, had fallen from grace!

Such a huge event was no less than an earthquake. Even offline, ordinary people could be heard discussing it everywhere:

“Done for?”
“Absolutely done for, beyond repair—this is catastrophic.”
“Oh my, he was the most popular idol! And just like that, he’s gone.”
“My brother is gone... sob sob.”

In the Huaxia entertainment world, Wang Mo was nothing short of a miracle. In just three years since his debut, he had risen from obscurity to become the top star. Over sixty million followers on Weibo. His pay per project had broken the hundred-million mark. His popularity eclipsed even the superstars, and his fame was unrivaled for a time.

But this very figure, after last night’s variety show aired, plummeted from the heights to the dust in a single night.

At 8 p.m. last night, Mango TV aired its flagship variety show, “The Lives of the Brothers.” The show broke all viewership records as soon as it started. Its popularity only grew by the minute.

On the program, the brothers were engaged in a knowledge challenge. When the topic turned to heroes who resisted the Jin invaders, the artist before Wang Mo blurted out, “Yue Meng!” Wang Mo laughed loudly: “That’s Yue Fei, what’s with Yue Meng? Does that mean Yue Fei is fierce? Haha!”

This single remark set the internet ablaze. Because although this world was nearly identical to Wang Mo’s previous one, there was no Yue Fei—only Yue Meng, the renowned anti-Jin general.

Had their PR handled it well, it would have been a mere issue of common knowledge, nothing serious. After all, the average celebrity in the entertainment industry had a cultural education no higher than fifth grade, so Wang Mo’s ignorance of Yue Meng was hardly unusual.

But! Wang Mo’s popularity was too overwhelming. His fame made every other entertainment company jealous to the point of hatred. As the saying goes: the bird that sticks out gets shot.

Thus, after the broadcast, several major entertainment companies joined forces behind the scenes, seizing the opportunity to amplify the incident:

[Insulting a national hero]
[Terrible behavior and attitude]
[Not ashamed, but proud]
[Huaxia heroes cannot be mocked or ridiculed]

Marketing accounts flooded the internet with these slogans, instantly triggering a frenzy of public opinion. Netizens raged, fans turned against him. Even with Wang Mo’s company working full force to salvage him, it was too late.

Especially as the situation escalated, the official media stepped in to comment: “National heroes are symbols of Huaxia’s spirit. Their names must not be mistaken, much less mocked or humiliated. This is the bottom line for any Huaxia citizen. Celebrities must set a good example; otherwise, they lack the virtue for their position.”

Lack the virtue for their position! With those four words from the official media, Wang Mo was toppled from his throne.

Overnight, Mango TV urgently pulled “The Lives of the Brothers” from its schedule. All shows, films, events, and advertisements involving Wang Mo were axed.

The sky had collapsed.

...

Magic City, Yunhai Media Headquarters.

Wang Mo, the man at the center of it all, returned in a hurry by company van. He wore a deeply troubled expression.

Damn it... Who would have guessed that just after crossing over, he’d run into this mess, ending up in the body of a disgraced idol.

Searching through his memories, he found that his predecessor’s experience was indeed miraculous. Thanks to his outstanding looks, he was scouted by a talent agent in his sophomore year, setting him on a meteoric rise to stardom.

Even the original Wang Mo didn’t know what notable works he had, yet he somehow became a top star. After all, looks were justice!

Previously, he’d despised the so-called “little fresh meat” idols. Who would have thought he’d become one himself?

To borrow a not entirely apt phrase: the dragon slayer ultimately became the evil dragon.

And to be honest, it felt pretty good. No effort required. You could earn lying down—who wouldn’t want that?

Originally, Wang Mo thought he would spend his life in useless luxury. But who could have foreseen this sudden disaster? Unable to cope, the original simply expired.

“Sigh...”

After merging with his memories, Wang Mo sighed again. The original was truly something else—ruined by a single sentence.

But come to think of it: how did the original know of Yue Fei? Was he also a transmigrator? Yet Wang Mo found no related memories.

How odd.

It felt as if some supreme will was orchestrating everything.

Nearby, his agent Yuan Xiong, seeing Wang Mo sighing, patted his shoulder in comfort: “Don’t be too upset. When it comes to brand termination compensations, you’ll be even more upset.”

Wang Mo glanced at Yuan Xiong.

Thanks for the comfort.

Half an hour later, the company held an emergency meeting. The result came quickly: If the official media hadn’t intervened, there might still be hope. But with the official media declaring Wang Mo lacked virtue for his position, his chances of a comeback were almost zero.

He was finished, utterly finished.

As soon as the outcome was announced, the way people at the company looked at him changed dramatically.

Wang Mo had lost his value.

Some pitied him.

Some despised him.

Some mocked him.

Some reveled in his misfortune.

It was Wang Mo’s first taste of the world’s malice, but he couldn’t just walk away in a rage. After all, his contract with the company still had several years left.

If he tried to leave, the penalty fees would crush him—the cost of breach was so high he couldn’t pay it off even working nonstop for twenty-four hours.

But if he stayed, what could he do?

Yuan Xiong approached and said quietly, “The higher-ups just told me you’re unlikely to appear before the public anytime soon—not even in third or fourth-tier cities. Otherwise, the company won’t be able to handle the backlash. The plan is for you to work behind the scenes until the storm blows over, and then we’ll find a way to bring you back.”

“Behind the scenes?” Wang Mo said in surprise.

He quickly realized what this meant.

The company intended to freeze him out.

Sending a former top star behind the scenes was tantamount to killing his future in show business.

He’d be left to rot behind the scenes.

Crossing over only to be shelved—he really had the luck of a dog.

Yuan Xiong consoled him again: “Don’t worry, it’s just a temporary measure, not permanent.

First, it lets you avoid the heat.

Second, it frees the company’s hands for PR.

I’ll do my best to clear the negative press and bring you back to the public stage. Not just me—the company will pull every string. You were once our top star; the company won’t give up on you.”

Wang Mo didn’t even have the strength to nod.

He’d heard the same words at least ten times in the past few hours.

At first, he really believed he had a chance to return to the top and enjoy the life of a superstar—making the crossing worthwhile.

But gradually, he realized it was impossible.

Unless the company dared to defy the official media and forcibly restore his reputation, everything else was meaningless.

Forget it, whatever happens, happens.

Unfortunately, the money the original earned barely covered his expenses. Just last month, he’d bought a standalone villa and would have to sell it immediately to stop the losses. Otherwise, the monthly mortgage of tens of thousands would crush him.

Many thought the original, with earnings in the hundreds of millions, must have made at least nine figures in three years.

But only after merging memories did Wang Mo realize, the original had barely received over twenty million in hand. The rest was taken by the company, the team, and all sorts of others.

That twenty million was just enough for the villa’s down payment.

“Damn it, couldn’t you have left yourself a way out? Twenty million, even left in the bank would have been enough to retire!”

Wang Mo grumbled internally.

Just as he was cursing in his heart, a voice suddenly echoed in his mind:

[Entertainment System initializing...]

“System?” Wang Mo nearly cried out in joy. Finally, it had arrived!

But the next second, he wanted to cry.

He was already disgraced, about to be shelved.

What use was it now?

[Entertainment System shutting down...]

???

Father!

Wang Mo’s face turned green, and he immediately tried his last resort.

[Entertainment System starting...]

[10%... 20%... 80%... 100%. Congratulations, host, you have bound the Entertainment System. This system will do its utmost to make you the top star of Blue Star’s entertainment industry.]

Wang Mo asked, “The same kind of top star as the original?”

[No! This system means a true top star—360 degrees flawless, impervious to any rumors or slander. Not the kind of bubble that pops with a single poke.]

Oh?

Wang Mo was intrigued.

After a pause, he asked, “But my reputation is ruined. Is it still possible to return to the top?”

System: [The great writer Lu Xun once said: Everything is possible.]

Then, a transparent blue screen appeared before Wang Mo’s eyes:

[Name: Wang Mo]
[Age: 22]
[Height: 179 cm]
[Appearance: 90]
[Reputation: -12,600,931]
[Items: None]
[Lottery: None]
[Shop: Not yet available]
[Novice task: Enter the company’s composition department. Upon completion, receive a Bronze Treasure Chest *1]

“My height is 1.8 meters, thank you very much,” Wang Mo muttered inwardly.

Height matters—a single millimeter can’t be wrong.

There were no men in this world with heights of 169 or 179!

System: [Height confirmed.]

Slap!

Wang Mo’s face stung.

Fortunately, his high appearance score of 90 offered a bit of comfort.

But then he saw the reputation bar.

Wang Mo’s vision went black, nearly vomiting blood.

Negative twelve million in reputation?

Was that even possible?

Even more heartbreaking, the reputation was dropping fast—at this rate, negative twenty million was within reach.

Only after seeing the novice task did his resentment gradually ease.

“I have to enter the composition department?”

Wang Mo was a bit surprised—the task was far too simple, and completing it would grant a bronze treasure chest.

Clearly, this was the system’s newbie gift.

While he pondered, Yuan Xiong spoke:

“Think it over—which department would you like to join?”

Originally, Wang Mo didn’t care. No matter the department, he’d just be dead weight. But seeing the system’s task, he blurted out, “Composition department.”

Yuan Xiong nodded, thinking nothing of it.

As his agent, he knew Wang Mo’s abilities well: aside from looks, there was nothing.

So it made no difference which department he joined—it was just a formality.

“All right, I’ll take you to the composition department now.”

With that, Yuan Xiong led the way toward the company’s composition department.

Wang Mo responded quietly and followed behind.