Chapter One

When agent William Thompson walked into the living room, the TV screen was playing gossip news, with the media vividly speculating about Pineapple Media’s next move.

This year, Pineapple Media’s game-themed variety show had excellent ratings. Anyone with a discerning eye could see the show was designed for veterans to bring up newcomers; besides the popular main guests, there were several new faces from Pineapple Media.

After the first season ended, the newcomers’ popularity rose to varying degrees. Rumor had it that, due to the enthusiastic audience response, Pineapple was considering having some of them form a group.

It was at this time that a piece of news broke: among the newcomers, the one criticized by the media as a “pretty face” and also the most popular, Samuel Parker, turned out to be the biological son of veteran film and music star Henry Carter, named jesse.

Although Henry Carter’s son was rarely exposed to the public, a few childhood photos had surfaced. When compared, some people slapped their foreheads: they really do look alike!

Previously, there was already much controversy due to the contrast between Samuel Parker’s looks and his performance. He had neither a variety show presence nor any special skills; the only talent he’d shown on the program was singing and playing the piano. As for his level? Some busybodies went around interviewing other celebrities for their opinions on his performance. The notoriously sharp-tongued lead singer of the Guanshan Band, Edward Bolton, even delivered a golden line: “I’ve heard him. He’s really good-looking.”

Coincidentally, Henry Carter had been nicknamed a “pretty vase” since his youth, also considered someone who “sings by virtue of his looks.” Now, the media joked: no wonder Samuel Parker turned out this way—it’s all in the genes.

Soon, rumors spread that the whole show was just a vehicle to promote Samuel Parker, with the other newcomers merely there as foils. As for whether Samuel Parker would join the group, there was much speculation.

Some claimed Samuel Parker’s looks were too outstanding, and Henry Carter wanted his son to go solo. After all, many viewers said they didn’t care about Samuel Parker’s wooden personality—they’d be happy just to watch him sit there in a daze.

Others said that aside from his face, Samuel Parker had nothing going for him, unlike his colleagues who each had their own strengths. He had no variety sense, and putting him in the group would be jarring; Pineapple’s higher-ups weren’t keen on letting him join.

But regardless of which version, everyone agreed on one thing: Samuel Parker’s looks were top-notch.

……

William Thompson turned off the TV and pondered for a moment.

jesse’s face truly couldn’t be described with just the word “good-looking.” Without that face, given how uninteresting he came across, even as Henry Carter’s son, it would’ve been a stretch for him to get on that show.

He inherited a quarter of his Western blood from his mother. With black hair and black eyes, he looked classically handsome in an Eastern way at first glance, and his build was slender. But his deep-set eyes and thick, long, curly lashes gave him a hint of Western charm—even his lower lashes were astonishingly long. Being stared at by those eyes for more than five seconds could easily make one’s breath quicken.

Right now, he was using those very eyes to look at William Thompson with a hint of inquiry, as if wondering about William Thompson’s purpose.

“I came to check on you. Have you been resting well these past few days? You suddenly fainted before, and they couldn’t even find the cause. Don’t stay up late anymore—so many young people are dying suddenly from overwork these days.” William Thompson said earnestly.

After a pause, glancing at the now-turned-off TV, William Thompson continued, “Also, Xiao Jiang, I know you don’t want to rely on your mom or be labeled, but your relationship will come out sooner or later. You really don’t need to feel so burdened. In a few days, no one will care anymore. In the end, whether the audience remembers you depends on yourself. Don’t be so stubborn.”

William Thompson was Henry Carter’s agent, and after Samuel Parker’s identity was revealed, he simply took over Samuel Parker’s work as well. Henry Carter was rather thick-skinned and had even joked, “What’s wrong with being like your mom?” This only made Samuel Parker more dissatisfied.

Samuel Parker nodded. “You’re right.”

William Thompson was stunned for a moment, a bit surprised by this reaction. It sounded like agreement, but it was so unlike Xiao Jiang’s usual personality. He hesitated and said, “So, for Yiwei’s concert the day after tomorrow, should I save you a seat?”

He’d mentioned it before, but at that time Samuel Parker was afraid of being photographed and having people guess things, so he hadn’t agreed.

Now, Samuel Parker nodded again and said easily, “Sure.”

Only then did William Thompson take a closer look at Samuel Parker, and felt that after just a few days, Samuel Parker was still the same Samuel Parker, but his demeanor seemed much more mature and clear-headed.

Could it be that being ill, plus the recent public pressure, had made him grow up?

“That’s good.” William Thompson patted Samuel Parker on the shoulder. “Get some rest. I’m looking for scripts for you, and I’ve already got some leads.”

Samuel Parker indeed wouldn’t be joining Pineapple Media’s group, but there wasn’t as much behind-the-scenes drama as outsiders guessed. From the start, he himself had no interest in debuting as part of a group—or rather, he just wasn’t suited for teamwork.