Chapter 1: Rewind

Before going on stage, Chris Bolton listens to the captain and his teammates talking.

“Everyone, be mentally prepared. This time... we’re innocent victims.”

They are all idol trainees from "Dream Youth 307." Before competing, each had at least two years of training at their respective companies. Their skills were among the best, and they had a real shot at debuting—until the boss’s own son, Evelyn Clark, joined the show.

To be fair, Evelyn Clark is a legend in the talent show world. Halfway through the competition, he started dating a mentor, often flirted with other male contestants, and his various CPs (couple pairings) were hyped to the max. With the marketing team’s efforts, even before the show ended, his CP-driven money-making tactics had taken the industry by storm.

The team behind Evelyn Clark took CP marketing to the extreme.

People seek higher ground, water flows downward. The top singer-dancer, the rap king, and the main dancer—all originally promised to join their team—suddenly switched to Evelyn Clark’s team. Their own team’s strength took a huge hit, and the last-minute replacements weren’t very popular. With little time to rehearse, this performance was bound to go badly.

Shawn Carter comforted the captain: “Mr. Thompson, it’s okay. We knew we’d have to face things like this when we entered this industry.”

The real pity was Chris Bolton.

He glanced discreetly at the aloof young man leaning against the wall, eyes downcast, and felt a pang of regret.

Chris Bolton was one of the most promising contestants. With striking features and a pair of cool, phoenix-like eyes, plus a naturally cold aura, he was the undisputed visual of this season.

Not only that, he was the only contestant who stunned everyone with his rock vocals. He practiced singing until his lungs hurt. Yesterday, he rehearsed with the team first, then danced solo for eight hours—his dedication was astonishing.

Unfortunately, no amount of effort could beat marketing. As things stood, Evelyn Clark’s team was set to take all the debut spots. Chris Bolton’s fans worked hard, pushing him close to debut, but he was always just a few dozen votes short—anyone in the know could see the manipulation.

Why? Because Chris Bolton refused to play the CP game, turned down Evelyn Clark’s invitation, and even punched the young boss of Tianteng Entertainment when things got physical.

He had no scandals, but after this show, Chris Bolton would be put on ice.

At this moment, Evelyn Clark’s team had finished performing. It was their turn to go on. Chris Bolton stood on the lift with his head down. As his line of sight rose, several handsome young men stood with their backs to the audience, poised on stage.

The lights shifted. The moment the music started, Chris Bolton turned around, eyes sharp, and belted out a soaring high note. His brilliant metallic voice sent chills down the listeners’ spines.

Their song was an intense dance track, but after the captain’s rearrangement, it demanded a lot from the lead singer. If performed well, it could be truly stunning.

Wow, this guy hasn’t slept in almost 20 hours, and he can still explode with this kind of energy!

The teammates were fired up, each giving their all to deliver a spectacular show for the audience.

Chris Bolton was exhausted, but he was also enjoying himself.

The blinding lights made him feel hot, and the cheers of countless people filled his ears, lifting his spirits higher and higher.

Ever since losing his family, he often felt trapped in loneliness. In the end, he could only pour all those negative emotions into his performances.

He loved singing, loved dancing, and loved hearing fans call his name—especially when their eyes were only on him. That was when he felt he wasn’t alone.

Sadly, this joyful journey was about to end, so he had to burn even brighter, to make the ending less regretful!

A guitar solo kicked in—it was time for the group’s powerful dance.

He wasn’t standing at the front, but the force of his movements, the expressiveness of his body, his aggressive expression, and the flying beads of sweat made it impossible for anyone to look away.

In this moment, he was the king of the stage!

At the end of the performance, Chris Bolton stood at the front of the group, full of reluctance. He pressed the microphone and forced a smile.