Amateur talent show? Top mentors are my students.

After the three public events concluded, the base entered a strange period of vacuum.

The final competition has not yet been announced. Although the lights in the practice building are still on, the music has become much less loud.

Some people were catching up on sleep in the lounge, some were staring blankly at their phones in a corner of the cafeteria, and some were chatting in twos and threes in the corridor, talking about all sorts of things except the stage.

The tension that had been building for so long suddenly eased, and everyone was a little unsure of where to direct their efforts.

But one thing is certain—the production team will not let this period go to waste.

The days leading up to the finals are the prime time for shooting behind-the-scenes footage.

The contestants haven't yet reached the hellish rehearsal intensity of the finals, and their mood is still relaxed.

It's perfect for shooting things like "daily life" and "fun interactions" to be edited into the main video as a transition.

So for the past few days, the base has been filled with photographers carrying cameras, chasing after the contestants to shoot all sorts of footage.

Some people were photographed wolfing down noodles in the cafeteria, some were photographed marching in slippers in the dormitory corridor, and some were photographed squatting and feeding stray cats in the small garden.

The production team even organized a "fun sports meet," with tug-of-war, relay races, and three-legged races. The contestants were divided into four groups and played around on the lawn for the entire afternoon.

He Xu has always kept his distance from such things.

He's alright directing the lighting cameras from behind the control panel, but making him participate in a fun sports meet? He'd be better off just being dead.

But the problem is—after Jiang Yanbai arrived, he couldn't avoid the camera anymore.

This person actually stayed.

He Xu realized this the morning after the third round of competition.

He pushed open the dormitory door, ready to go to the cafeteria for breakfast. When he looked up, he saw Jiang Yanbai leaning against the wall across the corridor, holding a cup of coffee in his hand, standing there lazily.

Good morning, Xiao Xu.

He Xu stared at him for three seconds: "...Why the hell haven't you left yet?"

"Didn't I say I wouldn't leave until the show is over?" Jiang Yanbai straightened up and walked naturally to his side. "Let's go have breakfast."

"I can eat it myself."

"I'll stay with you."

"Need not."

"I'd like to."

He Xu took a deep breath and didn't argue with him.

Because he knew that arguing with Jiang Yanbai about this matter was pointless.

You say one thing and he replies with three; you turn around and walk away, he follows behind; you close the door and he waits at the door. He is completely impervious to reason.

So Jiang Yanbai stayed.

Not only did he stay, he also became the busiest person in the base.

The contestants recognized him, and as if they had discovered some treasure, people surrounded him from morning till night.

"Teacher Jiang! Can I take a picture with you?" A contestant rushed over, phone in hand, his voice brimming with barely suppressed excitement. "I grew up watching your movies! I've watched 'Deep Blue' eight times!"

Jiang Yanbai was walking with He Xu in the corridor when he heard this, so he stopped and smiled politely: "Sure."

He moved closer to the contestant, turned slightly to the side, and gave the camera a professional smile.

The contestant's fingers were shaking as he pressed the shutter button, and he thanked everyone repeatedly after taking the picture, practically floating away.

He Xu stood two steps away, arms crossed, watching the scene with a blank expression.

After that person left, another one came.

Then came the third, the fourth, and the fifth.

"Teacher Jiang! I especially love your rendition of 'A Couple'!"

"Mr. Jiang, could you please sign my album cover? Is that alright?"

"Teacher Jiang, you're even more handsome in person than in the movies!"

Jiang Yanbai accepts all comers.

He would take photos with people, sign autographs, and even have people sing his songs in front of him. He would listen with a smile and say, "You sang well, but it would be even better if you could stabilize the high notes a little more."

Her smile was warm and friendly, and her demeanor was elegant and composed, showing absolutely no airs of a big star.

But He Xu noticed a detail—every time Jiang Yanbai was stopped, he would subconsciously glance in his direction.

It's like confirming "you're still here" before continuing to deal with those enthusiastic people.

The program's publicity department was overjoyed.

The director was in his office watching the monitor screen as Jiang Yanbai was surrounded by a group of contestants taking photos with him, and his mouth stretched from ear to ear.

"Free publicity!" he exclaimed, slamming his hand on the table. "We're getting a big star to spend several days at the studio for free—why not take advantage of this traffic?"

The PR director is already drafting the copy: "A surprise guest will appear on 'Absolute Debut'! International superstar Jiang Yanbai will make a surprise appearance at the base!"

The accompanying photo is a candid shot of Jiang Yanbai standing on the lawn surrounded by a group of contestants, with the setting sun shining from behind him, giving him a soft-focus effect.

"Once this is posted, it's guaranteed to be in the top three trending topics." The publicity director's fingers flew across the keyboard. "Moreover, he has no commercial cooperation with our program, there are no violations, it's purely a personal act—perfect."

The director nodded in satisfaction, then added, "But he's always walking with He Xu, won't that disturb He Xu? His ears are still recovering."

"His target is He Xu, how can you drive him away?" The publicity director didn't even look up. "Besides, don't worry, Jiang Yanbai is even more concerned about He Xu's health than we are."

This is not true.

He Xu was going to take a look around the practice building, and Jiang Yanbai followed.

He Xu was going to the cafeteria for lunch, and Jiang Yanbai sat opposite him.

He Xu stood in the corridor discussing the process sheet with the staff, while Jiang Yanbai leaned against the wall next to him, drinking coffee.

His gaze fell on He Xu, and occasionally he would offer him a throat lozenge when his throat felt uncomfortable.

"Can you please stop following me?" He Xu finally snapped after turning around and seeing Jiang Yanbai countless times. "Can't you go hang out with someone else? Aren't you quite popular?"

"What's wrong with me following you?" Jiang Yanbai shoved the throat lozenge into his hand. "I'm not bothering you while you're working."

"Your standing there is a disturbance."

"Your words really hurt me." Jiang Yanbai clutched his chest, his expression exaggerated. "How am I bothering you by standing here quietly watching you?"

He Xu glared at him fiercely.