Esports world champion, debuted as the center of a talent show

The production team did not interrupt the practice, which was gradually getting faster. Jiang Zhiyu learned about this in the evening after training.

As he packed his personal belongings, such as towels, he listened to the staff's account and, unsurprisingly, heard the words "Shangcheng Entertainment".

Finally, he nodded: "I understand, thank you for your hard work."

Unsure of his attitude, the staff member gritted their teeth and emphasized again, "Director Hong suggests we wait a little longer."

Jiang Zhiyu had no objection: "Okay."

A faint crimson glow lingered on the horizon before slowly being swallowed by the night.

At this point, there were still two hours until the live stream that Bai Rong had announced.

The cafeteria was unusually lively during dinner time.

With a tight training schedule and the finals just around the corner, everyone is on edge, and there aren't many opportunities to sit down and have a proper meal at the same time.

Today, the production team made a last-minute adjustment to the filming schedule. A group filming task originally scheduled for the evening was canceled and replaced with a small number of individual interview recordings, finally giving the remaining trainees a complete rest and meal time.

In the huge cafeteria, most of the densely packed dining areas were empty, with only a few contestants from the final round scattered around.

As the talent show progressed, the divisions between factions became more pronounced. However, at this point, the seating arrangement in the recording studio's cafeteria subtly formed a radiating network centered around Jiang Zhiyu.

As the final night approached, the intensity of training gradually increased, and the physical exertion also increased. The cafeteria was quiet, with only the sounds of chewing and a few quiet conversations.

Jiang Zhiyu sat at a four-person table by the window, carrying a tray of food.

His plate contained only a simple dish of a balanced vegetable salad with a minimal amount of low-fat dressing and a small portion of steamed chicken breast on the side.

He slowly and methodically picked up a leaf of vegetable with his fork and chewed it mechanically.

Lin Sen across from them and Mi Lan beside them were still engrossed in their rice, their plates full and they were eating with great relish.

While shoveling rice and hot dishes into his mouth, Lin Sen mumbled a complaint: "The cafeteria food has been getting better and better lately, but I'm too tired to have much of an appetite."

Mi Lan didn't even look up: "I haven't seen you eat less."

Lin Sen choked up, regretfully finding himself unable to find a rebuttal, and could only angrily stuff a large piece of beef into his mouth.

Before two minutes had passed, two staff members from the production crew quickly approached and spoke softly.

"Excuse me for interrupting you. We have a two-person interview here with trainees Lin Sen and Mi Lan. They need to cooperate with us for a short shoot. It will be over in about ten minutes."

Lin Sen, with food still in his mouth, paused for a moment upon hearing this, then looked up blankly: "Now?"

The staff member nodded, speaking politely and confirmingly: "Yes, the camera position has been adjusted. We'll call it a day after we finish filming."

Mi Lan put down her chopsticks: "Okay, we'll be right there."

He patted Lin Sen's arm, signaling him to hurry up and pack up, then turned to Jiang Zhiyu, who was still eating quietly, and asked in a low voice, "Are you doing any interviews tonight?"

Jiang Zhiyu looked up from the vegetable salad, swallowed the broccoli in his mouth with difficulty, the grassy taste still lingering. He thought for a moment: "No."

"Okay," Mi Lan picked up her plate and added, "We'll be right back. Take your time eating."

Jiang Zhiyu nodded slightly: "Okay, go ahead."

Lin Sen quickly finished the last few mouthfuls of rice in his bowl, wiped his mouth, and got up with the staff. Before leaving, he turned back and muttered, "Jiang Jiang, wait for us to come back before going back to the dorm. Don't leave on your own!"

The two left one after the other with the staff, leaving Jiang Zhiyu alone at the table. The once lively table instantly became quiet.

He started eating even slower, chewing less and less, showing signs of gradually giving up.

The temporary assistant scriptwriters hired by the production team have also been living in the recording base for the past few days, and they eat in the canteen there every day.

Zhou Ran, who was at the next table, had just finished dinner and was passing by with an empty plate when he saw Jiang Zhiyu sitting alone. He pulled out a chair and sat down.

He glanced at the white and green salad in Jiang Zhiyu's bowl and couldn't help but chuckle, teasingly saying, "You're so disciplined! You've lost so much weight since then. Why are you working so hard?"

Jiang Zhiyu is visibly thinner than he was a few months ago, with more defined facial features and a more slender figure.

Jiang Zhiyu forked a piece of lettuce, chewed it and swallowed it before speaking, his tone serious and earnest: "The final night is in a few days, so control yourself and look good on camera."

Zhou Ran was slightly taken aback upon hearing this, the smile on his face faded a little, and a genuine look of doubt appeared in his eyes.

He truly could never understand Jiang Zhiyu's choice.

Who doesn't know Jiang Zhiyu?

A world champion who has achieved legendary status in the esports world, boasting numerous honors and reaping both fame and fortune.

They're already at the top of the popularity pyramid worldwide, so even if they really dream of becoming idols, they don't need to suffer and endure hardship in talent shows.

It can be said that as soon as Jiang Zhiyu speaks, countless top producers and agencies will flock to him to tailor his career path.

He could have stayed in his comfort zone, enjoying the existing spotlight and popularity. There was no need for him to come here, train all night with a group of new trainees, get caught up in several controversies and disputes, and even be forced to expose his past and pain.

Looking at the young man in front of him, who was so young yet overly composed, Zhou Ran couldn't help but sigh softly, his tone filled with genuine confusion: "To be honest, I still can't understand it. You were already at the top of ZPL, there was no need for you to work so hard."

The composed Jiang Zhiyu stopped the internal struggle between his mind and the vegetable leaf, and looked up at Zhou Ran.

His eyes were clear and bright, and his tone was calm and composed: "I want to do my best."

Zhou Ran stared blankly into Jiang Zhiyu's dark but bright pupils, a heavy emotion sweeping through her heart.

At this moment, a tall, slender figure slowly walked to the table and stood still.

Kui Shuang was wearing simple training clothes, her platinum hair shimmering slightly in the cafeteria's overhead lights.

When Zhou Ran saw him coming, he nodded politely but did not take the initiative to speak.

Kui Shuang's gaze fell directly on Jiang Zhiyu. After a two-second silence, under his slightly puzzled gaze, she took out her phone and leaned down to gently hand it to the side of Jiang Zhiyu's plate.

The screen displays a QR code for adding personal friends.

Kui Shuang awkwardly said, "Add me as a friend."

Jiang Zhiyu looked up at the person in front of him, his gaze pausing slightly.

He looked down at the bright QR code again, and then belatedly realized that he had already exchanged contact information with several other friends he had met on the show, but he had forgotten to contact Wei Shuang.

When Wei Shuang met his gaze again, she remained calm and added, "I have some documents that I need to send to you."