Meng Xun had just won the Global Best Music Producer Gold Award. But after giving a few trainees a scathing review on a show, he somehow transmigrated into a poorly written idol group survival novel with a botched ending.
The System required him not only to debut in the center position, but also to rewrite the original story's disastrous ending.
Meng Xun smiled. "So what role am I supposed to enter the competition as? An independent trainee?"
The System nervously fidgeted with its fingers. "Uh... maybe as a rumored plant from a big company?"
Meng Xun: "..."
*
Seven years later, a domestic boy group survival show aired again, with a surprise arrival: Trainee No. 101. The news set the internet abuzz.
Rumor had it he was the child of a shareholder at a well-known entertainment company, a total plant with connections who was only joining the show for appearances. His debut spot had already been bought and paid for.
At first, netizens were outraged, and the comments were full of abuse:
[Well, look at that! The plant is ascending the throne...]
[Hehe, he's been on it for ages, actually.]
[Can the plant just get lost? Shoving someone down our throats will only bring disaster!]
Then the official profile photos came out:
[...Wait, he's kind of handsome?]
[Yesterday: Get lost, plant! Today: Honey, say something!]
[My face changing speed be like: ...!]
Later, someone on a forum revealed that Meng Xun had taken the spot on the show from a trainee who had worked hard for seven or eight years. The online tide turned, and viewers' opinion of him plummeted.
[Hehe, so what if he has a pretty face? Plants should get off the show!]
[A life stolen from someone else will have to be paid back sooner or later!]
For the first group performance, viewers waited eagerly, ready to enjoy the show as they watched Meng Xun make a fool of himself, then tell him to get off the program.
But before they could say a word, the performance was already over.
The stage performance aired in the afternoon, and it was trending by nightfall.
Performing alongside his teammates, he pulled off the ultimate disappearing act, snagged the show's first fancam to hit a million views, and burst into the spotlight.
Viewers: ???
This isn't what I expected?
After the performance, viewers heard that Meng Xun had handled all the choreography and designed the stage himself.
The truth was that he had carried all six of his teammates.
Later, he ranked first in votes at the second group performance, then first again at the third... He was the first trainee to hit one million and ten million views on his fancams. Before debuting, he even landed an endorsement with a luxury brand...
A born idol, with a knack for stirring up a storm, he had a huge following of devoted fans before he even debuted.
[Talent really is a cruel thing.]
[Go tell that to my oppa's ID photo!]
[Fans always want their idol to be both beautiful and talented, hardworking and gifted. If it's Xiao Xun, he can be all of those things!]
Reading notes:
1. The bottom is not a plant.
2. Romance within the group. Don't read if that's not your thing.
3. No real-life inspirations, no secondary couples, and please don't speculate about inspirations.
Blurb written on September 10, 2026, with a screenshot saved for the record.
Theme: Eighteen that year, full of youthful ambition.
