Who is Helping Me Win by Lying Down [Transmigration] - Chapter 18:

Chapter 18:

After the mini-test concluded, with no additional theme song recording tasks, the trainees were able to relax slightly.

However, the online world outside the island began to operate in an orderly yet busy manner.

The official edited version of Here For Youhad been airing for two weeks, with viewership numbers for each live broadcast steadily increasing, consistently driving up the show’s popularity.

Among the trainees, Chen Shu, who had accumulated numerous accolades, became an internet sensation, with discussions about him particularly abundant.

But compared to the beginning of the program, there had recently been a surge of unconventional comments.

Topics related to Chen Shu appeared almost daily.

Today, a new post rapidly climbed the trending search:

#Stepping on Teammates to Climb Up#

iShuaige: Can’t hold back anymore, gonna speak up about recent events. Let’s refer to the parties involved as A, B, and C. Initially thought it’d be nice for teammates to debut together, but things got subtle starting from the first public performance. Everyone’s been criticizing C Royalty, but I’ve long thought A is the real royalty here – first A rank, initial center position, first in mini-test, first in public performance, first in votes – always first. Can anyone be more royal than this? And what a coincidence that when the royalty didn’t climb up during the first public performance, A did. Wow, was the royalty here just to do charity work?? The feeling that B and C are just being used as stepping stones for A is too strong. Teammate fans can’t accept this, and I’m putting it out there – stepping on teammates to climb up will eventually backfire [smirk]

The comments section was bustling.

Chen Shu: Just read out my ID number why don’t you [dog head]

Got it, so being strong is also wrong now, winning first place is the original sin

Chen Shu’s votes were cast one by one by the audience, how is that being royalty???

Is it just me or are Chen Shu’s black hot searches really increasing lately?As the second public performance live broadcast approached, the situation showed no signs of improvement, instead intensifying further.

By the day before the live broadcast.

After finishing rehearsal, Chen Shu parted ways with his teammates downstairs, attached Wangcai’s leash, and took a walk around the area.

Reaching a corner, he faintly heard voices.

Chen Shu paused slightly.

This spot was remote, without cameras, and rarely visited. He often came here to walk the dog, but this was the first time he encountered others.

Since someone was there, he didn’t want to disturb them.

Just as he was about to leave, he heard the conversation getting closer.

…Teacher Su, you see, your vote actually doesn’t matter much to him. Besides, you already gave him one during the first public performance, so there’s no need for the second. It would be better to do someone a favor – good for everyone. And I can reveal to you some information, after the second public performance—

As they spoke, they emerged from around the corner.

The area was open with nowhere to hide. Turning to leave now would be too obvious, so Chen Shu simply continued forward.

The arrivals were Su Xian and the producer of Here For You》.

Seeing Chen Shu, both froze momentarily.

Teacher Su. Hello. Chen Shu nodded in greeting and continued walking Wangcai along his usual route.

Yan Jingchuan glanced back.

The two were still watching Chen Shu’s retreating figure, both wearing somewhat awkward expressions.

But from the producer’s unfinished words, it was clear that something was likely being planned against Chen Shu for this second public performance.

Wangcai.

Yan Jingchuan withdrew his gaze and followed Chen Shu as they walked further away.

Returning to the dorm, Chen Shu showered and went straight to bed.

He didn’t pay much attention to the internal maneuvering within the program team. The original text had mentioned that Gu Wei had a team operating behind him, ultimately debuting together with Chi Yu. The phone call Chi Yu made last week had already shown signs of this.

Rather than wasting energy pondering these matters, it’s better to sleep and wake up early.

Yan Jingchuan sat by his shoulder, listening to his steady breathing and watching his calm, ordinary profile.

Since he came to participate in the talent show, he must have some purpose.

But aside from being serious during training, Chen Shu remained unhurried at all other times, as if he didn’t care about any outcome.

Clearly possessing outstanding ability, yet subjected to behind-the-scenes manipulation.

How could he remain unmoved even after such unfair treatment?

Yan Jingchuan’s dog brows furrowed slightly.

After pondering for a long time, he finally walked over and lay down by Chen Shu’s neck.

The other party’s plan hadn’t been implemented yet—now wasn’t the time for him to intervene.

—

The next day.

After waking up and washing, Chen Shu carried Wangcai and went to the cafeteria with Chi Yu to eat.

They hadn’t been seated long when Gu Wei also came in from outside.

Seeing Chi Yu, he brought his food over and sat down: Shall we eat together?

He wore a beaming smile throughout, as if something wonderful had happened.

Hearing his words, Chi Yu was even more surprised and instinctively glanced at Chen Shu.

They had been at odds since their company days—what was going on today? Could it be that Gu Wei hadn’t noticed Chen Shu sitting right across from him?

Chen Shu, the public performance is about to begin—let’s do our best together. Not only had Gu Wei noticed Chen Shu, he even initiated conversation.

Chen Shu scanned his smiling face and said calmly, Do your best.

Seeing his indifferent reaction, Gu Wei’s hand gripping the chopsticks involuntarily tightened before quickly relaxing.

He had specifically sat here today to get one last look at Chen Shu and memorize his current expression.

The live broadcast would begin in the evening.

He just wanted to know how long that annoyingly unhurried look could remain on Chen Shu’s face when the time came!

I’ll head out first. After cheerfully finishing breakfast, he bid farewell to Chi Yu in high spirits and left ahead of them.

Chi Yu didn’t understand what act Gu Wei was putting on.

But with cameras everywhere around them, he couldn’t ask directly. After eating, he also parted ways with Chen Shu, each heading to their respective practice rooms.

Chen Shu led the team to their final rehearsal in the morning. After several more practice runs in the afternoon, it was already time for the live broadcast.

Having gone through this once before, Jiang Xing and the others were less nervous about the public performance stage. On their way to the waiting room, they were still laughing and joking around.

However, when they entered the waiting room and found themselves surrounded by cameras from all angles, the pressure of the live broadcast descended upon them again. They quietly followed Chen Shu to their pre-marked seats and sat down.

After the audience entered, the screen before them lit up.

As the countdown from the broadcast ended, Qu Jiangxue was already standing on stage.

She announced the rules before the competition began, as usual.

Unlike the head-to-head matches of the first round public performance, the second round featured competitions among eight teams.

Voting remained a dual-channel system.

Live audience members would score each team within a time limit after their performance—they could vote if they liked the performance and select their favorite trainee from among the eight members. Both vote counts would be tallied and announced after all performances concluded.

Online viewers still only had one vote to score the teams.

The mentors’ recommendation vote shifted from individuals to teams—each member of the recommended team would receive an additional 50,000 votes directly.

Captain, since the live audience is voting in real time this time and there’s not much difference, if we want votes from online viewers, shouldn’t we choose a later slot? Ji Heguang from the team said to Chen Shu after hearing the rules.

They had ranked first in the mini-test and could choose their performance order first.

Jiang Xing hesitated, wanting to speak.

Remembering the misunderstanding from last time, he swallowed his words.

Yi Jia said, Yeah, Brother Shu, let’s pick the last slot and absolutely blow everyone away!

Seeing no objections, Chen Shu selected the final performance slot.

But when the competition began, the rules changed once again.

The voting channel is now open, Qu Jiangxue announced. Online viewers, please note that the second public performance also features real-time voting.

Chi Yu, who was heading toward the performance corridor, opened his mouth in surprise and turned back to look at Chen Shu.

He had followed Gu Wei’s suggestion to choose the first performance slot, never expecting that this accidental decision would make him the biggest beneficiary.

But Chen Shu…

Online viewers only had one vote each. If they used all their votes early, it would be extremely unfavorable for the team performing last.

Jiang Xing blurted out, What the hell?

He managed to stop himself from saying the next sentence that came to mind.

Was this targeting them specifically?

Captain…

Chen Shu wasn’t particularly surprised though.

The competition rules from the previous public performance had already shown signs of this. This time just confirmed that someone was indeed manipulating the competition system.

His gaze shifted to the corridor, sweeping past Chi Yu’s surprised expression before settling on Gu Wei.

Meeting Chen Shu’s sharp, penetrating stare, Gu Wei’s smile froze, and he instinctively avoided eye contact, telling Chi Yu, We should go.

Chi Yu took a deep breath. Let’s go.

The seven-member team entered the corridor.

Jiang Xing felt like sitting on pins and needles, completely unable to focus on the upcoming performances.

Finding themselves in this passive position, it felt like they were back in the same situation during the first public performance. Only worse this time.

Back then, the audience at least had enough votes remaining. Now they could only pray that viewers wouldn’t use all their votes during the first seven performances.

Viewers watching the live broadcast quickly noticed the mood among the STYLEteam members.

Is this it? Those who called Chen Shu ‘Royalty’ should come take a look. Have you ever seen ‘Royalty’ treated like this?

Program producers, are you there? Why do you always announce the online voting rules only after the performance order has been chosen?

Intentionally suppressing Chen Shu, right? Even being first in the mini-test becomes useless this way. The order was chosen blindly, and Chen Shu keeps getting unlucky every time.

Unfortunately, no matter how much the audience protested, the program team didn’t respond.

The rules were set, and the competition had officially begun.

Only when Chi Yu’s seven-member team for Going East took the stage did the accusations and questions in the bullet screen comments gradually subside as everyone focused on watching the performance.

After their performance ended and the brief vote-soliciting period passed, it was time for the mentors’ comments.

Then came the second team, the third team—

In the waiting room, all the other trainees had left, leaving only the final team, STYLE》.

Everyone, cheer up! No one knows the outcome until the very end. We need to show our best side to the audience! Yin Anyan said, clapping to get everyone’s attention as they headed backstage to prepare for their performance. Right, Captain?

Exactly, Chen Shu said. We turned defeat into victory last time. Why can’t we do it again?

Jiang Xing nodded firmly. Right! We can definitely do it this time too!

Time passed minute by minute.

When the previous group finished performing, Qu Jiangxue’s voice reminded them to take the stage.

Just hearing Chen Shu’s name, the audience erupted in extremely enthusiastic cheers. Only when all seven members finished their self-introductions and the performance was about to begin did the noise gradually die down.

The lights went out.

And at the same moment.

A breaking story suddenly appeared on the trending search.

Cashew V: According to a netizen’s submission, it turns out that the recently popular Chen Shu is the son of Chen Hexuan, the CEO of Guangsheng Financial Company [shocked][shocked]. With the family burdened by tens of millions in debt, is it really appropriate for him to participate in a talent show?

The first row of attached images shows photos of Chen Shu, the second row introduces Chen Hexuan and Guangsheng Financial, and the third row features numerous retail investors sharing their grievances.

Good advice can’t save those destined to fail. Last year, I sold my house to invest; this year, I’m drowning in debt. The tears I shed now are the water that once flooded my brain.

From personal experience, I urge everyone to avoid borrowing at all costs. If it doesn’t blow up, you live in constant fear; if it does, your life is ruined. Regret lasts a lifetime, there’s no way to collect debts, and recovering your money is impossible—utterly hopeless.

Guangsheng Financial’s only redeeming quality is that while you lose money and end up in debt, at least you can enjoy the breeze standing on a rooftop, right?

The most infuriating thing about investing is when the boss flees. You go bankrupt carefree, while our entire families suffer!!

The public performance hadn’t even ended, and the live broadcast of Here For Youwas still at its peak. Related topics remained highly ranked on the trending search list when Chen Shu’s name suddenly appeared on the charts, attracting hordes of netizens to click and investigate.

After reading this post, the comments section exploded.