Chapter 1: The Entertainment Industry Is Too Deep—Studying Hard Is the Real Path
“‘When You Are Young’—the variety show is actually being filmed at our school!”
“I know that show! Isn’t it the one where young celebrities come in as transfer students and they film their daily lives in middle school?”
“I heard Xie Mu is coming too! I’m so excited—he must look even better in real life than on TV!”
Celebrities are coming to film a show at the school?
Pu Tong listened to the girls discussing by the roadside and found it somewhat amusing.
To think he would run into people from the same industry on his very first day after transmigrating.
Others might find it novel, but for Pu Tong—who in his previous life had already been a bottom-tier celebrity—this “celebrity world” was nothing new.
After all, in this era, even random nobodies could become celebrities. Most of them were just unknown 18th-tier artists with almost no recognition outside their fan circles.
Unfortunately, Pu Tong had been exactly that kind of bottom-tier celebrity in his previous life.
“I’m never getting into the entertainment industry again in this life!”
Ignoring the excited chatter of his classmates, Pu Tong walked straight toward the classroom.
In his past life, he had been naive. At a young age, he was tricked by a black-hearted agency into signing a 20-year contract.
Instead of becoming a rising star, he was completely shelved by the company, wasting away his youth while they waited only for his contract termination fee.
Twenty years—how many twenty-year periods does a person even have in life?
He had sacrificed his education and youth for a dream that never existed, only to end up as a pawn of capital.
In the end, he didn’t even last ten years before dying young and reincarnating into another world…
Pu Tong had seen through it all: stepping into the entertainment industry is like falling into an abyss—once in, freedom becomes a thing of the past.
Idols are controlled by capital from above and scrutinized by the public from below. There are scandals waiting ahead, and career collapses behind.
It is truly one of the worst career choices in modern times.
Why would anyone willingly enter the entertainment industry?
Since heaven had given him a second chance at life, Pu Tong naturally would not repeat the same mistake.
So the question is: what is something where effort guarantees reward?
Studying!
Isn’t that obvious?
Although studying is difficult, it is the only thing in the world where effort reliably leads to results.
Even if the reward is not always reflected in grades, the knowledge gained truly belongs to oneself.
While sorting through the chaotic memories of his new body, Pu Tong walked into the classroom and took his seat obediently.
He had no system, no cheat, no golden finger.
Which meant that if he wanted good grades, he had to rely entirely on himself and study seriously.
“Pu Tong, did you hear about the variety show!”
“Yeah…”
He avoided the chubby hand trying to wrap around his shoulder and looked hesitantly at the round-faced boy in front of him.
Liu Neng—his childhood friend in this life.
From his plump appearance alone, you could tell he was destined for greatness.
“The variety show is being filmed in our class! Just imagining studying with celebrities is so exciting!”
Liu Neng gestured wildly, his face full of excitement.
“Damn…”
Filming in their class?
Pu Tong rubbed his temples and finally found the relevant memory.
It was true.
Although he didn’t know how the production team and school had reached this arrangement, Class 13 of Grade 1 had indeed been selected.
A few days ago, all students—including the original Pu Tong—had signed consent forms to participate as “ordinary students” in the filming, with their guardians informed.
This world really seemed to embrace entertainment culture—parents were this relaxed?
Even though they were only first-year high school students, weren’t they worried about their studies?
“Pu Tong, I’ve given up. I just want to see some handsome guys and pretty girls,” Liu Neng said excitedly. “But you—you’re so good-looking. You could totally become famous!”
Problem. Big problem.
Although the original body’s academic performance was average, his face was undeniably outstanding—on par with celebrities from his previous world.
If he appeared on the show and gained exposure, wouldn’t he end up becoming a public figure again?
Even if appearing on the show didn’t guarantee fame, his past experience made him instinctively wary.
Better to prevent trouble before it starts.
For the school, being the filming location of a popular variety show was a rare publicity opportunity. As long as it didn’t affect normal classes, most arrangements were left to the production team.
The contracts were already signed—backing out now would require compensation.
He couldn’t really blame the original host either. After all, students were offered subsidies and the chance to study alongside celebrities—it was normal for young people to be curious.
Almost the entire class had agreed. No one had refused.
Seeing the eager expressions of his classmates, Pu Tong could only suppress his rebellious thoughts and take out his textbook.
Then he noticed something tucked between the pages.
A pink envelope.
An obvious love letter.
So even as just an ordinary student, someone was already secretly giving him love letters?
If he became a celebrity… he didn’t even dare imagine what would happen then.
Crowds blocking school gates every day? Fan chaos?
Too terrifying. This would seriously interfere with his studies.
“Knowledge changes destiny—repeat it daily to strengthen resolve.”
At this age, his learning ability was strong and his foundation decent. Even though he had been away from school for a long time, he still benefited greatly from a few classes.
“Student life really is nice,” he stretched lazily during break.
No dramatic power struggles, no public spotlight—just peaceful everyday life. That wasn’t bad at all.
“Hey, Pu Tong, are you possessed today? Sitting so straight in class?”
A girl behind him poked his back.
“Am I blocking you? I can lower my posture a bit.”
“No, it’s just… wow, I’m shocked!”
“Shocked? A hardworking bottom student—did something go wrong?” Pu Tong laughed.
“You should write a novel about it!”
“That title sounds too weird…”
Small-minded. In his previous world, that would actually be considered a short title.
Interestingly, the cultural works in this world were completely different from his previous one. That meant anything familiar from his past life could potentially be passed off as “original content” and used for fame or profit.
Those memories were one of his few advantages as a transmigrator.
He wasn’t completely indifferent to fame or money. Occasionally writing songs or making small earnings was fine—but entering the entertainment industry? Absolutely not.
No rush. He was still young.
The most important thing right now was studying.
“Like this… isn’t this pretty good?”
He yawned.
Just imagining people nitpicking his work and tearing it apart made him uncomfortable. Even if he later proved them wrong, the emotional experience would still be unpleasant.
He preferred a simpler life.
“Studying seriously is more real.”
Time always passed quickly when focusing on something. He had just studied for a while when school suddenly ended.
“Gently awaken the sleeping heart, slowly open your eyes…”
“You’re singing again? Sounds nice though!”
“Don’t know where I heard it!”
He quickly shut his mouth and started packing his bag.
It was all because the graduation bell tune was too familiar.
He must never do this again.
“Quiet everyone!” the homeroom teacher entered.
Teacher Zhang Binyan, short in stature and always smiling. Although he looked friendly, in Pu Tong’s memory he was actually quite strict—and even notorious.
He was known for being harsh with students.
Conflict…?
Pu Tong suddenly had a bad feeling.
“The variety show ‘When You Are Young’ will officially begin filming in our class tomorrow.
Seven celebrity students will join your class for a semester of study.”
Excited murmurs filled the room.
Pu Tong felt his scalp go numb.
He understood now.
This class had been chosen precisely because of the teacher.
A variety show about high school life needed drama. Ordinary school life was too boring.
But Class 13 had a strict teacher.
Conflicts between celebrities and a strict teacher? That’s guaranteed drama.
The school and teacher probably both knew this very well—and he had likely been “selected” for exactly that reason.
“Let me emphasize one thing!” the teacher said sternly. “Whether they are celebrities or students, I don’t care. But you—don’t let them affect your studies! You are not celebrities. Do what you should do. No matter who is around you or whether there are cameras—study hard!”
“Got it…”
“Speak louder!”
“Got it!!”
He was absolutely right!
Pu Tong was almost moved to tears.
Studying hard is the real path.
Who cares about celebrities or variety shows?
If he couldn’t avoid it, he would just ignore it.
Stay low-key in the corner.
“I just want to study properly!”
(End of Chapter)
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