From Thug to Idol: Transmigrating to a Survival Show

For the second time of the day, Jay was left all alone, his mind in turmoil. He was in the office's lounge—the one that managers normally use. Managers were always busy with their artists, so the lounge was empty most of the time.

Jay clicked his tongue as he downed the espresso shot like it was some kind of alcohol. Just then, his thoughts were interrupted when someone came in. Jay didn't know what he was expecting, but when he saw Lei in the room, he couldn't help but feel surprised.

He jumped in his seat and placed his hand over his heart. "Well, you seem awfully shocked," Lei said. "Isn't this lounge supposed to be for managers?" Jay wasn't able to speak for a good minute. Then, he shook his head. "I just thought you were with LUNAIRE," Jay said after a while. "And I thought you would be with EVE," Lei answered with a small smile. Jay pursed his lips, feeling upset all of a sudden.

They sat in silence for a while before Lei decided to break it. "Are you alright?" he asked. Jay snapped out of his daze and looked at him with curiosity. "Why'd you ask?" "It's obvious," Lei said, glancing at Jay. "You're usually joking, but you look...serious." Jay shook his head. "Am I that transparent?" he muttered. "I think that's a good thing," Lei said. "You're honest. We need more people like you leading the industry." Jay perked up as soon as Lei said those words. "You think so?" he softly asked.

Lei nodded with a reassuring smile. "I know so," he said. Then, he crossed his arms in front of his chest as he continued ranting. "The idol industry is filled with people who want to be the best, the richest." "In the process, they don't care if they trample on other people, even innocent ones. I'm talking about idols, managers, and anyone with a good heart." "You think I have a good heart?" Jay asked. "You do," Lei said. "You were able to lead EVE to the top with your good heart, and I'm sure that you'll also do well if you were given the chance to lead on a much larger scale." "I think you and I are similar," Lei continued.

Jay turned to him with one eyebrow raised. "What do you mean by that?" he asked. "Back in Phoenix, I almost became the CEO," Lei started off, causing Jay's eyes to widen. "You were?" he asked. "Yes," Lei said. "As hard it is to believe, I actually came close to that goal." "Then, what happened?" Jay asked, curiosity filling his mind. "Like Mr. Ong, there were a lot of people who couldn't let go of their power." "Then, as expected, they ganged up on me—the person who wants to change the idol industry for the better." "I thought you wanted to have a managerial position?" Jay asked. Lei smiled and nodded. "I still do." "Directing idols is one of my greatest passions," Lei continued. "However, that's hard to do in an industry that's filled with money-hungry and power-hungry people.

With that, I still want to achieve my goal of changing the idol industry for the better." "We are similar," Jay muttered. "Phoenix was too hard to tame," Lei sighed. "So, you came to Azure instead?" Jay asked. "You could say that," Lei responded. "However, I also wanted to manage an up-and-coming group." "Mr. Ong gave me a great opportunity as soon as I came here, but I realized that he also has lots of faults like the people in Phoenix." "He's corrupt. He's unkind, and he doesn't hesitate to take credit for what others have done," Lei ranted. "You're right about that," Jay said. "That's why I don't understand why June is withholding such important information when we can bring him down in an instant." Lei turned to him in surprise.

Meanwhile, Jay covered his mouth as soon as he said those words. "What...did you just say?" Lei asked with a curious glint in his eyes. Jay frantically shook his head. "Forget about what I said." Lei frowned but nodded in understanding. "I see," he muttered. Jay glanced at him and frowned when he didn't pry further. "Wait," Jay said, catching Lei's attention once again. "Hmm?" Lei hummed. "What if I tell you that there's information against Mr.

Ong out there—one that could potentially ruin him and his subsidiaries?" Lei placed his hand under his chin. "I believe that information should go to the right hands." "Who knows? If someone exploitative is able to get such information, then Azure would become even worse." "On the other hand, if it falls in the right hands, then that person would be able to help change the idol industry—similar to my dream." "You have the same dream, too, right?" Lei asked, turning to him with bright eyes. Jay nodded. "I do," he muttered. "So, when that happens, if we get such information, we can form an alliance," Lei continued. "Then, the two of us can change the idol industry together." Jay pursed his lips, feeling chills run down his spine. "Then," Jay said, clearing his throat. "What if I say that I have such information?" *** It was already late in the night when Jay had gotten home.

He didn't go to his apartment; instead, he went to a place he considered his second home. Jay opened the door, his face still etched with a frown. As expected, the room was already dark when he got inside—except for a single candlelight in their living room—one that was illuminating a figure on the couch.

Jay walked closer to the figure until he could clearly see his face. "June," Jay said as soon as he saw the handsome young man. June crossed his arms in front of his chest as he leaned against the chair. "So, was I right?" That was the first thing that June asked. Jay pursed his lips for a moment before nodding. "You were right," he muttered.

A smirk finally appeared on June's lips. "So, did you do exactly as I told you?" Jay mirrored his smirk, feeling a sense of accomplishment. "I did," he said. "I gave him the briefcase."