From Thug to Idol: Transmigrating to a Survival Show

"I—I was so scared," Lin Zhi muttered to the camera, his eyes red and his face pale.

More than a hundred thousand people were watching his midnight live after word got around in Navel.

He looked down at his lap and broke character for a moment as he watched the view count increase at an exponentially fast speed.

"I was going to keep it to myself," he continued, even sniffing to add to the drama of it all.

"But I can't find myself continuing to work with the person who had caused me so much trauma."

"Untouched Souls is very special to me. It's a project I was offered after going through so much pain last year."

"So, when I saw the person who caused a lot of my trauma, I was taken back to a dark place."

- Tell us who it is!

- He doesn't even need to mention it.

- Right. Who else was with Lin Zhi during Rising Stars and now in Untouched Souls?

- Don't tell me—is it June?

- There's no one else.

"Still, I'm doing my best, guys, so I hope you will continue to support me," Lin Zhi said, trying to act brave despite his teary eyes.

"I know it will be a very hard fight," he continued. "He's a very popular figure. I know that most people will take his side. But I just want to get my story out there. If there are other people who feel the same way, then please don't be afraid to air out your feelings, too.

- That pretty much confirms it.

- It's definitely June.

- Do you see that video of June circulating around?

- What video? When he was with a trainee who allegedly died?

- Oh, that creepy rainy rooftop video? I just saw it right now.

- Where is it posted?

- Just search on Navel.

- What are we even looking for in that video?

- At 1:07, it looks like he's pushing the guy down the ground.

- Is it even confirmed that it was June?

- Not yet, but Phoenix might release a statement soon.

Lin Zhi finally ended the live video, closing his phone before nonchalantly standing from his seat.

Then, he gazed at himself in the mirror before him and smirked.

"Ah," he said. "I should be an actor."

Then, he was silent for a moment before bursting into chuckles.

"Oh, wait. I already am!"

***

June woke up in the morning feeling brand new. However, his eyes quickly widened when he realized that he was running late.

"Shit," he cursed, zooming around his room to pack up his things. Fortunately, his black bag was back from the laundry, which placed him in a good mood.

After a few minutes, he was done with everything, so he ran out of his room and to the car where Jay was already waiting.

"Let's go," June said.

However, much to his surprise, Jay didn't start the car right away.

It was strange. Jay usually made sure that June wasn't late to any of his schedules. However, it seemed like he was moving slowly today.

Then Jay turned around with a serious expression, surprising June even more.

"June," he said, raking his hands through his hair.

June frowned in confusion. "What? We need to go. I have to film the first scene today."

"Lin Zhi...," Jay said in a serious tone, causing June to nod in understanding.

So, he decided to retaliate this early on.

Well, it was honestly expected.

The filming for Untouched Souls was already midway through. If they wanted to kick the other out of the production, then they needed to do it now to avoid more losses.

"What did he say this time?" June asked.

"He's claiming that you're bullying him. Then, a video was uploaded of you and your friend when you were trainees. People are coming up with a bunch of theories."

June scoffed with an amused smile. "Bullying? That's what they came up with?"

"This is serious, June," Jay said with a deep sigh. "Probably even more serious than your dating scandal."

June sighed. "I'm not fazed. He's spewing bullshit."

"I believe you," Jay said. "But people are talking about you again. It seems like some of your fans are even taking Lin Zhi's side."

June's eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

The public believed Lin Zhi despite the proof he gathered? Just how strong was Lin Zhi's accusation?

Then, he opened his phone to scroll through Navel but clicked on the text message that popped up instead.

Crazy Doctor: That's great! When will you come?

June frowned in confusion. Then, he scrolled up a bit.

Crazy Doctor: Can you come tomorrow for that blood extraction?

June: Yes

His frown deepened as he clicked on his conversation with Minjun. He sighed in frustration when he saw his last message.

Little Bro: I can upload both of these tomorrow, right?

June: Nope.

June massaged the bridge of his nose as he quickly typed another reply.

June: Please upload it as soon as possible.

However, June knew that there would be some delays because Minjun was currently in school.

"Goodness," June muttered. "Let's just go to the filming site."

Jay sighed and followed June's instructions.

As soon as he got there, he was once again the talk of the entire set. It seemed like Deja Vu when his dating scandal broke out.

However, this time, it felt more serious since he was being accused of an actual wrongdoing.

As expected, there weren't any actors on the set, so June immediately proceeded to the conference room.

He opened the doors and saw the main actors, along with the directors and writers, inside.

They all turned to him as he entered, but June was only looking at one person.

Lin Zhi.

He had a black hoodie on, and it seemed like he was crying his eyes out last night.

June silently scoffed in disbelief.

He did a great job making himself look pathetic.

"June, sit down," Director Jam said, his voice devoid of the warmth that it usually had when he spoke to June.

June nodded and went to sit on one of the chairs just right in front of Lin Zhi.

Director Jam sighed as he looked at his actors.

So far, this has been the most stressful production he had ever partook in, and the movie hasn't even aired yet.

"I didn't know that these things were happening within the set," he started off.

"Lin Zhi, I hope you know that these accusations are serious," he continued.

Lin Zhi nodded pitifully. "I thought hard about it. It's way too difficult for me to film with June after everything that happened between us."

June held back from rolling his eyes.

"What do you say about this, June?" Director Jam asked.

"He doesn't have any proof of his accusations."

Lin Zhi pursed his lips.

"You also don't have any proof that you didn't do those kinds of things."

"The company will post about it soon," Lin Zhi said, a smirk threatening to show on his lips.

"Will they?" Director Jam asked, wondering how this was going to end.

Of course, he would be disappointed if Lin Zhi's accusations were all true. Jian undoubtedly became his favorite character in the production.

However, if Phoenix had proven this to be true, then he would have no choice but to formally expel June from production.

Ann gasped as some important news broke out.

The others all turned to Ann. However, June and Lin Zhi continued to stare at each other with narrowed eyes.

"The CEO of Phoenix has finally spoken."