In the blink of an eye, an hour passed, and the basic challenge was over.
Some were happy, while others felt regretful.
Not all those eliminated were fake masters; some might have had some skills but not enough or weren’t specialized in this area.
Ultimately, only thirty-two people found their own boxes and passed this basic test.
Among these thirty-two people, there were both Eastern and Western participants.
"For the next month, I entrust all the masters to your care." Wen Song stood up and said to everyone, "Some of you might be puzzled as to why we are seeking people only now. There’s a hidden reason behind it, but now it’s time for dinner, so please, have your meal first."
"Afterwards, have a good night’s rest, and we will discuss the details tomorrow."
Having said that, Wen Song stood up and left.
Chen Wan’an stayed behind to make arrangements for everyone.
"Mr. Wen favors even numbers and highly values fate, so for accommodation, we will pair two masters together. However, each suite has two rooms and separate bathrooms, so there’s no need to worry about being paired with the opposite sex."
"Now, we will proceed to draw lots. Those who passed the test will draw lots together, and those who didn’t will do so separately." Chen Wan’an paused, "This is also a form of fate. Mr. Wen hopes everyone finds their own destiny."
The audience didn’t find this distasteful. After all, those with a little knowledge of Wen Song would understand these quirks.
The masters present didn’t have any objections; those who would care about such things wouldn’t have come.
[I only saw a person deeply longing for a lover.]
[He wasn’t like this before.]
[I remember when I first met him, he hadn’t been found by the Wen Family yet, just a minor member of a boy band.]
[Yeah, it’s suddenly hit me how many years have passed. Thinking back more than a decade ago, when he was just gaining some fame, it was revealed that he was dating a girl. I was quite angry; how could an idol date?]
[Later, I understood that without Shi Yang, we wouldn’t even see him anymore.]
[I heard the Wen Family didn’t agree with them. He almost gave up his inheritance, but eventually, he succeeded in taking over the Wen Family business, yet he and Shi Yang never achieved happiness together.]
[Just a tiny bit more, and his life would have been perfect.]
[Sadly, fate was jealous and took away Shi Yang, the one who loved him most. I wonder how he’s managed all these years.]
[I hope all the masters will help him, find Shi Yang’s reincarnation. Only Shi Yang can bring him happiness in this world.]
Suddenly, many people flooded the live stream, all with the same prefix in their names, bearing the character "Song," reminding people of that unique group of Wen Song’s fans.
This was a very special group that only appeared in places related to Wen Song, yet they had no interaction with him.
Wen Song seemed to have forgotten he still had some fans.
But these fans didn’t mind at all, and their enthusiasm for Wen Song hadn’t diminished.
Of course, there were hidden reasons.
More than a decade ago, Wen Song left the industry to return home to inherit the family fortune.
His fans made quite a fuss initially, and due to Shi Yang’s presence, many left the fandom, as fans find it difficult to accept idols dating.
Wen Song’s decision to leave was also about returning to the Wen Family, and the fans immediately blamed Shi Yang for everything.
Shi Yang truly loved the spotlight, having worked hard in that world for many years without breaking any laws or regulations. She was unwilling to give up the industry.
Of course, apart from Wen Song’s fans and haters, no one else targeted Shi Yang.
Even so, whenever Shi Yang appeared in public or there was some news about her, there was a flood of people criticizing her.
At the time, Wen Song had just returned to the Wen Family and couldn’t do much to help resolve these issues.
As for whether Shi Yang herself minded or not, the public was unaware.
On the day Shi Yang and Wen Song got engaged, his fans and haters were still aggrieved, feeling Wen Song betrayed their affection and that Shi Yang wasn’t worthy of him.
Little did they know, shortly after their engagement, just before the wedding, Shi Yang unexpectedly passed away.
This happened so suddenly that those who had been criticizing were stunned into silence upon seeing Wen Song’s heartbroken appearance.
Wen Song’s long-unused Weibo had a new, lengthy post, detailing his experiences with Shi Yang. He wrote that without Shi Yang, he would never have survived to be found by the Wen Family.
He also said he used to watch Shi Yang get scolded and felt helpless because the Wen Family disapproved of their relationship.
He didn’t dare do much and could only endure until he had true control over the Wen Family business.
Then he eagerly proposed, got engaged, intending to write a long post on their wedding day, sharing their love story with the public, and letting everyone know he could forgo the family fortune but not Shi Yang.
When the Wen Family tried to stop him from being with Shi Yang, he contemplated leaving and living an ordinary life.
However, certain events made him realize how naïve that thought was.
If he truly left the Wen Family, both he and Shi Yang would have been powerless, left at the mercy of others.
Shi Yang also believed, having endured this far, why not see it through? If successful, they would have nothing to worry about. If not, the outcome wouldn’t have been too grim.
He also admitted that he didn’t mind people criticizing him and had no regrets about being with Shi Yang.
But seeing Shi Yang being scolded made him sad, yet just when he had the power to change it all, fate took Shi Yang from him.
The fans and haters who argued for years fell silent. They had genuinely liked Wen Song, the boy who was once so ingénue and hopeful on stage, maturing into a man.
However, his hope was gone.
His words were filled with despair.
This realization left those who had criticized him in a somber mood, only now realizing what they had been doing all these years.
If they hadn’t consistently attacked Shi Yang, if they had blessed them, perhaps they would have left him with some beautiful memories.
Even if he lost Shi Yang, had they steadfastly supported him, maybe he wouldn’t have lost all hope.
Shi Yang’s passing left Wen Song sick for a year. Each new piece of news tugged at people’s hearts, fearing they’d wake up one day to hear of his demise.
Until Wen Song’s Weibo was updated once more: "She wants me to live well, and I will!"
Yet, fans detected a soullessness in those brief words.
Shi Yang wanted Wen Song to live well.
But for Wen Song, without Shi Yang, he was merely existing.
From then on, Wen Song’s fans drastically changed. They no longer attacked anyone, only remaining his true fans, and even when they appeared online en masse, they were civil and quiet.
They watched as that man grew stronger step by step, but could feel the loneliness he experienced on the mountaintop, feeling deep sympathy.
Never would they have imagined, after eleven years, Wen Song would seek Shi Yang.