Chapter 009 The Talent Show Has Arrived

To be friends?

Li Lekang could feel himself gradually becoming part of this society. His network was expanding, dreams and ambitions had taken root, and he no longer felt as if he were playing a game from God’s perspective.

“Friends!” Li Lekang nodded and extended his hand. “You’re my first female friend in Los Angeles!”

“Wow! That’s an honor for me!”

Sandra shook his hand.

“Where are you from, mysterious magician?”

Li Lekang paused, then joked, “A dreamer from a small town in Northern California. My life was tough from childhood, with no parents. I had to drop out of college and wait tables at a restaurant, struggling to chase the American dream.”

Sandra burst into laughter at this classic sob story, “You sound like you’re auditioning for a talent show with those lines! Don’t tease me!”

“I really am going to audition,” Li Lekang replied. “But what I said is true.”

“I’m sorry... but you really are going to audition?”

“America’s Got Talent.”

Li Lekang flipped his hand and produced an apple out of thin air, took a casual bite, and spoke while chewing, “I’m a magician. That’s the stage and audience I need.”

“Where did you hide the apple?” she asked, flipping his hand in curiosity. He was wearing a short-sleeved shirt, and she hadn’t noticed any bulges when he entered. This was truly baffling.

Li Lekang brushed off her hand, which was trying to search him. “I use magic, silly!”

“You’re so amazing, you’re bound to become famous!” Sandra’s eyes gleamed with envy. “Damn, why can’t I do these things!”

It was said that in the Los Angeles, Hollywood area, if you stop a waiter at any restaurant and ask, chances are you’re speaking to someone who traveled thousands of miles in pursuit of a dream.

So Li Lekang asked Sandra, “How close are you to achieving your dreams?”

She answered modestly, though with a hint of delight, “I’ve only taken a tiny step on a long and distant road. My Instagram followers are about to hit one hundred thousand.”

“I’ll add one more follower for you.” Li Lekang took out his phone, opened Instagram, entered her name, and found her page.

He scrolled through a few photos—classic fitness influencer style, a sizzling figure, a perfect peach, posing for the mirror with a sultry angle, drawing countless thirsty fans to flood her posts with likes and adoration.

It was obvious Sandra’s dream was to be a model, walk runway shows, land magazine covers, and maybe one day catch the eye of a celebrity, just like the Kardashians—becoming an influencer and making money hand over fist.

Unfortunately, if she’d started five or six years earlier, she would have been a pioneer in the field; with her quality, fame would have come easily.

But now, with endless homogenized content, the competition is fierce—everyone is crossing the same narrow bridge, and it’s harder than ever to stand out!

Li Lekang thought this, but didn’t want to dampen her spirits. “Looks like I’ll need to set up a social account too. When I become famous, as your friend, you can ride on my popularity.”

“I love hearing that!” Sandra beamed. “You’re not like those men who only want to take advantage. Only naïve girls fall for empty promises, but if I want fame, it’s got to be with someone who’s actually successful.”

“Exactly!”

Li Lekang raised his glass of milk and clinked it with hers.

Sandra had a practical nature—of course, to make it in Hollywood, those who aren’t realistic and clever have long since become stepping stones on someone else’s path. The environment forces you to grow.

So Li Lekang realized that those thoughts like, “Our chemistry makes me desperately want her,” just weren’t realistic. Women have always gravitated toward strength in choosing a partner.

But as friends, chatting freely, it was comfortable. They talked about fame, dreams, spent nearly an hour over breakfast, and enjoyed their conversation.

Sandra had to hit the gym in the morning and compete in a modeling show in the afternoon, always striving for her dreams.

Li Lekang spent the morning catching up on shows, took a nap at noon, then woke naturally in the afternoon to practice magic, before heading to work.

The days of chasing dreams were unremarkable.

…

Two days later, the auditions for America’s Got Talent finally arrived.

Inside the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, the auditions were in full swing.

The venue was packed with spectators, and at the front, four judges watched the performances intently.

America’s Got Talent is a globally popular talent competition, achieving impressive ratings in the UK, US, Australia, and other Western countries. Its grand prize now stands at a staggering ten million dollars!

Talent, acrobatics, or singing—those who dare step on that stage are no amateurs. Yet, even so, the advancement rate is pitifully low; only about one percent ultimately stand out.

Because of this, every contestant with unique skills gives their all, holding nothing back—showcasing brilliance, performing their specialties.

The staff notified Li Lekang that his turn was approaching; there were two contestants ahead of him. One was an Indian acrobat, sitting alone in meditation, likely preparing his mind for the act.

The other was a familiar face!

He noticed Li Lekang as well—a young man with bleached blonde hair glanced over and said in a snide tone, “Look who it is! Didn’t expect to see you here. It’s a terrible day—for you!”

Li Lekang couldn’t be bothered to respond to the sarcasm. “Buzz off, McCoy!”

The blonde replied, full of bravado, “You’re nervous, as you should be, because a formidable opponent stands before you. Opportunities are only for the strongest!”

This blonde was the one who had snatched his part-time job at the restaurant—a second-generation star, whose father was a famous magician, but not exactly likable.

Their mutual antagonism was caught by backstage cameras at America’s Got Talent. The producers love capturing these tense “conflicts”—the more drama, the better for the show.

The host noticed and brought over the microphone. “I can feel the sparks between you two. Now, tell me, what will you be performing?”

“Stage levitation.”

“Levitation.”

Both had chosen the same act.

The Black host exaggeratedly clutched his head and howled—the tension just escalated! Two magicians, both performing levitation—the rivalry was intense!

McCoy stared at Li Lekang. “I won’t hold back.”

Li Lekang chuckled, “You’d better worry about how you’ll cry your way back to your mom later!”

A bald host came over. “Gentlemen, please be ready. Next up is Mr. McCoy—please come with me!”

McCoy was about to go onstage. He faced the camera with a dazzling smile, acting as if he were a pure-hearted boy from a small town chasing his dream in LA, milking sympathy, maybe hoping to charm a few naïve blondes—everyone knows the stereotype.

Li Lekang watched coldly.

He admitted McCoy’s levitation act had some skill. Even though he’d crammed magic principles these past days, he could only spot a few flaws—McCoy had definitely worked hard.

The four judges displayed all kinds of exaggerated expressions—wide eyes, gaping mouths, endless “Oh my god!”—but Li Lekang guessed it was mostly for show.

The judges had seen it all; they wouldn’t be genuinely shocked by a few tricks. But audiences love the drama, so the judges played up their reactions.

McCoy finished his performance. None of the judges buzzed him out, but whether he advanced depended on the final results.

Walking offstage, McCoy was full of swagger, flaunting his success at Li Lekang, who replied with nothing but a middle finger.

The tension between them was palpable; if they weren’t about to go onstage, they’d definitely be trading trash talk like a UFC pre-fight press conference.

Now, the host standing by the curtain was already calling Li Lekang to the stage—

“The next contestant, Lee, please come forward!”

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