With only four days left until the performance, the chosen guest performers must immediately integrate into their stage presence and enhance the overall experience. If they choose a guest performer who is not good at singing and dancing and instead drags them down, it could turn into a disaster.
Xiao Kaicheng knew this all too well, and looked at Su Huaiming standing to the side with schadenfreude, thinking that he was sure to embarrass himself later.
Regardless of whether Su Huaiming's poor performance on the talent show was true or not, everyone knew that he was not good at singing and dancing and had no real talent. The contestants were not willing to gamble their future, and unless they were out of their minds, they would never choose Su Huaiming.
Su Huaiming is currently riding high, but he faces the awkward situation of having no one to choose him, which will severely dampen Su Huaiming arrogance.
A few minutes later, the host walked to the center of the stage and announced the decisions of both sides.
"Let's take a look at Group A's choices." After building up everyone's interest, the host finally unveiled the labels, revealing the names underneath.
"Group A chose our mentor, Xiao Kaicheng. Now let's see who Mentor Xiao Kaicheng chose!"
Hearing this, Xiao Kaicheng felt smug but remained calm on the surface. The contestants in Group A were all adept at handling things, and they all clasped their hands together, praying that Xiao Kaicheng had chosen them as well.
"Xiao Kaicheng also chose Group A!" The host exclaimed excitedly. "It seems you two are a destined pair! We look forward to your amazing stage performance!"
Xiao Kaicheng chuckled and walked to the front of Group A, where he received a warm welcome. He thoroughly enjoyed the scene and couldn't help but steal a glance at Su Huaiming, expecting to see a look of jealousy. However, Su Huaiming looked calmly to the side, seemingly oblivious to the commotion.
"..."He's such a good actor!!
Xiao Kaicheng gritted his teeth in hatred, but ultimately dared not vent it.
Groups B and C also made their selections and reached a consensus with the other two mentors, leaving only Group D and Su Huaiming.
Their pairing was inevitable, and revealing their initial choices again would only be awkward. The host received instructions from the director to skip a segment, but then a contestant from Group A jumped out and said, "I really want to know who Teacher Su and Group D chose?"
The other members of Group A also started to egg them on. Although the others didn't say anything, they all looked at the host expectantly, wanting to know the answer.
These members of Group A all have a good relationship with Xiao Kaicheng. They did this to curry favor with Xiao Kaicheng, since Xiao Kaicheng is their guest performer and a mentor on the variety show. Although he cannot directly determine their debut positions, having Xiao Kaicheng's help would increase their chances of debuting.
The host was caught in a dilemma, and reluctantly looked at Su Huaiming, afraid of angering him.
Seeing that Su Huaiming did not show any resistance, the host breathed a sigh of relief, chuckled awkwardly, and walked to the whiteboard of Group D to announce their choice.
"Group D has chosen Su Huaiming!" The host's eyes widened in surprise. He had expected an awkward situation, but Group D's choice was completely unexpected.
The other contestants present were all taken aback, staring intently at Su Huaiming, eager to know his choice.
Su Huaiming maintained the same expression as before, making it impossible to guess his emotions.
Xiao Kaicheng sneered inwardly.
Su Huaiming will definitely overestimate his abilities and choose Group A, but Group A will choose him instead. The whole internet will laugh at Su Huaiming for being too ambitious and thinking he is a big star, which is why he is looked down upon by a few junior players.
Xiao Kaicheng was very certain of his idea, looking confidently at the host, waiting for him to announce the results.
Under everyone's watchful eyes, the host finally removed the obscuring material, revealing Su Huaiming's choice.
A huge D, so bright it makes your eyes dizzy.
Three seconds later, the entire stadium erupted in cheers.
The host exclaimed in surprise, "So, it turns out that Teacher Su and Group D made a mutual selection! Congratulations! We look forward to creating an even better stage together!"
The contestants from Group D swarmed around Su Huaiming, their enthusiasm overwhelming Su Huaiming. He was forced to open his arms and hug countless people.
Faced with such a lively scene, the other contestants were also stirred up and flocked over, as if they were the ones making the selection.
The players from Group A who were originally standing next to Xiao Kaicheng are now few and far between; they've all gone to join the fun.
Xiao Kaicheng stared in disbelief at the scene, hearing the sound of his calculations falling apart.
What was initially thought to be a major awkward situation turned out to be incredibly lucky for Su Huaiming. He orchestrated a two-way selection process, and the result was surprisingly positive!
How could it have turned out like this?!
Chapter 59
These boys were so enthusiastic. Surrounded by them, Su Huaiming was dazzled by their handsome and sunny faces. His smile became stiff, and he almost felt dizzy.
Even under these circumstances, he still felt someone taking the opportunity to squeeze next to him. Taking advantage of the crowd, the person hugged him several times in just a few minutes. Su Huaiming could no longer bear it and grabbed the person's clothes when the person came closer again.
Caught off guard, Qi Xingzhou:??(??>?? Su Huaiming finally got a good look at Qi Xingzhou and his eyes widened in surprise. Before coming, he had done some research on the contestants in this year's talent show. Qi Xingzhou was the most popular, with a landslide victory in votes. If nothing unexpected happened, Qi Xingzhou would easily make it into the debut lineup, and might even snag the center position. Offstage, Qi Xingzhou was a sunny, young boy with a very likable personality, often called "little brother" by fans and other contestants. But on stage, Qi Xingzhou's aura completely changed. He was cool and dashing, so handsome it made people weak in the knees, with sharp eyes and a touch of effeminate charm. This unique and striking contrast captivated netizens, and he gained many fans with his talent and personal charm. The question is, with Qi Xingzhou's formidable skills, why is he in Group D?! Just moments ago, seventy or eighty young men were all around him, wearing the same clothes, and Su Huaiming was so focused on them that he forgot to pay attention to Qi Xingzhou. Only now did he realize that Qi Xingzhou was about to collaborate with him on stage. The scene was chaotic, and in front of so many people, Su Huaiming was too embarrassed to ask, so he simply smiled amicably at him. Qi Xingzhou's expression froze, like looking at a cat in a can, his eyes suddenly lighting up, and he stammered with excitement. Unable to speak, I scrambled forward, grabbing Su Huaiming again amidst the chaos, my body trembling like a leaf. Su Huaiming, worried he might lose his balance, kindly steadied Qi Xingzhou's arm, but Qi Xingzhou only became more agitated. Su Huaiming:???? He wanted to ask what was going on, but his gaze met Qi Xingzhou's. Qi Xingzhou looked like he couldn't take it anymore, almost falling backward. Other contestants pushed in, forcing Qi Xingzhou to move away. His hands, as if borrowed, were being returned untouched, held high above Qi Xingzhou's head, hanging limply without any effort. He was afraid someone might bump into him... "Is the child alright?" Su Huaiming looked at him with concern, but Qi Xingzhou was quickly swallowed up by the crowd. Su Huaiming joined the other contestants in a dance party, exceeding his daily activity level, leaving his hair and clothes a mess from being jostled around. After the mini-test, the contestants returned to the training room in different groups to continue rehearsing, hoping to present the best performance to the audience on stage three days later. The stage had been so lively, but once the contestants returned to the training room, they were instantly pulled back to reality. Even though they tried their best to maintain a composed demeanor, their faces couldn't help but show signs of discomfort. A worried expression appeared on everyone's face. Only Qi Xingzhou, like a happy little dog, wagged his tail and squeezed in front of Su Huaiming, his eyes sparkling as he said, "Teacher Su, I'm Unforgettable! I really like you, I never expected to see you here, I, I, I'm so happy!!" Su Huaiming silently took a step back, afraid of being sprayed with spittle, and patiently waited for Qi Xingzhou to finish speaking before asking curiously, "Unforgettable?" "Yes, that's the name of our fan club!" Qi Xingzhou suddenly remembered something, took a step back, tilted his head without warning, and winked at Su Huaiming. Before Su Huaiming could react, Qi Xingzhou drew a heart on his chest. As he stretched out his arm, the heart gradually grew larger, finally pointing at Su Huaiming's chest. He then released his hands, making a heart shape with each hand and spinning it around. He winked at Su Huaiming and said in a very sweet voice, "Su Huaiming, you are Unforgettable to me!" Su Huaiming: "..." Su Huaiming: "..." Su Huaiming: "..." In an instant, he felt as if he had been sucked into strawberry milk, the sweetness filling his breath. Goosebumps rose on his back, his scalp tingled, and he almost shuddered. His facial muscles stiffened, unsure how to respond to Qi Xingzhou. "This is our cheering choreography!" Qi Xingzhou leaned closer to Su Huaiming, saying somewhat aggrievedly, "I also designed one, but it wasn't selected. How about I perform it for you?" Qi Xingzhou, being a choreographer and perhaps even having studied in a girl group, designed a choreography that was even sweeter than the previous one. Su Huaiming was bombarded with "Su Huaiming, you are my Unforgettable" again, leaving him completely numb. He practically dug a Babylonian castle into the ground with his toes. He was grateful for the fans' love and knew they must really like him to design such choreography and slogans, but seeing this scene in person still shocked him. It took Su Huaiming a full three seconds to regain his composure. He forced a smile, trying to appear natural. "It's great, thank you, I like it very much." "I'm glad you like it, Teacher Su." Qi Xingzhou's eyes were already round, and now, looking at Su Huaiming with sparkling eyes, he looked especially like a puppy. Su Huaiming paused, then smiled and said, "Just call me by my name." "I, I..." Qi Xingzhou suddenly seemed to have been paused, his smile vanished, and he stared blankly at Su Huaiming, stammering, "This, this isn't appropriate, is it?" Su Huaiming thought he had just said something taboo, and he also became nervous, cautiously saying, "Is it that I can't call you that?" "I'm not worthy!" Qi Xingzhou clutched his chest, urgently... He said, "You are my idol, a light in my life. How could I call you by your name? Besides, I'm younger than you. It would be disrespectful, and others would criticize me!" Su Huaiming Unforgettable: "..." Please, be normal! Don't be so awkward in front of me!! He was stunned for a second, like a blade of grass battered by wind and rain, completely wilted. He barely managed a breath and smiled, saying, "Do as you please, I'm fine with anything." "Since Teacher Su has said so, then I'll call you by your name." Qi Xingzhou suddenly said readily. "..." Su Huaiming didn't dare to continue the conversation and abruptly changed the subject, "How did you get into this group?" "There were four songs, and I really liked this one, so I went into the room first." Qi Xingzhou said with a matter-of-fact expression, completely unconcerned that he was in Group D. Leaving Qi Xingzhou aside, why were the other contestants' overall abilities so weak on average? Su Huaiming hadn't watched the previous episode and didn't understand why things had turned out this way. He chatted for a few more minutes before letting Qi Xingzhou go to rehearse, while he stood quietly watching. After watching it once in its entirety, he understood the problem. This was a song combining ancient and modern styles, with equally high difficulty in both singing and dancing. Moreover, this relatively new style of song was slightly inferior in terms of visual appeal. The contestants rehearsed diligently, and the performance... The effect might not be good; it's the kind of effort that's thankless. Contestants, naturally, prioritize cost-effectiveness to gain audience favor and votes. Qi Xingzhou, choosing based on personal preference, is an anomaly. The higher-ranking, more capable contestants all chose other pieces, leaving the rest with no choice but to join this group. The difficulty was already high, and coupled with the overall lower skill level of the contestants, their performance within the same timeframe naturally lagged behind other groups, resulting in a D grade in the preliminary test. Everyone practiced diligently, their clothes soaked with sweat, their breathing unsteady, but none stopped. Qi Xingzhou's dance foundation was better than all the other contestants present; he had even trained in traditional dance. The traditional dance was precise and graceful, possessing a classical beauty that set it apart from the others. Qi Xingzhou knew this and, without reservation, diligently helped every contestant present, becoming the backbone of the team. The other contestants also worked hard to adjust under Qi Xingzhou's guidance, attempting to achieve a better effect, but progress cannot be made overnight. They had been training for a week, but there were still problems with the lyrics. When they practiced together, the beginning was smooth, but at the climax, the contestant with the round face couldn't hold back any longer. Her voice faltered before she could even reach the high notes, and she looked at Qi Xingzhou with a mournful face. "Xingzhou, I just can't sing the opera style! What am I going to do?!" Qi Xingzhou... He looked distressed. "Everyone tried it out, and you were the most suitable for the opera style. I've never sung it before, and I don't know how to adjust," the other contestants said, crowding around to comfort him. "Don't worry, just practice more, and you'll definitely be able to do it!" "Yeah, your voice is beautiful, and the final result will definitely be amazing!" "Don't rush, we'll all practice with you." After being comforted, the round-faced contestant became even more upset and almost cried, feeling utterly worthless and dragging everyone down. The other contestants didn't share this sentiment, but they all knew that if this problem couldn't be solved, the final performance would be a disaster. They all wore long faces, and the entire training room was shrouded in gloom.
Su Huaiming then got a clear look at Qi Xingzhou and his eyes widened slightly in surprise.
Before coming, he had done some research on the contestants in this year's talent show. Qi Xingzhou was the most popular, with a huge lead in votes. If nothing unexpected happened, Qi Xingzhou would be able to enter the debut group without much effort, and might even be able to grab the center position.
Offstage, Qi Xingzhou is a sunny, young man with a very likable personality, often called "little brother" by fans and other contestants. However, on stage, Qi Xingzhou transforms completely, exuding a cool and charismatic aura that makes people weak in the knees. His sharp eyes and brows, along with a touch of effeminate charm, create a unique and striking contrast that captivates netizens. He has gained a considerable following through his talent and personal charisma.
The question is, given Qi Xingzhou's formidable strength, why is he in Group D?!
There were seventy or eighty big boys walking around in front of him, all wearing the same clothes. Su Huaiming couldn't take it all in and forgot to pay attention to Qi Xingzhou. Only now did he realize that Qi Xingzhou was going to perform with him on stage.
Given the chaotic scene and the presence of so many people, Su Huaiming felt embarrassed to ask the question and simply gave him a friendly smile.
Qi Xingzhou's expression froze for a moment, as if he were looking at a cat in a can. His eyes suddenly lit up, and he was so excited that he stammered and couldn't speak. He used his hands and feet to push forward and took advantage of the chaos to hug Su Huaiming again, his body trembling like a leaf.
Su Huaiming was very worried that Qi Xingzhou would lose his balance, so he kindly supported Qi Xingzhou's arm, which only made Qi Xingzhou more excited.
Su Huaiming:????
He wanted to ask what was going on, but his gaze met Qi Xingzhou's. Qi Xingzhou looked like he couldn't take it anymore and almost fell straight backward.
Other contestants squeezed in around him, forcing Qi Xingzhou to move away. His hands, as if they were borrowed, were returned untouched, held high above Qi Xingzhou head with care, hanging limply as if afraid someone might bump into them.
Is the child alright?
Su Huaiming looked at him with concern, but Qi Xingzhou was soon swallowed up by the crowd. Su Huaiming danced with many contestants, exceeding his daily activity level, and his hair and clothes were a mess from being squeezed.
After the quiz, the contestants returned to the training room in different groups to continue rehearsing, hoping to present the best performance to the audience on stage three days later.
The atmosphere on stage was so lively, but when the contestants returned to the training room, they were instantly brought back to reality. Even though they tried their best to stay composed, they couldn't help but show their worries on their faces.
Only Qi Xingzhou, like a happy little puppy, wagged his tail and squeezed in front of Su Huaiming, his eyes sparkling as he said, "Teacher Su, I'm Unforgettable! I really like you, and I never expected to see you here. I... I'm so happy!!"
Su Huaiming silently took a step back, afraid of being sprayed with spittle, and patiently waited for Qi Xingzhou to finish speaking before asking curiously, "Unforgettable?"
"That's right, that's the name of our fan club!" Qi Xingzhou suddenly remembered something, took a step back, tilted his head without warning, and winked at Su Huaiming.
Before Su Huaiming could react, Qi Xingzhou drew a heart on his chest. As he stretched out his arm, the heart gradually grew larger, finally pointing at Su Huaiming's chest. He then released his hands, making a heart shape with each hand, and twirled around. He then winked at Su Huaiming and said in a very sweet voice, "Su Huaiming, you are Unforgettable!"
Su Huaiming: "..."
Su Huaiming: "..."
Su Huaiming: "..."
In an instant, he felt as if he had been engulfed in strawberry milk, the sweet smell filling his every breath. Goosebumps rose on his back, his scalp tingled, and he almost shuddered. His facial muscles stiffened, and he didn't know what expression to use to respond to Qi Xingzhou.
"This is our cheering move," Qi Xingzhou said, leaning closer to Su Huaiming, sounding a little aggrieved. "I designed one too, but it wasn't selected. How about I perform it for you?"
Qi Xingzhou, as expected of someone who studied choreography, and may even have gone on to further his training in a girl group, designed movements that were even sweeter than the previous set.
Su Huaiming was once again bombarded with the phrase "Su Huaiming, you are Unforgettable to me," leaving him completely numb. He dug a Babylonian castle into the ground with his toes.
He was very grateful for his fans' love and knew that they must really like him to design such actions and slogans, but seeing this scene in person still shocked him.
It took Su Huaiming a full three seconds to regain his composure, and he forced a smile, trying to appear natural. "It's great, thank you, I like it very much."
"I'm glad you like it, Teacher Su." Qi Xingzhou's eyes were already round, and now, looking at Su Huaiming with sparkling eyes, he looked just like a puppy.
Su Huaiming paused for a moment, then smiled and said, "Just call me by my name."
"I, I..." Qi Xingzhou suddenly seemed to be paused, the smile on his face vanished, and he stared blankly at Su Huaiming, stammering, "This, this isn't appropriate, is it?"
Su Huaiming thought he had offended someone and became nervous, cautiously asking, "Is it that I shouldn't call you that?"
"I'm unworthy!" Qi Xingzhou clutched his chest and said urgently, "You are my idol, a light in my life. How could I call you by your name? Besides, I'm younger than you. It would be Unforgettable, and others would criticize me!"
Su Huaiming: "..."
Please, be normal! Stop doing those awkward things in front of me!!
He was dazed for a second, like a blade of grass battered by wind and rain, completely deflated. Barely managing a breath, he smiled and said, "Do whatever you want, I'm fine with anything."
"Since Teacher Su has already said so, then I'll just call you by your name," Qi Xingzhou suddenly said readily.
"..."
Su Huaiming didn't dare to continue the conversation and abruptly changed the subject, "How did you get into this group?"
"There were four tracks at the time, and I really liked this one, so I was the first to enter the room." Qi Xingzhou had a matter-of-fact expression on his face, completely unconcerned that he was in Group D.
Leaving Qi Xingzhou aside, why is the overall skill level of the other contestants relatively weak on average?
Su Huaiming hadn't watched the previous episode of the variety show and didn't know why things had turned out this way. He chatted with Qi Xingzhou for a few more minutes, then told him to go rehearse while he stood quietly to the side and watched.
After reading it only once, he understood the problem.
This is a song that combines traditional Chinese style with modern elements. It is equally difficult to sing and dance. Moreover, this kind of relatively new song is slightly inferior in terms of visual appeal. Even if the contestants rehearse hard, the final result may not be good. It is the kind of song that is hard work but not worth the effort.
Contestants naturally prioritize cost-effectiveness in order to gain audience favor and votes, making Qi Xingzhou, who chooses based on personal preference, an outlier.
Those who ranked higher and had the ability chose other pieces, leaving the remaining contestants with no choice but to enter this group.
The difficulty level was already quite high, and coupled with the overall lower skill level of the contestants, their performance within the same timeframe was naturally worse than that of other groups, which is why they received a D grade in the mini-test.
Everyone practiced very seriously. Their clothes were soaked with sweat, and they were so tired that they were out of breath, but no one stopped.
Qi Xingzhou's dance foundation was better than all the other contestants present. He had also practiced traditional dance. His movements were precise and had a kind of ancient and graceful beauty, which was different from the style of the others.
Qi Xingzhou knew this, and without reservation, he tried his best to help every contestant present, becoming the backbone of the team.
The other contestants also tried to adjust their methods based on Qi Xingzhou's guidance, attempting to achieve better results, but it's impossible for a person to make rapid progress in a short period of time.
We've been training for a week, but there are still problems with the lyrics distribution.
Everyone gathered together to practice the piece. The beginning went smoothly, but when it came to the climax, the contestant with the round face couldn't hold back anymore. His voice got stuck before he could even get into the right pitch, and he looked at Qi Xingzhou with a mournful face.
"Singapore, I really can't sing in the opera style, what should I do!"
Qi Xingzhou also looked worried. "Everyone tried it out, and you were the most suitable for the operatic style. I've never sung it before, and I don't know how to adjust it."
The other players gathered around to comfort him.
"Don't worry, with more practice, you'll definitely be able to do it!"
"Yes, your voice is beautiful, the final result will definitely be amazing!"
"Don't worry, we'll all practice with you."
After being comforted by everyone, the round-faced contestant became so upset that she almost cried, feeling that she was terrible and had dragged everyone down.
The other contestants didn't share this idea, but they all knew that this problem was unsolvable and the final performance would be a disaster. They all wore long faces, and the entire training room was shrouded in gloom.