Little Neurotic Was Still Salvageable

People were visual creatures.

At first glance, they could accurately spot the prettiest face.

The moment Si Di appeared on camera, the barrage was practically dominated by praise for his looks.

Of course, there were also a few discordant comments mixed in.

For example...

[Heh, face-lovers really let their morals follow facial features. Yesterday they were holding banners and cursing him, and today they're already licking his boots.]

[He's just got a pretty face. What's there to praise? Have you all forgotten yesterday's garbage nursery rhyme?]

[Producer Qin never should have kept Si Di! Everyone else is passionately preparing, while Si Di is just sleeping. There are only so many opportunities—giving one to him is a waste!]

[I'm out, I'm out. If Si Di doesn't leave, I'm not watching. I'll come back when he's eliminated to watch my Si Si.]

The barrage was far from harmonious.

Yet the filming set was peaceful and tranquil.

Host Meng Jiao looked at Si Di's fawn-like eyes. His drowsiness had yet to fully fade, and beneath his innocence was a hint of pure simplicity.

For some reason, a mother's affection welled up in Meng Jiao's heart.

Ah.

Who could resist such an obedient, adorable baby?

She liked him and couldn't help wanting to give him more screen time. Meng Jiao smiled kindly and took the initiative to cue him. "Si Di, did you know you trended last night?"

Si Di practically lived on the trending searches.

Because of his constant arguments with Qin Wei, he had been a frequent topic for years.

But hearing Meng Jiao say that, Si Di—whose just-awakened brain was still booting up—obediently shook his head.

"The production team confiscated my phone."

He was merely stating a fact.

Yet his dazed, adorable appearance somehow made it seem like he was tattling.

Meng Jiao burst into laughter and teased, "Looks like our Si Di is very well-behaved. You didn't secretly hide a phone. It's fine, don't worry. Yesterday's trending topic was a good thing. Everyone was discussing what Producer Qin said to you during the initial stage."

"A lot of people think the—um—teacher-student relationship between you two is very ship-worthy."

Teacher-student relationship... ship-worthy???

Si Di was only sleepy, not stupid. The next second, he understood the meaning behind Meng Jiao's "um."

Heh.

He would never have imagined that he and Qin Wei had gained CP fans!

The world was such a beautiful place. Why did some people insist on making themselves miserable?

Rather than shipping him with Qin Wei, they might as well ship him with Wu Biao as an invincible CP!

Si Di shook his head and mercilessly broke up the ship before the camera. "There is no teacher-student relationship. Fundamentally, nothing has changed in my relationship with Qin Wei. I'm grateful that he gave me an opportunity, but that doesn't stop me from wanting to surpass him."

The people around him all sucked in sharp breaths.

Yu Ning frantically blinked beside him. If they hadn't been live, he would definitely have rushed over and covered Si Di's mouth, which had absolutely no filter.

He really dared to say he wanted to surpass Qin Wei!

It would be fine if he actually did it, but if he failed, the haters would mock him for the rest of his life!

Meng Jiao, however, quite admired his candid nature. Rarely, she extended one hand and patted his shoulder.

"Good luck."

Somewhere deep down, she had a premonition.

One day, Si Di would ride Qin Wei.

Um...

A bizarre image flashed through her mind.

After finishing one person's styling, the makeup artist beckoned Si Di over.

Si Di went over and sat down. The angle of the mirror's reflection happened to show Meng Jiao.

She wore an indescribable auntie smile.

Si Di—the ultimate straight man—didn't understand it at all.

After thinking for two seconds, he decided Meng Jiao probably really believed in him.

Si Di took a breath. He could defeat Qin Wei!

He obediently sat there while the stylist worked on his hair, then pulled a small bread roll from his bulging pocket. Tearing open the wrapper, he slowly took bites out of it.

When the camera moved away from him, he was eating a small bread roll.

After the camera filmed another trainee and swept back past him, he was still eating a small bread roll.

When the loudspeaker announced that they should head to the side hall, a huge pile of empty wrappers had already accumulated on the makeup table in front of him.

The stylist gave him temporary chestnut-brown hair, with a slight curl at the ends. His face was fair, his eyes bright and glistening, his chin pointed, and the contours of his profile smooth and perfect.

It was just that his cheeks were stuffed full.

[Oh my god, 4D is still eating!]

[He can eat so much and still stay this thin. Those of us who gain weight easily are crying with envy. [Tears][Tears]]

[A boy group survival show has successfully made me hungry.]

[Ordered already. [Smile][Smile]]

[Si Di probably stayed not for the competition, but for the sponsor's free little bread rolls, hahahahaha.]

Si Di set off for the practice room.

Before leaving, he even remembered to pack up and take away the empty wrappers.

The side hall was large, with several rows of connected wooden benches on both sides. Quite a few trainees were already seated inside.

Si Di and Yu Ning casually found seats and sat down.

Once everyone had arrived, the large screen at the front of the side hall suddenly lit up.

—100.

A gray background, black numbers.

The image flickered several times, and the number changed to 99.

Then came 98, 97, 96.

The numbers changed at lightning speed. In the blink of an eye, only a 7 remained, turning from black into gleaming gold.

The loudspeaker sounded:

"From being a trainee to debuting, there is only one step."

"But that one step is crowded with people sprinting toward their dreams."

"Survival of the fittest is nature's rule, and it is also the rule for trainees transforming into artists."

"Next, let us welcome Producer Qin to announce the first mission of Limited Idol to the trainees."

All the trainees rose to their feet.

Energetic Yu Ning was the first to react, springing up in an instant.

Si Di glanced sideways at him and shook his head with faint disdain.

Was that really necessary?

Wasn't he afraid of throwing out his back?

While grumbling inwardly, Si Di slowly got to his feet.

Yu Ning's eyes widened.

Oh my god!

That arrogant brat who hadn't even moved from his seat yesterday had actually stood up today!

Who said Hero Si was arrogant? Hero Si was clearly understanding, reasonable, and impeccably polite!

Yu Ning's eyes grew hot with gratification.

As the camera swept past them, the barrage expressed the same shock:

[Si Di stood up!]

[Even though he looks just a tiny bit unwilling, he stood up at least. After yesterday, he visibly respects Qin Wei a little more.]

[This young man's ideological awareness is pretty high.]

[Yu Ning is so touched he's about to cry, hahahaha.]

[Quiet, quiet, quiet! Our husband is coming out!]

The instant Qin Wei appeared, the barrage was completely flooded with his name.

Today, he wore a long, lightweight trench coat with a grayish-brown base. One section of his left shoulder featured a white-and-brown plaid pattern, making the design strikingly fashionable.

His cool fair skin naturally gave him an air of nobility.

Qin Wei walked to the center of the side hall. His long, narrow eyes swept over both sides, and he nodded like a teacher. "Sit down, everyone."

Si Di was the first to sit.

Don't ask. His pride made him do it.

Qin Wei had convinced him to stay through virtue.

Si Di had returned the courtesy by standing to greet him.

It was proper, but unwilling.

Only after being the first to sit did Si Di feel a little better. He quietly let out a breath and glanced sideways at Qin Wei.

Qin Wei's gaze lightly passed over him.

To be honest, he hadn't expected Si Di to stand and greet him.

...He could barely be called teachable.

Little Neurotic was still salvageable.