I Appreciate Si Di, but Not Much

Qin Wei calmly withdrew his gaze, took out his cue card, and simplified things. "Limited Idol will select seven people out of one hundred. The rules are cruel, so only by putting in more effort than everyone else will you have a chance to debut."

"On this short road from trainee to debut, the first task I'll be announcing is the theme song evaluation."

"One hundred trainees will have three days to learn and perform the theme song. We'll reevaluate your rankings based on your performance."

As soon as those words came out, the trainees in Classes C, D, and F, all ranked below Class B, lit up.

A ranking reevaluation!

This was a new opportunity!

When the theme song stage was filmed later, Class A would get the most screen time, the most lyrics, and the most central positions.

Class B came next.

Only after that came Classes C, D, and F.

The more camera time they had, the more attention they could draw, and the higher their popularity and rankings could rise.

In the nationwide vote, only the seven most popular people could ultimately debut as a group.

This theme song evaluation was of vital importance.

Only after the trainees had calmed down did Qin Wei say, "Now, let's watch the theme song."

He stepped aside.

The prerecorded theme song began playing on the huge screen behind him.

The song was light and uplifting, and the high notes in the chorus made everyone's blood surge.

The choreography looked great too.

Accordingly, it was also difficult.

The dance moves were extremely dense, with many linked together, placing high demands on fluidity, balance, and bodily control!

Some trainees eagerly tried a few moves, only to fall behind the rhythm almost immediately.

Yu Ning's head spun as he watched. Clinging to Si Di's arm, he looked like he had lost all will to live.

"It's over, it's over... This theme song is harder than any previous idol survival show. I practiced that debut-stage performance for more than three months and only got a B. This time, we only have three days. I'm afraid I'm going to embarrass myself in front of the whole country..."

Yu Ning covered the Class B emblem on the left side of his yellow uniform, his face full of misery.

He was so done for.

If he wore this outfit for another three days, he would have to change into that dull gray Class F uniform.

Sob, sob.

Si Di was actually dumbfounded too.

Although the vocal instructor and dance instructor had praised him endlessly, he was ultimately still an outsider. After watching the entire stage, he was utterly lost.

But!

A real man never admitted defeat!

Since he had decided to debut, he couldn't give up!

Si Di patted Yu Ning on the shoulder, took a deep breath, and said energetically, "Don't be afraid. Starlight never lets down those who press on. Let's make it to Class A together!"

What a coincidence.

Qin Wei had just finished announcing the rules and was about to leave when he happened to pass in front of him.

Hearing those words, he paused and glanced sideways at Si Di. A trace of gentleness flashed through his long, cool eyes.

They had known each other for twenty-one years and been enemies for twenty-one years.

But today, Qin Wei realized for the first time that Si Di's stubborn refusal to ever give up was precisely his most dazzling quality.

There was a hint of appreciation in Qin Wei's gaze, though not much.

But in Si Di's eyes, it was still enough to make goosebumps rise all over his body.

If they had not been livestreaming, he would have been unable to stop himself from rushing over, punching Qin Wei in the face, and cursing:

What are you staring at? Showing off the two holes under your eyebrows? Your gaze is polluting me!

However, the cameras were not filming them.

They were filming several trainees who had received initial Class A ratings and had already stepped forward as examples, practicing along with the dance on the big screen.

Qin Wei glanced around, made sure they would not be filmed, then walked over to Si Di and said, "Come out with me for a moment."

Tch.

Si Di selectively went deaf, rolling his eyes as he automatically tuned him out.

Qin Wei looked at him, his patience visibly draining away.

Yu Ning, who was sitting nearby, hurriedly pulled Si Di to his feet and quickly shoved him out the door.

Before long, Qin Wei came out as well.

Yu Ning looked around, unsure what to say. He ducked his head with an awkward smile, then turned and went back into the side hall.

The corridor was silent.

Si Di shot Qin Wei a sidelong look and said irritably, "Spit it out if you've got something to say."

Being cold and sarcastic was his pride and dignity as a man!

"Come with me for a moment."

Qin Wei's expression remained calm. As he spoke, he headed to the side on his long legs.

Si Di did not follow. He stood where he was and snorted coldly. "You think I'll go just because you tell me to? Qin Wei, aren't you thinking too highly of yourself? Let me tell you, I'm someone who keeps gratitude and grudges separate. Me thanking you and me hating you aren't mutually exclusive. Off camera, we're still enemies!"

Qin Wei stopped, turned around, and looked at him from two meters away.

The appreciation he had shown in the side hall seemed like an illusion.

His gaze had now returned to how it used to be. Well... it was the look he gave an idiot.

Si Di blinked, then immediately snapped, "Qin Wei, are you sick? Do you think looking at people like that makes you seem especially aloof, domineering, and arrogant?"

Qin Wei: ...

A lunatic really was hard to cure.

Taking a deep breath, Qin Wei patiently said, "Uncle Si asked me to bring you something."

Si Di, who had been about to curse him out, nearly bit his tongue. "M-My dad? My dad watched my show?"

Why would a dean watch an idol survival show?

Thinking of the painfully cringe children's song from his debut stage, Si Di felt that Si Guohua had one more reason to use him as a cautionary example in the future.

For all he knew, the thing being sent over might be a declaration severing their relationship!

Si Di's head buzzed.

Watching his expression change by the second, Qin Wei frowned in disgust. "Uncle Si said he felt very gratified. He also said he never knew your love for your parents ran so deep that, on such an important debut stage, you actually sang a children's song full of familial affection."

People in the teaching profession really did love overinterpreting things.

Still, could this count as a blessing in disguise?

Could Old Si have gotten so excited that he sent over the property deed and bankbook?

Suppressing his delight, Si Di looked at Qin Wei and strode forward, saying forcefully, "Let me tell you, I'm definitely not going with you because I'm afraid of you. I'm doing this to keep my dad's assets from falling into a thief's hands. You understand?"

Qin Wei: "???"

Si Di: "..."

Damn!

The paternal love that had been missing for twenty-one years had suddenly come crashing down on him.

Si Di's head felt a little dizzy.

Worried that Qin Wei would look down on him, he cleared his throat and lifted his chin high.

Qin Wei shook his head speechlessly, then turned and led Si Di into his private lounge.

Click.

The lights came on.

Qin Wei walked in and gestured with his chin toward the woven plastic bag on the sofa.

"Uncle Si said you must accept it."

Whoa.

A domineering father's domineering love!

Si Di walked over while pretending to remain composed and pulled open the zipper of the bag.

It was full of clothes.

There was also a note on top that read:

—The weather has turned cold. My son, take good care of yourself. Yesterday, I saw you wearing ripped jeans with your knees exposed. This can easily lead to rheumatism, so I asked Qin Wei to bring you warm clothing.