Si Di, Who Do You Want to Challenge?

Well said!

Si Di was even more excited than if he had gone onstage himself!

Maybe because he had taught Yu Ning step by step, and watching him spread his wings so bravely gave him an inexplicable feeling of... fatherly affection?

For the theme song evaluation, Yu Ning was the first to voluntarily issue a challenge.

After choosing his opponent, the music began.

The entire venue watched him.

Yu Ning took a deep breath, straightened his slender shoulders, and hit the beat perfectly.

His rhythm was steady.

Si Di had taught him step by step for two days, and Yu Ning had worked hard himself. He might not have been outstanding, but he definitely did not fall behind.

As for singing.

Yu Ning was a vocal to begin with, so singing was absolutely not a problem.

But standing on the small stage with all five mentors staring at him, he could not quite handle the pressure, and his voice trembled slightly beyond his control.

The performance ended.

After completing the ending pose, Yu Ning clasped his hands tightly behind his back.

The mentors discussed it for several minutes.

Qin Wei picked up the microphone and said, "Actually, you did very well. Being able to bravely issue a challenge means you have at least defeated your own cowardice. Now, let's announce the result of your challenge. Yu Ning, your final reevaluated rank is—"

The air went still for a moment.

Not only Yu Ning, even Si Di below the stage held his breath.

Si Di was not even this nervous during his own battles.

Qin Wei paused for a few seconds before continuing, "B."

The selected Class A member let out a long sigh of relief.

Yu Ning nodded with slight disappointment.

"Although you did not succeed in your challenge, you have improved a lot. Have more confidence in yourself, and do not be so nervous next time."

Qin Wei's voice was gentle.

Qian Er added from the side, "Yes! Yu Ning, you really made me see you in a new light today! I remember that during the first stage, you only sang and did not dance."

"In just a few short days, you managed to dance the entire theme song perfectly, without a single wrong move. Your rhythm and power were also well controlled. I can tell that you must have put in a tremendous amount of effort!"

"If you had not been so nervous and let your breath become unstable while singing, you absolutely could have made it into Class A. Yu Ning, keep it up. I believe in you!"

The mentors' encouragement was very effective.

Yu Ning raised his head and nodded, thoroughly encouraged.

Si Di looked at Qin Wei from afar.

Hm.

That bastard actually knew how to comfort people.

He could count that as having a little humanity.

Yu Ning returned to his seat and tightly hugged Si Di's arm, his chest heaving violently.

Si Di was about to comfort him, but Yu Ning lowered his voice and said excitedly, "Producer Qin and Teacher Qian Er both praised me. Even though I lost the battle, I'm really so happy! Di Bao, I did it. I danced onstage!"

Si Di patted the back of his hand. "Not only did you dance, you danced very well."

Yu Ning had barely managed to hold it together before, but this time he could not keep it in. Biting his lip, he smiled shyly and stamped his little feet excitedly several times.

[Hahaha, look at our baby Ning getting so excited.]

[I was worried that this little cutie would take it badly and get all emo. Seeing that he's okay puts me at ease.]

[Those little foot stomps are way too cute! [Spinning][Spinning]]

[Why is Si Di looking at Yu Ning with such doting eyes? How about we ship Dead Fish CP instead of Earthfire CP?]

[I want to ship them too, but Si Di's makeup today is too delicate. The two of them sitting together kind of look like they're the same type...]

The comments were wildly pairing people up.

The recording venue remained ablaze with excitement.

With Yu Ning taking the lead, several more people from Class B bravely challenged Class A. One of them successfully took a higher spot and proudly replaced the rank tag on his body with a pink A.

After Class B's evaluation ended, Class C and Class D followed in turn.

Compared with the relatively stronger Class B, the lower the trainees' ranks were, the more of them stepped forward to challenge others.

By the time it was Class F's turn, almost everyone was battling people from the higher ranks.

...After all, they were already at the bottom.

If they won, they could still climb a little higher.

After everyone had finished performing, Si Di was the last to step forward.

Standing on the small stage in the center, Si Di faced the camera and raised his hand without either arrogance or humility.

Qin Wei lifted his eyes to look at him.

There was actually a hint of anticipation in his gaze.

Qian Er, who had always thought the most highly of Si Di, said excitedly, "We've finally been waiting for you, Si Di. Who do you want to challenge?"

Si Di's gaze swiftly swept over all the trainees.

His abilities were obvious to all.

Many people lacked the confidence to meet his eyes.

Even those in Class A, worried that they would be battled down, did not dare provoke him rashly.

Among the crowd, only one person stared directly at him without the slightest fear.

It was Huo Xiao.

He was tall and especially conspicuous sitting among the crowd.

His world-weary face carried a faintly vicious air, arrogant and unruly.

And he truly had the ability to back up that arrogance.

After so many evaluations, people in Class A and Class B had been challenged all over, yet no one had challenged Huo Xiao alone.

It was not that they did not want to, but that they did not dare.

Huo Xiao's strength was universally acknowledged. Singing, dancing, rap—he had no weak points, an all-around ace!

Against Huo Xiao, either he won or you lost!

No one was foolish enough to challenge the king.

Si Di's gaze landed on him.

Such an outstanding person had left a deep impression on Si Di.

Reason told him not to choose Huo Xiao.

He would have a sure chance of winning against anyone he picked from Class A.

Only against Huo Xiao did he have no confidence.

But at that moment, the defiance in his bones stirred.

Huo Xiao's unblinking stare inexplicably ignited a refusal to lose within him.

After a brief hesitation, Si Di bravely said, "I want to challenge Huo Xiao from Class A."

Boom—

The entire venue exploded!

Everyone was stunned!

[Holy shit, holy shit!]

[4D is way too fierce! Other people are terrified even when challenging someone one rank higher, but he's directly challenging Class A from Class F, and he even picked Huo Xiao, one of Class A's giants!]

[My heart is pounding. Di Bao, how about we pick someone else? [Pity][Pity]]

[Picking on weaklings is not Si Di's style. Who cares about all that? Just do it!]

[Why are my two favorite people fighting...]

[The palm and back of the hand are both flesh. If I have to choose one, I choose Earthfire CP. [Smirk][Smirk]]

[Seriously, how does Si Di have CP chemistry with everyone? Is that the benefit of being able to be wild, delicate, adorable, and sweet?]

[Love-hate relationship—Dichlorvos CP. Double the sweet cuteness—Dead Fish CP. Overflowing dominance—Earthfire CP. Which pair do you ship?]

Hearing Si Di choose Huo Xiao, Qin Wei's brows lifted slightly.

As expected of him.

Just like always, he had never admitted defeat since childhood.

With a hint of approval, Qin Wei extended a hand. "Come on, show us."

Si Di adjusted his stance and looked at the camera with his head held high.

His clear, deer-like eyes had a light wash of pink at their corners.

He looked incredibly soft and delicate.

Yet his gaze was resolute and dashing.

He was confident enough.

It was as though light burst forth from within him.

Standing there, he was like heaven's favored son, radiant and dazzling.