He Jinyun looked at Ye Zexi in confusion.
Ye Zexi's eyes were filled with sincerity. If his bank card had not still been frozen, he would have loved nothing more than to go back and be his good-for-nothing rich second-generation self!
He Jinyun held Ye Zexi's gaze for two seconds before conceding defeat.
Fine. It seemed today's conversation could only end here.
His first attempt had ended in failure. As soon as he returned to the mentors' lounge, Shan Zeyu came over and asked He Jinyun how it had gone.
He Jinyun rubbed his slightly throbbing temples and relayed Ye Zexi's answer.
Shan Zeyu laughed. "Inherit the family business? I think Ye Zexi just found a random excuse to brush you off, didn't he?"
He Jinyun said helplessly, "Probably."
Looking at his good friend, Shan Zeyu began offering suggestions. "How about picking someone else? I think Tang Jing is pretty good too. He fits the persona you told me about."
He Jinyun did not rush to object. He only said, "Let's see."
Era Idol became a massive hit, and viewers and fans began urging the official account to release the edited episodes.
Unlike other idol survival shows, Era Idol had a far harsher format. There were only four live performances in total.
Half the contestants would be eliminated after the first performance. The second would cut fifty contestants down to twenty-five, the third would determine the competition's top ten, and the final performance—the grand finale—would select four contestants to debut as a group.
Yesterday had been Friday, as well as Era Idol's first live performance broadcast. On Saturday night, the production team would release edited footage of the contestants' daily lives before the performance, while the performance edit and subsequent elimination footage would go online Sunday night.
That was also why the production team had not immediately closed the voting channel after the performance ended. It would remain open until nine o'clock Saturday morning.
Before then, viewers and fans could vote for their favorite contestants.
Today's schedule consisted of a post-performance review, the judges' critiques, and the announcement of the elimination list.
By the time Ye Zexi arrived, the recording hall was already packed.
The moment he appeared at the entrance, several heated gazes fell upon him, appraising him with admiration, astonishment, or envy.
There were even a few fairly loud discussions.
"Do you think Ye Zexi will take first place this time?"
"It'll probably be either him or Tang Jing. After all, they really stole the spotlight this time."
Ye Zexi had long since grown used to such discussions and stares. He did not feel the slightest bit uncomfortable; he even looked directly toward each voice.
Quite a few trainees were thin-skinned and quickly shut their mouths, withdrawing their gazes. Ye Zexi also found the person he had been looking for in the crowd—Tang Jing.
From afar, Ye Zexi waved at Tang Jing.
Tang Jing's expression was somewhat complicated. He nodded at Ye Zexi in response.
"Don't worry, Tang Jing. You'll definitely rank first this time. I honestly think Ye Zexi is inferior to you in every way," someone beside him said.
Tang Jing did not answer. He merely said, "The judges and audience have sharp eyes."
The person immediately laughed. "Exactly. Ye Zexi doesn't have that kind of ability. Yesterday was just a lucky—"
Tang Jing's brows furrowed slightly, and he suddenly stood up. "I'll sit over there."
The smile on that person's lips immediately froze.
Laughter sounded from behind him. "Well, well. Looks like you kissed the wrong ass?"
That person's face immediately turned livid.
A few minutes later, Shan Zeyu, He Jinyun, and Qu Xiao appeared in the recording hall, and the entire room instantly quieted down.
Everyone knew what they were here for today, so the mentors did not beat around the bush and went straight to the point.
As soon as yesterday's livestream ended, the directing team had sent over every contestant's performance footage. The three mentors had reviewed it until late at night, analyzing each contestant's strengths and weaknesses.
Though today's segment was called a critique session, it was really more about pointing out the contestants' respective strengths and shortcomings.
Shan Zeyu had always pursued perfection. Whether with himself or others, he held everyone to strict standards in an effort to present the best possible stage to viewers and fans.
He was also the first to begin today's critiques. The moment he opened his mouth, Shan Zeyu called out several contestants by name and pointed out the flaws in their performances yesterday.
A contestant below whispered, "As expected of Mentor Shan, who strives for perfection. Isn't this way too strict?"
Shan Zeyu went through them one by one, and most of the contestants present were criticized.
Until Shan Zeyu called out another name. "Tang Jing."
"No way? Tang Jing is getting criticized too?"
"His performance yesterday looked absolutely perfect to me!"
"Mentor Shan is really too strict!"
Shan Zeyu spoke at an unhurried pace. Even his criticism sounded especially pleasant to the ear.
"You were fairly good. You didn't go off-key, and your stage presence was decent, but there was one problem. When transitioning into the second line, you were a beat slow. What happened then?"
Tang Jing raised his eyes and looked at the three judges ahead.
He Jinyun sat upright at the judges' table. Though his gaze was not directed at Tang Jing, Tang Jing still felt as if he had been pricked. His face visibly reddened at a rapid pace, and he was so ashamed he wanted to disappear into the ground.
"It was my mistake," Tang Jing said softly.
Shan Zeyu did not press the issue. He only said, "Pay attention in the future. You can't make this kind of mistake again."
Tang Jing nodded. "Thank you, Mentor Shan."
Shan Zeyu nodded, lowered his head to look at the notes in his hand, then suddenly raised a brow and drawled, "Next, Ye Zexi."
All eyes in the room turned to Ye Zexi.
Someone asked quietly, "Is Ye Zexi getting criticized too?"
"Not necessarily."
"Even Tang Jing didn't escape it. I think Ye Zexi definitely will—"
Before the speaker could finish, Shan Zeyu's voice rang out. "Your performance yesterday really surprised me. If your face had not still been yours, I would have thought someone else had taken the stage. The performance you presented to the audience was excellent."
Shan Zeyu had spent nearly the entire morning criticizing people, and this was the first time he had praised anyone. Many people looked surprised, though they also felt it was only natural.