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Moreover, in Jiang Ran's subconscious, he had always regarded Ye Zexi as an opponent.

Last week, he had been assigned to the same group as Ye Zexi and inexplicably gotten the Center Position. Jiang Ran had naturally been happy, but that excitement had not lasted long.

Jiang Ran soon realized that Ye Zexi was very strong.

Even if Ye Zexi slacked off in training every day, even if he sang the fewest lines, he could still effortlessly outshine Jiang Ran.

Jiang Ran could not help looking up at Ye Zexi.

Noticing his gaze, Ye Zexi revealed a faint smile on his handsome face.

Jiang Ran was slightly dazed.

He had joined "Era Idol" to debut. Ye Zexi might not care about advancing, but he did.

If he won, Jiang Ran could stand on a bigger stage.

He suddenly thought of that Friday's stage. He had been seated on the advancement platform while Ye Zexi stood at the center of the stage.

The young man smiled with uninhibited confidence, his dance steps nimble and self-assured, like a king descending upon the world. Every glance back and every movement could draw screams from the entire world.

When the dance ended, the cheers rose higher and higher in waves. The smile on Ye Zexi's face then had been exactly the same as it was now.

And Ye Zexi, whom he regarded as an opponent, had not taken him seriously at all.

It was not exactly disdain.

Rather, everything Jiang Ran cared about most was something Ye Zexi did not care about.

That was why he could so easily give up an opportunity to advance. Ye Zexi simply did not care about such results.

This sense of defeat without even fighting dealt Jiang Ran a heavy blow.

So this time, did he still want to be in the same group as Ye Zexi?

After waiting a long time without receiving Jiang Ran's answer, Tang Jing continued, "I think Jiang Ran is quite suitable. What do you all think?"

Yu Yan and Wan An naturally had no objections.

Ye Zexi was even more indifferent, as though he did not care at all. "Anything is fine."

Jiang Ran's gaze shifted slightly.

He suddenly felt a little angry. Ye Zexi did not care, but he did!

He had joined "Era Idol" to debut, to win. Why should he give up his own chance to advance because of Ye Zexi?

With that thought, Jiang Ran gritted his teeth and said, "Fine, I'll join your group."

Tang Jing smiled. The first group had successfully formed.

The onlookers around them all shook their heads. Sure enough, there was nothing left for them. Everyone dispersed to find people they wanted to team up with.

This change in rules did not just allow free team formation. Even when it came to song selection, the production team and mentors would not interfere, leaving the contestants free to choose.

After forming a team, the first priority was choosing songs.

Ye Zexi had no opinions whatsoever about the song choices, and the two songs were quickly decided.

Next came the competition for the Center Position.

Tang Jing pressed his lips together and looked at Ye Zexi before speaking first. "Ye Zexi, this time I'm going to compete with you for the Center Position."

Tang Jing's feelings were extremely complicated.

Back when Ye Zexi had joined "Era Idol" to pursue him, Tang Jing honestly had not taken Ye Zexi seriously at all.

He had only thought Ye Zexi was acting on a passing whim and would surely be eliminated soon.

With his company helping him, Tang Jing had learned in advance about the abilities of all the trainees in this competition. He believed he could easily take first place. As long as he debuted in first place and got a role in He Jinyun's film, he would not need to care about Ye Zexi or anyone else.

But Tang Jing had never expected Ye Zexi to suddenly give up pursuing him.

And during the second public performance, he had stunned everyone.

Tang Jing's first place was gone, and He Jinyun had also turned his attention to Ye Zexi.

Only then did Tang Jing realize that Ye Zexi was no longer the useless rich second-generation heir from his memories.

How could Tang Jing be willing to be surpassed just like that? After learning that He Jinyun was discussing an advertising collaboration with Tang Jing, he felt even more stifled.

He had personally seen He Jinyun take the initiative to look for Ye Zexi, and then leave together with him.

The reason he had fought Cui Yi last night, aside from Cui Yi's foul mouth, was also related to this matter.

By suggesting that they team up with Ye Zexi today, Tang Jing wanted to continue competing with Ye Zexi.

Ye Zexi said it was an advertising collaboration, but Tang Jing was not going to believe that so easily.

He Jinyun's side had not yet released any casting news. He still had a chance.

There were still two public performances left, and he still had a chance to climb back to first place.

Tang Jing would not admit defeat so easily!

Unexpectedly, after Tang Jing said that, Ye Zexi merely replied, "I wasn't planning to compete for the Center Position."

Jiang Ran wore an expression that said, Just as expected.

He had guessed it long ago!

Tang Jing, however, was dazed for a moment. "What?"

Ye Zexi smiled and said seriously, "You're handsome, and you're good at singing and dancing. I think you're very suited to be our group's Center Position. I have no objections at all to you being the Center Position. Good luck!"

Being praised like that to his face so suddenly, even Tang Jing could not stop his face from heating up. At the same time, though, he was even more confused.

"Wait, why aren't you competing with me for the Center Position?"

"Why should I compete for the Center Position?" Ye Zexi asked in confusion.

Tang Jing choked on his words.

Jiang Ran and Yu Yan exchanged a glance, and both smiled knowingly.

Sure enough, only people who had experienced it understood. Ye Zexi was just a slacker!

With no one competing with Tang Jing for the Center Position, Tang Jing was directly chosen.

Seeing the complicated expression on Tang Jing's face, Jiang Ran could not help secretly looking forward to the expression Tang Jing would make once he saw Ye Zexi slacking off in training every day.

Just thinking about it was already exciting!

There was even less training time for the third public performance. Within just five days, every group needed to rehearse one dance and one song.

Group training was more difficult than individual performances. After all, every team member was different, and the contestants could not guarantee that everyone would progress at the same pace.