As the little investor personally chosen by Shen Xubai, Shen Yu received a grand reception. The moment he left the airport, he got into a car sent by the production team to pick him up.
Shen Yu smiled readily and put on no young-master airs. Before long, he was chatting and laughing with the production assistant, keeping an eye on the livestream featuring Shen Xingshuo even amid all the bustle.
"Do you like Luoluo too, Little Yu?" The young female assistant was clearly a Qiao Luo fan. Seeing Shen Yu watching the livestream intently, she immediately began enthusiastically introducing him.
Shen Yu puffed out his cheeks, inwardly marveling at the protagonist's boundless charm. Qiao Luo's fans were everywhere.
Then he looked at his own unruly second brother, who sat by the bed like a lord, completely ignoring Yang Yi's chattering beside him and even yawning out of boredom.
Only when the sound of the door opening rang out again did Yang Yi take a temporary break, reluctantly closing his mouth.
Mo Zeyao opened the door with one hand, his narrow eyes cold. When he saw the others, he merely nodded in greeting.
Qiao Luo quietly pulled his tightly gripped arm free. While Yang Yi shifted his attention to a new target, he swiftly escaped to his own bed to avoid being pestered again.
Meanwhile, Yang Yi's sweet smile froze on his face.
He had not expected two frigid types in the dorm. Compared with Shen Xingshuo, who wore his arrogance openly, Mo Zeyao was even colder. His dismissive tone was unacceptable to Yang Yi, who was used to being adored.
"Hey, once we finish unpacking, we can start lessons this afternoon." Qiao Luo had wanted to break the awkward atmosphere in the dorm, but no one responded, leaving him to look pleadingly at Shen Xingshuo.
"Hmph." Shen Xingshuo snorted softly, clearly unable to understand Qiao Luo's enthusiasm.
"Our dorm is pretty good. You and Brother Mo are tall and handsome, while Yang Yi and I handle being cute." With no one responding, Qiao Luo was forced to keep talking, tears of regret welling in the corners of his eyes.
Help me, help me! This is so awkward!
I deserve to die. I just had to run my mouth. I should never have spoken!
"It's all right." Seeing Qiao Luo repeatedly bow to him and even mouth "Dad," Shen Xingshuo finally answered offhandedly, "But my little brother is cute too."
"You have a little brother?" It was rare to hear Shen Xingshuo talk about his family, and Qiao Luo's thirst for gossip blazed. He asked in delighted surprise, "How old is he? What's he like?"
"In his teens." The corners of Shen Xingshuo's mouth lifted, though his tone was decidedly reluctant. "Like a person when still, like a monkey in motion."
Qiao Luo, his face full of anticipation: ...
Shen Yu, listening in the car: clenched his fists in anger.
Shen Xingshuo did not want to reveal anything about his family, so Qiao Luo regretfully curbed his curiosity. After unpacking, he prepared to attend training.
After the first round of open auditions, 120 contestants advanced. Next, they would train in separate groups, with 30 per class, before the second round of selection seven days later.
As with university classes, roommates were generally assigned to the same class. By the time Shen Xingshuo arrived, quite a few classmates had started practicing their fundamentals.
Those who passed the open auditions generally had genuine ability. Most had a foundation in dance, and some even had over a decade of experience and certificates.
Looking at the youngsters before him, He Rui could not help smiling. Once, he too had stood here, then climbed step by step to his current position.
Now, looking at these passionate, hopeful youths, he seemed to see his younger self.
"Whether you advance later or not, and regardless of how skilled your peers are, learning is an opportunity to improve. I hope none of you will give up."
"Of course, the production team is livestreaming the entire process. As long as you're willing to work hard, I believe you'll gain a following by the time the show ends."
"I hope you'll all guard against arrogance and impatience. During this period, we'll invite other mentors, and even talent agencies and investors will come to visit."
The moment He Rui finished speaking, everyone began discussing it. Whichever opportunity they seized, they had a chance to shoot to stardom.
Even if their skills were not that outstanding, having viewers see their hard work might help them make a name for themselves when they returned and set them on the path to becoming internet celebrities.
Compared with the lively crowd, Shen Xingshuo and Qiao Luo appeared especially composed. They even covered their mouths to mutter, "Leaders all have a gift for dangling empty promises."
"We also saw your excellent singing abilities during the open auditions. Now, do you all have a foundation in dance?"
"Yes-" The trainees responded in chorus. Shen Xingshuo and Qiao Luo looked at each other, then mouthed along without meaning it.
How did that not count as a foundation in dance? We knew aerobics and public-square dancing, after all.
He Rui had debuted some twenty years ago, so naturally he spotted the two bluffing their way through at a glance. He shook his head, unsurprised.
"We also received the résumés you uploaded earlier. Mo Zeyao, you've studied dance since childhood, right? Give everyone a demonstration first."
He Rui clearly knew every trainee inside out and called directly on Mo Zeyao to perform.
Qiao Luo watched his roommate step forward in surprise and quietly muttered to Shen Xingshuo, "Our dorm is full of hidden talent."
Seeing Qiao Luo draw closer and closer, Shen Xingshuo disdainfully extended two fingers and pushed his head back before turning his gaze to Mo Zeyao, who had already started performing.
The upbeat music had a strong rhythm. Even the tall, sturdy Mo Zeyao was panting from exertion, and Shen Xingshuo kept shaking his head as he watched.
"Very good. This is the standard you need to reach." He Rui greatly admired Mo Zeyao's solid fundamentals, his gaze settling particularly on two figures furtively retreating toward the back.
"Hahaha, look at them sneaking around. Have they forgotten the livestream is on?"
"That's what I'm saying. How did those two end up doing this? Even Little Luoluo's been dragged into acting silly /wry smile"
"Gotta say, Mo Zeyao is amazing! You can't build fundamentals like that without years of practice."
"I heard he was sent to a dance studio to start learning at three. Doesn't that mean he'll crush everyone else?"
"Feels like 'everyone else' specifically means a certain two people."
"What? Did those two buy fake commenters? Why does everything revolve around them every day? Other people, like Yang Yi, are pretty good."
"Let me quietly add that Lin Yan is pretty good too. He's just a little reserved, but I really love his singing."
"Shen Xingshuo, Qiao Luo, Lin Yan, and Tan Yuran, start with stretching and practicing your fundamentals."
"Mo Zeyao still needs stage experience. I'll explain that to you first. Yang Yi, your foundation is good, so listen along too."
He Rui seemed casual, but he actually knew every trainee's situation inside out.
After briefly assigning tasks, He Rui began instructing them one by one. His strict demands were a complete departure from his earlier jovial manner, and even Qiao Luo's face grew tense.
"Does it hurt?" Despite his good flexibility, Qiao Luo was still sweating profusely as he practiced the fundamentals.
"It's fine." Shen Xingshuo answered calmly, but his slightly hoarse voice and trembling legs completely exposed his attempt to tough it out.
He could endure pain! But he couldn't endure tearing pain!
Meanwhile, accompanied by two young women, Shen Yu carried snacks in his left hand and cradled milk in his right. Wearing sunglasses and a hat, he bounded eagerly toward the training area.
Second Brother, hang in there! I'm coming to save you!