Chapter Thirty-Nine: Preparation

"Brother Cen! Hurry! Something important has happened!"

Inside Starlight TV station, Yan Xiang from the artist management team rushed into the office of executive producer Cen Qi. At that moment, Cen Qi was discussing the content of "Taking the Group as Camp" with director Jiang Xunzhen, his face full of worry.

Seeing Yan Xiang barge in without even knocking, he subconsciously frowned. "What's the rush? How big can it be?"

Jiang Xunzhen looked at Yan Xiang. The group had worked together before and were quite familiar with each other.

She teased the panting Yan Xiang, "I'd like to hear your 'big news.' If it really surprises me, I'll treat you to dinner today."

Upon hearing this, Yan Xiang confidently replied, "Then it's a deal."

"Stop talking nonsense and get to the point."

Cen Qi rolled his eyes at Yan Xiang.

Yan Xiang sat down on the sofa, looking at the two of them, his expression no longer showing the cunning he had just displayed.

He said, word by word, "I just received news that Will Company has agreed to send a team of trainees to participate in 'Team-Based Training'."

"What?"

"real?"

Cen Qi and Jiang Xunzhen exchanged a glance, speechless with surprise.

This team, which was formed for the project "Training in Battalions," faces new challenges almost every day.

Not to mention the constant adjustments to the rules and frequent obstacles to sponsorship, finding the core of the program—the trainee team—was also extremely difficult.

Other talent shows have low entry barriers; they can recruit individual trainees, entertainment companies, or even the general public. As long as enough people are recruited, the show can be launched.

Their show, "Team-Based Training," requires trainee teams. Major entertainment companies don't usually send just a few people to their talent shows, let alone a whole team like this.

Trainee groups from small companies vary in quality and have little reputation, which can even have a negative impact on the show's pre-show promotion.

They sent out invitations and letters of intent to various companies with little hope, and as expected, received few replies.

During this period, other feasible methods were constantly discussed.

Unexpectedly, there's always a way out.

The company, Will Company, which had never sent trainees to participate in a talent show before, surprisingly agreed to send a team to participate!

Cen Qi pinched his leg and felt the stinging pain before he dared to believe reality.

Countless ideas popped into my mind.

He immediately stood up and pulled Yan Xiang to his feet. "Come on, let's sign the contract quickly. We can't let them go back on their word!"

Cen Qi's excited voice could still be heard in the corridor: "After the contract is signed, quickly spread the news to other companies. I don't believe they won't take action... That way, there's hope for attracting investment..."

Jiang Xunzhen chuckled to herself while rubbing her forehead in the room. But then she realized the pressure was mounting, so she picked up the proposal and headed towards the directing team.

With the addition of trainee Will, this plan still needs to be revised.

...

The final review meeting failed to reach a conclusion.

This news circulated among the trainees, sparking considerable discussion.

The word spread quickly, and the trainees learned what a final review discussion meeting was all about.

Meng Fanxi and his group had become accustomed to people pointing fingers and gossiping behind their backs.

Curiosity, doubt, and gossip all focused on them until the six of them were granted the right to use a practice room for the debut group.

The onlookers' gazes turned to admiration.

The news that the six members were preparing to participate in "Group Camp" was not made public at the company's instruction, so everyone thought they had been successfully included in the debut group.

The final review meeting has a chance of being successful.

Some people had ulterior motives. Three months ago, a planning team that had been completely rejected due to its overly imaginative plans and members' misconduct filed a high-profile appeal.

They tried to let time make everyone forget the reasons for their initial plan's failure, and attempted to gain sympathy by crying and making a scene at the discussion.

Unexpectedly, the appeal was rejected.

It was only then that everyone realized that the final review discussion might not necessarily be initiated.

The gazes directed at Meng Fanxi and his group of six held an added layer of respect.

However, Meng Fanxi no longer cared about these outside opinions, and the other five seemed oblivious as well.

In the debut group practice room of the Excellence Building

The six of them practiced diligently, with a coach providing guidance from the sidelines.

Wei also sat on the sofa against the wall and recorded a side view for them.

This practice room was secured by Wei Ye. The company doesn't have that many debut groups right now, so it's just sitting empty anyway. Besides, this recording of the show also represents the company's image.

After a round of debate, Wei, under Ji Xin's sharp gaze, won the right to use the practice room.

They also invited the coach in charge of the debut group to provide individual guidance.

In Meng Fanxi's view, this was a tacit approval from the company, proving that the company's senior management did not object to them winning first place in "Team-Based Campaign".

Winning first place means you can debut.

This was a consensus reached by the six people and Wei Ye. Meng Tan had also talked to them privately, which further confirmed this idea.

There are still more than two months until the official recording of the show.

The program organizers sent a disclaimer stating that, due to the closed recording format, the production team would hire professional private tutors to provide academic instruction and guidance to the trainees in their spare time, but could not guarantee their academic progress or academic performance.

Signing a waiver means that during the recording period, trainees are responsible not only for the stage but also for their studies.

This disclaimer also needs to be signed by parents.

They had no other choice.

Lin Wei was very happy to hear that they were going to participate in a variety show. "Will this show only be broadcast online?"

She doesn't seem to have seen any talent shows on TV.

Meng Fanxi thought for a moment. In his previous life, this program was broadcast on satellite TV. He wondered how it was now. He said uncertainly, "It might be broadcast on TV too."

Lin Wei was delighted; "That's great! Don't feel pressured, and don't feel pressured about your studies either."

Zhang Yang and Gu Huailang plan to apply to schools within the next two months. Once the applications are successful, they will have no worries and can focus on recording the show.

So among these six people, you can often see two of them writing furiously while the other four practice in front of a mirror.

Gu Huailang's application was much easier, as his teammates were all from Xinghe High School, except for Meng Fanxi, who transferred there and could not provide any advice.

Everyone else provided Gu Huailang with a lot of help.

On the morning of Gu Huailang's interview, everyone took two hours off and waited for him downstairs in a teaching building at Xinghe High School.

The entire building was sealed off during the interviews. Although there weren't many applicants to Xinghe High School recently, it probably wouldn't be long. But I don't know which number Gu Huailang drew or what stage the interviews were at.

The five of them had no choice but to sit in a row on a bench downstairs.

Ren Yuchen suddenly looked up and then quickly looked back, calmly saying, "I saw Lao Bai."

The three classmates all gave reasons for taking leave, saying they had other things to do.

After repeatedly confirming whether it was safe, Bai Qian agreed.

Xu You looked in the direction Bai Qian had walked. "We made such a big fuss about asking for leave, but if Lao Bai sees us just spacing out on campus, won't he be amused and annoyed?"

As if sensing their thoughts, the person being talked about turned around and stared at them for a few seconds before walking away without looking back.

"Old Bai is so nice," Meng Fanxi exclaimed.

Lin Ruohe, an alumnus who excelled in both academics and conduct during high school and is now somewhat well-known, has been registered as an 'honorary Xinghe person' by the campus system, allowing him to freely enter and exit Xinghe High School.

His agent hasn't been paying attention to him lately, as he's busy with other things.

He was completely relaxed, taking out his phone to take photos and record videos with everyone, and enjoying the photos and videos.

The campus was peaceful and quiet during class. Five teenagers huddled on a bench, chattering away without getting bored. A gentle breeze ruffled their hair, the sunlight was bright, and the sky was vast.

Lin Ruohe said with great interest, "From now on, no matter what important thing happens to anyone, we will all accompany them, okay?"

Zhang Yang didn't hesitate: "Okay."

Ren Yuchen didn't hesitate: "Okay."

Xu You didn't hesitate: "Okay!"

Meng Fanxi: "...If they all become famous all over the world in the future, it will be difficult to gather them all together."

Xu You laughed like a teenager: "Oh, I like hearing you say that."

Gu Huailang came down the stairs at this moment, his expression natural, and everyone could tell at a glance that he had performed well.

He walked towards everyone, against the light, his steps conveying both determination and warmth.

A few days later

Five more people sat neatly on a bench in the Imperial Conservatory of Music, watching Zhang Yang walk into the examination room with a relaxed expression.

Lin Ruohe once again took on the role of photographer. The scenery in this university was so beautiful that any random photo they took looked like a wallpaper.

"I hope it will always be like this," Gu Huailang sighed, stretching out his body as he leaned on the chair.

Meng Fanxi asked, "What?"

Gu Huailang's lips curled into a slight smile. "Like this, everyone participates in each other's affairs."

Xu You, sitting on the very edge, had very sharp ears and immediately said, "That's why we say you're one of us. We thought so when we were waiting for you last time."

Gu Huailang chuckled softly. He seemed very happy. Meng Fanxi saw that his eyes were also smiling, a rare kind of smile that revealed his emotions.

Meng Fanxi joked, "But as I said last time, if I become too famous, it might not work."

Everyone laughed.

"Okay, you're the most popular one then. We'll come find you. Don't kick us out, big star."

"If you're nicer, I might reluctantly let you in for some tea," Meng Fanxi said, feigning arrogance, though he couldn't suppress his laughter.

Zhang Yang's exam took longer than expected, but the five of them always had something to talk about and didn't find it boring.

Shortly after receiving their admission notices, Zhang Yang and Gu Huailang were about to embark on their journey to "The Battalion of Regiments".

During the show's recording, phones would be collected. After evening practice, a few people would lean back on the sofa in the practice room, cherishing every moment spent scrolling through their phones.

"This 'Teen Idol' show has a huge promotional campaign; I've seen quite a few of its promotional videos," Lin Ruohe said, quite surprised.

Meng Fanxi was also looking at the relevant information. Although the programs in his previous life were broadcast around the same time, they were broadcast one after the other, with a short interval between them.

"Teen Idol" is far ahead in popularity, while the others haven't made much of a splash, so there hasn't been much friction between the shows.

However, now that "Team Up" has opened promotional accounts on various platforms first, "Teen Idol" also opened one on the same day.

In subsequent promotional materials, "Teen Idol" seemed to be waiting for the former to make a move, and then responding accordingly.

The strong smell of gunpowder aroused the interest of many onlookers.

He scrolled through the list of trainee groups participating in "Group Camp" leaked by marketing accounts. Weier Company was listed first, followed by Baihe Company, Xingyu, Weihe Entertainment, Xilingniao...

Familiar company names popped up one after another, and Meng Fanxi's eyelids twitched slightly.

How could this be...?

Things seem to be developing in another direction.

These big companies actually sent teams to participate in "Team-Based Camp"?