Chapter 83: Singing the Same Song

From the moment the "cooperation ended", Ren Limeng had no contact with Shen Xingzhi. Today's recording was indeed as Yang Shuyu inadvertently described. The two of them were completely in a "cold war", or in other words, Shen Xingzhi was secretly angry unilaterally.

Ren Limeng could sense it, but she just smiled calmly when she looked at him. But at this moment, Ren Limeng really had a headache.

How did Shen Xingzhi explain it to Yao Xin?

There was no collusion between the two of them. Ren Limeng was really afraid that she would say something wrong. The program crew had been watching her closely, and she didn't want to become the "traffic password" of the program crew.

The more amiable Yao Xin's expression was at this moment, the more alert Ren Limeng became in her heart. She remembered that on the day of the final interview, Yao Xin came and went in a hurry with a serious face throughout the whole process. In contrast, Ren Limeng became even more alert.

"Director Yao, is this about the recording? Sister Shuyu just reminded me, Brother Xingzhi...does he have any opinions about me?"

Ren Limeng's eyebrows knitted slightly, her eyes were as clear as water, and her innocent and bright eyes made Yao Xin unable to help but stand up straight. He asked with sharp eyes, "Limeng, you really don't know?"

Ren Limeng's big eyes, with distinct black and white, met Yao Xin's scrutinizing eyes with a watery look. She forced herself to look straight at Yao Xin without a trace of guilt.

She didn't want to play dumb, but apart from improvising, Ren Limeng couldn't find a better way for the time being. It was all Shen Xingzhi's fault for acting on his own!

She said the cooperation was over, why did he have to be in the same team with her!

"Li Meng, I heard from Xingzhi that you and Guan He had agreed to team up. Why did you change your mind at the last minute?"

"Ah...? Director Yao, I'm a little scared."

Ren Limeng hesitated, her mind racing as she pondered her own explanation. "Brother Xingzhi's team is so popular, and he and I have been... having scandals lately. I'm afraid if we were on the same team again, there would be bad rumors."

Ren Limeng's thick eyelashes fluttered, and in the blink of an eye, she revealed an undisguised sincerity. As if digging into her heart, she continued to confess to Yao Xin, "Director Yao, I just want to be a good host. The trending searches these days have been completely beyond my expectations. I'm afraid I can't resist the temptation."

The temptation is not just about overnight success.

Ren Limeng's mixed words, coupled with her sincere expression, made Yao Xin sigh, "You've surprised us too. We never thought there was such an outstanding host like you on our platform who had been overlooked. Limeng, don't worry, the program team won't tolerate any rumors online or in private. You don't have to worry too much."

Ren Limeng seemed very touched, and her bitter smile finally relaxed. Her eyes as she looked at Yao Xin seemed to be full of trust, which made Yao Xin, who had been secretly observing her, a little unsure whether Ren Limeng was pretending to be confused.

The agricultural channel is not like the entertainment industry where there are open and secret struggles. Yao Xin has also made special inquiries about it these past two days. It has been rumored that Ren Limeng focused on her studies in college and directly joined the agricultural channel after graduating with a doctorate. Perhaps, she really can't understand some of the little thoughts among celebrities.

"Xingzhi said that he has already promised Guan He to team up with you, so he hopes to be on the same team with you. If you have no other concerns, why not join Xingzhi's team? I remember that you happen to be from Mei City. If Xingzhi's team goes to Mei City, you can also take the opportunity to go back home. What a great opportunity!"

Yao Xin's words sounded like a question, but the tone he used was as certain as a notification. Ren Limeng's smile at this moment was sincere yet a little helpless.

It was difficult for her to refuse Yao Xin's words. In addition to being a guest and director of the program, Yao Xin's status on the platform was equivalent to that of her boss. Ren Limeng still wanted to stay on the Orange platform.

Suppressing the complicated emotions in her heart, Ren Limeng finally just curled the corners of her lips and nodded readily, "Okay."

When it started again, the recording of Shen Xing's selected players went smoothly immediately.

Even though it was speculated that Chen Xingzhi seemed to be interested in Ren Limeng, nearly half of the candidates still stood up. Chen Xingzhi looked at Ren Limeng who stood up slowly opposite him with his deep eyes. He slowly curled the corners of his mouth and said in a soft and firm voice, "Limeng".

Ren Limeng walked towards Shen Xingzhi with a smile on her face. Under the close "watch" of more than a dozen cameras, she perfectly hid her deepest reluctance. When they went on stage, their eyes met for a moment, and Shen Xingzhi raised his eyebrows casually. Even though they looked at each other in silence in public, Ren Limeng still immediately believed that Shen Xingzhi understood her emotions.

Similarly, Ren Limeng seemed to find it difficult to ignore his "elation" at the moment. She always felt that Shen Xingzhi's seemingly indifferent eyes were filled with a hint of interest, as if he was watching all her struggles and hesitations with cold eyes.

In the face of absolute capital, her efforts were in vain, while he only needed to sit back and wait.

Even until the recording in Jiangcheng was over and she was sitting on the high-speed train to Meishi, Ren Limeng still felt a little self-deprecating in her heart.

But the show continued, the second stop began, and she had to ignore Shen Xingzhi.

"What do you think of the performance?"

The four members of Chen Xingzhi's team sat facing each other in two rows of high-speed train seats. Ren Limeng was chatting with Guan He beside her in a whisper when Chen Xingzhi, who was sitting diagonally across from her, suddenly spoke. The performance was the most important part of the show. After getting on the train, Ren Limeng looked directly at Chen Xingzhi for the first time with his deep eyes.

"Brother Xingzhi, Sister Chenxi, Li Meng and I have both learned opera since childhood, and this stop happens to be in Mei City. As I told you this morning, we hope to collaborate on a more authentic opera stage, which also fits the program team's performance requirements."

Guan He sat up straight, as if facing an assessment by the president of the crosstalk club, his eyes looking straight at Shen Xingzhi and Chen Xi opposite him, his sincere tone tinged with caution.

Even though Shen Xingzhi and Chen Xi both expressed their interest in the opera stage during the team formation session in the morning, the two big names in the team should be the absolute center of the performance. If the opera stage itself is the core, Guan He is a little worried that Shen Xingzhi and Chen Xi will not be so willing. On the "Shan Hai" program, who would not want to have more shots and be the center of the stage?

Chen Xi frowned unconsciously. She tilted her head slightly and looked at Shen Xingzhi, whose face was indifferent. A hint of reluctance flashed across her eyes, but Shen Xingzhi remained calm when he heard Guan He's words.

It was just that the word "we" seemed to touch some nerves in him, causing him to subconsciously look at Ren Limeng who was sitting next to Guan He. She smiled silently like a background vase, and as Guan He spoke, she nodded slightly to express her agreement.

Shen Xingzhi pulled the corner of his lip, half-smiling, and said, "No problem, do you already have an idea?"

Guan He tilted his head, and exchanged a tacit glance with Ren Limeng before continuing with a smile, "Limeng and I are leaning towards incorporating the tune of the Huangmei Opera 'Couple Watching Lanterns' into the song. This opera sings about the festive custom of celebrating lanterns during the Lantern Festival, and Sunday happens to be the 15th day of the lunar calendar. As for the performance song, Limeng and I are both amateurs, so we'll need you two singers to review it!"

Guan He's voice was gentle and firm, but Chen Xingzhi just lifted his eyelids nonchalantly, and looked at Ren Limeng with deep eyes as if scrutinizing her. Ren Limeng smiled at Chen Xingzhi generously, and her smile deepened.

It wasn't because of her consistent expression with Guan He, but because she noticed that Shen Xingzhi's eyes seemed to be silently asking - "Do you want to change your partner and hype up the CP?"

She didn't think so much, but it was okay to let Shen Xingzhi mistakenly think so. Anyway, she wanted to break up with him, even if she had to be on the same team with him. The forced shoes didn't fit. She had to make him understand that when it came to her affairs, even if he was the so-called capital, she had the final say!

Ren Limeng raised her eyebrows slightly, and a shallow dimple appeared on her cheek. She blinked her big watery eyes slightly, and responded calmly with an innocent sincerity and a "What do you care about me" attitude.

"It's a good idea, but the stage setup would be quite troublesome. And for the song "Couple Watching Lanterns," a traditional Chinese style piece would be more suitable. Wouldn't it be too similar to the first public performance? It feels... like a combination of Chen He's group and Xing Zhi's group's first public performances. Besides, Guan He, your debut performance and the first public performance both seem to be related to opera. I'm worried there will be some negative reviews online."

Chen Xi almost pointed out that "there is nothing new", or simply expressed his unwillingness.

Chen Xingzhi did not agree with Guan He and Ren Limeng's suggestions immediately. His silence seemed to send out a signal of reluctance. Chen Xi especially noticed the gloomy look in Chen Xingzhi's eyes, and finally couldn't help but speak.

It was a joke. It was natural for Chen Xingzhi to make the decision, and she had no objection. But if she let two unknown people make the decision and ride on her head, she would become a laughing stock in and out of the circle.

"Sister Chen Xi, Mei City is the hometown of Huangmei Opera. If we don't incorporate opera into it, it will easily lead to gossip!"

"How about Xingzhi and I try our hand at opera? We're singers, so learning a few opera tunes quickly shouldn't be a problem. You and Limeng can sing lead vocals. Everyone on Shanhai wants to break through themselves. It's boring to stay in your comfort zone all the time. What do you think?"

In front of the camera, what could Guan He say? Looking at Chen Xi who was speaking righteously, he finally shut up with a slightly wry smile and looked at Shen Xingzhi who hadn't said a word.

"Of course, if you come to Mei City, you'd be remiss if you didn't try Huangmei Opera! We don't have to limit ourselves to just one person performing the opera or the other singing. We can all try it, right? For example, we've got a theme about past and present lives. We happen to have two men and two women, and 'Couple Watching Lanterns' is a male-female pairing, so it's perfect!"

Ren Limeng's eyebrows curved, and her gentle voice was neither hurried nor slow, with convincing power, "Brother Guan He sang Peking Opera on the previous stage. Going from Peking Opera to Huangmei Opera is a big breakthrough. I am quite looking forward to it."

Guan He immediately realized what was happening and quickly responded excitedly, "Past life and present life? What a great idea! Speaking of which, Li Meng, you've been a host for over ten years now. It would be a shame not to perform a couple of Huangmei Opera pieces when you return to your hometown this time. I have to carefully examine you on behalf of the folks here to see if you've regained your basic skills!"

"Brother Guan He!"

Ren Limeng and Guan He sang the same tune and turned the situation around without making a sound. Chen Xi finally couldn't help but look at the captain Shen Xingzhi.