10.

Time flies, and it's already three days before the performance. Today is the mentor assessment day, and all groups need to present their interim results in front of the four mentors, receiving comments and guidance. This is directly related to the efficiency of tomorrow's rehearsal and the final performance.

The five members of the "Venom" team arrived early for the exam. An invisible pressure hung heavy in the air. Even the usually spoiled Wuyou quieted down considerably, staring intently at the mirror with tearful eyes, mentally memorizing her movements.

"Don't be nervous," Mi Xi's cold voice sounded. He adjusted the wrist guard on his wrist and glanced at the slightly tense team members. "Just practice like usual."

His calmness seemed to be contagious, making several people relax a little.

Four instructors—dance instructor Luo Wei, vocal instructor Lin Qian, rap instructor Keen, and lead instructor Lu Xun—walked in. After a brief greeting, the assessment began.

The performances of the first few groups each had their own highlights, but also exposed many problems. The instructors' comments were to the point and the atmosphere was serious.

It's the "Venom" group's turn.

The five people quickly took their positions, and the lights simulated a stage effect. The prelude of the music sounded, and the dark and eerie melody instantly caught everyone's ears.

Mi Xi stood at the center. His first movement was a lazy, yet deadly, look up. His eyes instantly changed, no longer their usual calm, but filled with dangerous allure, as if he had truly transformed into a venomous night elf. Every wave and every click of his fingers was incredibly precise, showcasing his power and control to the fullest. Especially the floor move that had once stumped Li Mo, which he executed with such ease, bursting with explosive beauty.

Wuyou's performance truly wowed the mentors. Standing behind Mixi, his movements were clean and sharp, imbued with a feral aggression that perfectly complemented and contrasted Mixi's feminine and venomous nature. Their eye contact and physical contact during their interactive performance heightened the song's tension of mutual attraction and wariness, creating a vibrant and dynamic atmosphere.

Even more surprising was the team's cohesion. While Li Mo's movements lacked power, his rhythm and positioning were impeccable, clearly a testament to his dedication. Bobby and Xiao Fang also perfectly matched the rhythm. The five of them functioned as a single unit, fully capturing the darkness, allure, danger, and allure of "Venom."

The music stopped, and the five people froze, breathing slightly.

The classroom was silent for a moment, and then dance instructor Luo Wei was the first to applaud, his face showing undisguised excitement and appreciation!

"Good! Very good!" Luo Wei stood up. "Mi Xi, you are well-deserved to be the center! Your understanding and performance of this song have exceeded my expectations! Wu You, your dance explosiveness and expressiveness have surprised me. The combination with Mi Xi is a match made in heaven!"

Vocal instructor Lin Qian also nodded with a smile: "Although this song is mainly dance-based, your facial expressions and stage presence are already a 'performance', and it's very contagious."

Lead instructor Lu Xun took a close look at them and said with assurance, "The team is very well-organized. I can tell you've put in a lot of hard work. Your overall level of completion is among the best among the groups currently being assessed."

Receiving such high praise, Bobby, Xiao Fang and Li Mo all showed excitement and relieved smiles on their faces.

However, rap mentor Keen stroked his chin and raised a crucial question: "The overall performance is great. But, Mi Xi, Wu You, both of you have such strong individual styles, like two sharp knives. There's a spark when you work together, but have you ever considered toning down your performance a bit in certain sections to make the team's overall feel more prominent, rather than just showing off your individual skills?"

This question hits the nail on the head.

Mi Xi and Wu You exchanged a glance. They both understood what Instructor Keen meant: when strong people work together, the most likely outcome is that each will act independently, weakening the team's performance.

Mi Xi pondered for a moment and said, "Thank you, Teacher Keen. We understand. We will make some adjustments to the details and emotional delivery to strengthen the team's narrative sense."

Wuyou nodded seriously, a rare gesture: "We will pay attention to the level of cooperation."

"Very good," Lowe nodded with satisfaction. "Keep this up. I believe your first performance will be fantastic! I look forward to your rehearsal tomorrow!"

After the assessment, the "Venom" team left the classroom with high praise and valuable advice from the instructor.

As soon as he got out, Li Mo couldn't help but cheer softly: "We did it!"

Bobby and Xiao Fang also high-fived excitedly.

Although Wuyou tried hard to maintain his captain's dignity, his raised lips and shining eyes betrayed his good mood. He looked at Mi Xi and said with a hint of pride, "How's it going? I'm doing pretty well as captain, right?"

Mi Xi looked at him asking for praise, said "hmm" softly, and added: "Everyone worked very hard."

This indirect recognition made Wuyou even happier.

But along with the joy comes the pressure. The higher the mentors' expectations, the better their performances have to be, and they can't afford to make any mistakes.

"Let's go back and work on the question that Professor Keen asked us," Mi Xi said to everyone, "We can't let our guard down in these last three days."

"Yes!" everyone answered in unison.

The first performance was just around the corner. With confidence and high expectations, the "Venom" team threw themselves into the final sprint. Everyone had a premonition that this group would drop a bombshell on the first performance.

————

Having successfully passed the mentor's assessment and received high praise, the five members of the "Venom" team finally relaxed after days of tense nerves. On the way back to the practice room, even the air felt a little fresher.

Li Mo rubbed his still sore knees, but with a smile on his face: "I feel like I can sleep well tonight!"

Bobby stretched lazily. "I just want to go back and lie down. My bones are about to fall apart."

Xiao Fang laughed foolishly: "Teacher Luo Wei praised us! It's worth it!"

Even Wuyou, for once, didn't complain. Instead, he swung his empty energy drink bottle, humming the tune of "Venom," his steps brisk. He leaned over to Mi Xi, gently bumping him with his shoulder, his eyes glistening with tears. "Xixi, wasn't that really cool when I turned around just now?"

Mi Xi turned her head to look at his sparkling eyes that were seeking praise, and replied lightly: "Yeah, the timing is very accurate."

With just this simple sentence, Wuyou continued to hum the song contentedly, like a cat whose fur had been stroked.

However, this relaxed and joyful atmosphere came to an abrupt end when they reached the door of the practice room.

The door of the practice room was open, and there were a few people sitting or standing inside who shouldn't be there.

The leading man stood with his back to the door, his posture erect. He wore a well-tailored black shirt and crisp trousers. One hand was tucked into his pocket as he casually flipped through the music sheet on the piano. His mere presence from behind exuded a powerful, unyielding aura that could not be ignored.

Hearing footsteps, he turned around slowly.

His angular face was adorned with a touch of nonchalance, his deep eyes like a hawk scanning the five people standing stunned at the doorway before landing precisely and unsurprisingly on Mi Xi. A faint smile curved the corners of his mouth.

It’s Ji Ye.

He was followed by the program producer and several staff members, carrying several exquisite food boxes printed with the logo of a well-known private restaurant.

"Ji, Master Ji?" the producer spoke quickly, breaking the eerie silence. "Why did you come here in person?"

Ji Ye ignored the producer, his eyes still locked on Mi Xi. His voice had a lazy tone, but it was clearly heard by everyone: "I heard that your group performed well in the mentor assessment."

He was speaking to the entire group, but anyone could tell he was only paying attention to one person.

Wuyou blinked, looked at Ji Ye, then at Mi Xi, who remained calm beside him. As if understanding something, he curled his lips but remained silent. The other three team members were so nervous they dared not breathe, completely confused as to what this prince's sudden arrival meant.

"Come and take a look," Ji Ye then turned his gaze towards the others as if offering alms, and gestured to the food boxes in the staff's hands, "I also made some midnight snacks to comfort... the players who have been practicing so hard."

The staff member immediately understood and placed the lunch box on the small table nearby, opening it. Inside were steaming hot snacks and nourishing soups, the aroma instantly filling the air. Compared to their usual training meals, it was a world of difference.

Bobby and the others were flattered and thanked him repeatedly, but they didn't dare to move.

Ji Ye took a few steps, stretching his long legs, and walked in front of Mi Xi, getting so close that it was almost inappropriate. He lowered his eyes, looking at Mi Xi's cheeks, which were slightly red from practice, and her forehead, which was damp with sweat. He lowered his voice, with a tone that only the two of them could hear clearly:

"Especially you, Teacher Mi. Thank you for your hard work."

His gaze seemed to have substance, slowly sweeping across Mi Xi's slender neck and the tattoo on her collarbone, with undisguised admiration and possessiveness.

Mi Xi raised her eyes and met his deep, aggressive gaze. Her face showed no sign of being flattered by the "special care", nor was there any shyness. She just looked back calmly, her voice clear:

"It's just my job, so it's not hard at all. Thank you for the midnight snack, Master Ji."

Politeness and distance clearly define the distance between the two people.

Ji Ye stared at him for two seconds, then suddenly chuckled. Instead of backing away, he leaned closer and whispered, "It's my job? Then, as an investor, coming to comfort my most promising player, isn't that also... my job?"

His breath almost brushed against Mi Xi's earlobe.

Wuyou frowned as he watched from the side. He couldn't help but speak out, his tone filled with his unique indulgence, interrupting the ambiguous and tense atmosphere: "Hey! Are you going to let me eat? I'm starving!"

Ji Ye then stood up and glanced at Wu You with a look that said "kid, don't make trouble", but he didn't continue to approach Mi Xi.

He turned around and waved casually at the still somewhat reserved team members: "Don't just stand there, eat. After eating, go to bed early. Don't we have rehearsal tomorrow?"

After saying this, he actually didn't stay any longer, and left with the producer and some staff members as abruptly as he came.

The five members of the "Venom" team were left with mixed feelings as they looked at the table full of expensive midnight snacks.

Bobby and the others looked at Mi Xi, their eyes filled with awe and curiosity. The prince's attitude was too obvious!

Wuyou picked up a piece of almond cake, took a bite, and then moved closer to Mixi, whispering, "Xixi, the way he looks at you is like a big bad wolf looking at a little white rabbit."

Mi Xi picked up a bottle of water, unscrewed it, took a sip, and lowered her eyelids slightly to hide the emotions that flashed across her eyes.

Not a little white rabbit.

He corrected lightly in his mind.

It is a mermaid with venom, and the hunter may become the prey.

He glanced at the exquisite food on the table and said to his teammates, "Eat it, don't waste it."