2. Number 77

In the players' lounge, the heating was turned on high, dispelling the last bit of chill brought in from outside.

The venue, which could hold 150 people, was already bustling with activity. Trainees from various companies, dressed in a variety of casual clothes, gathered in groups of three or four. The air was filled with youth, ambition, and a subtle tension. The cacophony of conversation and laughter formed a humming background.

The eyes of everyone present, whether openly or secretly, were mostly focused on two areas - Xingshuo Entertainment and Mi'an Entertainment.

Mi'an Entertainment sent a six-member team this time, with Sang Wang, currently the most popular, clustered in the center. He sports a fresh, senior-style look, a white shirt with khaki trousers, and a gentle smile. Among the other cool and cute trainees, he stands out from the crowd, attracting quite a few followers.

In sharp contrast to this is Xingshuo Entertainment.

Alone.

Everyone knows that Xing Shuo only sent one contestant this time, Mi Xi, who became popular before her debut and dominated the hot searches with just a few Reuters photos and past videos.

Rumors about him had already been circulating in a small circle within the circle: 30 million fans, scouts visited him three times, Prince Ji Ye personally took care of him... All these labels made him the tacitly accepted and strongest potential opponent in everyone's mind before others even arrived.

"Xing Shuo's guy... hasn't arrived yet?" someone whispered, glancing towards the entrance.

"It's the finale, isn't that what all big names do?" The person next to him responded half-enviously and half-sourly.

At this moment, the light at the entrance dimmed, and then the figure in the pink cat-ear cotton coat appeared.

In an instant, the entire lounge seemed to have pressed the mute button, and all conversations came to an abrupt halt.

Mi Xi stood at the doorway, seemingly unaware of the eerie silence. He raised his hand and took off his hat, revealing his rose-pink, semi-long hair and exquisitely carved face completely under the blazing light. A perfectly proportioned smile spread across his face, his eyes curved into a beautiful arc, and his voice was clear and soft with a natural touch:

"Hello everyone, I'm Mi Xi, a trainee from Xingshuo Entertainment. Sorry, I'm late~"

The voice was as sweet as if it was soaked in honey, hitting everyone's eardrums, forming a wonderful contrast with his extremely aggressive and charming beauty, making people dazzled for a moment.

After saying hello, he said no more and his eyes swept across the entire venue, finally landing on the neatly arranged seats with numbers on them.

His gaze started from 1 and moved all the way back, passing by those curious or scrutinizing eyes, and finally stopped at the number "77".

Without any hesitation, he took a step forward and walked straight towards the inconspicuous position in the middle and back section, then sat down calmly.

“???”

At this moment, the originally tense atmosphere in the lounge was broken, and replaced by countless confused and whispered discussions.

"77? Why is he sitting there?"

"Shouldn't everyone sit forward? There are more cameras!"

"I don't understand. Do all big guys behave so eccentrically?"

"Is it some lucky number?"

Just as everyone was puzzled, a younger-looking trainee in the corner suddenly covered his mouth, his face flushed with excitement, and whispered to his companions, "I know! I know why it's 77!"

The companion came over curiously: "Why?"

"Because Mi Xi's birthday is July 7th, Chinese Valentine's Day! He's a Chinese Valentine's Day baby!" The young trainee's eyes lit up, clearly a longtime fan of Mi Xi. "All his fans know this!"

This little piece of information spread quickly and secretly among the crowd.

I see.

It's not because he is low-key or casual, but because of a romantic mark that belongs to him alone.

This realization imbued the beautiful woman, who sat quietly in seat 77, seemingly surrounded by a barrier of her own, with an aura of mystery and allure. He wasn't unworldly; he just...had his own set of rules.

Sang Wang, standing not far away, still wore a gentle smile, but as he looked in Mi Xi's direction, a hint of solemnity flashed through his eyes. This opponent was even more unpredictable and threatening than he had expected.

Mi Xi, however, seemed completely unaware of the commotion his simple choice of seating had caused. He leaned back in his chair, tilting his head slightly upwards as he gazed at the large screen in front of him. His profile was as perfect as a painting. The light cast a small shadow beneath his thick eyelashes, obscuring any emotion that might have crossed his eyes.

No. 77.

A seemingly ordinary seat, but because he sat on it, it seemed to become the focus of the entire stage in an instant.

From this moment on, the survival game of 150 people had silently begun. And the rose-pink-haired boy, with just a seat number, announced his "rampant" rule -

It’s not about competing, but about attracting. It’s not about catering to, but about defining.

————

After Mi Xi sat down, the whispers in the lounge receded like a tide, but countless gazes remained fixed on him, probing, curious, amazed, and even tinged with subtle hostility. He seemed oblivious to this, mindfully removing his eye-catching pink cat-ear cotton coat and casually draping it over the back of his chair.

The slender arms and a hint of waistline beneath the hollowed-out sweater were dazzlingly white under the light, instantly drawing another gasp. He seemed born to be the darling of the spotlight, and every casual movement could be frozen in time.

Sang Wang, who was sitting in the front row, looked away, then turned his head and smiled gently at his companion from Mi'an Entertainment. His tone was filled with just the right amount of admiration: "This guy from Xingshuo is truly worthy of his reputation." He paused, his voice neither too loud nor too soft, just loud enough for the small circle of people around him to hear, "The pressure is a bit too much."

This sounded like a humble endorsement, but it subtly elevated Mi Xi to a higher position and quietly planted the seed of "He's strong, we're a common rival" in the minds of those around him. Upon hearing this, several trainees from smaller companies looked at Mi Xi with a bit more caution and assessment.

Just then, there was another small commotion at the entrance.

The program's director and several core judges walked in chatting and laughing, and following at the end, wearing a casual trendy brand, with his hands in his pockets, looking lazy but with an imposing aura, was none other than the prince of Xingshuo Entertainment - Ji Ye.

His appearance caused the atmosphere, which had just calmed down, to become tense again. Who didn't know that this prince was the true mastermind behind the show? His attitude, to some extent, could determine the fate of many people.

The director gave a few words of encouragement as usual, and his eyes swept across the audience. When he saw Mi Xi sitting alone in seat 77, he paused for a moment, and a meaningful smile appeared on his face.

Ji Ye's gaze was even more direct, like a precise radar, piercing the crowd and landing unimpeded on the rosy pink figure. He saw Mi Xi, her head slightly tilted, listening to the director's speech. Her profile was quiet and beautiful, a change from the distant look she had shown when they had first glimpsed her outside the practice room that day, and the sweet and soft expression she had just given him when she greeted him.

Like a fog, every side is inviting exploration.

After the director's speech, the staff began to guide the contestants in their final preparations before the first stage recording, such as handing in their phones and other personal belongings. The crowd began to move around, becoming somewhat chaotic.

Mi Xi stood up and prepared to go to the designated storage area. He had just picked up his cotton coat when a trainee who was hurriedly passing by seemed to be tripped and suddenly hit Mi Xi's lower back with his elbow.

"careful!"

Someone nearby exclaimed.

Mi Xi reacted extremely quickly, almost instinctively dodging to the side, but the man's elbow still brushed the edge of his sweater, creating a small gust of air. He stumbled, and before he could steady himself, a bony hand firmly grasped his arm.

A light masculine scent with a hint of cedar wafted into the air.

Mi Xi looked up, meeting Ji Ye's eyes, which were so close to her. Those eyes, always filled with a hint of impatience and defiance, now swelled with an indistinct emotion, something like concern, yet also like displeasure at having their territory violated.

"Are you okay?" Ji Ye's voice was low and had a magnetic resonance, ringing in Mi Xi's ears.

On the other side, the trainee who bumped into someone turned pale with fear and bowed repeatedly to apologize: "I'm sorry, I'm sorry! Teacher Mi Xi, I didn't mean to! The ground was too slippery..."

Mi Xi gently broke free from Ji Ye's hand, her movements smooth and natural. He looked at the panicked trainee, his face not angry at all, but instead showing his signature, sweet smile that made people feel infuriated. "It's okay, I know you didn't mean it. Be more careful next time~"

His voice was gentle, even soothing.

The trainee felt as if he had been pardoned. He apologized again and quickly slipped away.

Ji Ye looked at Mi Xi's nonchalant expression and frowned slightly. He had seen clearly that the collision was no accident. Was this little Yu'er truly magnanimous, or...didn't he care about this little trick?

Mi Xi turned to look at Ji Ye, her brows curved: "Thank you, Master Ji."

Polite, distant, and there is nothing wrong with it.

Ji Ye stared at him for two seconds, then suddenly pulled up one corner of his mouth, revealing a somewhat rogue smile: "It's just a piece of cake." He glanced meaningfully at Mi Xi's slender waist, "The recording is very intense, Mi... Teacher, please stand firmly."

After saying that, he didn't stop and turned to walk towards the director team, his back looking unrestrained and free.

Mi Xi looked at his back, the smile on her face fading slightly, leaving only a hint of amusement in her eyes. He lowered his head and gently patted the arm that Ji Ye had just supported, as if to brush off some non-existent dust.

Are you standing firm?

Of course he would stand firm.

Moreover, you will stand taller than everyone else.

He picked up his padded jacket and walked through the crowd toward the storage area. Wherever he passed, people subconsciously made way for him.

Seat No. 77 remained quietly in its place, like a silent declaration.

The show has just begun. He has already stood at the center of the stage. Whether he likes it or not, he is destined to be the one stirring up the storm.