Chapter 3 Chapter 3

Gu Xing Shi was happy to check in with Meng Yuan Sheng, but when he saw his bank balance, he slumped.

If he'd known Jiang Mo was this kind of person, he wouldn't have flown over, even with a discounted ticket, it wasn't cheap.

He sat dejectedly on the roadside, planning to buy a sleeper berth and go back overnight, saving on a night's hotel cost.

But just as he opened the app, he received a call from his landlord.

After paying half a year's rent, he looked at the little money left in his bank card and silently changed the sleeper berth to a hard seat.

After a night on the train, Gu Xing Shi was dazed when he got off the train station. He didn't go back to rest, but went straight to the company.

The company's address was in an old office building on the third ring road of Beijing. Although the location was good, the facilities were extremely poor. The lights in the corridor were broken all year round, the walls were yellowed and stained, it was the kind of place that didn't need any set design for a horror movie.

Gu Xing Shi had just taken over the company, and the second he arrived at this dilapidated place with the lawyer, he regretted it.

But although the place was a bit dilapidated, he didn't have to pay rent - it was the property of his distant uncle. It was said that his uncle had made his fortune here. After LeShi's success, he bought it.

His uncle's will stated that as long as Gu Xing Shi didn't go bankrupt for a year, the property would be transferred to his name.

This was a property on the third ring road of Beijing, even if it was a bit dilapidated, it was still very valuable! For this reason, Gu Xing Shi stayed.

Gu Xing Shi yawned and walked into the company.

The company was about 150 square meters, divided into four rooms: an office and meeting room, a dance studio, a recording studio, and a reception area.

Gu Xing Shi first turned on his computer and checked for new emails, then went to get a mop and rag to clean.

Because he couldn't afford a receptionist and cleaner, he had to do it himself.

Halfway through cleaning, a boy wearing a Meituan delivery T-shirt came in.

He was tall, with a crew cut, monolids, a high nose and thin lips, exuding an air of unapproachability.

Gu Xing Shi rubbed his sore waist and waved to him: "A Xin! So early today?"

His name was Cheng Xin, the company's only artist.

He was a trainee signed by his uncle two years ago. After his uncle's death, all the company's artists left, only he stayed.

Because he had no work, he would go to work every day after practice.

Cheng Xin pursed his lips and nodded in response.

He put down his bag, picked up the rag on the table and started wiping, his movements much more agile than Gu Xing Shi's.

With Cheng Xin's help, the cleaning was quickly finished.

Cheng Xin silently put away the tools and was about to go to the dance studio to practice.

But Gu Xing Shi stopped him: "Not yet, let's have a meeting."

Cheng Xin silently followed him into the office.

Gu Xing Shi coughed lightly: "The company is out of money, so we need to find a way to make money. Do you have any ideas?"

They stared at each other for a while. Under Gu Xing Shi's encouraging gaze, Cheng Xin hesitantly said: "...Should we go lay bricks? I have connections."

Gu Xing Shi: "..."

He decisively skipped the topic, "I have an idea. Boy group auditions are very popular now. We can participate!"

On the way back, Gu Xing Shi hadn't been idle. He carefully analyzed the current situation.

They had no money, no resources, no popularity, most roads were blocked. Even if they went to be extras, with Cheng Xin's personality, they would probably starve to death without getting a job.

After much thought, only auditions were the most suitable.

Gu Xing Shi opened his computer and clicked on a webpage.

Four striking characters appeared on the screen -《Boy Group Training Camp》.

"Last year, a small nobody became famous overnight because of this variety show, and even the company became famous. In terms of singing and dancing, you're no worse than him, and, you have good looks, and as for personality… you have good looks. He could become famous, you definitely can too..."

Gu Xing Shi spoke enthusiastically for a long time before looking at Cheng Xin expectantly, "What do you think?"

Cheng Xin was silent for a moment, then pointed to the last line of text: "It says that to register in the company's name, at least two people are required."

"Don't worry! I've found you a super awesome teammate!" Gu Xing Shi said confidently.

"Oh."

Cheng Xin's face showed no expression, he nodded and went to the dance studio.

But Gu Xing Shi waited all day, and didn't receive a call from Meng Yuan Sheng, his mood began to feel uneasy.

By evening, he couldn't hold it anymore, thinking something might have happened to Meng Yuan Sheng, and regretted not getting Meng Yuan Sheng's phone number.

The registration deadline for《Boy Group Training Camp》was two days away. If Meng Yuan Sheng couldn't come, it would be troublesome.

Recruiting someone new was definitely too late, but if they missed this program, the next audition program would be in three months. With the money he had, he didn't know if he could last until then.

Gu Xing Shi's face fell:【System, is there any way to get rich overnight?】

System:【...Would dreaming make you feel a little better?】

Gu Xing Shi:【...】

Finished, he couldn't really go lay bricks...

Just as Gu Xing Shi sighed, his phone rang.

It was an unknown caller.

Gu Xing Shi thought it was a delivery, and casually answered.

"Hello, I'm Meng Yuan Sheng."

A clear but slightly hoarse voice came from the other end of the phone.

Gu Xing Shi was stunned, then almost jumped up excitedly.

Meng Yuan Sheng apologized first, saying that he had just returned to Beijing, so he was calling now.

Gu Xing Shi could hear that his voice seemed very tired, so he asked: "Are you feeling okay?"

Meng Yuan Sheng was stunned, his forced composure instantly crumbled, and a surge of bitterness welled up in his heart.

He used a lot of effort to calm himself down: "I'm... I'm fine."

Gu Xing Shi could feel from his voice that he seemed to be hiding something, so he tactfully didn't ask further. When he heard Meng Yuan Sheng say he would come to the company tomorrow, he immediately agreed.

The next morning, Meng Yuan Sheng appeared at the entrance on time.

His complexion was still a little haggard, but not unpleasant, but added a touch of cool, fragile beauty.

Seeing Gu Xing Shi personally come downstairs to greet him, he was unexpectedly surprised, but the next second, seeing the dilapidated building, the surprise turned to shock.

Before coming, he had specifically checked LeShi Entertainment.

More than ten years ago, LeShi was also a giant in the industry, but after the superstar Yan Zhi Heng retired, LeShi went downhill. Coupled with later problems in the company's decisions, in just a few years, it fell to the point of being unknown in the industry.

Meng Yuan Sheng vaguely remembered hearing two years ago that LeShi's artists had left, and thought the company had gone bankrupt, but Gu Xing Shi was still running it.

Of course, it was basically the same as bankruptcy now.

Meng Yuan Sheng tried to keep his composure and followed Gu Xing Shi into the elevator.

Because he was prepared, when he saw the dark and cramped reception room, he remained composed.

Gu Xing Shi had been secretly observing him, afraid of scaring him away.

After all, Jinyou Entertainment, where Meng Yuan Sheng used to be, was one of the top companies in China, with excellent conditions in all aspects. Compared with them, LeShi was simply heaven and earth apart.

Gu Xing Shi was also helpless. He didn't want it to be low-end, but the conditions didn't allow it!

Fortunately, Meng Yuan Sheng didn't turn around and leave, this was a good start!

Gu Xing Shi's smile became even more sincere: "Must be tired from the journey, let me get you some water."

While getting water, he thought about how to persuade, no, invite Meng Yuan Sheng to join.

Meng Yuan Sheng looked around the room. Although old and small, it was very clean.

The furniture in the room was a bit old, but well-maintained, and after looking at it for a while, it had a kind of retro feel.

At this time, his gaze fell on a guitar beside the sofa, and he suddenly stopped.

The guitar looked familiar, because Jiang Mo used the same model.

LeShi's office was so dilapidated, yet a guitar worth hundreds of thousands was casually left on the sofa.

Meng Yuan Sheng was confused whether this company was poor or rich.

After a brief chat, Gu Xing Shi took him for a tour of the company.

Because Cheng Xin was dancing, they went to the recording studio first.

As soon as they entered, Meng Yuan Sheng's eyes were glued to the mixing console.

And not just the mixing console, every piece of equipment within sight was very professional. The equipment in this recording studio alone cost hundreds of thousands.

He was increasingly suspicious, was this really a company on the verge of bankruptcy?!

Gu Xing Shi saw Meng Yuan Sheng's serious expression throughout, and his heart was also uneasy.

At this time, they reached the door of the dance studio.

Pushing open the door, a burst of explosive music came.

Meng Yuan Sheng immediately recognized it as Jiang Sen's "First X Blood". The song has a strong rhythm and catchy melody, very suitable for adapting into a cool and powerful dance, but Jiang Sen's song is relatively unpopular, few people in China listen to it.

He didn't expect to find a fellow enthusiast here.

He looked over in surprise and happened to see Cheng Xin dancing the last section.

His dance movements were relaxed and natural, full of primitive wild charm, making it impossible to look away.

The song ended.

Cheng Xin panted softly, his loose T-shirt wet with sweat, clinging to his body, vaguely outlining his muscle lines, not exaggerated, but full of power.

He casually picked up the hem of his T-shirt to wipe the sweat, revealing his distinct abs.

With his indifferent face, there was a strange kind of seductive air.

Gu Xing Shi called out to him: "A Xin! Come here!"

Cheng Xin lifted his eyelids and saw Gu Xing Shi frantically signaling him with his eyes.

Whether they could participate in the audition depended on whether they could keep the person!

Cheng Xin paused.

He glanced at Meng Yuan Sheng and hesitated for a moment before saying, "Think it over carefully, our company generally doesn't force people into the entertainment industry."

Meng Yuan Sheng: "???"

Gu Xing Shi: "...!"