Chapter Nine: S-Rank Practice Room
The bus struggled to move forward in the congested traffic. It was rush hour, and while it was easy to get around the less crowded areas after leaving the school's west gate, the closer it got to the Will Company, the more difficult it became to move.
Meng Fanxi pulled the curtains open a crack and looked at the people hurrying by on the roadside.
In the past few days, with the help of Qi Xiaohan and Xu Weiguang, he has gradually integrated into the school and Weier Company. He also has a fixed seat on the bus. He sits behind Qi and Xu, with his schoolbag next to him.
Today, however, there was someone sitting next to me.
Xu You.
Meng Fanxi didn't know why Xu You had walked up to him. His surprised expression seemed to please Xu You, who tossed his backpack back to Meng Fanxi and sat down on his own.
Curious glances came from all around.
Qi Xiaohan sent a barrage of messages via carrier pigeon, asking Meng Fanxi if he had done something to be targeted by Xu You. Meng Fanxi, of course, had no idea and could only try to calm Qi Xiaohan down.
Looking at Xu You again, Xu You had already closed his eyes and was listening to music. His long, slightly curled eyelashes trembled gently, clearly indicating that he was awake but did not want to communicate with Meng Fanxi.
Meng Fanxi could only look out the window, recalling Xu You from her previous life.
He had never had direct contact with Xu You, and his impression of Xu You was only of his innocent and pure appearance in the group and his crazy behavior after going solo.
Xu You has an innocent and delicate baby face. His fans are the most protective mothers. When he was with VIER, he would occasionally act cute and playful, and could be considered the one to liven up the atmosphere.
Hsu Yu is also a creative genius; many of VIER's well-known songs are his creations.
After disbanding, they completely let themselves go.
After the group disbanded, he released a solo album called "Memories," in which he wrote and composed the songs himself. It broke the sales record for male singers in China, with the title track topping the music charts and all the non-title tracks also making it onto the charts. He also won a number of awards at the end of the year, setting many records and becoming incredibly popular.
Although these records were broken by members of the same group he had been in the following year, everyone was amazed by the strength of Will Company's artists.
But who knew that not long after, Xu You left Will Company, started his own business, and transformed into a rapper. He completely overturned his previous image with his clothes and hairstyle, and released a hip-hop song that was very different from his previous lively and upbeat pop style.
The lyrics not only mentioned the name of the member who broke his record, but also used an unfriendly tone, sparking discussions among gossip enthusiasts and leading to a heated online battle between the two fan groups.
The onlookers, always eager for drama, flocked to the Weibo accounts of the members who were being criticized, urging them to respond.
But like a stone sinking into water, it made no sound.
Before the audience's initial excitement had even worn off, Xu You released a new song that directly challenged Will Company, mentioning internal conflicts and fights within the group and implying that the company deliberately exacerbated the group's conflicts.
The entire internet was abuzz with the story, and it remained number one in terms of discussion for three consecutive days. Apart from Xu You's fans, public opinion was basically divided into three camps.
Some netizens turned into detectives, analyzing the fight scene frame by frame.
Another group accused Xu You of disrespecting his teachers and elders, pointing out that not only did Will Company nurture him, but his uncle Xu Cangyan was also a shareholder of Will.
Others are hoping for more revelations.
Xu You dominated almost all the trending topics.
As the public outcry intensified, Hsu Yu seemed to calm down and published a long article denying the claims of several "insiders" who came forward to ride the wave of attention.
The article mentions that the diss song against the member was created on impulse. Although he did not have a good relationship with that member, he calmed down and realized that it was just his personality and could not be forced. He will take down the song later.
He briefly reviewed his growth journey, followed by a lengthy thank you to his fans, "Weiyi," for their continued support. "Weiyi" is the nickname for VIER's fans.
At the end of the article, a bombshell announcement shook the entertainment industry that year.
Hsu Yu announced his retirement from the entertainment industry.
Meng Fanxi glanced at Xu You, who was pretending to be asleep beside him, out of the corner of his eye.
The entertainment industry is a place where countless artists come and go, with those at the bottom struggling and wavering as they try to climb the ladder. Those who are popular and successful enjoy their success while also being mindful of potential dangers. And those who lose their way and make mistakes shamelessly continue to earn easy money.
Xu You left, a talented and proud young man who withdrew from the entertainment industry at the height of his popularity.
Before they knew it, the car had driven back to the company. Everyone got out of the car one after another. Xu You stood up and gave Meng Fanxi a meaningful look before walking towards the car door without looking back.
Meng Fanxi stared at Xu You's back. Would Xu You make the same decision in this life?
Xu You's inexplicable behavior didn't bother Meng Fanxi too much. After all, he didn't think he had done anything to offend Xu You, and besides, Xu You's diss skills probably hadn't been activated yet.
As the weekend and monthly exams approach, trainees can be seen rushing back to their dormitories to finish their homework.
Meng Fanxi and the others were no exception; after finishing their meal, they hurriedly returned to their dormitory.
It was already late, and the hallway was filled with a cacophony of voices: some were exchanging homework, some were making phone calls home, and some were complaining about another broken light in the hallway.
Unfortunately, the broken door was in Meng Fanxi's dormitory area. He could only take out his phone and use the light to unlock the door, only to find that the door was open and the lights inside were on.
Looking up, Meng Fanxi saw an open suitcase on the dormitory floor, its edges and corners worn beyond recognition. He glanced at it and saw a few books and a few clean clothes inside.
Looking further, the balcony at the far end was also covered with clothes, including a bright blue school uniform that was still dripping wet after washing.
The soft yellow light from the desk lamp illuminated the figure sitting upright at the table, writing furiously. From Meng Fanxi's angle, his sideburns were sharply cut, and his posture was upright, slowly overlapping with the figure sitting in the front row at the awards ceremony in his previous life.
Gu Huailang.
haven't seen you for a long time.
Meng Fanxi entered the room very quietly, so it did not interrupt Gu Huailang's concentration on his homework.
This gave Meng Fanxi more time to observe.
In the late autumn season, my new roommate's outfit was hard to describe. He was wearing a dark red thick coat, a common sight on middle-aged and elderly people, but only loose shorts that didn't even cover his knees. His feet, clad in sandals, were obediently together.
Although the dormitory has air conditioning, the person's attire is really puzzling.
"Aren't your legs cold?" Meng Fanxi asked, deliberately turning up his voice.
Gu Huailang turned his head warily toward the source of the sound, his gaze sweeping over Meng Fanxi for a couple of seconds, but he didn't lower his guard and replied curtly, "Not cold."
Then, he resumed doing his homework as before.
Meng Fanxi was stunned. She didn't expect Gu Huailang, who was in the third year of junior high school, to be so cold and aloof.
He wasn't angry. He sat down at his desk, took out his homework, and prepared to start writing. The two sat back to back, each occupying a corner, as if separated by a Chu-Han border.
Having only written a few words, Meng Fanxi felt uneasy thinking that Gu Huailang's debut was still almost a year away, which meant that the two of them would have to be roommates for a while longer.
Gu Huailang is clearly not a proactive person, and this stalemate cannot continue.
In order to ensure a smooth and peaceful dormitory life, Meng Fanxi gritted his teeth and started chatting again.
"I forgot to introduce myself earlier. My name is Meng Fanxi. You must be Gu Huailang. I saw your name on the sign at the door." Meng Fanxi turned to look at Gu Huailang from the chair.
"Yes, I saw it too." Gu Huailang said a few more words this time, but still maintained his upright posture and did not turn around.
Seeing this, Meng Fanxi sat up straight and continued writing, but he didn't stop talking.
"It seems that Auntie has put up my name and photo. I thought it would be a few days later. I'll take a look when I go out. I chose that photo very carefully."
"Yes, it's good."
"You're in your final year of junior high, do you have a lot of homework?"
"Yes, quite a lot."
"Are you the only trainee from Will Company at your school?"
"Um."
"You must have a hard time traveling back and forth between school and the company, right?"
"fine."
...
The two were each focused on their own problems, and their back-and-forth conversation created a wonderful sense of harmony.
Before they knew it, it was almost time for training. Meng Fanxi's C-level practice room was further away from the dormitory building, so he said goodbye to Gu Huailang and left early.
The other party remained remarkably quiet, but Meng Fanxi did not detect any impatience in them. On the contrary, she felt that the other party was gradually letting down their guard.
Qi Xiaohan and Xu Weiguang are both B-level trainees. Their practice room is not far from the C-level practice room, but the two of them spend too much time on their homework, so Meng Fanxi is all alone on the way to the practice room.
Meng Fanxi enjoys this solitude; in fact, he has been savoring every moment since his rebirth.
Under the dim yellow lights along the way, fallen leaves danced gently in the cool breeze. A few scattered figures walked casually on both sides of the road. The further they walked towards the building at the end, the fewer trainees there were. Meng Fanxi stopped and looked up at the star-filled night sky, then walked forward resolutely.
Unexpectedly, just as I stepped onto the steps in front of the building, I was suddenly pulled behind the thick tree next to the building.
Meng Fanxi composed himself, trying to adjust to the sudden darkness in his vision, his brain racing as he analyzed the situation.
There were no streetlights nearby, and with trees blocking the light from the distance, he could only see two people standing in front of him, one near and one far.
Suddenly, the person nearby held a flashlight to their chin, turned it on, and revealed a ghostly face with amazing lighting effects.
"..." Now, Meng Fanxi saw it clearly.
It's Xu You again. What exactly is this brat up to?
The person leaning against the wall at a 45-degree angle, gazing at the starry sky, is probably Ren Yuchen.
Before Meng Fanxi could even open her mouth to question him, Xu You, holding a flashlight, approached Meng Fanxi in a deliberately deep voice: "Meng Fanxi, I've caught you."
"Huh?" Meng Fanxi looked completely bewildered.
"You're lying."
"Hmm?" Meng Fanxi seemed to be possessed by his new roommate, Gu Huailang.
Xu You was not annoyed by Meng Fanxi's brief answer; on the contrary, he was intrigued.
"You didn't pass the interview a year ago because you didn't even show up."
Upon hearing this, Meng Fanxi breathed a sigh of relief without even realizing it. In the quiet atmosphere around him, he almost thought that his secret of being reborn had been discovered.
Seeing Meng Fanxi's reserved and silent demeanor, Xu You became even more smug: "You thought you could fool the whole class, but you didn't expect that I could find the interview records from a year ago, did you?"
While Xu You was smug, Meng Fanxi rolled his eyes in the darkness, thinking, so what? He made up an excuse back then just to avoid unnecessary trouble. Now that he has integrated into Will Company, even if he brings this up again, not many people will care.
He was about to retort to Xu You when he saw Ren Yuchen pointing at Xu You's back and gesturing to him from not far away. So he changed the subject: "So what do you want?"
＊
C-level practice room
After the course ended, the coach left after providing one-on-one guidance, leaving the trainees to practice on their own.
Meng Fanxi did not stay in the practice room as usual, but instead carried her bag and walked towards the location she had just received on her phone.
The destination was an S-level practice room in the Excellence Building of the Will Company. The building had four floors, and the entrance thoughtfully indicated the layout and description of the practice rooms.
The first floor mainly consists of 6 large S-level group practice rooms, which are used for teaching S-level trainees or for group practice by already debuted groups.
Each of the second to fourth floors has 12 S-level personal practice rooms and several meeting rooms, entertainment rooms, psychological counseling rooms, and other multi-functional offices.
The right to use the S-level individual practice rooms belongs solely to S-level trainees. There are 12 S-level practice rooms for 12 S-level trainees.
The second floor is for female trainees, the third floor is for male trainees, and the fourth floor is for debuted artists.
The entire building is managed electronically, and both S-level trainees and debuted artists have corresponding permissions. They can also check the usage of practice rooms on specific software.
Meng Fanxi certainly didn't have permission to enter, but he was still allowed to enter the building.
From the outside, the building appears grand and understated, but the interior is surprisingly luxurious.
Inside the lobby, the magnificent crystal chandelier shone brightly, and the luxurious furnishings, reminiscent of a noble castle, almost dazzled Meng Fanxi. Even the office building of the Will Company wasn't this extravagant.
Meng Fanxi took the elevator straight to the third floor. There was an electronic screen outside the S-level personal practice room, which displayed the name of the user.
He walked to the door of his destination, and before he could do anything, the door opened automatically.
He hesitated for a few seconds before going inside.
"Why is it so slow?" Xu You complained impatiently to Meng Fanxi from the sofa.
Ren Yuchen also sat down to the side and looked at Meng Fanxi.
Looking at these two faces that made one unable to get angry, Meng Fanxi sighed silently.
He was pulled behind a tree by Xu You. He originally wanted to end the conversation as soon as possible, but suddenly he saw Ren Yuchen seemingly gesturing to him to help. He didn't know what got into him, but Meng Fanxi went along with what Xu You said and started talking. Before he knew it, he had become Xu You's new underling.
Xu You even gave him a chance to train in the S-level practice room, which was infuriating.
When the three parted, Ren Yuchen deliberately walked up to Meng Fanxi and whispered, "Bear with it, Xu You's acting like a chuunibyou."
"..."
Looking at this luxurious practice room, it's twice the size of a Class C practice room, and it's equipped with sofas, a projector, a small bar filled with purified water and juice, and other amenities.
There's nothing wrong with being a subordinate.
Although Xu You was a bit naive, his professional skills were truly S-level. He corrected many of Meng Fanxi's pitch problems and taught him a lot of techniques.
Ren Yuchen is a well-known all-around S-level trainee and is generous in sharing his experience.
With their help, Meng Fanxi had a clearer understanding of her current strengths and weaknesses, and she practiced dancing with great enthusiasm. The two of them also did not neglect their own training.
When the three of them finished and headed back, their usual silence vanished, and they chatted enthusiastically all the way home.
Meng Fanxi gained a lot, but was also a little confused, unable to understand Xu You's thought process. How could such a windfall fall into his lap in such an unusual way?
Returning to the dormitory in a cheerful mood, Meng Fanxi saw Gu Huailang standing on the balcony in his training uniform. She quietly walked over, wanting to scare Gu Huailang and witness his out-of-control expression.
With a "smack," Meng Fanxi slapped Gu Huailang's right shoulder. "Gu Huailang, what are you looking at?"
Gu Huailang immediately clutched his shoulder, his body trembling slightly, but he quickly recovered, turned around, walked past Meng Fanxi, and went back inside, leaving behind a brief sentence: "Didn't see anything."
Meng Fanxi stood there, staring at his hands.
He didn't use much force, but after he hit him, he vaguely heard Gu Huailang hiss and gasp. Was Gu Huailang's body that weak?
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