"If he bullies you, you can tell me."
This short sentence lingered in Jian Xingsui's ears like a curse, and struck his heart like a heavy hammer.
Somewhat incredulously, she looked up and met Fu Jinxiao's face. The man was sitting there with dark and deep eyes. Being looked at by him gave one a sense of being valued.
Jian Xingsui was nervous. Afraid that Fu Jinxiao would misunderstand, he said, "Xingchen didn't actually bully me. Please, please don't overthink it. We were just joking around. You know his temper; he doesn't really have any bad intentions. That's why I didn't say anything when you came in, because..."
Fu Jinxiao nodded slightly and said gently, "I know, because he was afraid of affecting my relationship with him and didn't want to put me in a difficult position."
Jian Xingsui was taken aback.
Even though he hadn't said anything yet, Fu Jinxiao understood everything he meant.
This feeling was truly strange, just like countless times when he stood in front of the Jian family or An Ran and others, no matter how he explained, no one believed him, and no one was willing to listen to him finish.
But Fu Jinxiao just sat there quietly, listening to his stumbling explanations, and understood his heart, which was like a tangled thread. He didn't need to explain too much, nor would he be misunderstood.
“I know everything.” Fu Jinxiao looked at him and smiled. “With a roommate like you by his side, I feel at ease.”
She can be truly strict at work, but genuinely gentle in private conversations.
Jian Xingsui wanted to say something, but he swallowed his words. He lowered his head, his nose slightly sore. He had endured for so long, and when he was suddenly understood, his first reaction was to feel at a loss.
Fu Jinxiao seemed to see through his fragile soul beneath his poor speech and didn't embarrass him: "Alright, it's getting late, go back. Why don't you stay here and prepare to take over the security guard duties?"
Jian Xingsui felt embarrassed and bowed, "Okay, Brother Fu, I'm going back now."
Fu Jinxiao responded with a faint "Mm".
Jian Xingsui turned to leave, but then heard the man say, "Wait."
Jian Xingsui turned around with some confusion.
"You sang well today." Fu Jinxiao was no longer sitting lazily, but looked him straight in the eye with an open and honest expression: "Keep up the good work next time."
It was just an ordinary sentence, but when it reached Jian Xingsui's ears, it made his heart seem to shrink and throb with joy. He had been praised, he had received recognition, and it was recognition from his idol.
Jian Xingsui actually felt that he wouldn't pass the first audition because he had no background or support. More importantly, his family might think he was bullying An Ran, and they could easily get the production team to replace him if they saw him. So he knew he probably wouldn't go far.
But when he sang, Fu Jinxiao's words of approval seemed to suddenly give him a glimmer of hope and confidence.
"Yes, I will try my best," Jian Xingsui said softly, smiling at Fu Jinxiao. "Thank you, Brother Fu."
Fu Jinxiao raised an eyebrow slightly.
I always noticed that this child always had a serious face. I don't know if he noticed it himself, but even though he's not very old, his brows are always slightly furrowed, as if he's always on guard and has something on his mind. He looks like a frightened little hedgehog, as if he's ready to hide at any moment. That's why people unconsciously pay more attention to him.
He smiled now, just because of a casual word of encouragement. His smile was actually quite beautiful. Although he had a buzz cut, his lips were red and his teeth were white. He smiled shyly and had a delicate appearance. His eyes seemed to be shining. At this moment, he looked like a young man of his age, instead of a little old man with a heavy heart. I don't know where he got such a heavy heart at such a young age.
...
Day 2
This is the second day of the first round of recording.
Because of the popularity on the first day, the number of viewers in this live stream increased instead of decreasing, and the popularity was very high.
This time it really came to Shen Xingchen's turn to perform very quickly. Don't be fooled by the fact that this young master seems a bit unreliable on the surface, like a rich kid just hanging around. He actually has real talent. His singing and dancing skills are both excellent, and his stage presence is outstanding. It's clear that he has put in a lot of effort and has real ability.
Almost all the mentors were very satisfied and gave high marks. After unanimous discussion, they awarded a high score of A, and no one, including the audience, objected.
"This young man is so cool!"
"That's really amazing!"
"Watching his dance makes my blood boil."
"This guy is so energetic and driven!"
When Shen Xingchen returned, Jian Xingsui sincerely said, "I think you performed very well. You are amazing."
Shen Xingchen's forehead was covered in sweat. The young man was naturally very proud after hearing this comment, but he still wanted to brag a little in front of his underling: "It was just so-so. I just performed normally."
Jian Xingsui smiled, pursing her lips.
Shen Xingchen noticed that not far from their row, there was a group of people sitting in a row. That person was Zhou Xun. For some reason, Zhou Xun kept looking in their direction, looking rather furtive.
Shen Xingchen's temper flared up: "Wait, what's that kid looking at?"
Jian Xingsui reassured her, "It's okay, it's okay, just ignore it."
"What are you afraid of?" Shen Xingchen glared at him and muttered, "It's a good thing we're filming a show, otherwise I would have dealt with him long ago."
Jian Xingsui was both amused and exasperated.
Shen Xingchen's temper is sometimes somewhat similar to mine, or more accurately, my temper used to be somewhat similar to hers.
By the afternoon, almost all of the 100+ contestants had finished their auditions. To everyone's surprise, just when everyone thought it was over, the host stood up and began to announce a new segment: "Because of the issues with the first round of performances, I think many of you feel that you didn't perform well, or perhaps you have some new ideas. That's okay, we understand. Now, we're going to announce new rules, which is what everyone is most looking forward to and most eager to see. Do you know what it is?"
There was a moment of silence, then someone shouted, "Battle!"
More and more people shouted with excitement, "Battle! Battle! Let the battle begin!"
Previously, it was all group and individual performances. Now, with the new rules, it will definitely be a battle between contestants. Teacher Li also revealed a mysterious smile: "Yes, our new rules will start with a battle. Now, let's start with Group F. Each contestant in Group F will recommend a representative. This representative can freely choose any member of Group C that they believe they can challenge. If the challenge is successful, the contestant can successfully advance to Group D. If a member of Group C can retain their rightful place, they will also have a chance to be re-evaluated."
This is just stirring up trouble.
If you choose a competitor you can successfully challenge, you'll definitely pick the weakest one.
As if afraid of failing to stir up trouble, Teacher Li smiled and said, "At the same time, after this selection is over, all the students who successfully maintain their level will join the members of Class A to become the center of the theme song of 'Starlight'!"
The entire audience erupted in uproar.
Especially among the people in F, many were very excited, and the internal staff engaged in heated discussions about how to get this opportunity.
Wen Shengge's rating was C, the same level as Jian Xingsui. He leaned over and whispered, "Brother Jian, who do you think the people in Group F will choose to challenge here?"
Jian Xingsui shook her head: "I don't know."
"If we fail to avoid relegation, we'll be relegated to Group F!" Wen Shenge said with lingering fear, "I really want to pray that I won't be selected."
Jian Xingsui didn't have much of an idea.
Firstly, he felt he had little presence, and secondly, even if he dropped to F, it wouldn't mean much to him.
Shen Xingchen leaned closer and chuckled, "Alright, stop worrying about it. Anyone with a modicum of ambition wouldn't choose you. At least this way, I still respect them."
Jian Xingsui: "..."
You're really good at comforting people.
Just as everyone was talking, the representative recommended by Group F was announced, a candidate who was both expected and unexpected—Zhou Xun.
When Zhou Xun took the stage, he gave a speech, the gist of which was that he hadn't performed well in the first round and wanted to redeem himself and prove himself. As a rapper, he was going to perform a rap song.
Teacher Li asked, "Which Group C contestant do you want to challenge?"
Zhou Xun's gaze fell on the people in Group C. After looking around, he said firmly, "Jian Xingsui."
After the name was uttered, some people were surprised, while others felt it was expected. Jian Xingsui herself was also a little helpless, while Shen Xingchen next to her sneered a few times, full of sarcasm.
Teacher Li said with a smile, "Before the performance of the Group F contestants, I want to announce another additional rule for this time. For example, if Xing Sui successfully accepts the challenge, you will get a chance to be re-rated and will become the center of our theme song. Because the reward is generous, we also have another rule that the contestants who accept the challenge, for example, will have 20 minutes to prepare if they have to sing the same song as the challenger."
Logically speaking, this rule shouldn't be particularly difficult.
However, the problem is that Zhou Xun is a rap singer, and the songs he chooses are all rap songs. For Jian Xingsui, who is not a rap singer, it would be very difficult to learn a rap song in 20 minutes.
Teacher Li added, "Of course, contestants have the right to choose whether or not to accept the challenge."
At this moment, almost everyone's eyes were on Jian Xingsui.
The audience is quite looking forward to it:
"Go, buzz cut guy!"
"Don't be a coward!"
"Compare with him!"
The other contestants felt this was really difficult. It turned out that the pie in the sky wasn't so easy to eat. The difficulty was so great. Wasn't this just being able to be manipulated? Challengers could choose to compete in what they were good at but what the other person was not good at. Especially for someone like Jian Xingsui who hadn't professionally studied rap, she would definitely suffer. She would drop directly from C to F, which would be really tragic.
Everyone was looking at Jian Xingsui, but Jian Xingsui quietly turned his gaze to the mentor's platform. There, the man sitting in the center was leaning back in his chair, seemingly nonchalant. But the moment he secretly glanced over, Fu Jinxiao lifted his eyelids and looked straight at him. Their eyes met, and silence spoke volumes.
Not long ago, on this very stage, he had taught Jian Xingsui to face all challenges with the courage to not be afraid of losing. However, Jian Xingsui, who had been reborn and suffered many losses, was always cautious and did not have that kind of courage.
Behind me came the hushed chatter of the other contestants:
"He wouldn't dare, would he?"
"Isn't this a sure way to lose?"
"Haha, I was lucky to have chosen C before, now I'm going to be exposed for who I really am."
Those subtle sounds were like the whispers behind his back from people he remembered or didn't remember. Long ago, it was these kinds of comments that made Jian Xingsui start to doubt himself, become sensitive and insecure. It was then that he accidentally came across Fu Jinxiao's songs and works, which helped him gradually adjust and gain courage and strength.
Shall we take on this challenge?
I might not win, and with such a high level of difficulty, I might embarrass myself.
But if he doesn't welcome them, will he win? All he gets in return is disappointed and mocking looks.
What he saw in Fu Jinxiao's eyes was not mockery or a curious look, but a deep and tranquil silence. The man sat there quietly, as if he were the anchor in his heart. He seemed to be telling himself silently that he had nothing left to lose, so what was the harm in taking a gamble?
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