Chapter 31: First Performance (Part 1)
The intensive rehearsal soon came to an end. The contestants then had to change clothes and put on makeup.
The performance was scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Due to the tight schedule, many people were so busy that they didn't even have time to eat.
The contestants were so hungry that they had to quickly eat a few slices of bread to fill their stomachs, and then quickly started to change clothes and line up to put on makeup.
Although they have been busy since early morning and have had almost no time to rest, no contestant complained and no contestant was listless.
Even those players who knew they had no chance of advancing forgot the bitterness of the competition at this moment and only looked forward to welcoming the audience.
Because this may be the first or even the last time they stand on such a big stage in their lives, no matter what the result is, they want to enjoy it.
What's more, they were wearing gorgeous stage costumes that they would never wear or have the opportunity to wear on ordinary days.
Pineapple Video boasts deep pockets, and the contestants' costumes are meticulously prepared by their costume designers. From dark to fresh, from retro to avant-garde, each look is uniquely crafted. Stylists also adjust makeup and hairstyles based on the contestants' individual appearances to achieve an overall stylish fit.
To highlight the exotic atmosphere of "Hot", all the actors wore white satin shirts and trousers. Although this combination may seem ordinary at first glance, the costume designer used her skillful hands to create a unique and special look for each actor.
Bai Li's shirt has a gorgeous ruffled V-neck, which looks particularly court-like when paired with slightly slim-fitting dark overalls, which is very consistent with his peacock-like arrogant and narcissistic temperament.
Sheng Yanyu wore a Cuban collar with a ribbon hanging down and a silver necklace around her neck, looking calm and composed with a touch of casualness.
Chang Jun's shirt has a layered collar design with silver tassels hanging on the shoulders, which is elegant yet energetic, very suitable for his age.
Mo Bei wore an artistically asymmetrical, pleated collar, with white organza lisianthus stitched from his shoulders to his chest. Combined with his moonlight-pale complexion and tall, lean figure, he looked even more ethereal, like a flower from a mountaintop.
Of course, they all knew this was just an appearance. Once on stage, the man, as calm as jade, shattered the outside world's impression of him, perfectly presenting a stage as lively as a grand ceremony. He was like a chameleon, able to change with the external environment.
As for Lei Lie, perhaps the stylist thought that he should show off his good figure, so he directly arranged a deep V shirt for him.
Of course, in order to avoid the program from being censored, a layer of translucent mesh was sewn on the V-neck of the shirt, so not only the chest muscles but also the abdominal muscles were faintly visible.
This design of half-covering the face like holding a lute, not to mention the fans who have not yet entered the venue, even the other contestants couldn't help but exclaim: "Wow~"
Zheng Xingye stroked his chin and said, "Although I knew Lao Lei had a good figure, I didn't expect it to be this good. It's almost comparable to mine."
Hearing his boasting, Cui Junxi couldn't help but roll his eyes, then glanced at Lei Lie's clothes and nodded in agreement: "This figure is indeed good."
Frequently receiving stares from those around him, Lei Lie covered his chest and abdomen in embarrassment.
"What's so good about it? Don't you have anything?"
Hearing this, Bai Li on the side couldn't help but laugh and said, "We are all men. You are a grown man, and you are afraid of being looked at?"
“It’s scary when they’re all men!”
Upon hearing this, not only Bai Li and Zheng Xingye, but even Sheng Yanyu and Chang Jun who had not joined the conversation cast teasing glances at him.
"It seems like Brother Lei Lie has a story. Tell it to me?"
"Speak wool!"
The contestants were playing and making final preparations. Meanwhile, a long line began to form outside the venue. Fans from all over the world, carrying carefully prepared support items, waited eagerly for the performance to begin.
Although the first episode hasn't even aired yet, the contestants' fan circles have already formed. Both big and casual fans of each contestant arrived with custom-made banners and light signs. This has become a crucial way for fans to identify their "own fans."
After taking a look at the message on his phone, Cai Shumin quickly noticed that there was a girl opposite him with her back to him, holding a cheering fan with a Q version of Jiang Mo Nan printed on it.
After hesitating for a moment, she walked forward and took the initiative to talk to people.
"Hello, are you 'Jiang Mo Nan's mom fan'?"
Holding back her shame, she quickly reported the other person's ID.
The girl who was called turned around, and when their eyes met, Cai Shumin was startled. Then she said hurriedly, "I'm sorry, I might have recognized the wrong person."
The girl before her... no, more accurately, a lady. Although well-maintained, there were still traces of time in the corners of her eyes. It was obvious that this person was not the relative she had met online.
However--
"You didn't admit your mistake."
Suddenly, the elegant and intellectual older sister pulled out her phone and displayed her account ID. It clearly read "Jiang Mo Nan's Mom Fan" on it.
For a moment, Cai Shumin was stunned.
She thought that mom fans were just talk in the fan circle, but she didn’t expect it to be true!
Before she could find the right words to deal with the situation, a girl who looked like a high school student came over with two cups of milk tea.
"Mom, the lemon passion fruit you requested is out of stock. I ordered you a cheese strawberry."
……mom?
Cai Shumin looked at the girl in front of him who was probably only a few years younger than him, and then looked at the intellectual older sister beside him. He was shocked beyond words.
Is this her mother? She looks so young!
After being amazed, Cai Shumin quickly reacted.
Wait, so this mother and daughter are here to chase stars together?
What an open-minded mother!
Cai Shumin couldn't help but feel a little envious when she thought about herself who was always scolded by her parents for wasting money on buying peripheral products, and her college roommate who was accused by her family of being a celebrity chaser and not doing her job properly.
Taking her daughter's milk tea, the intellectual older sister looked at Cai Shumin and asked, "Paipai, what would you like to drink?"
Cai Shumin’s Weibo ID is “Let’s catch jellyfish together with Patrick.” Because the ID is too long and the animated character in the ID is too famous, in order to avoid misunderstandings, everyone in the group calls her Paipai.
Now, when this nickname is called out by the older sister in front of me, whose real age is probably not much younger than my biological mother, I feel an inexplicable sense of shame.
Cai Shumin blushed and waved her hand, "...Thank you, but no thanks."
However, the older sister in front of him was very welcoming and just smiled and said, "You're welcome. I told you earlier when we were chatting online that I would buy you milk tea when we meet in person."
Then he asked in a gentle voice, "Do you have any dietary restrictions? For example, are you allergic to milk or mango?"
Under the other party's gentle attack, Cai Shumin forgot the awkward feeling of shame and shook her head blankly: "No."
"Then buy a cup like mine."
The elder sister said this to her daughter.
The little girl, who had just finished running errands, didn't want to move at first, but at a look from her mother, she touched her nose and went obediently.
This made Cai Shumin feel a little embarrassed, "Why don't I go with her?"
"No, just a cup of milk tea."
Perhaps sensing the little girl's discomfort, Xu Zihan took the initiative to strike up a conversation with her.
The two had been chatting online for a while, and now as they opened up, the previous awkwardness and strangeness gradually dissipated.
At 1:00 p.m., ticket checking began and the long line finally began to move.
At the same time, on-site staff began checking the personal belongings of spectators entering the venue for any prohibited items. Recording devices such as cameras and mobile phones were not allowed on site and were required to be handed over to staff for safekeeping.
After all, the main film has not been released yet, so the program team must do a good job of keeping it confidential, otherwise it may affect the broadcast effect of the program.
After all, it is a live performance. If a contestant makes a serious mistake, the production team can edit it out in post-production to avoid damaging the reputation of the show.
Most fans who come to watch offline performances are veterans with extensive experience in fandom. Naturally, they know the rules. Because they're concerned about the consequences for themselves, most people won't do anything illegal.
After entering the inner field, the audience went to their respective areas with their tickets.
Cai Shumin and Xu Zihan, mother and daughter, happened to have tickets in the same area. Because the venue was standing room only and no seats were arranged, the audience almost stood wherever they wanted.
Although it hasn't officially started yet, looking at the various cheering items around, you can already feel the enthusiastic atmosphere comparable to that of a concert.
Of course, if we ignore the open and covert fights between the fans of the rival groups, the atmosphere on the scene is still very harmonious.
Looking at the fans of Sheng Yanyu and Jiang Mo Nan fighting with each other, Xu Zihan looked unsurprised. When she was young and pursuing Mo Bei, what kind of scenes had she not seen?
I didn’t expect that 20 years have passed and today’s kids are still playing with the same old things.
Even after all these years, she still couldn't understand.
Isn't it good to just be in a circle and be happy? Why turn star chasing into a battle?
While the audience was entering the venue, the contestants were also making final preparations backstage before going on stage.
The contestants who performed first have already entered the waiting area, while those who performed later are sitting in the waiting room and watching the live stage synchronously through the TV screens arranged by the program team.
On the stage, host Zeng Yu appeared in a shiny suit.
As a well-known program host, Zeng Yu, while not as reputable as the four mentors, still had a certain level of national popularity. Therefore, as soon as he appeared on stage, the long-awaited audience burst into enthusiastic applause.
"Welcome everyone to the first round of performances of 'Youth Project'. I'm the host, Zeng Yu."
"Before we officially begin, I'd like to announce a piece of good news: the first episode of 'Youth Project' will be online tonight at 8:00 PM sharp. Please give us your support!"
As soon as the words fell, excited cheers were heard from the audience.
"Although the first episode has not yet aired, our first round of performances has already begun."
"I believe everyone is looking forward to what kind of performance the contestants will bring today. To be honest, I am looking forward to it too."
"In the first round of performances, 100 contestants will be divided into 20 groups of 5 people each, and the two groups will compete against each other."
"And there are ten songs in total for the duel."
"After every two groups perform the same piece, the audience will use the voting devices distributed to you to vote and select your favorite group and your favorite contestant in the two groups."
"The winning team will receive a team award of 5,000 votes per person. The contestant with the highest number of votes in each of the two groups will receive an individual award of 3,000 votes."
As soon as the words fell, there was an uproar at the scene.
Not only the audience, but also the contestants backstage were stunned. They knew that the winning team would receive 5,000 votes, but this was the first time they had heard that the highest number of votes for a single person could receive 3,000 votes.
If someone gets bonuses on both group and individual tickets, that person can add 8,000 votes!
These 8,000 votes are a life-saving straw for those contestants who did not receive many votes!
For a time, some lower-ranked players began to get restless.
After introducing the rules, Zeng Yu quickly invited several instructors to come out. Suddenly, the crowd erupted in deafening cheers.
"Ahhhh An Junze!"
"Luye! Luye!"
"Aiyao! Yaoyao, look at me!"
"Brother Zhao Kai!"
In fact, in addition to the fans of the contestants, a large part of the audience at the scene are fans of the mentors.
Seeing her idol walk out from behind the stage, Xin Yirui screamed with excitement. Seeing her daughter so excited, Xu Zihan looked embarrassed.
Seeing this scene, Cai Shumin's jaw dropped for the third time.
This mother and daughter pair are truly... unique.
After a brief opening speech, the mentors took their seats one by one.
Zeng Yu picked up the microphone and said, "Let's not waste any more time talking. Please welcome the first two teams to the stage for the showdown!"
"The song they performed was - 'Good Morning, Missy'!"
As soon as the words fell, the audience burst into cheers. But as they cheered, they realized something else.
Good morning, Miss?
Is it that D-note divine song?
Can this be brought to a public performance?
Although the audience was shocked by the program team's choice of songs, they immediately put this issue behind them as the contestants appeared on stage in their best attire.
Most of the trainees in these two groups are at CDF level, and the only B-level player is Lin Jiongyi.
Actually, he hadn't chosen this song voluntarily. It was mainly because his team couldn't even last five seconds in the cockfighting game, so they were ranked last in the selection process. By the time it was their turn, only two songs remained. One was the extremely difficult, show-off standing meditation piece "Mask," and the other was this "Good Morning, Miss."
Choosing the lesser of two evils, as the captain he could only choose to sing "Good Morning, Miss", which was slightly less difficult.
Contrary to expectations, this group of contestants was quite popular. At least when they came on stage, one could still hear the audience calling out the names of several of them.
And Lin Jiongyi also heard his name.
This suddenly gave him a wonderful feeling of joy.
Under the guidance of the host, the group said a few words of encouragement and provocation to their opponents before starting their performance.
Although it is a D-tone divine song, after being adapted by the program team, this song has a unique effect.
In order to differentiate themselves from their opponents, both groups made some unique designs on the stage.
The first group has a funny style, while the second group has a traditional idol boy group style.
In terms of the compatibility of the song and performance, as well as the final effect presented on stage, the former is naturally superior.
The final voting results are naturally the same.
However, when it came to individual voting, the audience voted for Lin Jiongyi from the second group.
Seeing this result, Lin Jiongyi was stunned. Honestly, he hadn't expected to receive the highest number of votes. Seeing his teammates around him, holding back their disappointment and actively congratulating him, he suddenly felt a complex and inexplicable emotion.
Competitions always involve stepping on other competitors to get to the top, no matter what kind of competition. Even in school, he had to beat countless top students to get the admission quota.
Although he had long known the cruelty of competition, he couldn't help but feel depressed as he stood on this stage and looked at the dejected expressions of his teammates who fought side by side with him.
However, no matter how sad or reluctant we are, the performance must go on.
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