Chapter 26
After the first round of rankings was announced, the eliminated contestants left immediately. The tears and reluctance on stage dissipated the moment they left the stage.
Jiang Shiyu sat on the stage, watching the person in the center of the stage crying loudly. A trainee from their company was also eliminated. Even though he was not familiar with that person at all, and had even been targeted by them because of his sudden appearance, he still couldn't help feeling sad.
The eliminated players even made a bit of a splash before the competition. Everyone assumed they, backed by large companies, were safe from the risk of being eliminated in the first round. But in reality, resources were only channeled towards the already chosen princes of the royal family. The rest were merely supporting roles, and no one cared about their future.
Jiang Shiyu looked at Zheng Yanye. The other contestants stood between them. Zheng Yanye was also nonchalantly gazing at the center of the stage, his expression indifferent. He had always been like this, completely indifferent to irrelevant people or things. No matter how moving or relatable the speeches on stage were, he would never be one of those who teared up.
His emotions never fluctuate because of insignificant people.
Jiang Shiyu thought that if he had not been tied to Zheng Yan from the beginning, he might have been the one standing on the stage and shedding tears. A contestant like him with no background, no popularity and no capital was indeed the perfect candidate for sacrifice.
If he had not taken the initiative to invite Zheng Yanye, had not stayed close to Zheng Yanye, had not held Zheng Yanye's hand, but had only met Zheng Yanye briefly as a stranger and a teammate who was temporarily assigned to the team, when he was eliminated, would Zheng Yanye also look at him with regret and feel sad for him?
I don’t think so.
If this is the case, then from Zheng Yanye's perspective, I am just a small passerby.
Although it was just a hypothesis, Jiang Shiyu still fell into depression because of these inexplicable associations. This depression lasted until the end of their recording.
On the way back to the dormitory, he followed Zheng Yanye, watching the two people's shadows grow longer and shorter, one in front and one behind, with only a brief moment of parallelism.
Even more sad.
Zheng Yan stared at the boy behind him calmly. Jiang Shiyu was really easy to guess, his emotions were written all over his face. When he was happy, he was full of colorful bubbles, and when he was unhappy, he was silent like a pool of stagnant water.
Why was he suddenly so down? He wondered if he had been infected by the sad atmosphere of separation and was afraid that he, too, would be eliminated.
This shouldn't be the case, Zheng Yan also frowned secretly. He was just about to tell Jiang Shiyu his identity and that he didn't have to worry about the debut position. Hasn't he reacted yet?
The reaction is too slow, what a cute little Yu.
The two shadows stuck together at some point and began to change synchronously. Jiang Shiyu looked up and saw Zheng Yan standing beside him, on the same level as him.
"You're so unhappy after recording the show, what's wrong, baby?"
Jiang Shiyu opened his mouth, then lowered his head, saying nothing. How should he put it? If he said he was sad because of a fantasy, would Zheng Yan think he was being too sentimental? Why should people care about something that didn't happen?
His roommate is essentially a rationalist, and Jiang Shiyu realized this early on that he didn't want to talk about emotion with reason.
Zheng Yan also looked at Jiang Shiyu patiently, but didn't get any answer.
There was some irritation in his eyes. No matter what the reason was, he didn't want to see Jiang Shiyu like this. Jiang Shiyu should be lively and vivid, whether it was the fangs and dimples showing when he smiled, or the big eyes blinking as if they could speak when he was in a daze, or the way he fell asleep on him in a second when he was tired of practicing, that was the Jiang Shiyu he wanted to see.
The only thing he didn't want to see was Jiang Shiyu's sadness that came from nowhere.
The journey from the recording hall to the dormitory wasn't too long, and before they knew it, they were at the door of their room. Zheng Yan silently opened the door, waited for Jiang Shiyu to come in, and then closed and locked it in one go. He seemingly gently grasped Jiang Shiyu's shoulders, forcing him to look him in the eye. "Baby, what's wrong?"
Jiang Shiyu remained silent.
The irritation in his heart was rising, but he still had to continue to play the role of a caring and gentle person, and his tone became tougher: "If you don't tell me, neither of us will be able to sleep well tonight."
When Jiang Shiyu looked up at him again, tears were already in his eyes. He said in a low voice: "I was thinking, if I hadn't been with you..."
He was interrupted before he could finish. Zheng Yan wiped his tears and gently stroked his cheek while saying, "Even if you didn't come to me, I would still be with you."
"We will definitely be together."
"Really?" Jiang Shiyu looked at him suspiciously.
"Of course it's true." Zheng Yan also kissed Jiang Shiyu's forehead gently, "The first time I saw you, I knew I had to be with you."
Zheng Yan also always knew that the fleeting glimpse in the conference room was Cupid's whisper in his ear that there was no escape.
The moment he saw Jiang Shiyu, he knew that he wanted this person. Even if they didn't meet here, one day in the future, at some moment, the gears of fate would reunite.
It’s not that Jiang Shiyu is the person he falls in love with at first sight, but that only Jiang Shiyu can make him fall in love with him at first sight.
Jiang Shiyu looked at Zheng Yanye. People say that peach blossom eyes look cold and heartless, but at this moment, what he saw in Zheng Yanye's eyes was deep love.
It was easy to leave a mark on his heart.
Those eyes said: So Xiaoyu, don’t be afraid, don’t worry, and don’t break the boat of the present because of things that have not happened.
We will walk together here to a grand and glorious ending.
He believed it.
*
The second performance followed the first ranking announcement. It took a total of ten days from group song selection practice to the official performance. This time, the program team directly assigned the songs, and each song was performed by two groups on a first-come, first-served basis. They were automatically matched for a PK showdown.
After each performance, a live vote will be held. The team with the highest total vote count among two teams performing the same piece will be awarded a spot in the "Best Performance Seat." At the end of the performance, the team with the highest number of votes in the "Best Performance Seat" will be named the "Best Performance Team" of that round, and each member of this group will receive a corresponding number of votes.
This matching mechanism creates a tense atmosphere, with everyone watching what the top-ranked people choose. It would be best if the top circles formed groups and "killed" each other, while the bottom circles played by themselves.
The last thing I want to face is being ranked at the bottom and facing off against the top few, having my popularity crushed and becoming a stepping stone for others to become gods.
Jiang Shiyu was not interested in what others chose. He stood quietly in the fifth position, lowering his head and playing with his fingers.
"Next one, Jiang Shiyu."
Suddenly hearing his own name, Jiang Shiyu subconsciously answered "Here", and the crisp sound echoed in the hall. Someone couldn't help laughing and started a burst of laughter.
Even Zheng Yan couldn't help laughing. Jiang Shiyu was so cute.
Jiang Shiyu himself laughed. He didn't even realize when he had started choosing songs. The person in front of him was too fast, and he didn't realize it was his turn.
The instructor coughed twice in a pretentious manner and said, "Student Jiang Shiyu, please don't let your attention wander during class."
Jiang Shiyu blushed: "...I was thinking about which one to choose, and I was too obsessed with it."
The instructor said, "Then I guess Shi Yu has already made his decision. Just stand in the corresponding position for the piece."
Jiang Shiyu laughed dryly twice.
I don't think you've made the decision yet.
He just took a quick glance at the options and couldn't even remember a few of the names, let alone the styles and movements.
He could only quietly turn sideways and look at Zheng Yanye for help: Which one should I choose?
Zheng Yan also squeezed his hand soothingly: You can choose whichever one, I will be with you.
Jiang Shiyu: ...
I want a result, A or B, you tell me to choose or.
He wanted to continue to dither and discuss with Zheng Yanye, but the instructor didn't give him the chance. Seeing him standing there without moving, he frowned and walked towards them: "Why don't you go and choose?"
"I'll go right away."
Jiang Shiyu instantly shook off Zheng Yanye's hand and gritted his teeth, choosing a song that no one was listening to. As soon as he stood up, he heard a small exclamation from the crowd.
What's wrong? Is there something wrong with this track?
Jiang Shiyu felt a sense of unease, but before he could raise his head to pronounce his verdict, the instructor's voice quickened: "Shiyu is so daring to challenge himself and choose a stage that is generally considered the most difficult to perform on. Not only is the tune difficult to find, but the choreography is also extremely demanding, with complex and intricate movements that will really test your basic skills."
"Come on, let's give Shi Yu a round of applause."
No way. Jiang Shiyu forced a smile amid the applause of the crowd, and tremblingly looked up at the name in front of him, his eyes almost black.
He also asked why no one came forward, and it turned out to be too difficult.
How could I be so lucky that I could give myself strength as soon as I got here?
Now that things have come to this, we can only pray that some great god will come and help him.
Zheng Yanye, come and save me.
As soon as Zheng Yan saw Jiang Shiyu's reaction, he knew that this person had accidentally entered the high-end game and was now standing there at a loss. When he looked at him, his heart melted.
He actually enjoyed Jiang Shiyu's subconscious attachment to him, and it was time for him to show himself to Jiang Shiyu again.
The next second, everyone watched as Zheng Yan, like a peacock spreading its feathers, walked towards Jiang Shiyu, his steps serene and cheerful, though his pace was a bit too fast, betraying his state of mind.
Instructor: "Zheng Yanye is very brave to challenge yourself. However, Yanye, you and Jiang Shiyu are old partners and are quite familiar with each other. I look forward to your wonderful performance."
He deliberately emphasized the three words "old partner", which caused another round of whispers.
Some people lowered their heads tacitly, and were dismissive in their hearts: whether they have been bound together for a long time or it is just fate, everyone can judge for themselves.
The following people stood with the first four without hesitation. Jiang Shiyu's eyes lit up when he saw someone coming, and then he received an apologetic smile from others.
Humph, if you don’t want to come, then don’t come.
Zheng Yan was not in a hurry at all. Their popularity was there, and there would definitely be people joining. It was just a matter of time.
His calmness was slightly broken when Luo Wenxi came over.
Zheng Yan also glared at Luo Wenxi: Why are you here?
Luo Wenxi looked back without giving in: I just want to be in this group, what do you think?
Zheng Yanye: ...
Jiang Shiyu was very happy. Four people had passed by their group but didn't come. Finally, someone was determined to join him. As for Luo Wenxi, he could be considered his friend, and they were even happier as acquaintances.
He looked at Luo Wenxi expectantly: "Will you come and join us?"
Luo Wenxi: "Of course, I wanted to be with you before, but I never had the chance."
"That's great." Jiang Shiyu's eyes curved as he pulled Zheng Yanye and Luo Wenxi over. "We can finally be together this time. I'm so happy."
Zheng Yanye: ...
Luo Wenxi: ...
Both of them had the same thought in their hearts: I would be happier if the person opposite me wasn't there.
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Good night everyone
pss: added some plot
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