Chapter 78: Second Team
In the 2018 Opera Challenge, Guan He’s biggest regret was not that he was eliminated in the semi-finals, but that he did not have the chance to see the agile and graceful girl in the finals. He thought that the girl would be able to sing an opera with unparalleled grace and then get his wish.
And he remembered the girl's name very clearly - Ren Limeng.
"I was never sure, but I never expected... you're a host now. What a coincidence! I've also changed my career to become a crosstalk performer."
Guan He's smile was filled with unspeakable bitterness. He looked at the dignified and elegant Ren Limeng in front of him. His graceful eyes seemed to show a hint of the girl's shadow, but more of it was the strangeness and hesitation of not daring to recognize her. After a whole week, he finally confirmed that the bright and cheerful girl from that year was the person in front of him, and he felt only relief in his heart.
"I sent you a message later, but you may not have seen it, and I haven't received your reply. Li Meng, I'm really happy to see you in "Shan Hai"... The second public performance will be in Mei City, your hometown. If possible, I would like to invite you to form a team with us."
Guan He looked at Ren Limeng seriously, his tone sincere, and his smiling face was so friendly that it was hard to refuse.
What's more, Ren Limeng had no intention of refusing.
Although she had no impression of the past that Guan He mentioned, she was very interested in Guan He Yigong's performance.
She just needed to find a new team.
Ren Limeng didn't dare to stay in Shen Xingzhi's team.
At the beginning, Ren Limeng favored Chen He's team, but the bundling marketing between Chen He and Hong Qingli inside and outside the program was too obvious. In the first public performance, almost all the other people in Chen He's team became foils for the two. Even though Chen He was still famous, Ren Limeng had no intention of being a supporting role.
Guan He’s appearance was so timely.
"Are you sure you're going to Mei City?"
Although she had some considerations in her mind, Ren Limeng remained calm. She did not ask Guan He about the source of the information, but just keenly repeated the most crucial point in Guan He's invitation - the second master was in Mei City.
The guests on the show all have their own channels. One of the excellent virtues of adults is not to ask too many questions. She only cares about the reliability of the matter and her own actions at the moment.
"Well, Li Meng, we both come from opera backgrounds. Although we've both changed careers, our foundations are still there. Since there's an opportunity this time, I'd like to collaborate with you on an opera stage. Whether it's for the opera or for ourselves, I think 'Shan Hai' is a great opportunity."
With the explosive development of the cultural and entertainment industry, opera has become less and less well-known in recent years, becoming an important but niche sunset industry in the minds of the public. The precarious cultural heritage needs someone to promote and carry forward.
Ren Limeng and Guan He have been learning opera since they were young. The countless days and nights of training in spring, summer, autumn and winter are their unforgettable journey. They have also quietly accumulated too many complex feelings towards opera, which are like eating and sleeping, and they have long been unable to let go.
Since they have come to the well-known S+ variety show "Shan Hai", it is their responsibility to promote opera.
Guan He did not specify in detail, but the moment she looked into his eyes, Ren Limeng immediately understood the meaning of his words, and a look of approval appeared on her face, not only for the great goal of promoting opera.
Opera is their forte, and the guests' irreplaceable shining points are also the highlights that cannot be ignored after the broadcast of the "Mountains and Seas" program. No guest will miss this opportunity.
"Li Meng, what a coincidence! You've always been one of the guests I most want to work with. Since we both chose the fourth room, can we form a team first? I'll choose whichever team leader you choose later!"
Guan He's laughing voice sounded beside her ears. Ren Limeng looked at the cameras around her. She no longer thought about last night and reached cooperation with Guan He again in front of the camera.
"Okay, I also want to be on the same team with Guan He. Do you have a captain you want to choose?"
Shen Xingzhi, Chen He, Fan Xinran, and Yan Baiwei each have their own advantages and disadvantages.
She and Guan He also talked about forming a team last night. Since the captain could only guess, the candidates they discussed were somewhat different from the current ones. More importantly, Ren Limeng did not expect that Guan He’s favorite captain was actually Shen Xingzhi!
"We both have decent stage presence, but neither our rankings nor our personal buzz outside of the show are high enough. I'd prefer a captain with greater fame, as fame greatly impacts popularity. Li Meng..."
Guan He looked at Ren Limeng hesitantly, but still asked quietly, "The scandal between you and Shen Xingzhi has not only been on the hot search, but I heard the program staff are also discussing it. You..."
"We were definitely related in the past. We went to the same school and were in the same club, so we knew each other. But we haven't been in touch for years. I only just added Brother Chen Xingzhi on WeChat. Brother Guan He, you don't believe this gossip, do you?"
Ren Limeng spoke calmly, her brows slightly furrowed, as if she had not expected Guan He to be so concerned about this issue.
"I...of course I don't believe it, but Li Meng, you are so outstanding, I always feel that you and Shen Xingzhi are a good match."
Guan He really wanted to continue asking and confirm whether Ren Limeng was single, but when he thought of their early partnership, he just put on a sincere smile. He raised his right arm, and his slender fingers casually scratched the back of his head, his eyes bright.
"...Thank you, Guan He."
Guan He in front of the screen was full of witty remarks and eloquent, and was an excellent crosstalk artist who never let others talk at the drop of a hat. Feeling the slightly stagnant and awkward atmosphere in the air, Ren Limeng silently looked at Guan He in front of her. He had a tough temperament, bright eyes, and a friendly smile on his sunny and handsome face, but he looked... inexplicably silly.
"Li Meng, how do you feel about getting along with Shen Xingzhi in the first public performance? To be honest, Shen Xingzhi is the guest I most want to work with after I confirmed that I would come to the show. Of course, I didn't know you would come at that time."
Guan He added the second half of the sentence a little eagerly, but Ren Limeng smiled and waved her hand without any concern. She knew that the second half of the sentence was Guan He's polite respect for his cooperation partner, so she naturally didn't take it seriously.
How does it feel to get along with Shen Xingzhi?
This question is too complicated to explain in a few words.
Ren Limeng was suddenly distracted, and inexplicably thought of Chen Xingzhi who was so close to her. She could see the capillaries faintly visible under his fair skin, and could also feel his hot breath before every cold word he said.
But none of that matters.
"Brother Chen Xingzhi is a good captain and takes good care of us. But I feel quite embarrassed. The result of the first public performance was a bit unexpected. He probably won't choose me."
In other words, she won't choose him!
Of course, with her small status, it would easily affect her reputation to speak out against Shen Xingzhi in a public place like the corridor. What's more, Shen Xingzhi is also responsible as the captain. She can't say that Shen Xingzhi might want to harass her!
Ren Limeng glanced at the empty and silent corridor and mentioned it vaguely.
He stopped at the point, speaking very subtly, with an expression of regret and annoyance, which reminded Guan He of some rumors that Ren Limeng had forced herself on Shen Xingzhi. He nodded, as if resonating with Ren Limeng's words.
Like Ren Limeng, he is not a top star in the show and has experienced ups and downs in the circle. He can sympathize with the concerns implied in Ren Limeng's words.
Ren Limeng might be afraid that Shen Xingzhi would have to take her with him because of his seniors and juniors, and she didn't want Shen Xingzhi to be pressured into teaming up with her. Guan He could fully understand that. Besides, there were so many guests in "Shan Hai" who wanted to be on the same stage with Shen Xingzhi. Shen Xingzhi's team should be the favorite, and it would not be easy for them to join the team together no matter how much they planned.
"How is Sister Chen Xi?"
After discussion, Ren Limeng and Guan He agreed that Chen He, Shen Xingzhi, and Chen Xi could become the captains of the second public team. Since there were too many possibilities for the fourth captain, Ren Limeng preferred to discuss among these three to reduce variables.
Compared with the other two, Chen Xi seems to be more suitable for her and Guan He.
Ideals are beautiful, but reality always falls short of ideals.
"Hello, Sister Chen Xi!"
Guan He was just about to answer Ren Limeng's question when the door of the training room was suddenly pushed open, and Chen Xi's beautiful face came into view. Ren Limeng and Guan He stood up quickly and greeted her at the same time. Chen Xi also smiled and waved to Ren Limeng and the others.
Her gaze lingered briefly on Ren Limeng's generous and gentle smile, and then she walked towards the two of them and sat directly next to Ren Limeng.
Ren Limeng and Guan He were originally sitting on the right side of the sofa, chatting with a distance of about one person between them. Chen Xi's intrusion was completely unexpected for them. Their eyes met for a moment, and there was the same helplessness in their eyes. Ren Limeng silently moved to the right.
She and Guan He wanted to team up with Chen Xi, instead of the three of them sitting side by side waiting for invitations from others to team up. It turned out that plans could not keep up with changes during the recording.
From the moment the list of captains for the second public performance was announced, looking at the big screen without Chen Xi's name, Ren Limeng immediately started thinking quickly about the team formation for the second public performance.
Among the four guests, Chen Xingzhi, Chen He, Fan Xinran and Yan Baiwei, two are Ren Limeng's teammates in the first public performance. Thinking about the noisy and turbulent first public performance trip, Ren Limeng decisively passed the two of them. Except for Chen He who had some concerns, it seems that Fan Xinran is the best choice for her and Guan He.
Besides, Fan Xinran is Guan He’s teammate in the first public performance. Teammates who won the first place in the first public performance together should have some feelings for each other, at least the face should be very strong!
Ren Limeng comforted herself in her heart and tried to relax. The team recording continued. She was not in a position to directly express her thoughts in front of the camera. She just hoped that she and Guan Heweiwei would have some tacit understanding.
Or maybe just let Fan Xinran go directly to the fourth room! As long as Fan Xinran stepped into this training room, Ren Limeng believed that with her eloquence as a host, she could also use a little trick to sell herself and Guan He into the team!
The captain and guests made keyword selections at different times at the same time. Before the captain officially entered the room to invite them, all the team members and guests completed their keyword selections and entered the room first. Ren Limeng looked at the crowd in the fourth training room, which was so crowded that there was not enough space for one sofa to sit on. Her face was numb from laughing. They came in one after another, which made her almost doubt the rules of the program team.
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