CH 13

The demonstration version showcased a formation with nine members, and the dance difficulty was not beginner-friendly. Although it didn’t have highly complex choreography, the three-minute performance required a high level of intensity in terms of rhythm. First and foremost, stamina was a practical concern. Furthermore, for the vast majority of the trainees who were not professionally trained in dance, it was already quite challenging to memorize all the movements without making mistakes within five days.

Moreover, they have to compete with others to demonstrate their proficiency.

The lyrics were not overly complex, and the melody was relatively catchy. However, the high notes were difficult to control. If one sang while dancing, their breath would be more unstable and the possibility of cracking or struggling to hit the high notes was quite high.

In summary, it was not too difficult for those whose strength was above average as long as they practiced more. However, for those below the B level, achieving a counterattack (1) within five days was almost impossible.

While anything was possible, the probability was very low.

After the video finished playing, the single-digit A-rank trainees were eager to try and filled with confidence. But the trainees at the top of the pyramid (2) were always the minority, and most of the trainees began sighing and expressing despair, complaining that the time was too short to learn everything before going on stage, like forcing ducks onto a perch. (3)

The four roommates, including Lu Zhi, were all at the B level. They stood together and exchanged glances, their expressions still relatively relaxed. They weren't without confidence in achieving an A-rank.

Initially, Nan Xiao was somewhat worried that Qin Lu would be nervous or downcast. However, when he saw Qin Lu's expression, Nan Xiao dismissed the idea of comforting him and instead smiled with reassurance.

Unlike many people with limited abilities who tend to complain or lack confidence when faced with difficulties, Qin Lu's face showed no negative emotion other than seriousness.

This was quite rare.

Qin Lu slightly lowered his head, seemingly recalling the movements he had just seen. Although the small-scale movements of his hands were not perfect, their accuracy was surprisingly high.

To be honest, Nan Xiao was a little surprised.

Perhaps it was because people who were good at learning tended to have better memory. Nan Xiao couldn't help but reflect on his own struggles with subjects he had never passed before, feeling a bit sentimental.

Actually, Nan Xiao misunderstood. The reason why Qin Lu was able to quickly remember the movements was because he had previously worked with experienced martial artists during fight scenes in filming, and they had taught him the most effective methods for memorizing movement patterns. These methods were still applicable when it came to dance movements.

"Oh wow, look at Liao Junchen!"

Upon hearing the exclamation, Qin Lu snapped out of his silent practice state and followed the gaze of others.

Liao Junchen was positioned in a corner, also attempting to go through the movements. However, compared to Qin Lu’s earlier simplified version just now, Liao Junchen appeared more casual and smooth.

Qin Lu observed Liao Junchen's movements and compared them to the points in his memory one by one, and the details became clearer immediately.

"He remembered it after just one look, amazing..."

"Why do I feel like his dancing looks even better than the dancers in the demo video? There’s nothing I can say about his skills."

"So strong."

Liao Junchen originally wanted to try to consolidate his memory by practicing by himself, but he stopped when he noticed surrounding eyes beginning to fall on him.

He didn't seem to be used to this kind of gaze, so he pursed his lips expressionlessly.

Fortunately, Producer Cuī Zhìhào, who was standing on the stage, quickly diverted everyone's attention. After briefly explaining the class schedules and classroom locations for students of different ranks, the staff members began distributing class uniforms of different colors to everyone.

From this moment on, the gap between the levels became evident. The production team required all the trainees to wear their designated training uniforms during classes and practices to distinguish between trainees of different ranks.

Not only were the colors different, but the styles and workmanship of the uniforms also showed obvious distinctions. From fashionable and exquisite to plain and dull, the trainees who received their uniforms were divided into two groups; those who were crying all over the place and those who were secretly satisfied.

Qin Lu was assigned a light green uniform for Class C. The color was not particularly bright, but it was not as dull as the uniforms of Class F. Qin Lu didn't have many thoughts about the style of the clothing. Cui Zhihao had mentioned just now that classes would begin after breakfast.

Qin Lu didn't see the need to rush back to the dormitory. He simply took off his sweatshirt and changed into the class uniform like the others.

The cameramen were positioned at various angles, forming a closed circle around the recording site. When the trainees had woken up in the morning, they didn't have time to tidy up, and they were all in their natural state without any makeup.

And this was also the first hurdle of lens inspection—

During the recording of the first episode yesterday, everyone had put on full makeup and looked handsome in their own unique ways in front of the cameras. But now, in their most authentic state, the stark differences in their appearances became apparent.

Many of the boys who looked handsome and striking yesterday were unrecognizable today. They were no different from average passersby after removing their makeup.

While some were considered to be of an excellent level compared to ordinary people, others seemed to disappear in the crowd.

There were indeed quite a few who looked good. Most of the cameramen had extensive experience in filming various variety shows, and they quickly identified suitable individuals for shooting. They zoomed in the camera and directly gave a few close-ups.

When the post-production team receives the footage, they’ll find that some of the cameramen whose shooting areas overlapped had focused their close-ups on the same person.

The young man in the frame moved neatly. He slightly lowered his head and reached out to grab the hem of his shirt from behind, effortlessly pulling off the hoodie. A few strands of his soft and fluffy black hair were lifted up by the clothing and fell onto the side of his clean and fair face.

He was wearing a simple white T-shirt underneath, and even when he put on the light green training uniform over it, he still appeared extremely slender. When he bent slightly, the protrusion of his butterfly bone could be seen.

The cameramen couldn't help but zoom in closer. Amongst the people present, hardly anyone looked as good as him in their natural state, with no noticeable difference from how they looked yesterday with makeup.

It should be noted that the ninety-nine trainees were crowded together in the same space, without any special lighting. However, in the wide-angle view, the boy wearing the light green training uniform stood out in the crowd as if he had turned on a filter(4) of his own.

The cameramen felt that he possessed a special temperament that caught people's attention at first sight. It was perhaps what people in the industry referred to as a natural screen presence.

As their classroom was not the same as Nan Xiao's, Qin Lu smiled and accepted the encouragement and cheer from Lu Zhi's incessant pep talk. He and Su Qinglan went to Class C’s classroom ahead to schedule.

The first class was a vocal lesson with Mentor Lai Yuhan.

- - -

Qin Yihan was browsing Weibo.

More specifically, she was scrolling through the daily updates of the 4SEVEN fandom, refreshing her homepage to see if there were any latest news about the beloved gege (5) she followed.

After satisfyingly saving a few high-definition photos taken by fans, Qin Yihan continued scrolling and came across a Weibo post by "Lu Xi's Internet Wild Mom", a big-name fan in Lu Xi’s fandom:

[Lu Xi's Internet Wild Mom V: Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, Lu Xi!! Insider news! Although it's a group schedule, Lu Xixi is going to record a new variety show! It's a talent show that a certain platform has been hyping up for half a year, and a he’ll be a flying guest for only one episode. But! There will be a stage Ah ah ah the shining light of the stage, Lu Xi Gege is finally coming back after several months of absence! [Crying emoji] [Crying emoji]]

She continued scrolling down, and the comments provided more specific information. Without any surprises, it seemed that each member of 4SEVEN would collaborate with a random group of trainees to perform a joint stage before or after the second public performance of the talent show.

Qin Yihan suddenly felt a strong sense of happiness welling up. She instantly recalled the last time Lu Xi took a personal video. He was handsome to the point of flying! Every time Lu Xi stepped onto the stage, there would be a blood bath among all mother fans (6) as they put on the skin of girlfriend fans (7) overnight.

This was definitely a fantastic piece of news.

Qin Yihan had been paying attention to this influential fan account for a long time, and their occasional pre-release information had been quite accurate. Although some people questioned whether she (the fan) was a fan account created by the company, she repeatedly emphasized that she only knew a friend in the industry and had never leaked any material that would harm Lu Xi. Under that condition, the casual fans didn't delve too much into it.

Moreover, the authenticity of this news would be verified in a few days.

As it was the end of the month, the fan club would usually communicate with the company on a regular basis, and then release a rough itinerary to help fans control their comments and support, gather data, and prepare for on-site cheering.

If this news turns out to be true, there will be another live performance to attend!

Qin Yihan was a standard face fan and stage fan, whose characteristics fall into the category of being a loyal fan of the group. When watching the group's variety shows or similar programs, she was a pure fan of the whole group. However, if any other fan of the group insulted Lu Xi, Qin Yihan would roll up her sleeves to seek justice for Lu Xi.

After confirming that there would be a stage performance to look forward to, Qin Yihan habitually opened the fan club's official blog to participate in data collection and engagement and found that the winners of the fan sign event ticket draw had been announced.

As someone who always participated but never won, Qin Yihan casually glanced at the list and was going to leave a comment expressing her envy. As a result, she subconsciously tapped multiple lemon emojis (8) in the comments. It was only then that she realized that she recognized the id of the @’d account was a little familiar.

She didn't get excited right away but re-read it several times suspiciously before becoming dumbfounded on the spot.

Heavens, she had won!

After countless failed attempts to secure tickets by setting up 800 alarms ahead of time to snatch tickets, after always being failed by Weibo lotteries, she had finally won.

Qin Yihan, in order to participate in the ticket lottery for the fan signing event, had purchased 300 mini PDs (9) and participated in hundreds of Weibo retweets, without any real hope.

Her only feeling now was a sense of unreality, as if she were dreaming.

After a while, she tremblingly typed out a line of words she hadn't even thought of before: "Friends, I won, aaaaaahhhhh!"

After forwarding and leaving a comment at the same time, Qin Yihan didn't pay attention to the likes that were bound to explode. She threw her phone aside and jumped up from the bed, stepped into her bear slippers, and rushed to the kitchen.

"Mom, Mom! I won! I won! I'm going to Huayan City next week!"

Mother Qin’s hand holding the knife trembled. She lifted her kitchen knife turned her head with an annoyed glare: "What nonsense are you babbling about again? You're always mumbling and muttering, why don't you learn from your brother..."

Qin Yihan felt a headache as soon as she heard about her brother. She hugged her mother like an octopus and rubbed her head against her mother's neck, saying, "I won't learn from him. Mom, listen to me. I'm going to Huayan next week, so give me a red envelope."

Qin's mother felt both annoyed and amused. While cutting vegetables she asked, "What are you going to do in Huayan?"

Qin Yihan's eyes lit up. "4SEVEN is having a fan sign event in Huayan next week. It will be held at the shopping center in the city center. It's very safe. I've been a fan of them for three years, and I've never seen them in person. I’ve finally won the tickets this time, so I must go no matter what."

Mother Qin said “oh” disinterestedly. “Tell your father when you come back. If he agrees, then you can go. But Huayan... Isn't that quite close to your brother?"

Before she could celebrate, Qin Yihan was taken aback. She realized that she hadn't seen that annoying guy for the past few days. Normally, he wouldn't stay at a friend's house for so long either.

"He went to Huayan? What is he doing there?" Qin Yihan asked thoughtlessly.

Qin's mother replied casually, "He said he's participating in a talent show."

Qin Yihan: "..."

She doubted her own ears.

Qin Yihan: "...What the hell? Qin Lu? Participating in a talent show?"

Qin's mother nonchalantly responded with a simple “en," showing little interest.

Qin Yihan's mind became a bit chaotic. Huayan city, fan sign event, flying guests(10), talent show... This couldn't be true.

She hesitantly asked, somewhat stiffly, "Mom, what's the name of the talent show my brother is participating in?"

Qin's mother focused on cutting vegetables and thought for a moment before saying, "Something something ‘Youth'."

Qin Yihan's heart skipped a beat.

"...Infinite Youth?"

Mother Qin nodded, "That's the name. What's the matter?"

Qin Yihan went stupid.

- - -

Translator’s notes

(1) Think reversal, or what happens when the underdog beats everyone else sort of situation

(2) Could be a reference to the fact that they are superior to others (at the top), or to the pyramid structure the seats are arranged in, or both lol

(3) Chinese saying referring to when someone rushes or pushes you into something without preparation or consideration of suitability

(4) Referring to those beautifying filters for taking selfies. It’s common practice in china to use those when taking photos (Meitu screaming rn)

(5) I’ve been translating this as ‘brother’ when used between the trainees, but the context is a little different here, so I’ll be using gege in moments like these (where the tone is more coquettish)

(6) Mother fans refer to fans who see idols as their children or enjoy mothering them. Like, “did you eat today?” “they’re being overworked” etc.

(7) Girlfriend fans are fans who see idols as their lovers—the kind of people who post stuff like “my boyfie is handsome today”. Fandom is a mentality lol

(8) To represent feeling sour, or rather, envious

(9) Not actually sure what she means by this—assuming something similar to albums?

(10) In case it’s still confusing after the first time this term has appeared, a flying guest refers to guests who aren’t fixed and participate in shows as guests, mostly to promote their careers, in contrast to the fixed members of a variety show. If any of you have seen Running Man, the new celebrity guests they have each episode would be considered flying guests (bc they flew in ig)

- - -

Translator’s corner

Sorry for the boatload of notes this time haha

Why was this chapter so long aodfalsdjfaoeifa;wej

2.4K words im crying