The staff member understood the hidden rules of the entertainment industry all too well.
In this circle, there was a significant hierarchy.
With an investment of up to a billion for "Youth With You," there was no way they would lack equipment.
But if Lin Qingyan said a word, the staff would prioritize her orders.
As for Si Fuqing?
Who would care?
The staff member shook his head after Xie Yu left.
He thought it was a pity for him—unaware of the entertainment world's rules, he was sabotaging his own future.
Returning to the dance room, Xie Yu simply stated the situation.
Xu Xiyun was infuriated, "This is outrageous! They did it on purpose!"
The other trainees also looked disheartened.
What could they do? They had no backing.
Xu Xiyun whispered, "Brother Xie, maybe you should go to Teacher Lin or Teacher Li instead. We can't hold you back."
Xie Yu raised an eyebrow and looked first at Si Fuqing.
Beneath her unconventional makeup, the girl's black-and-white eyes shone even brighter.
Her face revealed no emotion, calm as a deep pond.
"Ah, perfect timing. Let's go out for a bit," Si Fuqing slowly stretched, being considerate. "Hungry? Want to eat? Want to catch some dolls?"
Xu Xiyun: "???"
**
The six followed Si Fuqing as they confidently left the training base.
Except for Xie Yu, everyone was bewildered.
It wasn't until they arrived at a secluded snack stall that they received Si Fuqing's personalized training plans.
"Teacher Si, you're amazing," Xu Xiyun was deeply moved. "You're so professional; where did you get this information?"
"Eat your food and stop talking."
"…"
Xie Yu skimmed through the pages, his initially careless expression suddenly turning serious.
Just then, a timid voice rang out, "Is that... Brother Xie?"
Xie Yu turned around.
The young man had sharp eyes and handsome features, with an impressive physique.
Unlike Lu Yan, his face had minimal makeup, exuding youthful vigor.
The young girl was ecstatic, "It really is you!"
She clutched her bag strap and stepped forward, "Can I take a photo with you? No, no, no, an autograph will do. I don't want to disturb you all."
"Sure," Si Fuqing waved her over, smiling. "Come."
The young girl hesitated, "It's Teacher Si! Why would you be with Brother Xie and the others outside…"
"Oh, we were kicked out," Si Fuqing rested her chin in her hand. "No worries, we can train just as well outside."
"In that case, Teacher Si, please take good care of him," the young girl clenched her fists. "Even if the show has given up on him, we won't! We'll get him to debut in the center position!"
She didn't wait for Si Fuqing to say anything and ran off, clutching her bag like the wind.
While running, she posted a message in Xie Yu's fan forum.
[Sisters, I ran into Brother Xie outside! They should be training at this time, but they're actually discussing training matters at an outdoor snack stall. They must have been mistreated by the show again. Side note, Si Fuqing seems quite earnest and even asked for Brother Xie's opinion. She may not have much power, but she's indeed a good mentor.]
The replies below the post began to surge rapidly.
[Really infuriating! Don't individual trainees have human rights? What kind of idiotic production team is this?]
[Ah, so it seems Si Fuqing is also a victim. The production team must have deliberately placed Brother Xie in Si Fuqing's group to thwart his debut. We definitely shouldn't badmouth her; otherwise, we'd be falling into the production team's trap.]
[Not only should we not badmouth her, we should protect her. Garbage production team!]
Oblivious to this turn of events, Xie Yu leisurely finished eating and followed Si Fuqing, pondering as he looked at her profile.
They were heading back.
Passing a bank, Si Fuqing suddenly said, "Wait for me a moment."
Everyone stopped.
Not long after, they saw Si Fuqing walk out carrying a bag of gold bars.
Everyone: "…"
Xie Yu: "…"
He really couldn't fathom Si Fuqing's actions.
Si Fuqing placed the ten exchanged gold bars into her bag.
Little Bai, who was leaning out of the bag with its paws, was all eyes. "Woof!"
It knew its owner treated it the best.
Si Fuqing, sensing Little Bai's yearning gaze, warned, "One a month."
Xiao Bai shook its head, gesturing three with its paw.
One gold bar wouldn't even fill its stomach.
"Oh," Si Fuqing spoke nonchalantly, "then you can eat in your dreams. I might not have powers anymore, but I can easily beat you."
Little Bai: "…"
It licked its paw, feeling wronged.
"Acting cute won't help," Si Fuqing was ruthless, "Don't you know how poor I am right now?"
Little Bai woofed.
Fine, it would endure for now.
**
Meanwhile, Feng San, who received the bank notification, was somewhat puzzled.
He hesitated for a moment before stepping forward and spoke with difficulty, "Brother Nine, Miss Si exchanged ten gold bars at the bank."
On the sofa, Yu Xiheng finally looked up, "Gold bars?"
This confirmed that it was indeed a Pixiu.
It seemed the Pixiu was also severely injured; otherwise, it wouldn't need gold bars to replenish its strength.
"Ah," Yu Xiheng's voice lowered, "then give her gold bars in the future."
Feng San nodded.
Gold bars were indeed a good investment.
And they made for a good weapon if you had to throw them at someone.
"Eh, Uncle Nine," Yu Tang yawned as she came downstairs, scratching her messy hair, "Is there still food?"
Yu Xiheng flipped to the next file, "Make it yourself."
"Oh," Yu Tang muttered, "I ran into third brother yesterday, Uncle Nine. I didn't tell him you're here."
"Young Master Yu Yao?" Feng San was taken aback, "Miss Yu Tang, were you dining with Miss Si at the time?"
"Yes, Qingqing is so cool," Yu Tang recounted the story, full of admiration, "Why isn't Qingiqng a boy? I would marry her."
At this, Yu Xiheng looked up.
"I'm sorry, Uncle Nine!" Yu Tang loudly apologized, "Qingqing is a perfect match for you! I'll do my best!"
Yu Xiheng rubbed his temples.
Another bout of nonsense.
Yu Tang tentatively broached the subject with Yu Xiheng, "Uncle Nine, could you let me have Qingqing for a short period of time?"
Yu Xiheng's expression remained unchanged; he merely glanced at her.
Feeling as if she'd been scrutinized by an emperor, a shiver ran down Yu Tang's spine. "...I'm sorry for the interruption. I'll go have breakfast!"
**
On the other side, in Dance Room 1.
Lin Qingyan was conducting training for the trainees.
Stacked nearby were the equipment she had ordered the staff to move from Dance Room 2.
She didn't lack any, nor did she use any.
If Si Fuqing wouldn't give up Xie Yu, she'd make Si Fuqing's life uncomfortable.
Although she was quite impressed with Xie Yu, she would never harm her own interests for a trainee she had no relationship with.
None of the six people in Si Fuqing's class could debut.
Lin Qingyan pursed her lips and smiled.
Si Fuqing was rather tolerant.
It seemed her public confrontation with the producer was simply a form of long-suppressed rebellion.
How useless.
"Bang, bang, bang!"
Suddenly, there were heavy knocks on the glass window.
Everyone in the dance room halted their actions, turning their heads in surprise.
A girl stood emotionlessly outside the window.
Seconds later, the door opened, and Si Fuqing walked in.
"Ah, Teacher Si, shouldn't you be in the next dance room? What brings you here?" Mu Ye mocked, "Did you lose your way?"
"Or have you finally gained some self-awareness and stopped being a mentor?"
The other trainees also burst into laughter.
"Teacher Si, what's the matter?" Lin Qingyan stood up and smiled, "Do you need help?"
"Clang!"
Lin Qingyan's chair was kicked away.
"Come, take whatever you want," Si Fuqing slowly rolled up her sleeves, her fox eyes narrowing, "take the one you like the best, let's see who dares to stop you."