In the morning, Chen Jin practiced singing, arranging music, and playing the piano. In the afternoon, he learned choreography and ballroom dancing. His interactions with Wang Zheng were intensely engaging. Suddenly, ten days had passed, and tomorrow, Friday, would be the first day of the 32-to-16 round of the competition.
During these ten days, Chen Jin fully demonstrated his abilities to the professional teachers and competitors, gradually earning their recognition and even respect. His rapid progress every day astounded the teachers. He had an exceptional ability to learn quickly, whether it was the piano, choreography, or ballroom dancing. He quickly grasped the key points and reached his best condition in no time.
However, he never showed arrogance. No matter how much you praised him, he always just smiled. He was calm and friendly to others, always willing to help when he could. Coupled with his handsome appearance, soon, except for a few who harbored resentment, everyone showed enough goodwill towards Chen Jin.
Li Guoxian was one of those few who harbored resentment. He never reflected on whether it was his fault, instead shifting the blame onto Chen Jin and others, believing they intentionally targeted and isolated him. However, he could only mingle with a few others. Besides them, few liked his venomous tongue.
Chen Jin's dazzling performance made Wu Zhizheng, who visited the set several times, praise him, showing the joy of having a successful student. However, Chen Zichen, who was always around, seemed to have taken the wrong medicine, often targeting Chen Jin, sometimes making him wonder if her hostility was born out of love turned into hatred, or just jealousy.
At 7 p.m., Chen Jin and the other five gathered in his room for dinner, a habit they had formed. They would either practice, chat, or play mahjong, enjoying a harmonious atmosphere with much less scheming.
Tonight's dinner was not extravagant but still abundant, including a dozen beers, creating a good atmosphere without being excessive and affecting tomorrow's competition.
While eating, Chen Qiang mumbled, "If I don't sleep well tonight, I'm done for. I definitely won't perform well tomorrow." But Chen Jin just laughed, "Don't think about it. Besides, the competition doesn't start until 7 p.m. tomorrow, so even if you nap at noon, it's still fine."
Xu Dong shook his head with a smile, "If you have that attitude, even if you sleep well, what will you do on stage?" Chen Qiang scratched his head, laughing, "It's strange, whether it's an exam or a competition, I don't sleep well before it starts, even feel the urge to pee, but when it begins, I often perform exceptionally well."
"Wow, that's a stroke of luck," doubted Zhao Shaowen, "Then aren't you just like Ah KING, a monster of talent?"
Lian Junying giggled, glancing at Chen Jin, "Don't worry, even if you perform below standard, you'll definitely advance." After these days, they had roughly figured out each other's capabilities. Among the thirty-plus competitors, the six of them were clearly a notch above most, and their advancement to the top sixteen seemed likely.
Chen Qiang laughed heartily, patting his chest, "That's right, I'm going to compete with Ah KING for the championship." Xu Dong also laughed, "Go ahead, you'll have to get past me first."
Tang Baoru pouted, "Give up, guys. Regardless of Ah KING's level, didn't you see our Director Wu always gravitating towards him, showing utmost care? Isn't it obvious he's counting on him to make this season a hit?"
"Baoru, are you trying to sow discord?" Chen Jin moved to pinch this mood-spoiling girl but she dodged with a giggle, leaving him shaking his head helplessly, "Let's not think too much. Just focus on the competition. As long as we show our strength and get recognized, the ranking isn't that important. We can tell from the previous seasons."
Xu Dong nodded, "Right, just strive in the competition. Scoring is the judges' job. Whether we get signed, the record company people will only look at our strength."
"Come on, let's toast," Chen Qiang raised his beer glass, "To our success in advance and becoming stars in the future."
Everyone responded enthusiastically, putting aside everything, happily finishing dinner and chatting before going to rest. Chen Qiang really had trouble sleeping, so Chen Jin quietly applied a pressure point technique, allowing him to sleep soundly till dawn.
Waking up refreshed, Chen Qiang beamed with joy, dancing around, "Wow, this is the first time I've slept so well. It seems even the heavens are helping me. I'm definitely going to beat all of you today."
Chen Jin was about to mention the possibility of not sleeping well at noon but, considering it might affect his mood, he made a dismissive gesture, "You dare to challenge me? Seems like you don't know about the three eyes on the head of the Horse King..."
All six met, each having slept well, except for Li Guoxian in the next room, who loudly complained about his roommate tossing and turning in bed, disturbing his rest. His roommate, unlike Zhao Shaowen, had a temper and argued with him. When the other's voice grew louder than his, Li Guoxian backed down.
The six exchanged smiles and went downstairs for breakfast. Just after finishing, Chen Zichen, dressed flamboyantly and oozing charm, appeared again. She didn't need to clap her hands to get everyone's attention, but she did it habitually, coquettishly announcing, "I have something to say. Today, you don't need to attend classes at the training center. Some judges and guests will visit to check on your progress and might teach you some stage techniques..."
Before she could finish, many cheered, creating a buzz of excitement. But Chen Jin and the others, knowing her temper, just exchanged glances, waiting for her to explode.
"Shut up," she indeed exploded, scaring those unprepared with her fierce shout. Thankfully, the place had been booked from yesterday, with no outsiders, otherwise it would have been rude. "Listen to me when I'm speaking. If anyone else interrupts, I'll send them packing straight home."
Now, almost everyone knew she was the actual person in charge of this new talent singing competition. Wu Zhizheng, her supposed boss, hardly interfered, and when facing her, he showed no authority.
After her scolding, everyone, whether obedient or rebellious, fell silent. She nodded in satisfaction but seemed to unintentionally glance at Chen Jin's face, seeing the smile she despised the most, as if mocking, ignoring, or even ridiculing her, itching her teeth with hatred.
Turning her head again, her mood worsened, but her tone softened slightly, "Since you know the judges and guests are celebrities, behave yourselves. Don't embarrass me by clinging to them endlessly. If you do, don't blame me for being unsympathetic."
After speaking, she began herding people out. At that moment, Zhao Shaowen couldn't hold back and whispered, "Is this matron entering menopause early?"
Hearing this, Chen Zichen, who had reached the dining hall's door, stopped abruptly, turning to stare fiercely at Chen Jin's table, coldly squeezing out, "Who just spoke?"
Chen Jin and his friends looked at each other, with Zhao Shaowen wearing a doomed expression. Seeing his look, Chen Jin shook his head with a smile and suddenly raised his hand, "Sorry, Miss Chen, it was me!"
Chen Zichen glared at him, "Good. Walk to the TV station yourself later. If you repeat this, don't bother coming next time." She then turned and left, swaying her sassy waist and hips, exuding allure.
"Wow, he got away with it. Seems like pretty boys are favored!" Those who disliked Chen Jin couldn't help but sneer.
Zhao Shaowen, now realizing what happened, gratefully looked at Chen Jin, "Bro, thanks. I was scared stiff, didn't expect you to take the blame."
Tang Baoru snorted, "Knowing she's crazy, you still provoked her. You're lucky it didn't backfire on you." She then glared at Chen Jin, "What were you showing off for? If you hadn't spoken, could she have done anything to all six of us?"
Chen Jin touched his nose, chuckling, "No worries. Didn't you say Director Wu dotes on me? She wouldn't dare do anything to me!"
"You're asking for trouble. You'll know when bad luck hits you!" Tang Baoru scolded him like a disappointed elder. Seeing Lian Junying also wanting to speak but holding back, Chen Jin quickly surrendered, "Alright, alright, I get it. Next time I confess, I'll ask everyone first."
With that, he didn't wait for them to respond, laughing and running outside, waving back, "See you later. You have a ride, but I need to run..."