No matter how small a group is, circles exist within it, especially in high-profile idol groups.
Who has the best relationship with whom, who is just a surface-level colleague with whom, who admires whom, who is jealous of whom, who dislikes whom… all these social relationships are topics fans love to discuss. The so-called situation of seven people having seven group chats is not uncommon.
From Wen Xinyi’s perspective, before participating in the show, he never imagined that he would one day be associated with a “boy group,” nor did he think that mere teamwork could become so complicated.
But after two public performances, he had reluctantly accepted this fact and sincerely hoped that the members of the boy group he would successfully debut with in the future could get along harmoniously.
The reason was simple: the internal rehearsals of his team during the first two public performances had already exhausted this former “rising star of Xinda Media” both physically and mentally.
Before forming teams for the public performances, Wen Xinyi had also considered vying for the position of team leader or center, but now he had to admit he didn’t have the talent for it.
In the past, he had been able to maintain good relationships with many seniors or peers in the company, and at school, he could effortlessly deal with classmates and upperclassmen.
After all, he had a good personality, strong professional skills, and a famously powerful mentor who was a queen of songs. Apart from Shen Yuchuan, no one would deliberately oppose him due to personal grudges or reasons.
If it weren’t for the fact that he followed his mentor’s arrangements, focused on his studies, and protected his reputation, rarely appearing in public after signing with the company for so many years, not even releasing a single formal album…
Otherwise, with his ability to accumulate over two million fans solely through over a dozen cover songs posted on forums as “homework assignments,” he should have made a name for himself in the industry long ago.
From these past experiences, it was clear that Wen Xinyi lacked neither ability, nor connections, nor social skills. Yet, of all things, he kept suffering setbacks in this boy group survival show.
Three months ago, he received an urgent notice from his company requiring him to participate in NS. The originally scheduled spot as a regular guest on “Sing If You Want” fell to Shen Yuchuan. Anyone with eyes knew something must have happened beforehand.
Wen Xinyi knew he was a sacrificial pawn in the struggle between Xinda Media’s executives and his mentor. He had always been resigned and didn’t want to make things difficult for his mentor, so he accepted the company’s arrangement without any struggle.
But one of the reasons for his compliance was for his mentor, and the second was that he was still proud deep down. He didn’t think he couldn’t stand out in a boy group survival show.
Although his disadvantage in dancing was obvious, looking at the entire NS, no one could compete with him for the position of main vocal!
But he never imagined he would be defeated by useless teammates.
Wen Xinyi was used to being accommodating. From his appearance to his inner self, he wasn’t aggressive at all. During the first two public performances, faced with his teammates’ hints and collaborative targeting, he silently endured it all without a word.
Although he didn’t know about the online controversy about his various performances on the show, he was well aware that he was not a qualified team leader. He lacked the strength to control his teammates and also the leadership qualities required of a team leader.
And as bad luck would have it, he was assigned to several teammates with ulterior motives in both public performances.
It was precisely because of these frustrating experiences that Wen Xinyi admired Quentin’s dominance within his team.
Although he found it hard to imagine how this quiet and easygoing young man in the dormitory could be a good “team leader,” just looking at the convinced and unquestioning attitudes of Quentin’s previous teammates, one knew that this person was terrifyingly strong.
In fact, his guess was correct. The collaboration for this third public performance allowed him to personally experience how much motivation a reliable team leader could bring to a team.
He believed that if Quentin were to lead his former team, this young man, several years younger than him, would definitely do a better job than he had.
In contrast, Wen Xinyi had no desire to compare his own vocal level with Quentin’s.
First, he had never been competitive. Second, their styles were completely different. Learning from each other’s strengths and working together in harmony was the most important thing. Comparing endlessly was truly boring.
Moreover, compared to Quentin’s singing and dancing ability, the means by which he made all his teammates obediently listen intrigued Wen Xinyi even more, and he even somewhat yearned for it.
He was not yearning to become a “team leader” like Quentin, but yearning to have such a leader.
And it wasn’t just the leadership issue. Wen Xinyi was also apprehensive about the future teammates he would debut with.
The psychological shadow left by his first two team experiences was just too great. He admitted that he wasn’t a good leader, but he refused to take the blame for useless teammates who thought they were right and held everyone back!
Wen Xinyi sincerely hoped that the group members he would work with for the next two years would absolutely, absolutely not be such appalling idiots.
Fortunately, from several rankings, the people in the initial debut group seemed to be relatively easy to get along with. Many people, like Wen Xinyi, had been held back by useless teammates, which accurately showed that almost everyone in the debut group was outstanding.
So when they gathered as a group to rehearse for the third public performance stage, their efficiency and quality were outrageously high!
It was conceivable how much potential the group had. As long as they were given time to cultivate tacit understanding, Wen Xinyi believed they would be no less impressive than the boy groups from BKL.
“……So, that’s why you agreed with their idea to come over tonight?”
Fang Xu, who had just showered and was wearing pajamas, had a blank expression. His natural dark circles looked even more prominent under the light. He stared at the young man standing by the wardrobe.
His tone was resigned: “We all rehearse together as a group. That’s more than enough time to talk. You’re quite hospitable, calling everyone over to our place to sleep.”
Wen Xinyi didn’t mind Fang Xu’s covert barbs. He knew the other party was joking, at most he felt a bit resentful.
After all, in their 303 dormitory, only Fang Xu wasn’t really familiar with these third public performance teammates.
And he remembered that Fang Xu, like him, had a bit of mysophobia, but it shouldn’t be to the extent of disliking others sleeping in his bed, right?
Even if he wasn’t familiar with the others, at least Cui Yan was a familiar face.
“You also know we usually rehearse all the time, with not much rest time, and there are so many cameras in the practice room.”
He smiled and comforted him: “Don’t mind it. Let Cui Yan sleep on your side, okay? Aren’t you from the same company? I heard from Cui Yan that you two have been old friends for five or six years, with a very good relationship, even sharing a company dorm. You…”
Wen Xinyi’s voice gradually weakened as he looked at Fang Xu’s expression, and the smile on his face became hesitant.
Strange, did he say something wrong? Why was Fang Xu making that face?
“…”
Fang Xu took a deep breath. Originally, he was only slightly displeased because his sleep time might be taken up by meaningless chatter. But now, hearing Wen Xinyi say this, he suddenly began to gnash his teeth.
He firmly denied it: “My relationship with him is not good. Don’t listen to his one-sided nonsense…”
“Yo, good evening, everyone.”
A familiar voice suddenly came from the doorway. The young man outside generously pushed open the half-closed dormitory door.
He was holding a blanket and pillow in his arms, cheerfully greeting the two people inside the dormitory.
“What a coincidence, am I the first to arrive?”
Cui Yan scanned the interior of dorm 303, walked towards Fang Xu’s bed without hesitation, and placed the things in his arms onto the bed.
Then he naturally sat down on the edge of the bed, raising his hand to pat the bedsheet.
The young man smiled brightly, looked up at Fang Xu, completely not treating himself as an outsider: “I knew you would definitely change the bedsheets provided by the production team. Don’t worry, I showered before coming, I won’t dirty your bed.”
“…”
Fang Xu remained expressionless and silent.
Wen Xinyi watched this scene, his smile slowly returning.
The way they interacted didn’t look like they had a bad relationship!
But from what Cui Yan said, Fang Xu’s mysophobia seemed to be more serious than he had imagined? But, in the past two months, he had never heard Fang Xu mention it in the dormitory…
And Fang Xu would help Quentin fold his blanket, hang his clothes, and so on. Normally, someone with mysophobia wouldn’t casually touch other people’s things. He was probably overthinking it.
Wen Xinyi had never seen Fang Xu at a disadvantage, so he teased: “You know you have to shower before getting into his bed? You two haven’t slept together before, have you?”
Fang Xu glanced sideways at him: “You’re the one who’s slept with him. Cui Yan, move over, get out of the way, don’t crowd my bed.”
“Sigh, Xiao Fang, I didn’t say anything. I’m really wronged.”
Cui Yan looked around, still smiling happily: “If you won’t take me in, then I’ll have to sleep with Quentin.”
Fang Xu: “…You sleep on Wen Xinyi’s side.”
Wen Xinyi raised his hand: “Ahem, I’m afraid that won’t work. I promised Qi Yang.”
Fang Xu narrowed his eyes, looking at the innocent-faced Cui Yan: “Don’t forget about Xue Mingzhu and Yan Qiao. Can you outdo them?”
Cui Yan was stunned for a moment, as if he had just remembered those two, and helplessly spread his hands: “Alright, you win. I really can’t outdo them, so I’ll just have to sleep with you.”
Fang Xu: “…”
Heh, why did that feel even more annoying? Sure enough, nothing good ever happened when this guy showed up.
While they were chatting, the other teammates who were coming to 303 arrived one after another. Without any discussion, this group very concisely decided who would sleep with whom.
Who couldn’t tell who was close to whom? Even the least emotionally intelligent person wouldn’t agonize over this.
However, two people sleeping on a dormitory single bed was still acceptable, but three would be a bit crowded, considering these guys averaged 180 cm in height.
Wen Xinyi suggested they sleep on the floor. Dorm 303 had no other advantages, but it had plenty of space.
But Xue Mingzhu and Yan Qiao shook their heads in unison, saying it wasn’t necessary. Indeed, it wasn’t necessary. Squeezing together for just one night was no big deal.
Since both of them said it was fine, Wen Xinyi didn’t say anything more, because he knew Quentin certainly wouldn’t mind either.
Although Quentin had been called away by the production team for post-recording and missed the “bed distribution meeting,” given his casual and carefree nature in daily life, he probably wouldn’t care who he slept with.
…
“Click.”
Just as it was almost time for lights out, the dormitory door was pushed open again.
Quentin, under the gaze of the other six people, looked at the two people sitting on his bed, didn’t say anything, but raised his hand to the light switch and casually said: “Is everyone done washing up? I’m turning off the lights?”
Cui Yan said in surprise: “You’re turning off the lights now? Your dorm turns off the lights this early?”
Fang Xu answered: “Quentin’s routine is very regular. Normally, we get up early and go to bed early, no staying up late.”
The few from other dorms were inwardly surprised. Quentin, that competition king who could sleep on the floor in the practice room all night, actually went to bed early and got up early?
Seeing everyone nod, Quentin pressed the switch. The dormitory instantly became dim. The only light sources were the streetlights and moonlight from outside the window.
“I have a watch on my wrist. I’ll keep track of the time. We have rehearsal tomorrow, so let’s talk for an hour or two and then sleep.”
Wen Xinyi’s voice came from the hazy darkness, sighing with emotion: “After turning off the lights, it does have the atmosphere of a night talk.”
“It’s a pity we can’t buy food here. When I had dormitory late night talks at school, I always prepared barbecue and soda in advance. In my graduation year, I even had someone help buy alcohol, both beer and baiju.”
Xue Mingzhu sat leaning against the wall at the foot of the bed, draped in his blanket like a kasaya, and asked with great interest: “Hey, you’ve all drunk alcohol before, right? How’s your alcohol tolerance?”
As he finished speaking, Quentin happened to walk to his bed, reached out to find his own blanket, ignoring the two people sitting at the head and foot of the bed, and consciously sat down in the middle.
As soon as he sat down, he heard a young man’s lazy voice beside him: “Alcohol tolerance? I don’t know. I’ve never been drunk before.”
“Oh? Sounds impressive.” The voice from the next bed, Cui Yan, said regretfully: “I’m not good. I fall asleep after a couple of drinks. I used to suspect I was allergic to alcohol.”
Although Zhang Fu suggested they use the night talk to discuss the issue of emotional connection for love songs, either they didn’t remember, or these young men were too shy to start with that topic, or perhaps most of them hadn’t come for that reason in the first place.
In short, after a few rounds of casual chatting, the atmosphere gradually became comfortable, yet still no one steered the topic towards love songs or romance. Instead, Wen Xinyi took the initiative to ask…
“Ahem, well, there’s something I’ve always been curious about.”
He spoke more slowly than usual, sounding a bit hesitant: “Why… did all of you come to participate in this boy group survival show?”
As soon as this question came out, the dormitory instantly fell silent for a few seconds, as if everyone was seriously thinking about how to answer.
And it was this abrupt silence that made these final debut candidates belatedly realize…out of the seven people present, if you counted carefully, it seemed that half of them didn’t look like they were related to boy groups, nor did they look like people who would participate in a boy group survival show?
In the darkness, Cui Yan laughed out loud: “Why isn’t anyone talking? Is Xinyi’s question that hard to answer? Don’t scare me, everyone. We’re teammates. Don’t tell me you were all forced to come to NS.”
Fang Xu glanced over: “What do you mean ‘all’? At least I’m not. Quentin definitely isn’t either. As for you…”
Cui Yan helplessly: “Sigh, Xiao Fang, we’re from the same company. Don’t you know me?”
Probably because they had gotten along quite pleasantly these past few days, and they might even be teammates for another two years, they spoke quite directly.
Especially Xue Mingzhu, who had already begun analyzing on the spot.
The young man rubbed his chin: “I never thought about this before. Why did we come to participate in the survival show…good question! None of you are allowed to give perfunctory answers. You can’t just throw around stuff like ‘to achieve my dream’… Wait, don’t say anything yet, let me guess.”
“Old Cui and Old Fang, you two are from small companies. It’s not any easier for you to get the chance to participate in NS than it is for someone like me who isn’t signed to a company. So you two must have volunteered.”
“Similarly, as Old Fang said, Quentin must also have been willing, because Quentin, like me, isn’t signed to a company, and moreover, he’s proficient in singing and dancing…”
As he spoke, he looked towards the young man sitting beside him, suddenly understanding: “Oh, thinking about it this way, I instead believe that you came to the survival show to ‘achieve your dream’!”
Quentin silently turned his head, hesitant to speak.
Xue Mingzhu didn’t expect an answer from Quentin anyway and continued targeting the others: “Apart from the three of them, look at the rest of you. Wen Xinyi, you’re asking others, but you yourself are very strange! I’d heard of you before joining the show. When the trainee list was announced, you were the most out of place!”
Wen Xinyi heard the other’s assertive tone, couldn’t help but raise his hand to rub his brow, and said with a smile: “Mingzhu, are you joking? No matter how you calculate, A Yang should be more out of place than me?”
He originally responded in a joking manner, but didn’t expect Qi Yang to actually admit it.
“Yes, I was indeed forced.”
Qi Yang didn’t realize that his sudden remark made the others’ hearts skip a beat. Wen Xinyi was even so shocked he stopped breathing. They all knew that with Qi Yang’s personality, he wouldn’t joke around.
This person had a cool guy face, but inside lived a serious, old-fashioned person.
Qi Yang’s temperament wasn’t particularly good or bad, but his character was extremely stable and upright. If it weren’t for his somewhat lacking ability in singing and dancing, given his personality, he would be one of the most reliable among them.
They all knew how hard Qi Yang rehearsed, how seriously he practiced singing and dancing, and his attitude was extremely serious. Yet such a person actively admitted that he was forced!
Uh, how to put it…Wen Xinyi and the others weren’t entirely unaware, but the truth was one thing, and Qi Yang admitting it himself was another.
And besides, brother, you’re so open, it makes us all feel bad about being perfunctory!
So tonight’s chat wasn’t Werewolf, but Truth?
Regardless of what the others were thinking, Qi Yang didn’t know. Having started this, he naturally wouldn’t stop, and continued speaking in his usual measured tone.
“I originally didn’t think too much about my work after graduating from university. I only planned to follow my company’s arrangements, choose scripts, take on acting roles, and take on variety shows. Although I didn’t have a clear plan, the core was centered around being an actor.”
Wen Xinyi nodded in agreement: “That’s very normal. After all, you’re a performance major, and you have outstanding works from previous years. Your path as an actor is very bright.”
But how could such a promising new actor abandon his perfectly good acting path and change course mid-way to join a boy group survival show?
Unless he had no choice but to do so, he must have suffered a lot of grievances.
Xue Mingzhu straightened his back, his expression becoming much more focused, a trace of empathy and indignation flashing in his eyes.
However, Qi Yang’s next words once again defied expectations.
“I never expected my manager to arrange for me to come to Next Stage. This matter completely went against my plans, so I was indeed forced.”
“But to say I was very reluctant, actually not.”
He said: “Because as I just said, I hadn’t carefully considered my work after graduation. In this respect, I don’t really mind.”
“…”
The silence wasn’t because there was nothing to say, but purely because they were stunned by Qi Yang’s frankness and couldn’t react for a while.
Perhaps no one present could understand Qi Yang’s “not minding,” because these young people were all goal-oriented, ambitious “roll kings”!
Cui Yan and Fang Xu needed no explanation. The struggles of small companies were well understood. NS was an opportunity they both had to seize.
From an exceptionally talented young rapper to being forced into retirement, the psychological torment he endured and how difficult the path of chasing his dream was, only Xue Mingzhu himself understood.
Yan Qiao needed even less explanation. BKL’s super A-grade trainee…to obtain this title, both talent and effort were indispensable.
He had dedicated his entire youth to the path of being in a boy group, so on this path, he could never “not mind.”
As for Wen Xinyi, it was true that his personality was mild, not fighting or snatching, but this was all because he had absolute confidence in his own ability.
Even if he was stuffed into a boy group survival show, he knew this was only temporary. The company couldn’t possibly give up on him. And who could be sure that the path of a boy group wouldn’t work out for him?
If Qi Yang said he had been subjected to irresistible pressure from his company and forced to temporarily put aside his acting path to participate in a survival show, then they could all understand, because in society, there are too many unforeseen circumstances beyond one’s control.
But from what Qi Yang meant, it seemed he hadn’t even resisted?
Although “forced”, he didn’t mind.
Such an attitude was… very strange.
Xue Mingzhu frowned: “Do you mean you don’t mind being either an actor or a boy group member, either path works?”
Qi Yang hummed in agreement: “At the time, I didn’t mind. The only difference between the two paths was that I had a foundation as an actor, while I had no foundation as a boy group survival show contestant.”
“You’re that Buddha-like? I wouldn’t have guessed.” Xue Mingzhu muttered: “So you wouldn’t mind leaving the entertainment industry and changing careers either?”
Wen Xinyi sighed helplessly: “Hey hey, what are you saying? Didn’t you hear A Yang say ‘at the time’?”
Qi Yang wasn’t affected and continued: “I rehearse seriously just because I don’t want to hold everyone back. Although I have no foundation, at least I should do my best. As for ranking and debuting, I never thought much about it. Debuting or not also doesn’t matter to me. But I don’t regret coming to record the show.”
“Damn it, what kind of bullshit are you talking about…”
Xue Mingzhu became completely agitated listening to this. He thought Qi Yang, like him, had grievances he couldn’t voice. Who would have thought this guy thought this way!
Although he couldn’t control what others think, after all, judging actions not intentions, Qi Yang had indeed done his best in the show. But he really didn’t like this indifferent way of speaking.
Just thinking that a future teammate was someone who didn’t mind his future and had no goals made Xue Mingzhu’s heart feel bad in advance.
What about the promised like-minded companions? This was the wrong way to start!
While Xue Mingzhu was sulkily kneading his pillow, Wen Xinyi on the other side keenly sensed something.
He frowned slightly, tentatively saying: “A Yang, did something happen? Why are you suddenly saying all this?”
However, Qi Yang, who had just been so direct and open, now fell silent, as if hesitating about something.
After a moment, he said: “Nothing happened. They’re all true words.”
For a moment, no one spoke.
Quentin suddenly thought of the moment during the first ranking announcement when he had made eye contact with Qi Yang.
After hearing the ranking announcement and learning that he had missed first place, the calm and indifference in the young man’s dark eyes were not fake. He didn’t care.
Qi Yang’s calm was different from Quentin’s. The former was calm because he didn’t mind. The latter was purely because the system had spoiled the ranking announcement for him.
Quentin could understand Qi Yang’s “not minding.” Qi Yang’s ambition was not in a boy group, not in being an actor, not even in the entertainment industry.
In fact, Qi Yang had made it very clear. He only regarded these things as jobs, just like countless college students currently job hunting, not expecting to achieve their ideals in the workplace.
But the other trainees in the team were too young. Apart from Qi Yang, the oldest, Cui Yan, was only 21 years old.
Young people are never short of fighting spirit. Qi Yang indeed seemed out of place among them.
Quentin looked at the progress bars displayed by the system. The one representing Qi Yang remained completely still.
‘The original novel is an entertainment industry novel themed around a boy group. The main characters are the top six who ultimately debut…’
He thought to himself: ‘But if a main character doesn’t successfully debut, are they still a main character?’
Qi Yang’s thoughts were not hard to guess. He might have seen clearly the path he wanted to take, but it was more likely he was touched by the other trainees’ desire for the debut spots.
He felt he didn’t have this desire, so he didn’t want to take away others’ hope either.
So… he most likely wanted to withdraw from the competition.
But in the original novel, Qi Yang definitely succeeded in debuting. Quentin didn’t know if the Qi Yang in the original novel had ever thought of withdrawing, nor was he sure if Qi Yang would get his wish this time.
However, regardless of who in the dormitory understood Qi Yang’s thoughts, Xue Mingzhu definitely wasn’t among them.
Because after hearing Qi Yang’s answer, the young man was stunned for a moment, then stared at the figure he couldn’t make out in the darkness: “True words, huh? You’ve said so much. Now it’s my turn.”
As if he had made up his mind, his tone was resigned: “Like you, I was also ‘forced’ to come here.”
