Bo Huan didn’t expect his midnight packing to end in disaster. He cautiously observed Bo Jue’s expression, “Bro, it’s already 2 a.m., why don’t you go to sleep first?”
Bo Jue, hand on his forehead, frustrated to the point of a headache, slowly slumped onto the nearby sofa chair, “…Don’t go.”
“Bro, sleeping late causes wrinkles. We can talk about whatever it is tomorrow with melatonin, let’s talk then,” Bo Huan helped him back to bed, swearing with his hands up under the deadly stare of his brother, “I absolutely won’t run away in the middle of the night. Even if I did, Brother Ren could find me. You rest easyโ”
After a night passed, filled with a series of nightmares, Bo Jue shook Bo Huan out of bed at 8 a.m.
“Explain to me, when did you sign up? You want to be a trainee? You want to debut? Do you know how I’ve struggled these past years?”
Bo Huan, groggy and rubbing his eyes, murmured, “Broโฆ”
Seeing his brother’s soft, malleable demeanor made Bo Jue’s head ache even more. He dragged him to wash up, change clothes, and then pushed him in front of the dining table, earnestly advising him while watching him eat millet porridge.
“People can have hobbies and dreams, it’s good not to be obsessed with competitions, but going for auditions and joining boy groups is not appropriate.”
The little white swan took a bite of a croissant, “It’s very appropriate. I also want to be an idol.”
“Do you know what they’ll say about you?” Bo Jue became serious, “The moment you appear on screen, people will start talking about me and you together.”
“If you lose, it’ll be seen as bringing shame to me, a degradation from one generation to the next.”
“If you win, it’ll be seen as relying on connections or underhanded methods, not on your own strength.”
“I have long hair; you have long hair too. I come from a classical piano background, you’ve also surpassed competitions.”
“Bo Huan, we can indulge you at home, but once you’re out there, you can’t even begin to imagine the sharpness of those malicious criticisms.”
The youth thought it over seriously, “So you mean, a lot of people will misunderstand me.”
“Right.”
“And they’ll think I’m imitating you, and hence look down on me even more.”
“Exactly.”
“Brother,” the youth lifted his head, his long lashes slightly curled, “What do you think of me, then?”
Bo Jue was momentarily at a loss for words, fearing he might hurt him with his words, and spoke more gently, “Xiao Huan, I’ve had many misunderstandings about you in the past.”
“But you’re pure, adorable, and have your own talents and highlights…”
“So, you see,” the youth smiled squintingly, “I just care about what the people who like me think.”
“Those who don’t like me might gradually come to like me. It’s just a matter of time.”
Bo Jue fell silent for a few seconds before turning to bring in reinforcements.
Long Jia was the first to arrive.
After their misunderstanding last time, CEO Long sent text messages, stuffed envelopes, and came over with bouquets of roses and lilies to apologize several times. Though the misunderstanding was cleared and they almost got engaged successfully, he was still kicked out by someone in a fit of anger.
Today, coming over again, Bo Jue didn’t lose his temper but directly tossed the number one trouble over to him.
Xiao Huan blinked, “Brother Jia, I’ve always had a question.”
“Mm,” Long Jia sat up straight, adopting a warm elder brother demeanor, “Ask.”
“My brother came back at 4 a.m. one night and suddenly told me not to date jerks.” Bo Huan glanced at Bo Jue’s expression, dragging out his voice, “Brother Jia… do you know who that jerk is?”
Both elder brothers coughed simultaneously.
“Eh? Did I guess right?” Bo Huan opened the door to a new world, curiously and nervously pressing on, “Weren’t you guys teammates before? Why would you date?”
“Who initiated it? Are you still dating?”
Long Jia solidified the non-existent relationship on the spot, “He’s already agreed to get engaged to me.”
Bo Jue, clutching his throbbing forehead, said, “Now is not the time to discuss thisโXiao Huan, you must be careful in making this choice. Long Jia!!!”
“Your brother is right,” Long Jia soothed, “If you like performing, we can buy a bar for you to try out. Be cautious about signing any contracts, don’t sell yourself for ten years.”
Then Bo Huan handed over the contract from the program team.
“It’s renewed yearly, no overbearing terms, I heard it was personally reviewed by Brother Ren before being sent down.”
Long Jia wavered, glancing at Bo Jue, “Seems… okay? Let Xiao Huan make some friends?”
“The risk, the main point is the risk!!”
Bo Jue gave up on seeking ally support, emphasizing his warning, “Bo Huan, once you enter this industry, you can’t control your emotions, you won’t be able to date or get fat, your sleep and entertainment will be limited, understand?!”
Bo Huan tilted his head, “Are you sure you guys didn’t date?”
“It’s not about dating!!!”
Xie Lianyun, still researching cremation ashes, was forcibly called for a video call.
“Xiao Huan is going?” Xie Lianyun pushed up his glasses, “I’ve already accepted the invitation to be a flying instructor. Xiao Huan, join my team for the semi-finals.”
“Okay~”
“Xie Lianyunโโ”
“Do you think you can stop him?” Xie Lianyun’s tone was chilly, “If you really could stop him, how come he has long hair and plays the piano?”
Bo Jue found it was like dealing with a group of aliens as family and friends.
He couldn’t tell Bo Huan about all the hardships he had encountered in the past, yet he could understand why his brother harbored such aspirations.
Life is not just black and white.
Those past eight years contained suppression and hardship, as well as brilliant glory.
Tears and smiles intertwined, impossible to summarize in just a word or two.
“Actually,” Long Jia stood by his side and said softly, “I don’t regret signing that contract.”
“Nor do I regret meeting you, and falling in love with you.”
Bo Jue was momentarily stunned, then slowly turned to look at him.
“I would regret not taking better care of Chi Chi, regret not sharing more of the burden with Ren Ren.”
“And for a moment of weakness, agreeing to break up with you.”
Long Jia smoothed his hair, his smile tender: “Maybe Xiao Huan will also meet friends he gets along with well.”
Just like you and me, you and us.
Bo Jue turned his head towards the room across, feeling overly concerned to the point of being pretentious, yet still unable to let go.
But he is Xiao Huanโ
Going to such places, itโs entirely possible to be sweet-talked into being devoured!!!
After much tossing and turning, he eventually agreed.
Bo Jue didn’t want to appear nagging and pretentious, so he simply reverted to his professor mode and wrote something akin to a pre-surgery informed consent form, having Bo Huan and their parents sign it.
The document itself was more terrifying than any surgery consent form filled with potential complications and risks of death, yet it was signed on the same day.
“Xiao Huan is going out to polish his character.” Bo Dad and Bo Mom waved their electronic pens from the other side of the video: “Look, you used to have a temper at home, wouldnโt wash dishes or cook, but havenโt you become much better over the years.”
Bo Jue vaguely felt abandoned by the world.
However, in the afternoon, Huo Ren came by car to take them to the shooting building set up in the suburbs.
“I respect Bo Huan’s choice,” he said softly, “but this year, there are simply too many trainees, and Huan Huan might not have an advantage.”
Bo Jue breathed a sigh of relief, the young man beside him became alert: “So many people?!”
“There are 120 people, many of whom are good-looking, talented, and charismatic,” Huo Ren showed his ID to the security guard and said leisurely, “We went through all the information today.”
“Who can debut… it’s really hard to say.”
Meanwhile, as rumors about the show began to emerge, online public opinion was like water boiling and cooling repeatedly.
Huo Ren played his moves carefully and precisely, deliberately releasing several pieces of information in quick succession, subtly guiding the focus of public attention back and forth.
He has always been clear about his life.
This return of his would definitely stir up a lot of discussion.
About his real relationship with his former group, whether going solo was considered a betrayal, his attitude toward a deceased friendโ
Unable to avoid it, he chose to face it squarely and openly.
Han Qu was preoccupied with the scramble for benefits among popular boy bands, having no interest in the life or death of this variety show.
After the collapse of Coronaโs high mountain, the capital side was entangled in constant strife, his goal had always been the benefits themselves.
Huo Ren quietly used the show’s popularity and his own influence to cross-promote, simultaneously pushing this overt plot into the public eye with Xie Lianyun.
The chess player’s moves were so steady that those watching the game were dazzled.
No sooner had the news of Huo Ren’s official return and solo debut broken than the announcement of a boy group selection variety show was released.
Just after digesting what this new variety show was about, the list of mentors was announcedโ
Feng Jin, of course, goes without saying, a spicy beauty and diva of her generation, her looks and skills still outshine the younger generation, having won numerous awards including the OSC Grand Slam multiple times.
And it was her first appearance in a talent show, clearly capable of fiercely making the trainees cry.
Mei Heng reappeared after a year of silence, his charm and condition also unbeatably strong, a family of father and sons all possessing celestial looks and skills, a row of crowns at home enough to fill the entertainment industry with envy.
Wait a minuteโseems like a strange presence has snuck in??
Why did that legendary figure from the finance and media industry, come to be a dance mentor???
Sir, the Forbes rich list is to the left, thank you, this is a talent show, hello???
Pei Ruye being announced as the fourth mentor not only exploded the general netizens’ question mark factory but also the entire lukewarm street dance circle.
In the middle of the night, as the four mentors were officially announced, veterans of reggae, jazz, and LOG dance all spread the word, making calls to each other, those who had been enemies over past grudges couldnโt help but reach out to chatโ
Hey, hey, did you know, Pei God finally remembered he can dance???
OMG, itโs Pei God, really Pei Godโ
Damn!! What day is it today!!!
“My main circle has gone crazy, today all the procrastinators are glued to Weibo and canโt come down, wuwuwuโฆ”
“Don’t mention it, my thesis isn’t finished yet, and I have to meet my advisor tomorrow, I’m still crazily following the drama and can’t stop.”
“Stop it!! Releasing so much explosive news in the middle of the night is killing me!!”
The dance circle erupted in wild jubilation, while onlookers online were left bewildered. However, in the days that followed, the production team continued to release celebratory and consolation videos from each mentor’s circle of friends.
Mei Heng and Feng Jin both had many friends who were A-list and B-list actors, each more influential than the last, dazzling to behold.
Huo Ren, still holding a position and reputation in the entertainment industry, had always been courteous and friendly. Over the years, he had made many friends.
Yet, it was after the release of the three star-studded videos that the fourth video truly made a resounding impact.
As the video began, a Grammy Award winner and hip-hop queen was already smiling and waving hello.
“Dwight, I’m so happy to hear you’re dancing again,” she made an exaggerated gesture, “I thought you were too caught up in business to come outโhoping after this warm-up, you can still come to my concert, waiting for you~”
Then came another well-known British actor.
“Oh, friend,” he laughed, reminiscing, “It’s been years since we last met, do you remember the time you taught me to dance? You would definitely be a great teacher, this I strongly believe.”
Followed by a Latin American actress, an American pop queen, and a series of clients who had long-term collaborations with the XV dance troupe.
This was no secret within the circle.
Good backup dancers were expensive, a second costing a fortune, and it wasn’t just about throwing money to secure the legendary dance troupe.
Stars from Asia, Africa, and Europe had all sought to enhance their image at MDC’s Red House, queuing up to hire top-notch dancers, a common occurrence for decades.
โIt was just that the domestic entertainment industry developed too late, unknown to those outside the circle.
The expressions of the onlookers online had evolved from ‘=ๅฃ=’ to ‘OๅฃO’ and then to ‘ๅฃ’.
What exactly โ is this guy’s โ background!!!
With such a formidable lineup of friends and family, fans of Pei Ruye eagerly established a fan club and fan group, growing more and more wildly like a snowball.
Pei Ruye’s award information over the years was public, and people were summarizing and organizing it againโ
His parents were Hollywood producers and renowned screenwriters. He trained in dance from the age of four at MDC, won a grand slam in dance competitions at eleven, and started participating in the music videos and live choreography of several famous musicians at thirteen.
To this day, he is a special guest judge at the OLD championships.
Indeed, starting dance training early has its advantages, but no one expected this man to be phenomenally skilled from a young age to soaring heights.
Fans of his looks quickly gathered a large number of career fans, and even CP (couple pairing) fans were secretly ready.
โBoss Pei’s relationship with Ren is definitely not ordinary!!
Boss Pei is overindulging by joining him as a mentor, my eyes have seen through everything!!