There are seven days left until the semifinal stage of the 30 to 10 competition.
In the previous 50 to 30 competition, Fu Mingnian managed a small explosion with his eye-catching performance, his golden eye look shot up to the fifth spot on the hot search, earning a lot of popularity from passersby with his chilly demeanor.
According to statistics from major data groups, his and Gu Shaochu’s fan growth rate was neck and neck, with the top five positions constantly being contested, gradually adding a bit of a smoky flavor to the surface and behind the scenes.
In the former boy group combination, apart from a C, all other members were selected into the group from the same batch, so it didn’t really matter who came first or last.
But “Chosen by the Gods” laid the competition bare right from the start.
Not only were there four groups from heaven to earth right from the preliminary round, but real-time popularity is also continuously tallied, verified, and then refreshed in the rankings, adding more pressure to all contestants and fans.
The show’s ratings had already far surpassed similar variety shows, and the semifinals even released a teaser, with all four mentors joining the official performances of different shows, creating a concert-level grand stage with a double C lineup!
Double C stage!! With mentors and students!!
The teaser, just over a dozen seconds long and consisting of a few snippets, already got the audience’s blood boiling.
A duo dance! Mentor and student together!! Hurry up, hurry up!!!
When it came to grouping, the thirty young men were randomized, receiving their lineup through a gacha machine.
The camera focused on each one, asking their preferences.
“Any is fine.” Bo Huan held a light golden gacha and smiled, “Every teacher is great, looking forward to the next stage~”
“I want to go to God Pei’s place!” Zhu Xizhi raised his hand like a middle school student, “I really want to dance with Boss Pei!!”
The director turned to Fu Mingnian, curiously asking the same question.
The young man looked down, rubbing the bright red gacha, and after a while said, “I still want to learn from Teacher Huo.”
The director laughed in disbelief, “You’ve already worked with Teacher Huo two or three times, aren’t you curious about the other teachers?”
Fu Mingnian shook his head, “It’s not about curiosity.”
It’s always about proving something.
He was voted first in popularity last time but still felt he hadn’t done enough.
When he was hidden among a group of trainees, Fu Mingnian always thought that as long as he sang and danced well, having a presentable work, the road ahead might be smooth.
But that day in the makeup room, it seemed like Huo Ren suddenly made him realize something.
Being an idol isn’t about being versatile or pretty; it’s about shining.
To make the audience see him alone out of thousands, to hear his voice out of countless harmonies.
Not to fall into mediocrity, not to sink into the mundane.
The more Fu Mingnian thought about it, the closer he felt he was to the answer. Although he now had a general understanding, he was still far from actually achieving it.
He respects Huo Ren’s achievements and everything, almost instinctively wanting to get closer to him again.
“Next——please everyone open your gacha gifts!”
Thirty trainees simultaneously twisted open their gachas, lifting sparkling tassel earrings in front of the camera.
Fu Mingnian gazed at the red rose dangling from his fingertips, smiling with relief.
Not far away, Zhu Xizhi had already pinned the shell earring on, swaying around collecting information.
Then he spotted Shi Jianian wearing the same on his ear.
“Shi Jianian——are you also going to God Pei’s place?!”
The young man blinked his gray-blue eyes: “Want to compete for the C position with me?”
The little snow leopard abruptly stopped, defiantly said: “You can’t beat me in a dance battle, we can battle now.”
“Don’t fight with me for Teacher Pei,” Shi Jianian said with a light smile: “I come from a professional background, having studied for seventeen years.”
Zhu Xizhi cried out in dismay, turning to look for support from his brothers.
Gu Shaochu expressionless: “I want to see Shi Jianian dance.”
Fu Mingnian shrugged his shoulders: “If the skill is not as good, you have to accept the loss after the bet.”
Zhu Xizhi: “I’m not playing with you guys anymore!!”
Huo Ren had just finished a meeting and went downstairs to pick up this batch of students, slightly surprised to greet Fu Mingnian.
“What a coincidence, you got chosen again?”
Fu Mingnian originally came happily to greet him, but suddenly became somewhat tongue-tied, merely nodding in response.
He took a USB drive out of his pocket and handed it to Huo Ren, taking a deep breath subconsciously.
“Teacher Huo…this is the song I’ve written in the past year.”
“The semifinal song selection hasn’t been decided yet,” he mustered his courage to say, “If you have time, you could listen to it.”
“That’s great, I’ll listen to it later,” Huo Ren smiled and took it, suddenly remembering something, “By the way, Han Yang lives next to your dorm, right? How has he been lately?”
“Han Yang?”
“I saw him at the meeting this morning, and it felt like he had something he wanted to say to me.”
Huo Ren didn’t connect the dots immediately, just taking it as minor troubles among the trainees.
“You’re meticulous, try to take more care of him.”
Fu Mingnian nodded quickly, unable to help but look at Huo Ren a bit longer.
He suddenly wished he could turn twenty years old sooner, to stand on a higher place sooner.
The two walked into the classroom together, and sure enough, they saw several familiar faces.
Gu Shaochu was there, Ma Lu was there, and Chen Yuanqing was there too.
Because of the previous golden fan dance, Huo Ren always remembered that handsome young man in Hanfu. Having the chance to perform together this time made him very happy.
“We still have half an hour of meeting time, I have a commercial event later, you guys can choreograph with the assistant teacher.”
Huo Ren pressed the projector, reviewed the opinions, then openly played the songs from Fu Mingnian’s USB in front of everyone.
Fu Mingnian appeared to be the silent and introverted type, but his songwriting was versatile, showing a broad range of learning and diligent practice.
There was lively and wild HIP-HOP, sultry and provocative jazz, and even American country music with very nice sentimental vibes.
As soon as the songs were played, several trainees were shocked.
This guy, quiet and unassuming, how can he do everything?? Practicing so early and even bringing songs this time?!
Do we need to write our own songs to debut now!! Brother, you’re so strong we’re embarrassed to be on camera!!
After listening attentively, Huo Ren also reviewed the lyrics, both explicit and implicit.
Then he clicked on one of them with the mouse.
“How do you guys feel about this one?”
“Snow Sand.”
A narrative-driven fast song with a catchy rhythm that leaves an impression after just one listen.
Everyone hurriedly nodded: “The teacher’s choice is definitely right!”
Huo Ren casually picked up a pen and paper, unscrewing the cap of his fountain pen and said calmly, “This time it’s a performance together with the mentors, so my expectations for you will be much higher than usual.”
Everyone responded in unison: “Yes, yes——”
“Firstly, the arrangement and choreography, I’ll talk about both together.”
Huo Ren folded an A4 paper in half, writing the arrangement plan on the left and immediately following up with the choreography formation changes on the right.
“The opening tune is too bland; add a section of Pipa or Guzheng. Here, Chen Yuanqing and Gu Shaochu can use a double fan dance to open.”
His writing was swift, all instructions seemingly well thought out in advance, without hesitation.
“The electronic music should come in from the third measure, lower the bass and raise the drums, you can use a fancy little segment to transition.”
“For this part of the arrangement, Fu Mingnian, you should directly ask Teacher Mei for advice, or refer to the rhythm of his album’s lead song from last year.”
“In the transition to the chorus, we need to change the key and add harmonies.”
“The dance should be sparse at the beginning and dense towards the end, with a double C solo in the middle. Don’t reserve rehearsal time for me; once you’ve got it down, I’ll find a time to follow through.”
“And about the arrangement of the electronic music…”
When he gets into work mode, he’s almost capable of handling multitasking and adjusting on multiple fronts, speaking quickly and writing precisely, filling an entire A4 paper without a single mistake in no time, even drawing a simple staff and revising several measures.
The other kids were all bewildered.
Most of them are teenagers to just over twenty, each considering themselves worldly, but still get flustered in professional situations.
Fu Mingnian was the first to start recording on his phone while taking notes on the side, with Chen Yuanqing listening intently and confirming several details.
In fifteen minutes, two A4 papers were filled, even dividing up who to go to for help with any issues.
Huo Ren capped his fountain pen with no intention of adding anything else.
“Finish the choreography framework by today, adjust the song and formation by tomorrow night, and I’ll come over the day after tomorrow to check the initial rehearsal effect.”
Everyone: Teacher, you’re being too harsh!!
Give us a break!! We’re still kids!!!
Huo Ren glanced at the time, took a sip of hot tea leisurely, and said, “We have a tight schedule and heavy tasks, shall we choose the center position now?”
Gu Shaochu was about to speak but then looked at the USB drive for a few seconds and silently sat back down.
His opportunities to showcase himself were not many.
Playing singles, he could enjoy everyone’s attention on him unreservedly, but here in a boy group, it’s a cooperative mode where even the lyrics are divided six ways.
The center position was ultimately given to the songwriter, Fu Mingnian.
Huo Ren soothed the kids a bit, indicating that Fu Mingnian could text him anytime if needed, then turned and went to the opposite building with his assistants.
The live broadcast room was already set up, and he let someone touch up his makeup while listening to the assistant recap the procedure.
Yehuo Live has been established for several years, and now celebrities starting their own live broadcasts has gradually become a new trend.
It’s more intimate and allows for better real-time interaction, not to mention a thousand filters can help cover up a lot of things.
This time, the variety show and the new album’s sales exploded, and he should have a public thank you and promotion.
Not just to thank fans and all the passersby.
Yehuo Live has clarified and promoted Corona many times before and after, supporting Huo Ren’s comeback all the way, and it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say they’ve given him all their top affection.
The person behind the scenes never takes credit, and their support has been as natural and invisible as the air we breathe.
Shining on him, cherishing him.
From the beginning to the end.
When the powder was removed, Huo Ren looked up at the camera outside to Pei Ruye and slowly blinked his silver-red eyes.
“Teacher, do you want to come over?”