Chapter 4.2
Editor: Jodi
The afternoon recording was relatively simple, with the three mentors bringing food and drinks to visit the contestants.
The contestants were nervously rehearsing the program’s promotional song. In the upcoming first assessment, the top ten scorers would earn the chance to record the promotional song for the first time.
As Mu Nan’s team and the program staff entered the practice room with bubble tea, the tension in the air was so thick it was suffocating.
“Come, come, everyone take a break, have some drinks.” Mu Nan called out to the contestants.
Shi Tao was the first to see Mu Nan, his eyes lighting up as he bounded over, full of excitement. “Teacher, you’re treating us to food!”
Although Cheng Han had criticized him during the first performance, Shi Tao still managed to stand out and secure a spot in the official recording due to his comparative advantage among the contestants. Moreover, his singing and dancing skills were excellent, so as long as he performed normally, getting a chance to sing the promotional song was basically guaranteed for him.
Therefore, he was relatively relaxed among the contestants.
“Then could you please distribute it to everyone?” Mu Nan said to Shi Tao who happily accepted the task and started handing out the bubble tea.
Mu Nan stood to the side, asking Wilder quietly, “Why hasn’t Cheng Han come yet?”
“I heard someone say he’s sick and might not come today.”
“Sick?”
Wilder hesitated before saying, “Probably from last night’s antics.”
Mu Nan was suddenly speechless.
They were in late autumn, and with the weather being so unpredictable, it was definitely easy to catch a cold from being stuck outside for so long like Cheng Han.
With that in mind, Mu Nan’s sense of guilt grew a bit more.
While the bubble tea was being handed out, Mu Nan noticed a guy with an “A” grade hanging around, looking out of place, not stepping forward on his own, quietly declining invitations from others.
Mu Nan remembered him. His name was Yang Yuzhu, with strong vocal and singing abilities, and although his dancing wasn’t top-notch, it was still impressive. He was also one of Cheng Han’s “golden card admission” recipients.
Back then, on stage, Mu Nan sensed his shyness. During performances and interactions, he was like a different person, somewhat afraid of others’ gazes, concerned about their comments, filled with self-doubt.
Such people weren’t suited to be idols. Being an idol meant enduring a lot of criticism, so individuals with such personalities often crumbled under pressure before reaching their peak.
At this moment, as Shi Tao’s bubble tea reached the end of the line, he also noticed him.
“Yuzhu, there’s still pearl and coconut, which one do you want?”
Yang Yuzhu shook his head, whispering, “Thanks, I’ll pass on both, I’m cutting out sugar.”
Mu Nan followed the voice, and sure enough, Yang Yuzhu had smooth skin and a slender figure, a clear sign of extreme self-control.
Then, he subconsciously glanced down at his own stomach.
When was the last time he had visible abs? Seems like it was during last year’s nationwide tour…..
“Don’t look, your stomach’s already showing.”
A teasing voice came from behind, and hearing it, Mu Nan instinctively said back, “I’m gaining weight, did I eat your rice?”
The owner of the voice was none other than Cheng Han, looking a bit under the weather with a hoarse voice.
But that was just how he was, capable of wiping away Mu Nan’s guilt with just a sentence. Not only did he not feel remorseful, he could also continue their banter effortlessly.
The idea of apologizing that had just formed was thrown out the window long ago. Mu Nan struggled to control the urge to throw a punch, gritting his teeth, “Aren’t you supposed to be too sick to get up?”
Cheng Han raised an eyebrow, his high brow bone accentuating his deep gaze, exuding a captivating charm with this gesture.
But Mu Nan wasn’t buying it. His eyes rolled so much that they almost got stuck. “Competing even when you’re sick. Anyone would think you’re aiming for this year’s hardest worker award.”
Cheng Han smiled, “You haven’t forgotten, have you? We still have business to attend to.”
Business?
Mu Nan suddenly remembered. It was that cursed program he had forgotten about after a nap, the duo performance that made him wish he could vanish into thin air.
“I didn’t forget.” Mu Nan’s expression was indifferent, but he was already feeling disillusioned on the inside.
“Then let’s go and discuss it?”
Mu Nan wanted to refuse, but Wilder poked his spine from behind.
“No—hiss—sure.”
“Teacher, are you guys leaving already?” Shi Tao asked as they prepared to leave.
But before Mu Nan could reply, Cheng Han spoke up, “We have other matters to attend to, so we won’t be staying. While enjoying the food and drinks, remember to watch your figures. Gaining ten pounds on camera isn’t just for show.”
Mu Nan: I feel like he’s targeting me.
With Wilder pulling and dragging him, Mu Nan was taken out of the practice room. The two teams marched to the temporary lounge, joining the director and supervisor to discuss the program.
Seeing them together, the director became a little guilty, likely aware that pairing up two arch enemies for a show was rather underhanded.
“Alright, why don’t the two teachers share their thoughts first?” The director trembled nervously.
Cheng Han spoke up first, “If we must perform, I think singing should take precedence. Both of us have a background as lead singers, so we excel in vocals.”
Mu Nan said immediately, “I don’t think so. Since we’re performing as mentors, we should raise the difficulty level. Just singing won’t impress the audience.”
Cheng Han: “But it’s not practical to compose and write lyrics now. There aren’t many songs for male duets that involve singing and dancing.”
Mu Nan: “We could just remix existing music. Plus, we can add some storyline to it. As long as it looks impressive.”
Instantly, Wilder, the director, Cheng Han, and everyone else in the room turned to Mu Nan.
“What….. what’s going on?”
Wilder raised his hand silently. “So, you’ve already agreed to perform, right?”
Mu Nan: ???
“So, you all came together to trick me into this?”