Huayu: Traffic is king

Chapter 42 The mentor is here
As soon as he finished speaking, the other six people looked at each other.

With Gu Jingyi around, who else can compete?
In the entire "Idol Producer" base, who is stronger than Jingdi?

Justin and Zhu Zhengting, who were also members of the "Green Card Line" that was blocked overseas, were eliminated one after another.

Only Gu Jingyi managed to turn the tide by tearing up the script on stage.

The C position means the most shots on stage. No one would accept this position if it was given to anyone except Gu Jingyi, right?

"Everyone, please don't feel burdened. Don't consider popularity, just consider the team. Whoever can perform the best on this show will be the center of attention."

Gu Jingyi took the initiative to speak up and ease the atmosphere. He tried not to be an overly dominant leader and listened more to other people's opinions.

To others, this meant the boss was just going through the motions. If they didn't come up with a conclusion, they'd get angry.

"I choose Gu Jingyi, he has the most comprehensive strengths."

"If it's Brother Jingyi, I have no objection."

"Of course it's Emperor Jing."

The trainees quickly took it and pinned the badge symbolizing "Center" on Gu Jingyi's collar.

Next came the selection of captains. Gu Jingyi glanced at everyone and asked:

"Anyone want to be the captain? I'm already the center, so I won't compete for the captaincy."

Zhu Zhengting and Lin Chaoze both expressed interest, and after a vote, the captain's badge was pinned on Zhu Zhengting's chest.

The captain doesn't really have much of a role, and doesn't bring any bonus to the performance. Zhu Zhengting was originally trained by Yuehua to be a captain, and his role as team leader, taking care of the chores, would also save Gu Jingyi a lot of trouble.

The team was very efficient and eventually the personnel for Group A of "Can't stop" were assigned.

C-position Gu Jingyi is also the vocalist, and team leader Zhu Zhengting is also the dancer.

The rap part is handled by Justin and Fan Chengcheng, and the remaining four are sub-vocals.

When I returned to the dormitory, it was already past five in the morning.

Langshi had just rained, and the ground was slippery. The entire city was drenched in the damp, chilly winter air, and the evening breeze was like a knife, scraping against my cheeks. Gu Jingyi tightened his collar, trying to quicken his pace back to the dormitory.

The flashlights of the fans behind them were crackling, and amidst the female voices calling their names, Fan Chengcheng, who was following behind Gu Jingyi, finally asked, "Brother Jingyi, do you think it will be difficult for me to debut..."

"Why do you ask?"

His online popularity, sometimes fake, and his string of setbacks led to him being lambasted thousands of times for his explosive posts on Douban, earning him the label of "the biggest royal family."

Remembering the post she'd secretly read on her phone, Fan Chengcheng gathered her thoughts. "I didn't perform well on the first stage, and I forgot a lot of the lyrics during the individual supplementary test. I didn't even get a standout spot in the first public performance. It feels like I've made one wrong move and everything has gone wrong."

His words were somewhat muffled, and it was obvious that he was in a bad mood.

The first public performance is a prime time for each contestant to gain fans, a pattern common across all major talent shows. If a dark horse doesn't immediately rise to prominence during the first public performance, and only becomes visible after the second public performance, it's too late to compete with the fan base of other trainees who have already established themselves during the first public performance.

Even on the final night of the group formation, apart from a few royals, those who could make it to the debut position based on their personal strength must have been popular contestants who had risen to prominence during the first public performance.

However, Fan Chengcheng overlooked the most important point.

Variety shows always strive for ratings. Whether it's a dazzling performance or a shambolic one that leaves people scorned, at least they're still worth watching, just in different directions.

Compared to those who don't make mistakes but are of average ability, even if the voice breaks, it will get more shots after the broadcast. Whether the breakthrough is good or bad, leaving a memorable point for the audience is the most important thing.

The talent shows never select the most talented people, but the most distinctive trainees.

For talent shows, mediocrity is the original sin.

What's more, Fan Chengcheng is popular in her own right and has a big sister who is very popular among the people.

It's hard for him to see clearly because he is in the dark.

Fan Chengcheng didn't expect Gu Jingyi to answer. He muttered, "If I still can't debut in the end, I won't just be embarrassed, but I'll also bring shame to my sister."

"For a talent show, leaving a quick impression on the audience is the most important thing. Don't worry too much about your previous mistakes. Instead of getting anxious, you'd better practice more. You're on the same stage with me this time, so let your strength speak for itself."

Gu Jingyi pondered for a moment and gave an answer.

In the dark night, Fan Chengcheng suddenly realized.

He looked at Gu Jingyi with some gratitude. This brother really took good care of him. When he returned home after the first public performance, he would definitely say good things about Brother Jingyi in front of his sister. Two or three days later, the mentor guidance session began.

"Wow—"

A beautiful figure pushed the door open and walked in, her delicate face under the bangs was particularly eye-catching.

"Hello, Teacher Cheng Xiao!"

During the filming of "Idol Producer," the semi-closed training locked up the 100 boys for almost a month. Aside from the auditions and performances, the audience rarely saw the opposite sex, so it was natural for them to be so enthusiastic in front of the young and beautiful female mentor.

Gu Jingyi thought so and didn't care too much about the trainees' strange behavior.

In addition to Group A, Group B led by Jeffre also shared a large practice room for "Cant Stop".

Cheng Xiao stood in the middle of the practice room, clapped his hands, and motioned everyone to gather around. Then he smiled and asked, "There are only three days left until the performance. How are you all practicing?"

"Report to the teacher! Everything went well!"

Justin was the first to answer.

"Really? Then let me see the results of your practice first."

Cheng Xiao smiled and glanced at the two C positions.

"Gu Jingyi, Jeffre, which of your two groups will start first?"

Gu Jingyi directly made a gentlemanly "please" gesture to Jeffre, indicating that he should choose first.

Except for Ling Chao, Group B is composed of trainees from Class C and Class D.

"Let's go first."

With Cai Xukun’s previous experience as a lesson in front of them, the trainees all knew that they had to seize the initiative when they met Gu Jingyi.

To be fair, the lead singer of Jeffre's group is not bad.

After knowing that they would face the ace team led by Gu Jingyi, they practiced day and night.

In terms of rap skills, Xu Shengen and Han Mubo are not inferior to Justin and Fan Chengcheng. They may even slightly surpass them.

After just three or four days of practice, they were able to sing a whole song fluently and move through the movements.

This level is considered good even in the entire "Idol Producer" series.

Naturally, they received applause from Cheng Xiao, and the pressure instantly shifted to Gu Jingyi's group.

During the instructors' spot check session, program staff also walked in with cameras in hand.

Even some trainees from other groups came over to join in the fun. Gu Jingyi could see some familiar faces in the crowd outside.

Before the performance, Gu Jingyi tugged at the sleeve of Fan Chengcheng next to him and asked in a low voice, "Chengcheng, how's your practice going on with that part you kept getting wrong?"

"I...I think it should be fine."

The more people there were, the more frightened Fan Chengcheng felt.

Especially when facing Cheng Xiao, the senior who has been very strict since joining the show.

During the initial stage and re-evaluation, she would give some commercial compliments to the trainees from other companies when commenting on them.

When it comes to Yuehua, it’s “not bad” and “okay”.

"Alright, Group A of 'Cant Stop' please prepare your performance."

Cheng Xiao urged, a plush shark hairpin pinned to her thick black hair.

When her emotions fluctuate, the delicate down flutters gently.

It doesn't look fierce at all, and it looks cute.

Gu Jingyi looked at her with a smile, but his heart flew to Java.

　It will be tomorrow. I can't release it today. I am changing the sensitive words. Remember this hairpin. Here is a preview: Cheng Xiao's eyes are filled with a layer of mist. She looks like she is about to cry. Come and watch it tomorrow at 12 o'clock. It's hard to make up for it after it's changed.
　　
　
(End of this chapter)