CHAPTER 767: CHAPTER 757: THE FINAL CANDIDATE, RETURNING TO THE RIGHTFUL OWNER

The VCR was filled with training clips of everyone from this period.

Laps after laps of morning runs on the track just before dawn.

Sweat poured out in the physical training room.

Chasing and racing each other on the racetrack while driving the cars.

Also, sitting in the multimedia room, taking notes like students in class, and taking small tests every few days, with someone scratching their head in frustration if they couldn’t think of an answer.

Someone couldn’t help but chuckle when they saw this, but as they laughed, their eyes couldn’t help but redden.

Having experienced all this, even if they were eventually eliminated, they would still feel regret but wouldn’t regret the effort put in during this time.

After the VCR finished playing, Feng Xu gave everyone a moment to calm their emotions, then clapped his hands and said, "Actually, all of you have made great progress during this time. Although I’m not like Coach Qi who is with you all the time, I’ve seen your performance in my eyes. Being able to persist until now, you are all qualified in my heart."

"Lingxi and Xiao Yu are excellent."

Feng Xu looked at the person who continued the conversation and smiled with a nod, "Yes, sometimes just being qualified is not enough; competition is always cruel. So among you, those who will finally play roles in ’Gale’," he held up five fingers, "are only five people."

No matter how mentally prepared they were for their outcome, when the moment finally came, everyone’s breath became slightly faster, and the atmosphere in the activity room tightened.

Feng Xu glanced at Jiang Lingxi, who was sitting at the back due to arriving latest, and she was the calmest among everyone.

"Then I’ll just read the names. Jiang Lingxi, Xiao Yu..."

Chen Keyun’s shoulders slumped a bit and she didn’t continue listening to the rest of the names; it didn’t matter anymore. She just turned her head to look at Jiang Lingxi sitting at the back.

When she looked, she saw a pair of eyes still calm and indifferent, as if she had already seen this result as something certain, making her smile bitterly to herself.

This competition, she really lost completely.

However, if you lose, you have to lose gracefully.

"Congratulations, Shen Yunxiao."

Jiang Lingxi met Chen Keyun’s eyes, "Thank you."

Chen Keyun got up to leave, but as she passed by Jiang Lingxi, her steps paused, "Did you really not know who I was at the beginning?"

Jiang Lingxi: "...I really didn’t know. I thought I’d find out when I arrived."

Chen Keyun: "..."

It makes sense, but weren’t you at least a bit curious beforehand?

She was rendered speechless by this answer.

Su Linlin was also about to leave. Since she wasn’t selected, there was no reason to stay. She was about to inform her assistant to pick her up and pack her luggage.

Living alone for nearly a month without anyone to help tidy up really annoyed her.

But seeing Jiang Lingxi and Chen Keyun whispering together, she suddenly felt a pang of anxiety and slowed her steps.

Just as she was hesitant about whether to go closer to listen, Jiang Lingxi’s gaze pinned her in place.

"In light of your sincere congratulations earlier, here’s a tip." Jiang Lingxi looked at Su Linlin, whose expression was filled with surprise, and called out to Chen Keyun, who was about to leave, "The aromatherapy Su Linlin gave you, it’s better not to use it if possible."

"You..."

Chen Keyun turned her head sharply. Although she didn’t get along well with Jiang Lingxi, they had spent almost a month together and she knew how serious Jiang Lingxi could be. Since she said this, it couldn’t be without a reason.

Thinking of this, she swallowed back her words, took a deep breath, suppressing the doubts surging in her heart, "Thanks for the reminder."

"You’re welcome."

Su Linlin saw Chen Keyun leave and hurriedly followed out, catching up with her in a light jog. Then she casually asked, "Keyun, what did you say to Teacher Jiang just now?"

"Nothing, just congratulating her."

Su Linlin pursed her lips, "Ah, we both kept each other company for a month. If I had taken another director’s offer a month ago, the shooting might have almost been completed by now."

If this had been said earlier, Chen Keyun would have taken it as a slight regretful complaint.

But after Jiang Lingxi’s recent reminder, hearing Su Linlin’s words now, Chen Keyun suddenly felt a bit uncomfortable.

"I actually found it quite meaningful. Although I failed in the competition, it wasn’t without gains. My racing skills improved. I noticed that not only did your racing skills improve a lot compared to the beginning, but your physical fitness also enhanced significantly. Who knows, it might be useful in the future."

"Haha," Su Linlin chuckled dryly, "That makes sense, haha. I was just thinking that if I had chosen another path back then, the gains might have been greater."

"There are no ifs. By the way, have you informed your manager and assistant? I remember you said they drove you here. I have a car but our directions don’t align, so I’m afraid I can’t take you."

"No need, no need, I’m just about to call my assistant. My room is a total mess after a month; without my assistant, I’d be cleaning until the evening."

"Alright, I have something to do later, so I’ll be leaving now."

"Uh, keep in touch later."

Chen Keyun returned to her room, locked the door, and instead of packing immediately, she went straight to her bedside table.

There lay a half-used bottle of aromatherapy she had grown accustomed to.

She wasn’t one to use whatever was given to her. The aromatherapy was from a well-known brand, and a small bottle wasn’t cheap. Since it was new and unopened, she had used it directly.

But when Jiang Lingxi advised against using it, could there really be a problem?

In the end, the remaining half bottle was wrapped tightly and stuffed into the depths of her suitcase.

Better wait and consult an expert when she got back.

Chen Keyun dragged her suitcase down the corridor, glanced at Su Linlin’s room without stopping.

Su Linlin lay on the bed, hearing the sound of suitcase wheels rolling on the floor outside, paused but didn’t get up.

It was always a fake friendship anyway. Now that training was over, it ended.

Such a waste of effort preparing those two bottles of aromatherapy!

The eliminated contestants packed up their belongings and left, while those who stayed gathered for a meal, finally able to eat freely. After bidding farewell to Qi Zhen and Feng Xu, they returned to their dorms.

But even saying goodbye, they wouldn’t be apart for long. After resting at home for a few days, when they met again, it would be on set.

Even the training ground where they were now would become one of the filming locations, and they could stay in their current dorms for when they returned to shoot later.

Jiang Lingxi went back to her dorm to find Chen Keyun’s dorm already empty, but next door, Su Linlin’s dorm was still being noisily packed.

She listened for a while and then, from the depths of her cabinet, took out a small gift that had been there for a month, went next door, and knocked on the door.

Su Linlin opened the door, looking stunned at Jiang Lingxi standing outside.

"Your gift, returned to its rightful owner."