CHAPTER 40: CHAPTER 40: PEI LU IS INJURED

After reviewing Song Xi’s group’s performance, Yu Xia didn’t linger and went on to the rehearsal rooms of other groups.

Although she wasn’t a professional in singing or dancing, looking at their performance from a different perspective made her quite welcomed. When she reached Ning Yunchao’s group, Ning Yunchao and Wei Yaoyao even offered her some cherished snacks.

However, she hadn’t been there long, and her hand had yet to reach into the snack bag, when someone at the door said something had happened with Song Xi’s group.

"What happened? I just left ten minutes ago." She quickly stood up and walked briskly outside.

"It’s Pei Lu; he injured his leg."

Injuring his leg at this crucial moment? That’s quite serious.

She walked and asked with a frown, "How did that happen?"

"They have that lift move, right? When he was coming down, the others failed to catch him."

As they spoke, she had already arrived outside Song Xi’s rehearsal room. Upon entering, she found several people gathered around Pei Lu, with a somewhat heavy silence.

She heard Pei Lu reassuring them through his pain, "It’s okay, this isn’t your fault. I was careless, didn’t time it right."

Song Xi said in a low voice, "You should go to the hospital to check. If the bone is injured, it’ll be a problem."

Someone began to cry, saying sorry, while Pei Lu forced a smile, resembling an innocent little white flower putting on a brave face.

How strange, even among the male group, there are people with such personas now?

Was it really an accident? Was he really injured?

Yu Xia squinted her eyes, approached, and squatted in front of him for a look. Pei Lu seemed a bit embarrassed but was stopped by her as she pressed on his leg.

At this point, the others began to crowd in, eager to watch, and Xie Qingci and the others asked, "Is it serious? Does it hurt a lot?"

Though usually not very cooperative, everyone was genuinely concerned.

It’s just...

With so many people surrounding him and her being the only woman, it felt like an emperor with concubines visiting a beauty who had miscarried.

Pei Lu waved his hand, saying it wasn’t serious and didn’t hurt, but Yu Xia waved to the staff who arrived late, saying:

"We aren’t doctors; we can’t tell if it’s serious or not. For your own sake, it’s best to see a doctor."

The staff hurriedly said, "We have doctors on-site. Let’s have a preliminary check to see if he can move."

It makes sense since the show producers wouldn’t want the situation to escalate without understanding the real issue.

Yu Xia nodded, and then asked someone to accompany him: "Song Xi, as the team leader, go along."

Song Xi immediately agreed, whatever he thought privately, his public face was well maintained.

As they left, the remaining group members had little interest in continuing practice and were somewhat anxious.

Yu Xia glanced at the camera. Today’s rehearsal bloopers were to be used as a warm-up for Saturday’s stage performance, but most content wouldn’t be released until after the performance was over, like the Dormitory Diary.

If on this first stage, Pei Lu performs poorly with an injury — he supposedly practiced hard, so even if he doesn’t do well, others might feel reluctant to blame him.

If he excels despite the injury, and when the bloopers are released post-performance... Tsk, was it really an accidental fall, unrelated to anyone else?

Thinking this, she waved at the remaining trainees and asked a few questions.

With her mentor status, she could be quite intimidating when not smiling.

"Why did he fall? Were you too tired to stop, or was there another reason?"

Someone cautiously said, "No, after you pointed out a few issues, we wanted to correct them, and everyone agreed to practice a few more times since time was limited. Normally, everyone does well with that lift move..."

Another said, "But that move always had the potential to cause a fall, just didn’t expect it to be this severe. He slipped off Song Xi’s shoulder, and when we tried to catch him, we weren’t steady, and he went straight down on his knees."

Regarding why Song Xi as the center wasn’t the one being lifted and Pei Lu was instead, they had explained earlier that Song Xi generously wanted to give everyone a chance to shine individually — which he did very elegantly.

She said, "Don’t worry, it should be fine."

Then, offhandedly joking, adding, "Let’s lighten the mood. You all want to be dance idols, so you’ll have to be prepared for this kind of thing. Is practice usually tough? I heard Pei Lu has been training hard this time?"

Everyone agreed, "He’s been really making an effort, sometimes training alone late at night after everyone else finishes, just like Xie Qingci. They practice till late."

She paused, turning to look at Xie Qingci standing nearby, silent.

All of them were sweaty and hadn’t left.

Hearing someone mention Xie Qingci’s diligence, Wei Yaoyao couldn’t hold back, praising, "Indeed, Pei Lu and Xie Qingci are both very hardworking. Xie Qingci’s dedication is well-known. These past days, aside from ten-minute meal breaks and four or five hours of sleep, he’s been in the practice room all the rest of the time."

Yu Xia frowned, looking at them, "You all work hard but can’t neglect your health — audiences don’t want to see flimsy paper figures drifting onstage."

Her humor made many laugh, easing the tense atmosphere.

Taking advantage of the moment, she had the remaining groups perform their parts again, offered some practical feedback, and chatted with them more, using lightheartedness to foster a lively atmosphere.

Soon enough, Song Xi returned with Pei Lu.

Pei Lu had a crutch under his arm.

Yu Xia chuckled to herself.

Throughout her years in acting, she’d often been bruised or injured, yet toughed it out without holding the production back, sometimes not even daring to openly take medicine.

Perhaps she had a preconceived disfavor for this junior, but she indeed didn’t like him much now.

"You’re back? How is it, serious?"

She seemed to ignore the crutch, directly asking Song Xi.

Song Xi shook his head, then nodded, "No fractures or bruises, but perhaps a muscle strain. He’s been in pain, and the doctor advised caution with using the foot for now."

His words were artful, and Yu Xia instantly understood.

"Good to hear, but if this affects your performance, Pei Lu, do you want to swap positions with someone else?"

Pei Lu shook his head, "No need. We don’t have time for changes. I’ll practice carefully and try not to hold everyone back."

He even embarrassedly bowed to the rest of his team.

Now, even if there are complaints, what else could anyone say?

Yu Xia smiled, said no more, and after making rounds to the last group, she prepared to leave.

Just as she was leaving, Wei Yaoyao happened by in the corridor, eagerly ran over, and waved.

"Take care, Yu Xia jie, be safe!"

Such a sweet talker, she finger-combed her hair as she waited for her assistant to pull the car around, smiling as she asked, "Have you signed with a company yet?"

Of course, she knew his situation, as well as the fact that he was already signed.