CHAPTER 42: CHAPTER 42: THE FIRST PUBLIC STAGE

Self-recommendation is not something to be ashamed of. If you want something, you have to make an effort for it.

Xie Qingci was quite confident about this conversation because he was well-prepared.

He even looked into how Shu Ran had fallen out with her previous company and joined Changhui a few years ago, all set to make a final attempt if Shu Ran refused to introduce him to an agent.

But unexpectedly, it was quite easy; Shu Ran seemed to agree as soon as she heard "good-looking."

"However, Changhui is always very strict in recruiting. I’m just helping you get seen; if the company thinks you’re not qualified, there’s nothing I can do."

Xie Qingci nodded in agreement: "I’m already very grateful to Sister Shu Ran. I can accept any outcome."

No, that’s not true at all.

He had never aimed to do something he couldn’t achieve.

After finishing the conversation, Shu Ran left. Xie Qingci stayed in place for a moment, then turned to leave, only to see Song Xi at the corner.

Song Xi adjusted his newly changed gold-rimmed glasses and greeted him with a smile: "I saw you talking with Sister Shu Ran, so I didn’t interrupt."

From this distance, he indeed couldn’t hear what they were saying.

Not doing anything shameful, Xie Qingci nodded, said nothing, and walked past him.

Song Xi watched his back, then turned to look at the spot where Shu Ran had stood and suddenly chuckled.

——

In the fans’ eager anticipation, Saturday’s first performance quickly arrived.

Yu Xia arrived at the studio early, in a particularly good mood, with an air of slightly visible excitement.

Today she wore a mature woman style of makeup. Her outfit was a suit sent by the luxury brand she just endorsed. Her satin shirt had only three buttons, the collar slightly open, revealing her delicate collarbone.

This was also related to the role she wanted to land next and hoped the production team would quickly recognize her talent.

This performance had an audience of a thousand people, who were already gradually entering, very excited, eagerly waiting for the boys they had just become fans of to come out.

Of course, everyone was more familiar with the four mentors, and some boldly shouted Shu Ran’s name from the audience.

Yu Xia and the others stood at the entrance backstage, talking. Shu Ran turned back to wave at the audience, causing a wave of screams.

"Come to think of it, Shu Ran, you’ve been through stage performances too, right?" He Mingjie suddenly asked.

Yu Kuang chimed in to add: "He and I both have held concerts, an audience of this size is nothing to us. Shu Ran, you’ve also essentially held a concert on a variety show before, so you shouldn’t be nervous?"

Recalling that concert, the entire internet still remembers it well, after all, it’s likely there won’t be another one like it in the entertainment industry for the next decade.

Shu Ran curled her lips: "Yes, with thousands of people, once you step up you can only see a sea of heads. This thousand people this time is indeed alright—Yu Xia, you haven’t experienced this, have you?"

Yu Xia smiled: "No, I haven’t experienced it. I’m already starting to feel nervous."

Shu Ran and the other two teed off on her again, and during their joking, Yu Xia inadvertently shifted the conversation to the trainees.

"They probably feel more nervous. The day before yesterday, I thought they performed quite well, but who knows if they’ll make mistakes today because of being too nervous, especially Pei Lu, who hurt his leg the other day, sigh."

They couldn’t possibly be unaware of this, but nobody wanted to address it.

Especially Shu Ran, who had a very poor perception of Pei Lu, and simply said, while touching the ring on her index finger:

"Indeed, there are quite a few issues."

The tone carried a hint of sarcasm.

Yu Xia maintained her expression, mentioned other people with Yu Kuang.

Her purpose was merely to make the news of "Pei Lu hurt his leg" known to everyone, guarding against them pretending to be deaf and mute if something really went wrong.

In the entertainment industry, after all, there’s no true tranquility, and it’s good enough if they don’t take the opportunity to stab you.

Once the production team announced that the performance was starting, the trainees, who had changed into performance outfits, were ready backstage. Yu Xia and her team straightened their attitudes, lined up at the entrance, waiting for the electronic sound to signal their entrance.

As the vast studio’s lights dimmed, the audience’s noise automatically reduced, and the stage lights gradually unfolded, like a smooth animation, revealing the meticulously designed stage.

It was hard to describe any more, but the essence was two words—wealthy.

"Welcome to the first performance stage of ’Limited Youth,’ now let’s welcome the sixteen groups of contestants!"

The first to come out was Song Xi’s team.

They walked over from the left side of the stage along the light path, stopping on the stage.

Ning Yunchao’s team followed closely, with Xie Qingci’s team third. The screams from the audience grew louder and louder, fans shouting the names of their idols, "Song Xi," "Ning Yunchao," "Xie Qingci," and their names were called out incredibly loudly.

In the darkness, Yu Xia felt an overwhelming excitement that made her want to shout too, "You go, boys, your sister loves you!"

That’s probably the charm of the stage, something actors almost never experience.

She distributed her gaze evenly among the first two groups, her eyes filled with appreciation for each person, until Xie Qingci appeared.

The wardrobe department had somewhat reliable taste this time, not giving any gaudy outfits. Xie Qingci wore a black shirt, one that was loose-fitting, aside from having a weighty drape that shimmered, it had no other features.

Except for that hair...

Platinum blonde.

She licked her lips, listening to the deafening screams in her ears, scanning Xie Qingci from head to toe, with her gaze lingering.

Indeed, he had the right to be screamed for, and the audience’s reaction seemed to be much greater than when Ning Yunchao and the others appeared.

As expected, regardless of who someone is a fan of, looks are the real king.

One group toured and exited, then the electronic voice finally called for the mentors to take the stage.

"Now please welcome Experience Officer Shu Ran, Mentor He Mingjie, Yu Kuang, and Yu Xia!"

Yu Xia took a deep breath, took the microphone from a staff member, and walked onto the brightly lit stage.

It was so bright she squinted her eyes slightly. Since the stage floor was a bit slippery and she wore high heels, she walked firmly, exuding an air of dominance.

Completely different from the elegant style of Shu Ran in front.

Just as she reached the center of the stage, she actually heard someone in the audience call her name, a loud "Yu Xia," that echoed clearly around the venue.

Yu Xia couldn’t help but cover her mouth and smile, her black eyeliner forming a line at the corner of her eye. Her gaze met the camera, instinctively looking away—this is an actor’s habit.

The scene shared back to the broadcasting room, and the trainees watching all burst into laughter.

Xie Qingci, long-limbed, sat on the edge, hands on his legs, leaning forward, his body relaxed.

He lifted his head to watch the screen smile of Yu Xia, strands of hair obscuring his eyes, and he lifted a hand to brush it aside, simultaneously retracting a very focused look.

Who knows what he was thinking, he leaned back a bit, a relaxed posture, instinctively pinching his fingertips.

Wei Yaoyao, sitting in front of him, accidentally bumped his hand while moving, turned to scrutinize him.

"Do you also want to feel my afro curls?"