Sis, Do You Need a Dog? - Chapter 6

Chapter 6: Meng Ningjiu

Location shoots only happened twice a week.

During the rest of the time, Si Tingbai had to attend private tutoring sessions with teachers Cheng Shuyi had prepared for her.

Jiangcheng Entertainment perfectly demonstrated what it meant to be “loaded”; even the equipment provided for trainees was top-of-the-line.

From the trainee dormitory to the training building was only a street’s distance away. The entire building was air-conditioned, and the moment one stepped inside, the tense atmosphere was palpable—the air was thick with the scent of sweat and dreams. Transparent dance studios were filled to capacity with trainees. Girls practicing the same move repeatedly in front of the mirrors would soak their practice clothes with sweat, only for them to dry and be soaked again.

The training rooms were ranked by ability; Si Tingbai’s current skill level only qualified her for the bottom tier.

In her first eighteen years, Si Tingbai had taken countless hobby classes, but her understanding of the entertainment industry was zero. For the umpteenth time, Si Tingbai was called to a halt by her teacher for singing out of tune.

“I’ve found that the most fatal problem with your singing is that you can’t distinguish between vocalizing from the diaphragm and vocalizing from the throat,” the vocal teacher said, raising a hand to guide her. “Come, breathe with me.”

Si Tingbai followed the teacher’s guidance seriously and began to inhale.

“Pay attention; your breathing right now is completed through the muscles of your lower abdomen.” The vocal teacher raised a hand in a guiding gesture. “Slowly use your abdominal muscles to compress the air inhaled into the chest and push it toward the vocal cords. Come, make a sound.”

Following the teacher’s lead, Si Tingbai slowly opened her voice.

The teacher had chosen a very simple, easy-to-sing song for her—a track they had practiced repeatedly to prepare for the end-of-month evaluation.

When Si Tingbai sang and when she spoke, she had two completely different voices. Without the arrogance present in her speech, the girl’s voice was as clear and pure as melting snow on Changbai Mountain, with an upward inflection at the end that was inexplicably lingering. It was a very unique and recognizable voice.

Watching her enter the zone, the vocal teacher curled her lips in satisfaction.

To the Si Tingbai before today, singing was just a small way to adjust her mood. If she was happy, she’d hum a few lines; if she was sad, she’d hum a few lines. But standing before professional equipment and a microphone, hearing her own voice clearly in her earpiece, she felt the final trailing note—which should have been lifted—go off-key.

Si Tingbai pursed her lips, looking a bit embarrassed. “Sorry, Teacher.”

“No need to apologize, you’ve already entered the state,” the vocal teacher encouraged. “Remember that sound produced from the diaphragm is usually deeper and more rhythmic than sound from the throat. You must practice this song until you are proficient to face the evaluation selection.”

Jiangcheng Entertainment assigned trainees based on an evaluation system. At the end of every quarter, there was a major evaluation. Trainees signed by scouts had to complete vocal and dance assessments and were then selected by managers. Chosen trainees would receive a manager’s business card and sign a contract. Those not chosen would stay for further training or give up.

The next evaluation was at the end of the month, and it was also Si Tingbai’s most important opportunity to stay by Cheng Shuyi’s side.

“I will, Teacher.” Si Tingbai nodded seriously, clearing her throat to prepare to sing again.

Since meeting Cheng Shuyi, Si Tingbai had begun trying things she had never done before. There was no other reason than the fact that this was what Cheng Shuyi wanted her to do.

“Good. Take a sip of water to moisten your throat first, don’t rush.” The vocal teacher liked this serious student very much. Although she was ignorant of music theory, her attitude was incredibly sincere. More importantly, she had a good voice. She was already very soulful even without much training; if polished carefully, she would surely be outstanding.

Seeing infinite potential in the person before her, the vocal teacher couldn’t help but smile. “You’ve made great progress. I will report this truthfully to Sister Cheng. Little one, your future is promising.”

Si Tingbai, who was drinking water, paused, lost in thought. It wasn’t because of the praise or the promising future. It was that phrase: report to Sister Cheng.

Cheng Shuyi.

It had been four days since she last saw her. Since the bookstore shoot ended, Si Tingbai had been attending classes in the training building according to schedule. Cheng Shuyi, however, never came to the training building. She was at the top of the management industry; she was responsible for too many things every day and had no time to monitor training.

During the time we aren’t meeting, does she think of me too?

Si Tingbai thought gloomily, tilted her head back to take another sip of water, and asked as if she didn’t care: “Teacher, will Sister Cheng come to watch me train?”

“Hmm?” The vocal teacher was stunned by the question, then laughed. “Unlikely. Sister Cheng is very busy. But if you perform well, you can be signed by Sister Cheng during the selection. Then she’ll be in charge of your work and life, and you’ll have a chance to see her every day. Besides, she specifically instructed me to teach you well, so you have great hope.”

Out of every ten trainees who came to Jiangcheng Entertainment, four came for Cheng Shuyi. The name “Cheng Shuyi” wasn’t just a name; it was a symbol of power, status, and identity. As long as one could become an artist under her, their stardom was almost guaranteed.

The vocal teacher was used to this; even her comforting lines had a template. However, she didn’t notice the girl’s pensiveness after she finished speaking.

If I’m signed as an artist by Cheng Shuyi, I’ll have the chance to see her every day.

Si Tingbai weighed the significance of those words and made a silent resolution in her heart. Since this was what her “Sister” needed and hoped for, she should take it seriously.

“Okay!” Si Tingbai put down her water cup, pursed her lips, and said: “Teacher, let’s continue. I want to practice more today.”

The days of training were repetitive and dull. Si Tingbai endured until the weekend. What arrived, however, was not Cheng Shuyi, but her assistant, Shao Su.

“You mean, Sister asked me to change dorms?” Si Tingbai was puzzled after hearing the words. “Why so sudden?”

Shao Su said: “The evaluation is imminent. This is a dorm Sister Cheng exceptionally upgraded for you. The artist you’ll be living with is the top trainee among those about to participate in the evaluation. I think Sister Cheng’s intention is to have her help you more.”

Listening to Shao Su’s explanation, Si Tingbai’s heart was gradually soothed. She was a bit happy, yet also a bit dejected. Happy because even without meeting, Cheng Shuyi still remembered her. Remembering me means caring about me. This point already surpassed many others.

“Okay! I’ll go pack right now.” The red rashes on her arm had long since vanished, and the gloomy part of Si Tingbai’s heart cleared up as well.

Trainee dormitories were uniformly planned by the company, with renovations better than school dorms. However, it was still a collective environment with no private space. Fortunately, the new dorm Si Tingbai moved into currently only had one occupant.

“The trainee you’re living with has different classes than you, so you won’t necessarily have much contact.” Shao Su handed the training building access card and keys to Si Tingbai. “Whatever you do, don’t lose these, or I won’t stop Sister Cheng from scolding you.”

Si Tingbai took the keys and nodded. She finally couldn’t hold back the question she had been holding all the way: “Sister Shao, will I be able to see Sister Cheng today?”

“Today…” Shao Su checked the time and pondered for a moment. “Do you have business with Sister Cheng?”

Si Tingbai pursed her lips and said softly: “No business. It’s just that… I miss her very much.”

“Ah?” Although Shao Su was a bit puzzled, she still said: “Okay, I’ll pass that along when I see Sister Cheng today.”

Though it was an uncertain promise, Si Tingbai’s mood brightened instantly. She nodded and thanked her obediently. Shao Su gave a brief introduction of the surroundings and then left while taking a phone call.

Si Tingbai pulled her suitcase and looked around the living environment. She could tell the girl she was living with was a minimalist who valued hygiene; the common area had almost no belongings, though many dance outfits were hanging on the balcony to dry.

Si Tingbai’s gaze didn’t linger on private items. She pulled her suitcase, looked at the remaining empty beds, weighing her options while wondering when she could see Cheng Shuyi.

Still in a state of total strangeness to her new environment, Si Tingbai didn’t notice footsteps behind her.

“Hey,” an unfriendly greeting sounded from behind. “Who are you?”

The question came suddenly and was too distant and cold. The person seriously looking at the bed space was startled. This impolite greeting did not receive a polite response from Si Tingbai; she turned her head with an unfriendly expression, staring coldly at the person behind her.

The person standing behind her seemed to have just returned from a workout. Her long black hair was tied in a ponytail, and a bath towel was draped casually over her shoulder. Her skin glowed white, and sweat stains spread across her light purple sports bra. Drops of sweat fell on her abs, and grey yoga pants hugged her tight, beautiful muscle lines. Even without a drop of makeup after exercise, her condition was incredibly good.

She perfectly fit the standard of a pre-debut idol.

Seeing as she was the owner of the other bed in this dorm, Si Tingbai retracted the hostility in her gaze and stepped aside to make a path. The suitcase was pushed aside slightly, the wheels scraping against the floor as the two crossed paths.

The girl who entered the dorm picked up a water cup from the table, tilted her head back for a drink, and her voice—moistened by the water—carried a hint of hoarseness: “A new trainee?”

The girl’s gaze moved slowly from the suitcase to Si Tingbai’s face. A stunning, aggressive type of beauty, especially those fox-like eyes—sharp and wild. She looked like she wasn’t very old—another “little kid” coming to chase a dream.

Si Tingbai met the person’s scrutinizing gaze without a trace of fear, appraising her just as she was being appraised. Their gazes met like two dangerous bombs colliding, looking as if they might explode the next second.

“Quite a personality.” The girl took another sip of water and capped the bottle, leaning one hand on the table.

“Meng Ningjiu.”

“Si Tingbai.”

After an uncoordinated yet perfectly synchronized self-introduction, the dorm quickly fell into a deathly silence.

Arriving in a new environment, Si Tingbai no longer restrained her sharp edges. Like a hedgehog, she showed her quills unreservedly to another hedgehog.

“This bed is mine. You can use everything else as you like.” After her self-introduction, Meng Ningjiu showed no intention of continuing the conversation.

Meeting for the first time, introducing the environment usually seems like the fastest way to break the ice. Whether for the original resident or the newcomer, there are countless topics that can be brought up after learning a name to quickly establish a social connection. But Meng Ningjiu didn’t introduce anything, and Si Tingbai didn’t care to ask. Their shared indifference and distance were quite harmonious.

The former stated her name, opened the closet to take out clothes, and turned into the bathroom. The latter spread her suitcase out on the spot and finalized which bed she would be sleeping in. For a time, the only sounds in the room were the rushing water from the bathroom and the subtle noises of someone arranging things.

Si Tingbai had no interest in socializing, nor did she care to build new relationships. Her purpose in coming to Jiangcheng was to find Cheng Shuyi, stay by her side to repay the life-saving debt from years ago, learn more about the events of nine years ago, and find her maternal aunt.

She had now preliminary completed the first step; participating in this training camp was her second step. However, after a month of emotional mutation, the words “repaying a debt” had slowly changed flavor. Si Tingbai greedily wanted more; she wanted everything related to Cheng Shuyi.

While thinking of Cheng Shuyi, Si Tingbai organized her things. She hadn’t brought much when she came to Jiangcheng on a whim; most things in the suitcase were items Cheng Shuyi had casually provided, except for two glass photo frames tucked between a pile of clothes.

Si Tingbai finished organizing her closet and bed and took the two photo frames out of the box, placing them seriously at the head of the bed.

One was a family portrait; the other was a photo of two people. In the photo, Si Tingbai leaned against the shoulder of a woman wearing a black qipao, smiling brilliantly and innocently.

“Auntie.”

Si Tingbai raised her hand to stroke the photo. The woman frozen in the picture seemed to look back at her through the lens, across time and space, her eyes full of tenderness.

“I have successfully arrived in Jiangcheng and found the reporter sister who saved me. I will also…”

“Find you just as successfully, right?”

The person in the photo could not answer; the frozen face and time only smiled gently. Si Tingbai let out a slow sigh, pressed the photo to her chest, and slowly closed her eyes.

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