Transmigrated as the CEO's Top-Tier Stand-in - Chapter 26

Chapter 26

Ji Yu’s A-Class Placement

The music of “Go!” slowly faded out in the F-class studio.

Ji Yu’s dance and song reached the final part. The surrounding trainees kept their eyes glued to her. No matter how many times they watched, they couldn’t help but feel shocked, as if brilliant fireworks were soaring into the night sky repeatedly, each time blooming with a surprise.

How could anyone present a stage so flawlessly, time after time?

It was as precise as a textbook.

Behind the camera.

Qi Feng propped his chin with one hand. His dark blue pinstripe suit added a touch of refinement and nobility, and his gemstone cufflinks subtly gleamed. He revealed a shallow smile, his eyes filled with appreciation. After the music stopped, he asked the other three at the table:

“Alright, what score are the mentors prepared to give her?”

An Ran raised an eyebrow, seemingly asking if this needed discussion, but catching sight of the camera, she still commented professionally: “Her breathing is very steady, the transition from the prelude to the chorus is very natural, the lyrics are completely memorized, and it’s very precise. Other than A, I don’t know what other grade to give.”

Zhi Tao smiled. Her newly styled light pink long hair made her smile look cute and vibrant, a cluster of adorable wisps even bounced on her head, like a goddess walking out of an anime. She slightly parted her lips, her voice ethereal:

“I think… in terms of dance, there’s nothing left for me to teach her—”

“Undoubtedly, this is A-level.”

Night was a rapper mentor and couldn’t offer rap-specific commentary on the theme song’s dance and vocals, but as a high-quality member of a boy group, he could naturally distinguish skill levels.

He had no words to praise Ji Yu, only speaking a single syllable with his thin lips: “A.”

Hearing the unified opinions of the three mentors, the smile in Qi Feng’s eyes deepened slightly. Thinking of Ji Yu’s gaze earlier, he bowed his head to stamp an “A” grade onto Ji Yu’s profile and simultaneously announced:

“I hope she can maintain this state.”

“Ji Yu, assessment grade—”

The Director Team’s voice sounded through the speakers. The tone was level, but deliberately suspenseful, making all the trainees hold their breath. The girls who had witnessed Ji Yu’s dance exchanged whispers, discussing how incredibly demanding the full-score standard must be if this performance didn’t earn an A.

The F-class trainees, who had been taught by Ji Yu for several days, also clenched their fists, looking at the figure in front of the camera, nervously reflecting that if Ji Yu didn’t get a good grade, they, who had taken up so much of Ji Yu’s practice time, would feel too guilty to ever hold their heads up again.

In contrast, the girl waiting for the result tucked the hair at the side of her face behind her ear with her fingertip and smiled toward the side. Her expression was free of worry, like a breeze sweeping over the mountains, comforting them:

“Why are you all more nervous than me?”

The girl who had cried in the bathroom earlier loudly answered her: “Because we’re worried about you! Teacher Ji is so excellent! You should be in A-class!”

As her voice fell, the other girls also waved their fists at her, echoing: “Right!”

“Go, Teacher Ji!”

“You can do it!”

“You definitely will!”

Ji Yu seemed surprised that their estimation of her was so high. After a slight pause, she heard the Director Team’s voice from the speaker: “Grade A, congratulations.”

The announcement was brief and calm, yet it was the greatest affirmation for her.

A great weight lifted from Ji Yu’s heart. She flashed a smile and had only taken one step outside the camera’s view when she was swarmed and encircled by the F-class girls. Everyone’s faces were beaming with joy, looking happier for Ji Yu’s A than if they had received an A themselves!

How difficult was the leap from F to A?

They hadn’t seen similar shows, but since seeing the A-class trainees’ skills during the initial stage, they knew the gap between themselves and those talents. Now, seeing Ji Yu’s reversal from F-class, the girls couldn’t help but gain some confidence, subtly giving wings to their own dreams, imagining them soaring out of the window.

Ji Yu’s result also had an impact on other classes.

Upon hearing that F-class had such a talent, the trainees in B, C, and D classes who had been working hard for the past three days couldn’t help but compare themselves, quietly wondering if their level could also take a big step forward like Ji Yu’s.

And those who had slacked off and barely practiced, upon seeing the follow-up camera pointed at them, instinctively stepped back, only belatedly feeling anxious and uneasy, yet still comforting themselves with a hopeful thought:

What if I’ve actually practiced quite well?

The spectrum of human emotions was played out in these small studios, and the exceptional A-class members were no exception. Upon hearing Ji Yu’s grade, and thinking of the practice levels of Jiang Lianque and Ling Lan in B-class, Rong Bai felt a sense of urgency, yet her expression was one of expectation, and she whispered:

“It should be.”

She appreciated strong competitors, because only by competing on the same stage with the strong can one most quickly discover their shortcomings and subsequently grow at an unprecedented speed. She didn’t fear pressure; she even craved for that day to arrive sooner.

Compared to Rong Bai’s anticipation, Li Xing and Chu Nanxing’s expressions were less pleasant.

Not only were there the existing A-class rivals, but now trainees from B, C, D, and F were moving up. Every one who rose increased their probability of being eliminated, and this was only the first round of the theme song stage.

Furthermore.

Compared to the favored ones who always stood at the top, the audience preferred the storyline of an underdog’s rise. How many people in life are born lucky and naturally possess resources?

Most people come from ordinary backgrounds and distinguish themselves through sweat in successive competitions. Therefore, they can empathize more easily with these rising stars, and their attention will naturally focus on them.

Undoubtedly, from the moment this was broadcast, Ji Yu would garner more attention, which meant she would have a large fanbase.

Li Xing’s own skills were not particularly outstanding within A-class, so the more she thought about it, the worse her expression became.

Chu Nanxing was confident that she could maintain her position—

But.

Ji Yu was the first to be assessed and charged into A-class with a determined stance. In this comparison, even if she maintained her current level, could she keep Ji Yu suppressed in terms of popularity?

A sense of anxiety couldn’t help but rise in Chu Nanxing’s heart.

It felt like the development of events was subtly slipping out of her control.

The theme song evaluation continued round after round.

Perhaps because of Ji Yu’s excellent performance setting a high standard, the mentors, impressed by her level, inevitably became more critical. Aside from the small surprises given by Jiang Lianque and Ling Lan from B-class, even when Rong Bai and Chu Nanxing from A-class maintained their initial stage performance level, the mentors seemed less than satisfied.

This was especially true when some A-class trainees performed poorly. Some improvised a section after forgetting lyrics, while others performed movements incorrectly, repeatedly asking for the music to stop, acting as if the stage offered endless opportunities for retakes.

Night’s brow furrowed more and more as he watched.

Qi Feng also shook his head, picking up the microphone and saying directly: “You have already seen the theme song’s dance and vocals. What I want to see is how much you could achieve in these three days, not to see you play little tricks here. A reminder: a real stage won’t give you a second chance.”

Under the pressure of competitors like Ji Yu and Jiang Lianque surging from the lower classes, coupled with the previous trainees’ poor performance, Li Xing, who stood in front of the camera and listened to Qi Feng’s reprimand, realized her body was stiff with nervousness.

She desperately told herself to just perform her usual skill, which would be enough to secure her A-class spot.

But the more she thought this, the blanker her mind became.

She could only listen numbly to the robotic announcement over the broadcast:

“Next, A-class, Li Xing.”

She quickly looked at the camera. When the music began, her movements hesitated for half a beat, and when she tried to catch up, she ended up leading slightly due to excessive tension. For over ten continuous seconds, although it wasn’t a complete mess, it was a substandard performance.

Mentor Zhi Tao, behind the camera, tapped her pen, seemingly surprised by her performance:

“This girl was quite good before.”

“She seems too nervous.”

Qi Feng watched the camera thoughtfully, not rushing to a decision. But upon seeing Li Xing lose her composure, turn pale, stop dancing during the chorus, and finally give up and walk off camera, he sighed.

It was a sigh of regret.

Night was the first to voice his evaluation at this moment: “F.”

The remaining three looked at him. Night’s expression remained calm. He knew what decision he had made and what consequences this score would bring to Li Xing, but he still spoke.

“She will encounter many unexpected situations on stage in the future, and those situations will affect her stage performance. But the moment the music starts, as long as there is an audience, she must continue her performance—”

“Not thinking about how to quickly remedy an error, but letting the situation worsen and finally giving up the stage voluntarily—that is not the quality a qualified girl group member should have.”

He rarely spoke so much, clearly stating his firm stance.

Facing such a stern statement, Qi Feng nodded. He resumed his smile, looked at the other two mentors, and asked: “What about the two mentors?”

Zhi Tao was also a member of a famous girl group and agreed with this argument. She nodded: “F. Giving her this grade does not mean completely dismissing her. She still has a chance in the subsequent stages, doesn’t she?”

F-class members could still perform in the theme song public performance. If Li Xing could rise from this setback and persist until the end, she would still appear on camera. With her skill, it wouldn’t be impossible for her to return to A-class by working hard in the next round.

An Ran smiled gently: “I can only give F as well. After all… she didn’t even open her mouth to sing.”

Qi Feng compiled the evaluations of all the mentors and nodded, stating his final result: “F.”

When she saw Li Xing’s disastrous start, Chu Nanxing had a bad feeling. When she saw her face turn pale, give up during the chorus, and walk off camera, Chu Nanxing couldn’t help but frown, cursing inwardly:

Idiot.

She had such good skills, why would she ruin her own future like this?

She followed Li Xing with a grim expression to the outside washroom. The next moment, Li Xing rushed up and hugged her, crying hysterically: “Why… I tried so hard… Why didn’t I perform well?”

Chu Nanxing was furious and annoyed. Especially realizing that those close to Ji Yu had achieved good results while her close friend Li Xing was plunging in the opposite direction, she felt extremely embarrassed, as if she was being mocked by fate—

See.

Even without Chu Jianyu, some things won’t change.

Chu Jianyu used to look down on your friends. You were unconvinced, but later those people slowly vanished from your circle, and you were forced to follow behind her sheepishly. Then you finally achieved your triumph, turning her friends into yours.

But now.

Someone exactly like Chu Jianyu has appeared.

A similar destiny is starting to cycle again.

Chu Nanxing hated this feeling. She had suffered enough from being trampled underfoot. Now that she had become the master of the story, how could anyone be so arrogant?

Out of hatred, when Li Xing rushed up to hug her, her hands automatically went to her friend’s shoulders, but now her beautiful jewel-colored long nails dug into her friend’s shoulder, making Li Xing, despite her sadness, feel a little irritated:

“Nanxing! Why aren’t you saying anything?”

She looked up with teary eyes, hoping for some comfort from her friend. Instead, she saw a cloud of gloom in Chu Nanxing’s eyes, which halted her sadness for a few seconds, confusion taking over.

Chu Nanxing lowered her gaze, meeting hers. She initially planned to offer a perfunctory comfort, but she suddenly recalled that there was competition even among A-class members. Li Xing herself was a former girl group member, though her group disbanded a year ago. Fortunately, she still had a fan base, and Chu Nanxing had heard her fan club was preparing to fundraise and vote for her.

One competitor less is better.

Chu Nanxing suddenly smiled, withdrew her hand from Li Xing’s shoulder, and her voice became softer, as if genuinely considering her friend, her tone persuasive:

“Yeah, why?”

“Just like your disbanded girl group two years ago, there was a major commercial show that could have attracted investors to save your small company, but… you lost your voice due to nervousness during that major performance.”

“Xingzi, you always told me you felt guilty and that you always remember that moment whenever you close your eyes?”

“Could it be that incident left a trauma on you?”

Her voice gradually lowered. The door inside the women’s washroom closed without a draft. No camera noticed this, so no one heard the seductive voice, like a seed on the wind, silently drifting into someone else’s mind, quietly settling and sprouting:

“Xingzi, in every future performance, will you remember that moment and get nervous like you did then…?”

The words exchanged in the secluded washroom went unheard by anyone.

The Dream Chasing 100 class lineup gradually underwent a complete overhaul.

Ji Yu, Jiang Lianque, and Ling Lan moved up to A-class. Besides them, two C-class members, along with the original A-class members Rong Bai and Chu Nanxing, a team leader from Imperial Entertainment, and a team leader from Xiaoxi Entertainment, meant that the nine A-class spots had changed dramatically.

The cruelty of the competition was slowly revealing the tip of the iceberg.

The production team gathered the hundred girls in the initial stage venue. Qi Feng, wearing a blue pinstripe suit, walked onto the stage with a cue card and microphone. He smiled as he walked to a small podium in the corner:

“The theme song assessment has concluded. I first congratulate the 43 members who made progress in this assessment—”

“Congratulations, you are one step closer to your dream.”

“Of course, to the trainees who regressed in this assessment, I hope you can recognize your exposed weaknesses and persist in improving. Don’t be discouraged so quickly, because those who work hard will always wait for their opportunity.”

As he said this, he glanced at Li Xing, who was already wearing the F-class grey uniform, sitting in the back row with red-rimmed eyes. Noticing her pale face, as if she couldn’t hear the outside world anymore, Qi Feng withdrew his gaze and continued:

“At the same time, I have an announcement to make.”

“The day after tomorrow will be your first theme song public performance. Before that, we need to select a Center for the theme song from A-class, and the Center will receive a solo cover shoot for B Magazine‘s October issue as a reward—”

As soon as he said this, gasps of admiration erupted below:

“Ahhhh, I’m so jealous!”

“Only the Center, woo woo woo!”

“Lemon trees bear lemon fruits, under the lemon tree stands only me [A Chinese internet slang expressing intense jealousy]**”

“B Magazine, one of the four top-tier magazines, the Golden September, Silver October issue! I’m not crying, tears are just flowing from the corner of my mouth…”

Sounds from all directions reached the stage. Qi Feng couldn’t help but smile, then said: “Now, let’s invite the nine A-class trainees to the stage.”

“I announce that the method of competing for the Center position is—”

“A stage battle.”

Inside the control room.

The sound of the door opening echoed.

Wang Luoshui, wearing a headset, didn’t notice the movement beside her until a cold fragrance drifted to her nose, and she sensed a presence settling nearby. She glanced sideways, catching a profile that looked like the last light of the sunset on a snowy mountain peak, giving a feeling of warmth mixed with chill.

It was Meng Rendong, indeed.

She lifted her headset slightly, her tone carrying a hint of meaningful regret:

“What a shame.”

Wang Luoshui smiled and said: “The theme song assessment is over. Ji Yu got an A. You missed her performance.”

Her regret was mixed with sincerity and deceit, but the most important thing was to subtly hint to her friend: See, your fate is severed. Even if you try to maintain it now, it’s difficult to return to the past.

Meng Rendong had been delayed for a long time by rush hour traffic today. She had allowed enough time, yet she still completely missed Ji Yu’s performance.

While feeling regret, the “A” mentioned by Wang Luoshui brought a faint smile to her eyes:

“Is that so?”

“She is indeed very capable.”

Wang Luoshui: “…”

She choked for a moment, looked at her friend who pretended not to understand her meaning, sighed deeply in her heart, and was about to speak again when the A-class battle on screen began. She had no choice but to shift her gaze.

Meng Rendong watched her put her headset back on and also turned her attention to the screen. She looked at Ji Yu, now wearing the pink uniform, her eyes narrowed, a complex feeling rising in her heart.

It felt like a treasure was snatched away just as she had held it, before it had even warmed up in her embrace.

Her gaze traced Ji Yu’s features across the screen. She vaguely realized that this person was vastly different from the one who stayed by her side just over a month ago. Her beautiful features were the same, but much of the previous demureness and peace were gone, replaced by a confident flamboyance.

It was this single point of confidence that illuminated her delicate features.

Like a paper lantern set alight, making the patterns on the paper vivid and lifelike. Even when floating far away, the image was still etched in the heart.

Especially when Ji Yu started dancing.

Nine people battling on the same stage.

Although it was a stage that should make all the trainees’ eyes dazzle, she was still the one who could capture attention.

Compared to the lively cuteness of the theme song “Go!,” her dance this time delivered a stronger shock. It was as if an invisible, powerful force was being unleashed into the air, a fierce intensity that almost broke through the screen, firmly capturing the viewer!

Wang Luoshui exclaimed “Wow” beside her:

“Qi Feng is amazing; he actually came up with the idea of having them all battle together?”

“I thought it would be a chaotic mess. Sure enough, street dance is the most captivating thing at this moment?”

“Ji Yu is truly a treasure. To be able to dance popping so well… besides Chu Nanxing’s jazz and Rong Bai who took a segment of street dance lessons, everyone else is… Pfft, why does Ling Lan have no ambition at all?” [Referring to Ling Lan joining the applause early]

Meng Rendong listened to the commentary beside her, her gaze consistently focused on the stage—

She heard Qi Feng announce the rule: “After thirty seconds, deliver an impromptu free-style. The person who stays on stage the longest and gains the most love from the trainees will win the Center position.” Then she saw the silver-haired girl [Ling Lan] who was close to Ji Yu go up and do a few somersaults, then stand smiling on the side, beginning to applaud the strong performers.

Next was the genius Jiang Lianque. Although her imitation skills were strong, she lacked a bit of creativity in freestyle. Knowing her limitations, she quickly joined the applause crowd.

One by one, two by two, three by four…

The Imperial Entertainment and Xiaoxi Entertainment members were also defeated by Chu Nanxing. Only three remained on stage.

Rong Bai, Chu Nanxing, and Ji Yu.

Rong Bai performed a mechanical dance segment, then ran out of inspiration, shrugging, and gracefully stepping back, receiving cheers from some supporters. Then, everyone’s focus was on Ji Yu and Chu Nanxing on the stage.

One danced sexy jazz, the other conveyed power through popping.

Ji Yu was completely immersed in her dance world, focused and serious, as if she had performed this dance countless times before, paying no attention to Chu Nanxing’s performance beside her.

Chu Nanxing, however, was too focused on her, changing her dance moves segment after segment, causing her to lose her footing first.

Three minutes passed.

Both stopped simultaneously.

Ji Yu stopped because the dance came to an abrupt end there; Chu Nanxing stopped because she forgot her moves.

It looked like a tie.

Their eyes met. Both were lightly panting, seeing the unextinguished fire in the other’s eyes.

At this moment, Qi Feng smiled from below the stage and said: “Watching this makes me want to get on stage too.”

Ji Yu smiled, made a “please” gesture to the stage, and slightly backed away, as if intending to make space for Qi Feng. Qi Feng shook his head: “This is your stage.”

Then, he stood up and asked the trainees who had been enjoying the show behind them: “How was it? Was watching the A-class battle satisfying?”

The trainees shouted: “Satisfying!”

“Amazing!”

Qi Feng asked again: “Now, you are the ones who decide who the Center is. Doesn’t that make it even more amazing?”

The trainees laughed heartily. The regret of having missed their own opportunities was slightly erased by this joy.

They held small slips of paper they had just written on. Thinking about the vote count to decide the Center and the immediate announcement of the result, they instinctively felt anticipation and a little longing:

They wondered if they would be the ones to get this chance next time?

Qi Feng smiled, taking in the emotions of everyone: “Then now, submit your results and let the tally begin—”

“I wish I could watch another segment.”

Wang Luoshui put down her headset in the control room, savoring the spontaneous performance, feeling a little regretful. Her heart was still caught by Ji Yu’s popping segment, wanting to see her finish the dance, but she missed a move. What a pity.

She wondered if there would be another chance for her to dance it.

Meng Rendong beside her surprisingly agreed softly: “Mm.”

Wang Luoshui looked at her for a few seconds, then suddenly raised her hand to cover her eyes, saying: “Forget it, Rendong, stop watching. After all… she’s destined for the flower path.” And destined not to return to you.

Meng Rendong: “…”

She pulled down Wang Luoshui’s palm, looked at the camera again, and suddenly asked:

“Which segment did Ji Yu dance just now?”

“Did she learn it wrong?”

“Her last move was incorrect. She shouldn’t have danced it like that.”

Wang Luoshui was stunned for a second, confused: “I don’t know. I haven’t seen that dance. Have you?”

Meng Rendong nodded, but when she tried to search her memory, there was no trace. She didn’t usually watch street dance performances, at most just the year-end assessments of the company’s girl groups to evaluate the talents of her artists.

But…

When did Imperial Entertainment have a girl group member comparable to Ji Yu?

Where did she see this dance?

And why did she know the last move was incorrect?

Meng Rendong closed her eyes, meticulously reviewing the dance Ji Yu had performed in her mind. She realized she remembered every single move of the dance, so familiar it felt like she could follow along just by raising her hand.

She could even continue with many more segments.

She tightly furrowed her brow, murmuring: “No… not that move…”