Capítulo 36: Regret Sooner or Later
As the first large-scale idol development reality show in the Great Xia Empire, "Youth With You" had garnered widespread attention.
Coupled with various marketing strategies, the show's popularity soared, attracting more and more fans.
The trainees who participated in the show had various motivations. Some, like Xu Xiyun, had signed restrictive contracts with their companies and had no choice but to participate. Others saw the show as a stepping stone into the entertainment industry.
Even if they couldn't debut, they could still gain valuable resources and opportunities, and perhaps even achieve fame and success later.
However, aligning themselves with Si Fuqing would bring nothing but trouble.
Who would willingly associate with her?
Before Si Fuqing could say anything, Xu Xiyun, flushed with anger, walked over. "Yan Yuanze, what are you talking about? You can't just quit your assigned class!"
"Why not?" Yan Yuanze retorted disdainfully. "We've already checked with Director Li. As long as Teacher Si agrees, we can withdraw from her class."
His current rank was perilously at 66—a precarious position.
The next episode would eliminate nearly half the trainees, and he could not afford to be one of them due to Si Fuqing.
"You!" Xu Xiyun's face turned even redder. He was about to say something more when Si Fuqing intervened.
"Alright," she said, her tone indifferent, showing no signs of anger. She looked up at the others. "What about the rest of you? Anyone else want to leave?"
All the students who remained unchosen by Lin Qingyan and Li Jingchen were present
—a total of twenty-four.
Hearing her question, several trainees avoided her gaze.
But eventually, they spoke up.
"Teacher Si, please remove my name."
"I don't want to stay here."
"I want to leave too."
"We'd be better off practicing on our own than following you."
Setting aside her purported lack of skill, Si Fuqing was only eighteen—her experience and credentials couldn't compare to Lin Qingyan's.
They would rather listen in Lin Qingyan's class on the side than even see Si Fuqing.
In the end, only four people stayed.
Twenty chose to leave.
"Fine," Si Fuqing said, showing no intention of trying to keep them. She smiled lazily. "Then go. No need for farewells."
The trainees were taken aback.
They hadn't expected Si Fuqing to be so accommodating.
The biggest impact of their departure would be on her.
Wasn't she afraid of being vilified online again?
"Go on, hurry up and leave," Xu Xiyun practically shoved Yan Yuanze out the door. "You wanted to leave, right? Why are you still hanging around?"
"What are you doing, Xu Xiyun?" Yan Yuanze was visibly annoyed.
"This is Teacher Si's dance studio. If you're not part of the class, why are you still here?" Xu Xiyun sneered. "I'm telling you, you'll regret this sooner or later."
He believed that Si Fuqing must be some extraordinary superhuman, a cosmic enigma that only he had discovered.
"Regret? Xu Xiyun, you're delusional," Yan Yuanze scoffed. "I'd like to see how you're going to debut by following Si Fuqing!"
Yan Yuanze didn't spare Xu Xiyun another glance, his face cold as he left with the others.
Returning to the dance studio, Xu Xiyun deflated like a punctured balloon, his spirits low. "Teacher Si, I really don't know why they…"
"What does it have to do with you?" Si Fuqing cut him off, casting a brief glance his way. "Get back to practice. If you don't nail this song by the end of the day, you're sleeping in a split."
Xu Xiyun: "…"
So, he was the only one being tormented after all.
**
Six in the evening.
Si Fuqing exited the training base.
She had a rather leisurely day, with official class training starting tomorrow.
Including Xie Yu and Xu Xiyun, she now had six people under her wing.
Such a manageable number—she would have to thank these trainees for allowing her to lead a blissful life as a mentor.
"Qingqing!" Outside, Yu Tang spotted the girl in the Baroque leather jacket and enthusiastically waved. "Over here!"
Si Fuqing smiled back, "Miss Yu."
"Just call me Tangtang," Yu Tang insisted, rubbing against Si Fuqing's arm. "Uncle Nine is aloof, but I'm full of warmth!"
"You should quit being his bodyguard and work for me. I'll pay you too!"
Whenever she attended social events in the future, she wouldn't even need to dress up; bringing Qingqing along would be enough to steal the show.
Everyone would envy her.
"Tangtang," Si Fuqing sighed, "Isn't the money you have actually from Uncle Nine?"
Yu Tang stuttered.
"Uh, it seems so."
She clutched her head and began to weep, "What should I do? Uncle Nine is a tyrant to his subordinates. Look at Feng San; he's lost all his cuteness and his hair is falling out."
"No worries, I can earn my own money," Si Fuqing said, pulling Yu Tang to her feet. "I think the boss is pretty nice."
He even called me for breakfast this morning.
"That's only because he hasn't shown his true colors yet!" Yu Tang exclaimed. "He's a workaholic who torments his subordinates. Once I saw him working at three in the morning."
Si Fuqing pondered for a moment, "That lifestyle carries the risk of sudden death."
She might need to prepare another prescription for him. Another opportunity to make money.
The two chatted as they walked.
Yu Tang proving to be conversational without becoming annoying.
Si Fuqing had dealt with scions of powerful families and even members of the royal families from the West Continent.
Few were as approachable as Yu Tang.
They didn't go to any fancy restaurant but to a private kitchen.
It was known for its delicious fish soup, as recommended by Yu Tang.
As they walked, a faint whimper reached their ears.
Si Fuqing paused and turned around.
Yu Tang noticed it too.
In the corner under an air conditioner unit lay a fluffy white bundle.
"Hey, Qingqing, there's a dog here," Yu Tang approached cautiously, "It looks injured."
"Hmm?" Si Fuqing also squatted down and noticed fresh blood soaking through the little white dog's fur. "Yes, it is injured."
"Let's take it to the vet," Yu Tang carefully picked up the small white dog. "Do you mind?"
"Let's go. We can't just leave it here," Si Fuqing agreed.
A pet clinic was not far ahead.
The small white dog had suffered external injuries. The vet quickly cleaned, disinfected, and bandaged the wounds.
However, they had to keep the dog under observation for another half-hour due to the medication applied.
"Wow, it's so cute, with purple eyes and fluffy ears and tail," Yu Tang petted the dog, her face glowing with sheer joy. "Petting dogs is the most wonderful thing in the world."
Si Fuqing agreed.
She rested her chin on one hand while the other lightly pinched the dog's ear.
She'd had a pet before, not just for petting but even for riding.
Unfortunately…
"Qingqing! Help!" Yu Tang suddenly screamed, "This dog, it doesn't have a butt!"
"Hmm?" Si Fuqing lazily slapped the fluffy rear of the small white dog without looking. "Isn't this it? Feels soft to me."
The little white dog let out an indignant "woof."
This woman was taking liberties with him!
Yu Tang was desperate, "No, I mean it doesn't have an excretory opening."
Si Fuqing snapped to attention, "What?"
She immediately took the little white dog from Yu Tang, ignoring its resistance, and flipped it over to check.
Flat.
Indeed, there was no place for excretion.
Si Fuqing fell into a thoughtful silence.
Could this dog possibly be that foolish Pixiu she'd once kept?
Presentes
-- Presente
recebido Status de energia semanal
-- Ranking de
Poder 
-- Pedra de
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