Chapter 71: The Center of the Fish Pond (6)
The initial evaluations quickly identified seven S-rank contestants. Produce 101 was more stringent than previous talent shows, with only seven debut spots available.
Therefore, after the evaluations, the contestants ranked B, C, D, and F were all feeling down. However, when listening to the mentors explain the first round of assessments, they had to put on brave faces for the cameras.
Even though it was a live broadcast, the assessment process for Produce 101 was similar to other talent shows. But when they saw that the final performance venue for the first assessment was a cruise ship—
Gasps came from the crowd.
Even the live stream viewers were shocked by the program’s extravagance.
[A cruise ship… so luxurious…]
[I want to go! Tell us where to buy tickets!]
[Blue sky, ocean, 101 beauties… drools]
Yuchi Xiao, his eyes crinkling with a smile, stood before a projected image of the cruise ship, as if anticipating everyone’s reaction. He raised his voice slightly as he spoke into the microphone: “The spots on the cruise ship will be drawn randomly from the live stream viewers. And those with outstanding performance in the first assessment will perform in this location—and, the new seven S-rank members will get a three-day cruise trip and participate in the filming of Let’s Go Travel Together on the ship.”
[What! A lottery?!]
[As someone with great luck, I’m ready to win!]
[Money can change fate! I’m opening twenty accounts to participate in the draw!]
The stage set up on the cruise ship was exceptionally luxurious, the center position clearly prominent. Thinking about performing on a cruise ship and showcasing themselves before a live audience, the contestants’ enthusiasm, along with that of the viewers who heard about the lottery, was ignited.
Yuchi Xiao’s captivating voice continued: “Now, the audience list for the first performance will be drawn by the seven S-rank contestants from the initial evaluations.”
The S-rank members received their well-deserved rewards, followed by three days of preparation before the performance assessment. During these three days, the contestants had to learn the theme song and choreography for Produce 101, Up.
And from now on, the live stream cameras would follow them everywhere in the public spaces, no longer turning off.
The S, A, B, C, D, and F-rank members each had their own classrooms. But the lower the rank, the more crowded the classroom. The F-rank classroom was so packed that there wasn’t even an arm’s length of space between each person.
Su Mingxiu stood in the hot and stuffy dance classroom, seeing some leaning against the wall, staring blankly into space;
A few gathered around the TV, diligently following the dance moves;
Most, however, had blank expressions, unsure what to do. The entire classroom was filled with a heavy, oppressive atmosphere.
The system spoke up in a timely manner: “It’s time to show your charm, Host! Barbecue is the best way to build relationships! There’s nothing a good barbecue can’t solve! Show off your extraordinary cooking skills and make a morale-boosting lunch for the F-class contestants!”
Su Mingxiu, staring blankly at the ballet barre: “No.”
She glanced to the side, seeing forty or fifty people crammed into the classroom. She didn’t know how long it would take her to make skewers for everyone.
Moreover, becoming a leader in such a group would be too much effort. She wasn’t the type to seek attention…
Since they weren’t her strategy targets, it was better to avoid unnecessary trouble.
So she continued to slack off until lunchtime.
The F-class contestants heard the lunch announcement, but no one was eager to leave the classroom. But among those scattered around the room, few were actually practicing.
Su Mingxiu glanced at the TV, which had been playing the theme song’s choreography on loop, and walked out.
The comments in the F-class live stream were sparse:
[Ah… they look so dejected…]
[Even that beautiful girl I was impressed with isn’t practicing, it seems she’s really just here for the money, probably planning to leave after a few episodes, disappointed.]
[Although I feel like Xiuxiu is too good for this place, for some reason… I still hope to see a miracle.]
[Don’t even think about it, there are so many talented S-rank contestants. Suhui just demonstrated learning the choreography in three tries. The S-rank live stream is so much more exciting, why watch these people giving up on themselves?]
At the same time.
S-class classroom.
Suhui’s exceptional musicality, sense of rhythm, and unparalleled learning speed put a lot of pressure on the other contestants.
Annie, Pao Tong, and Wang Zhi were all staring at her, the others also trying their best to focus on learning.
When the lunch announcement came, Suhui stopped practicing and, without saying a word to anyone, walked straight out of the classroom.
[This is what a boss looks like!]
[Respect.]
Then, Pao Tong and Annie, who had been whispering to each other, exchanged glances. As if realizing something, they both hurried towards the door, their eagerness resembling students rushing to the cafeteria to grab food.
This made the viewers in the live stream curious about how good the food in the program’s closed-off cafeteria was.
[Wait, don’t these girl group members have to control their weight? Why are they so eager to eat?]
[Singing and dancing consume a lot of energy, they’re not immortals, they need to replenish their energy too, FYI.]
[Based on my experience watching these talent shows, those who are this eager to eat usually don’t dare to step on the scale after five episodes.]
…
The camera assigned to Su Mingxiu followed her all the way to the hotel kitchen.
But she didn’t expect someone to be waiting there already.
Seeing the silver-haired mermaid, even the calm and collected Su Mingxiu couldn’t help but be surprised. “You…” Couldn’t possibly be clinging to her, right?
Like a pet waiting to be fed at mealtimes?
Suhui didn’t understand her confusion. She only took a step forward and asked: “Did you learn it?”
What?
Su Mingxiu was stunned for a moment, then realized what she was referring to. She raised an eyebrow. “No.”
A smile finally appeared in Suhui’s blue eyes, even a hint of smugness. But she didn’t continue on that topic. Instead, she asked: “What’s for lunch?”
Su Mingxiu stared at her for a while, seemingly understanding her intention. She originally wanted to say, I’m not your personal chef.
But looking at Suhui’s stunning face, she changed her answer: “I saw a basin of clams in the kitchen this morning, they should be purged by now. Do you want them stir-fried or as clam noodles?”
“Whatever you make is fine.”
Suhui thought, I’m such a considerate partner.
Su Mingxiu entered the kitchen. After working for less than five minutes, she looked up and found a few small tails trailing behind her.
Annie leaned closer and sniffed the air. “It smells so good! I want it super spicy! Extra chili peppers!”
Pao Tong seemed to be there just to check on her, asking: “How are things in Class F? Is the atmosphere okay? How’s the song and dance practice going?”
Suhui, somehow squeezed to the side, stood there with her arms crossed, her expression sullen. Wang Zhi had also followed them at some point. Now, meeting Su Mingxiu’s gaze, she played with her hair, looked around, and suddenly said: “I’m just here to see what’s for lunch.”
Su Mingxiu pointed behind her. “The contestants’ daily menu is over there.”
[Seeing the clams and vermicelli bubbling in the pot, I’m so hungry!]
[Report! Someone’s getting special treatment!]
[Eat, eat, you’ll be crying when the scales arrive in a few days!]
This was Su Mingxiu’s personal little kitchen.
It’s just that there were more diners today.
Wang Zhi, hearing her answer, didn’t leave immediately. Instead, she lingered with the others, perhaps because the aroma from the foil-wrapped food was too tempting.
Su Mingxiu didn’t have anything she particularly wanted to eat. She simply made clam noodles according to Suhui’s request. In the end, they all had it for lunch.
The mermaid, who had been granted the power to choose the dishes, looked visibly happier.
With the pressure of the first public performance looming, few contestants appeared in the cafeteria during regular lunch hours.
After lunch, Su Mingxiu, as if clocking in for work, walked towards the F-class classroom. The S-rank members, showing no signs of parting ways, followed closely behind her.
As she pushed open the classroom door, she turned around and asked: “Don’t you need to go back?”
“The classrooms and lessons are all the same, we can practice anywhere,” Pao Tong replied with a smile.
Annie voiced her thoughts: “I just want to be with you, it feels very safe.”
Wang Zhi thought for a moment. “A few of my group members are in this class, I want to check on their practice.”
Only Suhui was straightforward: “I’m here to teach you.”
*? *
Couldn’t she tell that Su Mingxiu was just here to collect her paycheck?
Su Mingxiu was confused for a second, but thinking about the demotivated F-class students inside, she let them in without a word.
The appearance of these outstanding members did seem to stir the stagnant waters of Class F.
Especially when Suhui was seriously supervising Su Mingxiu’s practice, demonstrating the moves beat by beat, many of the onlookers were shocked by the S-rank’s learning ability.
The pink long-sleeved T-shirt made Suhui look even more like a delicate doll in a display window, although the fabric seemed a bit coarse. Su Mingxiu, in her grey clothes, also highlighted the program’s poor taste in contestant attire due to her exceptional beauty.
Now, with them in the same frame, the live stream chat became lively.
[Beauties should be together! They look so good together!]
[Lol, did everyone from the S-class live stream come here?]
[Suhui’s dancing is so graceful… Xiuxiu, move aside a little, let me join you!]
[Annie and Pao Tong are also adorable! Shipping them!]
[Did anyone else feel a bit of an all-Su vibe in the kitchen earlier?]
However, the contestants in the classroom were unaware of the heated shipping wars in the comments section.
Some students, spurred by Suhui, also started practicing along with the choreography on TV. Annie and Pao Tong practiced for a while, and with Wang Zhi and her group members leading the way, the entire classroom was soon filled with a lively learning atmosphere.
Su Mingxiu practiced two segments with Suhui, then, feeling the need for a break, she opened a bottle of water and walked to a corner to sit down. She thought this would give Suhui and the other talented contestants time to teach the other students who needed more help. But the fish followed her to the corner.
Like a strict teacher who wouldn’t give up until she saw her student master the material.
The woman in grey smiled, the tear mole at the corner of her eye flickering in the shadow of her eyelashes. She looked at the silver-haired mermaid before her, narrowed her eyes, and asked: “Why are you only focusing on me?”
She thought Suhui would mention the meals as an exchange.
But the other person looked at her with those blue eyes and replied matter-of-factly: “You have to be with me.”
Live stream comments:
—…
Leave a Reply