Chapter 67: Recruiting People (30% Forum Style)
Xie Xizhao was smiling on the surface, but inwardly, he was silently roasting the situation.
It wasn’t like he had never done a magazine shoot before.
In fact, top-tier actors had access to far more magazine features than regular little idols. He could land a spot in top publications effortlessly and had shot countless luxury brand endorsement ads. Even if he was destined to be a slap-in-the-face cannon fodder.
His point was—whether there was chemistry between him and a photographer, he could tell.
…And the one in front of him was way too into him.
The photographer’s name was Yan Zicheng, a Chinese-American.
He spoke with a mixed accent—neither fully Chinese nor entirely Western—but he was quite well-known.
He thrived in the scolding of fans.
Artists had personalities, and in the fashion industry, most had their noses in the air. This one, in particular, was especially sharp-tongued. Many celebrities had shot with him, most walking in glamorous and coming out stripped down to their raw selves.
Fans would rage and demand justice, but he always had a righteous retort:
“Take a good look at how many layers of foundation your idol has caked on before coming to me with complaints about whether I made them look ugly.”
As of today, he was already on the blacklist of numerous fandoms.
Xie Xizhao had seen his work before.
Objectively speaking, the guy was technically skilled—his ideas were unique, and his compositions were clever. It was just that his mouth was unbearably venomous, something Xie Xizhao personally felt was unnecessary.
Even so, he had mentally prepared himself for the verbal onslaught.
But when he arrived on set, Yan Zicheng looked at the world with disdain—except for him. His eyes practically lit up.
He said, “So, you’re finally here.”
Xie Xizhao: “…”
He suddenly felt like a lamb to the slaughter.
And as it turned out, he was right.
When Fang Qingqing arrived, Xie Xizhao spotted her at a glance as she jogged over.
Seeing the manager finally show up, Yan Zicheng reluctantly shut his mouth. “Anyway, we’ll shoot it like that.”
“You just happened to get the center position this time,” he said with satisfaction. “Otherwise, I really wouldn’t have known how to compose the shots.”
Xie Xizhao: “…”
Fang Qingqing: ?
Yan Zicheng went off to prepare for the shoot, leaving Fang Qingqing staring after him in disbelief. “Wait, wasn’t that too blunt?”
There were still other people standing around.
Wasn’t that just asking for trouble?
Fang Qingqing felt a growing sense of concern. Ever since she became Xie Xizhao’s manager, she basically felt like she had skipped ahead to motherhood—minus the pain of childbirth.
Xie Xizhao agreed, “A little.”
There was a reason people said a delusional superfan could be more trouble than ten haters.
Thankfully, the second position belonged to Ai Qingyuan.
Ai Qingyuan was touching up his makeup. This shoot had a high-fashion black-and-white theme, and he was currently dressed in all black with a tie. He didn’t even lift his head when Yan Zicheng spoke, acting as if he hadn’t heard anything.
Xie Xizhao turned to Fang Qingqing. “Sister Qing, what’s up?”
Fang Qingqing finally remembered why she was here.
“It’s nothing,” she said vaguely, glancing at the others around them. “I’ll tell you later. You focus on the shoot first.”
—
The photoshoot was divided into solo and group sessions, starting with individual pages before moving on to the group cover.
Xie Xizhao was scheduled last, and Yan Zicheng seemed all too eager to give him extra camera time.
While waiting, Xie Xizhao sat with Fang Qingqing, quietly appreciating Yan Zicheng’s colorful language.
The ones who got the least criticism were Ai Qingyuan and Qi Hang. The former had a naturally aloof and polished demeanor, making him perfect for the black-themed CEO aesthetic. The latter, with his delicate and gentle style, fit the white concept seamlessly.
Surprisingly, the one who racked up the most NGs (no good takes) was Qiao Ye.
After their last performance together, Xie Xizhao already had a good grasp of the guy’s personality—
Blunt. Casual.
Ai Qingyuan’s way of speaking always had a bit of that bking (show-off) vibe, but the difference was in their styles—Ai Qingyuan had a cold and arrogant air, while Qiao Ye carried a roguish charm. Both types had strong appeal to girlfriend fans.
Xie Xizhao, on the other hand, was different.
His fanbase covered all kinds of supporters, but the majority were career fans.
While Yan Zicheng was busy “coaching” the others, Fang Qingqing chatted quietly with Xie Xizhao.
She asked, “That’s Qiao Ye?”
“Mm.” Xie Xizhao nodded.
Fang Qingqing glanced at her phone. “His company just put out a press release dragging you.”
Xie Xizhao: “…”
He looked completely innocent. “Why me?”
If they were looking for a rival with a similar style, shouldn’t they be targeting his roommate instead? B*llying their small company, huh?
“You’re not their main target,” Fang Qingqing admitted objectively, “but you didn’t get spared either.”
A moment later, the next person to shoot was Lu Xing.
Fang Qingqing took one look at him and sighed. “Oh, his company too.”
Xie Xizhao: “…”
Fang Qingqing let out a long sigh.
Everyone knew that Yaoxin Entertainment had produced a Purple Star—a once-in-a-generation talent. But what many ignored was that because he was a Purple Star, there were countless people eager to drag Xie Xizhao down from his pedestal.
Fortunately, she knew Xie Xizhao better than anyone.
The kid was solid—forget scandals, he didn’t even have any bad habits.
Thinking of that, she felt a bit more confident.
When it was finally Xie Xizhao’s turn to shoot, he stepped in front of the camera and struck a few poses as instructed.
Yan Zicheng’s expression immediately shifted.
And it wasn’t just him—many of the busy staff members around them unconsciously paused what they were doing to watch.
For a moment, the background noise in the studio quieted significantly.
Xie Xizhao remained oblivious.
He was wearing the white silk shirt that the staff had just handed him. Though technically a shirt, its silky texture and relaxed fit made it soft and slightly sheer, draping fluidly over his frame.
Around his waist, a slim black leather belt with metallic accents cinched the outfit together.
The shirt was tucked into his pants in an effortlessly casual way, subtly outlining a slender yet flexible waist.
His physique was just right.
Because of past health issues, he had always looked somewhat frail. Early on, fans frequently urged him to eat more, and even among the trainees, he was often treated like fragile glass. But lately, as his health improved, his appetite followed suit, and he had finally put on a little weight.
Still on the lean side, but thanks to regular training, his body had become toned and well-defined. His waist was slim, yet the faint contours of abs could now be seen beneath his clothes.
Even with a great physique, what truly drew people in was still his face.
—
Super Rookie had a long-standing tradition—choosing the “Visual Center.”
The segment had started the moment they joined the show, even before the initial evaluations. Yet in the end, Xie Xizhao won in a landslide, topping the votes by a wide margin.
People who knew him joked about it.
Ji Yan once said, “The first time I saw Xizhao, I felt my heart skip a beat.”
That quote was still enshrined in their CP fan forum to this day.
Trainees who didn’t know him personally gave a more straightforward and honest description:
“He just has that classic ‘first love’ kind of face. The kind that fits everyone’s ideal type. First impression? Just really, really good-looking.”
By now, it was practically common knowledge—
Xie Xizhao was stunning.
But when the camera shifted from stage performances to a full close-up of his face, many people were once again stunned.
Yan Zicheng was no exception.
Xie Xizhao’s face was exactly his type. The brief glimpse of him on the trending searches had already left a strong impression, and now that he finally had the chance to photograph him, he was eager to make the most of it.
What he hadn’t expected, though, was that Xie Xizhao wasn’t just good-looking—he had an incredible sense for the camera.
The theme of this shoot leaned toward a cool, detached aesthetic, which didn’t entirely align with Xie Xizhao’s natural features.
Yet the moment he stepped in front of the camera, his expression adjusted instantly. His movements were effortless and fluid, and the way he lowered his gaze to adjust his sleeve carried a kind of casual indifference—
Yan Zicheng thought to himself, ‘Damn, that’s seductive.’
He snapped several shots in quick succession, the success rate shockingly high.
Without hesitation, he ordered, “Go, bring in more props.”
The staff brought them over—black satin ribbons, silver chains scattered at his feet, and vibrant rose petals. The chair was a sleek black cube, its polished surface reflecting the long, well-defined fingers resting lightly on it, adorned with delicate silver rings.
Yan Zicheng was thrilled.
Pushing his luck, he said, “Xizhao, can you undo one more button?”
Xie Xizhao: “…”
He looked down at himself. The top button was already obediently undone. Another wouldn’t make much of a difference, but it still felt like toeing the line of decency.
Feeling a bit self-conscious under all the watching eyes, he hesitated.
Qiao Ye chimed in, “Hey, that’s a foul play. I know this is what the girls love—temptation, the whole want to resist but can’t thing…”
Ai Qingyuan commented matter-of-factly, “Even if you did it, no one would care.”
Qiao Ye: “…”
What a brutal attack.
For the first time, he looked directly at the person beside him—and sure enough, it was the kind of face that begged for a punch.
Lu Xing had no interest in other people’s shoots and was chatting with his assistant. Instead, Qi Hang spoke up, sighing in admiration, “Xizhao has such a great sense for the camera. And he’s not the least bit awkward—so natural and confident.”
That confidence brought everything back from the edge, keeping it within the bounds of propriety.
The soft glow of flawless skin, the subtle dip of his collarbone, the exposed, slender wrists and ankles—all of it framed by an expression of innocence and detachment. It was the kind of presence so composed and upright that it made the onlookers second-guess themselves, wondering if they were the ones overthinking.
One degree more would be reserved, one degree less would be debauched. Pure, yet boldly so; enticing, yet with absolute composure.
What had started as an ordinary photoshoot—
From this moment on, everyone knew exactly what kind of uproar these images would cause once released online.
—
As much as Yan Zicheng was reluctant to wrap things up, the shoot ended quickly.
Once Xie Xizhao’s solo shoot was done, the group cover proceeded smoothly. Around the black block that served as their seating prop, five people posed—some standing, some sitting, some reclining—with the visual focus settling squarely on Xie Xizhao.
And with that, the day’s work was finally over.
Xie Xizhao bid farewell to the program’s staff and got into the van with Fang Qingqing.
On the way back, they finally got to discussing the real business.
“Considering the current situation,” Fang Qingqing said, “our team thinks this song would be the best fit.”
After the first public performance, Yaoxin had assigned Xie Xizhao a dedicated team to handle all his affairs. Now, the team was settling into place, with several experienced professionals and promising newcomers joining the ranks.
Xie Xizhao glanced at the paper Fang Qingqing handed him. The title One by One was written on it in large letters. He paused for a moment and said,
“This song is pretty good.”
“It is,” Fang Qingqing agreed. “It’s also a style you haven’t tried before. Plus, it’s the one with the best reception.”
Xie Xizhao let out a small “hmm” in acknowledgment.
“So, this one then?” Fang Qingqing asked.
“Sister, let me think about it,” Xie Xizhao replied.
Fang Qingqing hesitated for a moment before cautiously adding, “With your fanbase right now, you can go up against anyone and still come out on top. You don’t need to worry about tough competition.”
Xie Xizhao smiled. “I know, Sister.”
That response made it clear that he had other thoughts in mind. Fang Qingqing understood and didn’t press further, instead turning her focus back to the work at hand.
At the same time, discussions about the song selection were already heating up in online forums.
[Gossip time: What songs will the top contenders choose for the third public performance? Eating melon seeds and waiting for the drama.]
The five new songs have been revealed: two vocal-focused, two dance-heavy, and one rap track. Each group gets a boy band-style song—one for the vocalists, one for the dancers. The last two are a ballad and a Chinese-style song. As for rap, same deal as always—place your bets, folks!
1L: I love this part of the show.
Every year, things get absolutely chaotic at this stage. Everyone flexing their skills, lol.
2L: Pretty sure this is a battle of hardcore fans. I remember that, aside from the super popular songs, most of the center positions in past years made it to debut.
3L: Yeah, the top-ranked contestants usually avoid overlapping with each other.
4L: Honestly, this year felt kinda uneventful at first, but looking at the lineup now, there are actually a lot of fights waiting to happen.
The rap group is gonna be intense with Qiao Ye and Fu Wenze clashing. The vocal group? Even worse. Maybe only the Chinese-style song will be less contested.
5L: Qiao Ye and Brother Fu are definitely going to clash. These two groups have been like a powder keg these past few days. They’ve always seen each other as rivals, and whoever loses the vote will take a big hit.
As for the rest, it’s going to be total chaos—everyone can fight anyone.
Chinese Style should go to Qi Hang, right? Ye Yiyang can’t beat him. But honestly, these two don’t have much competitiveness compared to the others. They’re basically picking up scraps.
I’m curious which group Xie Xizhao will choose.
6L: None of the top-tier teams have announced their voting targets yet—they’re all waiting for him to choose first. LMAO. Yaoxin hasn’t even dared to release any new content these past two days because the comments are flooded with people asking about it.
7L: Who would’ve thought that at the beginning, everyone just saw Xie Xizhao as some internet celeb there to make up the numbers…
This world is truly fascinating.
I heard that Sister Qing visited the set today, probably to discuss this. Gotta give it to Yaoxin—they’re actually pretty decent in this regard. Other companies claim their artists have a say, but it’s usually just for show. Meanwhile, Xizhao at Yaoxin basically has the influence of a half-boss.
8L: Xie Xizhao could probably win against any team.
9L: Stop treating this like a gladiator fight… I’m so done with people who just enjoy the drama, dragging the fanbase into this mess too.
Where’s the certainty here?
Shenghong has been t*rturing their fans to the brink of insanity these past few days. Ai Qingyuan’s supertopic is basically flooded with essays. If they really go head-to-head, their team will be all-in with no retreat. And don’t forget Lu Xing and Qiao Ye’s teams—they’ve mastered the art of emotionally tormenting their fans.
These big companies all love to push their fans to the limit while secretly spreading smear campaigns against each other.
So annoying.
10L: So true. If it really comes down to a battle, Xizhao’s team would probably win—their influence speaks for itself, and his C-position proves that.
But this is just a song selection, not a debut vote. There’s no need to waste that much time and effort. Plus, the fans will be exhausted.
Especially since Xizhao has been getting suppressed all this time. His fans have been under constant stress.
Just watching it all makes me tired.
11L: Honestly, the rankings at this stage of the second public performance are already in a dangerous zone.
I saw some solo fans saying they felt exhausted and hopeless at that time because, realistically, Zhao is fully capable of being in the C-position. Everyone thought it would be such a shame if he didn’t get it…
Taking first place this time is definitely a morale booster.
12L: Zhao’s fan club is actually quite impressive. Isn’t his cousin part of the official fan support team? Their operations are really well-organized.
13L: Yeah, yeah!
Xiao Jin is super cute, and it seems like she has a really good relationship with her cousin, hahaha.
She’s spilled so many adorable stories—like how Zhao used to sneak her out in high school to eat street food.
14L: I wish I had a brother like that. T.T
15L: We’re getting sidetracked here, guys!
Honestly, everyone’s talking about voting for One by One right now. The song is really popular, but objectively speaking, it’s also at high risk of clashing with others. My biggest worry is that the big companies will deliberately target it.
16L: Ah… You mean they’d use Zhao to emotionally torment fans on purpose?
17L: Not just that—I get what the previous poster means.
C-position votes have always been full of drama.
Flooding votes, joint voting alliances, endless persuasive essays urging people to vote…
Joint voting and essays are one thing, but if they pull some shady bot-voting tactics, it’s going to be brutal. If you manage to outvote others, you’ll be drained. If you don’t, and someone else inflates their numbers to surpass you, then what?
Of course, there’s a silver lining. If bot-voting makes Zhao lose the C-position, his fans will probably get even more fired up and fight harder.
But I still think most people will just get frustrated and leave—and the C-position would still be lost.
18L: So, in past seasons, the strategy has always been to avoid direct clashes?
This year is definitely unique. I think Shenghong will go after Zhao first.
Ai Qingyuan’s fans really need a morale boost right now.
19L: Ahhh, I’m starting to worry…
20L: Same, I’m getting frustrated—not even because of anything specific, just this feeling of being stuck with a clingy rival that won’t let go. Can we just not pick OBO? Let’s go with another song instead.
21L: If they really want to target him, then whatever song we pick, they’ll just pick the same one. They can sing anything, after all.
Don’t overestimate big companies’ sense of shame.
22L: The only way to truly avoid a clash is to go with a Chinese-style song. That would dodge everyone perfectly.
23L: You know, I’d actually love to see Xiao Zhao dance to traditional Chinese choreography. He already has such an elegant, classical aura—it would look amazing if he did one of those ethereal dances…
24L: Forget it, no way that’s happening.
Chinese dance requires serious foundational skills, and it’s super exhausting and difficult.
Zhao just recovered physically—I don’t even want him to join the dance group. Let him stay in the vocal group and just focus on singing. We fans can handle the hard work.
25L: Good point! We can win this!
—
“You’ve decided?” Fang Qingqing asked.
“Yeah.” Xie Xizhao smiled. “Might as well try something different. Once I debut, I probably won’t get many opportunities for a stage like this.”
Fang Qingqing hesitated.
“I can do it,” Xie Xizhao explained.
Fang Qingqing sighed with a smile. “That’s not what I meant. Of course, I know you wouldn’t do something you’re not confident in.”
“It’s just…” She paused. “Will it be too exhausting? Can your body handle it?”
Xie Xizhao replied, “I’ll be fine. If I couldn’t, I wouldn’t push myself. I know my limits. It’s only three minutes, and the dance group doesn’t need to sing live. It’s not a problem.”
He paused for a moment.
“They’re exhausted,” he added. “They haven’t had a break since the show started. It’s just a song choice—it’s not worth overthinking.”
Since he’d said this, it meant his decision was final.
Fang Qingqing naturally had no objections. “Then I’ll go tell Ming Ling.”
Xie Xizhao nodded.
Something came to his mind. “By the way, has Xiao Jin contacted you recently?”
“She has,” Fang Qingqing said with a smile. “She wanted to visit the set, but I stopped her. Then she asked me to pass on a message—your parents? She’s got them handled. So just focus on going all out for C-position.”
Xie Xizhao chuckled.
—
Two days later, after being refreshed countless times, Xie Xizhao’s official fan club finally posted an announcement at midnight.
@XieXizhaoFanClubV:
Thank you all for waiting.
After careful consideration by the fan club and in alignment with Xizhao’s own wishes, we have decided that for the third public performance, the chosen voting song will be:
Dance group: Palace in the Clouds
As soon as the post went up, the internet exploded.
Meanwhile, all the major companies, who had been keeping a close eye on Xie Xizhao’s fan club, waiting to strike, were left completely stunned.
