Chapter 2: Initial Stage Evaluation (2)
Shen Xiu stood helplessly, looking at the live audience. While he was happy, he also felt a bit confused about what the audience was thinking.
System: […..]
It understood now. Having looks and a great physique really made one unstoppable. The system finally realized that aside from leaving him with a pile of debt, Shen Xiu’s parents had also left him with a captivating beauty.
What surprised it even more was that Shen Xiu’s perfect physique, honed through non-stop part-time jobs and working out, was clearly liked by the audience. Indeed, there were so many fleshy male celebrities in the entertainment industry that seeing someone with a well-toned body was simply refreshing and pleasing.
After announcing the votes for the ten participants, He Ting once again performed his duties by explaining the scoring system: “The votes will be converted into the initial rating total score, which will account for 30% of the final initial rating.”
After explaining the voting rules again, He Ting invited the seventh group of guests to take the stage. Shen Xiu from the sixth group, still in a daze, joined the other contestants as they lined up and exited the stage from the other side.
The contestants who had finished the initial stage image ratings sat in their seats, whispering to each other.
“Indeed, the most sophisticated makeup often only requires simple fashion items—T-shirts, shorts, and sneakers. Cool and handsome, yet full of youthful energy.”
“What styling foam did he use? His hair is so fresh, not stiff or rigid at all. The few strands that slightly fall emphasize the rebellious and free-spirited nature of a young man. He’s completely a vibrant, rebellious youth.”
“We have too many fashion items piled up on us, it’s too complicated, which makes it hard for people to find the eye-catching point.”
After this deep analysis, the contestants with low votes all agreed: “This round, we didn’t lose unfairly!”
“Well… who’s going to go ask him for some tips?”
“I’m not going, you go. He looks so aloof and cold, I’m a bit scared.”
“…I’m scared too.”
The two contestants exchanged glances: “…”
Under the gaze of thousands of audience members and the occasional glances from those around him, Shen Xiu had no choice but to sit upright, his back straight, and sit rigidly in the chair. He didn’t dare show any facial expression, afraid that others would see his contorted face and laugh at him.
With a neutral expression, Shen Xiu was frantically questioning the system in his mind.
“What are they saying? Why are they looking at me all the time?”
“Is there something on my face? Or did my shirt come untucked? Or is there a hole in my clothes? Speak up, system!”
System: [Nothing is wrong, don’t worry.]
Shen Xiu: …
Since none of the above issues were true, Shen Xiu couldn’t for the life of him understand why everyone kept looking at him. He felt like he was sitting on pins and needles.
To avoid the awkwardness of eye contact, Shen Xiu could only stare straight ahead at the stage, pretending to seriously watch the other contestants’ votes.
He felt like he was about to ascend to the heavens from holding that position for so long.
In the initial stage image ratings, Shen Xiu’s outstanding face, perfect physique, and fresh style left a strong impression. The audience members who voted for him still couldn’t help but glance at him, whispering to their friends.
“He looks so serious, sitting so straight, not even blinking. He must be seriously analyzing the high-vote outfits of the other contestants, planning to learn from them, oh, and his eyelashes are just too long.”
“You’re right!”
“Given how he didn’t smile much on stage, I’d bet a pack of spicy strips that he’s the aloof, cool type. He’s definitely a cold-faced handsome guy. Do you get this feeling, sister? He really looks like a serious, cool little wolfdog. It’s so heart-melting!”
“Whoa, now that you mention it, it kind of makes sense! Then the contestant next to him, number 67, is like a little puppy—always smiling. The contrast is really striking.”
—
After all the ratings were completed, the contestants didn’t leave. The production team arranged for them to sit in chairs marked with their contestant numbers, waiting for all the initial stage image ratings to finish.
The remaining groups quickly completed their individual initial stage image ratings. When all one hundred contestants from the “Youth Unstoppable” talent show were seated in their assigned spots, He Ting threw a major bombshell at the audience.
“Next, the contestants will perform their talent showcases in numerical order for the initial rating.
“As qualified idols, you not only need to have an eye-catching image, but you must also be able to sing and dance. It’s essential. Therefore, the producers have decided to adopt two modes, with a lottery to decide which talent you’ll showcase for the initial rating!
“Those who draw the red slip will perform a complete dance and be scored in the initial stage dance category. Those who draw the black slip will sing a complete song and be scored in the initial stage singing category. The initial stage categories are divided into A, B, C, D, E, and F. The results will be discussed and determined by our four mentors on-site.
“Important! Contestants who follow must not repeat the songs or dances already performed by the previous contestants!”
The one hundred contestants in the audience had varied expressions upon hearing the news.
Some were anxious, quietly praying to the heavens:
“Oh no, I only know how to sing! Please, let me draw the black slip!”
“Same here, I only know how to dance. Please don’t make me sing! I just want to be the main dancer in the group; singing is way too difficult for me.”
“This is terrifying and so strict. It’s really testing our dance skills and song repertoire.”
Some contestants confidently raised their heads and said:
“Tch, is that it?”
“Yeah, I thought the production team was going to pull some big stunt, but this is lame.”
Shen Xiu, however, was different because—
Upon hearing the bad news, Shen Xiu’s body turned to stone, shattered into dust, and his soul chose to ascend to the heavens right there.
Shen Xiu: …Maybe I should just fast forward to the destruction part?
Shen Xiu became completely numb, his expression blank.
In today’s fragmented era, although Shen Xiu had heard many songs while working or walking on the street, he only ever caught a few lines of lyrics here and there. He couldn’t sing a complete song at all.
As for drawing the dance slip…
Dancing… seemed even scarier. He didn’t know how to dance at all!
He had been poor as a child, couldn’t afford a phone, and after his parents passed away in high school, he was too busy to even rest properly. Singing and dancing were things he never even considered.
During the auditions, he had initially planned to just take advantage of the free food and accommodation. He thought he’d make the most of it for as long as he could, never expecting that his recitation of poetry would actually get him into the top 100.
It was… quite sudden.
What shocked him even more was that while he was still holding on to the mindset of just making the most of it, he unexpectedly “died” and was bound to a system, only to be brought back to life—and the system even made him debut in the center position.
From suddenly spiraling up to an absurd level, he was left speechless.
At this moment, Shen Xiu had learned a harsh life lesson:
Some wool just shouldn’t be pulled; if you’re not careful, it might cost you your life.
Right now, he regretted it. He regretted it deeply.
Regardless of whether the trainees were excited or nervous, the two thousand live audience members and the millions watching online were all thoroughly enjoying the production team’s arrangement.
[Just finished the initial image evaluation and now we’re jumping straight into the talent showcase? No preparation time at all? This… this show is ruthless and sudden, I love it, hahaha.]
[Exactly, male idols can’t just be good at one thing! As a mature idol, having a good image and being able to sing and dance is a must! Hehe, I won’t admit it, but I just want to see everyone’s caught-off-guard reactions.]
[If they really have skills in every aspect, I have a feeling this show’s going to blow up, and this future boy group is going to be huge!]
After He Ting announced the initial rating rules, the hundred trainees quickly quieted down after a brief discussion.
As they became quiet, they suddenly realized that Shen Xiu, sitting in position 66, had remained completely silent ever since the host announced the rules.
No matter whether the trainees who had prayed anxiously or those who had been confidently raising their heads just moments ago, all their gazes couldn’t help but land on Shen Xiu. His calm demeanor made them feel ashamed.
“So this is what it means to be a big shot—unfazed no matter the situation.”
“Singing and dancing must be a piece of cake for him. Look at how indifferent and composed he is, he’s definitely strong.”
“Although I can do everything, seeing the level of 66, I admit, I was too proud just now. Pride and complacency are not good things, I must change, I have to change.”
The live stream and on-site audience also quickly noticed Shen Xiu’s behavior that set him apart from the others.
[66 is so calm, isn’t he afraid? Does he know how to do everything?]
[Good-looking and knows how to do everything—I’m so excited to see what number 66 will do! By the way, what’s his name again?]
[Let me share some info for those who voted for him—he’s the 66th trainee, Shen Xiu. He’s a cool guy!]
[Shen Xiu? Wow, that name already sounds like someone with big shot vibes. I’m rooting for him!]
System: […..]
Hmm, is it possible that Shen Xiu’s soul just ascended because he was too scared?
After He Ting announced the rules, the hundred trainees were given five minutes for discussion. As soon as the time was up, He Ting immediately announced:
“Youth Unstoppable’s initial stage ratings officially begin. Please, our contestants, come up in order to draw lots and perform in front of our four mentors as well as the live and online audience!”
“Let’s invite trainee number 1, Shang Yu.”
…
When the 18th trainee, Zhou Tong, came off the stage, tears streaming down his face, Shen Xiu’s soul finally returned to his body.
Zhou Tong sat down in his spot, with his roommate comforting him.
“Don’t be upset. You just had bad luck. You can sing, but your dancing isn’t very practiced, and you happened to draw the dance slip. It’s normal to mess up, it’s just the F class, no big deal. As long as you’re not eliminated, it’s only the initial evaluation. If you keep working hard, there’s still a chance to get into A class.”
The person in front of Zhou Tong also turned around to comfort him: “Don’t cry. I’m the same way, I’m terrible at dancing, and I’m horrible at singing too. I got unlucky and drew the singing slip. I’m tone-deaf, and by the time I finished the song, all four mentors were frowning so hard they could’ve killed a fly.”
Sitting in the back, Shen Xiu: “……”
‘At least you can do something… No, you both can do two things, even if you’re not great at one. Unlike me… sob, I can’t do anything. When it’s my turn, whether I draw the dance or singing slip, it’s going to be a public execution!’
When it’s his turn, the mentors’ frowns might not just squash a fly—they’ll probably be so sharp that their eyes will water from the sting.
It was as if Shen Xiu saw a glimpse of his tragic future. He was so nervous that his palms started sweating, feeling incredibly uncomfortable. He suddenly stood up, his face expressionless, and with unsteady steps, he made his way toward the restroom.
As long as it wasn’t their turn to go on stage, the trainees waiting in their seats could go to the bathroom at any time.
Lu Qian, who was stretching his neck to listen to the conversation in front of him, was suddenly overshadowed by a shadow.
He instinctively looked up at the spot next to him, where number 66, Shen Xiu, was walking by. Shen Xiu’s face was expressionless, radiating a “don’t come near me” vibe as he passed in front of him.
He was heading toward the restroom.
Seeing Shen Xiu’s expression, Lu Qian nudged his elbow into number 68, Jiang Yuheng’s arm: “Did you see Shen Xiu’s expression just now?”
Jiang Yuheng nodded: “I saw it. I’ve been keeping an eye on him. I have a feeling he’s sneaking off to the bathroom to practice before going on stage.”
Lu Qian agreed with a serious expression: “I get it, I get it. That’s how top-tier people are. The night before an exam, they’ll say they’re not studying, but secretly, they’re staying up all night flipping through the textbooks! The real champions are like that.”
Jiang Yuheng suggested: “How about… we secretly follow him and steal some tips?”
