Chapter 47.1: Second Performance (2)
The members of Ning Sinian’s team showed no reaction to the news — in fact, they even felt like laughing.
Ha, what could possibly be scarier than going up against Shen Xiu’s team?
Ning Sinian’s team had been thoroughly traumatized; feeling dead inside, they didn’t even want to speak.
Meanwhile, after Shen Xiu’s team found out that their opponents were Ning Sinian’s team, they shifted their attention away from the other groups and locked their gaze firmly onto Ning Sinian’s team.
During team training, all groups kept their preparations secret from one another, so getting detailed intel was impossible.
All they could do was observe their opponents’ emotional state.
And after observing… Shen Xiu’s teammates were horrified to discover that Ning Sinian’s team was way too calm!
Faced with the program’s intentionally leaked news meant to shake them up, they weren’t affected at all.
Clearly, they didn’t see the so-called “disaster” as a big deal.
Wuwuwu. Their opponents had rock-solid mentality and strong abilities — so scary!
Sensing the predatory stares from Shen Xiu’s team, Ning Sinian’s teammates broke into a cold sweat internally.
Big brothers, we know you’re strong, okay? But the competition hasn’t even started yet — can you maybe ease up on those death stares?
It’s seriously creeping us out!
According to the program’s schedule, the second performance group battle wouldn’t officially begin until 2 p.m.
The morning session was purely a treat for the audience, letting them observe how the different trainees interacted up close.
He Ting: “Now, we’re moving into the ‘trash talk’ segment between groups.”
Audience seats:
“Normally, this part is done through private pre-match interviews with the team captains and members. But this time, they’re doing it live for us — love it!”
“What are they gonna say? Something like ‘Ha, I’m gonna flatten you later,’ or ‘You? Worthy of being my opponent?’ Or maybe ‘Bring it on’?”
“Whatever it is, I’m just here to enjoy the fireworks before the real battle!”
Shen Xiu: ?
The production team clearly knew how to create awkward situations — it felt like they didn’t care at all about the trainees’ dignity.
The only thing Shen Xiu found comforting was that at least he wasn’t being publicly executed under the spotlight alone; his teammates were right there with him.
He Ting: “Let’s have the two captains of Group Black 1 step forward.”
Shang Yu’s mouth twitched slightly, but he led his group forward and stood across from Mu Zhenchu, who was equally speechless at the production team’s antics.
Shang Yu stood at the front with his eight teammates lined up behind him, mirrored by Mu Zhenchu and his group.
Eighteen people stood there, wide-eyed, staring at each other — completely at a loss for words.
“Ahem ahem…” Realizing just standing there wasn’t a solution, Mu Zhenchu gave a light cough and said, “Be careful.”
Shang Yu responded with a small, polite smile, “You too.”
“Huh? That’s it?”
“Honestly, that’s so on-brand for Shang Yu — even if the sky fell down, he’d still be smiling like that, haha.”
“And Mu Zhenchu’s just too straightforward and honest. Asking him to trash talk? He can’t even come up with anything spicy!”
He Ting: “Now, let’s have the two captains of Group White 2.”
Twenty seconds later, Xiang Yueting and Zhuang Yi led their teams to face each other.
Xiang Yueting gave a cold snort through his nose.
Upon hearing it, his teammates immediately crossed their arms and shot sideways glances at Zhuang Yi’s group, declaring in unison: “Prepare to become our defeated foes!”
A black line appeared across Zhuang Yi’s forehead — he hadn’t even thought of a comeback yet.
On instinct, he blurted out, “Push… back?”
Zhuang Yi’s team, determined not to lose either in spirit or formation, immediately straightened up and shouted in perfect unison: “Push back!”
Their voices were loud and firm, leaving Xiang Yueting blinking in confusion: “No way, Old Zhuang — did you eavesdrop on our team’s motto or something?”
Otherwise, how did they instantly come up with “push back”?
Zhuang Yi maintained a composed, all-knowing expression and nodded: “I may have heard a little…” Yeah, right!
“Dammit, you just wait!” Xiang Yueting snorted coldly, and his teammates followed suit with synchronized snorts — a full display of unity.
Audience seats:
“I’m dying — is this whole group made up of comedians or what? Hahaha!”
“There’s no saving it. Anywhere Xiang Yueting goes, the vibe always gets at least one little bit weird.”
“Why do I find Xiang Yueting both dumb and adorable? Meanwhile, Zhuang Yi totally feels like he’s tricking the landlord’s silly son — I can’t!”
He Ting: “Next, let’s have the two captains of Blue Group 3 step forward.”
A few seconds later, Song Chengwang and Jiang Yanxi stood face-to-face.
Jiang Yanxi scratched his head: “Brother Wang, um… what are you planning to say? I haven’t thought of anything yet. How about… you go first and give me some inspiration?”
Song Chengwang shrugged: “Honestly, I haven’t thought of anything either.”
Jiang Yanxi sighed: “Then… how about just… good luck?”
Song Chengwang nodded: “Fine by me. Good luck.”
The members of both groups exchanged a glance and then said, in perfect unison: “Good luck.”
Their voices were completely flat, like they were chatting casually at a park.
After saying “good luck,” both groups turned back around in sync and returned to their original spots.
What was supposed to be a high-tension, trash-talking showdown ended up so peaceful that He Ting felt like he might sprout wings and turn into a dove at any moment.
[Main vibe: pure calmness.]
[Honestly, you can tell the production team didn’t warn them about this segment beforehand at all, hahaha.]
[But… judging from Xiang Yueting’s words, it seems like he actually prepared something ahead of time.]
[Sister, a husky is a husky — their thinking is just… way too bouncy and unpredictable. You can’t measure them by normal human standards.]
[Xiang Yueting: Husky??? Is that even respectful, you guys?!]
He Ting: “Ahem… Now, let’s invite the two captains of Red Group 4.”
No way, he thought to himself, out of eight groups, there’s gotta be at least one pair who’ll give me that intense “life-or-death rivalry” moment!
While the other groups were busy exchanging “trash talk”, Ning Sinian’s team was huddled together, quietly discussing among themselves.
When they heard the host’s call, Ning Sinian said in a heavy tone, “Let’s go with this line.”
It would show their determination while preserving what little dignity they had left.
He absolutely would not lose his nerve!
Shen Xiu walked with heavy steps to stand opposite Ning Sinian’s team.
Determined to set an example for his teammates, Ning Sinian locked eyes with Shen Xiu the moment he stepped forward — his gaze intense and unwavering.
Shen Xiu: “…”
Feeling Ning Sinian’s laser-focused stare, Shen Xiu had the strong urge to look away.
Ning Sinian was staring so fiercely right from the start — the pressure was enormous!
And why were there so many boom cameras swinging around above their heads?
It was honestly starting to feel a little funny!
But he couldn’t laugh — not now.
If he embarrassed himself alone, it wouldn’t matter that much, but with all his teammates standing behind him, any misstep would disgrace the whole team.
So, Shen Xiu forced himself to meet Ning Sinian’s gaze, doing his best to ignore the cameras.
It’s just a staring contest, he told himself.
Just imagine Ning Sinian is… a really tall cabbage.
No losing spirit, even if you lose the fight.
Besides, both teams were deeply wary of each other.
Regardless of their actual strength, neither side wanted to lose in any way — not even psychologically.
Following their captains’ lead, the team members all fixed their eyes on their respective opponents, trying their hardest to stare them down.
Thirty seconds passed.
Everyone’s eyes were dry and burning, but for the sake of their team’s pitiful pride, they stubbornly forced themselves to keep staring, refusing even to blink.
Onstage, the audience watched as Shen Xiu’s team and Ning Sinian’s team faced off in a standoff position.
They had been locked in a staring contest for over a minute without saying a single word.
Ning Sinian, stiff as a board, kept his fierce gaze pinned on Shen Xiu, his cold and stern expression never wavering for even a second.
But in doing so… he completely forgot what he was supposed to say.
And so, he just stood there, dumbly frozen, totally forgetting his lines.
What was this?!
A completely naked death stare!
He wanted to run, but there was nowhere to escape — so scary, sob sob sob!
And those damn boom cameras were still circling around them, livestreaming everything — so annoying!
While Ning Sinian was internally sobbing, his mind was in total chaos.
He couldn’t understand — a whole minute had already passed!
Every second had felt like a year to him, and he was barely hanging on.
Why was Shen Xiu still refusing to let him off the hook?!
Did he want me to cry and beg for mercy or something??
No way! Absolutely not! That would be way too humiliating!
Meanwhile, after imagining Ning Sinian as a giant cabbage, Shen Xiu’s thoughts continued to wander…
‘Why is it that the cabbages we plant at home never manage to grow those nice, tight little white heads?’
‘Is it… because we keep pulling off too many leaves too early?’
‘Hmm… probably.’
With such a small vegetable patch, it wasn’t really practical to let the cabbages fully mature before eating them…
On stage, an invisible tension thickened the air, like gunpowder ready to ignite at the slightest spark.
He Ting: “…”
He had wanted a tense, fiery showdown, sure — but this?
Was it really necessary to be this serious??
It had already been two full minutes!
Watching both teams glaring murderously at each other, He Ting was honestly terrified they might break out into an actual fight.
Wiping the sweat from his forehead, He Ting hurriedly stepped between them to ease the tension.
“Ahem, say something, anything,” he urged.
And then hurry up and separate, please — I’m too old for this kind of heart attack!
Shen Xiu, still lost in his thoughts about cabbage farming, was jolted back to reality by He Ting’s voice.
Hearing the host finally speak, Ning Sinian couldn’t help but shoot him a grateful look.
Terrified of being subjected to Shen Xiu’s death stare again, Ning Sinian seized this fleeting opportunity and blurted out the line their team had agreed on:
“We’ll give it everything we’ve got!”
Shen Xiu snapped back to attention.
Hearing Ning Sinian’s words, he nodded seriously: “Mm.”
Their team would also give it their all!
After Shen Xiu spoke, He Ting waited a few seconds, but hearing no further words, he blinked in confusion.
That’s it?
He Ting instinctively glanced at Shen Xiu, sighing inwardly — This kid has truly taken being silent and reserved to an art form.
Noticing the host’s look, Shen Xiu tensed for a brief moment, but quickly understood: The host must want him to say something more.
So Shen Xiu opened his mouth and said, “Good luck.”
Earlier, Song Chengwang’s group had just said that and immediately ended the exchange — it seemed pretty effective.
Ning Sinian: “…”
It was clearly a phrase meant to encourage, but… why did it sound so off somehow?
It felt like casual disdain — No, it wasn’t even disdain — it was more like Shen Xiu didn’t take them seriously at all.
In fact, there was a very real possibility that Shen Xiu found this whole “trash talk” segment childish, and that’s why he was so calmly indifferent!
Realizing this, Ning Sinian sighed internally.
When would he finally be seen as a true rival by Shen Xiu?
When would he reach the level where he could look at everything with the same detached calm?
