CHAPTER 34

The rehearsal this time was very big.

The show's staff also understood that this would be the last performance for some of the participants on stage. Therefore, the scenery and makeup were completely different from the first round. IT made it feel very solemn.

The small theater studio had been crowded with people and had been noisy since morning.

There was a form posted at the entrance, which was the rehearsal time for each group over the next two days. Every group arrived and ticked the form…

The 'Spring Garden' team arrived at the rehearsal site at 2 p.m.

At that time, Guan Ruoying had been busy all morning instructing the other two groups. She had barely sat down and didn't even have a drink of water or ate a lot of her lunch.

She was more exhausted than the participants, but she still had a straight back, a clear voice, and a focused mind.

It was also at this time that everyone clearly understood the weight of the position of 'Best Actress.' It wasn't something that could be easily obtained by acting in a few movies casually. It required honing, persistence, perseverance, and spirit.

Like her, there was Su Shijin who had been busy all morning. The same was probably true for Feng Wei and Shen Tingyan, who hadn't started group rehearsals… None of the people who could sit in the position of mentor could be ordinary people.

When Xue Xiao's group arrived at the scene, they received a lot of attention.

Dou Mingjian moved his body in place and muttered, "I wasn't really nervous during the first round. But now it is just a rehearsal, and my heartbeat is already getting faster."

Huang Xiaolin said, "After all, the focus this time is on you guys…"

The corners of Dou Mingjian's mouth twitched. "Don't say such things that make people feel more stressed!"

Xue Xiao and Gu Ling: "..."

Huang Xiaolin stuck out his tongue.

The second episode of the show hadn't been released yet. Gu Ling and Dou Mingjian hadn't officially appeared on stage in the audience's field of view. They were the first and second place in the first round after all. The focus of the sound round of filming for the show would definitely be on them.

As for Xue Xiao—

Yesterday, the first episode of the show was relaunched. The editing was normal, and the audience was naturally able to watch it normally.

It was visible to the naked eye that the barrage started to increase wildly the moment Xue Xiao appeared.

Obviously, he was one of the participants who had gained the most fans since the show was aired. But…

Xue Xiao took a deep breath.

How many of these fans came because of his performance, and how many came because they sympathized with him after the public opinion incident?

How long could this popularity last?

It wasn't just others. Even Xue Xiao himself knew that this was a big question mark.

Still, it didn't matter.

Just act well and keep those eyes that had gathered on him for various reasons.

In the distance, Guan Ruoying beckoned to them and shouted, "The assistant teachers have arrived. You guys, come over."

—

During the first round of rehearsals, only the staff taught them how to move and look at the camera.

In the second round, Guan Ruoying personally taught them. Her professionalism immediately improved.

She constantly adjusted the positions of the four people while communicating with the staff to change the shots.

"Assistant teacher, please sit here. Yes, the cameraman will enter from here!"

"Dou Mingjian, don't stand like this in this scene. You will be blocked by the props."

"Is the makeup teacher there? I want to change the makeup of Huang Xiaolin and Xue Xiao…"

The lights illuminated the rehearsal scene. The temperature rose, and everyone was sweating.

After a round of adjustment, Guan Ruoying clapped and said, "Okay, let's do it all again now."

Xue Xiao and the four of them replied, "Okay!"

All the irrelevant personnel left the scene. Guan Ruoying walked behind the on-site monitor to see the effect of this rehearsal.

What she was more worried about was actually the 'Spring Garden' group.

Starting from the beginning, the four people couldn't develop a tacit cooperation because Fan Xue didn't cooperate.

Later, Xue Xiao was involved in the vortex of public opinion, and Fan Xue withdrew from the recording. Everyone must've been affected.

In addition, Gu Ling, Xue Xiao, and Huang Xiaolin still had some problems understanding the play…

Guan Ruoying had other jobs in addition to this variety show. She had been quite busy in the last few days and couldn't come to help them rehearse. She could only care about the situation of these four people through WeChat.

She didn't know if this group of problems had been solved properly in the past few days.

She placed her fist against her lips while thinking. If the problem was still big, she would have to find a way to apply for more rehearsal time with the staff.

Hmm, which leader should she talk to? Director Zhang? Forget it, he was now completely useless.

Old Gao? Old Gao should be possible. He was the most soft-hearted.

She was thinking this when she suddenly let out a 'huh' and moved closer to the monitor.

The staff on both sides thought that something was wrong and looked nervous.

Unexpectedly, Guan Ruoying stared at the screen for a while before her brows relaxed. Her eyes became brighter and brighter and she became more and more surprised.

...

As the plot progressed, the story ushered in a climax.

Dou Mingjian let out a burst of emotions. Then he turned around and walked into the vacant room next to the office.

Xue Xiao stood up silently. He walked to the corridor outside the office and squatted down.

The father and son separated. Huang Xiaolin went to Dou Mingjian's side while Gu Ling came to the corridor to accompany Xue Xiao.

In spring, the weeping begonias in the meadow outside the corridor were in full bloom. Pink petals stretched out. The leaves shone with a bit of sunlight, pure and beautiful.

Xue Xiao lowered his head quietly. A tear fell soundlessly on his jeans and created a small, dark dot.

Gu Ling sat next to him, fingertips moving when he saw this scene.

He moved his lips and said the next lines, but his eyes darkened silently.

...

At the end of the rehearsal, Guan Ruoying shouted 'cut' and applauded happily. "Great! You've improved a lot."

Everyone emerged from the act. Xue Xiao raised his arm and wiped his face casually, sniffing while revealing a relaxed smile.

They gathered together. Then Guan Ruoying ran over and patted them on the shoulders excitedly, praising them one by one.

Guan Ruoying said, "…In particular, Gu Ling. You seem to have figured out a lot. I was especially worried that you would keep being stubborn!"

After suddenly being cued, Gu Ling nodded and said calmly, "…It is thanks to one person."

This strange statement aroused Gu Ling's curiosity. "A person? Who?"

Dou Mingjian explained, "Xiao. This kid is still playing tricks."

Xue Xiao turned his head to look at Gu Ling, his eyebrows curved. He smiled in a very simple and friendly manner.

...

By the time their group's rehearsal ended, it was already 7 o'clock in the evening.

They went to the cafeteria for dinner, and then Dou Mingjian and the others went directly back to the dormitory to rest. Xue Xiao felt that tonight seemed to be quite free. He removed the makeup on his face and took his folding chair and notebook with him, standing up again shortly after sitting down.

Chang Yun and Zhao Dong wouldn't have rehearsals until tomorrow. One person was lying on the upper bunk watching movies and studying. The other was writing today's observation diary.

Gu Ling was still lying on the bed and reading.

Seeing Xue Xiao get up, the three people looked over in unison.

Chang Yun wondered, "Huh? Where are you going?"

Xue Xiao replied, "I plan to go to the small theater to watch the rehearsals of other groups. Will you go together?"

Chang Yun heard this and shook his head repeatedly. "I won't go, I won't go. I have to get up early tomorrow morning. I had better take it easy today."

Zhao Dong added, "Me too…"

Gu Ling didn't answer. Xue Xiao was used to his silence and thought it was also a refusal. He nodded and said, "Then I'll go."

He walked out of the dormitory, and the door closed with a bang.

Gu Ling put down his book and stared at the bedboard of the upper bunk in a daze.

—

Gu Shijin and Guan Ruoying left the small theater one after another at 7 or 8 o'clock. Then Feng Wei took over the baton.

A staff member was stunned when he saw Xue Xiao coming back. "Does Teacher Guan still need to use the venue at night?"

"No, no." Xue Xiao was embarrassed. "I came over to watch the rehearsals of other groups myself. You don't have to worry about me."

"Oh!" The staff member realized. He saw that Xue Xiao had brought a small chair and said with a smile, "Then you can take care of yourself."

Only one group was still rehearsing in the huge venue. The air-conditioning, which had been weak during the day, was now exerting its power.

Xue Xiao found a corner and sat down.

Feng Wei's energetic voice sounded through the field, and the students repeated the lines. From time to time, there were the sounds of hurried footsteps and fierce collisions.

Xue Xiao leaned forward slightly. He folded his left and right forearms over his knees and watched excitedly as Feng Wei and his group of participants were busy on the field.

Different directors and teachers would have different emphases and techniques when guiding filming.

Even if he could only watch from the sidelines for a short time, Xue Xiao often gained something.

Zhang Chengyu and the others always made fun of him for secretly taking lessons, but this was really useful!

Time passed minute by minute.

The staff came and went, but he remained motionless.

Occasionally, he would get tired of sitting in his position and change it.

He bent his right elbow against his knee and supported his chin on his palm.

Or he stood up straight, placed his hands on his knees, and craned his neck to look into the depths of the set.

Then after realizing something, he immediately lowered his head and started writing.

...

It was nearly 9 o'clock when Shen Tingyan arrived at the small theater with his first group.

The moment Jin Xiaochen finished ticking the box on the rehearsal form, the staff member at the other end hurried over and said apologetically, "Teacher Shen, I'm sorry. There is something wrong with the scene of your group. We have just rearranged it. We might have to trouble you to wait a bit longer."

Shen Tingyan asked lightly, "How long is a bit longer?"

"20 minutes… if we hurry, it might be ten minutes!" The staff member smiled and said, "I'll let you know as soon as it is arranged!"

Shen Tingyan didn't bother to talk nonsense with them on this matter. He nodded and the staff member immediately ran away.

Jin Xiaochen's group of three looked at the man's back. They saw that he was bored as his eyes swept over the entire backstage area. Then he seemed to see something. He put his hands into his trouser pockets and walked there.

The moment he took a step, he remembered that he had forgotten the three little ones behind him. He tilted his head and said, "You guys are free to move. Come back in 15 minutes."

"…Okay, Teacher Shen!"

Shen Tingyan lazily walked toward the depths of the backstage area.

The lights on the field weren't as bright as during the day. Except for the place where Feng Wei's group was rehearsing, everything around him was plunged into darkness.

Shen Tingyan walked step by step to Xue Xiao's side and lowered his head. Xue Xiao was completely unaware of his approach and was sleeping soundly.

His back was against the wall. His upper body was slumped, and his eyes closed tightly. His red mouth was slightly open. His back hair was scattered in front of his forehead like a small, soft bun. He was sleeping soundly.

Shen Tingyan's gaze swept to the notebook on the other person's lap.

There was a lot written on it: What to pay attention to during face shots at certain moments; the angle was very important; in addition to the eyes, the limbs must also learn to speak…

At first, the font was still written correctly. Then perhaps he became sleepy, and the characters started to become ghostly.

In addition to these messy notes, Shen Tingyan saw something else.

He turned sideways so he was at the same angle as Xue Xiao and glanced casually.

It turned out to be a chibi person.

He laughed silently.

It was really ugly.

From the face to the body, it was chubby. There was flowing hair and a face that was stretched out. What was this person wearing? A t-shirt? A shirt?

Oh, the hands were also in the trouser pockets…"

A sense of deja vu flashed in Shen Tingyan's mind, and he froze.

He looked down at his hands in his trouser pockets and then at the chibi person. "..."

His expression suddenly turned cold.

Not far away, Feng Wei came down during the intermission. He saw this scene and smiled. "He came an hour ago. I have been observing him. Finally, he couldn't hold on and fell asleep 10 minutes ago."

Feng Wei just passed by and chatted casually. Then after he finished talking, he went outside to get some air.

His voice succeeded in waking Xue Xiao up.

The slightly open mouth was closed, and the lips pursed.

Eyelashes fluttered slightly.

His consciousness started to recover. His exposed arm finally felt the power of cold air again, and his hairs stood up.

Xue Xiao woke up from a dream, dizzy and dazed. He didn't know what night it was, but he vaguely seemed to hear Shen Tingyan's voice.

"Are you cold?"

The man's voice was very low.

Xue Xiao's eyelids suddenly opened a slit. It was just like a conditioned reflex. His eyes were still a bit dazed.

"Do you want a blanket?"

He didn't know if it was because his brain wasn't awake, but this close voice was so soothing that it sounded almost gentle. It caressed Xue Xiao's ears, making his fingers curl up slightly.

He finally managed to fully open his sleepy eyes.

Since he raised his neck, he naturally saw Shen Tingyan's lowered head.

The light was confusing. Xue Xiao felt that Shen Tingyan's blurred voice looked extremely calm and soft. The atmosphere that flowed quietly was comfortable and soft…

It was such a gentle Shen Tingyan.

It was even gentler than in the dream just now.

Xue Xiao opened his mouth and murmured, "…I haven't woken up yet?"

Shen Tingyan's lips curled up slightly, and he chuckled.

This smile was truly stunning.

Later, Xue Xiao heard this stunning man say with great tenderness, "If you sneeze on the stage the day after tomorrow due to getting a cold, you will wish you were still dreaming."

Xue Xiao: "...…"

He shuddered violently.

He was fully awakened by being scared alive.