Chapter 48

Our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/PazjBDkTmW

This chapter is edited by gravityjammy. Thank you for your contribution!

Chapter 48: Will Fan Definitely Be Disappointed?

Seven-thirty.

Main building, Grade C Practice Room.

Zhao Dapan stepped inside, glancing at the sparse group of people, a sense of helplessness washing over him.

This trendy middle-aged man was a well-known singer-songwriter in the country and the vocal teacher for Class C.

He had served as a mentor on many talent shows, but a program like ‘Dazzling Stage’, with its peculiar rules, was a first for him.

There were 39 contestants in Grade C, yet only nine were present in the classroom. This meant three-quarters of them had joined the Top A contestants in the advanced practice room, enjoying the same level of teaching and facilities.

This strange ecosystem, born in the name of fairness, seemed more unfair than ever—a bitter irony.

Its impact was evident in the trainees’ subdued spirits within the classroom.

Adjusting to such glaring inequality was no easy task for anyone.

As Zhao Dapan reflected on this, his gaze unintentionally fell on a girl with a composed aura and serene temperament. Her delicate face bore a serious expression, and her calm yet resolute eyes evoked a particular phrase in his mind:

Calm on the surface, yet thundering within—she is destined to lead as a general.

With this thought, Zhao Dapan felt a flicker of hope.

As everyone knows, in talent shows, a key highlight is the interaction between mentors and trainees.

Whether it’s delivering stern criticism to push them, maintaining a cold silence, or offering praise to lift the mood, these moments are crucial for emotionally engaging the audience.

Although ‘Dazzling Stage’ has not officially outlined this aspect, Zhao Dapan relies on his own professional ethics.

On a talent show, sometimes embodying a specific persona is more important than teaching ability.

Zhao Dapan understands this well. Simply put, it’s about playing the right role at the right time to create the chemistry that elevates the show’s impact.

Currently, in Class C, there are only nine students. Among them, Chu Yuanqing stands out as the most popular, the most beautiful, and the most prominent presence. Even her mindset appears the most positive.

Whether for enhancing the show’s impact or drawing attention, choosing her for the first demonstration seems like an obvious choice.

Yes, a demonstration.

Zhao Dapan doesn’t intend to jump straight into teaching. Instead, his plan is to first assess the trainees and then guide them accordingly.

In fact, this approach has become something of a tradition.

In this setup, trainees who perform well and earn praise are often featured prominently in the program, with multiple shots highlighting their success.

On the other hand, trainees who perform very poorly, face continued pressure, and eventually break down often fall into one of two categories. They may be labeled as ‘beautiful but useless’, relying solely on their looks before making a dramatic comeback as an inspiration story. Or, they might be abandoned by the show’s fans, dismissed as too weak—gaining camera time but failing to attract supporters, and even earning negative labels.

And what about being average?

In the fiercely competitive entertainment industry, being ordinary and lacking standout qualities can only make one a stepping stone for others.

Zhao Dapan tactically surveyed his surroundings in silence before speaking softly:

“Among competitors at your level, 30 trainees are undergoing the highest level of training.”

“They’re utilizing intelligent real-time analysis, receiving corrections supported by a virtual reality system, and even learning from world-class singers and dancers who have been temporarily invited to ‘Dazzling Stage’ as digital instructors.”

With that, he raised his voice and smiled as he continued:

“But don’t be discouraged. The dance and singing difficulty of ‘Candy’ isn’t high. Even with world-class teachers and high-tech equipment, the gap in skills between you and them won’t be significant.”

It was a truly comforting and sensible remark.

Chu Yuanqing appeared to have a sudden realization.

Since ‘Candy’ is relatively simple, contestants can achieve proficiency through standard training. Their performances are generally strong, with differences arising mainly from subtle additions or personal touches built on this shared foundation.

However, if the song were the extremely challenging ‘No Way Back’, the average skill level of Grade C contestants would leave them struggling. Even with a week of effort, they would barely manage to complete the dance routine.

In such a scenario, the advanced training provided to Grade A contestants would offer a significant advantage. It would help them quickly identify and correct subtle mistakes that might go unnoticed during independent practice, rapidly refine their movements, and deliver a markedly improved performance.

In other words, as a theme song, ‘Candy’ is the most beginner-friendly option for lower-rated contestants.

Zhao Dapan clapped his hands, a relieved smile spreading across his face, and said:

“Alright, it’s time for class. Who would like to sing first?”

Although Chu Yuanqing was usually the most impressive, Zhao Dapan was more than willing to give others a chance if someone else volunteered.

Unfortunately, after ten seconds of silence, no one stepped forward.

He walked over to the table and chairs, scanning the room. Chu Yuanqing still appeared calm and confident, while the other contestants looked hesitant and unsure.

That’s just how things are.

Aside from Kirimi Miyuki and Xie Qingxuan, most of the top players chose to share the spotlight. In this environment, even those not initially chosen could earn a chance if they actively stepped forward and expressed a desire to participate.

Most of the nine Grade C contestants in the room felt awkward and inadequate during practice, so it was no surprise that none stepped forward voluntarily.

Zhao Dapan tapped the table sharply, the crisp sound cutting through the silence. Still smiling, he picked up a piece of sheet music and turned to the most striking person in the room.

“Since no one’s volunteering, let’s have Chu Yuanqing go first,” he said softly.

？？？

Chu Yuanqing blinked in confusion, her adorable face struggling to maintain composure.

Darn it, she thought. She had assumed that without encountering the red-eyed rabbit today, things wouldn’t get too complicated. But why did she have to push herself so hard, right at the start of music class?

In that instant, the sadness she had felt while watching her daughter just moments ago vanished, replaced by the “ugly” smile of this middle-aged man before her.

With heavy steps, Chu Yuanqing walked forward, her every movement scrutinized by the other eight contestants. She quietly took the music sheet from Zhao Dapan’s hand.

Her slender fingers flipped through the pages, scanning quickly—and sure enough, there were no simplified music notations.

Fortunately, Luli had sent her the file with the simplified notations last night before bed. Otherwise, she seriously doubted she would have been able to sing anything but a completely off-key performance, one so bad it would make the entire practice room question their life choices.

Wait a minute! Isn’t that exactly what she wanted—to make them doubt their life choices?

Chu Yuanqing suddenly had a realization.

You see, even though the Grade C Practice Room isn’t livestreamed, it will definitely be edited into the show later. If she performs poorly now, it’s guaranteed that everyone will end up regretting watching it!

I’m so silly, she thought. Why didn’t I consider this when studying music theory yesterday?

The girl’s mindset shifted. Her clear eyes sparkled like a calm lake, and she began to feel more confident and optimistic about what lay ahead.

She had just boasted about her skills the day before. If that part were edited out and combined with her lackluster performance, it would create a stark contrast that would only bring embarrassment.

Haha, fans would surely be disappointed, unfollow her, and maybe even turn into haters—desperately wanting her eliminated right away.