CH 37.1

The next day–

The second stage was over, and it was usually time for the students to rest. However, just after one o’clock in the morning, when everyone was still sound asleep, the alarm bell of the whole building suddenly rang.

There were wailing sounds from many dormitories, and some people even came out only in their underpants:

“What happened??”

“Is that the fire alarm?” 

However, in the next second, the voice of the broadcast echoed through the corridor, “Attention to all trainees, please wash up and arrive in the hall to assemble within half an hour. Everyone, be sure to be there.” 

The broadcast was repeated several times, reminding them over and over again. 

At the beginning, no one paid attention, as everyone still wanted to continue to sleep. Unexpectedly, five minutes later, the broadcast sound appeared again: “Attention to all trainees, please wash up and arrive in the hall to assemble within 25 minutes. Any latecomer will face consequences.” Then, they announced the countdown. 

Jian Xingsui sat up from the bed in a jolt, and Ning Ze, who slept in the bed beside him also got up.     

While putting on his clothes, Ning Ze said, “Wake Xingchen up, let’s assemble.” 

Although Jian Xingsui was very sleepy, hearing the countdown to the meeting instantly refreshed him. He nodded, got up quickly, put on his clothes, and stood up. After glancing at the still-peacefully sleeping Shen Xingchen, he sighed: “Xingchen, wake up.”  

The young master turned a deaf ear, turned over and continued to sleep. 

Jian Xingsui had no choice but to go to the bathroom. He got a wet towel and hit Shen Xingchen directly on the face.

Shen Xingchen cursed softly, and sat up with a wet towel sticking on his face, “Are you crazy?”

Jian Xingsui sighed, and just as he was about to speak, the countdown on the broadcast sounded again: “Attention to all trainees, please wash up and arrive in the hall to assemble within 20 minutes.”

Jian Xingsui shook the little ancestor Shen, “Did you hear that? Hurry up, we are going to assemble soon.”

When Shen Xingchen got up, he was very angry. Hearing the cold-toned broadcast only added fuel to the fire, “It’s only one o’clock in the morning, what are you going to do together, go to hell!”

The voice was so loud that it almost knocked over the door.

Jian Xingsui was so close that his eardrums were about to rupture. He cringed as he said: “There must be something wrong, don’t delay and get up quickly, or you will be late later.” 

The more he was forced to get up, the more he refused to do it. 

Just as he was struggling, the horn in the corridor rang again. This time it was no longer the voice of the staff, but the voice of Actor Fu. His voice was slow, but it gave people the feeling of giving an ultimatum, “Attention to all trainees, it is now the last 5 minutes. Please assemble in the hall immediately, do not be late.” 

When Actor Fu’s voice fell, there were chaotic footsteps in the corridor.

Jian Xingsui was in a hurry this time, so he said to Ning Ze next to him, “Come here and help me carry him up!” 

Ning Ze hesitated: “Are you serious??”

Jian Xingsui nodded fiercely: “Come on!”

So, almost everyone in the hall had arrived. The cameramen started preparing for the shooting. But then, a commotion broke out, as many trainees focused their gaze on Ning Ze… who was carrying the still-sleeping Shen Xingchen on his back. Jian Xingsui followed soon, carrying their belongings.

“…”

Everyone in the hall was silent for a few seconds.

After a while–

Someone took the lead in laughing.

Even the audience in the live broadcast room were amused:

[Even on this occasion, Xingchen is still able to sleep through?]

[Ning Ze really looks like a father, and Suisui next to him is like an old mother.]

[Hahaha, you are not afraid when Xingchen said he’ll beat you up?”]

Because of this funny scene, the number of comments in the barrage increased, and the popularity of the live broadcast room also increased a lot.

After everyone arrived at the hall, they were asked to get on the bus prepared by the program crew. After everyone got on the bus, the instructor said in front: “Everyone should sleep for a while. We will wake you up when we arrive at our destination.” 

It was still around one o’clock in the morning, so obviously, many people were still half-asleep. 

A trainee asked where they were taking them, but the instructors all smiled and did not answer directly.

Of course, Shen Xingchen was also one of those who continued to sleep. When the bus stopped again, the young master finally woke up. Sleep still muddling his brain, he groggily asked, “Why am I in a bus?” 

Jian Xingsui, who was taking a nap next to him, sighed and said helplessly: “We tried to wake you up… but it was futile, so we just carried you over.”

Before Shen Xingchen could figure what Jian Xingsui meant, someone outside the bus shouted to get off.

At this time, it was past two o’clock in the morning, and it was still pitch black everywhere. There were street lights where the bus stopped. The trainees gathered with the cameraman and finally got a clear view of the place.

Instructor Li said, “Hello everyone, this is Mount Tai1Mount Tai (泰山 Tài Shān) is a sacred mountain in Shandong, China, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site., one of the five famous mountains. Our task today is to climb to the top of Mount Tai before sunrise to see the great rivers and mountains of our motherland!” 

“…”

There was a moment of silence.

It was impossible for anyone to think that they were suddenly pulled up in the middle of the night to climb a mountain. It was really surprising.

Instructor Li smiled and said: “I knew that everyone was very surprised. Our rule today is that whoever climbs to the top of Mount Tai first will have the right to independently select songs and form a team in the final performance.”

…the temptation was indeed, very big. 

Tuya, who stood next to him, was also wearing a mountaineering suit. She said, “Also, we have prepared huts at each short rest stop. The first team to reach the hut will have a surprise waiting for them~ Please try your best to climb the mountain!”

The trainees seemed to be a little bit more energetic.

Shen Xingchen even asked, “What’s the surprise, Instructor?”

Tuya shook her head and cheekily said, “It wouldn’t be a surprise if I told you, would it?” 

Since the instructors told them so, of course the contestants could only explore it by themselves. However, many of them also had great expectations for this surprise, and everyone became immediately hooked. 

Seeing everyone eager to try, Fu Jinxiao said lightly, “This time, there is no limit to the number of people in each team, and you can form your own team.”

After hearing this, everyone was even happier!

Jian Xingsui was courageous: “There is no limit on the number of people, that is to say, can two or three people form a small team?”

Fu Jinxiao nodded: “Yes.”

This news was very good for many people. Since the first selection eliminated half of them  last time, there are only 56 people left in the whole scene. This time, they have rested for a few days, which means that the announcement of the second selection would be announced soon. Their public ranking would be displayed, and another half of them would be eliminated. As for the final stage, the top 16 would be able to participate. 

Maybe… today’s mountaineering activity would be their last time together. Everyone needs to cherish the time they have now. 

When grouping, Shen Xingchen said to Jian Xingsui almost without hesitation: “Needless to say, we are in a group of three!”

No one had any objections.

One member of their trio didn’t wake up properly just an hour ago, but now, they were all nice and ready to face the activity together. 

Shen Xingchen said: “Come on! Take first place!”

Seeing how fast he was running, Jian Xingsui couldn’t help reminding him: “Conserve your energy, this climb won’t be done quickly! We need to be able to walk near the end!”

Shen Xingchen scoffed at his words: “I won’t be able to walk? Who do you look down on?”

“…”

Ten minutes later—

The young master sat on a big stone by the roadside, gasping for air. His cheeks were flushed, and yet, he was still able to complain his heart out, “I’m so tired! Why haven’t we arrived at the first rest point yet?”

Along the way, other teams kept catching up with them. Although there were also a couple of teams who trailed behind them at a slower pace. 

Ning Ze took a look at his binoculars and said, “There’s a red flag over there, I guess the rest point is there.”

Jian Xingsui wanted to complain a long time ago, “Ze-ge, where did you get the binoculars?”

Ning Ze cheekily said, “I brought it from home myself.”

Why on earth would anyone bring binoculars to a talent show? Was this a reasonable action done by a sane person? 

Jian Xingsui’s dumbfounded expression was recorded in HD by the program crew, and it quickly became the laughing point of the audience: 

[Hahahaha, I have the same expression just now.]

[Ning Ze, what surprise will you bring next? I’m looking forward to seeing it soon.] 

[Be strong, Shen Xingchen!] 

Jian Xingsui glanced at the people at the foot of the mountain and said, “Let’s get up and run quickly, otherwise we won’t be able to get to the rest stop if someone overtakes us. Didn’t Instructor Tuya say that only the first team arrived can get the surprise gift?” 

Shen Xingchen moaned, “But I really can’t walk now! I feel like my legs don’t belong to me anymore! “

Jian Xingsui wanted to say that Shen Xingchen only reap what he sowed.

After all, how could anyone be as aggressive as him? Just rushing forward without caring about whether or not his own physical strength can keep up? 

Ning Ze sighed as he offered, “Do you want me to carry you?”

Shen Xingchen shook his head and said, “I’m a man. How can a man be carried? Who are you looking down on?”

His words amused Jian Xingsui. He almost chuckled.

Jian Xingsui rolled up his sleeves and walked forward, and then squatted down in front of Shen Xingchen: “I’ll give you a massage.”    

Shen Xingchen said vigilantly, “What are you doing?”

Shen Xingchen’s leg snapped over. He didn’t know which acupuncture points were pressed, but fuck does it hurt. He began to howl at the top of his voice. This sound seemed to startle the birds in the forest into fleeing.

Shen Xingchen cried, “Take it easy, man!”

Jian Xingsui then put down his movements, and he asked next to him, “How is it, does it feel better?”

Shen Xingchen found out after a while, “Hey, now that you’re asking me, I do feel less tired than before!” 

Jian Xingsui smiled and said, “That’s good.”

The three of them quickly set off to the rest stop, and while walking, Shen Xingchen said: “What kind of massage method do you use? Why is it so effective? Please teach me.”

Jian Xingsui replied, “I learned this when I was at home before. My father and brothers were busy with work, so I taught myself from books and online courses.” 

Shen Xingchen tsk-ed, clearly disapproving, “I see that you still have this ability.”

Jian Xingsui said proudly: “This is a unique secret recipe developed by myself, and others may not have that effect.”

“Cheapskate.” Shen Xingchen hammered him, clearly joking, “If you don’t teach me, then I’ll no longer be your big brother!”

Jian Xingsui pursed his lips and smiled happily.

Finally, their group reached the halfway point of the mountain.

The staff who had been waiting there for a long time said, “Congratulations for arriving here! Since you are the first group, you can get rewards. Now, all three of you can go to that hut over there to check your ranking in this selection. At the same time, you can choose to give your fans an interactive live broadcast for three minutes. We have already opened the live broadcast room.”

The three were ecstatic.

They didn’t expect it to be such a surprise.

Shen Xingchen said: “You two go first, I’m exhausted and don’t have the energy to talk now.”

Ning Ze was not in a hurry. He said to Jian Xingsui, “You go first, I’ll have something to eat, I’m famished.”

Jian Xingsui had nothing to do first, so he agreed with their suggestion. He obediently nodded and entered the hut.

The staff talked as he put an envelope on the table, “This is your ranking for this selection. Please turn on the live broadcast on your mobile phone in front of you after watching it, and interact with your fans for three minutes.” 

Jian Xingsui nodded in understanding, “Thank you.”

There was an envelope on the table, and Jian Xingsui reached out then opened it. He won third place in the first selection. At the second stage, he used his original composition to let many audiences watch his brilliance. After finishing his performance, he also won the Popularity King voted by the audience. It could be said that he did his best to perform, and the feedback from the audience was also good. His ranking should rise, or at least stable at third.

When Jian Xingsui opened the envelope, he saw a line of words on the page: “Congratulations to Jian Xingsui! In this stage, your ranking is 15th. Congratulations on entering the final stage. Please continue to work hard.”