Evaluation of the Thirteenth Team Showdown (Part Four)

Two groups singing the same song were being reviewed together by their mentor.

Thus, Qiao Yiqing and her companions waited in the rehearsal room alongside Wen Yali’s group for the mentor’s arrival.

The vocal coach, Wei Wei, entered and took a seat in the center of the room. Looking at the ten girls standing straight with their lyrics in hand, she smiled and said, “No need to be so nervous; I’m not going to eat you.”

“Relax a bit. If you’re this tense, how will you sing later?”

“Have you all learned the song?”

Everyone nodded.

“Good. Then Group 1, you go first.” Wei Wei gestured for Group 1 to step forward.

Wen Yali's team moved forward while Qiao Yiqing’s group stepped aside to wait.

The song’s segments and positions were identical; hearing a particular part immediately revealed which position the singer held.

Members sharing the same position were the most direct competitors, so Qiao Yiqing and the others watched Wen Yali’s group’s performance with full concentration.

The first line was introduced by the lead singer, Mo Hanmeng. Then Wen Yali, Fu Yunmeng, and Shao Heling followed. Wei Wei’s expression remained unchanged at first, but when Chi Xin began to sing, she furrowed her brows.

As the chorus came, Wei Wei’s face grew increasingly stern, and after the song ended, she remained silent for a long moment.

After Group 1 finished, Yao Xin and Fang You’an exchanged wide-eyed glances in surprise, quickly noticing the solemn, expressionless looks of the three others nearby, who stared seriously ahead, prompting them to compose themselves as well.

The members of Group 1 waited anxiously.

“Do you not practice together often?” Wei Wei suddenly asked.

Wen Yali looked flustered, hesitated, then softly replied, “Indeed, we haven’t spent enough time practicing together. Perhaps everyone has been too focused on individual practice and neglected the group. That’s my fault as the captain.”

Seeing the others silent, Wei Wei joked, “You’re not having bad relationships, are you?”

Wen Yali froze as if the balloon had been popped, stammering without answering.

Wei Wei didn’t pursue the topic further; reminding them was enough to highlight the issue. How they handled group dynamics was for them to resolve after class. The pressing matter was the singing.

“The harmony parts have each of you singing different pitches and styles, making it sound like a quarrel. If I hadn’t known the song beforehand, I wouldn’t have recognized what you were singing.”

“You need to unify your voices.”

Then she began pointing out specific problems.

“First, Mo Hanmeng, your technique is indeed excellent. The lead parts of this song are difficult, and your performance was basically flawless. You hit the high notes effortlessly.”

“But your rhythm is a bit slow and dragging. Pay attention to that.”

Hearing the praise, Mo Hanmeng smiled, but the following critique quickly wiped it away. She pressed her lips tightly and nodded.

“Next, Wen Yali, you sang well. I trust your ability.”

“Fu Yunmeng and Shao Heling sang much better than I expected; it’s clear you practiced diligently.”

“Now, Chi Xin.” Wei Wei brushed her hair back and sighed before turning to Chi Xin.

“You have bigger problems.”

Chi Xin’s already nervous expression tightened further.

“Sing your part alone again.”

Chi Xin swallowed nervously and began hesitantly.

“Your voice is too soft. Louder! I can barely hear you.”

Chi Xin raised her volume a bit more.

“Louder still, and don’t let your voice shake.”

Wei Wei looked at her with a hint of helplessness. “Am I really that scary?”

Chi Xin quickly shook her head.

After several more attempts, her volume barely passed muster.

After listening a few times, Wei Wei said with concern, “This part is too difficult for you. You can’t find the pitch at all.”

“I’ll sing it once, then you follow me.”

She began teaching note by note.

Class time was limited, and with two groups left unexamined, Wei Wei stopped after several repetitions, still worried. “Remember to practice a lot after class!”

Feeling mentally drained after coaching just one group, Wei Wei said, “Okay, Group 2, come on up.”

Group 2 stepped forward, and Wen Yali’s team retreated to one side.

Following the same procedure, the group sang the entire song once.

When Qiao Yiqing started, Mo Hanmeng watched her closely. Both held the lead singer position, and she wanted to see how Qiao Yiqing performed.

Originally just curious about her level, by the end, her vigilance had heightened.

Wei Wei tapped along to the rhythm, nodding as Qiao Yiqing hit the high notes. Watching the lively interaction of the five during the chorus made her smile.

When the song finished, Wei Wei said, “Honestly, I’m quite surprised.”

“You completed it better than I expected, especially the group’s energy and atmosphere—it makes people happy just to listen.”

The girls exchanged smiles, then looked back at Wei Wei.

“Qiao Yiqing is the lead singer, right?”

Qiao Yiqing nodded.

Hearing her name called, she awaited the next words anxiously.

Wei Wei, seeing Qiao Yiqing’s serious face, smiled: “I already knew you sang well, but I didn’t expect this level. I look forward to your stage performance.”

Qiao Yiqing exhaled, feeling both relieved and flattered. Her teammates smiled warmly at her.

“Next, Xi Rui. I thought you might not adapt to this style, but you fit in very well. Excellent.”

“And Lan Chenxi, consistently outstanding. Do you have no weaknesses? You’re so good at dancing, and now your singing is amazing too.”

Wei Wei’s teasing made everyone laugh, and Lan Chenxi blushed slightly.

“Yao Xin, you sing with a lot of energy, but your rhythm is a bit fast. Pay attention to that.”

“Lastly, Fang You’an, did you start a beat late? You need to focus more. But you adjusted quickly afterward. Still, practice more.”

Fang You’an nodded sheepishly.

Then Wei Wei looked at Group 1 standing nearby: “There’s one more problem I didn’t mention. Your singing is too flat. This is an upbeat, lively song, but I didn’t feel any emotion from your performance. It felt like you were just completing a task. I want every rehearsal from now on to show the energy of a stage performance.”

“Group 2 did this very well.”

Wen Yali nodded outwardly, accepting the criticism, but watching the cheerful Group 2, she clenched her teeth in secret.

In the afternoon came the dance evaluation.

Group 1 went first.

Qiao Yiqing noticed Chi Xin’s poor state; she seemed unable to shake off the morning’s criticism.

Besides, the skill gap between the groups was indeed significant.

After watching, dance coach Zhao Man asked, “Who is the center position?”

Chi Xin timidly raised her hand. “That’s me.”

“Who’s the captain? How was the center position selected?” Zhao Man continued, looking at all of Group 1.

“I am,” Wen Yali raised her hand. “It was decided by vote. We think Chi Xin’s temperament suits this song best.”

“Is that so? I don’t think so.”

Zhao Man spoke bluntly. “Are you satisfied with how the center performed just now?”

Chi Xin’s face turned pale at the question.

“I don’t need to tell you how important the center position is. But your dancing can’t keep up; you kept missing your spots. This performance doesn’t justify being center.”

“Having this center in the middle only makes the entire stage look weak.”

“Is there anyone else who wants to be center?”

Zhao Man asked.

Everyone was awkwardly silent; no one raised their hand.

Zhao Man said, “Then everyone try it. Wen Yali, you start.”

Wen Yali glanced at Chi Xin, pressed her lips, but gave her all during her performance.

Zhao Man watched silently. After all four performed, she said, “From what I saw, Wen Yali and Shao Heling suit the center position better.”

“My personal suggestion is to change the center while there’s still time and rehearse again.”

Wen Yali and Shao Heling looked embarrassed and avoided Chi Xin’s gaze.

Meanwhile, Chi Xin couldn’t hold back her tears any longer.

The other four teammates quickly gathered to comfort her.

Chi Xin shook her head, signaling she was fine and didn’t want to delay the lesson, but the tears kept flowing.

Seeing this, Zhao Man softened a bit. “Ultimately, it’s your decision. Chi Xin, if you want to deserve the center position, this isn’t enough. You need to work much harder.”

Chi Xin nodded through her tears.

Group 1 retreated dejectedly.

Group 2 then stepped forward to perform.

Seeing Zhao Man’s strictness had reduced Group 1 to tears, Yao Xin and Fang You’an felt even more nervous than if they were about to perform on stage.

Just seconds after the music started, Zhao Man called out, “Pause!”

“What are you dawdling for? The music has started, and you’re not ready.”

At the opening move, Yao Xin wobbled slightly, but Zhao Man immediately seized on the small mistake.

After restarting, Yao Xin grew even more nervous and lost her footing.

At that moment, Lan Chenxi grabbed Yao Xin and pulled her into position.

Feeling deeply guilty, Yao Xin suddenly sensed a gentle touch on her right hand.

It was Qiao Yiqing, smiling and flashing a reassuring gesture.

Looking at other teammates, none showed blame; everyone focused on preparing.

“We just need to perform as we practiced. Haven’t we been cooperating well?” Lan Chenxi’s soft voice came from the front.

Yao Xin felt much calmer. Yes, practice never lies; the sweat shed was genuine. There was nothing to fear.

And she had such reliable teammates.

Fully focused, Yao Xin awaited the music. As the intro played, she smiled and entered performance mode.

Here and now was the stage. No fear of mistakes, no thoughts of criticism or blame—just give your all.

Zhao Man began sternly but gradually relaxed her expression after watching Group 2.

“Honestly, among all the groups I’ve seen today, your completion is the highest.”

Hearing this, the girls finally showed joyful smiles.

“The group coordination was excellent, and the overall dance looked good. It’s clear you’ve worked hard. But Yao Xin and Fang You’an, your details still lag behind. You both need to practice more or you’ll hold the team back.”

Yao Xin and Fang You’an nodded quickly.

Though still criticized, this evaluation was much better than Yao Xin expected. Her anxiety finally eased.

Finally, Zhao Man asked, “Who’s the captain?”

Lan Chenxi raised her hand and stepped forward.

“Well done.”

The exact same question, but a completely different attitude and evaluation.

Wen Yali watched Lan Chenxi’s smiling face, her mood plummeting.

Her confidence had been shattered over the course of the day.

She had thought holding the initial center position meant she had already beaten Lan Chenxi. Now, was she going to lose to her?