8 Theme Song Reviews (Part Four)
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When Ye Banshuang went to bed last night, Qiao Yiqing hadn’t returned yet, and even upon waking up in the morning, she still hadn’t seen her. If it weren’t for spotting her in the practice room, she might have thought Qiao Yiqing had gone missing.
“How late did you practice yesterday?”
“Around four a.m.”
“And when did you get up?”
“Seven.”
Ye Banshuang gave an admiring look; youth truly grants resilience.
“Alright, let me see how much you’ve improved.”
Three minutes later, Ye Banshuang reflected deeply on whether she had been slacking off. They had both been called out and criticized in dance class yesterday, yet today Qiao Yiqing could dance through the routine smoothly, singing as she moved. Even her expression management was spot on.
“Is this really the result of just one day?!”
Ye Banshuang couldn’t help but question in awe.
Fu Huanhuan expressed the same astonishment.
“Qingbao, did you take some kind of elixir? My best friend is incredible!”
No matter how much they joked around, internally they felt an increasing urgency. Having such a powerhouse nearby made them feel their own efforts were far from enough.
Since the theme song evaluation required self-recorded videos with only one chance—no retakes allowed even if mistakes were made—Qiao Yiqing borrowed a camera from the production managers and started practicing early. Recording herself helped her better identify areas needing improvement.
Now, Qiao Yiqing was no longer satisfied with merely completing the song; she wanted to perform it perfectly. Whether it was dance details, stability in singing and dancing, or stage presence, she aimed for excellence.
Fu Huanhuan stared blankly at the video Qiao Yiqing had just recorded. The Qiao Yiqing on screen smiled brightly, every movement flowing with a unique rhythm, graceful and elegant. It didn’t look like a practice video but a performance of her own song.
“What’s wrong?” Qiao Yiqing asked, noticing Fu Huanhuan’s silence as she leaned closer.
Fu Huanhuan had just been stunned by Qiao Yiqing’s performance. Now, seeing that pure face with no makeup, slightly weary but still delicate like a pear blossom in the rain, she felt an urge to protect her.
Under high pressure, some crumble, but others bite the bullet and transform.
For the first time, Fu Huanhuan believed Qiao Yiqing might go much further—reaching heights she herself dared not imagine.
Dorm 303.
Fashu Xuan looked at the empty beds and asked Luo Yujin, “Those two still haven’t come back?”
Luo Yujin shrugged indifferently, “Maybe still practicing. They’ve always been bad at dancing; if they don’t cram now, it’ll be too late.”
Fashu Xuan thought of Ye Banshuang’s terrible dancing in the practice room, sneered, and continued pampering herself with a facial mask.
...
No matter how afraid the trainees were, the day of the theme song evaluation finally arrived.
Each class recorded separately.
Trainees from Class B sat on both sides of the practice room. A fixed camera was set in the center. Each trainee stepped forward, pressed start themselves, and began recording.
Only simple background music played during filming. Their singing, even breathing, was captured clearly.
One by one, the trainees finished recording until it was Qiao Yiqing’s turn.
Ye Banshuang had finished hers already. She wasn’t satisfied with her performance but resolved to work harder next time. As for Qiao Yiqing, Ye Banshuang was nervous on her behalf. From what she observed, many in the room were watching Qiao Yiqing, eager to see how she would perform. Hopefully, she could withstand the pressure.
Thinking this, Ye Banshuang covered her pounding heart and focused intently on Qiao Yiqing’s performance. Only when the girl bowed and exited did she slowly lower her hands, feeling numb.
Why was she, a nervous and often flustered weakling, worrying about someone else?
She had thought Qiao Yiqing just needed to perform at her usual level to do well, but during the actual recording, Ye Banshuang realized that the already near-perfect performance wasn’t her limit. That recording was the true definition of commanding presence.
Ye Banshuang glanced around and saw others sharing her stunned expression, feeling satisfied.
Then she noticed Fashu Xuan hiding in a corner, her face twisted with a dark, distorted look, which brought her even greater joy.
That condescending, almost patronizing glare, the barely concealed disdain and mockery—did she think being from a big company made her superior?
Yet now, solo trainees were outperforming her—not just slightly, but overwhelmingly—crushing her in terms of expressiveness.
What must it feel like for those you look down upon to trample you underfoot?
Ye Banshuang truly wanted to interview Fashu Xuan.
Fashu Xuan had expected to be the best in Class B, but suddenly Qiao Yiqing emerged. What was her deal? Was she hiding her skills on the first day of dance class? Was she deliberately setting herself up for ridicule?
Thinking of having once said she’d help Qiao Yiqing, Fashu Xuan felt ashamed, wishing she could erase that memory, but quickly turned to anger. She thought Qiao Yiqing was a naive little bunny, but it turned out she was cunning. She had misjudged her.
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Despite these side stories, the footage from all 101 trainees had been organized for the mentors’ secondary evaluation.
After some time, mentors Zhai Xingwen, Wei Wei, Zhao Man, and Bo Wei sat together again.
Opposite them was a screen; on the table lay the trainees’ score sheets.
Videos would play starting with Class A, following the ranking order, ending with Class F.
The screen lit up, and Lan Chenxi appeared.
“A strong start, huh?”
“Oh? Lan Chenxi? Now I’m interested.”
“She should be fine!”
After the video ended, the mentors exchanged smiles and revealed the score sheets—straight A’s.
“No objections here.”
“Deserved.”
“My worry now is that Lan Chenxi might be the best performer. Starting with such a high standard makes the rest hard to judge.”
Their words proved prophetic.
“The completeness is good enough to stay in Class A.”
...
“How is this trainee in Class A?”
“That’s the one who danced ‘Disco Dream.’”
“Oh, I remember. She did well then, but this is far off.”
“Demote to D.”
...
“Why give up after a mistake? She should have kept going.”
“Unfortunately, that only qualifies for Class C.”
...
Class A finished quickly. Indeed, Lan Chenxi was the standout.
“That was expected.”
“If no one in Class A can surpass Lan Chenxi, chances for others are slim.”
“Wen Yali and Ren Qianqian are quite good too.”
“Yes, but Lan Chenxi is steadier.”
...
“Alright, now let’s look at Class B.”
...
“This trainee is one I’m paying attention to!” Bo Wei said excitedly upon seeing the silver-haired girl.
Wei Wei also recognized her. “Xi Rui? The rapper, right?”
“Yes. There are too few rap trainees; I have to watch her closely.”
“Not bad. She’s practiced hard and improved a lot.”
“I think she can get into Class A.”
“I agree.”
...
“Fashu Xuan’s dancing was okay, but her singing was a shortcut, trying to get by in some parts.”
“Sigh, she didn’t fix the issues she was told about.”
“Still Class B.”
...
“That’s Teacher Shao Fei’s daughter, right?”
“Yes. She always gets upset when Shao Fei is mentioned.”
“Hahaha, seems she has a strong pride. But she really improved a lot, can stay in Class B.”
...
After watching a few more trainees, Qiao Yiqing appeared on screen.
“She’s one of the trainees I’m focused on,” Wei Wei said.
“Then her singing must be good,” Bo Wei added.
“Yes,” Wei Wei nodded.
“I remember her dance was a big problem. Wonder how much she’s improved,” Zhao Man said worriedly.
As Qiao Yiqing’s performance began, casual chatter faded until the video ended and everyone regained their composure.
“I think she’s only been training for three months?”
“Yes, definitely inexperienced.”
“She’s the one who moved me the most so far.”
“Her dance can’t beat Lan Chenxi’s yet, but the overall completeness and expressiveness are on par.”
“In some details, I even think she handled things better.”
In the end, all agreed on A.
Zhai Xingwen smiled, “I can’t wait to see how she grows from here.”
—
Soon it was time for the second ranking announcement. Trainees sat nervously in their practice rooms, waiting for the mentors.
Wei Wei entered Class B holding a stack of cards and a list.
“Long time no see. I believe everyone knows why I’m here,” she said without small talk, starting the procedure right away. “I have your theme song evaluation results. When your name is called, please come up and receive your scores.”
“Fashu Xuan.”
“Luo Yujin.”
...
“Qiao Yiqing.”
When Qiao Yiqing stepped forward to receive her score, she saw Wei Wei’s usually stern face break into an encouraging smile.
“Here’s your score sheet. Take good care of it.”
Qiao Yiqing took the folded card, thanked her, and returned to her seat.
Though she didn’t open it, a faint premonition stirred in her heart.
After all scores were distributed, Wei Wei announced, “You may now open your results.”
—
Class A.
A heavy atmosphere lingered.
Since the scores were handed out, trainees from lower ranks began entering one by one. For those demoted, these newcomers were the ones taking their places, pushing them out.
The remaining trainees, mindful of others’ feelings, dared not show happiness—only worried expressions.
Three days of practice was too short for deep bonds; they only sought to avoid criticism when the show aired.
Lan Chenxi remained her usual icy, aloof self.
At that moment, the door to Class A’s practice room opened again.
“Hello everyone!” A silver-haired girl with a swaggering attitude and dressed in blue training clothes sauntered in, casually greeting without regard for etiquette.
No one responded.
Unfazed, she strode in and took an empty seat.
Seeing her in blue training clothes, Lan Chenxi’s gaze fixed on the door, watching as one by one others entered. When the final familiar figure appeared, Lan Chenxi smiled.