CH 41

Chapter 41: Stay or withdraw (1)

“Where did you hear this?”

The news that Jiang Fengchi was quitting was undoubtedly a bomb that exploded among all the girls on the scene. Even the players who weren’t interested in gossip drew closer and listened, anxiously urging the others to speak quickly.

The one who had told them was a petite girl and she had not expected her words would attract so many people. She took a breath, calmed her mood, and slowly started explaining.

She was a player from Class C and because her ranking was not very high, she had not returned to her company for this holiday and had chosen to remain in the dormitory to practice instead. She had also taken the opportunity to help around and seize some camera time for herself.

She had been staying with the team these past few days and when she had gone to help the staff to clean up yesterday afternoon, she had happened to run into Jiang Fengchi heading to the director’s office. She had accidentally heard him when she had brought tea to the two of them; he had said he wanted to quit the show but the director had tried his hardest to persuade him to reconsider.

Because she had just been bringing tea, she hadn’t heard the specific. But when she had gone into the room, she had noticed Jiang Fengchi’s expression; his brows had been furrowed and he had looked anxious.

“But the program team had not notified anyone yet, doesn’t that mean Teacher Jiang may still be thinking about it?”

After hearing the girl’s words, there was a slight gasp in the room and no one dared to speak for a moment. It took a while before another player finally answered in an uncertain tone: “Perhaps.”

The rest of the girls nodded but felt very confused about this matter. Nobody understood why Jiang Fengchi suddenly wanted to withdraw.

Was it because they were too bad and he was too disappointed with them?

Everyone still remembered what Jiang Fengchi had told them at the beginning of the show, that he was eager to witness their growth, and the mood instantly became a little depressed. They weren’t worried whether his withdrawal would affect the show’s ratings, but they had gotten along well these days. They all really liked their stern yet gentle Teacher Jiang and, no matter the result, they all hoped to finish the competition under his guidance.

Him quitting was really regrettable.

The atmosphere in the dormitory was stiff and the players looked unhappy. Nobody spoke for a long time and everybody looked at each other thoughtfully.

“How about going to see him?”

In the silence, Shi Qing suddenly talked. She looked at the other girls with her beautiful eyes and hesitated for a moment before continuing: “At least, we have to do something. If Teacher Jiang withdraws just like that, I personally will have a lot of regrets in the future.”

Some girls might one day have the opportunity to work with him after the draft but for most of them, the competition was the only time they would be able to spend with him. If they missed it, there would never be another opportunity.

Shi Qing’s words touched some of the players around her but when the others were still hesitating, another girl added: “Teacher Jiang is really good to us. I am from Class F but he still patiently taught us. Without him, I would already have been eliminated.”

One person spoke, then a second, then a third… The players all thought of everything Teacher Jiang had done for them in the past month and felt that Shi Qing was right; they had to do something.

“But is it alright for us to go see him just like this? Maybe he has things to do, won’t we bother him?”

Some people expressed their concerns; they all wanted Jiang Fengchi to stay but the adult word was too complicated and they needed to be careful. Such behavior could always backfire.

After all, Jiang Fengchi was a mentor and they were just students. A student being too close to a mentor would inevitably cause controversy.

The mood became anxious again and when everyone was still conflicted about what to do, a soft voice sounded in the room. Qiao Dai, who had been quietly listening to everyone, suddenly stood up.

“I will go.”

She walked out of the crowd and said with passionate eyes: “I don’t believe Teacher Jiang will be angry with us because he obviously likes this stage.”

***

At the same time, Jiang Fengchi was sitting in the program group’s office and was talking with the director.

“Fengchi, are these kids too noisy and give you a headache? I will talk to them and not have them pester you all the time.”

The director was a middle-aged man and he had known Jiang Fengchi for a while now. According to his understanding of the younger man and his professionalism, he would never do something as troublesome as quitting halfway unless he had a very good reason.

Jiang Fengchi lowered his head. His complexion was bad, deep exhaustion was visible in his eyes and his whole person looked rather haggard.

“No, they are good kids and they work very hard. It’s personal.”

No matter how tired he was, Jiang Fengchi would always sit up straight and look other people in the eyes when talking to them. But today, he was holding his forehead with his hand and looked like he was in a really bad place. The director couldn’t bear to say more.

“Anyway, the players haven’t come back yet. Just think about it a little more but if you are really tired, take a good rest. I will find a way.”

The director sighed deeply and a sense of powerless helplessness spread in his heart. He was not angry at Jiang Fengchi; they had known each other for too long to not have any kindness toward each other. But between Ruan Tao and Jiang Fengchi’s withdrawal in such a short time, the matter was particularly complicated and was bad news for the program.

The director sighed again and shook his head.

“Ruan Tao also said she was quitting but I don’t know why. Now you want to withdraw too and I don’t know how to explain it.”

When he heard the girl’s name, Jiang Fengchi’s eyelid twitched slightly but he stayed silent. After a long time, he spoke again and his voice sounded dejected: “I am very sorry, Director. I am causing you trouble.”

All of this was his fault.

The director didn’t know what had happened between Ruan Tao and Jiang Fengchi. One was a contestant and the other was a mentor, so the director didn’t make too many associations. He only thought that Jiang Fengchi was quitting for his own personal reasons and he comforted: “It’s alright, just reconsider.”

The director’s gaze paused slightly on the younger man’s body and he added in a somewhat complicated tone: “Fenchi, as a director, I really don’t want you to quit. But as your friend, I only want you to think about it carefully. If you had really made up your mind, you wouldn’t have such a look on your face.”

Jiang Fengchi didn’t answer but he knew why the director was saying that. He had doubts and knew it was obvious to himself and others; his heart was in chaos and the anxiety made him lose the ability to calmly analyze the current situation. He only knew that if he couldn’t get out of this chaotic mood and stayed, it would only make it worse.

***

After finishing talking with the director, Jiang Fengchi slowly walked out of the building. The light outside was a little dazzling and as he stood under the sun, he fell in a dizzy trance.

“Teacher Jiang.”

As Jiang Fengchi started to feel shaky, a clear voice pulled him out of the chaos of his mind and his ears and eyes suddenly became clearer. He raised his head and saw Qiao Dai standing not far from him, looking at him.

“Qiao Dai?”

Qiao Dai nodded and walked a few steps forward, her clear eyes gazing at him but hesitant to speak.

What should she say?

She was a little bit worried and as she was trying to form words, Jiang Fengchi spoke: “You came to find me because you heard I was quitting the show, didn’t you?”

She had already been seen through!

The girl’s expression of surprise and regret made Jiang Fengchi shake his head. He looked at her worried eyes and guessed his actions were causing all these young girls to feel anxious.

“Teacher Jiang, everybody is worried about you.”

After discovering Jiang Fengchi already knew why she was here, Qiao Dai honestly spoke. As she talked, she looked at the man’s expression.

She couldn’t figure out why both Ruan Tao and he would leave the show. According to all the memories that had appeared in her mind, in the novel, they both had stayed until the end instead of leaving after the first public performance.

Hearing her words, Jiang Fengchi frowned slightly. His eyes fell on Qiao Dai for a moment, as if he was thinking of something, and after a long time he said: “I am fine, I am just… a bit at a loss.”

Jiang Fengchi looked at the girl and suddenly wondered if it was her, wouldn’t she be able to solve his confusion?

Qiao Dai had this wonderful magical power. He wasn’t sure whether his feeling was accurate but sometimes, it seemed as if Qiao Dai was a creature who had strayed into the human world from a remote place. She was ignorant of everything, but she also made people lower their defenses inexplicably.

But he couldn’t tell others about his troubles. He was a mentor and he should not pass his negative emotions to his students.

Chapter 41: Stay or withdraw (2)

Not edited/proofread yet (I’m sorry!)

When Ruan Tao had come to see him that day, she had told him something shocking—

“Teacher Jiang, don’t you remember me? Didn’t you say you wanted to see me?”

It had been when she had said those words that Jiang Fengchi had realized Ruan Tao had been his little fan who had always supported him, even during the downturn of his career.

This time had been Jiang Fengchi’s darkest experience. He had no teammates, no work, no exposure, nothing. But this had not been the worst part; as long as he could see the stage, even if he had to stand alone, Jiang Fengchi would have never given up.

But the negativity from all sides almost got him. His company, the outside world, and even his fans had started vocalizing their disappointment in him.

“You disappointed us too much.”

“How did you become like this?”

“I really regret ever being your fan.”

…

Every word had been like a dagger aimed at his heart and suffering from verbal abuse day and night, Jiang Fengchi had gradually lost confidence.

But in the darkness, a small fan had checked in daily and left messages of encouragement for him. Every day, every single one, until Jiang Fengchi could not forget the fan’s name.

The little fan’s warmth had become Jiang Fengchi’s only consolation through this experience. Little by little, more people had started cheering for him again and he had resolutely chosen to go abroad and work hard until he had made his second debut and appeared in front of the public again.

But his little fan had disappeared.

Jiang Fengchi had sent messages to show his gratitude, asking to meet. But after many years, the little fan had never responded.

Until that day when Ruan Tao had come to see him.

Ruan Tao had said that she had joined the circle and entered the competition because she had wanted to meet him. Everything she had done had always been for him but what had she gotten? Complaints from her teammates, bullying from the audience, and Jiang Fengchi’s ignorance.

Jiang Fengchi had imagined meeting his little fan so many times before and had never thought the result would be so tragic. Ruan Tao broke down and wept bitterly in front of him until she had asked: “Teacher Jiang. Jiang Fengchi, can’t you choose me?”

Jiang Fengchi’s mind had been in chaos and his expression had been stiff. But he had managed to reply without hesitation: “I’m sorry, I can’t. This would be unfair to the other players.”

The entertainment circle was messy and full of temptation. It was easy to try to take shortcuts but Ruan Tao had not really stepped in it just yet. But as soon as she made her first move, if Jiang Fengchi agreed to her request, there would be a possibility she would go astray.

And even if Ruan Tao had not been his little fan, Jiang Fengchi did not want any player on the show to take this wrong route.

But Ruan Tao had disagreed. Countless messy emotions had collided with each other and she had shouted: “But I need your support! I need your support!”

She had strength but she had not been able to show it like she had wanted to. As long as Jiang Fengchi had given her a chance, she would have been able to stand up from the current quagmire and leave all those people who doubted her speechless.

“It’s unfair to others, but are you fair to me?”

In the dark night, Jiang Fengchi had looked at the hysterical girl in front of him and he had felt pain in his heart. He had never thought that the girl who had once lit up his life with warm messages would turn out to become like this.

But he really couldn’t respond to her expectations and in the end, he could only choose to quit.

“I’m sorry, I can’t help you. I can’t do it, I will quit the show…”

No, this had not been the answer she had wanted to hear.

Ruan Tao had looked at the man and after a while, she had shaken her head and stopped crying.

“No, you don’t need to.”

Ruan Tao’s naturally sweet voice had become colder and with some subtle emotions, she said: “I will.”

She had left and as she had said, she had withdrawn from the show the next day.

Jiang Fengchi had not decided to follow up on his words because he had wanted her to stay in the competition. Ruan Tao’s state of mind had obviously not been suitable for this kind of show and even if she had stayed this time, she would have had a breakdown again in the future. It might have been a good thing for the girl to quit right now.

But Jiang Fengchi couldn’t forget about this matter. He couldn’t forget the look in Ruan Tao’s eyes that night. Hadn’t it been for the hope he had given her, such a thing would have never happened.

Therefore, Jiang Fengchi was blaming himself and felt guilty. The depression of his darkest time had taken root in his heart again; how could he help the other players this way? He wasn’t worthy of being a tutor. The person he had wanted to thank so sincerely had become like that, how could he lead those children to go further?

He felt so confused.

“Teacher Jiang.”

Qiao Dai’s voice pulled Jiang Fengchi from his thoughts again. He looked at her determined eyes as she said in a serious tone: “Although I don’t know what happened, I believe Teacher Jiang would never make a wrong decision. Since you are not doing anything wrong, why should you feel confused?”

Qiao Dai’s words were naive and sounded easy but instantly smashed Jiang Fengchi’s line of defense.

He couldn’t let go of this stage. He wanted to witness the growth of these players. Even if he did it again, he would still not agree to Ruan Tao’s request.

Because this was just who he was.

was playing on the huge LED screen outside the building and Jiang Fengchi’s eyes flashed. He took a deep breath and nodded as if he had made up his mind.

“Thank you.”

The man said softly, more relaxed than ever, and only then did he notice the other players standing in the corner behind Qiao Dai. When they realized he had seen them, the girls slowly walked forward and asked with worry: “Teacher Jiang, do you really want to quit?”

Jiang Fengchi’s gaze swept over the trainees one by one and he paused for a while before finally shaking his head.

“I really want to see you stand on the stage with my own eyes.”

As soon as his voice fell, there was a burst of cheers on the scene. The players happily hugged each other and clapped to celebrate.

The director was overjoyed when he heard the news, surprised to see such a tricky situation had been solved like that. When he learned about Qiao Dai and the others’ hands in this matter, he immediately developed a good impression of her in his mind.

Qiao Dai kept saying she hadn’t done anything and that Teacher Jiang had figured it out on his own, but the director didn’t think so.

***

The short holiday came to an end soon and at the same time, the astonishing news of Ruan Tao’s withdrawal because of her leg injury spread. Her announcement of leaving Galaxy also triggered a lot of discussion among fans.

But soon, the players’ attention was attracted by the more intense recording waiting for them and there was no time to waste on gossip anymore; they had to prepare for the upcoming second public performance.

In order to avoid controversy, the program team decided to not substitute Ruan Tao’s second place. Only ten players were left in Class A and a total of 70 players would participate in the second performance. At the same time, Class D would be eliminated after the performance which meant another twenty-five players would leave the competition soon.

For a while, the mood was tense again and the sense of crisis of being eliminated reigned.

“For the second stage, you will face a new form of challenge.”

Jiang Fengchi’s low voice echoed and was transmitted to the ears of every player on the scene through the microphone. All the girls raised their heads and looked at him.

“In this round, the ten players from Class A will be the captains and their teammates will be selected in the rating’s order. Once the team is completed, you will need to invite guests other than the mentors as partners to choose the song, lyrics, and choreography with you, until you will all perform on stage together.”

This meant everybody would have the opportunity to ask for outside aid. The strength of their guests would determine the success or failure of the second public performance!

Hearing this, the girls on the scene held their breaths; this was undoubtedly a huge challenge for newcomers.