Chapter 33: The Birth of a Top‑Tier Sweet Girl

In Chen Ci's script, the female lead Ding Jianguo has three most important character settings: beautiful, aloof, and having long, white, slender legs.

Although Na Zha, who is only fifteen, is just beginning to grow up, at such a young age she has already blossomed into a graceful beauty; in ancient times she would definitely be a "beauty that brings disaster to the nation and its people".

Her face and figure are not bad; Chen Ci also looked at those legs, and they barely meet the standard.

But only this temperament, at first glance reveals an undisguised immaturity, with a hint of baby fat still hanging on her cheeks.

She is cute, but not what Chen Ci wants.

It seems the choice of the female lead still needs careful consideration.

Forget it, don't think about these for now; finishing the task at hand is the top priority.

Returning home, Lao Zhao was leading people moving things in the courtyard.

They are all audio equipment, which will be needed tomorrow.

Because the number of actors participating in the filming and recording is relatively large, Chen Ci decided to adopt a batch‑by‑batch training approach.

He already has a list in hand, and each person's singing part has been assigned.

They come in batches, taught one by one, recorded one by one, and finally spliced together.

Although this method will result in a large workload for post‑production.

But after all, they are not professional singers; this is already the most efficient method Chen Ci can think of.

As for post‑production? It's just money……

The training venue is chosen to be Chen Ci's home.

His living room is very large; after tidying up it can easily accommodate dozens of people.

"Wait a moment, everyone come over so I can arrange tomorrow's task." Chen Ci shouted at several people at the gate.

Lao Zhao nodded: "Then let's rest first and go inside."

Pang Zi was absent, so the workers were Lao Zhao, Zi Dong, and Yi Ming; they quickly finished gathering.

Xiao Tong and Xiao Dan were nowhere to be seen, even though they were clearly present when we set out.

Moreover, today is the weekend; Chen Ci wondered: "Xiao Tong, do you have class on weekends too?"

Lao Zhao replied: "They went to do their hair and haven't come back yet."

Doing hair?

A flash of unusual color passed through Chen Ci's eyes.

"Well, let's talk about it when they come back……

Before his words had finished, coincidentally the sound of a door opening came from outside.

Several people heard the sound and looked over; it was Xiao Tong and Xiao Dan returning from doing their hair.

"You're back."

Before Chen Ci could speak, Xiao Tong noticed him immediately; without even changing her shoes she hurried over to him.

Her dark eyes sparkled with delight, her little face full of excitement.

In contrast, Chen Ci was unusually dazed and rooted to the spot, unable to utter a word in the face of Xiao Tong.

The other three big men in the house reacted similarly to Chen Ci; they could all be described as stunned like wooden chickens.

The more this happened, the happier Xiao Tong seemed; with her hands behind her back she took another hesitant half‑step toward Chen Ci.

Her eyebrows curved like crescents, a bright smile flickering in her eyes—she was simply adorable to the extreme. Chen Ci couldn't help but feel a stirring in his heart, and his hand involuntarily reached out toward Xiao Tong.

Just as his hand was about to touch Xiao Tong's moist, round, tender cheek, Chen Ci finally came to his senses; his right hand halted in mid‑air, only a fingertip's distance from her.

"Mao Mao, you really cut your hair."

Chen Ci recalled that after dinner yesterday he had told Xiao Tong he wanted to see how she would look with short hair, sure to be both beautiful and sweet.

He hadn't expected Xiao Tong to actually go and cut her short hair; this girl…… Chen Ci could only smile in response, for a moment lost for words.

"Hehe, looks good, right? I knew your taste wouldn't be wrong; when I finished cutting I was shocked myself, and even Xiao Dan was startled."

"Cough cough." At this moment Xiao Dan also gradually approached, her expression still a bit unconvinced: "I don't have any."

Chen Ci sincerely exclaimed: "How sweet, Mao Mao—you are the sweetest, most adorable girl I have ever seen. What do you all think?"

Chen Ci turned his head and looked at Lao Zhao and the other two.

Those three were like people just waking from a big dream: "Oh, right."

"Yes, it's really good‑looking."

"What sweetheart cult leader, and sister‑in‑law…… cough, compared to Xiao Tong there's no comparison."

Xiao Tong laughed embarrassedly: "It's not that exaggerated……

Lao Zhao then added: "Not exaggerated at all—didn't you see that even Master Ci today was lost for words?"

Zi Dong also chimed in: "Exactly, if I had a girlfriend this cute I'd wake up sweet from my dreams……

Before he could finish speaking, Zi Dong noticed that everyone's gaze in the room had unknowingly gathered on him.

Zi Dong embarrassedly closed his mouth; at that moment it seemed as if the air had condensed into a solid.

"Pfft~"

Xiao Tong suddenly burst out laughing: "Okay, okay, stop talking about me—I know what I'm like."

The embarrassed atmosphere was finally eased; Lao Zhao also seemed to suddenly recall something: "Master Ci, you weren't just saying you'd arrange the task, were you? Now Xiao Tong and Xiao Dan are back……

Chen Ci nodded, and Zi Dong gave Xiao Tong and Lao Zhao grateful looks……

"The task is very simple, Mao Mao……

"I'm here."

Xiao Tong immediately raised her little hand; her tiny gesture was truly obedient and adorable.

A sudden urge to grab her little hand welled up in Chen Ci's heart, but with so many people present he barely managed to restrain himself.

"Mao Mao and I are in one group, Pang Zi and Lao Zhao in another; tomorrow we'll take turns teaching them to sing. Mao Mao and I will teach the girls, while Pang Zi and Lao Zhao will teach the boys……

Cough!

Lao Zhao suddenly gave a dry cough, Chen Ci asked, "What's wrong?"

Lao Zhao hesitated: "Can I take charge of teaching the girls? I alone am enough!"

You?

Chen Ci frowned slightly: "Are you sure?"

Lao Zhao slapped his chest: "Of course!"

There are about forty girls, but only a dozen boys.

No problem, I guarantee to complete the task!

Alright.

Chen Ci agreed, Lao Zhao nodded satisfied.

Others will maintain order, Yi Ming, you'll also be the driver.

The next morning, everything proceeded smoothly according to Chen Ci's plan.

In one morning, two batches were sent off, that is twenty people.

At this pace, as long as we work overtime in the evening we can finish all the training and prepare for the official recording.

But at this moment, someone raised a discordant voice.

Master Ci, you've screwed me over!

That person was naturally Lao Zhao; his lips were almost worn raw from talking all morning, and his throat felt like it was on fire.

Chen Ci felt a bit sorry and handed him a packet of Golden Throat.

It's you who insisted on teaching the girls' group; I couldn't stop you.

Then you didn't even tell me beforehand!

Chen Ci turned his head, stared coldly: "Huh?"

Cough, Master Ci, you said earlier that everyone who came this morning were fifteen- or sixteen-year-old little girls, and even some who had just started elementary school, they can't speak Mandarin well.

You didn't ask either.

I...

Chen Ci spoke righteously: "How could I not see what Lao Zhao is scheming? It's all his own fault, he deserves it."

However, after all, Lao Zhao is my brother; for most of this morning he's been the one doing the work, and he's near his limit.

Alright, go rest; we'll handle the rest.

Thank you, Master Ci, for sparing my life...