Chapter 31: Want to Be Tormented? Find Jin Li

Lian Baozhi's outburst, of course, failed to achieve anything.

The recording continued, and the on-site director heavily emphasized a few points into every star's earpiece:

"If a mentor has health issues, they can seek staff assistance; other mentors need not worry about anyone else's safety—it is unnecessary.

Furthermore, discussing topics unrelated to the talent show is strictly prohibited. Please, teachers, focus your energy on the stage."

After the director's warning, expressions varied across each star's face.

Jin Li exchanged a glance with Ji Qinglian, smiled sheepishly, then turned to Gu Cheng beside her, clasped her hands, and made a gesture of "apology."

Gu Cheng remained in the same posture, elbow propped on the table, one hand pressing his in-ear monitor, completely unaffected.

He shook his head at her, utterly unconcerned, his eyes clean and clear, giving off the impression of a gentle, youthful boy.

If one had to choose the member of the boy band with the most youthful aura, it would undoubtedly be Gu Cheng.

Jin Li recalled the information she had searched for earlier.

Rumor had it that some directors had specifically approached Gu Cheng, wanting him to star in youth campus films, but he had rejected them all, claiming lack of experience.

Soon, an hour passed, bringing the time to eleven at night.

Jin Li slumped in her chair, exhaling a long breath.

The recording of the second episode had finally concluded!

While the production team arranged for the trainees to leave, they also sent someone to liaise with the mentors.

The planner said, "We may call the teachers back for supplementary recording at any time over the next two days; please keep your schedules clear."

Everyone nodded.

The night was deep; Jin Li and Sui Lingfang did not leave Lidao, planning to stay in the dormitory for another night.

As she walked back with Sister Fang and Ji Qinglian, she brought up the matter of supplementary recording.

Sister Fang stated decisively, "It's fine; we can leave directly. I've already communicated with the production team. If your footage isn't suitable, they'll cut you out entirely, including any later videos showing your poor health."

Sui Lingfang didn't care how the production team edited things or how much screen time she received, provided Jin Li's stage performance remained intact.

For this, they could sacrifice some extra shots, making a trade-off.

After hearing her opinion, Jin Li nodded. "Agreed."

Interacting with trainees and such was unimportant.

Participating in this show was solely for the sake of the stage.

Coincidentally, she had performed first, and her condition had been quite good then.

Jin Li believed that unless the production team maliciously edited the footage, her stage appearance would not disappoint the fans who supported her.

When returning to the dormitory, Ji Qinglian seemed somewhat distracted.

She walked Jin Li to the front of the dormitory building; Jin Li wanted to invite her for morning tea the next day, but Ji Qinglian shook her head regretfully.

"We can't meet; I have to leave Lidao tonight and fly to Dongcheng. My assistant has already packed my luggage."

As she spoke, Jin Li heard the sound of rolling wheels from the end of the road; looking up, she saw the members of the March Sky boy band, each pulling a suitcase, walking hurriedly.

Coincidentally, Jin Li and Ji Qinglian were standing on the very path the group had to take.

Behind the March Sky boy band, Ji Qinglian's assistant also approached, pulling a suitcase.

They greeted Jin Li and Ji Qinglian, and Yan Xingdong asked, "Teachers, are you two also rushing to catch the upcoming flight?"

Ji Qinglian asked curiously, "Yes, I'm flying to Dongcheng shortly. What about you?"

Yan Xingdong smiled. "We're also flying to Dongcheng shortly to attend a celebration event."

Ji Qinglian remarked, "What a coincidence. You aren't also heading to the 'Jinse' charity gala, are you?"

"Yes."

Gu Cheng looked at Jin Li. "Senior, where is your luggage?"

Jin Li cleared her throat lightly, wanting to maintain a cool demeanor and say she wasn't going, but the next second Ji Qinglian dragged her back to reality: "She wasn't invited."

Jin Li cast a resentful glance at Ji Qinglian. "Can't you save me some face in front of outsiders?"

Ji Qinglian laughed. "If you bought me a scratch-off ticket, even if you didn't let me win 200,000, just letting me win 20,000, I'd hold you in the palm of my hand every day and call you my ancestor."

Jin Li proudly lifted her chin and bluntly rejected, "Is this about luck? This is about looks. Your character is flawed; you don't have that luck!"

Ji Qinglian's teeth itched with the urge to punch this luck-dog.

Gu Cheng, however, took these words to heart, his eyes flickering slightly.

Jin Li bid them farewell, returned to the dormitory, quickly removed her makeup, took a shower, and fell straight asleep.

On the other side, late at night.

The March Sky boy band and Ji Qinglian rushed to catch the same flight, coincidentally all seated in the third row of first class.

Yet even more coincidental was that Lian Baozhi was on the same flight, sitting in the same row.

Chen Lin joked to liven up the atmosphere, "If Teacher Jin Li were here, we could make up a full mahjong table."

Lian Baozhi snorted, turning to look out the window; though others couldn't see her expression clearly, her attitude was certainly not pleasant.

At this moment, Ji Qinglian smiled gently.

"You mean Jin Li? Tsk, better not play mahjong with her."

The members of the March Sky boy band looked over curiously, and Chen Lin even asked, "Why? Can't she play?"

Ji Qinglian shook her head and said seriously, "Unless you want to be crushed by several hands where she starts with a heavenly win, don't play any competition or game relying on luck with her."

Gu Cheng asked, "Has Senior Li's luck always been this good?"

Ji Qinglian thought for a moment, specifically glancing at Lian Baozhi, and said lightly, "At least better than those female stars who always try to compete with her but can never measure up."

By the time they disembarked, it was already two in the morning; all the mentors parted ways at the airport.

In the dead of night, fans were still risking their lives to chase stars; every mentor had fans waiting at the airport, with the March Sky boy band having the largest crowd.

As soon as they appeared, cheers from the fans erupted throughout the airport like a tidal wave.

The male idol group members each maintained a stern expression, swiftly departing the airport without uttering a word or interacting with fans.

They were strictly prohibited from allowing fans to greet them at the airport, as doing so could easily cause accidents.

Back in their debut year, several incidents had already occurred at the airport.

Yet no matter how they communicated with fans, their whereabouts always got leaked.

As soon as the members boarded the van and shut the doors, Chen Lin could not hold back: "Does Teacher Lian Baozhi dislike Teacher Liz? Today's recording scene and those words on the plane showed obvious hostility."

Gu Cheng pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "Not only that. Haven't you noticed that Teacher Ji Qinglian also dislikes Teacher Lian Baozhi? Also, stop assuming familiarity; you should address her as Teacher Jin Li."

Captain Yan Xingdong said helplessly, "Xiao Lin, use your brain. With so many top-tier female stars at LP Company, why would Lian Baozhi choose anyone other than Teacher Jin Li?"

Chen Lin replied, "Because they have a good relationship?"

The other three teammates all wore speechless expressions.

The March Sky boy band had three great wonders, one of which was Chen Lin's brain—he never thought before speaking and never used his brain when reasoning.

The vehicle fell silent for a while.

Gu Cheng broke the silence to ask, "Actually, I'm more curious about one thing: Teacher Ji Qinglian and Teacher Liz appear to have a great relationship, so why didn't she choose her as a partner?"

Upon hearing this, the manager driving the car remarked, "You're talking about LP Company; that's perfectly normal. This company prioritizes profits above all and would never let its artists serve as stepping stones for others."

"LP would never allow Ji Qinglian to choose Jin Li, knowing Ji Qinglian would definitely help her. But letting Lian Baozhi choose Jin Li stems from the belief that Lian Baozhi could step on her."

The manager added, "Don't underestimate Jin Li. Her sudden fame has made her the unrivaled sensation of the moment. If her career progresses smoothly, returning to the top tier is only a matter of time. Countless people in the industry are watching her, eager to drag her down and divide her traffic among themselves."

(End of Chapter)