Rebirth from the Ashes - Chapter 470
Chapter 470: Drifting Further and Further Away
The other nearby mentors were feeling awkward for Shen Xi. At the same time, they found Su Muyan’s behavior tasteless.
Despite knowing that Yun Xiao knew nothing, Su Muyan chose to put him on the spot and make him look bad. Did Su Muyan think he was all that? Well, so much for good character.
It was as expected.
The question came as no surprise to Shen Xi. She calmly replied, “Everything.”
“Mr. Yun Xiao, you sure know how to keep it short.” Su Muyan chuckled, thinking he had won. Yet, there was something off about it.
For the people who got where they were today, they were not ones to be messed with. Between Su Muyan who initiated the talk and the aloof man of few words, Yun Xiao, it appeared like Su Muyan was doing a one-man show in the other mentors’ eyes.
It dawned on them that Su Muyan carried himself like an idiot. He got in Yun Xiao’s face and felt smug about it even though the latter brushed him off.
Shen Xi kept mums.
The other mentors interacted and talked about the practice in the afternoon, asking Shen Xi’s opinion at times. Shen Xi would nod or hum a single syllable response.
After dinner, the mentors headed towards their studios to check on the students.
As the mentors parted ways, Gu Yang stared at Shen Xi who was moving towards the lift instead. In the end, he could not resist the urge to stop her. “Mr. Yun Xiao, aren’t you going to the studio to check the students’ progress?”
For once, Shen Xi showed respect by returning a glance. She answered, “I’m checking on the videos.”
Gu Yang, “…”
Yun Xiao was not the easiest person to talk with. Had it not been an earlier incident when Yun Xiao spoke a lot to that Ye Weiyang girl during evaluation, Gu Yang would have thought he had communication issues.
Instead of throwing out the usual biting remarks, Su Muyan coldly scoffed to himself. Check the videos? What videos were Yun Xiao watching? The way Yun Xiao was blowing off work was ridiculous!
Su Muyan foresaw the TV ratings going down and Yun Xiao drowning in public rage if the production crew released his footage without editing.
He relished that thought! Su Muyan sincerely hoped Yun Xiao would keep up the attitude so that fans would boycott Cosmos Entertainment.
The trainees had a structured routine with meals and practice evenly spread out.
The training ended at nine o’clock at night. Nevertheless, no one was stopped from extending the practice on their own.
The mentor could not be there twenty-four-seven to keep watch over the trainees. The last to leave the trainees was Gu Yang. He left at eight o’clock.
The other trainees kept going until nine o’clock. Some left while others added time to their clock.
Fed up, Group F whined all the way. Novelty could push them to watch the music video around ten times, but more than that, no greater dance, song, or Mr. Gu Yang’s handsome face could stop their patience from wearing thin.
People were leaving one after another midway. They were using their actions to reflect their displeasure and protest against Mr. Yun Xiao and the production crew.
By the time the clock struck nine, there were only a handful remaining.
Song Wenye and the lot practiced an additional half an hour before looking for Ye Weiyang. The latter refused to return to the dorm until she was done watching the video a hundred times. Left without a choice, the girls headed back.
Han Yan and Ye Weiyang were the only ones left at ten o’clock.
Han Yan counted, and it came out at the right amount – one hundred times. She glanced at the girl at hand who was waiting for the music video to come on the next loop. Han Yan told her, “We hit a hundred times.”
Han Yan could not care less what other people did. However, she would still complete the task assigned by the mentor despite her discontent.
“I’m going to stay a little longer.” Ye Weiyang looked at her with smiley eyes. “You don’t have to keep me company.”
The girl was flattering herself to think that Han Yan was going to accompany her. Han Yan got up and stretched. “I’m leaving. Don’t stay up too late.”
“Alright.” Ye Weiyang nodded with a smile.
Han Yan gazed at the little softie. Yes, the girl looked soft, especially those round meaty cheeks. Han Yan was tempted to pinch those cheeks. Ye Weiyang was a cute girl, always keeping a smile on her face towards everyone. Han Yan sat down and watched with her a couple of times before letting curiosity get the better of her. “You see something?”
Ye Weiyang shook her head. “I’m not sure.”
Han Yan was rendered speechless. She looked at the time and it was half-past ten. Han Yan could not stay any longer or else she would not be able to get up for tomorrow’s training.
Tomorrow?
She smiled bitterly.
Was there a tomorrow for them after being assigned such an irresponsible mentor?
It only sprung to Han Yan’s mind that the girl named Ye Weiyang was her dormmate when she reached the dorm.
She had completely forgotten that their original dormmate fell ill and dropped out. Since Ye Weiyang was the replacement, she would be, of course, sharing the room with her.
At present, Ye Weiyang’s suitcase was still lying on her bed. Han Yan could tell that Ye Weiyang came in a hurry and did not have time to unpack.
It was eleven o’clock at night.
Shen Xi was finally done with getting all the details sorted and had a sense of Group F’s strengths and weaknesses. Since she decided to be a mentor, she would do her due diligence.
While she was stretching, she noticed the message notification on her phone blinking. She tapped and found a message from Li Yuan.
[Li Yuan: Are you done with work? I’m in the castle opposite.]
Shen Xi picked up her jacket while rushing out and texting at the same time. [Shen Xi: Are you still there?]
Godd*mnit! She left the phone on the bed when she returned to her room earlier. Li Yuan’s text was sent an hour ago.
After Shen Xi sent the text, a reply was heard in a split second. [Li Yuan: Yes.]
Shen Xi heaved a sigh of relief. Grabbing her phone tight in her arms, she texted back before making a bolt to the lift. [Shen Xi: I’m coming down now.]
She managed to get the message delivered just as the doors to the lift were closing. Great, at least she did not have to worry about not having a signal in the lift.
A Rolls Royce was parked right across the castle.
Shen Xi drew close to the car as the door opened.
Li Yuan observed the young girl panting. Her cheeks were flushed red from all the running. Li Yuan waited until Shen Xi got into the car before asking, “Are you that busy?”
Shen Xi shook her head. “I didn’t have my phone with me. It was in the pocket of my jacket and left on the bed. Why didn’t you call me?”
Li Yuan replied, “I was afraid you were busy.”
Shen Xi solemnly gazed at him. “I wasn’t.”
Nothing was ever busy enough to take her time away with him.
Li Yuan handed her a cup of bubble tea. His voice reflected delight and care. “Is all well with the shoot?”
Shen Xi nodded. “Not too bad.”
It was already quite late. Li Yuan came over to say goodbye to her. Shen Xi had to remain here for three days while he had to fly to the capital tonight for an important meeting tomorrow. He wanted to meet with her prior to his departure.
Shen Xi sipped on the bubble tea and enjoyed a piece of cake while relaying to him her day. She then turned to him and said in a serious tone, “Li Yuan, I think I’m going to be a huge sensation.”
Li Yuan asked, “I thought you weren’t going to enter showbiz?”
Shen Xi retorted, “You can’t stop people from becoming a hit. I think I might be more popular than the debuting winners.”
Li Yuan laughed. “You’re already a hit, Mr. Xixi, Ms. Cai Ni, Screenwriter Cloud Seven.”
His fair lady was too modest. What was her definition of popularity? She had already made it big. Other celebrities considered themselves popular by having a huge following.
Shen Xi, on the other hand, was sought after by celebrities, directors, and influential forces.
She had to agree after a second thought, but then it was also something to fret about. “But I’d only be more popular after this.”
Even fortune could not stop her from becoming a worldwide sensation. The celebrities of her age should thank Shen Xi for not going into showbiz. Otherwise, they had no means to survive in the entertainment business while Shen Xi was on the roll.
“Yes.” Li Yuan’s voice bore obvious delight. His eyes spoke of his doting towards her.
Shen Xi went on to chatter about every single detail in her life.
Li Yuan enjoyed listening to her. His fair lady appeared rather excited today, having a lot to talk about. It was not until Kun Lun reminded him of the time that Li Yuan noticed it was midnight. Even though he was reluctant to part, he could not keep her for long. “Xixi, go and get some rest. You have a shoot tomorrow.”
Shen Xi glanced at the time. Her eyes gloomed with disappointment. Time went by in a flash, and before she realized it, it was already twelve. She nodded. “Li Yuan, don’t forget to call me once you’re home.”
Li Yuan uttered. “I’ll text you.”
It would be four in the morning when he got back to the capital. She would be sound asleep, so phoning would only wake her.
Shen Xi gave it a thought before humming in acknowledgment. She longingly gazed at him. “I should head up. Be careful on the road and stay safe.”
“Sleep tight.” Li Yuan urged as the girl opened the car door and bade him farewell. She left without looking back.
She took a piece of his heart when she took off. How could she walk away without taking another look at him?
For some reason, Shen Xi felt a lump in her throat and her eyes swelled. She did not have the guts to look back. They had never been apart for so long ever since their trip to United M to examine Mama Fu. The days spent together seemed to have become a habit.
Yet now, she was about to be away from him. The sense of longing was tearing her up inside. Picking up that the car was driving away, Shen Xi mustered up enough courage to look back. She waited until he could not see her before dashing to the roadside to watch the car cruise away.
Li Yuan turned back, and through the rear-view mirror, he clearly saw the girl rushing to the roadside.
Her figure was so tiny as she stood under a tree by the road. The lonesome shadow appeared rather forlorn. He was both relieved and sorry to witness her so.
The car steadily cruised along, drifting further and further away until it disappeared out of sight.
Shen Xi could no longer see the car.
Li Yuan could no longer see her.
Shen Xi returned to the set to find Group F’s studio brightly lit. Finding it odd, she glanced around and found a commotion inside the room. Hence, she advanced towards the source of the noise.
