The performance room of the Smile Always Training Department.
Gao Hu was explaining the core of Ren Chao's classic scene to Li Gui. "The emotional arc in this scene is very complex. It's a two-minute long take with no dialogue, only facial expressions. So, accurately grasping the character's emotions at that moment is key. He Tao's initial reaction is shock upon learning the truth..."
After ten minutes of explaining the essence, Gao Hu had Li Gui perform it once, corrected some parts, and finally reiterated a few key points before letting Li Gui practice on his own.
Li Gui practiced a few times in front of the mirror, felt he had it down, and then checked his phone.
"Alone in the performance room, so bored, so lonely."
The message was sent to Chang Ye, the president of the company's internal "Li Gui Fan Club." Li Gui had previously looked down on this group of informal fans, but at this moment, he was incredibly grateful.
Chang Ye replied almost instantly, "Alone? Then I'll come and support you."
Li Gui didn't have to wait long before Chang Ye arrived.
Seeing that he was indeed alone, Chang Ye immediately expressed concern, "Didn't Teacher Gao Hu give you guidance? Why are you by yourself?"
"The guidance is finished, he's already left. It's nothing difficult."
With something to gain, Li Gui's smile widened, making Chang Ye overjoyed.
"I've heard about the competition. Don't worry, someone who got in through the back door, wanting to take your spot. Even if that person has real talent, we won't accept them, especially with that appearance. They're not even fit to carry your shoes."
She had gone to see the person as soon as she heard the news. They were so ordinary, you could find a dozen like them on any street, yet they had the nerve to compete with Li Gui. She didn't know where their confidence came from.
Li Gui smiled, "I actually admire him quite a bit, I'm just annoyed by their unscrupulous methods. Wanting everything. I was actually worried for him, as I have more experience. But he actually thinks I wouldn't dare compete with him, leaving me no choice but to accept the challenge."
Chang Ye immediately became indignant, "They even forced the issue? They really think too highly of themselves. No, we absolutely cannot let someone like that into the company."
Li Gui sighed, "Actually, for the first performance, he admitted it was okay that he saw the script beforehand. From Manager Zhao's attitude, it seemed like he would still sign him. But he insisted on not admitting it, only happy if he proved to be stronger than me. In the end, he shot himself in the foot. I wonder if he regrets it now."
"With that kind of demeanor, what talent could they possibly have? They must be regretting it terribly."
While saying these flattering words, Chang Ye took out her phone and sent a message to the fan club group.
"Sisters, that newcomer is too detestable. They're openly trying to push out Tu Tu. With that appearance, they still want to use the back door and disrespect Tu Tu. Everyone, please urge other colleagues to vote for Tu Tu."
Soon, the fan club group erupted. Chang Ye continued to embellish and incite.
"They don't take Tu Tu seriously at all. Relying on being Nine's relative, they think they're the most important person. They demanded Tu Tu compete with them, and dared to dictate what Tu Tu should do."
"Tu Tu is kind-hearted and good. He was worried that he would be forced out of the entertainment industry. It's one thing that they didn't appreciate it, but they even mocked Tu Tu for not daring to compete with them."
Li Gui was also in the fan club group. Seeing Chang Ye's message, he felt smug. A proud son of heaven like him would be adored wherever he went. As long as he had these people, Xiang Fei could only pack his bags and leave.
However, outwardly, he still offered words of persuasion, "It's okay. I believe that with my strength, I definitely won't lose to him. Let everyone vote based on talent. I don't want people to vote for me just because it's me."
Chang Ye was ecstatic, "We all know your strength. Besides, someone like that, even if they have talent, shouldn't be allowed into the company, lest they corrupt the company's atmosphere."
The two chatted for a long time until Li Gui said he needed to continue rehearsing, and only then did Chang Ye reluctantly leave.
...
Quan Jiu and Xiang Fei arrived at another performance room.
However, upon entering the performance room, Quan Jiu did not offer any guidance. Instead, he bought two cups of instant noodles from the vending machine, one for himself and one for Xiang Fei.
Xiang Fei was actually quite nervous. The competition was in half an hour, and he had watched the video. It was not easy to perform, and it concerned his survival in the entertainment industry. He really couldn't afford to be careless.
"Teacher, why are you buying instant noodles?"
"Of course, to eat." Quan Jiu smiled. "I was too busy discussing matters at noon and didn't eat enough. It's no fun eating alone, so you eat with me." With that, he handed Xiang Fei a cup of instant noodles.
Xiang Fei forced a bitter smile and had no choice but to join him. By the time the two cups of instant noodles were ready, five minutes had passed.
Quan Jiu slowly carried his bowl of instant noodles to the dining area, and Xiang Fei had to follow.
"Teacher, I've analyzed that scene before. Listen to me and see if my analysis is correct." Xiang Fei took a big bite of his noodles and began to share his insights.
Quan Jiu slurped a mouthful of noodles, then put his hands in his pockets and stared at Xiang Fei expressionlessly.
Xiang Fei, who had been talking enthusiastically, gradually sensed something was wrong. He tentatively asked, "Teacher, did I say something wrong?"
A hint of mockery flickered at the corner of Quan Jiu's lips. "Utter nonsense."
Xiang Fei's pupils widened dramatically, his face instantly flushing red to his ears, a mixture of confusion and bewilderment. "Teacher... I... where did I misunderstand?"
Quan Jiu frowned slightly and said coldly, "You don't even know where you went wrong? Is this all you're capable of? Wei Tian said something very well: with your looks, entering the entertainment industry is tantamount to suicide. You're useless all around. What makes you think you can make it in the entertainment industry?"
"Teacher..." Xiang Fei's voice suddenly rose. Trembling with suppressed anger, he said, "I cannot accept criticism like this without any reason."
Quan Jiu scoffed, his face full of ridicule. "Cannot accept? What right do you have to say you cannot accept? Do you think I recommended you for your sake? My goal is to cooperate with Smile Always. As for you, I just took pity on you. To be honest, with your level, you're worlds apart from Li Gui. You have no chance of winning against him."
Xiang Fei looked at Quan Jiu with utter fury. But seeing nothing but mockery and contempt on his face, a torrent of grievance surged within him.
He tried hard to hold back his tears, and choked out, "Teacher, you didn't say this before. You said I had talent, even said I was no less than Han Zhao. You always encouraged me..."
Quan Jiu impatiently lowered his face. "Don't you understand superficial courtesy? If it weren't to maintain my image, do you think I would speak against my conscience? Don't you have any self-awareness?
All entertainment companies refuse to sign you. This is your reality. You know in your heart that you won't go far in the entertainment industry, or even survive. You'll be an extra your whole life.
Do you know why I proposed the competition? Because that's your destiny. You have no one else to rely on, so you're counting on me. I've reached my limit, I'm truly fed up. Do you know what you're like? You're like a dog wagging its tail begging in front of me. I took pity on you and recommended you, but you're truly embarrassing me."
Xiang Fei stared blankly at Quan Jiu, tears finally streaming down his face in large drops. He murmured in disbelief, "Teacher, is this truly what you think?"
Quan Jiu snorted coldly, "I'm giving you a reason to quit the entertainment industry. Shouldn't you be thanking me?"
Xiang Fei looked at the now soggy instant noodles in front of him and gave a bitter smile, tinged with despair. "I know, I'm ugly..."
After a long silence, his eyes suddenly sharpened, and he glared at Quan Jiu, "But I will never accept fate."