Chapter 19: You Lend Me Your Guitar, I’ll Take You to the Finals

With the first round of selections complete, each team now had two members. Shen Xiyin flipped through the script in her hands, muttering, “Director, what’s the next step in the process? Am I wasting too much time here? I really don’t understand some of these rules.”

Tong Fei laughed cheerfully. “It’s fine. After all, this is a recorded show. Take your time. I’ll just edit all of this into the final cut.”

“What?” Shen Xiyin’s eyes widened instantly, and she hurried to explain. “Um… Dear audience, it’s not that I didn’t prepare. The director sent me the rules last night, and I spent the whole evening studying them. But as you can see…”

Everyone burst into laughter.

Tong Fei was very pleased with this segment’s comedic effect. Since the public performances were held every two weeks, but the show aired weekly, it meant that in the weeks between performances, only the trainees’ daily lives and training could be shown. Among these, the process of song selection was the centerpiece of the transition episodes.

With no stage performances to focus on, the program had to rely on variety effects. Shen Xiyin was doing a great job in this regard—she came across as adorably clueless, which was exactly what the audience loved. Tong Fei knew her viewers well.

After rummaging for a while, Shen Xiyin finally found the next step in the script and announced, “Alright, now we begin the second round of selections.

“Each captain may select one member per round. If someone is stolen, they can pick another until they successfully recruit a member.

“A captain who steals someone, since they’ve chosen an extra, forfeits their selection right for this or the next round.

“However, even without selection rights, they can still make a grab, but only once per round.

“We’ll continue in the original order—Junchen, you go first.”

Wu Junchen scanned the group, his gaze settling on Shao Yu. “Shao Yu, would you like to join my team?”

Shao Yu was from Class B and, being formally trained, had a solid foundation in vocals. Most trainees from Class A were captains; the few remaining had already been picked in the first round. That made the trainees from Class B the main targets now.

Shao Yu was among the best vocalists in Class B, and at Dongyin College, he often practiced complex harmonies. In a team, having someone who can harmonize flawlessly makes the overall sound exceptional.

Moreover, good harmonies can mask the vocal limitations of other members. Wu Junchen’s range was high, but as the mentors had pointed out, his high notes lacked power. Gaining depth in his voice in a short time was nearly impossible. The best solution? Pair him with someone who had a rich, resonant sound to cover the deficiencies.

Shao Yu’s tone was deep and full, especially his chest resonance in the middle register, which could perfectly support Wu Junchen’s high notes. Besides, there was another reason for choosing Shao Yu: while Shao Yu excelled in the mid-range, audiences typically only cared about high notes when judging vocal skill. No matter how well Shao Yu sang, he wouldn’t overshadow Wu Junchen’s center-stage presence.

“Shao Yu, what’s your decision?” Shen Xiyin passed the question to him.

Shao Yu stood, took the microphone, and apologized, “Thank you, Captain Wu, for choosing me. However, I made a promise to another captain earlier: if he picks me, I’ll join him right away.”

“And who is that?” Shen Xiyin glanced around, feigning ignorance.

Fang Xing raised his hand. “It’s me. I’m making a steal.”

Shen Xiyin found the situation amusing. “Shao Yu, with two captains vying for you, it’s your turn to choose. Or do you have an agreement with yet another captain?”

“Let me explain…” Shao Yu started to speak.

Wu Junchen interjected, “Wait, I have something to say too.”

Shen Xiyin said, “Alright, Captain Junchen first. Shao Yu, you can decide after.”

Wu Junchen spoke earnestly, “Shao Yu, even though we haven’t worked together, I’ve seen your performances. I know I need you. I promise, if you join my team, I’ll treat you well—even give you the center position on stage. My team’s only goal is to be number one, to be the ace. You deserve the best team.”

Shen Xiyin clapped approvingly. “Captain Junchen is truly sincere. Shao Yu, now is your moment to choose—you’re free to pick either captain.”

Shao Yu didn’t hesitate. “Actually, Fang Xing and I are classmates—he’s two years below me. When I graduated, he was a sophomore. We agreed back then that we’d collaborate if we ever had the chance. So, thank you, Captain Wu, for your recognition, but I choose Fang Xing.”

With that, he strode onstage and high-fived Fang Xing and Guo Keda in celebration.

Wu Junchen’s expression soured at having his pick stolen. He’d already lowered himself, yet he couldn’t even secure a Class B “nobody.”

Despite Shao Yu’s strong vocal skills, he had never participated in a talent show and wasn’t popular, ranking thirty-sixth on Penguin Video’s popularity chart. “Tomorrow’s Star” would debut only eleven people in the final group—anyone outside the top eleven would be quickly forgotten by viewers. Normally, someone in Shao Yu’s position would prefer joining a popular team to advance further.

However, Shao Yu was classically trained. The audience might not distinguish who sang best, but he certainly could. Over the past few days, he’d come to realize that Fang Xing was an enigma—perhaps even someone he could learn from. Although Shao Yu had done well in school, he was still astonished by Fang Xing’s vocal skills.

For him, this wasn’t even a choice—it was as obvious as a listening test.

“Shao Yu chooses Captain Fang Xing. Captain Junchen, you may select another team member. Whom will you pick?” Shen Xiyin guided the process along.

Wu Junchen surveyed the group and picked a backup from Class B. This trainee was also classically trained, though not from Dongyin, and had decent vocal skills, but wasn’t the top choice. That spot belonged to Shao Yu, who was now gone, so he could only settle.

The Class B trainees all understood that joining Wu Junchen’s team meant a guaranteed spot in the next round. Except for Shao Yu, no one would refuse Wu Junchen. Likewise, aside from the special case of Fang Xing, no one would dare compete with Wu Junchen for a pick. After all, if the moment was aired, they’d be torn apart by Wu Junchen’s fans.

Fang Xing’s example was right in front of them. On the night the first part of episode two aired, Wu Junchen’s fans flooded Weibo, attacking anyone with a name resembling Fang Xing. If not for the positive reception to “Nocturne” and “Wild Bird” in the second half of episode two, Fang Xing would still be facing relentless ridicule from Wu Junchen’s fans.

The remaining eight captains had no desire to become Wu Junchen’s opponents. Ultimately, the final group would have eleven members. All of these captains had a strong chance of making it, which meant that after debuting, Wu Junchen would likely be the designated team leader. If they soured their relationship now, life would be miserable later on.