Chapter 46: The Top Two on the Popularity Chart Join Forces
After two minutes, Shen Xiyin asked, “Captain Junchen, have you decided? Which song will you choose?”
Wu Junchen stood up and spoke into the microphone, “Yi Chen and I have discussed it, and we’ve made our decision.”
“Alright, don’t say it yet. Just come forward and stand behind the board of the song you’ve chosen.”
Shen Xiyin stepped back, making a welcoming gesture.
Wu Junchen strode forward, heading straight toward the “Youth Squad” board.
“As expected, ‘Youth Squad’—the best song for live performances, guaranteed to be explosive. Every team wants this one.”
Just as everyone thought he would choose “Youth Squad,” he suddenly circled around and stood behind the custom song board.
A wave of excitement swept through the crowd.
The variety show effect was at its peak.
“Captain Junchen, are you sure you won’t change your mind? Are you really choosing a custom song?” Shen Xiyin’s voice carried a hint of excitement, and she couldn’t help but glance at Fang Xing.
Not only Shen Xiyin, but over a hundred pairs of eyes in the audience focused on Fang Xing.
The trainees whispered excitedly:
“Wu Junchen went with the custom song. What does that mean?”
“Fang Xing probably wanted to pick a custom song too, didn’t he?”
“Exactly. He’s only sung new songs before, so he must have wanted to choose custom.”
“But now Wu Junchen has already chosen custom. If Fang Xing also does, he’ll be going up against Wu Junchen.”
“No, he’ll be facing the combined force of Wu Junchen and Liu Yichen.”
“Right. The top two on the popularity chart teaming up—who would dare to challenge them?”
“I think he’ll avoid Wu Junchen.”
“I agree. According to the rankings, after Liu Yichen gave up being captain, Fang Xing, as the second to choose, could easily steer clear of Wu Junchen.”
“That’s true. Avoiding Wu Junchen is definitely the best strategy. With his skills, as long as he avoids Wu Junchen and Liu Yichen, no one else can match him.”
As the discussion continued,
Shen Xiyin gestured toward Fang Xing, “Now it’s Captain Fang Xing’s turn. Anything you’d like to say?”
Fang Xing stood up, a faint smile on his face. “There’s nothing to say. I’ll just choose.”
“So straightforward?”
Shen Xiyin made a gesture of invitation, “Then please come up and stand behind the board of your chosen song.”
Fang Xing stepped out from the crowd and headed directly toward the custom song board.
Seeing this, the trainees whispered, “Surely he’ll turn and pick another board—it’s such a classic variety show move.”
“My thoughts exactly. Who would willingly take on Wu Junchen and Liu Yichen?”
Yet, amid their murmuring,
Fang Xing stopped behind the second custom song board without any intention of moving elsewhere.
Shen Xiyin blinked her large, sparkling eyes and asked, “Captain Fang Xing, have you decided?”
“I have,” Fang Xing nodded.
“If you choose custom too, you’ll be going up against Captain Junchen. Are you sure?” Shen Xiyin asked again.
“I’m sure,” Fang Xing nodded again.
“Can you explain why? Why choose custom?” Shen Xiyin asked, prompted by the director’s team.
Fang Xing shrugged. “No real reason—I just don’t want to sing the other four songs.”
The other four weren’t bad, but their dance style was too obvious.
Most boy group songs these days are Korean dance tracks, with highly similar styles.
But when you think about it, few boy group songs become classics.
Korean dance tracks are top-notch in melody and arrangement, especially live—extremely explosive.
But these songs are more like craftwork, rarely true art.
…
Unable to suppress her curiosity, Shen Xiyin pressed further, “Captain Fang Xing, aren’t you afraid of becoming rivals with Captain Junchen? Next time, Wu Junchen and Liu Yichen will be teaming up.”
Fang Xing answered calmly, “Just sing your own song well; nothing else matters.”
In truth, Fang Xing thought to himself: I’ve been on the same team as Wu Junchen before—I know exactly what he’s capable of.
Shen Xiyin, unconvinced, said, “Is that really so? Then, Captain Junchen, you’ll be facing Captain Fang Xing. Any thoughts?”
Wu Junchen took the microphone, speaking earnestly, “During the first performance, Fang Xing and I were on the same team, so I know his strength is impressive.
“Only by competing with strong opponents can you improve faster—and it makes the show more exciting.”
Shen Xiyin looked forward with anticipation, “I’m already excited for the next performance, hoping to see both captains shine.”
After this, the other captains chose their songs, but those choices were unimportant.
Once song selection ended, it was time to recruit team members.
Shen Xiyin announced, “Captain Junchen will recruit first. Trainees who wish to join Wu Junchen’s team, please stand up.”
At her words, over twenty trainees stood, nearly half the group.
The rest who didn’t stand weren’t unwilling to join—it was just that they knew Wu Junchen wouldn’t pick them.
After all, this time Wu Junchen and Liu Yichen were joining forces—anyone who got on their team was almost guaranteed a pass to the next round.
Shen Xiyin continued, “Captain Junchen, you may now select from the standing trainees. You can choose multiple at once. Other captains may attempt to steal chosen members.”
Wu Junchen first selected Liu Yichen. The two stood on stage, embracing like brothers.
After displaying their bond, they discussed and picked six more team members.
No captain tried to poach anyone.
After all, none of the other captains wanted to make trouble for themselves.
Wu Junchen successfully assembled the Tide Sound Five, completing his team.
Next, it was Fang Xing’s turn to recruit.
Fang Xing directly picked Lu Ming, Shao Yu, Guo Keda, and Wang Huajun—five forming a team, exactly as before.
Grouping concluded.
Guo Keda, Lu Ming, and the others trembled with nerves.
“It’s over—this time we’re up against Wu Junchen and Liu Yichen. Are we going to get destroyed?” Guo Keda swallowed hard, utterly lacking confidence.
Shao Yu was calmer, reassuring them, “Don’t worry. If the captain chose custom, he must be confident.”
“Captain, do you already know what song you’ll sing? Do you have any youth-themed tracks in reserve?” Lu Ming nudged Fang Xing’s arm with his elbow.
“Youth-themed… not yet,” Fang Xing replied casually.
“Then we’re doomed,” Guo Keda sighed.
Fang Xing began assigning tasks, “This whole song selection felt strange, as if the program team arranged it in advance. Guo Keda, go find out whether Wu Junchen’s choice was pre-arranged.”
Guo Keda was friendly with many trainees and could definitely dig up some insider info. “Alright, I’m on it. What about the song?”
“I’ll decide what to sing, then record a demo and send it to your phones,” Fang Xing replied lightly, as if it were as simple as eating or sleeping.