Chapter 21: The Battle to Win Him Over (Please Add to Your Favorites and Keep Reading)

Shen Xiyin blinked her clear, limpid eyes in astonishment and reminded, “Captain Fang Xing, your team only has four members.”

“We’ve got a high voice, a low voice, a dance lead, and an instrumentalist—what more do we need?” Fang Xing replied matter-of-factly.

Shen Xiyin quickly added, “Captain Fang Xing, each team can have up to seven members. If your team is too small, you might be at a disadvantage in the popularity vote.”

Chief Director Tong Fei also felt that four was too few, making the group seem too out of place, so she spoke up, “Fang Xing, pick one more member and make it five, at least.”

Since the chief director had spoken, Fang Xing had to comply. He glanced at the theme board for “Martial Arts Dream” and said, “Then I’ll need someone who can do classical dance, preferably with some martial arts background.”

The “Martial Arts Dream” theme posed a challenge for choreography. If there was someone skilled in martial arts or classical dance, that problem would be solved.

Shen Xiyin seized the moment and asked, “Is there any trainee here who does classical dance and would like to join Captain Fang Xing’s team?”

At that moment, a twenty-six-year-old trainee stood up, took the microphone that was passed to him, and introduced himself:

“Hello, Captain Fang Xing. My name is Wang Huajun. I’ve been studying classical dance since I was a child. I haven’t formally trained in martial arts, but I can perform many martial arts moves.

“Out of the five themes, the dance for ‘Martial Arts Dream’ should suit me best.

“But you just said your team was full, so I’m a little concerned about whether it’s right for me to join.”

In reality, trainees in boy group competitions are usually very young, sometimes just eighteen or nineteen. At twenty-six, Wang Huajun was already among the oldest.

He hadn’t joined “Star of Tomorrow” with the intention of debuting in a group, but rather to find a stage where he could showcase classical dance.

Fang Xing recalled a stunning classical dance performance from the preliminary stage. At the time, the four mentors almost gave him straight A’s, but since he hadn’t sung—only danced—he received full marks in dance but none in vocals. After some discussion, the mentors placed him in Class B.

Remembering that performance, Fang Xing could already envision some of the challenging choreography for “Martial Arts Dream.” This was precisely the member his team needed.

Fang Xing asked formally, “Tell me, do you have any requests?”

Wang Huajun thought for a moment before replying, “I’m fine with following your direction for vocals, but when it comes to dance, I’d like my opinions to be valued, especially for my own dance sequences. I hope to have some autonomy.”

Fang Xing agreed readily, “Of course. For the dance, you can discuss directly with the dance instructor; I won’t interfere, at most I’ll give some suggestions.”

He believed that professional matters should be handled by professionals.

Fang Xing wanted authority over the vocals because he was professionally trained and absolutely confident in that area. In dance, however, Wang Huajun’s two decades of classical training made him more of an expert than most.

Wang Huajun was very satisfied with this answer and immediately said, “Then I’d like to join Captain Fang Xing’s team.”

Shen Xiyin turned to Fang Xing and asked, “Do you agree, Captain Fang Xing?”

Before Fang Xing could reply, Hashim interjected, “Wait! I want to steal him for my team!”

With those words, the atmosphere in the room ignited once more. After all, it’s the competition for members that makes the show entertaining.

Shen Xiyin smiled and asked, “Oh? Captain Hashim wants Wang Huajun as well. It seems our classical dance trainee is in high demand.”

Classical dance wasn’t especially useful for the other four themes, but for “Martial Arts Dream,” it was invaluable. Among the trainees present, only Wang Huajun had studied classical dance from a young age.

“Let’s have Captain Hashim state his case first,” Shen Xiyin said, passing the floor to him.

Hashim came out from behind the theme board, energized, stretched out his arms, and pointed at Wang Huajun, exclaiming,

“Wang Huajun, I need you on my team! Whatever you want, I’ll agree to it.

“I’ve even thought it through—during the instrumental break, I’ll give you a solo segment for classical dance, so you can dance your heart out.

“My sincerity is unmatched. Unlike a certain captain who just said four was enough and didn’t consider you at first.

“Come to my team, and you won’t regret it!”

Shen Xiyin picked up the thread, “Alright, Captain Hashim does seem very sincere. Now both captains want you, Wang Huajun. This is your moment to choose—which team would you prefer to join?”

Hashim’s fervor was truly contagious. Wang Huajun hesitated, then asked, “May I ask a question?”

“Go ahead.”

“I’d like to know if either captain has thought about song selection yet? I want to weigh my decision based on whether the song suits classical dance.”

Hashim answered immediately, “I’ve already decided—I'm adapting the theme song from a classic martial arts drama, ‘Beauty Without Tears.’ I have ideas for the arrangement; trust me, this will be the most explosive stage.”

“And what about you, Captain Fang Xing? Any thoughts on song choice?” Shen Xiyin turned to Fang Xing.

Fang Xing had already made his choice and answered directly, “It’s a song no one’s heard before, so it’s hard to describe.”

“Wow! So it’s another new song? How does it compare to ‘Nocturne’?” Shen Xiyin immediately caught his drift.

Fang Xing considered for a moment and replied, “Different styles, so it’s hard to compare. But if I must say, both are incomparable.”

The crowd erupted in excitement again. Never had they seen anyone praise themselves so effortlessly and confidently.

“With Captain Fang Xing putting it that way, I really want to see it! If it’s as amazing as ‘Nocturne,’ I’ll become your fangirl for sure!” Shen Xiyin said, hands on her cheeks, looking full of anticipation.

Prompted by the director’s reminder, Shen Xiyin quickly asked, “Captain Fang Xing, do you have anything else to say to Wang Huajun?”

Fang Xing answered serenely, “Nothing more. Choose whichever team you think suits you best.”

Having Wang Huajun on his team would be ideal, but if not, there would still be dance instructors to help with choreography.

Unlike Hashim, Fang Xing didn’t need to hype up his emotions as if he were on something when vying for a member. As for Wang Huajun’s decision, that was up to fate.

After all, the two teams were rivals—one would inevitably lose in the second round.

Wang Huajun hesitated. He had studied classical dance for twenty years since he was a child, making his foundation unshakable. Yet, there were few stages where he could truly showcase his art; otherwise, he wouldn’t have joined a boy group competition.

At twenty-six, he’d already spent seven or eight years struggling in the entertainment world. He had been through a lot.

That was why the longing in his eyes was so much deeper than in most.

Because of this, he wanted to win.

Hashim’s song, “Beauty Without Tears,” was the theme from a classic martial arts drama—truly a perfect fit for his talents.

Fang Xing’s song was still undecided and was a new piece. No one knew whether it would reach the level of “Nocturne.”

Moreover, Fang Xing’s final words had sounded a bit aloof, almost indifferent.

Yet, Wang Huajun sensed something else—a kind of confidence.

He knew this attitude well; it was as if he could hear Fang Xing’s unspoken thought: It doesn’t matter whether you join or not—I’m going to win anyway.

And he wasn’t wrong. That was exactly Fang Xing’s mindset: He was set on victory, and Wang Huajun’s joining would be the icing on the cake, but it wasn’t essential.

Wang Huajun knew this was a risky choice, but in the end, he made his decision: “I want to join Captain Fang Xing’s team.”