Chapter 75: Group Formation Night

The next day.

The production team officially began recording the group formation sprint night’s team assignments and song selections.

At ten in the morning, all the trainees gathered in the song selection hall.

This time, it wasn’t Shen Xiyin who announced the rules for the group formation sprint night, but Tong Fei who took the stage herself.

Standing on the stage, Tong Fei brought with her an invisible pressure that filled the room. This woman, with her air of mature sophistication, was particularly forceful when it came to producing the show.

Holding the microphone, Tong Fei paced the stage twice before she finally spoke. “Today, I’m here to announce the rules for the next performance, as the competition system is being upgraded once again.”

“Upgraded again…” a trainee sighed helplessly.

In fact, news of the competition system’s upgrade had already spread the day before, so all present were mentally prepared.

Tong Fei continued, “You have two weeks to prepare. The next performance will be the group formation sprint night, during which the final group lineup will be decided.”

An uproar broke out at her words.

Most of the trainees had expected there to be a fourth performance, but now it was to jump straight to the group formation sprint night.

Tong Fei added, “And it will be broadcast live.”

Another wave of commotion swept the hall.

Two weeks to prepare—and then a live broadcast for the group formation sprint night. The pressure was immense for the trainees.

Tong Fei waited for the room to quiet somewhat before continuing, “After the group formation sprint night, the top twenty-two trainees by popularity will have a final chance to choose whether or not to join the group.

“Those who choose to debut will form the limited-time group, GLA Glacier Youth.

“Those who choose not to debut will lose their chance, and after the show ends, will disband on the spot.”

A third wave of noise swept the audience.

The sense of drama was at its peak.

Tong Fei pressed on, “However, after the group formation sprint night, there will also be a faction showdown, which will serve as the trial for the GLA Glacier Youth group.

“At that time, the trainees who didn’t make the group can form their own faction and face off with Glacier Youth in the ultimate finale.

“Let us, this summer, struggle one last time for our musical dreams.”

A fourth round of clamorous discussion erupted.

Many trainees began whispering among themselves:

“What? Form the group first, then have a final showdown? What kind of rules are these?”

“I heard from someone at ChaoYin Media that it’s because Fang Xing refuses to sign the limited group contract, so in the end, the group won’t actually form.”

“If it’s not forming, he should just withdraw.”

“With things as they are, the production team won’t let him leave the show.”

“So, after the eleven-member group is formed, they’ll compete as a team against Fang Xing’s group in the final showdown?”

“That seems to be the idea.”

Many trainees were discussing, but the five trainees from ChaoYin Media remained silent.

They already knew these rules, since they were the result of negotiations between Feifan Entertainment, ChaoYin Media, and a few other companies.

ChaoYin Media had long since notified its trainees and begun preparing for the faction finale.

Tong Fei continued to announce the competition rules for the group formation sprint night:

“There will be a guest performance segment. After forming teams, each group can invite a professional singer to perform with them.

“The entire night will be broadcast live, and final rankings will be based on that night’s popularity chart in the ‘Star of Tomorrow’ section on Penguin Video.

“The group formation sprint night will use a ranking match system. Each team will perform in turn, and the final rankings will be determined by the popularity votes cast by the live broadcast audience.”

Once the rules were announced, all the trainees began to absorb the information.

When Tong Fei saw the discussions had more or less run their course, she continued, “Next is team formation. After teams are set, the theme for group formation sprint night will be announced.”

“What?”

“Form teams before announcing the theme? That’s too tough,” one trainee collapsed into his chair.

If the theme were announced first, teams could be formed accordingly. Now, teams must be selected first, and only then will the theme be revealed. If you end up on a team unsuited to the theme, you’re basically finished.

“So, when you’re forming teams, make sure to be comprehensive—cover dance, vocal, and rap within each group,” Tong Fei added.

“Director, how will teams be formed?” a trainee pressed.

Tong Fei explained, “We’ve already had three performances, and you all know each other well. You should have a sense of who would make a good team leader. So this time, it’s free grouping—as long as you have six to seven people and select a team leader, you can report your team to the production staff.”

“Free grouping?”

Many trainees’ eyes widened in surprise.

“It starts now—form your own teams, six to seven per group,” Tong Fei prompted again when no one moved.

Immediately, the trainees crowded toward Wu Junchen.

Wu Junchen was still number one on the popularity chart, and the limited group would ultimately be managed by ChaoYin Media. For those wanting to debut, the best way was to cling to Wu Junchen.

On Fang Xing’s side, aside from Shao Yu, Lu Ming, and a couple others, few approached.

Wang Huajun glanced at Wu Junchen’s group, then walked over to Fang Xing. “I have to head over there—my agent arranged it,” he said.

“Go ahead, do your best,” Fang Xing encouraged him.

Last night, Wang Huajun had already confessed that he’d signed a new contract with ChaoYin Media and received their promise of a debut spot. His agent had arranged for him to join Wu Junchen’s team during grouping.

In fact, Fang Xing agreed that he should accept the contract. Unlike Shao Yu and the others, Wang Huajun specialized in classical dance—an area where Fang Xing couldn’t help him. Joining the limited group would actually give him a chance to perform classical dance.

If you’re friends, you should want what’s best for them. If you aren’t friends, you have no right to interfere with their choices.

So, Fang Xing supported his decision.

…

After three rounds of performances, all the trainees knew how formidable Fang Xing was. Many wanted to join his team, but didn’t dare.

The conflict between Fang Xing and ChaoYin Media was no secret in the training camp. Getting close to Fang Xing now might mean trouble with ChaoYin Media upon debut.

Thus, anyone aiming to debut avoided Fang Xing.

Of course, there were a couple of exceptions.

Two trainees approached Fang Xing.

One of them, named Hu Chenglin, took the initiative. “Each team needs six to seven people—may I join you?”

Fang Xing recognized Hu Chenglin. In fact, during the first performance, both of them had been on Wu Junchen’s team. Ranked twenty-fifth in popularity, Hu Chenglin had decent looks but was otherwise unremarkable. Given his ranking, his chances of debuting were slim, so he wanted to try his luck with Fang Xing’s team.

The other trainee was Li Wenbin, ranked tenth in popularity.

“I’d like to join you as well,” Li Wenbin said.

Fang Xing looked at him in surprise. “You actually have a shot at debuting—are you sure you want to come here?”

Li Wenbin, a trainee from Baichuan Entertainment, was unafraid of ChaoYin Media. He shrugged and smiled, “It’s just a chance to cooperate—what’s the problem?”

“True enough. Then come on,” Fang Xing agreed readily, and led his newly formed team to register with the production staff.