Ji Zeyu stared at Yun and asked slowly, “What do you want me to do?”
“You must display charming qualities, including your personal charisma and stage charm,” Yun answered, “which means that you must stabilize a persona in the show that can be favored by many viewers, and you should find a unique style onstage.”
“I can understand the part about having a style onstage,” hesitation flashed through Ji Zeyu’s eyes, “But persona… Do I really need this type of thing?”
Yun said unhurriedly, “Some people went to talent shows for many years and are still tagged as the ‘twice-cooked pork,’ but some people can instantly earn fame as long as they are in front of a camera… Do you know why that is?”
Ji Zeyu suddenly became startled, as if Yun’s words hit his most vulnerable weakness.
“Capability and good looks are certainly related to a talent show,” Yun said enigmatically, “but in my opinion, the most important thing is still to show charisma, and a persona can help you quickly achieve that.”
Ji Zeyu had participated in many talent shows in his previous life, and he had always thought he could stand out as long as he had the capability, but he had never thought of this aspect.
Yun continued to say, “The company has helped you think of a few personas. The capable black horse; the handsome, strong, and miserable center; the sometimes salty, sometimes sweet little prince… What are you thinking?”
“None of them are me,” Ji Zeyu said without thinking, “Aren’t these personas lies?”
“As long as the production crew has enough material, the editor can provide you a persona,” Yun did not consider it a big deal, “It’s not exactly lying. After all, you share some commonality with each of these personas… Of course, I would not have said the same thing before the first public performance.”
Ji Zeyu shook his head and rejected the offer, “I don’t like any of these personas you mentioned,” he was just a plain cannon-fodder male supporting character.
Yun stared at him for quite a while before succumbing. She said, “You are still as stubborn as before. Since you don’t like it, I can take a step back, but I’m your manager after all, so I have to be responsible for you.”
After a moment of contemplation, Yun looked at Ji Zeyu and said, “How about this? I give you two weeks, and you consider what is it about you that attracts fans. If you can’t find a result after two weeks, then you shall listen to me.”
Ji Zeyu understood that Yun truly did it for his own good. He pursed his lips before nodding to symbolize his agreement.
“Here’s some advice: try to learn more about your fellow contestants,” Yun said earnestly, “Lu Nanyun looks indifferent all the time, but he still has a group of fans chasing after him; Wei Yichen keeps a low profile, but he has always been the center of attention… These are all some things you should consider.”
After Yun left, Ji Zeyu continued to ponder her words.
He had never considered what was charming about him. In his previous life, Ji Zeyu only knew to immerse himself in dancing and singing every day. He did not have the appearance or background to dare to expect such things as personal charm.
He was used to being an accompaniment and in the background, and he never knew clearly what was “stage style.” He only knew to try his best to complete his moves.
To put it bluntly, Ji Zeyu no longer dared to express himself because of the impact of reality.
Yun’s words made him start to re-evaluate himself.
While resting in the dormitory, Qi Aodong observed Ji Zeyu’s silence and guessed that he must have been upset because of the comments on the internet.
“What are you thinking about?” Qi Aodong sat down beside Ji Zeyu’s bed and asked casually.
Ji Zeyu stayed quiet for a moment before suddenly asking, “What do you think… is charming about Lu Nanyun?”
After he posed the question, Ji Zeyu stared at the ceiling for quite a moment. When he did not receive a response from Qi Aodong, he could not help but look toward him and realized that his expression was a bit cold.
For the past few days, Qi Aodong had been noticing Ji Zeyu’s changes. He had thought that Ji Zeyu had stopped liking Lu Nanyun, so he did not expect a sudden mention of him.
“You are thinking about him again?” Qi Aodong’s tone was slightly strange, “Haven’t you stopped trying to pursue him since a long time ago? Are you going for it again?”
Ji Zeyu was frightened by Qi Aodong’s words and hurriedly sat up, denying repeatedly, “I’m not. Why would I be thinking of pursuing him…”
Qi Aodong said aloofly, “I don’t think he’s charming.” His single eyelids, which initially seemed chill, now carried an additional layer of coldness.
“All right,” Ji Zeyu thought that maybe everyone has different opinions. So he asked again, “Then what do you think is charming about Wei Yichen?”
Qi Aodong’s expression slightly softened, and he replied after a moment, “He and Lu Nanyun both graduated from a prestigious school. His company’s designated persona from him is ‘sunny and handsome engineering God.’ The fans probably prefer this contrasting persona.”
A contrasting persona?
Ji Zeyu said as if he had abruptly realized something, “I understand now!”
“You understand now?” Qi Aodong looked at him with much confusion, “What are you understanding?”
“Nothing,” Ji Zeyu leaped off of his bed excitedly. He suddenly turned his head to look at Qi Aodong, “Aodong, you have very contrasting personalities, too. Most of the time, you are easy-going, but just now, you looked very aloof.”
Qi Aodong was startled. When he pulled himself back to reality, Ji Zeyu had already left the dormitory. After a moment, he could not help but laugh softly, and his expression became very gentle.
Ji Zeyu was unaware that he happened to describe the exact opposite about him.
Ji Zeyu, who assumed he had mastered the key to becoming charming, found a few people he was close to and asked each of them what their impressions of him were.
After the public performance, everyone’s attitude toward Ji Zeyu changed, and he was also a topical figure, so they all replied to his questions sincerely.
The answers varied, but almost everyone mentioned one thing: Ji Zeyu looked like an exquisite boy.
Exquisite boy?
Ji Zeyu fell into deep contemplation: How can an exquisite boy create a contrasting persona?
After a moment, he ran to the bathroom and observed his reflection in the mirror for a while. Suddenly, he felt as if he had discovered the answer…
That evening, his roommates discovered with much shock that Ji Zeyu was wearing a tank top, shorts, and a bag on his back. They asked, “What’s going on, Xiao Ji? What are you up to?”
“I’m going to lift some iron,” Ji Zeyu waved his hand and headed ambitiously to the gym, which the production crew had prepared.
TL’s Note: To “lift iron” is Chinese slang for bodybuilding.
“What?!” The three remaining people in the dormitory were all shocked.
For the next few days, Ji Zeyu would punctually arrive at the gym every day, and he even brought Wan Long with him.
Since the public performance, Wan Long treated Ji Zeyu like his God, so he was naturally willing to accompany him.
Just after finishing a dance rehearsal that day, Wan Long directly informed the people in his company that he was leaving first.
“What’s up with you these days?” Lu Nanyun furrowed his brows and looked toward Wan Long, “Are you trying to slack off?”
“I’m not slacking off!” Wan Long said, aggrieved, “Xiao Ji wants me to accompany him as he lifts some iron.”
“Huh?” Lu Nanyun was in disbelief, “His figure… still needs to lift iron?” As he said this, he could not help but recall that night’s scene where Ji Zeyu lifted the hem of his shirt.
Wan Long said, confused, “Nan ge, how do you know what his figure looks like…”
“Ahem,” Lu Nanyun interrupted him and looked elsewhere, “Nothing. Take your leave.”
After Wan Long left, Lu Nanyun clearly began to be absentminded. If he recalled correctly, Ji Zeyu did not enjoy working out. Did he…
Did he blacken because there were too many hate comments of his on the internet?
As the thought rose, Lu Nanyun’s mind carried a hint of concern that was unnoticeable even to himself.
After he finished dancing, Lu Nanyun returned to his dormitory and showered.
A staff member from the crew suddenly came to his door and told him, “Lu Nanyun, it’s your turn to record the Shining Vlog this week. Here’s the camera…”
Shining Vlog is an extra show prepared by the crew, and its purpose is to increase the exposure of these contestants.
Lu Nanyun nodded, taking the handheld camera while drying his hair. He placed the camera on the table and planned on recording tomorrow.
A moment later, Lu Nanyun’s eyes landed on the camera, looking thoughtful.
Wan Long was in the middle of practicing their moves with Ji Zeyu. The duo seemed out of place here because the other men were all stronger than they were.
At this time, a familiar silhouette abruptly walked in from the entrance.
Lu Nanyun held the camera, his eyes locking on Wan Long and Ji Zeyu.
He pretended to not have seen Ji Zeyu and directly walked up to Wan Long. He told him, “I want to record a vlog with you. I’m trying to do one with everyone in our company.”
Ji Zeyu’s moves conspicuously froze for an instant.
Wan Long was stunned. He wanted to say “sure” before he suddenly realized another person was beside him.
Wan Long said to Ji Zeyu to avoid embarrassment, “Zeyu, look over there.” He pointed at Gu Weicheng, who was practicing squats in the corner, “Gu Weicheng has an eight-pack. Go and have him teach you.”
Ji Zeyu said quickly, “Really? That’s great. I’ve been looking for someone to teach me.” Then, he threw the dumbbells on the ground and ran away as if left as if he were running away.
Lu Nanyun’s expression froze.
He initially wanted to see Ji Zeyu’s current state and take this opportunity to extend an olive branch to show he no longer disliked him that much, but he did not expect Wan Long to directly drive Ji Zeyu away.
“Nan ge,” Wan Long moved closer to Lu Nanyun and said softly, “I know you dislike Xiao Ji, so I sent him away. Don’t you think I really understand you?”
Lu Nanyun fell into a long silence.
Translated by: Sydney
Vandez Translations 