Chapter 20: I've Got Your Back

Jin Li felt that one of the figures flashing past looked quite familiar.

Curiously, she asked, "Who are those people?"

Ji Qinglian frowned and said uncertainly, "It should be the boy band March Sky. They are still in the second episode, so they are probably rehearsing their stage for it today."

Jin Li: "Speaking of rehearsal stages, do I have to go in right now?"

She waved the small slip of paper in her hand. Ji Qinglian eagerly took it. "Let me check for you!"

After a moment, she said, "It's still early. It's in this rehearsal room, but you'll have to wait half an hour for your turn. If the mentors inside drag things out, you might end up waiting an hour."

Fearing that the mentors rehearsing inside might bully Jin Li—since she hadn't fully returned to the first-tier spotlight and was considered a minor second-tier star—and use their power to compress her rehearsal time, Ji Qinglian said

"I'll stand outside and wait with you. We can chat; it's been a long time since we've talked like this!"

Rehearsal times are fixed. If one mentor delays by ten minutes, the next one will lose ten minutes.

As soon as the time is up, the staff clock out punctually. They don't care what kind of star you are; they follow the contract, and their work ends at that specific time.

Unless a star is willing to provide some extra "grease," the staff might be willing to work overtime.

In the entertainment industry, being a star isn't the only profession; many people working in related fields know these rules inside out.

On the other side, the members of March Sky, who had rushed into the elevator, immediately burst into laughter the moment the doors closed.

"Xiao Lin, why did you laugh just now? Once you started, I couldn't stop!"

Xiao Lin's name was Chen Lin, the youngest and the "maknae" of the group.

Chen Lin said sheepishly, "I couldn't help it. I was just passing by and suddenly heard one lady saying to another with such profound emotion—'You look so healthy!' I just burst out laughing. Is this some new way of greeting people?"

Gu Cheng thought for a moment and agreed, "I think that's a good way to greet someone. To look good on camera, people in this circle often resort to improper dieting, which ruins their health. If a star looks healthy, it's actually a blessing."

Chen Lin complained, "The way you put it makes it sound more like a curse! After all, they ruin their health just to look good on camera. Someone who looks healthy might not look good on screen."

Gu Cheng remained noncommittal; he still felt that being healthy was more important.

However, when it came to physique, the public tended to be much harsher on female stars.

Rehearsal Room No. 5.

Qiu Qiwen and her partner, Ren Tiantian, were stuck halfway through a dance formation change.

They first performed the dance in its entirety, then watched the footage, only to find that the mid-dance position changes were too scattered, giving an impression of frantic clumsiness.

It took them half an hour just to fix this specific section of the choreography.

With only half an hour remaining, they could only refine the details of the first half, but the second half was still unfinished.

The partner Qiu Qiwen had invited this time was not a fellow first-tier star, but a second-tier "little flower" the company wanted her to mentor.

She had only met Ren Tiantian at the company and didn't know her professional capabilities. It was only during this rehearsal that she realized—

Ren Tiantian's foundation was too poor, especially her dance foundation!

Qiu Qiwen couldn't help but frown. How did the company dare to package her as someone "excellent at both singing and dancing"?

Hah.

Qiu Qiwen could already imagine that when the program aired, it would be a total disaster for Ren Tiantian.

Ren Tiantian also sensed the senior's hostility; she didn't dare slack off throughout the process, nor did she dare complain a single word.

Soon, the one-hour rehearsal time passed, but half of their dance still needed modification.

Qiu Qiwen whispered a few words to her assistant.

A moment later, the assistant returned with several bottles of water, handing one to each staff member present before approaching Qiu Qiwen.

"Sister Qiu, I just went to check. The one waiting outside for rehearsal is Jin Li. Ji Qinglian is staying by her side chatting; they seem to be having a very pleasant conversation."

Qiu Qiwen frowned deeply.

Ren Tiantian's assistant also went out to scout for information and returned shortly after, whispering a few words to her.

Soon, Ren Tiantian walked over, approached Qiu Qiwen, and lowered her voice: "Sister Qiu, how about we take up half an hour of the rehearsal time? The next one scheduled is Jin Li, and she's just a minor second-tier star."

In the industry, whenever a "little" or "minor" prefix is added, it means the person is still a step short of the real thing.

A "minor second-tier" star is more like a high third-tier star who hasn't quite made it to the second tier.

Qiu Qiwen said expressionlessly, "No, we will not take up someone else's rehearsal time. Next time, tell your assistant to be more thorough when gathering information. Didn't you see Ji Qinglian herself waiting at the door? And you still want to steal Jin Li's rehearsal time?"

A trace of mockery appeared in her eyes. She said nothing more and turned to leave.

Ren Tiantian lowered her head, her face turning pale and then flushed with embarrassment, looking quite unsightly.

When she raised her head again, she had returned to a gentle, smiling demeanor.

A moment later, the door to Rehearsal Room No. 5 opened.

Qiu Qiwen was the first to walk out, followed by Ren Tiantian and their respective assistants.

Qiu Qiwen greeted Ji Qinglian warmly and took Jin Li's hand. "Jin Li, it's been so long! We were on the same program before; I've seen you."

She scrutinized Jin Li; that rosy, fair little face showed absolutely no sign of being a sickly person.

"You look much better!"

Qiu Qiwen said this with genuine sincerity.

Jin Li smiled and said, "Yes, I've only started feeling better this year. Otherwise, I wouldn't know when I'd be able to return to the stage."

Qiu Qiwen gave her an encouraging gesture. "I wish you success."

As Jin Li walked into the rehearsal room, Ji Qinglian said, "I won't go in. I'll wait for you outside."

Jin Li raised an eyebrow and forcefully pulled her inside. "Just come and watch. You can give me some advice."

Ji Qinglian had originally intended to keep her distance.

Rehearsals are a very private matter; she instinctively felt that it was best if no one had seen Jin Li's stage yet—it was better if they didn't know.

But since Jin Li insisted, she had no choice but to comply.

Standing on the stage, Ji Qinglian asked, "What kind of stage do you want?"

Jin Li said without hesitation, "Singing. I might also play a bit of piano."

Ji Qinglian was somewhat surprised. "No dancing?"

Jin Li shook her head, her answer concise: "My body can't support it."

Ji Qinglian thought for a moment. "Then don't sing this time. Just recite a few lyrics to practice your positioning, and I'll help you check the camera angles."

Rehearsals can be simple, but to present a more exquisite stage, one must invest a great deal of thought.

They spent a full hour just discussing the lighting effects and the transitions between lights.

The staff members were almost driven to a mental breakdown by the two of them, repeatedly pleading, "It's time to get off work! Great stars, let's leave it at that for now. There's a second rehearsal later!"

Both Jin Li and Ji Qinglian broke into smiles.

The two exchanged a look, and that sense of tacit understanding from when they were teammates surfaced.

How nostalgic!

To all the ladies, Happy Holidays!

(End of Chapter)