Chapter 55: The Same World, Different Us (Please subscribe!)

Jin Li paused slightly as she looked at the female trainee.

It wasn't the first time she had encountered someone fighting for camera time, but every time it happened, she felt a subtle shift in her mood.

Jin Li noticed that while the short-haired trainee appeared calm on the surface, her body was trembling slightly, and her voice grew increasingly shaky toward the end of her speech.

Clearly, she was nervous too.

After a moment's thought, Jin Li said, "It's not difficult. Let me use a song as an example. Our group has a song called *None Are As Good As You*; it carries that feeling of sudden awakening after having experienced all the worldly vanities."

She turned around and casually tapped a few keys on the piano, playing a beautiful and melodious tune.

Behind her, some of the trainees looked at Gong Jiajia and then at the short-haired trainee, Pang Lijia, feeling awkward and unsure of how to react.

Gong Jiajia, however, could not control her expression; she shot a fierce glare at Pang Lijia beside her!

She wasn't close to Pang Lijia at all. She had found it strange when Pang Lijia suddenly insisted on sitting next to her today, acting as if they were well-acquainted.

So that was her scheme!

As for Pang Lijia, she stared fixedly at Jin Li, not sparing a single glance for anyone else.

No one knew that her heart was racing wildly. She had secretly practiced that seemingly composed dialogue countless times.

In a survival show, camera time was crucial; it dictated the distribution of popularity.

She was only ranked 30th, barely making it into the top tier. If she didn't fight for the spotlight now, when would she?

If she failed to debut this year, her company would give up on her.

But she had been a trainee for a full ten years!

She had resolutely become a trainee at sixteen and had wasted away until twenty-six. For ten whole years, she had worked solely for the sake of debuting.

Having practiced dance so desperately, spending day and night in the practice room, Pang Lijia didn't feel she was inferior to anyone.

She just lacked an opportunity!

Suddenly, Jin Li's voice drifted over. She had intentionally lowered her voice to make her tone sound deeper and more resonant.

"I have been to a place, filled with the four seasons... I have seen a place, surrounded by smiling faces... I want to love you well~ I know your name, I understand your emotions... I've tasted your grievances, and the tears you've shed... I want to love you well~"

*None Are As Good As You*, one of the main tracks of the pink girl group, was a slow song. The melody progressed gradually but was not high-spirited.

Rather than a love song, it was more of an inspirational song.

A song for oneself.

The lyric "I want to love you well" wasn't addressed to someone else, but to oneself—you must love yourself well.

The overall meaning of the lyrics was roughly about a girl living a very tiring life, under great pressure, always working overtime, unable to travel.

When she encountered frustrations at work, she had to silently wash her face with tears, gritting her teeth and swallowing her emotions, not daring to vent.

Thus, the lyrics were like a letter to oneself.

—*I hope you can find a good time to go see the distinct four seasons, to meet happy people, and to embrace all your imperfections.*

"I have climbed high mountains, and fallen to the bottom of the sea... I never imagined the world's full view would be like this... So many landscapes, yet none compare to the light smile in your eyes..."

From the earlier lyrics expressing preoccupation with all things, to the part Jin Li was singing now, there was an added layer of release and acceptance.

Only after traveling through many landscapes and experiencing many things can one realize that one's own happiness is what matters most.

Rather than making things difficult for oneself, it is better to choose to let go.

Smile, and you will find the world brightens up.

Jin Li pressed the final key and let the sound fade.

She hadn't sung the whole thing, only about a third; expressing the emotion was enough.

Jin Li turned to look at the trainees. "In the early part of this song, to emphasize the feeling of suppression, you can keep your voice low and heavy. Use specific pauses and emphasis on certain words to heighten that sense of regret, while adding a hint of longing."

The next second, she suddenly pointed to a trainee. "Gong Jiajia."

Gong Jiajia froze. "Huh?"

Jin Li said, "If you only listen to me, I don't know how much you've understood. Come and sing it once so I can hear."

Gong Jiajia: "Ah, me?"

Jin Li smiled. "Come on, don't be shy."

She turned around and began playing the piano again, while the other trainees gave Gong Jiajia encouraging looks.

Gong Jiajia took a deep breath and began to sing!

Her singing was stumbling and hesitant, but Jin Li patiently guided her. Slowly, the song was nearly finished.

When Jin Li stood up, her face was slightly pale. Even with blush applied, she couldn't hide her lack of color.

Seeing this, Sui Lingfang immediately urged the staff to wrap up the filming.

Thus, Jin Li only spent a few minutes quickly finishing the recording before hurriedly leaving with Sister Fang.

Sui Lingfang asked nervously, "How are you? Where do you feel unwell?"

Jin Li gave Sister Fang a weak smile. "I'm... hungry."

Sui Lingfang: "..."

Jin Li blinked. "I'm not lying, I really am a bit hungry. The recording lasted half an hour longer than I expected. I felt hungry while teaching Gong Jiajia to sing. I didn't realize that this 'building sweep' looked simple but actually consumes so much mental energy."

Sui Lingfang: "If it weren't for—"

As she spoke, a trainee shouted hurriedly from behind, "Teacher Jin Li, wait a moment!"

Jin Li and Sui Lingfang paused and turned around.

It was Pang Lijia catching up.

Panting heavily, she said, "Teacher Jin Li, I have something I want to say sorry for. Regarding me stealing Gong Jiajia's camera time just now... I'm sorry. I didn't do it on purpose, but I really need this opportunity so much, I..."

By the end, her voice broke into sobs.

Jin Li and Sui Lingfang exchanged a glance. This was the first time they had encountered such a situation—someone stealing another's camera time and then coming to apologize for it.

Jin Li thought for a moment and roughly understood what Pang Lijia was worried about.

She said, "You don't need to be so nervous. I won't do anything to you. I just think highly of Gong Jiajia, but the show doesn't run according to my will just because I like someone."

"Also," Jin Li paused, "the person you should be apologizing to isn't me. You know who I mean. I sang *None Are As Good As You* for everyone, but I also sang it for you. Do you know the background of the music video for this song?"

Pang Lijia froze, tears still on her face, looking bewildered.

Jin Li said, "At the time, the creator gave us three story options, and in the end, we all chose the background of work pressure.

The female lead of this song is a white-collar worker. Since childhood, her parents placed high expectations on her, hoping she would escape her impoverished and backward village.

But the female lead is not happy. Although she was born into poverty, she was also born free, familiar with every plant and tree in nature; the steel beasts of the city do not suit her.

To survive in the big city, she has lived a very hard life. Eventually, she chose to let go, stopped forcing herself, and returned to the village to live the life she truly wanted."

"So, do you understand?" Jin Li asked.

Pang Lijia's eyelashes trembled, her gaze drifted, and she lowered her head, biting her lip tightly without speaking.

But Jin Li had pierced through her illusions with a single sentence.

"You might as well go out and see. There are many kinds of artists; you don't have to be limited to singing and dancing. Forcing yourself too much is only hurting yourself."

After saying this, Jin Li was truly exhausted and had to lean against Sui Lingfang to rest for a moment.

Sui Lingfang said anxiously, "Let's go, let's go. Let's get something to eat first." She half-dragged, half-supported Jin Li, rushing toward the cafeteria.

At the end of the corridor, Jin Li turned back for a glance; Pang Lijia's figure had already disappeared.

*Ding-dong!* The elevator doors opened, and the boy group March Sky was also in this elevator.

When the two parties met, they both felt it was a coincidence.

Sui Lingfang dragged Jin Li inside and asked, "Are you guys rehearsing in this building today?"

Yan Xingdong replied, "The rehearsal isn't in this building, but the practice rooms are. We came here to practice. But what happened to Teacher Jin Li?"

The four tall young men all looked at Jin Li with concern; she looked as if she might faint at any moment.

Jin Li said sheepishly, "I'm a bit hungry. I didn't expect the recording to be so draining. I should have eaten more this morning. I'm fine, just hungry."

The others looked at each other; this didn't look like someone who was just hungry.

*Ding-dong!*

The elevator reached the first floor. Just as Sui Lingfang was about to help Jin Li out, Gu Cheng said, "How about I carry you to the hospital on my back?"

Chen Lin snapped out of it. "Right, right, right! Let Orange carry you to the hospital. Let's move fast!"

Jin Li shook her head and said firmly, "No need. I'll just eat a meal."

Gu Cheng said, "Then I'll carry you to the cafeteria. You're walking too slowly."

This time, without waiting for Jin Li to speak, Sui Lingfang agreed. "Fine!"

Jin Li looked at Sui Lingfang in confusion. Hadn't she always been very careful about her contact with male celebrities?

As if reading her thoughts, Sui Lingfang said crossly, "Just go eat your food first. Looking at your complexion makes me worried! If you haven't recovered after eating, we're going to the hospital."

Gu Cheng immediately picked Jin Li up on his back and hurried toward the cafeteria at full speed.

The other members of the boy group and Sui Lingfang flanked them on both sides. Some staff members saw this and thought something had happened to Jin Li.

"Does Jin Li seem to be in very poor health?"

"Yeah, I heard she's always been sickly. She even coughed up blood during a livestream a few years ago!"

"Ah? Then why does she look so weak when she comes to record our show?"

"Well, we should be grateful she doesn't faint or cough up blood."

Arriving hurriedly at the cafeteria, Jin Li quickly shoveled a few bites of food into her mouth. Feeling the food being rapidly digested in her stomach, a warm sensation spread through her, making her feel comfortable from head to toe.

She was about to take a few more bites when several burning gazes suddenly hit her. She paused and looked up. "You guys..."

Sui Lingfang and the others immediately lowered their heads, pretending to eat, only to realize that not a single one of them had actually gone to get food; they were all just staring at Jin Li eating.

The group stood up awkwardly and went back to the counter to order.

Jin Li shook her head and sighed, "Everyone is such a handful!"

...

At noon.

Both the official blog of *PICK~ Next Station Diva* and Jin Li's personal account released news at the same time.

*PICK~ Next Station Diva*: [A warm welcome to Teacher Jin Li for joining the third episode of the program! This time, she will meet all the trainees in her capacity as a Psychological Counseling Officer. Let's look forward to her arrival!

A little secret: there will be a solo teaching session with Teacher Jin Li, so please stay tuned! (Jin Li_Psychological_Counseling_Officer_Beautiful_Photo.jpg)]

Jin Li: [Invited to become the Psychological Counseling Officer for *PICK~ Next Station Diva*. I will fulfill my duties well to help the members resolve their troubles. Every Saturday, let's follow the updates! (Official_Beautiful_Photo.jpg)]

As soon as these two blogs were posted, as Sui Lingfang expected, they created a synergy with Domy Cosmetics.

#JinLiJoinsEpisodeThree# #JinLiPsychologicalCounselingOfficer# #JinLiDomyCosmeticsSpokesperson#

Three trending topics: the first broke into the top 5, the second into the top 10, and the third into the top 20.

Although the rankings were spread out, Jin Li's popularity was unquestionable, suddenly leaping past the mainstay top-ranked boy group, March Sky.

But they weren't comparable.

While their professions seemed to overlap—one an active boy group, the other a former girl group member—they were on different tracks.

To use a phrase from netizens: [Who could hate a sweet girl? Or to put it another way, who could hate a lucky charm? Or even better, who could hate a God of Wealth?]

Thus, Jin Li's recent series of major moves, bolstered by her high popularity, created a situation where her momentum was unrivaled for a time.

Inside LP Entertainment.

Lian Baozhi scrolled through the comments, her expression becoming increasingly grim.

[The production team doesn't consider Lian Baozhi at all. Won't it be awkward to be in the same frame as Jin Li?]

[Lian Baozhi lacks strength. Her singing isn't as good as Jin Li's, her stage presence is awkward and stiff, and she doesn't suit a cute concept.]

...

[Holy crap, big news! Lian Baozhi was exposed for singing out of tune!]

When Lian Baozhi scrolled to this comment, she froze. She suddenly remembered that during the recording, Jin Li had even praised her singing.

She quickly clicked on the video to see netizens analyzing frame by frame exactly which line she had sung out of tune!

If Lian Baozhi hadn't previously bought various press releases like "Lian Baozhi outshines Jin Li," "Lian Baozhi's strength is comparable to a girl group," and "Lian Baozhi is the number one goddess"... perhaps netizens wouldn't have caught her so relentlessly.

She had first released press releases saying she was better than Jin Li, but now?

Between someone singing out of tune and someone performing excellently, everyone could see clearly who had more talent.

[If I were Lian Baozhi, I wouldn't participate in the third episode. It's too cringe.]

Lian Baozhi gritted her teeth and threw her phone onto the table.

She didn't want to participate, but the traffic of *PICK~ Next Station Diva* was so massive that she had no choice if she wanted exposure.

Besides, if she really didn't go, wouldn't it look like she was afraid of Jin Li?

She stood up and walked toward the meeting room. This time, she had to fight for a manager with extensive connections.

While Jin Li's trending status brought joy to some and sorrow to others, some were looking to seize an opportunity.

"How about we agree to Jin Li's conditions?"

In the company of Maozhua Live Streaming, executives saw Jin Li's trending topics and called an emergency meeting to discuss the feasibility of an endorsement.

"No, if we truly agree to Jin Li's request, we'll be losing money just to make a name for ourselves!"

Another person spoke up, "Exactly. When we originally wanted to invite Jin Li to be our spokesperson, wasn't it because we valued her traffic? If we cooperate with the learning website, we can sell courses together!"

Someone else said, "But according to Jin Li's request, if she truly doesn't take an endorsement fee and invests it all into the courses, once this news spreads, it will help Maozhua's reputation."

"I vote for Jin Li. There are many ways to play in the live-streaming industry; we can sell products. There's no need to sell courses. From a public welfare reputation standpoint, we can even get ahead of Wangwang!"

"That sounds good in theory, but the learning website has to agree too!"

"How do you know they won't agree?"

Seeing that everyone was about to start arguing, the boss spoke up, "Alright, everyone, quiet down!"

The boss mused, "Right now is a critical period for competition among live-streaming platforms. We either maintain our leading position or get pulled down by other platforms. We are not only competitors with Wangwang, but the emerging Kumo Live has also been showing strong momentum lately.

If we don't want to keep burning money on promotion, we have to approach publicity from a different angle. I think the plan Jin Li proposed is very interesting. A live-streaming website with a public welfare nature sounds like a good promotional point.

So, we will agree to Jin Li's conditions, and the website will launch several public welfare special topics to aid several poverty alleviation projects.

Many competitors are watching us, so Maozhua must not only do things, but do them right—and do them beautifully! Don't you dare slack off!"

With the boss's command, the employees scrambled to work.

Coordinators went to contact people, field workers went out, and clerks were busy printing.

As for Jin Li, she had no idea a piece of "cake" was about to land in her hands.

After eating, everyone noticed her complexion had improved significantly, so they didn't insist on her going to the hospital.

Originally, Jin Li wanted to leave in the afternoon, but the staff temporarily stopped her, saying that the footage of her "building sweep" was already being edited and they might need to record supplementary shots at any time.

Hearing this, Jin Li cooperated readily. "Then I'll stay with the production team this afternoon. If you need supplementary shots, find me anytime."

The March Sky boy group had rehearsals in the morning and practiced afterward; they had nothing to do in the afternoon.

They were much freer than Jin Li; they could go out or stay in as they pleased, and the production team didn't bother them at all.

The only reason they stayed in the dorms instead of going out was to comply with the confidentiality clauses in their agreement.

But if they actually went out, the production team wouldn't be dissatisfied over such a small matter.

Chen Lin suggested, "How about we go visit the Mazu Temple this afternoon? I've heard Sister Jin Li mention it so many times, and she even brought us Mazu Temple souvenirs. I want to go out and see the island too."

Gu Cheng stood up, took a bag from his locker, pulled out a few workbooks, and ran out.

Luo Yi couldn't help but ask, "Gu Cheng, where are you running off to?"

Gu Cheng said without looking back, "To study with Sister Jin Li."

Luo Yi and Yan Xingdong looked at each other.

Luo Yi: "Are you going?"

Yan Xingdong thought for a moment. "No."

Luo Yi gave an "oh" and stood up. "Then I'll follow to take a look."

The next second, Yan Xingdong also stood up and said with a smile, "Since you're going, I want to go too."

Chen Lin was completely bewildered. What kind of riddle were these two older brothers playing?

So, he followed them as well.

Because supplementary filming could happen at any time, Jin Li didn't stay in the dressing room but went to the public lounge.

There were no mentor rehearsals in the afternoon, so the public lounge was quiet and spacious.

Just as she was about to take out her phone to start a livestream to listen to lectures and solve problems, there was a knock on the door.

"Sister Li, do you want to listen to lectures and practice problems together?"

Jin Li's heart stirred, and she immediately responded, "Sure, come in!"

As soon as Gu Cheng entered, Jin Li noticed the *Five Years of Gaokao, Three Years of Simulation* in his hand and laughed.

"When you told me you bought a few copies, I didn't quite believe you. Now that I see you brought them, I truly believe you."

Unable to contain her curiosity, Jin Li flipped through his exercises and found that he had actually completed them all, without any signs of correction; all the answers were correct.

She admired Gu Cheng's neat handwriting for several seconds before continuing to flip through, only to find that the rest of the book was blank.

"Is it because you didn't have time, or...?"

Gu Cheng: "I didn't have time, and also, I haven't learned it yet."

He added, "I saw you studying during your livestream. Since you haven't learned it, I haven't learned it either."

Jin Li: "...You learned from my livestream?"

Gu Cheng: "Mm-hmm."

Jin Li looked down at his answers again, feeling a bit demoralized.

The same livestream, the same teacher, the same workbook.

The same food, the same show, the same profession.

Why is the gap between people so large??

Seeing Gu Cheng about to flip open her workbook, Jin Li hurriedly stopped him. "Don't flip it!"

However, it was too late.

Gu Cheng had already seen everything.

That sea of red, dense corrections was far too obvious a contrast to Gu Cheng's book.

Jin Li felt a bit guilty. "This..."

Gu Cheng looked at her problem-solving process and analyzed seriously, "I think your foundation is still too weak. How about I explain some basics to you first? If you're listening to lectures, I recommend one teacher's course; his teaching is quite good."

Seeing that he didn't mention anything else, Jin Li set aside her sadness and sat up straight to listen.

Outside the public lounge, Chen Lin saw Yan Xingdong and Luo Yi just standing at the door without entering, and couldn't help but say, "What are you two standing here for?"

Both turned and glared at him.

Chen Lin didn't have many virtues, but his one good quality was his loud voice; unfortunately, he was also quick-mouthed and spoke without thinking, so he always ruined things.

For instance, this time, the two were about to leave, but because of this kid's shout, they were forced to walk into the lounge.

Hearing Chen Lin's voice, Jin Li looked up and saw Yan Xingdong and the others.

Yan Xingdong said with a straight face, "We originally wanted to come find you guys to play, but we saw that you and Gu Cheng were studying seriously, so we didn't come in immediately."

Jin Li smiled. "It's fine. The lounge is public; you can come over and chat. It's no trouble."

Thus, the three of them took the opportunity to sit down.

Although Jin Li said they could play freely, the others were not lacking in emotional intelligence. Seeing that she and Gu Cheng were studying seriously, they all lowered their voices, not wanting to disturb them.

Gradually, Yan Xingdong and Luo Yi found things they could do and became focused, while Chen Lin simply took out his PSP and started playing games.

Time flew by.

By the time he finished this round, an hour had already passed.

Chen Lin rolled his neck, stretched his body, and muttered, "These real-time strategy games are so hard to play; you even have to give the summoned races time to develop."

Chen Lin looked around, wanting to find someone to go buy water with, but upon looking, he fell into silence.

The two sitting opposite him.

They had been watching videos and listening to lectures the whole time, each with a pair of headphones, occasionally bowing their heads to solve problems, one teaching and the other asking; the atmosphere was excellent.

The two sitting next to him—

On the left, Yan Xingdong had somehow found a piece of paper, murmuring melodies, occasionally shaking his leg and clapping his hands; it was obvious he was composing music.

On the right, Luo Yi had also taken out a piece of paper, spinning his pen rapidly, humming softly, and swaying his body to the song.

Great, another lyricist!

Chen Lin looked down at the PSP in his hand and suddenly felt a sense of futility.

It was suffocating.

Is this what inferiority feels like?

He was guilty; in such wonderful times, why wasn't he working hard???