Jian Xingsui stood on stage, evidently nervous. Taking a deep breath, he seemed to hesitate.

"The reason I'm on this show is…” he began, but his words trailed off, making his hesitancy all the more intriguing.

Some viewers, who found earlier segments boring and were dozing off, suddenly became attentive to this unusual character, Jian Xingsui.

“This is so suspenseful.”

“What is he going to say?”

“This is killing me!”

Li, a judge known for his humorous hosting skills, joked, “Taking so long to think, I’d expect your ambition isn’t just to debut but perhaps to ascend directly to the Oscars.”

The room erupted in laughter.

After all, everyone assumed that the trainees here had straightforward aspirations: either to debut or become top trainees.

It seemed like Fu Jinxiao had pierced through Jian Xingsui’s hesitation. The renowned actor picked up his mic, his sharp eyes slightly raised, and soothingly commented, “Just be honest.”

While it might sound comforting to other contestants, these words held a different meaning for Jian Xingsui.

In fact, to him, it might as well translate to:

"Be honest, alright? Understood?"

The true intimidating power of Actor Fu lies not in overt threats. Merely a fleeting comment from him can send shivers down your spine.

It was this very remark that finally cemented Jian Xingsui's resolve. With a heavy weight upon his shoulders, he took a deep breath and said, "I came here because I heard that the first audition would earn me twenty thousand yuan. I'm in need of money."

"..."

A hush fell over the audience.

Under any other circumstance, such a reason might sound preposterous, but coming earnestly from Jian Xingsui, it was surprisingly hilarious.

Teacher Li was the first to burst into laughter, unable to contain himself.

Tu Ya tried to stifle her laugh at first but soon gave in, her bell-like giggles echoing across the panel of judges. Only Fu Jinxiao remained poised, a man of refined elegance, casting an inscrutable glance at Jian Xingsui.

Still chuckling, Teacher Li asked, "Is that true?"

Jian Xingsui nodded resignedly.

Disbelieving, Teacher Li continued, "So you don't have any dreams? Or a love for the stage?"

With a bitter smile, Jian Xingsui, having braced himself for all consequences, deeply bowed and said, "Dreams are pursued when life allows for it. I'm not in such a position right now. I apologize to all the mentors and to the stage."

As his voice trailed off, the show's producers played a cruel trick, flashing CCTV footage of Jian Xingsui's initial interview.

In the footage, when asked if he had any requests for the show, he inquired about meals and accommodation. When asked if he had other questions, he checked if the twenty thousand yuan was for real. Later, when a staff member took a leave, he even brazenly asked if they were hiring temporary workers. He really was desperate for money and wasn't lying.

These snippets played in succession, accompanied by comedic music, sending the audience into fits of laughter.

Grinning, Teacher Li teased, "Others come here to showcase their talent, but you're here to make money!"

A comedic gold mine.

However, as funny as Jian Xingsui's reason was, there was a touch of poignancy to it. Only the privileged can chase their dreams nowadays. Many are grappling just to earn twenty thousand yuan.

The live stream's activity peaked, with comments flooding in:

"Baldie bro, you're so genuine."

"Twenty thousand yuan feels so relatable."

"Hahaha, only you are the true working man here."

"The director must've been baffled then, hahaha."

Through sheer serendipity, no one seemed truly upset.

Onstage, sweat threatened to drip from Jian Xingsui's forehead. Desperate to maintain his dignity in front of his idol, he nervously glanced at the judging panel. He had thought that Fu Jinxiao would disdain him. Instead, the man simply turned on his microphone and asked, "What talent have you brought?"

Jian Xingsui replied, "It's 'Extraterrestrial Being'."

This song is widely popular, and while it resonates with many, its complexity deters many artists from performing it on stage. It's a challenging feat to master, let alone to perform live.

Fu Jinxiao nodded, "Let's begin."

The mentor has spoken, signaling the start of the performance. The stage fell silent. As the spotlight flickered and the music began, Jian Xingsui, previously appearing restrained and timid with his short hair, seemed to emanate a different aura. It was the kind of charisma that's irresistibly attractive when a young man is deeply focused.

The gentle and melodic prelude slowly filled the space, calming the previously restless atmosphere.

Jian Xingsui held the microphone, his face serene. With long eyelashes casting shadows, his usually clear voice took on a somber, slower tone:

"Your descent, so sudden, and just as I was, passing by..."

"Opportunities rare and subjective, wanting to seize, yet untouchable..."

Reborn, he never imagined he'd find himself in such an entertainment show. Initially, he was reluctant to mingle with the Jians and the protagonist. He thought that moving to the Zhangs would provide a better life, but no matter what he did, acceptance eluded him. He wanted to leave the city and coveted the 20,000 yuan. But unexpectedly, he got a chance to meet his idol here.

Not just now, but even before, he wasn't particularly likable.

Though once the young master of the Jian family, seemingly surrounded by flatterers, in private, they showed their true colors:

"Jian Xingsui is just a clueless silver spoon."

"If he weren't rich, I wouldn't bother with him."

"Haha, remember last time? He looked so dumb!"

Friends, he might have had some, but they felt none. He despised their hypocrisy, yet feared total rejection. Amidst crowds, he found himself drowning in feigned cheerfulness, and in solitude, confronted his true self. In junior high, Fu Jinxiao's songs became his solace, empowering and comforting him.

As the accompaniment played on stage, he softly sang, "You brought joy into my life, adding colors to it. Treasures deserve to be cherished, but you are not mine..."

Others labeled him a fool, leading a life of luxury, having everything at his disposal. But only he knew the loneliness behind his cheerful facade. The power of idolizing someone? Perhaps it's their resilience and independence that inspire and uplift. He might be a star, but his brilliance wasn't self-contained.

"You, a rare gem from the heavens, your worldly name matters no more..."

On stage, the young singer's deep, gentle voice lacked technical mastery but overflowed with emotion. As he began, his deep timbre effortlessly evoked feelings. When he reached the chorus, his voice rose, eyes meeting the judges. Singing to the audience, his passionate high notes were spine-tingling and soul-stirring.

"You've occupied all my joy; the world no longer matters. Only you remain, as blue as the sky."

It felt as if he was pouring out his emotions:

"Regardless, in the eyes of the world, I'm a joke, my hidden self yearns only for you..."

As he began, the room was hushed. Such raw emotion was rare. As the song approached its climax, the intense sorrow made hearts constrict. But as it concluded, the tone softened, his deep voice gradually fading: "Until those with ulterior motives become transparent, from a distance neither near nor far, I'll trade my tomorrow... to draw you close."

As the song concluded, a brief silence enveloped the audience, soon replaced by a roaring applause.

What was even more astonishing was the emotional impact of his performance. Some trainees below, perhaps reminded of past memories, were wiping away tears.

Jian Xingsui bowed to the judges, "Thank you, esteemed judges. My performance has concluded."

Tuya was the first to unmute, her eyes slightly teary. She gathered her words, then said, "While your singing technique may not be highly professional and there are areas that could be improved, you have a unique style when you sing."

Teacher Li commented, "His singing is emotionally charged!"

Even the hip-hop artist Liu Shuang weighed in, "You have a natural talent. At first, when I heard you were in it for the money, I doubted your intentions. But your performance was commendable."

Jian Xingsui's tension began to ease. He glanced cautiously and nervously at Fu Jinxe, as if waiting for his judgment. What he didn’t realize was the hopeful look in his eyes, barely concealed but also restrained, not daring to be fully revealed.

Fu Jinxe found Jian's awkward demeanor amusing. It reminded him of a dog that had been bullied before, eager for approval but hesitant due to past experiences.

Tuya whispered, "What do you think, Teacher Fu? I believe a 'B' grade would be appropriate."

Liu Shuang overheard and interjected, "Isn’t 'B' too generous? An Ran performed well earlier and only received a 'B'. We've only awarded two 'Bs' so far, and remember, he can't dance."

Teacher Li nodded in agreement, murmuring, "True, it might be unfair to the other trainees."

It seemed Tuya was alone in her opinion. She turned to Fu Jinxe, the most influential judge, and asked softly, "Teacher Fu, what do you think?"

Author's note:

Some lyrics in the story have been modified from the original song "Extraterrestrial" by Xue Zhiqian.