Xu Enzhen saw Jian Xingsui wiping his face with the back of his hand and quickly offered him a clean handkerchief, "Here, use this to wipe your face?"

The spotless handkerchief, infused with a delicate fragrance and embroidered intricately, was clearly not meant for tears.

Jian Xingsui gently declined, his voice choked and raspy, "No need, it's too precious..."

"It's not wasteful." Seeing him so distraught yet still considerate, Xu Enzhen felt an inexplicable ache in her heart. She kneeled down, wiping away his tears with the handkerchief, unfazed by the potential stains.

As she leaned in, a gentle and comforting scent reached Jian Xingsui's nostrils.

Not an overpowering perfume, but a faint natural aroma. Lady Xu was indeed beautiful, but at that moment, Jian Xingsui wasn't taken by her beauty. Instead, he found solace in her tenderness, feeling a sudden sense of calm, like a defensive hedgehog finally letting its guard down.

Xu Enzhen folded the handkerchief, softly inquiring, "You're one of the contestants in the talent show, right? Do any of your family or friends have tickets to see you?"

Jian Xingsui hesitated, thinking of Jian Zhi, who was no longer his brother, and then gently replied, "No."

Xu Enzhen, seeing him alone and vulnerable, felt a surge of pity, "What's your name? I should remember you because of my son..."

Suddenly, the door was pushed open from outside. Someone entered.

Shen Xingchen, in his performance outfit, strode in, "Mom, what are you doing here?"

On approaching, he noticed not only his mother but also his friend. Although Jian Xingsui's tears had been wiped away, his reddened eyes revealed he had cried.

Shen Xingchen, puzzled, asked, "Why have you been crying?"

Jian Xingsui hesitated, "I wasn't crying..."

"You claim you weren't crying? Do you think I'm blind?" Shen Xingchen snapped irritably. "Who did this? Mom, did you see? This kid is my newly sworn brother. How dare anyone bully him? I swear I'll..."

Quickly, Jian Xingsui intervened, "No, no. It's just that my contact lens fell out, and it's uncomfortable. It's nothing, really. We're about to go on stage for the recording, right? Why are you even here?"

Shen Xingchen eyed him skeptically, "Is that really it?"

Jian Xingsui hurriedly nodded in affirmation.

"You're so careless," Shen Xingchen remarked, his face contorted in disdain.

Xu Enzhen, observing their bickering from the side, became slightly entranced. In their family of two children, the elder son was always busy with company affairs and rarely came home. Perhaps the weight of family responsibilities made him stiff and stern. The younger son was a tad willful and stubborn, easily manipulated by those with ill intentions.

However, Jian Xingsui was truly good-natured. What endeared him wasn't his tolerance of Shen Xingchen's short temper but his ability to see the care hidden beneath the harsh words. When he consoled Shen Xingchen, his eyes radiated understanding and tenderness, devoid of any insincerity or impatience.

Xu Enzhen smiled softly.

With such a disposition, Jian Xingsui was certainly a friend worth cherishing.

...

Performance Stage

Preparations were underway for the show. Several acts had already performed. Soon, it would be Jian Xingsui's turn. Their act was a face-off against another group. The prior performance was a fiery dance number, and the audience was still buzzing from the excitement, which lessened their expectations for the upcoming traditional Chinese dance.

Comments from the audience included:

"I think this group has it in the bag."

"That was so impressive; it'll be hard for others to surpass."

"The next one seems to have a traditional vibe. Such lukewarm performances are tough..."

Amongst the lively audience, the judges' panel was especially captivated by Fu Jinxiao, seated at the center. Dressed in a British-styled white shirt and brown jacket, he wore gold-rimmed glasses. While he appeared scholarly, his laid-back demeanor added a rebellious flair, drawing many eyes.

A significant portion of the audience were die-hard fans of the renowned actor Fu. Some tickets even sold at exorbitant prices.

Apart from the regular mentors, there was an additional judge, Jian Zhi.

He, too, had voting rights, though the mentors would be voting not for the groups but for the most popular contestant in each group to lend their support.

Before taking the stage, Shen Xingchen reassured, "Don't be nervous. Just stick to our rehearsal."

The others nodded in agreement.

As the stage lights dimmed, and the melodic sound of a zither filled the air, a group of young men in dark blue traditional Chinese costumes emerged at center stage. Their upbeat singing brought a sense of light-heartedness:

"Fireflies, the light we steal for fun. Head swaying, that's how the verses are done..."

...

"Nodding off, the teacher smacks my hand. Willow leaves, echo as they land. A drop of ink, a blooming plum to see. Hand in hand, leaving behind a fragrant memory."

The boys on stage interacted playfully, using fans as props. When singing about the teacher, they jokingly tapped their heads, indicating negligence. Their performance was fluid and fun, captivating the audience to such an extent that many overlooked their dancing skills. As such, even with Jian Xingsui's lack of professional training, he didn't seem out of place among them.

Just when everyone thought it would continue in a melodious and cheerful tone, the tune changed dramatically, resonating with a profound and awe-inspiring climax:

“A strong youth leads to a splendid China. Imbued with five millennia of history, possessing the legendary virtues of humility and mystic strength. A single proud bone, gleaming with the power of wisdom.”

The young performers shifted from their earlier carefree demeanor, their every move executed with precision and clarity. As they danced, they evoked the spirit of young China—rising, striving, radiating strength. Spotlight illuminated them as if they were basking in light.

As the melody ascended, their unified singing sent chills down everyone’s spine, conveying their fervor and conviction:

“A strong youth leads to a splendid China. Used to triumphing from behind, humbly attributing the win to courtesy. Embarking with endless hopes and dreams, soaring like a dragon…”

Though an old song, its adjusted style made it all the more spirited and hopeful. It portrayed not just coolness and charm but also tears of passion and a hopeful new generation.

When the song concluded, the venue fell silent before erupting in thunderous applause.

Online, the chatroom exploded:

“Who wouldn’t vote for ‘Youthful China’?”

“Who remixed this? Need it now for my playlist!”

“Incredible! Every single one of them seems to be glowing!”

After the performance, drenched in sweat, they basked in the cheers.

Judge Tuya was the first to speak, “Absolutely wonderful. Truly wonderful.”

Jian Zhi picked up the mic not to commend the group but to single out one performer: “An Ran, your dance was impressive. How many years have you trained?”

Catching his breath, An Ran replied, “I've trained for over a decade, starting from my childhood.”

“Traditional dance must be challenging.” Jian Zhi remarked, “It must have required great dedication.”

Despite being exhausted, An Ran responded with grace: “Yes, it was tough. I recall injuring my feet during practice as a kid, crying while continuing to dance. Still, my love for dance persisted, and I’m grateful for my perseverance.”

His resilience touched many in the audience:

“An Ran is such an angel!”

“He's genuinely inspiring.”

“And quite handsome!”

As Jian Zhi focused his attention on An Ran, Fu Jin Xie, seated nearby, casually picked up his microphone. With a simple statement, he recaptured everyone's attention: “Who rearranged this song?”

All eyes turned to Jian Xing Sui.

Stepping forward, Jian Xing Sui replied, “That would be me, Mr. Fu.”

“Hmm,” Fu Jin Xie, giving him a fleeting glance, unreservedly commented, “Impressive.”

The fiercer one scolds in the training room, the more genuinely one praises in public.

Fu Yindi affirmed, "The adaptation was a success."

Being recognized by his idol was the most exhilarating and joyous moment. Jian Xingsui couldn't help but beam, bowing deeply. However, instead of taking all the credit, he said, "It wasn't just my effort. My teammates helped me immensely during the adaptation. I'm not the best dancer, and they've truly supported me, especially Xingchen. The captain often practiced with me through the night."

Whenever he was on camera or singled out by a mentor, he would not only focus on himself but also ensure his teammates got screen time and a chance to speak. Such a small gesture deeply moved all of his teammates.

They once disliked Jian Xingsui and even considered him a burden. They'd heard rumors about his poor character, but after getting to know him, they realized how beneficial he was to the team.

Jian Zhi's expression turned somber. He whispered, "While adaptation is one aspect, individual talent is also crucial. If one lacks foundational dance skills, it can affect the team."

No one expected him to critique a contestant like that.

Yet, what was more surprising was that Fu Yindi, who usually remained silent during other mentors' evaluations, now smirked. Turning on his microphone, he remarked, "A perfect group has strengths and weaknesses. It's their combined efforts and mutual improvements that form a team. If one only focuses on the flaws and not the contributions, the journey won't be long."

Jian Zhi hadn't expected Fu Jinxiao to intervene. He thrived in the industry, but there were those he respected, and Fu Jinxiao was one of them.

Tuya also commented, "I believe all of you performed well, especially Jian Xingsui. Your dance has improved significantly. Well done."

An Ran was the best at traditional dance here. However, because Jian Zhi picked him at the start, other mentors focused on different contestants, and the audience slowly forgot about An Ran. After the evaluation, the team was generally content, except for An Ran, who clenched his fists in frustration.

...

During the break, Xu Enzhen approached Fu Jinxiao backstage to inquire about her son, "Jinxiao, did Xingchen cause any trouble for you?"

Fu Jinxiao, leaning casually against the corridor handrail, replied, "Auntie, you're being too polite. There's no trouble at all."

Xu Enzhen held Fu Jinxiao in high regard. Young and accomplished with impeccable character and remarkable capabilities, he was always her ideal son-in-law. "If only there could be a union between our Shen family and the Fu's," she mused.

"Tsk."

Fu Jinxiao chuckled, "Auntie, don't tease. Shen Xingchen, that brat, really isn't my type. So, don't matchmake us."

As they were talking, a group of students passed by, including Shen Xingchen's team.

Fu Jinxiao's gaze lingered on Shen Xingchen, who had an arm around Jian Xingsui's shoulder. Amid the crowd of teammates, he smiled warmly, his cropped hair making him look adorable.

Xu Enzhen sighed, "It seems Xingchen isn't fortunate enough for you. But I've always wondered, who would be worthy of your heart?"

Fu Jinxiao playfully rolled his eyes, the mature and poised man revealing a mischievous side, his thoughts wandering.

I think that kid is quite good.

The great actor Fu thought secretly.