Today was different from other days.

Yesterday was a preparation day without live broadcasting, but today, they began recording, showcasing the contestants' preparations live.

Early in the morning, all the contestants arrived punctually at the training room.

Li Xu'an was confident, but An Ran and Zhou Xun looked a bit off. Nevertheless, Li Xu'an wasn't bothered; he had gotten up early to prepare, intending to impress the audience with his creative prowess.

After the cameraman started filming, several trainees gathered around.

They had to go through a formality. Even though they'd already chosen the song and leader, they still needed to show the process to the audience.

The group sat in a circle on the floor, and it was Zhou Xun who broke the silence: "Did you all finalize your songs yesterday? Let's present them and vote."

Li Xuan presented "Battle Peak."

Jian Xingsui placed "Faint Glow" on the table, already knowing the expected outcome, so he didn’t hold out much hope.

Li Xuan confidently said, "Let's review both of our songs and then cast our votes."

If everything went as expected, the result would be the same as yesterday's.

However, to everyone’s surprise...

After briefly glancing at the songs, Zhou Xun set the sheet music down and said, "Just reading the lyrics doesn’t give much away. Could both of you share the inspiration behind your compositions?"

The cameraman then zoomed in on the lyrics.

Li Xuan hadn't anticipated Zhou Xun's added twist, but given the live broadcast, he quickly responded: "When I composed 'Battle Peak,' I envisioned our entire team as invincible warriors. We came to 'Starlight' to face challenges together, so we should bring forth our fearless courage."

The other trainees nodded in agreement.

However, Li Xuan's words were somewhat generic and didn't particularly resonate.

When it was Jian Xingsui’s turn, he didn’t prepare a speech like Li Xuan. He simply looked at his lyrics for a moment and said, "I didn’t have any profound thoughts when composing 'Faint Glow.'"

Silence ensued.

The atmosphere became tense; he truly was playing an unpredictable card.

"When I first arrived here, there were 108 trainees. So many." Jian Xingsui began slowly, "Back then, the director told us the purpose of 'Starlight' was to let everyone shine."

"But on stage, and in the eyes of the audience, I felt inconsequential. In the vast sky, I could only emit a faint glow." Jian Xingsui's voice was soft but captivating, "Yet, as time passed, I realized that even if I'm just a faint glow, there are those who appreciate me, cheering me on and affirming me."

Those who had reached this round of the competition all had their fan bases, large or small.

His words evoked a mix of emotions in many, recalling the ups and downs they've faced.

"I feel that regardless of whether I'm the brightest star in the sky, even if I'm just a glimmer, I want to shine for those who support me," Jian Xingsui said with a gentle smile. "Even if I may fade one day, I'll give my all and never give up."

...

The room was once again immersed in silence.

His words not only touched the viewers but resonated deeply with the contestants. Every participant in this competition could understand what Jian Xingsui was expressing.

The audience too was moved:

"The lyrics of 'Faint Glow' are beautifully written."

"I'm eager to see the final product."

"At first glance, I liked 'Peak of War,' but now, I'm really taken with 'Glimmer'."

Zhou Xun sighed, "In that case, let's vote by raising our hands."

Within the team, Zhou Xun had a good rapport with An Ran and Li Xu'an. The other two were neutral and typically indecisive. However, after a brief rehearsal of 'Peak of War' yesterday, they felt that the song was heavily influenced by Li Xu'an's personal style, as if he had only thought of himself and not the group during its creation. Yet they didn’t want to upset too many people...

Zhou Xun was the first to raise his hand. "I choose 'Glimmer'."

The two neutrals stared at Zhou Xun in surprise, even Jian Xingsui was shocked – the choice had been different just yesterday.

Li Xu'an struggled to keep his smile intact.

Seeing Zhou Xun taking the lead, the neutrals felt reassured. With someone taking the initiative, their choice became clearer. The two exchanged a knowing glance.

Zhang Jiajia and Zuo An raised their hands in unison: "We choose 'Glimmer'."

Now, only An Ran was left.

But his decision wouldn’t change the outcome. With a 3:1 ratio, 'Glimmer' had a clear majority.

An Ran was taken aback by the sudden turn of events. Everything had been fine the day before. What had changed overnight?

Zhou Xun lowered his hand, "Alright, voting is done."

'Glimmer' had won. And with the decision being made in front of the audience, it was final.

Internally fuming and wishing to confront Zhou Xun, Li Xu'an maintained his composure for the cameras, offering a strained smile. "Congratulations, Xingsui."

Jian Xingsui, holding his songbook, grinned genuinely, "Thank you."

"..."

Both An Ran and Li Xu'an were clearly upset.

The audience might not pick up on the undercurrents within the group. An Ran glanced at Li Xu'an and tentatively suggested, "We still need to choose a team leader. Brother Xu'an has prior experience..."

Zhou Xun interjected, "Since we've chosen 'Glimmer,' Jian Xingsui should be the leader."

Li Xu'an protested, "Does Xingsui even have the experience for this role?"

"But he's been doing an excellent job," Zhou Xun retorted, his dissatisfaction with An Ran evident. "He stayed late in the practice room working on lyrics and tunes. He’s the first one here every morning, tidying up and helping us with sign-ins. Hasn't he been excellent?"

Zhang Jiajia found merit in Zhou Xun's argument.

True, Li Xu'an had been the leader for the past days, but he only delegated tasks without really working. Jian Xingsui, on the other hand, was cordial to everyone.

Zhang Jiajia spoke up, "I think Xingsui might be a better choice. As the creator of the song, he should be the one directing us."

Zuo An agreed, "I'm in favor."

Thus, the situation swiftly turned back into an overwhelming majority.

A pang of frustration surged in Li Xu'an's heart. He couldn't believe how quickly allegiances shifted. But under the watchful eyes of the cameras, there was nothing he could do. He suppressed his bitterness and forced a smile, saying, "Alright then, let's have Sui-Sui lead."

To everyone's surprise, Jian Xingsui, who had just gained the advantage, set aside the songbook and proposed, "I think Xu'an should be the team leader and I can be the deputy leader."

Li Xu'an looked at him, taken aback.

"Brother Xu'an is right. I may have experience in songwriting, but when it comes to choreography, positioning, and other aspects, I’m not well-versed," Jian Xingsui said calmly. "Thus, having Brother Xu'an as the leader would likely be more beneficial."

His measured words won nods of approval from everyone.

Initially, Li Xu'an held some reservations, but hearing Jian's suggestion stirred a complex emotion within him.

Zhou Xun agreed, saying, "Let’s go with that then; Xu'an will be the leader."

An Ran wasn’t one to pass up an opportunity to appear agreeable. He raised his hand with a smile, saying, "I concur!"

Naturally, the others nodded in agreement too.

What seemed like an imminent rift within the group was averted by Jian Xingsui's selflessness. With only five days left to finalize "Weiguang," progress was challenging.

Everyone had different requirements and strengths, leading to various suggestions:

"I'd like to add a rap segment."

"I feel my part is too short; can we extend it?"

"It lacks energy; the stage performance might come off weak."

Jian Xingsui tried to accommodate everyone, but under pressure, revising became even more challenging. After a full day of everyone sharing different ideas, progress seemed stagnant. Time was slipping away, and they only had four days left. Late into the night, Jian Xingsui sat alone in front of the computer, a throbbing headache setting in.

Many challenges were far more complex than he had anticipated. The weight of the competition and responsibility felt more burdensome than he had imagined.

Night deepened, and his stomach began to rumble.

It suddenly dawned on Jian Xingsui that he hadn’t had dinner. Immersed in his work, he had completely forgotten. Most of his teammates had returned to their rooms, and the cafeteria was probably closed.

...

He vaguely recalled having instant noodles in a drawer.

As he rummaged through the room, a sliver of the practice room door opened, revealing a figure standing in the doorway observing him.

Jian Xingsui paused, turning around to find Fu Yingdi leaning against the door frame.

Holding a registration sheet in his hand, Fu Jinxiao's elongated legs crossed casually, as he glanced at Jian. Even before he spoke, Jian Xingsui rose to his feet, respectfully addressing him, "Teacher Fu."

Fu Jinxiao responded with a nod and then asked, "Why are you up so late?"

"I’m working on the lyrics and music," Jian Xingsui replied earnestly, holding an instant noodle cup in his hand, which made him look somewhat comical.

Fu Jinxiao entered and remarked, "This is your dinner?"

Jian Xingsui responded, "The cafeteria is closed."

"What kept you so busy earlier?"

Jian Xingsui hesitated, his lips quivering, struggling to admit his oversight. The fact that his teammates hadn't reminded him weighed on his mind. Everyone else had returned to rest, and he was alone here.

Sighing inwardly, Fu Jinxiao said, "Come with me."

Jian Xingsui looked up, taken aback.

Without looking back, Fu Jinxiao urged, "Keep up."

Quickly setting down his instant noodles, Jian Xingsui hastened after Fu Jinxiao, trailing him like an eager apprentice.

Although the cafeteria was indeed closed, Fu Jinxiao didn’t lead him there. Instead, they walked outside the cultural center where several food stalls were still open, selling late-night snacks. Recognizing Fu Jinxiao, crew members greeted him respectfully:

"Good evening, Professor Fu."

"Good evening, Brother Fu."

"Taking your student for a late-night snack, Professor Fu?"

Nodding in acknowledgment, Fu Jinxiao stopped near a flower bed and said to the young man beside him, "Choose whatever you want."

Overwhelmed by the enticing aromas, a famished Jian Xingsui rushed to a fried rice stall, requesting, "Two servings of egg fried rice, please."

The vendor inquired, "Would you like any add-ons?"

With various appetizing options laid out, including meat, sausages, and vegetables, Jian Xingsui was about to voice his choice when he remembered a crucial detail: he had no money with him!

However, a voice from behind said, "Add a bit of everything for him."

A slender hand, holding a banknote, reached past him to the vendor. The money was accepted, and the vendor set to work.

Jian Xingsui, somewhat dazed, stared at Fu Jinxiao's hand. Memories flooded back to a summer day when Fu Jinxiao had visited a rice cake shop. He had generously left a banknote and a band-aid. Lost in the memory, Jian Xingsui was mesmerized by Fu Jinxiao's hand.

Noticing his gaze, Fu Jinxiao quipped, "Starved to the point of delirium?"

Snapping back to the present, Jian Xingsui stammered, "No, no. I was thinking about repaying you, or perhaps treating you to a meal sometime."

The vendor handed the packaged food to Jian Xingsui.

With a faint smile playing on his lips, Fu Jinxiao began walking back, casually mentioning, "Getting a meal with me isn't easy."

At first, the comment seemed arrogant, but Jian Xingsui soon realized the truth in it. For someone of Fu Jinxiao's stature, even big producers or investors had to make multiple appointments, and even then, a meeting wasn't guaranteed.

Realizing the audacity of his words, Jian Xingsui hung his head, murmuring, "I misspoke..."

Interrupting gently, Fu Jinxiao replied with a hint of playfulness, "If you want to invite me, it'll have to be after you leave this cultural center. I’ll await your celebratory banquet."

The wind in late autumn is somewhat chilly.

Fu Jinxiao's words rang clear in Jian Xingsui's ears, touching his heart. The mention of the "celebration banquet" ignited excitement, which was then followed by a somber realization. The debut celebration wouldn't include him. That's a meal he likely wouldn't have. Yet, the very notion that Fu Jinxiao believed he'd reach that milestone made Jian Xingsui's heart flutter and warm.

The two walked to a nearby pavilion, a quiet spot to eat.

Jian Xingsui handed Fu Jinxiao a serving of rice, saying, "Here's yours."

Fu Jinxiao had assumed both servings were bought by Jian Xingsui for himself. Upon realizing this, he looked slightly surprised, then offered a slight smile, "Thank you."

The freshly made fried rice was aromatic.

As Jian Xingsui was engrossed in his meal, he heard Fu Jinxiao from across the table. The older man, hardly touching his food, observed the ravenous youth, "Tell me, what's troubling you?"

Jian Xingsui paused, looking up with surprise.

Fu Jinxiao arched an eyebrow, "Don't tell me you're up at this hour, wandering by a computer, just wanting to celebrate a smooth project with instant noodles."

"..."

"You have quite the sense of humor, Teacher Fu."

After swallowing his mouthful, Jian Xingsui pondered whether to discuss the challenges he faced. However, meeting Fu Jinxiao's calm and steady gaze, he felt reassured.

Trustworthy.

Someone he could truly confide in.

Jian Xingsui remembered Wen Shengge's advice about not keeping things bottled up, suggesting it's better to share.

"Actually..." Jian Xingsui took a deep breath, "I do have some challenges. I hope you could advise me."

In the small pavilion, the young man with the buzzed hair used disposable chopsticks and earnestly discussed his team's song choices and the lack of cooperation among members. For the first time, Jian Xingsui opened up to Fu Jinxiao, setting aside their celebrity status and letting them chat as close friends.

After listening, Fu Jinxiao mused, "So, you stayed behind to work overtime on your own?"

Jian Xingsui nodded quietly.

Fu Jinxiao scoffed, a hint of mockery in his tone, "Foolish."

Jian Xingsui was taken aback.

Fu Jinxiao usually appeared refined and courteous, always wearing a polite smile, looking like the last person to utter a derogatory word. Hearing him use such a term was unexpected for Jian Xingsui.

Fu Jinxiao began, "What is a team?"

"A team means all five of you work together to complete the dance, not tossing the problems at you to solve alone." Fu Jinxiao lifted his gaze to meet Jian Xingsui's, "You think by giving more, they'll appreciate you? Wrong. If the show doesn't perform well, not just the audience, even they will blame it all on you."

Those words struck a chord in Jian Xingsui.

Jian Xingsui asked cautiously, "So, what should I do?"

It can be said that for such an issue, if Jian Xingsui had approached any of the tutors, they might advise him to think of the bigger picture, collaborate with teammates, and discuss how to fulfill a team leader's responsibilities. However, today, he was dealing with Fu Jinxiao, a cunning fox who never allows himself to be taken advantage of.

"What to do…"

A sly smile curved at the corner of Fu Jinxiao's lips. He lounged in his chair and said leisurely, "Of course, you should discuss it thoroughly with your teammates."

The autumn breeze blew, sending a shiver down Jian Xingsui's spine.

For some reason, the word 'discuss' sounded menacing when spoken by Fu Jinxiao.