Everyone Spends Money to Make Me Debut as Center (GL) - Chapter 15
Getting an A for the first performance clearly gave the others a lot of courage. Slowly, people started volunteering and raising their hands, eager to be the second one on stage.
Bai Chang raised an eyebrow, but her gaze was on Pang Shiru beside her. “How about you pick someone this time, Senior Pang?”
“That works. There’s one person here I’ve been curious about for a while,” Pang Shiru nodded and lifted her chin in a certain direction. “That girl in seat number ‘7.’ I saw a lot of people cheering for you when you came in. Why don’t you come and show us what you can do?”
Seat number seven was occupied by Chu Anzhi from Bamboo Entertainment.
Being called out by a senior without any preparation, she didn’t show any sign of panic on her face. She calmly walked to the stage and gave a simple self-introduction.
Since there were five people from Bamboo Entertainment, they did a group performance.
The five “female models” danced just as uniformly as they had when they entered. Their coordinated movements and complex formation changes made the performance visually captivating. Chu Anzhi, who was in the center, had excellent facial expressions. Even compared to her equally talented teammates, she stood out remarkably.
“Woah! Chu Anzhi! The great Chu! The universal ACE! Long legs, beautiful face, the ultimate queen! Ahhhhh, she’s so beautiful!” Without even turning around, you knew that the voice belonged to Su Wanwan.
Even though Bamboo’s performance earned a round of applause, Pang Shiru didn’t seem entirely satisfied. “Number seven, show me a solo performance.”
Chu Anzhi was well-prepared and, of course, wouldn’t miss this chance to show off. “Okay.”
As the prelude began, someone’s eyes lit up. This familiar backing track was the title song from Pang Shiru’s album when she transitioned from idol to artist.
To successfully make the transition, Pang Shiru had worked with a famous foreign composer to create this legendary song, which was not only high-quality but also memorable and popular.
Singing her famous song in front of the original artist on a TV show required immense courage, but Chu Anzhi did it.
Her powerful and penetrating voice filled the air, and the emotions in her voice resonated with the listeners. Chu Anzhi proved that idols could also sing well.
Su Wanwan’s title of “ACE” was not an overstatement for Chu Anzhi.
When the song ended, there was complete silence in the hall as everyone waited for the original artist’s first critique.
“My trip here was worth it. I thought this new generation was a bunch of amateurs, but the two of you have been quite impressive,” Pang Shiru also held up an A sticker and beckoned Chu Anzhi over. “You young people, take it easy. Don’t push too hard and wash us ‘old waves’ out to sea.”
Chu Anzhi had the face of a queen but a very humble attitude. She bowed to Pang Shiru. “Thank you for the praise, Teacher. There’s still a lot I need to learn from you.”
“You’re quite humble,” Pang Shiru said.
That’s right. When Chi Ling received a similar compliment, what was her response?
The show didn’t end after Chu Anzhi’s simple solo.
Bai Chang, with nothing to do, decided to stir things up. She looked back again with a casual tone and asked the most terrifying question. “Is there anyone in the audience who would like to come out and battle?”
That’s a ridiculous question! If anyone had the skills, who wouldn’t want this free opportunity for screen time? But the problem was that their opponent was Chu Anzhi. Going up to battle her was a guaranteed loss.
So…
“Me,” Chi Ling raised her hand.
The trainees: Sister, haven’t you danced enough? Give us a chance!
Bai Chang looked amused. “Are you sure?”
“Hahahaha, just let her go. I’d love to see it,” Pang Shiru didn’t want to miss this chance for a spectacle.
Bai Chang waved her hand, calling Chi Ling down.
Chi Ling immediately ran down from the top level—she should have just stayed down here after her performance. It would have been perfect for the battle.
Wei Jie had never seen anyone so excited to battle, as if she were rushing to the cafeteria for food. She couldn’t help but joke, “Slow down. If you fall, Teacher Pang won’t have the pleasure of watching.”
Chu Anzhi stepped aside, yielding the stage.
“So confident. Did you prepare a dance beforehand?” Bai Chang casually flipped through Chi Ling’s resume. Her tone was so familiar and natural, as if they were old friends.
“I prepared both a song and a dance.”
“Hmm.” Bai Chang raised her eyebrows and tapped her fingers on the table. “Too bad I don’t want to see those. Do a freestyle dance. I’ll give you a random song.”
“Bai Chang, you’re just picking on her,” Pang Shiru laughed, her expression full of anticipation.
“I’m picking on her?” Bai Chang’s voice went up at the end, and she looked at Chi Ling with a half-smile. “What do you think? Am I picking on you?”
For a moment, Chi Ling felt like she was being teased.
“No, if Teacher Bai says freestyle, then it’s freestyle.” Chi Ling took a step back, clearly ready to “accept the challenge.”
Freestyle dancing, to put it simply, was like a test of a large number of questions. If you had practiced enough songs, you wouldn’t be afraid of any music they gave you.
“That’s good. I wouldn’t want Teacher Pang to say that I’m bullying a child just because I’m the producer.”
As soon as Bai Chang finished speaking, a staff member brought up something that looked like a radio.
“I’ll use this machine to play random songs,” Bai Chang said. The machine had twenty buttons on the front, representing twenty random songs. “Each song will be twenty seconds long. I’ll switch it three times. Get ready.”
“They’re even going to switch songs?” a girl in the audience said in surprise.
“This is like a freestyle from hell. I’m so glad it’s not me up there.”
At this moment, the calmest person in the room was the one performing. Chi Ling’s expression was still calm, as if nothing could make her nervous or scared.
“Begin.”
Bai Chang was merciful. The first song she played was a popular girl group dance from this year. Many people in the room had probably practiced the original, so Chi Ling performed it without any pressure.
Ten seconds later, the music suddenly changed to a long, traditional Chinese tune.
Chi Ling didn’t panic. She finished her last move and seamlessly transitioned into a “cloud bridge” move, landing with her body tilted back, matching the music with a soft and tender gaze.
Bai Chang smiled with interest, but her hand showed no mercy as she switched the song to a boy group song.
Chi Ling, who had been moving like a willow in the wind, instantly transformed into a different person. Even her eyes became firm and powerful. Her excellent control of her body made every move clean and precise, without any sloppiness.
Dong—
Her final stomp landed perfectly on the beat of the drum, deeply moving the audience. It was incredibly cool!
Park Jun, who had been silent, finally couldn’t help but speak. “I wasn’t going to give my opinion, but Chi Ling, I really have to compliment you. Your stage presence is amazing. You completely owned the stage, and it’s totally my style.”
“Thank you, Teacher,” Chi Ling said, quickly returning to her humble posture, as if the person who just turned the stage upside down wasn’t her at all.
“I also did some research online a few days ago, and they say you… live off your looks and are a pretty face with no talent?” Pang Shiru smiled. “I personally think you can develop in both directions. After all, you have good looks, so don’t waste them.”
Chi Ling was a little overwhelmed to hear the words “live off your looks.” The judges complimenting her dance didn’t make her as excited as this.
After all, living off her looks had always been her dream!
“Chi Ling,” this was the first time Bai Chang had called her by her name with such a serious tone. “You are great, so this time, no matter what others say about you, I hope you don’t give up.”
Chi Ling was a little confused about Bai Chang’s intentions now.
She had thought that Bai Chang’s suggestion was deliberately trying to make things difficult for her, but if that were the case, what did these words of encouragement mean now?
Was she acting? As a film queen, Bai Chang could certainly act kindly towards her in front of the cameras, but Chi Ling instinctively felt that these words were sincere.
So, had Bai Chang been deliberately giving her a chance to shine just now?
Why?
Chi Ling was still thinking about this question even after she sat back down. In a daze, she saw the “200,000” above Bai Chang’s head—she had been too focused on the competition to notice it.
Of course. What else could it be? Someone as smart as Bai Chang wouldn’t just throw away that 200,000, would she?
And even if she wanted to, Tang Yu wouldn’t allow it.
After coming to this realization, Chi Ling felt much more at ease.
My soon-to-be ex-wife is a cunning one.
Author’s Note:
Bai Chang: My wife only cares about my money.
Chi Ling: What else is there?