On Tuesday at noon, three days before the team competition, the official C-site launched a ' support channel ' livestre...
On Tuesday at noon, three days before the team competition, the official C-site launched a 'support channel' livestream for Youth Dance Souls viewers.
There were four teams, and each team member had 10 minutes of livestream time.
Viewers could vote for their favourite contestants during this livestream.
On the day of the team competition, the two members from the losing team who had received the fewest cheering votes would be eliminated.
To prevent vote inflation1, only Level 5 C-site members who had watched the first two episodes of the show were permitted to cast three votes.
As soon as the stream started, a large number of viewers flooded into the livestream room.
[As a Level 5 member, I must exercise this special voting right. Here I am!]
[I just want to see if the Dream Team is still in the running.]
[The ones getting eliminated will be two people from the Dream Team, right? It's over, it's over—Li Shuai has never been active in promoting himself, and he's injured too, so he'll probably be the one leaving.]
[It's probably Li Shuai and Xiao Mo from the Dream Team who'll go.]
[Xiao Mo has always been very 'Buddha-like2'. Last time, when Lao Chun was eliminated, he said he would rather be the one to leave and let Lao Chun stay.]
[I want to reach out to cover Xiao Mo's mouth! Don't let him say during the livestream that people shouldn't vote for him and should give their votes to his teammates instead!]
The bullet comments flew across the screen.
Soon, contestants from Youth Dance Souls appeared in the livestream.
The first team to show up, Team Biwu3, was bursting with momentum and full of confidence.
Even the weakest member, a 19-year-old girl, exuded confidence.
"This time around, the mentor stayed with us throughout our practices, helping us with each movement in detail. They also recorded the rehearsal and talked us through the adjustments we needed to make."
[Awesome.]
[Team Biwu's mentor, Lele, is already a 'great demon king4'—a national team member. Even if Wang Jia came back, they still wouldn't be able to beat her.]
Although each team member was supposed to have ten minutes of livestream time, Team Biwu3 ended up averaging less than five minutes per person.
"We won't lose!"
"So, we don't need to canvass for votes."
[+1!]
The second team quickly entered the livestream room.
The leader of Team Radiance even smiled at the camera.
"We need to practice dancing. Ten minutes per person means seventy minutes for seven people, which is really too much of a waste of time."
"We'll leave this opportunity to other teams."
"We, Team Radiance, will let our strength speak for itself."
Behind that strength was an accumulation of sweat.
They were definitely not going to use them to canvass for votes.
[!!]
[Wuwuwu, no success is ever accidental.]
[I can't believe I'm seeing such a 'breath of fresh air' in a variety show… finally, contestants who don't rely on fan voting and depend on themselves!]
[Thumbs up to C-site and Youth Dance Souls! Cheering for the Radiance and Biwu teams!]
These kinds of contestants didn't rely on external factors or take shortcuts.
Even if they saw a quicker route to fame and fortune, they still chose to take a detour and follow their original intentions.
Bao Ruanruan, waiting outside the livestream room, almost gave them a thumbs-up.
Behind her, everyone from the Dream Team also had expressions of admiration and respect for these two powerful teams.
But just as Team Radiance walked out of the livestream room, heads held high with pride under everyone's admiration—
A soft female voice suddenly sounded.
"They're very good, but you shouldn't copy them."
Team Radiance: "???"
"Surrendering our ground to the enemy is something we'll save for our next life."
Team Radiance: "!!!"
They turned around to see Bao Ruanruan's stunning, dewy face looking up at them, her expression filled with pure, unadulterated admiration.
But those clear, watery eyes held a faint, tragic expression that seemed to say, 'Brave warriors, I won't see you off. Go on your way by yourselves!'
It was as if they had already done for...
Team Radiance: "???"
In what way did their action seem as 'giving way to the enemy'? They clearly just wanted to use the time to practise dancing, okay?
But Bao Ruanruan had already led her team in opening the door to the livestream room.
Her gentle, soft, and clear voice rang out:
"If two teams end up tied and the winner has to be decided by audience votes, then we have to make sure we win those votes."
Team Radiance: "!"
The whole team jolted—some of the members started to panic.
"Leader, what should we do? Can we talk to the production team and go in a few minutes later?"
Team Radiance leader: "..........."
The team was freaking falling apart.
After entering the livestream room, Bao Ruanruan closed the door and smiled at the Dream Team.
It wasn't the heroes who made it through any battle — it was the ones who knew how to survive by any means necessary.
Her little face lit up with determination.
So even for the livestream vote, they had to demonstrate their momentum.
What if, after battling as a team, it was popularity that decided who would stay in the individual round?
They couldn't afford to miss even the tiniest chance of survival.
As long as she was leading the team, she would take responsibility for that day.
"Ten minutes each. Don't go overtime."
"Remember what I said? First place in popularity gets rewards. Last place gets nothing."
"Go." Pikachu!
As soon as she had finished speaking, everyone in the Dream Team lit up with determination.
The audience had expected Team Dream to appear dispirited in the livestream, but when they appeared on camera, they gave off a completely different vibe.
Xiao Mo, who was thought to be the most 'Buddha-like2' and likely to say he'd give others the opportunity, clenched his fist.
"We will win, so please vote for me!"
[??]
[Does that even make sense?]
[Xiao Mo, was your Chinese taught by your PE teacher?]
[How's your practice going? Give us an update!]
Xiao Mo scratched his head. "Practice is still ongoing. Everyone's in good condition, and I haven't made many mistakes lately."
He was still a bit shy and not good at self-promotion.
But he gritted his teeth.
"To get the reward that Teacher Bao promised, I still want to be the most popular person in the team. Please support me!"
[?]
[What kind of reward makes even a 'salted fish5' wants to turn over?]
Xiao Mo blushed. "Teacher Bao invited Teacher Qu Feifei, Teacher Xiao Mengfei, and Teacher Zhen Xuan to help us practice these past two days. She said if we rank first in popularity, we can choose—"
"—which teacher to invite tomorrow morning."
[!]
[!!!]
[Wow, I thought Bao Ruanruan was a beginner dancer, but it turns out that behind this 'noob' are all demon-level masters.]
[Ah! Feifei too? Is Xiaoxiao coming as well? Does that mean we'll see them on competition day?]
[So that's it—Xiao Mo must be a fan of Feifei's group, right?]
The audience in the live chat suddenly realised what was happening.
So they were the naive ones all along!
Although the Dream Team only had Bao Ruanruan as their mentor, it was equivalent to having superstar mentors from today's top girl and boy bands.
Li Shuai, who was next to go live, revealed the truth in a single sentence:
"The day before yesterday, Teacher Qu Feifei even brought their group's dance instructor, Miss Qiu Minrong, along."
Li Shuai even blushed as he said this on camera.
"Back then, it was after watching her modern dance piece 'Prison' that I decided to make dancing my lifelong dream."
"So please vote for me! Teacher Bao said that if I rank first in popularity, she'll help me get Teacher Qiu's autograph!"
[!]
[So that's how it is!]
[…The mentor lineup even includes the teachers of the top idol group mentors…]
[Holy sh— Qiu Minrong is a national-level dancer!]
[Yes, she was definitely the 'great demon king4' back then, but she retired from the stage due to injury.]
[Pulling up a radish brings out the roots6—since Qiu Minrong has already come to guide them, will her teacher, the big shot Qin, show up next?]
[!!]
The Dream Team leader, however, wasn't so fixated on first place.
"I'll just aim for second in popularity—please vote for me."
"If I get second place, Teacher Bao said she'll treat our whole team to another round of acupuncture and massage."
[?]
The Dream Team was seriously committed to 'promoting themselves'.
All seven members were competing for either first or second place in popularity.
If it weren't for the support of so many external mentors, the audience might suspect that they had already prepared to lose.
"No, we will fight hard to win the competition," said the Dream Team leader.
"But Teacher Bao said this livestream is a test of our morale."
"If we can take even one city or one moat7, we absolutely won't hand it over to the opponent."
[Teacher Bao's words… they are so powerful that they feel like brainwashing~]
[Bao Ruanruan, you can do it!]
[Our Kiddo Ruan is actually this tough—where is she today? Waiting for Ruanruan~]
[The Radiance Team has 70 more minutes of prep time—what do you think of that?]
"Taking a break now means a stronger start later."
"I'm not wasting time right now either—I'm enjoying the massage device Teacher Bao gave us."
[?]
The Dream Team leader rolled up his hoodie sleeve in front of the camera.
He revealed a patch on his arm that was vibrating and glowing green.
"Ten minutes of livestreaming, plus walking back and forth, is just enough to complete a low-frequency pulse massage session."
[!]
The leader smiled.
"All of our injuries have healed a lot recently."
[What kind of magical gadget is that?]
[Looks like something good—tell me the brand quickly~]
As the leader lowered his sleeve, sharp-eyed viewers noticed medicated patches on his arm.
The next member who came in also lifted his sleeve to reveal patches covering half of his arm.
Looking closely, viewers could see that the muscle near his left shoulder was still twitching!
!
All the Dream Team members were using massage devices during the livestream.
They were boosting their popularity while also resting and recovering on the livestream.
This situation was really like shooting two eagles with one arrow8!
[I'm looking forward to tomorrow's team competition, and looking forward to seeing Bao Ruanruan!]
[I didn't know much about Bao Ruanruan before, but now I'm interested in her!]
[The safety officer sticks to her post no matter where she goes, haha.]
Each member of the Dream Team got ten minutes, and they were extremely punctual.
When time was up, they left without a trace of hesitation.
Their punctuality made them seem like a well-trained army!
[I feel like the Dream Team has changed.]
[Yes, their style has changed.]
[I think I can see a team spirit that they didn't have before.]
Everyone used to feel more sympathy than expectation for the Dream Team.
But now, it was different.
After the live broadcast ended, the Dream Team received the most votes out of the four teams!
Their popularity surged unexpectedly.
They surpassed the ace dance team, Biwu3, in one fell swoop.
Wang Jia, the former mentor, had just regained consciousness after surgery. The first thing she did was anxiously ask about the team.
"How are they?"
"Is their situation really bad? Do they need me to post on Weibo to help with votes?"
After speaking, she noticed her manager's subtle, complicated expression.
"Sis, they're now number one in popularity."
Wang Jia: "?"
What?
The manager shrugged. "Li Shuai, who was at the bottom of the list last week, has now surged into the top three."
Even if he was eliminated, he could still be revived.
Wang Jia: "..."
When I was around, the kid wasn't this strong.
I take a leave, and suddenly the kid excels?
At noon, Qu Feifei was fully wrapped up, wearing a hat and a large scarf covering her eyebrows and eyes.
She hurried into a French restaurant from the nanny van.
As she went upstairs with the waiter to the second floor, she couldn't help touching her lower back.
There was ointment there, which felt subtly warm to the touch.
It made her feel much better.
Just a few days ago, as soon as it rained, even climbing the stairs had caused sharp pain to her lower back.
She had been too stubborn before; even after the variety show had ended, she had gone back to the dorm to practise dancing.
She never allowed herself to relax.
As a result, her injury didn't improve.
Qu Feifei sneaked a glance at the Dream Team streaming on 'Youth Dance Souls'.
She listened to their words through her earphones...
'Teacher Bao says that taking a break now means a stronger start later.'
'We're not wasting time during the livestream. I'm currently undergoing low-pulse massage therapy.'
Qu Feifei couldn't help but smile for a moment.
Indeed.
After the acupuncture and massage, she had felt much better these past few days.
She had thought that Bao Ruanruan would take full advantage of the 'life-saving agreement'.
But she didn't.
In fact, she had even taken Qu Feifei to see the traditional Chinese medicine doctor next to the dance studio so that Qu Feifei could receive treatment for her back injury alongside the team.
While practising and resting with the Dance Souls contestants over the past few days, Qu Feifei felt her condition had improved!
"Feifei, you're here."
Tang Yuxin, who had reserved a private room, warmly stood up when she saw Qu Feifei.
Qu Feifei immediately exited the livestreaming app and put her phone away.
She looked at Tang Yuxin excitedly.
"Teacher Tang!"
She was a die-hard fan of Tang Yuxin.
She had watched all of her movies without fail!
She had even bought all of the products that Tang Yuxin had endorsed!
Qu Feifei felt that eating with her idol was simply too blissful.
[Qu Feifei's support rate increased by 0.5%.]
Tang Yuxin smiled.
"Sit down quickly, I'll ask them to bring the menu."
Qu Feifei felt embarrassed—she was actually late for a meal with her idol.
However, once she had sat down, she looked excitedly at Tang Yuxin, who was sitting opposite her.
Just a table's length apart.
She had never been this close to her idol before.
Qu Feifei wished she could carefully take in every detail of her beauty and remember every single strand of her hair.
However, she quickly froze in surprise.
Now that she was close, she could clearly see the other person's large pores, faint dark circles and fatigued appearance.
Teacher Tang's condition was actually far worse than Bao Ruanruan's.
Qu Feifei had never noticed these things before, but she did this time.
But… it didn't matter—she wasn't a fan of her looks; what she liked was her talent and character!
"Feifei, a director recently invited me to join a reality variety show. Are you interested? Come with me?"
Tang Yuxin wore a gentle expression.
Qu Feifei was instantly intoxicated with excitement.
To appear on a show alongside her idol—what had she done to deserve this?
Of course, she was willing!
Seeing how tempted she was, Tang Yuxin felt she had chosen the right approach.
She immediately switched to a caring tone, her expression showing concern.
"You're currently the leader of a girl group, but this industry depends on youth. If you keep dancing, can your body handle it?"
"What will you do in the future? Have you thought about it?"
"Join me in variety shows, and I'll introduce you to the production crews. This will help you transition your career gradually."
After confidently finishing her persuasion, Tang Yuxin looked at Qu Feifei.
But what she saw was a face full of surprise… and disappointment.
[Qu Feifei's support rate for you has decreased by 1.8%.]
Tang Yuxin: "!"
Qu Feifei looked lost and dispirited.
Bao Ruanruan's words to the dancers echoed in her mind:
'Any career is a long road.'
'Only by taking good care of your body can you have a lifetime to improve your professional skills.'
Qu Feifei opened her mouth, then closed it again.
She wanted to dance for the rest of her life.
In fact, she actually preferred… Bao Ruanruan's way of thinking.
Those dancers who hadn't yet achieved their dreams were still working hard and persevering—she, who already held her dream in her hands, how could she be a deserter?
"Teacher Tang, I… I only like dancing."
Qu Feifei couldn't help lowering her head, unable to hide the surprise and doubt on her face.
She idolised Sister Yuxin and was deeply moved by her perseverance and dedication to her performing career.
But would someone who persisted in their own career and never gave up easily persuade others to abandon theirs?
Qu Feifei felt a bit dazed.
[Please note: a major fan is showing signs of disappointment in you.]
Tang Yuxin: "!!"
The team competition was on Friday, with filming lasting the entire day.
A thousand audience members entered the studio.
Besides the contestants' fans, there were also fans of the mentors.
For example, Tang Xi, together with Bao Ruanruan's 'mom fans', secured a prime spot close to the centre of the stage.
Surrounding them were casual supporters and fans of the Dream Team.
"We will begin recording at 10 sharp."
"All teams are currently backstage doing their final practice and arranging their strategies."
The staff said while maintaining order at the venue.
Then they distributed voting devices to everyone.
"Today's team competition rules are as follows: four teams will face off in pairs. The draw resulted in Biwu3 versus Dream Team and Radiance versus Gale. There will be 2-person, 3-person, and 4-person dances, with the best two out of three rounds. The two winning teams will all advance."
The staff emphasised:
"The two losing teams will have their members enter a rotating battle to determine the final eliminated team."
Tang Xi silently processed the rules.
Just as she was digesting them, she heard a tense gasp from someone nearby.
"How unlucky—Dream Team is up against the strongest team, Biwu3?"
"Sigh. The opposing Radiance team is also strong. Honestly, no matter who we face, we don't have much of an advantage."
"If we lose, we'll have to face Gale in the final showdown. Do we even stand a chance?"
Tang Xi couldn't even tell who was who anymore.
She felt completely dizzy from all the information.
But she knew that Bao Ruanruan led the Dream Team.
As soon as she heard that, she broke into a nervous sweat.
Bao Ruanruan had come as a substitute, only to find herself on the weakest team.
And now, with an elimination round looming, wouldn't she end up carrying the pot9 if they end up losing?
"What should we do, Fake Mom?"
The other 'mom fans' were also anxious.
Tang Xi gestured for everyone to settle down.
"Don't panic. Let's wait for the results first. In any case, we'll follow Kiddo Ruan's lead; she's all about keeping the peace."
Could Bao Ruanruan create a miracle again this time?
Tang Xi looked expectantly at the big screen in the centre of the stage.
The answer was… no.
"How could a miracle be so easy to create?"
Backstage, Bao Ruanruan was feeling miserable.
"I must have forgotten to wash my hands earlier…"
Why was she so unlucky with draws?
She had actually picked the strongest team.
Frustrated, she shut herself off in the room.
She even opened her phone and rushed to criticise the Taobao seller.
"This shop that sold me the protective charm must be fake!"
Qu Feifei: "……"
Do your fans even know how superstitious you are?
We already 'smashed the Four Olds10,' okay?
But as Qu Feifei watched her struggle internally, she couldn't help but feel stormy waves surging in her heart.
There were no cameras arranged in the mentors' dressing room.
Was Bao Ruanruan genuinely trying to help these rookie dancers advance?
Protecting a friend showed loyalty, but filling in for someone else at work was usually for money.
Qu Feifei originally thought it was just about earning an appearance fee.
But Bao Ruanruan was actually this serious?
She would even blame herself for drawing an unfavourable lot?
For the first time, Qu Feifei truly realised what kind of person Bao Ruanruan was.
She couldn't help but blush a little.
She had really wronged Bao Ruanruan before.
She had believed online rumours and thought Bao Ruanruan had wronged Sister Yuxin, but that wasn't the case at all.
Moreover…
Qu Feifei couldn't help but recall how Tang Yuxin had advised her to give up her dancing career.
In comparison, Bao Ruanruan understood how to protect dancers' dreams much better!
With this thought in mind, Qu Feifei's ears turned red, and she just stood up to comfort Bao Ruanruan when...
She saw that Bao Ruanruan had already taken out a small notebook, held her phone horizontally, and started watching videos.
"What are you writing?" Qu Feifei asked curiously.
Having let go of past grudges and emotional baggage, she could now ask Bao Ruanruan openly.
Bao Ruanruan didn't look up. "Nothing. I'm just analysing the opponent's level of threat and their weak points."
Qu Feifei: "!"
In this lifetime, even if she couldn't be Bao Ruanruan's idol, she must never become her rival!
Soon, the backstage waiting rooms of the four teams appeared on the studio stage screen.
Each mentor was giving final instructions to their teams.
They were also struggling over how to arrange their lineup.
The three performances consisted of duets, trios, and four-person dances.
The mentors could decide the order of appearance.
A four-person dance could also compete against a two-person dance.
"Although Mentor Wang Jia isn't here, we still can't underestimate the Dream Team."
The mentor of the Biwu3 Team, Yin Hang, had a conservative personality.
"A few days ago, they invited instructors from girl groups and boy groups, plus Teacher Qiu, to help out, so their choreography won't be bad."
Most excellent choreographers worked for these highly popular boy groups and girl groups.
"Their group dance will definitely have more of an advantage than the other teams."
With top choreographers involved, the differences in group dances were clear for everyone to see.
After thinking it over, Yin Hang made a decision. "We'll use a duet to weaken their four-person dance advantage."
When the main stage screen showed this shot, the audience immediately gasped in surprise.
Many people put themselves in the Dream Team's shoes and began to worry about them.
The Biwu3 Team clearly had the strongest skills, and their mentor hadn't been replaced, so why were they resorting to such tactics against the weaker Dream Team?
The audience immediately started to worry about the underdog.
Even the female audience members felt their maternal instinct stir because of them.
Bao Ruanruan's 'mom fans' became even more anxious.
"Should we send Kiddo Ruan a private message on Weibo?"
"Sigh. She doesn't check her phone in real time, so it's useless."
"Right, Kiddo Ruan thinks phones emit radiation. Teary eyes11."
Her 'moms' could only worry helplessly.
But in the next instant, the screen cut to the Dream Team's room.
Bao Ruanruan, with her small, fair, delicate face, stood in front of a whiteboard, tapping it with a marker.
On the whiteboard was a large character—— "Survive."
"Our slogan is—"
"Survive!"
The Dream Team shouted into the microphone in unison.
Their momentum was unstoppable.
The audience: "!"
"Very good. Next, I'll explain today's temporary battle plan."
Bao Ruanruan clasped her hands behind her back.
Her creamy, jade-like face turned serious.
"Our biggest weak spot at the moment is our four-person dance."
"So, let's just forfeit this round."
Audience: "???"
The crowd erupted into an uproar.
Up until now, the Biwu3 Team had believed that the Dream Team's four-person dance group was their strongest lineup.
So, the Biwu3 Team tried to get clever by using their weakest duo to wear down the Dream Team's quartet.
However, as it turned out, Yin Hang had completely misread the situation?
Now that was just hilarious.
All the Dream Team fans were stunned.
Tang Xi and the 'mom fans' sitting among them also opened their mouths in shock, but quickly covered them.
Kiddo Ruan really pulled off some flashy moves.
No—she was the one at the top of the variety show food chain!
As her 'moms', they should have expected this!
Never ever try to guess what's on Kiddo Ruan's mind.
"Well, things just got interesting—Biwu3 Team won't lose, right?"
"My God! Biwu3 Team wanted to use their weakest duo against the four-person group that Dream Team was planning to sacrifice—Dream Team might actually win this round by luck!"
The audience, who had been casually watching the backstage footage, suddenly became serious.
On the screen, Bao Ruanruan could still be seen standing in front of the whiteboard, looking at her teammates.
"They must think that I brought in the boy and girl group coaches to help you just to secure the four-person dance."
Audience: "!"
Her clear eyes blinked. "But with the same preparation time, the larger the team, the more mistakes will occur. We'll focus our limited energy on the duos and trios."
"The injured members of the four-person group can rest this round, conserve stamina, and prepare for the final battle in case we lose."
It was a sequential, one-on-one battle in which opponents took turns fighting fresh challengers.
Both stamina and ability were crucial in this kind of battle.
Therefore, injured members would struggle to last two rounds.
Bao Ruanruan had no choice but to make a painful sacrifice and give up one round.
"We'll send out the four-person group in the first round later."
She raised an eyebrow.
"You'll then get the longest rest time."
Survival Rule #2: Conserve stamina—in a prolonged battle, there's no need to go all out from the start.
Survival Rule #4: Keep your trump card hidden and strike unexpectedly.
All the members of the Dream Team nodded continuously.
Four of them—Li Shuai, Xiao Mo, the team leader, and the girl Xiao Lin—all stepped forward.
They began warming up.
Audience: "……"
It was one of those situations where if you didn't look, you wouldn't know, but once you did, you would jump in shock12.
In yesterday's livestream, it was these four who were talking the toughest and claiming that the Dream Team would definitely win this round!
Good grief!
It turns out it was all just a smokescreen for them to paddle water13.
The ones who were actually putting in the real effort this round for the Dream Team weren't them at all!
The audience fell into a stunned silence, unsure whether to admire the Dream Team's cleverness or pity the Biwu3 Team for their wishful thinking!
Host Jiang Xu appeared amid this strange atmosphere.
Standing on stage, he connected remotely with the Biwu3 Team and the Dream Team backstage.
"For the first round, what lineup will each team send out first?"
"A four-person group dance."
"A two-person group dance."
Bao Ruanruan spoke first, and Yin Hang followed up immediately.
The audience collectively covered their foreheads.
Yin Hang has really 'set sail'… and gone way off course.
Amidst the audience's sighs, Jiang Xu smiled and said, "Alright, do either of you have anything to say to the opposing team?"
Yin Hang looked at the camera like a gentleman and smiled mysteriously. "Teacher Bao seems determined to win. You're eager to take the first round, putting such a heavyweight four-person dance right at the start—going for a red at the opening door14."
Bao Ruanruan responded with the same mysterious smile. "Likewise."
Audience: "……"
What do you mean by 'likewise'?
She never even planned to win this round!
This is killing me!
Yet Yin Hang remained extremely confident as he encouraged the two contestants in the room. "Keep it up! If we can wear down their strongest players, that's already a tactical victory for us."
Bao Ruanruan was also in the room, cheering on the four-person dance group.
"The opponent wants to use the 'Tian Ji horse race📹' strategy."
The four members of the Dream Team's eyes lit up.
"Yes, your chance has come—we might be able to win."
Audience: "!"
Both teams' contestants stepped onto the stage.
In this round, the Dream Team, who sent their members first, had their four-person group perform first.
As the siren sounds echoed throughout the venue, the four began to dance on stage.
Their performance evoked the intensity of a drama of escape and pursuit, like a game of cat and mouse.
Led by the Dream Team leader, the four performed the blended contemporary and street dance perfectly.
Yet there wasn't even the slightest hint of the typical style of a girl group or boy band choreography.
This dance didn't showcase any individual techniques either.
The big screen specifically showed a close-up of Yin Hang.
He looked completely stunned and astonished.
"Pfft, pfft, pfft."
"These four have average strength, and their choreography isn't particularly challenging either. If they perform as usual and run into the opposing four-person team, they will definitely lose… but Yin Hang used a two-person team for his 'Tian Ji horse race📹' tactics… Sigh."
"It's over, it's over. Look at Yin Hang's expression… heh-heh-da."
The Dream Team finally used a rope dropping from above to hoist their leader into the air, where he completed his dance moves midair.
The police successfully captured the criminal.
Their choreography told a complete story, cleverly building up to a climax at the end.
The two Biwu3 Team members exchanged a glance, realising that the situation was different from what their mentor had predicted.
The two stepped onto the stage.
They performed a classical Chinese dance featuring swords and fans.
However, since they were both male, there were no lifting moves.
As a result, their performance lacked a climax, and the storytelling was relatively weak.
"Seriously, was this lineup something Yin Hang came up with using his feet15?"
"To be fair, his logic made sense—he was saving all his best players for the three- and four-person events. But then he had to get cute with his strategy..."
"D*mn! He clearly could have won on pure skill alone, but he just had to play mind games! He ended up outsmarting himself!"
Tang Xi sat in the audience, listening to everyone's discussions.
Every now and then, she would puff out her chest.
Ruanruan's 'mom fans' beside her were the same.
Proud.jpg.
Their kid was simply the best.
Yin Hang had never expected this.
Bao Ruanruan had invited so many boy-group and girl-group mentors, but they were all smokescreens—the strongest contestants weren't even on this four-person team!
He bet wrong!
Although it might seem there would be no loss when two weak groups were matched, having only two players against four puts them at a disadvantage.
Even their final climax move fell short by a notch.
"The first round has ended. Please cast your votes. You may only choose one team."
Yin Hang even stood up as the results appeared on the big screen.
The host Jiang Xu quickly shouted, "For the final result, please look at the big screen!"
—
#Round 1#
#Dream Team VS Biwu Team: 501 votes VS 498 votes#
The whole venue erupted in shock.
Only a difference of three votes.
And one voter had abstained!
Yin Hang and the Biwu3 Team members' expressions changed instantly.
Meanwhile, the Dream Team let out a howl and all stood up.
The four-person group shouted excitedly and hugged each other!
They had never expected to win.
But unexpectedly…
Bao Ruanruan stood in the corner, smiling as she applauded.
Jiang Xu gave her a complicated look, then glanced sympathetically at Yin Hang.
He had no idea how formidable Bao Ruanruan really was before.
It was only later, after reading fans' comments online, that Jiang Xu learned that Bao Ruanruan had schemed to switch photographers during the escape variety show.
He almost coughed up blood.
No wonder his mom called him when the episode aired, asking if people had been laughing at him lately!
"Let's take a ten-minute break. Both teams still have time to adjust the performance order of the next group."
After making this announcement, Jiang Xu left the stage.
Although it was called an intermission, the audience didn't actually leave.
Instead, they turned their attention to the big screen, watching with great interest.
On it, Bao Ruanruan and Yin Hang had already returned to the backstage strategy room.
Yin Hang looked grave. "From here on, we can't afford to lose any more."
Eager to boost morale, he knew he had to secure the next round.
"Four-person group, get ready."
All four members of the Biwu3 team immediately stood up, their expressions serious as they felt the immense pressure.
The camera quickly switched to Bao Ruanruan.
She stood in front of the whiteboard in the room once again, lifting her fair, luminous face.
"I've looked into the similar variety shows that Teacher Yin Hang participated in before."
Audience: "!"
Tang Xi clasped her hands together excitedly.
As expected, Kiddo Ruan never fought an unprepared battle.
Even when designing travel itineraries for the audience, she prepared thoroughly like this.
The preparation room appeared on the big screen.
Bao Ruanruan's eyes sparkled as she said, "Any team that Teacher Yin Hang led in the past has never lost two rounds in a row. Once they lose the first round, he will send in his strongest contestant for the second round."
The Dream Team members' eyes all lit up at once.
This time, it was their turn to use the 'Tian Ji horse race📹' strategy!
The two-person dance group stepped forward on their own accord, without Bao Ruanruan needing to say anything.
Audience: "!"
She had guessed it right again.
This team—from the members to the mentor—seems to have a higher IQ than the other team. What's going on?
Obviously, Bao Ruanruan had only joined the team as a substitute once, yet she had already formed an understanding with its members.
Jiang Xu quickly returned to the stage. "The second round officially begins. Which group are you sending out?"
This time, it was just as expected.
Bao Ruanruan led the Dream Team's duo onto the stage, but they lost to the opponent's four-person dance group.
However, even though they won this round, Yin Hang and the Biwu3 team members could only relax for a brief second before their expressions quickly turned serious again.
"Teacher Bao, I didn't expect you to be so skilled at arranging troops and formations16."
Yin Hang smiled bitterly.
The next round would pit the Dream Team's strongest dancers against the second-tier strongest members of the Biwu3 team.
The outcome was hard to predict.
In fact, the balance was already subtly tilting toward Bao Ruanruan.
"I really want to know—where exactly did you make use of the group dance instructor you hired earlier?"
Yin Hang had a bad premonition.
Bao Ruanruan smiled sweetly. "You'll find out very soon."
Sure enough! Yin Hang's heart skipped a beat, and it turned into a sigh. "The Dream Team is a very strong opponent."
The final match between the two teams finally arrived.
The entire audience held their breath in suspense.
The contestants for the third round emerged through the open stage doors.
The moment they appeared, Yin Hang's expression shifted rapidly.
A wave of gasps and exclamations also swept through the audience.
The two groups' styles were completely different as they walked out.
Both sides were trios.
The three members of Yin Hang's team were dressed as office workers.
Meanwhile, the three on Bao Ruanruan's team were all wearing white lab coats.
Surprisingly, both sides had chosen professional-themed concepts.
But as soon as the music started and the contestants began dancing gracefully, the scales of victory tipped toward Bao Ruanruan's side.
What could be more powerful and moving than the theme of doctors saving lives and healing the wounded—the theme of life and death?
Yin Hang sighed.
......
"Keep working hard, everyone—I'll be cheering for you on TV~"
After the recording ended, Bao Ruanruan said goodbye to the contestants.
The Dream Team was even a little reluctant to part with her.
Those who had old injuries that had improved this time were especially grateful.
They stood at the studio entrance, watching Bao Ruanruan leave.
Before they knew it, they had ended up standing together with her 'mom fans'.
"Kiddo Ruan is amazing."
"The safety officer—she kept everyone safe, as expected of her."
"Yes, we can always trust our girl."
"Wherever she goes, she's like the sea-stabilising needle17."
The Dream Team members exchanged glances.
As if waking from a dream.
Safety officer?
That's right.
She found doctors who could treat muscle strains and ligament injuries with acupuncture and massage for them.
She also brought in beautiful idol celebrities like Qu Feifei and Xiao Mengfei…
She provided them with dual protection, both physically and psychologically.
In the end, she studied their opponents and devised customised strategies, leaving their opponents with no way out.
She protected them all the way and helped them win!
Bao Ruanruan is awesome!
"Teacher Bao, um… does she have a 'kiddies' fan group?" Li Shuai scratched his head awkwardly as he approached one of Bao Ruanruan's masked 'mom fans'.
Tang Xi, who was asked, was speechless: "…?!"
How bold.
At your age, how can you have the nerve to be Kiddo Ruan's 'kid'? Why don't you just be my grandson instead?
That night, the hashtag #Bao Ruanruan Leads Dream Team To Advance# ranked No. 17 on the trending list.
The ranking wasn't high, but it was entirely pushed up by organic support from viewers.
Bao Ruanruan's series of tactical moves won in a way that was both coincidental and beautifully executed!
Even after the competition had ended, people were still discussing it enthusiastically that very night.
After all, Friday nights were a time when many office workers and students naturally stayed up late to celebrate the weekend.
Staying up late to welcome the weekend was a must!
This didn't apply to Bao Ruanruan, though, who had aspired to live to the age of 142.
However, at 12.30 am tonight, with the moon high in the sky, she opened her troubled eyes in a pitch-dark room with the curtains drawn.
She was suffering from insomnia.
Bao Ruanruan pursed her lips, turned over, and sat up on the bed.
For the fourth time, she got up to go to the bathroom.
The daytime match had been too tense and exciting, leaving her cerebral cortex overactive at night, causing her to still be wide awake.
It was well past her usual bedtime of 10 pm, and she felt groggy and sluggish all over.
However, her mind was still alert.
This kind of overstimulation made her feel suffocated.
At least in games, she had never suffered from insomnia before.
She fumbled in the dark to turn on the bedside lamp, filling the room with a dim, warm, orange light.
She picked up her notebook and made another cross.
Drink milk ×
Count sheep ×
Drink vinegar ×
Listen to light music ×
Meditate ×
Aromatherapy ×
Bao Ruanruan: "…"
Ah!
Holding the notebook, she collapsed onto the pillow in frustration.
Weakly, she reached out to turn off the lamp.
She then put the notebook away.
She had already tried everything she could think of.
None of it had worked.
"Tathagata Buddha, Guanyin Bodhisattva, this believer is willing to empty her wallet in exchange for falling asleep right now~"
If she didn't get 7 hours of sleep, her grand 'detox plan' would be jeopardised.
When would these cycles of revenge ever end?
Even being short by one hour would not be forgiven.
Bao Ruanruan painfully turned over on the soft, warm bed.
She closed her eyes again.
She tried to relax.
She thought back to her happiest moment~
Her happiest moment… it was that day, in the game, when that man's lazy, unrestrained voice was by her ear, saying they had cleared the level…
At the thought of it, Bao Ruanruan's lips couldn't help but curl into a sweet smile.
The next second, she opened her eyes in the darkness.
At 12:30 am, after Xue Jing finished his shower, he walked back to the bedroom, put on his robe, and picked up the documents on the table.
Just as he was about to sit down, a flash caught the corner of his eye.
His eyebrows lifted slightly; though his posture holding the documents remained unchanged, his peach-blossom eyes glanced towards the balcony connected to the bedroom.
Under the moonlight.
From his balcony, he could overlook the city's river view.
At this time, the colourful lights of the bustling buildings had long since been extinguished.
However, on the right-hand side of his balcony, there was a small point of light.
It was swaying.
It swayed two or three times.
Then, out of the darkness, a small, fair, delicate hand reached out to him.
Its five fingers, like green scallions, waved twice.
Had she come to find him because she couldn't sleep?
"I saw your light was still on, so I guessed you hadn't slept yet."
Bao Ruanruan spoke softly, pressing her palms together.
"My dear agent, could you do me a favour?"
Xue Jing raised an eyebrow.
Bao Ruanruan bit her small lips.
In the night, her soft voice sounded moist and pitiful, lingering like drawn threads.
"Could you say a few words?"
"…to lull me to sleep?"
A current seemed to run through Xue Jing's spine in an instant.
Numb and tingling.
A slight tremor.
Author's note:
Ruanruan: Seeking an insomnia remedy online~
Footnotes Full List
- artificially inflating numbers (e.g., fake votes, bots, or manipulation)
- 佛系 (fó xì): laid-back, indifferent, going with the flow, not competitive
- 必舞 (bì wǔ): One Who Must Dance
- 大魔王 (dà mó wáng): an overwhelmingly powerful opponent
- In internet slang, a "咸鱼 (Xiányú: Salted Fish)" refers to a person who has no ambition, no desire to work hard, and just wants to lie around doing nothing. It comes from a famous line by Stephen Chow in the movie Shaolin Soccer: "If a human has no dreams, what's the difference between them and a salted fish?"
- 拔起萝卜带着根 (bá qǐ luóbo dài zhe gēn): one connection leads to another; uncovering one brings more behind it
- 一城一池 (yī chéng yī chí): every small gain or territory counts (battle metaphor)
- 一箭双雕 (yī jiàn shuāng diāo): An idiom meaning achieving two goals with a single action.
- 背锅 (bēi guō) (slang): to take the blame for others
- 破除四旧 (pò chú sì jiù): (old customs, culture, habits, ideas), a slogan from the Cultural Revolution; used humorously here to mock outdated beliefs.
- 泪目 (lèimù): Internet slang expressing emotional helplessness or mock sadness.
- 不看不知道，一看吓一跳 (bù kàn bù zhīdào, yī kàn xià yī tiào): Something turns out to be far more surprising than expected.
- 划水 (huá shuǐ): To slack off or not put in real effort.
- 开门红 (kāi mén hóng): A good start; winning right at the beginning.
- 用脚想出来 (yòng jiǎo xiǎng chū lái): a sarcastic way of saying someone didn't think properly or had a very stupid idea
- 排兵布阵 (pái bīng bù zhèn): A metaphor from military strategy, meaning to plan tactics or organise people strategically.
- 定海神针 (dìng hǎi shén zhēn): (the magical staff of the Monkey King); metaphor for someone who acts as a stabilising force or pillar of support.
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