How can you ascend to heaven when you are a star?

Chapter 353 Re-training

As Zhang Wen listened to the trainees' stories, he gained a deeper understanding of the closed training organized by the "Super Trainee" program team.

Closed training sounds mysterious, professional, and special, but it's actually just a gimmick to pique the audience's curiosity about the training content and generate anticipation for the trainees' performances, thus bringing excitement and attention to the show.

In addition, the recordings of closed training sessions can also be used to promote the program and provide material for its playback.

Most importantly, celebrity mentors can establish their persona, attract fans, and increase buzz by guiding trainees during closed training sessions.

Despite the show's name, "Super Trainee," the performances of the celebrity mentors are also one of the show's highlights.

It's not just "Super Trainee"; other competition shows are the same. Things like mentors vying for contestants, mentors arguing with each other, and even throwing phones and shoes—every time these happen, they inevitably trend on social media, bringing a huge wave of popularity to the show.

Although the method is a bit old-fashioned, it really works.

"By the way, you just finished your closed training. Instead of resting in your dorms, what are you doing at the company?" Zhang Wen asked curiously.

“Teacher Zhang, we’ve come to see you,” Cheng Sisi said.

"Looking for me?" Zhang Wen was completely confused. He wasn't the director of the show, nor did he have any connection with the production company. Could someone looking for him possibly dictate the rankings for the main competition?

"Teacher Zhang, we'd like to use this week to learn more from you," Zhao Tong explained.

"Well, to be honest, Teacher Zhang, those celebrity mentors are indeed quite skilled, but in terms of teaching, they are really not as good as you," Su Jin said seriously.

In the initial selection competition, she ranked 15th, the lowest-ranked member of Teacher Zhang's team.

She wanted to improve; she wanted to be in the top nine because the producers would eventually select nine people to form a girl group and debut using the popularity of "Super Trainee."

She didn't want to be the only trainee eliminated; she would feel ashamed when she returned to the company.

That's why she wanted to study with Teacher Zhang during her break. Although it was only for a week, she felt that as long as Teacher Zhang was willing to teach, getting into the top nine wouldn't be a problem.

As for why the other trainees who made it into the top nine in the selection process also need to study, it's simple: the pressure is too great, and they don't want to be squeezed out of the top nine by the people behind them.

Zhang Wen hadn't expected these people to be so motivated, even studying during the holidays. Since that was the case, how could he, as their teacher, discourage their enthusiasm for learning?
His gaze swept over the skill panels of Zhao Tong and the others one by one. Their skill points had all increased to some extent, but the increase was very small.

Let's look at the negative personality traits of these individuals.

I remember when he participated in the show "Super Trainee", in order to pass the selection competition, he had already eliminated all the negative personality derivatives of the five girls.

However, now, negative personality traits have surprisingly resurfaced.

Su Jin, Zhang Jiajia, and Chen Silu have developed the Impatience Spirit and Worry Spirit, while Zhao Tong and Cheng Sisi, although they only have the Worry Spirit, are very large and may evolve into the Anxiety Monster before long.

Of course, he could still understand the emergence of negative personality traits.

As a trainee, who doesn't want to debut?
With a hundred trainees competing for nine debut spots, it's no wonder they're anxious.

To be honest, these five were the first batch of trainees he launched after joining Tianxi Media. If their performance in the main competition was not good, he, as their trainer, would lose face.

As for Cao Qing, what does he have to do with him?
“Okay, I can teach you, but you might not know that I’m currently working on a film set and don’t have time during the day.” Zhang Wen thought for a moment and continued, “How about this, you can come to the company during the day and learn from the instructors in the training department. If you don’t understand anything, just ask them. In the evenings, you can go to my training school to study. How does that sound?”

"Thank you, Teacher Zhang."

"Teacher, you are so kind!"

"..."

Zhang Jiajia and the others looked excited, as if they had already secured a spot in the group.

Cao Qing watched silently from the side, without saying a word from beginning to end.

Ever since Ms. Gu Chunyan resigned from the company, she has had to follow this man. Although she would call him Teacher Zhang when they met, she was resentful from the bottom of her heart because he had never taught her.

This time, she wanted to see what kind of teaching skills this man who drove Teacher Gu Chunyan away actually possessed.

Zhang Wen took out a business card from his pocket and handed it to Zhang Jiajia. "This is the new address of Xingxiang Art Examination Training Center. The old one has been vacated since the lease expired. Please don't go to the wrong place and wait in vain."

"Understood, Teacher Zhang." Zhang Jiajia solemnly accepted the business card with both hands, glanced at the address on it, and then carefully put the card into her pocket.

"Alright, you guys go up and train. See you at 7 p.m.," Zhang Wen said.

"Okay, goodbye, Teacher Zhang."

"Teacher, walk slowly."

Everyone waved goodbye to the teacher, their hearts filled with anticipation for the special training course.

I attended a few classes there before, and I still remember them vividly.

Cao Qing didn't want to be ostracized and isolated by the other trainees, so she raised her arm and waved gently, saying goodbye and even forcing a smile, but her eyes remained indifferent and even carried a hint of disdain.

Zhang Wen got into the car and soon left Tianxi Building, heading towards the film and television base.

……

The sun leaps high in the sky, and then it's night.

When Zhang Wen arrived at the training center, there were only a dozen minutes left before 7 o'clock.

Because the first training session also started at 7 o'clock, people were constantly coming and going in the hall, making it look very lively.

"headmaster!"

When Xu Zining, the receptionist, saw the boss arrive, she waved excitedly.

Zhang Wen was slightly taken aback when he saw this. It was the first time he had ever seen an employee so happy to be at work. Could this be the legendary chosen worker?

"What's up?" Zhang Wen asked as he walked over.

Xu Zining nodded vigorously, then glanced in the direction of the waiting area before whispering, "Principal, another fifteen art students have come to register today."

After saying that, he took the contract out of the drawer and placed it on the table.

Oh?
Zhang Wen's eyes lit up upon hearing this.

Keep in mind that today is Monday, a workday.

There were actually more than a dozen people who signed up, it seems that Xingxiang's reputation has really taken off.

Then he remembered the dark expression on his boss's face when he met him at the company earlier that day.

Xingxiang is closest to Jiahua, and the more art students come to study with him, the greater the impact on Jiahua.

It's no wonder people are angry when the chives planted by the roadside are cut down.

"Add a chicken leg for midnight snack."

Zhang Wen took out five bills from his wallet, slapped them on the table, and pushed them in front of Xiao Xu at the front desk.

Xu Zining's eyes immediately reddened when she saw the money.

Reflected by money.

Five hundred yesterday, another five hundred today. This is the first time she has ever met such a generous boss; he's practically a money-giving genius.

"Thank you, Principal." Xu Zining happily put the money into her pocket.

For the first time in my life, I felt happy at work.

If I could, I would love to stay here forever, until the end of time.

"Oh, right, Principal." Xu Zining suddenly remembered something and pointed to a room on the first floor, saying, "The people from Deya Medical have come to deliver things to you again, even more than yesterday, four large boxes full."

"is it?"

Zhang Wen arrived at the warehouse and immediately saw four cardboard boxes larger than suitcases. He opened the closest one and found it filled with boxes of dried bird's nest.

Top-grade dried bird's nest can sell for over 100 yuan per gram, so this big box is worth at least one or two million yuan.

Bird's nest has the effects of beautifying the skin, nourishing yin and moisturizing dryness, and enhancing immunity. It can be left to Bai Lu and Gao Yue.

Although its effects are nowhere near as good as those of a fairy peach, it's still quite good for making porridge.

Without even looking, the other three should be bezoar, cordyceps, and saffron.

As expected of a top-tier rich second-generation, he's incredibly generous.

I don't know where to find people who buy medicinal herbs at high prices.

Bird's nest can be used as porridge, cordyceps can be used in dishes, saffron can be steeped in water, but he doesn't need bezoar. It's not good to leave it here; we need to sell it quickly, otherwise it will just sit here collecting dust.

Zhang Wen moved the boxes containing bird's nest and cordyceps into the trunk of his car, planning to share them with Bai Lu and Gao Yue when he got home that evening.

"Teacher Zhang!"

Just as Zhang Wen was about to close the trunk, a voice suddenly came from behind him, and then Zhang Jiajia, Chen Silu, Zhao Tong, Su Jin, Cheng Sisi and Cao Qing walked over.

Although they had just finished a hundred-day closed training session, the six of them showed no signs of fatigue and were clearly not exhausted.

"Have you eaten?" Zhang Wen asked.

"Teacher, we've all eaten," Chen Silu replied with a smile.

“Okay, come with me,” Zhang Wen said, then walked towards the training center.

Zhang Jiajia and the others looked at the huge sign hanging on the outer wall with surprise on their faces.

They had visited the original Xingxiang Art Examination Training Center, which was not only poorly equipped but also only had two classrooms. However, after a few months, Xingxiang had completely transformed.

This scale is among the largest in the entire capital city.

Even if they can't make it into the top ten, making it into the top twenty shouldn't be a problem.

"Teacher Zhang, when did you change classrooms?"

"Teacher, did you win the lottery?"

"Teacher, why don't you open another entertainment company on the side? We'll all follow you."

The questions came out of the women's mouths like a machine gun, one after another, giving Zhang Wen no chance to answer.

"Shh!"

After entering, Zhang Wen put his finger to his lips and then pointed in the direction of the waiting area.

"..."

Zhang Jiajia and the others looked at the dozens of parents sitting on the left side of the hall and immediately shut up.

Zhang Wen did not lead the trainees directly upstairs. Instead, he went to the right side of the hall, picked up a bundle of incense, and kowtowed to the portrait on the wall.

Zhang Jiajia, Chen Silu, and others also saw that familiar portrait. In the past, when they went to that classroom for training, they would always offer incense and kowtow to the God of Literature.

Come to think of it, it's been quite a long time since we've offered incense and paid our respects to him.

So, Zhang Jiajia, Chen Silu, Zhao Tong, Shu Jin, and Cheng Sisi picked up incense sticks, stood neatly behind Teacher Zhang, and kowtowed and prayed to the portrait on the wall.

'May the God of Literature bless me so that I can make it into the top nine in the upcoming main competition.'

At that moment, all five people made the same wish.

Cao Qing, who was standing to the side, was completely dumbfounded.

This is an art exam training center, not a temple or Taoist monastery. Why are you hanging portraits of deities here?
Hanging it up is fine, but setting up such a huge incense burner and preparing so much incense seems a bit too outrageous.

She recalled that when she was in school, the school was decorated with portraits of scientists. This served three purposes: to set an example for students, to spread scientific culture, and to commemorate and pay tribute to scientists, so that students would remember their achievements and continue to inherit and carry forward the spirit of science.

But what's the point of hanging up portraits of deities?

Setting an example for students? This isn't a cultivation training center.

Spreading theological culture? This is an art exam training center, okay?

Is this a commemoration and tribute to the God of Literature? But what achievements does he have? What can be passed down and carried forward?
Cao Qing stared blankly at Zhang Jiajia and the others. Without any hesitation, their movements were so practiced that it seemed to be more than the first time they had kowtowed.

Hmph, you have to be strong yourself to succeed; relying on yourself is worse than praying to gods.

She silently took out her phone from her pocket and pretended to check messages.

Offering incense and bowing?

She won't.

After offering incense, Zhang Wen led the trainees to an empty classroom.

"During your closed training sessions, did you notice any trainees receiving special treatment?"

Zhang Wenxian asked everyone to sit down, as he had a few questions to ask.

Zhang Jiajia and the others looked at each other, and then began to recall.

One hundred trainees ate, lived, and trained together, and I really didn't find anyone receiving any special treatment. Besides, it was just a closed training phase. Even if someone got in through connections, they should have received preferential treatment during the main competition.

"I didn't find anything." Cheng Sisi shook her head.

"I didn't see it either."

"I was so focused on training that I didn't pay much attention to this aspect."

"Teacher, have you heard something?" Zhao Tong suddenly asked.

Upon hearing this, everyone looked at Teacher Zhang, their expressions tense, their eyes filled with worry and anxiety.

The show "Super Trainee" only selects nine people. It's already fiercely competitive for one hundred people to compete for nine spots. If someone gets in through connections, wouldn't the situation be very disadvantageous for them?
But honestly, which competitive reality show doesn't have behind-the-scenes manipulation? Which talent show doesn't have nepotism?
In the past, as spectators, no one would take it seriously, at most they would make a few comments. But now, they have become the parties involved and the most direct victims. How can they calm down now?
Seeing everyone's low spirits, Zhang Wen realized they might have been misunderstood, so he said, "Don't be nervous, I was just asking casually. If you don't have any connections, with your current abilities, making it into the top nine shouldn't be a problem."

Upon hearing this, everyone breathed a sigh of relief, and their expressions softened.

I was terrified just now.

"but……"

Zhang Wen suddenly changed the subject, and the trainees' hearts jumped into their throats again.

"You must not let your guard down either. As the old saying goes, 'It is easy to dodge a spear in the open, but difficult to guard against an arrow in the dark.' Therefore, no matter when or what opponent you face, you must take it seriously and not let your guard down."

"Of course, you shouldn't give up on yourselves, because the audience will see your performance."

"Regarding your professional skills, you can consult other teachers during the day. We don't have much time, so I will choose teachers that other teachers won't be able to teach you."

Everyone perked up immediately upon hearing this.

What is it that other teachers don't know?
"Teacher, what is it?" Zhang Jiajia couldn't help but ask.

Others also cast expectant glances their way.

"What I want to teach you is how to have a strong heart."

"..."

(End of this chapter)