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

Is there an inside story in Chapter 355?
Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, it's the last day of the rework.

Tomorrow marks the start of the main competition for "Super Trainee," which is also the day of filming. The show will officially premiere on Friday night of the first week of September.

Inside the classroom.

Six students were meditating, while Zhang Wen was scrolling through videos on his phone.

I didn't see much of the talented female anchor, but I did see a lot of news about the variety show "Super Trainee".

There has been a significant increase in publicity for the show "Super Trainee" recently. The production team has also opened an official account and uploaded some highlights from the closed training sessions, but these are all shots of the mentors.

After all, compared to trainees with no reputation, celebrity mentors have a stronger appeal to the public and can generate more buzz for the show.

Zhang Wen scrolled through a few more videos, then suddenly stopped, his eyes fixed on the video playing, his brows furrowing slightly.

This is the latest promotional video released today by the official account of "Super Trainee".

Besides the celebrity mentors, the video features the trainees' faces for the first time, including group photos of dozens of people and close-up shots of each individual.

Zhang Wen read it twice and couldn't help but fall into deep thought.

He just counted, and there are a total of nine individual shots of the trainees, but Tianxi Media only has Chen Silu appearing on screen.

There's a problem, a really big problem.

In the previous selection competition, Zhao Tong, Zhang Jiajia, Cheng Sisi and Chen Silu all made it into the top nine, and Zhao Tong even won first place. Even if there was no other person in the shot, shouldn't there be some shot for Zhao Tong?
The trainees featured in the promotional video will definitely receive more attention than other trainees after the show airs.

But shouldn't the camera focus on the top seed players?
If we choose based on overall ability, there's Cheng Sisi; if we choose based on singing ability, there's Zhao Tong; if we choose based on dancing ability, there's Zhang Jiajia; and if we choose based on looks, these three women are just as good-looking as the other eight trainees.

Is there more to the story?
Are these people connected through connections?

If that's the case, it would be extremely unfair to Zhao Tong and the others.

Everyone says there are behind-the-scenes deals in reality shows, and it seems he's stumbled upon one this time.

Zhang Wen didn't think he was overthinking things.

The purpose of the promotional video is to promote the program and introduce its highlights.

What are the highlights?

Highlights are what the production team most wants the audience to see.

He had originally hoped that all five trainees could make it into the top nine and become members of the group, but now it seems that his wish is very difficult to realize.

Let alone five people, even if two people were selected, it would be very difficult.

Nine spots were allocated, one spot for every cabbage, and then suddenly a radish appeared—where was there room to plant it?
"Alright, that's enough for today," Zhang Wen said, looking up at the trainees in the classroom.

Cheng Sisi and the others opened their eyes, their faces filled with confusion.

Why did it suddenly end after only meditating for a dozen minutes?
Cao Qing was extremely frustrated.

She still hasn't mastered meditation in the past six days.

I had just finally gotten a feel for it when Teacher Zhang interrupted me.

hateful!

"Teacher, do we not need to meditate tonight?" Cheng Sisi asked.

"Teacher, are you planning to pass on your most treasured knowledge to us?" Zhao Tong asked with a smile.

Zhang Wen thought for a moment, then waved to the trainees and said, "Come here, I'll show you a video."

"what?"

Everyone was taken aback, their faces showing confusion.

What video is more important than meditation?

Could it be a video course?
Everyone walked to the front of the classroom, their eyes fixed on the phone screen in Teacher Zhang's hand, filled with curiosity and anticipation.

Seeing that everyone had arrived, Zhang Wen clicked play, and the latest promotional video released by the official account of "Super Trainee" appeared before everyone's eyes.

The six women were also watching this video for the first time and found it very novel.

Especially when they saw themselves in the picture, they all shouted excitedly.

"I'm here!"

"And I!"

"If I had known this segment would be used for promotion, I would have put on a proper makeup that day."

"My hairstyle is a bit messy too."

"..."

The group chattered away, their faces beaming with joy.

This video, posted by the show's official account, has already garnered over 100,000 likes and at least several hundred thousand views.

How could they not be happy to be seen by so many people?

Soon, the three-minute video finished playing, and all six of them looked like they wanted more.

Zhang Wen said nothing and played it again for the group.

Although it was the second time, everyone watched very attentively. This time, everyone was quiet and waited silently for their turn to appear on screen.

The video ended quickly again.

Zhang Wen put away his phone and looked at the six trainees in front of him, asking, "Tell me your thoughts."

what?
Everyone looked at each other.

Thoughts?

Are they middle school students who have to write movie reviews after watching a film?
"Teacher, isn't this just a promotional video? What's there to thank us for?" Su Jin asked, puzzled.

Others nodded.

If it's an instructional video, people can at least say what they've learned. But a promotional video is basically just an advertisement, so what can they possibly gain from it?
They didn't study video editing.

Zhang Wen's gaze swept across the trainees' faces one by one, and seeing that all six of them looked completely bewildered, he couldn't help but sigh.

As the saying goes: laymen watch the spectacle, experts watch the details.

I guess those six people were just watching the show.

"The promotional video features footage of the trainees. Didn't you notice anything wrong with that?" Zhang Wen pointed out.

The women tilted their heads, lost in memories.

"I understand," Cheng Sisi suddenly raised her hand.

Upon hearing this, the others immediately looked over.

Cheng Sisi put her hand down and said, "Most of the trainees are just briefly shown on camera, with only a few getting close-up shots."

Those around him thought about it carefully and, sure enough, it was true.

Chen Silu's feeling was even more obvious, because she was one of the few trainees featured in close-up shots.

I was happy about this for quite a while.

Zhang Wen nodded. At least there was someone with good observation skills; otherwise, he would have been driven crazy by the naivety of these students.

As a newcomer, she is unaware of the treacherous nature of the entertainment industry.

"Have you ever thought about why only a few out of a hundred trainees get close-up shots?" Zhang Wen asked rhetorically.

"..."

Everyone was stunned.

Yes, why should we?

I should have known better, but now that Teacher Zhang has said that, I suddenly feel resentful.

Zhao Tong, in particular, wore his displeasure on his face.

Although the results of the selection competition are not the final results of the performance, she was still the first place winner, so why wasn't she included in the close-up shots?
She didn't believe the video producers had chosen the photos randomly; if it was random, why didn't it happen on her face? Others also began to ponder the question Teacher Zhang had raised.

Chen Silu, standing to the side, looked extremely embarrassed, feeling like she had suddenly become the target of everyone's criticism.

"Lulu, why are you in the close-up shots? Did the production team contact you?" Zhang Jiajia asked.

"I haven't looked for it, and I don't know why I'm here," Chen Silu said with a wry smile.

"I know, it must be because Lulu is pretty," Su Jin said after thinking for a moment.

Upon hearing this explanation and looking at Chen Silu's beautiful face, the others immediately thought it was possible.

“That’s not right!” Cheng Sisi shook her head and said, “If it’s based on looks, I have no problem with Lulu being chosen, but what about the others? That number 13 is clearly not as pretty as me.”

After speaking, she straightened her chest and raised her head, as if trying to prove that she was prettier than number 13.

"Teacher, could you play it again?" Zhang Jiajia asked.

I was so focused on finding myself in the video that I didn't pay much attention to the other trainees.

Zhang Wen placed his phone screen in front of the trainee and played the video for the third time.

"..."

This time, everyone watched very attentively.

The first two times I was just watching for fun, but this time I was looking for answers to my questions.

"Number 16 isn't good-looking either."

"Number 31 is just so-so."

"..."

The girls discussed among themselves, and even Cao Qing frowned, thinking that she was prettier than some of the trainees.

Could it be that these styles are trending lately?

Soon, people's opinions shifted from criticizing the trainees to expressing dissatisfaction with the production team.

"Does the person who made the video have a problem with their aesthetic sense?"

"There's something inside, there's definitely something inside."

"So it turns out we were all just keeping the princess company while she studied."

"..."

After venting their frustrations, the women all turned their attention to Teacher Zhang.

"Teacher, what should we do?"

"Calm down, everyone calm down," Zhang Wen said. "This is just my guess. Don't panic. The reason I'm telling you this is so that you can pay close attention to these people during the recording. If they perform well, then I'm just being paranoid. If they perform only so-so, try to avoid them during the PK rounds. Do you understand what I mean?"

"Understood." The women all nodded.

They are not afraid of a contest of strength, and even if they lose, they will accept it wholeheartedly.

What I fear most is that the competition is about things other than strength, such as connections or capital.

"Teacher, why am I here?" Chen Silu asked, puzzled.

"It's simple, because you're good-looking, the production team needs you to attract viewers," Zhang Wen said.

"If it's because of looks, I'd rather leave the group," Chen Silu said dejectedly. She didn't want to be treated like a pretty face.

"Don't say that. Looks are also part of talent," Zhang Wen comforted them, then looked at the others, "The recording of the show isn't closed off for the rest of the time. I'll try to sneak into the production team and see what level the other trainees are at. Just wait for my news."

The women nodded, showing considerable faith in Teacher Zhang's judgment.

Back then, it was Teacher Zhang who selected them from more than two hundred trainees. Even Gu Chunyan, who had worked in the company for more than ten years, had to admit defeat in this regard. Otherwise, she would not have resigned after losing the bet.

"The show is being recorded tomorrow, so you should all go home and get some rest tonight," Zhang Wen said.

The six trainees were dejected, feeling that all their previous efforts had been in vain.

"Boom" "Boom" "Boom"

Zhang Wen suddenly reached out and slapped the podium. The loud sound echoed in the classroom, startling the six girls, who all looked up in astonishment.

what's the situation?
"What's wrong with you all? So what if there's something going on? Why are you all so dejected?" Zhang Wen said irritably.

"..."

The women thought to themselves: Isn't it serious enough that there's something fishy going on? They've prepared diligently for half a year, only to have it all go to their benefit. Who could be happy about that?
Zhang Wen seemed to see through everyone's thoughts, so he continued, "You are all very talented trainees, why are you afraid of those with connections? You should be the ones who are afraid."

"?" The women looked puzzled.

Those with connections and backgrounds might already be chosen, so why be afraid?

"Don't forget, the upcoming competition will be broadcast, and you and they will all be judged by the audience," Zhang Wen reminded them. "So what if they have the production team's help? As long as you have the ability and gain the audience's recognition, even the production team won't dare to eliminate you easily."

"..." The women's eyes lit up.

Right!

No matter how powerful someone's connections are, at most they can get preferential treatment from the mentors, but can they really influence the audience's opinions?

Thinking about this, everyone's mood immediately improved.

Seeing their expressions, Zhang Wen knew his words of comfort had worked, so he encouraged them, "I know your abilities very well. Go ahead, use your skills to shatter the dreams of those with connections, conquer millions of viewers with your outstanding performance, and give those capitalists a good slap in the face."

Upon hearing this, everyone immediately became excited.

"The teacher is right. If we can't take life and death lightly, let's just do it! Who's afraid of who!"

"That's right, we're barefoot and have nothing to fear from those wearing shoes."

"The audience isn't blind; they know who's good and who's bad."

"Teacher, don't worry, we will definitely not let you down."

"..."

Seeing everyone's high spirits, Zhang Wen nodded in satisfaction.

That's right, that's the kind of spirit we need.

It is better to die in battle than to be scared to death.

The six trainees left the training center, and Zhang Wen saw them off.

Just as I was about to enter, I suddenly saw a familiar figure.

It's Song Yixin.

Only then did he remember that he had promised to sell the other party six bottles of life essence, and although he had received the money, he had not yet delivered the goods.

"Good evening, Teacher Zhang."

Song Yixin walked gracefully in a white dress.

This is an outfit she just bought a few days ago, featuring a low-cut and backless design. To make herself appear taller, she even changed into a pair of sparkly high heels when she got out of the car. I bet this Zhang guy isn't a bit scatterbrained.

"Good evening," Zhang Wen replied. "Ms. Song, are you here to inquire about the Essence of Life?"

"No, I was just passing by and happened to see you coming out of the school, so I got out of the car to say hello," Song Yixin said, flashing what she thought was a very charming smile.

Money can buy the Life Essence, but it cannot buy the formula for the Life Essence.

The honey trap is different.

If we succeed, let alone a few bottles of life essence, even the formula will be obediently revealed to the other party.

'Hey Zhang, tonight you'll definitely experience my charm!'

Song Yixin thought to herself.

……

(End of this chapter)