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

Chapter 362 Targeting
the next day.

Chen Silu arrived at the recording site with a nervous heart.

Last night I gave the person in charge of the program production a huge slap on the wrist. I wonder if they'll come here today to settle accounts with her.

She saw nothing outside the studio or backstage, and when she met the assistant director earlier, he didn't ask about last night's events, which secretly relieved her.

Looks like everything's alright.

Come to think of it, if you try to be a hooligan and end up getting slapped twice, who would dare to tell anyone about something so shameful?

If it were her, she would definitely have to put up with it.

Thinking of this, Chen Silu's mood immediately improved.

"Xiao Lu, don't be afraid, we're here," Zhao Tong, who was standing beside her, comforted her.

“That’s right. If that thug shows up, I’ll definitely teach him a lesson for you.” Zhang Jiajia said through gritted teeth, as if she was about to bite someone at any moment.

Su Jin and Cheng Sisi, who were standing to the side, nodded in agreement, standing on the same side as Chen Silu.

The five people lived in one apartment. Everyone else already knew what had happened to Chen Silu. They were all angry about the production team's coercion and inducement, and disappointed that the production team had already decided on the girl group members before the elimination round even started.

They have always attached great importance to the show "Super Trainee". In order to win the competition and have the qualification to enter the girl group, they have put in a lot of time and effort.

Now they're being told it was all a carefully orchestrated scam, and they were just discarded supporting characters in a commercial script. Who wouldn't be angry in that situation?

I feel like I've been made a fool of.

Although everyone was upset after hearing from Teacher Zhang that there might be something fishy going on with the show, they still held onto a sliver of hope, since it was just the teacher's speculation.

But now, the speculation has been confirmed, and my mood is naturally extremely heavy.

Cao Qing, who lived in another apartment, was filled with envy, jealousy, and resentment.

To actually go against the program's producers is just asking for trouble.

Such a great opportunity, and they didn't even seize it. They'll be eliminated in the next round.

At that moment, the assistant director appeared backstage, glanced at all the trainees, and then said loudly, "Everyone, be quiet, I have something to say."

The previously noisy backstage area instantly fell silent, and everyone's eyes turned to the assistant director.

"Based on your performance yesterday, we will be adjusting the positions of some trainees today. I hope you can seize this opportunity to show your best selves and not let the production team down," the assistant director said calmly. He then picked up his notebook, looked at the numbers on it, and read them aloud.

“第一排：2号、4号、8号、11号、13号、15号……”

As one trainee after another stepped forward, Zhao Tong and the others' expressions changed repeatedly.

During yesterday's recording, the production team arranged the trainees' positions according to their rankings in the selection competition.

One hundred trainees, ten people per row, ten rows in total.

Zhao Tong, Zhang Jiajia, Cheng Sisi, and Chen Silu all ranked in the top 10 in the selection competition, so they all stood in the first row yesterday.

But today, they were all moved out of the first row, a result that is hard to accept.

It's important to understand that trainees standing in the front row often receive more screen time and attention during the show's broadcast. Moving them out of the front row undoubtedly diminishes their visibility.

Su Jin noticed that Zhao Tong beside her looked unwell and clenched his fists, so she grabbed his hand and whispered to comfort him, "Don't worry, he might be in the second row."

Zhao Tong gritted his teeth, wanting to raise his hand and ask what was wrong with his performance yesterday and why he was moved out of the first row, but he held back after hearing his classmate's words.

At this point, the assistant director had finished reading out the numbers of the trainees in the first row and began reading out the numbers for the second row.

“第二排有12号、14号、17号、21号、25号、26号、30号、32号、37号、41号。”

Soon, the second ranking list was read out.

However, Zhao Tong and the others were still not inside. Even Su Jin and Cao Qing, who were originally standing in the second row, were moved out.

"The third row..."

"Fourth row..."

"Fifth row..."

Su Jin, who had been comforting Zhao Tong earlier, was now also unsettled.

The 16th place winner in the selection competition couldn't even get into the fifth row. It's just too unfair.

In order to make it into the top nine and to leave a good impression on the production team and mentors, she worked very hard yesterday. However, instead of being arranged in the first row, she was moved to the back. Are all the production team members blind?
At this moment, Cheng Sisi finally realized that something was wrong.

Although the production team also adjusted the positions of the other trainees, the changes were not significant, with only a difference of one or two rows between them, which was considered a minor adjustment.

But what about these six women?
I still didn't hear their number in the sixth row. If you say they weren't being targeted, even a dog wouldn't believe it.

"It seems like we're being targeted," Cheng Sisi said to her companion in a low voice.

Zhao Tong nodded, agreeing with Cheng Sisi's statement.

Chen Silu stared at the assistant director. She had previously thought that the production company executive who had been beaten wouldn't tell anyone about such an embarrassing incident, but now it seemed that she was naive.

The old man not only told the assistant director about the incident, but also sought revenge on her and her companions, as evidenced by moving them from the front row to the back.

Knowing that she had dragged her companions into this mess, Chen Silu said with a face full of guilt, "I'm sorry, it's all my fault."

"It's not your fault," Zhao Tong said bitterly. "They were just too despicable."

“That’s right, it has nothing to do with you. You did the right thing. You can’t give in to them,” Cheng Sisi said firmly.

Seeing her companion's attitude, Chen Silu was immediately filled with emotion.

Only Cao Qing, standing behind the others, looked at Chen Silu with resentment in her eyes, because if the other party hadn't offended the person in charge of the program's production, she wouldn't have been moved out of the second row.

On the surface, it's giving others a chance to shine, but in reality, it's suppressing the trainees of Tianxi Media.

“第十排有1号、3号、7号、9号、16号、20号、81号、98号、99号，还有第100号。”

The trainees present were all stunned when they heard the numbers for the last row.

Previously, everyone was thinking about which row they would be moved to, and no one paid attention to where others would be moved to.

Now that most people know their latest position, their attention has naturally shifted to others.

Especially when the assistant director read out the single-digit number, almost everyone's face showed surprise, because no one expected that someone who performed so well in the selection competition would be arranged in the last row the next day.

Everyone's first reaction was: Did these people offend the production team?

The assistant director ignored the trainees' reactions, put down his notebook, and smiled at the trainees present, saying:

"That's all for today's positioning. We'll make further adjustments tomorrow. I hope you all perform well. Skill is only one aspect; the most important thing is your attitude. As long as you have a positive attitude, even those standing in the last row have a chance to be moved to the first row."

After speaking, he glanced in a certain direction within the crowd.

"..."

When Chen Silu saw the assistant director looking at her, she hurriedly avoided his gaze.

She realized that what the other person had just said was a warning to her. Because of her bad attitude, she had been moved to the last row, and if she changed her attitude, she could go back to the first row later.

The thought of that old man's ugly face made her stomach churn, and she felt like vomiting.

Even though she was moved to the last row, she didn't regret her actions last night. She was just filled with guilt for dragging her companions into it.

"Director, I have a question." Zhao Tong suddenly raised his hand high.

The number '1' on the front of the shirt immediately attracted the attention of all the trainees.

The numbers represent not only each trainee's number, but also their ranking in the selection process.

1 means that this person won first place in the selection competition.

"What's the problem?" the assistant director asked in a cold voice.

"You said before that today's positioning was adjusted based on yesterday's individual performance. I want to ask, when you say performance, do you mean good performance or bad performance?" Zhao Tong asked firmly, not backing down just because the person she was asking was the assistant director.

"Naturally, those who perform well will be ranked first, and those who perform poorly will be ranked last," the assistant director said.

“But I think we performed very well yesterday,” Zhao Tong said earnestly.

"You're just overestimating yourself." The assistant director scoffed, his face full of mockery, and then said, "I don't care what you think, I care what I think. If the production team says you didn't perform well, then you didn't perform well."

"You mean my performance yesterday was only ranked last in your production team's eyes?" Zhao Tong continued to ask, unconvinced.

"Yes."

The assistant director nodded. "I know you came in first place in the selection competition, but I want to tell you that the selection competition is the selection competition and the elimination competition is the elimination competition. The results of the selection competition have no reference value in the elimination competition. Being first in the selection competition does not mean you will always be first. Everyone here is working hard and everyone is improving, but you are still complacent about your original ranking."

Upon hearing this, the trainees immediately looked at Zhao Tong with disdain.

They felt that the assistant director made a particularly good point: being number one at one time doesn't mean you'll always be number one.

Just because you came in first place in the selection competition, you look down on us? Don't be so arrogant.

Faced with the assistant director's humiliation, Zhao Tong's face darkened, his fists clenched so tightly that his fingertips dug into his flesh.

"Xiaotong, don't be impulsive." Cheng Sisi reached out and tugged at her companion's sleeve, whispering a reminder: "Do you remember what Teacher Zhang said? The audience will decide who is good and who is bad."

"Xiaotong, he's just trying to provoke you, don't fall for it," Zhang Jiajia said, leaning closer.

"Xiaotong, I'm sorry." Chen Silu's eyes reddened, and tears welled up in them.

Zhao Tong took a deep breath, gradually calming down. She smiled and nodded to her companion, indicating that she was alright.

"Does anyone else have a question?" the assistant director asked loudly.

"..."

The scene was quiet, no one spoke.

The assistant director nodded in satisfaction and then said, "Now, line up according to the positions I just mentioned and wait to enter."

After saying that, he glanced in Zhao Tong's direction, a cold smile appearing on his lips, before turning and leaving the backstage area.

Chen Silu stared intently at the assistant director's retreating figure, her eyes filled with hatred.

……

The morning passed quickly, and when the director announced the lunch break, all the trainees secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Chen Silu followed her companions off the stage, and was about to go with everyone to get their lunch boxes when suddenly a voice came from behind her.

"Chen Silu, come here for a moment."

Chen Silu turned her head and saw that it was the assistant director; her expression instantly turned serious.

Thinking that she still had to participate in the show, she reluctantly walked over and asked indifferently, "Say what you have to say quickly, I need to get some rest."

Zhao Tong and the others were worried about Chen Silu's safety, so they stood at a distance and waited instead of leaving with the other trainees.

With his back to Zhao Tong and the others, the assistant director looked at Chen Silu and asked, "How's your decision?"

"What are you considering?" Chen Silu asked.

"Do you want to improve?" the assistant director prompted.

Chen Silu's expression changed, and she said righteously, "Director, I'm not that kind of person. No matter how long it takes, my decision will not change. Don't come looking for me again."

"Hehe, young man, don't be so impulsive," the assistant director said earnestly. "Others would love to have such an opportunity, you should cherish it."

"No need." Chen Silu turned her head away firmly.

"You're so high and mighty, but think about those colleagues who have been implicated because of you. What mistakes did they make? They're being suppressed and targeted because of you. Can you bear to watch that?" the assistant director asked with a smile.

"You..." Chen Silu looked at the assistant director in front of her, embarrassed and angry. "I was the one who did it. If you have the guts, come at me alone."

"Don't be naive. Let me tell you, if you don't agree, I guarantee you and your teammates won't even make it past the first round of eliminations," the assistant director threatened in a low voice.

"You are despicable," Chen Silu said through gritted teeth.

"Yes, I am despicable. I'll give you half a day to think it over. If you don't give me an answer before the show's recording this afternoon, don't blame me for being impolite." After saying that, the assistant director strode away.

Seeing that the assistant director had left, Zhao Tong and the others immediately gathered around.

"Silu, he didn't do anything to you, did he?"

What did the director say to you?

"Ignore him, he's just a scoundrel!"

"..."

Seeing Chen Silu's angry expression, the others tried to comfort her, fearing that she might do something rash.

Looking at her concerned companions, Chen Silu suddenly bowed deeply and said apologetically, "I'm sorry, I've dragged you all into this. He just said that if I don't agree to that old man's request, we'll be eliminated in the first round."

"what?"

Everyone was shocked, and then they started cursing.

"You shameless scoundrel!"

"Despicable, shameless, and vile! How can there be such a person in the entertainment industry? It's shameful!"

“Silu, don’t take it to heart. Just pretend he was talking nonsense. Have you forgotten that Teacher Zhang said before the show was recorded that there are many people with connections in this program, and the girl group members have already been decided. Even if you agree to their request, we will still be eliminated. So please don’t blame yourself.”

"That's right, I've actually disliked this production team for a long time. If it weren't for the breach of contract and the money I'd have to pay, I wouldn't be here playing along with them, pshaw!"

Seeing everyone's reactions, Chen Silu felt a little better.

Zhao Tong stepped forward, put his arm around Chen Silu's shoulder, and said with a smile, "If they don't want us here, there are plenty of other places that will. We're gold; we'll shine wherever we go. Let this production team regret it."

Chen Silu was moved to tears, "Thank you, thank you all."

"Let's go eat. Eat more so we'll have the energy to perform this afternoon. Even if we get eliminated in the first round, we still need to show the other trainees how great we are," Cheng Sisi said.

"That's right, kill them!" Zhao Tong clenched his fist.

……

The minute hand on the clock had unknowingly completed a full circle, and soon it was time to record the program in the afternoon.

The assistant director stood in the corridor, glancing at the gold watch on his wrist every now and then, growing increasingly anxious.

This morning he promised President Feng that he would have trainee number 9 come to apologize tonight, but the time allotted for Chen Silu to consider was almost up, and the other party still hadn't shown up.

'Hmph, ungrateful!'

'So what if she's pretty? If nobody supports her, being pretty is useless.'

'If you don't seize the opportunity when it's presented to you, you'll regret it sooner or later.'

The assistant director cursed under his breath, but couldn't wait any longer and headed straight for the trainees' rest area.

Walking through a corridor, you soon see the trainees taking their lunch break.

He quietly approached the back of the group and looked at Chen Silu, who was chatting with her companions.

'You still have the nerve to chat with your companion? You're so carefree.'

Chen Silu saw the assistant director immediately, but she pretended not to see him to express her attitude.

The assistant director wasn't stupid either; he immediately realized that Chen Silu was deliberately ignoring him, and his face turned pale and then green.

I never expected that I, a dignified assistant director, would be ignored by a mere trainee. I've never seen such an ungrateful person.

'Hmph, since you don't want this opportunity, then I'll give it to someone else.'

He looked away, searching for his next prey, and just as he was about to leave, an idea suddenly popped into his head.

'You're so aloof; I wonder if your companions are any more aloof.'

Thinking of this, he looked at Chen Silu's companions, his gaze sweeping around before finally settling on number 3.

"Number 3, come here for a moment."

After the assistant director finished speaking, he turned around, pushed open the door to the side, and went inside.

Zhang Jiajia looked completely bewildered.

find her?

Shouldn't we be looking for Chen Silu?
Did you call the wrong number?

No, the other party knows Chen Silu's name. When they contacted Chen Silu before, they called her by her name directly, without asking for her number.

"Jiajia." Chen Silu grabbed Zhang Jiajia's hand and whispered a reminder, "Be careful."

Zhang Jiajia nodded.

She was a little nervous at first, but then she thought that her companion was right outside the door, and she figured that the other person wouldn't dare to do anything to her, so she boldly followed her inside.

She wanted to see just how despicable this assistant director really was.

……

(End of this chapter)