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

Chapter 364 Whose general is so brave?

in the afternoon.

The recording site of "Super Trainee".

Brilliant spotlights swept across the stage as a hundred trainees, dressed in matching white and pink uniforms, danced gracefully to the rhythm of the music.

Their movements were sometimes light and graceful, like feathers in the wind; at other times swift and agile, like deer leaping through the forest.

Not only did it showcase the vitality and energy of young people, but it also demonstrated the teamwork and tacit understanding between the members, pushing the entire performance to one climax after another.

"stop!"

Just as everyone was immersed in this beautiful scene, the director's voice suddenly rang out on set.

The music stopped, and the lights went out.

The trainees stopped their movements, stood still, and looked at the director with a heart full of trepidation.

"Hey you guys in the last row on the left, what's wrong with you? You can't even do the most basic movements. How did your company's instructors teach you?" Director Chen Peng said irritably, his voice echoing throughout the studio.

Upon hearing this, everyone looked towards the last row, their gazes settling on the trainees on the left.

竟然是1号、3号、7号、9号，还有16号。

Some trainees were filled with doubt, not understanding why these people who had achieved excellent results in the preliminaries would falter in the official competition.

Some trainees were gloating, thinking that the top nine in the selection competition were nothing special, and for a moment they all thought they were invincible.

Zhao Tong and the others didn't show much change in expression, because they knew very well that this was the production team's retaliation for their "disobedience".

The moment they stepped onto the stage, they had already guessed and were mentally prepared, so the director's angry rebuke had no effect on them.

My heart is as firm as a rock!

Chen Peng glanced coldly at the group and then said loudly, "Let's start over. Everyone, perk up and don't be lazy. This isn't your company, and nobody will put up with you."

As he spoke, he turned to the staff around him and said, "All departments, get ready. Three, two, one, go!"

As the music started, recording resumed.

The trainees returned to their original positions, quickly adjusted their state, and started dancing again.

One minute later.

"stop!"

"Stop!"

The director jumped up from his seat and yelled at the trainees standing at the back, "Number 1, Number 3, Number 7, Number 9, Number 16, are you five even capable? What was that crap you were doing? It was like you hadn't eaten! Those moves needed to have power, power, you know?"

The other trainees all looked over, many of them frowning. Although they didn't say anything, their eyes were full of dissatisfaction.

It's such a waste of everyone's time and energy to have to start over every time because of these few people.
Despite the hostile stares from the crowd, Zhao Tong remained calm, as if the director wasn't talking about her. Zhang Jiajia, standing next to her, even picked at her ear and blew on her fingernails.

They knew very well that no matter how well they danced, the director would nitpick, because the director wasn't dissatisfied with their dance moves, but with them as a whole.

What did that sentence say?

In the eyes of someone who doesn't like you, even breathing is wrong.

Chen Peng was very dissatisfied with the trainees' indifferent attitude. He said with a gloomy face, "Everyone, let's do it again. You five, if you can jump, then jump. If you can't, then get out of here. Five rotten fish make a pot of soup stinky, hmph!"

"..."

Sitting in the mentor's seat, Li Yuqi frowned slightly. What the director had just said was really a bit too much.

People need face and trees need bark.

How could you insult someone in front of so many people? Doesn't that young girl have any dignity?

Besides, this show is a competition reality show, and it's normal for there to be differences among the trainees. If they don't perform well, they will naturally be eliminated in later competitions. Is it really necessary to re-record for these few people?

"Yuqi," Cai Yaxuan whispered, "those trainees seem to be Zhang Wen's students."

"Ok?"

Li Yuqi was taken aback and looked at the numbers of the trainees. They really were Teacher Zhang's students.

Strange, why have all of Teacher Zhang's students been moved to the last row?
Even if the production team made the position adjustment to give other trainees a chance to perform, it can't be that coincidental, right?

Did Teacher Zhang offend Director Chen?
Just as Li Yuqi was wondering what was going on, the recording started again.

Two minutes later.

"stop!"

The director's voice rang out again, accompanied by the sound of something being thrown.

Chen Tao slammed the notebook in his hand to the ground and pointed to the back of the stage, cursing: "Are you five out of your minds or out of your limbs? Your dancing gets worse and worse every time. Do you even know how to dance? People like you are not even qualified to be trainees, let alone debut."

"Director!" Zhao Tong couldn't hold back any longer. He raised his hand high and asked loudly, "You said we didn't dance well, so tell me where we danced poorly?"

“You guys don’t even know where you’re dancing wrong, you’re hopeless.” Chen Tao shook his head and said, then counted on his fingers, “Your limbs are weak, your movements are careless, you’re not putting your heart into it, you have too many problems. People like you can’t even get on stage in a bar.”

"Director, could you show us the footage we just recorded so we can figure out where the problem is?" Zhao Tong asked.

Chen Tao shuddered.

He was just stirring up trouble for no reason. He didn't care at all how well the other person danced. If the recording was played out, and the other person danced better than the other trainees, wouldn't everyone know that he was deliberately targeting them?
Where will his authority be then? Where will the program's credibility be?
"I'm the director. If I say you're not good, then you're not good. Are you not convinced?" Chen Tao asked coldly.

“Yes.” Zhao Tong nodded.

"You..." Chen Tao glared angrily, never expecting the other party to dare to openly defy him.

"Director, don't be angry."

Standing next to Zhao Tong, Cheng Sisi said with a smile, "Xiao Tong is straightforward, don't mind her. Since she's not convinced, how about this: you play the video from earlier and let her be convinced, what do you say?"

Chen Tao clenched his fists tightly. He had thought someone was on the right track, but it turned out they were setting a trap for him.

"Director Chen, just play it once, it won't take much time," Zhang Jiajia said loudly.

"I also want to see where I didn't dance well," Chen Silu said.

"Director, hurry up, don't waste everyone's time," Su Jin urged.

Upon hearing this, Chen Tao's face turned pale and then red. He suddenly shouted angrily, "What do you want to do? This is the recording site of 'Super Trainee'. Am I the director or are you the directors? Do I need you to tell me what to do? You are not celebrities yet, so don't act like big shots here. I won't fall for that."

"Director Chen, what's the rush? We just want to see the playback," Zhao Tong said calmly. "Director Chen, you're not hiding something and afraid to show it to us, are you?" Zhang Jiajia said sarcastically.

Since the director has already broken ties with them, they don't need to give him any face. In any case, the assistant director had threatened at noon that he would eliminate them in the first round.

They're like people who have nothing to lose and aren't afraid of those who have shoes on.

The other trainees on stage were all stunned.

Whose subordinates are these five? They are so brave that they even dare to confront the director. Are they not planning to advance?
Although the voting power in the elimination rounds is in the hands of the audience, the director can easily eliminate a few people if he wants to.

For example, give less screen time to the actors and add shots of those who sing or dance poorly to the main film.

There are a hundred people on stage, who would care about those five?
What's more, he was at the very back of the line.

Everyone's gaze turned to the director. Their thoughts were simple: since these five trainees were so determined, they should just give in and make them admit defeat and feel ashamed.

Li Yuqi also looked at director Chen Tao. She had been staring at Teacher Zhang's student and didn't think the dance was bad.

On the contrary, she thought those five people danced very well, even better than most of the trainees present.

Cai Yaxuan, standing next to her, had a smile in her eyes, looking like she was watching a show.

The other three mentors frowned slightly, seemingly deep in thought.

"you……"

Seeing that everyone was looking at him, Chen Tao's anger towards the five trainees reached its peak. No wonder President Feng wanted to teach these people a lesson; they were simply too arrogant.

Moreover, they don't know how to appreciate kindness.

"You've gone too far! You're trying to turn the world upside down!" Chen Tao said angrily. "I'm going to call the person in charge of your Tianxi Media right now and ask how you're usually disciplined. You're disobedient and disrespectful to your elders."

"Hmph!" Zhao Tong rolled her eyes.

"Heh!" Zhang Jiajia scoffed, his face full of mockery.

Cheng Sisi was busy fixing her manicure and smoothing her hair, while Su Jin was brushing off imaginary dust from her dress, both of them appearing completely indifferent.

Chen Tao originally only wanted to scare the five trainees, but after seeing their appearance, he was immediately enraged and felt that he, as the director, had been provoked.

He immediately took out his phone from his pocket and called the vice president of Tianxi Media.

He wanted to ask whether they could continue their cooperation.

Li Yuqi also took out her phone, found Teacher Zhang on WeChat, and sent him a message.

"Teacher Zhang, did you offend Director Chen?"

Soon, WeChat responded.

Who is Director Chen?

Li Yuqi was a little speechless, blaming herself for not explaining clearly, so she sent another message.

"Chen Tao, the director of 'Super Trainee,' you met him when you came yesterday."

Looking at the WeChat message from Li Yuqi, Zhang Wen couldn't help but recall the scene at the recording site of the show yesterday.

Although I spent the whole morning there, I had very limited contact with the director. It was just the first time I entered the studio with Li Yuqi, and I never had any contact with him again. Even if I wanted to offend him, I didn't have the chance.

Did you shake hands too hard?

Or does he just look like Old Wang next door to Director Chen?

While thinking, Zhang Wen replied to Li Yuqi's message, "I met with Director Chen yesterday, but I don't remember offending him in any way. Why are you asking this?"

"Teacher Zhang, your student is being targeted by Director Chen. The situation is very tense. Director Chen is calling the higher-ups at your Tianxi Media to complain. You should be prepared." Li Yuqi typed and then clicked send.

Zhang Wen was stunned after reading the contents. Thinking of Chen Silu's phone call last night, he instantly understood what was going on.

It's obvious without even asking that the director was just stirring up trouble; otherwise, wouldn't the program's manager have been beaten for nothing?
To put it simply, it's about the dog avenging its owner.

"I understand, thank you," Zhang Wen replied.

"You're welcome." Li Yuqi felt secretly pleased, happy to have gotten closer to Teacher Zhang.

Although it's not a big deal, it's still a favor.

In the future, when you need to contact Teacher Zhang, he won't refuse, considering that I tipped you off today.

After dialing the number, Chen Tao glared fiercely at the five trainees standing at the back of the line, as if to say: You guys just wait.

Soon, the call was connected.

"Hello, is this Mr. Liu Haiyang?" Chen Tao said loudly on purpose, so that the five trainees could hear him.

I can't control you, but someone else can.

"It's me," a man's voice came through the microphone.

"Mr. Liu, I'm Chen Tao, the director of 'Super Trainee.' Your trainees from Tianxi Media are too arrogant. It's one thing to dance badly, but they also don't listen to instructions. You need to come to the film and television town and take them away. Our small program can't afford to support these big shots," Chen Tao said angrily.

"Oh no?"

"Mr. Liu, are you implying that I'm lying?" Chen Tao countered.

Although Tianxi Media is a well-known entertainment company in China, it also has video websites as its backers, so it is not afraid of the other party at all, hence its aggressive tone.

"No, that's not what I meant. Is there some misunderstanding? I understand. Maybe they don't want to sign the performance contract with you, so they're deliberately being passive. Here's what we'll do: give the phone to Chen Silu, and I'll talk to her."

Zhao Haiyang recalled the conversation he had with the program's director yesterday and immediately guessed what was going on.

"Okay, you wait here." After saying that, Chen Tao shouted to the back of the stage, "Chen Silu, come and answer the phone."

Chen Silu was startled, but she remained calm as she approached the director, took the phone, and walked to the side, whispering, "Mr. Liu, this is Chen Silu."

"Chen Silu, are you sick? You don't know how to seize such a good opportunity? Do you know how popular the show 'Super Trainee' is? This is a chance to become an overnight sensation!" Liu Haiyang said loudly.

If Chen Silu becomes famous, the company will have another cash cow.

"Mr. Liu, it's not that I don't want to seize this opportunity. I've prepared for this show for a long time. It's just that their requirements are too much. I have to please the show's director in order to qualify for joining the girl group," Chen Silu said aggrievedly.

"So what if you have to go along? Isn't that a normal thing to do? If you don't go along, how will the opportunity fall into your lap? Do you think you're some kind of chosen one? Don't even mention you, even female celebrities have to go along to get resources. I'm warning you, you have to get this girl group resource, or don't blame me for making you sing in bars and never be able to debut again, hmph!"

……

(End of this chapter)