Abstract Art Award Winner

I trained with Wang Baoqiang for a few days before, and every day was a high-intensity workout.

According to Wang Baoqiang, this level of training would have been perfectly normal for them in the past. If their backs and legs didn't ache after training, it meant they hadn't trained properly.

The sourness is simply the accumulation of lactic acid, while the pain is a normal reaction after the lactic acid dissipates.

Although a professional massage therapist helps soothe the body after each workout, it only provides temporary relief.

So Zhou Le is still in pain all over his body.

The muscles in my body were engorged with blood from the previous training and were rock hard.

So he took a hot shower and had just changed into comfortable pajamas when the doorbell rang.

Looking through the peephole, I saw it was Tian Xiwei.

Xiaotian was wearing a baseball cap and had his mask pulled down to his chin, making a face at the cat's eyes.

Judging from her relaxed demeanor, she clearly hadn't been spotted or noticed by the paparazzi when she arrived; after all, she's become experienced with this kind of thing after doing it so many times.

Zhou Le opened the door with a smile: "You actually came! I thought you wouldn't come until tomorrow."

Tian Xi nimbly slipped through the crack in the door, carrying two large takeout bags in her hands.

An enticing aroma of spicy and savory flavors instantly filled the air.

"Oh, I know our Brother Le works hard during training, so I came here especially to bring him some warmth!" She put the takeout on the table with a smile. "Authentic maocai (a type of Sichuan hot pot), sweet water noodles, and ice jelly! How about that, isn't that thoughtful?"

"Besides, you said you're very weak right now. If I don't take advantage of your situation, how can I face you after all the bullying you've done to me before?"

Xiao Tian walked into the house with a smile and put the bag she was carrying on the table.

"Today I'm going to turn the tables and show you the true strength of General Oda."

Zhou Le closed the door helplessly: "Why are you so arrogant today? You're calling yourself a general, so what am I?"

Oda extended his long, slender index finger, pointing first to himself: "I am General Oda; you are Corporal Koro, understand?"

Zhou Le really just found it funny: "I understand, how could I not understand? I'm at their mercy, like a piece of dough on a chopping board. I have no strength to resist, so you can only knead and shape me as you please."

"Hmph, good to know. Come and eat something first, so you won't accuse me of bullying you later."

Zhou Le looked at the huge pile of food, and his stomach growled loudly, much to his dismay. The training had been too exhausting. Although he had eaten dinner earlier, he hadn't eaten much because they were mainly discussing business. After chatting for a long time and taking a shower when he got back, he was starving. "You...you understand me so well. I'm starving."

The two set out their takeout and chatted as they ate.

But they also know that some things don't need to be rushed, and they already know the truth, so when they meet, they usually chat and catch up first.

Xiaotian chattered on about the gossip and interesting things she had heard in the industry recently.

"Brother Le, you've been so focused on training lately that you haven't heard a thing about what's going on outside, have you? Things are really turbulent in the industry these days." Tian Xi picked up a piece of tripe and said mysteriously.

"Hmm? What big scoop is it now?" Zhou Le asked cooperatively. He didn't really care about these things, but seeing how eager Tian Xiwei was to talk, he listened.

"He's completely finished. I guess we'll never see him again. It's pretty much the same on the other side. Although it seems like some fans are still struggling, a comeback is basically out of the question." Tian Xi sighed. "It's quite sad to think about. I used to really enjoy watching him."

Zhou Le nodded: "If you make a mistake, no one can save you. That's how this industry is; the higher you climb, the harder you fall. You have to cherish your reputation even more."

In short, several people I know have become legal figures. You know, there are so many things that could happen naturally and mutually agreeable, yet they insist on doing it this way. I don't know what they're after. Are they just looking for excitement? If you really want this, you could just hire someone to put on a show. Why do you have to make it real?

Zhou Le really couldn't figure it out, and he felt that he had strong self-control and wouldn't look around randomly.

Zhou Le's assessment was quite objective: "He has talent, but unfortunately he didn't use it for good. If your heart isn't upright, even the greatest talent is wasted. I met him before when he was on the Spring Festival Gala. He even wanted to invite me out to play. I felt something was off then, so I didn't go. Now it seems I'm glad I didn't go."

Of course, I'm not into that kind of thing either, but I didn't expect him to get into trouble so quickly. It just goes to show, if you have a lot of enemies, don't do anything too outrageous; they're all watching you.

That's why I sometimes say that being a good person is more important than being good at your job.

"Yeah, but just focus on your training these next few days. Nobody's going to invite you out for food and drinks."

Zhou Le laughed: "You've hit the nail on the head. You just called me, and Wang Junkai said he wanted to come over to play with me tonight, but I didn't let him come. After all, if he came, we'd just play games together."

"Playing with him is nowhere near as fun as playing with you!"

Upon hearing this, Xiaotian's face hardened, and she adopted her pampered young lady persona, becoming domineering yet somewhat endearing: "What do you mean playing with me is more fun? Remember your identity today, Corporal Xiao Le! Today I am the General, and I'm the one playing you!"

"Yes, yes, General Tian is right."

As he spoke, Zhou Le couldn't help but glance at Xiao Tian again today. Yes, she was indeed very eye-catching, as always.

Xiao Tian clearly brought a lot of gossip with her today. As they chatted, the topic shifted to other people: "Hey, speaking of which, Meng Meiqi seems to be quite quiet. After her group disbanded, her career didn't seem to be going very smoothly. You guys used to be in the same company. I remember Tencent promoted her and put her on some dramas and variety shows."

She was considered one of the more capable members of the group, but those several big-budget dramas failed to make her a star. I thought, "It would have been better if I were in it; if the two of us acted together, we could definitely do a good job."

“Yeah, in China, it’s not easy for singing and dancing groups to transition to acting, mainly because there’s a barrier between the two. If he had any acting talent, would he still be in a group? Wouldn’t he have debuted as an actor directly? Everyone knows which has a higher ceiling.” Zhou Le agreed with Xiao Tian’s statement. “But speaking of groups, TFBOYS is the most successful in China.”

"Yes! They gained national recognition and even helped resist the Korean wave back then. I remember you had a pretty good relationship with them."

"He's alright. I've worked with Xiao Kai and Qian Xi, and we have a good relationship. I've had less contact with Wang Yuan. My impression of him is only of Hua Zi and Fu Rong Wang cigarettes, and he's probably been working on music lately, so I'm not really sure." Zhou Le wasn't too sure about Wang Yuan either, since he doesn't usually pay much attention to him.

"Then... their junior group, TNT (Teens in Times), do you know them? The second-generation group." Tian Xi blinked and asked, "I've occasionally come across their videos, but I haven't looked into them in detail."

Zhou Le shook his head: "I've heard of it, but I haven't paid attention to it. What, you know a lot about it?"

“I’m not very familiar with them either, I’m just curious! Anyway, we’re just killing time, so let’s take a look? The people who came out of this first generation of groups are all pretty good. They each have their own way of becoming famous. Some have settled into the entertainment industry, some are into abstract art, and some are into smoking. Anyway, they’ve all become famous. Maybe there are quite a few like that in the second generation. We can get to know them in the future.” Tian Xiwei said, picking up her phone and projecting it onto the hotel TV. “Let’s see how good the idols are these days.”

The two huddled together on the sofa and began searching for performances and videos of the boy group TNT (Teens in Times).

At first, I was filled with curiosity and anticipation, but as I watched, my expression gradually became subtle. On one stage, as the members were singing, the fans in the live chat couldn't take it anymore, commenting things like "So handsome! So amazing! Mom supports you!"

Zhou Le was dumbfounded. Putting aside the fact that it was someone else's cover song, what was going on with you suddenly handing the microphone to the audience and laughing while singing at that high note? And is your voice usually this deep and resonant?

What's this? An absolutely amazing roar?

And is this really a way to avoid high notes? I've really learned something new.

Sure enough, each generation has its own way of escaping. When my generation was in school, we hid our cell phones in our books. This generation's idols suddenly burst into laughter and hand the microphone to the audience when they sing a high note.

"They're really something."

There's a video, a fancam of one of the members, where the camera movement and special effects make the head appear disproportionately large.

Tian Xi chuckled: "This... this amazing big-head special effect? ​​Does the photographer have a grudge against him?"

Zhou Le laughed too: "I don't think it's the photographer's fault. Have you ever thought that maybe they're just like that? What do you think their boss is thinking? I think there are plenty of handsome guys out there. Even if you only hire pretty faces, after some training, everyone will be pretty much the same."

But shouldn't being handsome be the most important thing for an idol? Or should they follow the path of K-pop group Big Bang? The problem is, if you're going to find someone who isn't handsome, you still need to have their abilities, at least not be bad at singing and dancing.

And what was the costume designer thinking?

Tian Xiwei sighed, "This outfit... those sloping shoulders with those bull horns? Is he trying to make sure everyone can see his sloping shoulders? And with their big heads, it just looks so weird. Are all groups like this now? I knew that consumption was declining and money was harder to earn, but how come aesthetics have declined so much too?"

Zhou Le nodded: "Playing up one's strengths and avoiding one's weaknesses is a basic principle of styling, and this is a case of playing up one's weaknesses and avoiding one's strengths. Moreover, the person appearing in front of this younger brother is someone with slightly wider shoulders, which makes his shoulders look as awkward as flat feet."

What the two found most unbearable was a cover performance of a popular song. The arrangement was drastically altered, and the most classic and powerful climax of the original song was actually lowered in pitch, leaving the listener feeling stuck and frustrated.

"Ugh!!! Why is the key lowered?!" Tian Xiwei almost threw the ice jelly in her hand away. "I've already prepared myself emotionally, and this is what I get to listen to!"

Zhou Le was speechless: "No, I don't think it's that hard to choose a song. You can choose something simple to sing. Anyway, the fans already have such a thick filter. If you sing something simple, the fans can sing along, and maybe it will even become popular."

So you insist on starting with a Wang Leehom song? Is that appropriate?

After watching a few videos, the two looked at each other and simultaneously pressed the exit button.

"Forget it, let's just eat." Tian Xiwei tossed her phone aside. "If I keep watching, I'm afraid I'll develop a psychological aversion to boy groups in the Chinese entertainment industry."

Zhou Le nodded repeatedly: "But believe it or not, their group will probably go a long way. At the very least, they'll be popular for seven or eight years."

They act like micro-business owners, deliberately saying things that seem a bit silly, not to sell to more people, but to refine their fan base and get those niche customers to buy more.

"Haha, that seems to make sense."

After finishing her meal, Tian Xiwei took the initiative to clear the table.

Seeing Zhou Le's slightly tired but even more upright figure from training, and his eyes that seemed especially deep because of his focus, her little scheme began to stir again. She walked behind Zhou Le and deliberately said in a lighthearted tone, "Brother Le, training is so tough, do you need a private masseuse? The kind with amazing skills, you know~"

Zhou Le was leaning back on the sofa looking at his phone when he heard this. He turned his head and saw the cunning glint in Tian Xiwei's eyes. How could he not understand what she was thinking?
So he teased her on purpose: "Oh? Is it expensive? I'm very picky."

Tian Xiwei walked around to face him, put her hands on her hips, and pretended to be angry: "Hey! You little corporal, don't care about worldly views. Does everything have to be measured in money? I'm giving you a chance to have me, and you're still being picky?"

Zhou Le was amused by her appearance, put down his phone, and looked at her leisurely: "Get you? What's in it for me?"

"There are so many benefits!" Tian Xiwei counted on her fingers, "It keeps you company, cheers you on, and... it can even make you feel like you're in heaven! I'm just letting you taste the sweetness now, you'll suffer later."

Zhou Le smiled and shook his head, then reached out and pulled her to sit down next to him.

Tian Xi gasped slightly and fell into his arms, smelling the fresh scent of his body after his bath and a faint medicinal oil aroma.

Looking at her flushed face so close to his own, Zhou Le whispered, "Little Tian, ​​do you know, that outstanding man's heart is set on his career..."

He paused, looked into her eyes, a mischievous smile playing on his lips, and slowly added, "...And I bumped into you, so be gentle later, okay?"

These words were so direct and flirtatious that Tian Xiwei's heart skipped a beat, and her face burned so hot it could fry an egg.

She hadn't expected Zhou Le to say something like that, and for a moment she didn't know how to respond. She could only stammer, "You...you're kidding me! You're just trying to sweet-talk me! Don't think I don't know how much of a womanizer you are."

"To coax you?" Zhou Le raised an eyebrow. "If I wanted to coax you, I could come up with a hundred different things, and even if I was distracted, I'd still give you the most. But..." He leaned closer, his breath brushing against her earlobe, "What I'm more interested in now is whether we should just kiss, or go through the motions?"

Tian Xiwei felt weak all over from these words, and the tips of her ears turned bright red.

She was so embarrassed she wanted to push him away, but she couldn't bear to, so she buried her face in his shoulder and said in a muffled voice, "...What...what kind of procedure is this..."

Zhou Le chuckled softly, the vibrations of his chest resonating through her.

He lifted Xiaotian's chin, looking at her watery eyes and slightly parted, alluring lips, his gaze darkening.

“Actually,” Zhou Le’s voice became a little hoarse, with an unprecedented seriousness, “I liked you from the first time we met…”

Tian Xiwei's heart skipped a beat, and she looked up into his deep eyes.

They were immediately drawn in.

Zhou Le slowly lowered his head, his forehead touching hers, their noses rubbing together, and whispered the rest of his sentence: "...the more time passed, the more I liked him."

Before Tian Xiwei could react, he had already seized those two soft lips that he had long coveted.

"Well……"

Tian Xiwei's mind went blank for a moment, leaving only the warm touch on her lips and the reassuring scent emanating from Zhou Le. She responded skillfully, her arms unconsciously wrapping around his neck.

He was still muttering incoherently: "Stop it, I'm the general today, you just lie down and behave yourself."

If you dare to resist even a little, just wait and see if I don't teach you a lesson. I'll show you what a Sichuan-Chongqing tyrannosaurus is like. Let me tell you, I can be very fierce! (End of Chapter)