Restart life

Chapter 227 0224 [Life is full of trials]

"Master Chen!"

As soon as Chen Guiliang got out of the car, he saw Qin Shanshan waving at him.

This second-generation tobacco resident retook the college entrance exam and was admitted to Sichuan Normal University.

Sichuan Normal University is still a second-tier university.

Xu Haibo stood next to Qin Shanshan; the two of them had been waiting for a while.

Chen Guiliang walked over with a smile, punched Xu Haibo in the chest with his fist: "Damn, you've had a second growth spurt, you've grown a lot taller again."

"Perhaps the pressure in university isn't as great as in the final year of high school," Xu Haibo said with a laugh.

Qin Shanshan said, "Master Chen has become even more handsome." Then she added, "Bian Guanyue is even more beautiful now."

"Hello," Bian Guanyue greeted with a smile.

Chen Guiliang then introduced Yang Shuo: "This is my classmate from elementary and junior high school. Yang Shuo."

"Hello."

"Hello."

Qin Shanshan wasn't close to Bian Guanyue when they were in high school, but now they've suddenly become close. The two girls linked arms and exchanged their experiences participating in the Super Girl competition.

“The Chengdu audition area is so difficult,” Qin Shanshan complained. “I actually sing very well, and I signed up this year, but I was eliminated in the preliminary round.”

Bian Guanyue encouraged her, "You were just unlucky. You can try again next year."

Qin Shanshan pouted and said, "Forget it, I'll just be a spectator. My skills are really not good enough."

Chen Guiliang walked alongside Xu Haibo and asked, "Do you have a girlfriend yet?"

"Let's talk about it after graduation," Xu Haibo said shyly when discussing the topic.

He had a crush on a girl during his freshman year, but before he could pursue her, she started dating a sophomore.

Chen Guiliang asked, "What are your plans after graduation?"

Xu Haibo said, "I might take the postgraduate entrance exam, or I might take the civil service exam."

Chen Guiliang recalled another chapter in Xu Haibo's life: He was recommended for postgraduate studies at his own university and then pursued a doctorate at Fudan University. Knowing the intense competition in the east, he went directly through a fast track to a second-tier university in a remote province. He received a 10 yuan settlement allowance plus a temporary apartment. He was given a permanent position upon joining the university, promoted to associate professor within a year, and then professor four years later (a special privilege for border regions). He also married a local woman and had children.

Life is ordinary and stress-free. There's also none of the anxieties of other universities where you either graduate or leave.

pretty good.

This is perfect for a well-behaved boy like Xu Haibo.

Even when this guy was almost forty, he still retained a trace of clarity in his eyes.

"It's quite hot in Sichuan this year," Chen Guiliang said, wiping his sweat.

Xu Haibo said, "It hasn't rained for a month."

The group headed towards Sichuan TV Station. There were quite a few people outside the building, and Yang Shuo, acting as a bodyguard, kept a close watch on everything.

Relatives and friends are not allowed to enter; only contestants are permitted.

"Why don't you find a place to cool off?" Bian Guanyue suggested.

Chen Guiliang nodded: "Okay. Let's go eat some cold rice cakes and jelly."

The recording took place in the studio of Chengdu TV Channel 4, which later became Tianfu Media.

Bian Guanyue was led inside by the staff, where 100 girls chattered excitedly.

She didn't know any friends, so she found a corner to sit down and wait.

A short while later, two more girls came over.

One of them asked, "Is nobody here?"

"No." Bian Guanyue moved over, making room for the two girls.

They were communicating in Mandarin.

After the two girls sat down, they spoke to each other in their local dialect.

Bian Guanyue couldn't help but ask, "A person from Longdu?"

The girl asking about the seat exclaimed in surprise, "I was speaking Chengdu dialect, and you can still tell I have a Chengdu accent?"

The girl who came with her laughed and said, "It's obvious, isn't it? You're the only one who doesn't know it."

The girl shook hands with Bian Guanyue: "Hello, my name is Tan Weiwei. This is my friend Zou Qian."

"Hello, my name is Bian Guanyue, and we're practically from the same hometown," Bian Guanyue said.

Tan Weiwei: "Half?"

Bian Guanyue explained, "Yes, my maternal grandparents are in Phuse County. I would go there whenever I had a holiday when I was little. My boyfriend is also from Phuse County."

Tan Weiwei laughed heartily, "Haha, I'm also from Fushi County, Longdu City. Let's go for drinks after we finish recording. I own a bar in Rongcheng!"

"You own a bar?" Bian Guanyue asked in surprise.

Tan Weiwei said, "It's a bar I opened with friends, and I often sing there."

Tan Weiwei and Zhang Liangying are both involved in Chengdu's bar scene, and they've known each other for a long time. Last year, when Zhang Liangying signed up for the competition, Tan Weiwei was quite dismissive, mainly because she looked down on small competitions like Super Girl.

Tan Weiwei released an album two years ago and participated in the Tokyo International Music Festival several years ago. She also performed at the Vienna Golden Hall for the Spring Festival and played the lead role in the musical "Jinsha".

Bian Guanyue said, "I'm not going to the bar; my boyfriend is waiting for me outside."

“Isn’t he from the same hometown? Let’s call him over too,” Tan Weiwei said.

Bian Guanyue said, "I'll ask him after I finish recording."

Bian Guanyue took out her phone and texted Chen Guiliang, "Have you found a place to cool off?"

“We’re eating cold noodles,” Chen Guiliang replied.

"I know a place in Chengdu that makes really delicious cold noodles."

"You lead the way when we go."

"I met someone from your hometown. Her name is Tan Weiwei."

"That's quite a coincidence."

"She also invited us to a bar for drinks. It's her own bar."

"tonight?"

"Ah."

“Okay, bring Bobo and Wei Ge (Yang Shuo) along. They’ll definitely find it interesting.”

Chen Guiliang was happily eating cold noodles at a small shop near the TV station.

Xu Haibo and Yang Shuo are both secretly passionate, and they yearn for bars and other entertainment venues. They really want to experience it, but they are too afraid to go because they have no one to guide them.

Chen Guiliang said, "Let's go to a bar tonight."

Xu Haibo hesitated: "Aren't bars chaotic? What if we run into thugs?"

Chen Guiliang said, "It's alright. Wei Ge is a veteran." Yang Shuo patted his chest and said, "Leave it to me. You guys are drinking, but I won't drink a drop. I'll be in charge of protecting your safety."

"I want to go too!" Qin Shanshan had never been to a bar before.

Ah, three innocent fellows.

……

In the studio.

Bi Xiaoshi, Shunzi, and Sun Guoqin were sitting on the judges' panel, waiting.

Bian Guanyue strode out, wearing a white T-shirt, blue jeans, and breathable sneakers. She gave off a refreshing vibe.

The two male judges' eyes lit up.

Bian Guanyue bowed and said, "Hello, three judges. My name is Bian Guanyue. I am 20 years old and studying in Beijing."

Bi Xiaoshi said, "Please begin."

No accompaniment, 30 seconds of a cappella.

Bian Guanyue took a deep breath and began to sing into the microphone: "The girl wears azaleas in her hair, facing the wind and chasing the colorful clouds with the waves. The boat rocks silently on the spring water, where is my home in this gentle water town? The boat rocks silently on the spring water, following the song to him in my dreams..."

"Dingling bell~~"

Sun Guoqin rang the bell to remind the border region that the month was up.

Bi Xiaoshi commented, "His breath control is superb; it's extremely professional."

Shunzi said, "The midrange is not as rich and full as Chyi Yu's."

Sun Guoqin turned to Shunzi and said, "Her voice is brighter."

Bi Xiaoshi laughed and said, "It looks especially good on camera."

Shunzi asked, "Why did you choose such an old song?"

Bian Guanyue said, "I've been studying Luo Dayou's songs for the past six months, and I've chosen one from them."

Sun Guoqin said, "Give me a fast pass."

The other two judges nodded.

Bian Guanyue was overjoyed; her unorthodox methods had finally been recognized. She smiled and said, "I don't need the direct pass; leave it for the other contestants. I just wanted to check my own skill level."

The judges were stunned.

Sun Guoqin asked, "Not participating in the next round?"

Bian Guanyue said, "I heard that the next match will involve signing a contract, but I don't want to sign with a company yet."

Bi Xiaoshi said, "The contract will be signed after the next match."

Sun Guoqin said, "We are only responsible for the review, not for signing contracts. Here, take the fast pass."

"No need, thank you judges." Bian Guanyue bowed again and left the studio in a cheerful mood.

Shunzi smiled and said, "I like this girl."

Bi Xiaoshi said, "What a pity."

Suddenly, the director's voice came over the loudspeaker: "We'll reserve one spot for direct entry this morning."

Today's 100-to-50 selection will not be broadcast as part of the main program. However, some clips will be selected for behind-the-scenes footage and promotional purposes.

The on-site director gave a brief instruction to the broadcast director, then immediately picked up his phone and went out to make a call: "Mr. Wang, I've found a promising contestant. She's incredibly photogenic and quite talented... What level? A sure thing for the top ten... But she gave up the direct entry pass, saying she doesn't want to sign with the company for the time being... Okay, I'll send you her contact information..."

Bian Guanyue returned to the rest area, picked up her bag, and prepared to leave.

Tan Weiwei asked, "How is it?"

"I was not selected," Bian Guanyue said with a smile.

Zou Qian, who was standing next to her, said, "You're still so happy about losing?"

“You have a good attitude,” Tan Weiwei said. “I’ll call you tonight and ask you to bring your boyfriend from your hometown along.”

"Okay. Goodbye!"

"Goodbye."

Bian Guanyue hummed "Boat Song" as she left the TV station and found the shop where Chen Guiliang and the others were eating cold noodles.

"Where should we go for fun?" Chen Guiliang asked for everyone's opinions.

Qin Shanshan said, "The Wuhou Temple seems to be nearby, and I've always wanted to visit it."

Xu Haibo said, "About 10 kilometers."

"Let's go to the Wuhou Temple!" Chen Guiliang hadn't been there for over ten years.

The group hailed a taxi.

Halfway through the journey, Bian Guanyue received a phone call.

"Hello, I am Wang Ping, the chief director of Super Girl."

"Director Wang, hello."

"The application information you filled out suggests you're still a student, right?"

"Correct."

"What are your reasons for not wanting to sign with the company? Could you please explain?"

"It interferes with your studies."

"Uh...it doesn't really take up much time."

"Super Girls have a lot of activities; they have to perform every day after the competition ends."

"The more performances you do, the more famous you become, and the more money you can earn."

"I'm not short of money."

"Do you want to be a star?"

"I don't really want to..."

What girl doesn't want to be a star?

Bian Guanyue simply thought about it more deeply. She felt that being a celebrity was troublesome and that one couldn't control their own time.

She participated in the previous auditions and today's regional 100-to-50 competition because she wanted to experience being a talent show star and fulfill a small wish in her heart.

A little bit is enough.

After hanging up the phone, Bian Guanyue asked, "Am I being too capricious? I flew all the way from Beijing, and then I only sang for 30 seconds before it was over."

“If you don’t try it, you’ll always be thinking about it,” Chen Guiliang said in a low voice. “Like Xu Haibo and Yang Shuo, they definitely want to go to a bar to see what it’s like. With Xu Haibo’s personality, he promises he won’t go a second time. But if he doesn’t go even once, he’ll sometimes fantasize. Just treat today as a trip. I’m so bored at school, I’ve been wanting to wander around for a while.”

Bian Guanyue was even happier after hearing this and said, "After we finish visiting the Wuhou Temple, I'll take you to the roadside stalls I used to eat at when I was a child."

(End of this chapter)