Chapter 67: The Dumb Beauty Lives Up to Its Name
“How’s the investigation coming along?”
“Mr. Gu, I’ve questioned the neighbors of Mr. and Mrs. Lin Jianxiang and Zhou Yue Lan. They all say that their eldest son was born in the hospital after Zhou Yue Lan carried him for ten months.”
“So, Lin Qingyan wasn’t adopted mid-way. Zhou Yue Lan should have given birth to a child at that time. I suspect this matter is related to the hospital where Zhou Yue Lan gave birth that year. I’m investigating, but nineteen years have passed, making it difficult and time-consuming.”
Hearing this, Gu Fei fell silent for a moment. He initially thought Lin Qingyan was adopted. The situation seemed more complex than he imagined. Where was Zhou Yue Lan’s biological child? Why was it replaced by Lin Qingyan, who had no blood relation?
Gu Fei asked, “Which hospital did Zhou Yue Lan give birth in?”
The person on the other end said, “Nancheng First People’s Hospital.”
Gu Fei hummed. “If you need help, feel free to ask.”
“Yes, Mr. Gu.”
After hanging up, Gu Fei glanced at his watch. It was eight o’clock in the evening. He closed the work page on his computer and opened a video website. The homepage carousel featured the second episode update of “Tomorrow’s Stars.”
He expertly clicked on the video.
The first episode of “Tomorrow’s Stars” received a great response, creating quite a stir. So, when the second episode was newly updated, many waiting netizens immediately clicked in.
【Here we go!】
【Seven years have passed, finally an update!】
【The aloof king and the dumb beauty, fighting!】
The second episode mainly focused on the theme song assessment. The instructors announced the theme song assessment content and rules, and the contestants practiced according to the team divisions from the previous episode.
The most anticipated part was who would get the C position.
【I’m guessing Lu Yuqi, his skills are the most outstanding.】
【Yan Yan is also good, he has the aloof brother to carry him!】
【Come on, have you all forgotten that Lin Qingyan got all his initial stage moves wrong?】
During the team practice, the seven people in Class A naturally had the strongest skills. While Classes C and D were still struggling with the complex dance moves, the contestants in Class A had already learned the choreography.
Lin Qingyan and Lu Yuqi practiced together. Lu Yuqi’s progress was the fastest; Lin Qingyan was slightly behind, but his learning speed was also very fast.
On screen, Lin Qingyan wore a sky-blue training suit, just like the other contestants, but he always attracted more attention. The sweat-drenched boy practiced in front of the studio mirror, his movements still somewhat clumsy and green, repeating the same movements over and over again.
Sweat wetted the boy’s bangs, sticking messily to his forehead. Large beads of sweat rolled down his clearly defined jawline, down his Adam’s apple, and into his collarbone. His makeup-free face was clean and delicate, and his sweaty appearance revealed a different kind of sexiness.
Lin Qingyan stopped, casually lifting his wet bangs. The post-production added a close-up shot, exposing his entire face to the camera without reservation.
【Whoa, beauty attack! I can’t take it! Wife!】
【Ahhhhhhh I’m dead! The editing is so good, they know what we want to see.】
【The key is that it’s makeup-free! His skin is so good, white and tender, and those eyes, nose, mouth, and little face, I want to hug him and kiss him!】
【Is anyone else focusing on how quickly Yan Yan learned and how well he dances?】
Lin Qingyan nudged Lu Yuqi’s arm. “Yuqi, I can’t get one move right. Can you teach me?”
“Okay, show me once.”
“Raise your left hand a bit higher… yes, that’s it.” Lu Yuqi stood behind Lin Qingyan, correcting his movements, and finally added, “Next time you don’t understand something, just ask me. Don’t just stupidly figure it out yourself.”
“I wasn’t stupidly figuring it out.”
The aloof king providing one-on-one tutoring online. The netizens were excited, saying they shipped them, while a certain Gu surname CEO in front of the screen unhappily pursed his lips, thinking that the kick he gave earlier was too light.
【Ahhhhhhh I ship them! Does Lu Yuqi’s boyfriend power explode? Yan Yan is so cute!】
【They’re so good together, I’ve fallen in the pit!】
Gu Fei coldly closed the comments.
Practice lasted from day to night. Until two or three in the morning, many people were still training in the dance studio. In the end, only two people remained in Class A’s classroom.
The night outside was late.
Lu Yuqi was already lying tiredly on the floor.
Lin Qingyan was still dancing, sweat soaking his training suit. He didn’t know how many times he had danced this dance. Finally, he couldn’t help but lie down. In the quiet dance studio, one could hear the boy’s rapid breathing.
Although he was tired, his face held a hint of contented smile. His beautiful peach blossom eyes seemed to be dotted with stars, brighter than the night sky outside.
For Lin Qingyan, being able to work hard for his dreams was a happy thing. Even if it was bitter and tiring, he enjoyed every moment of his efforts here. He cherished this opportunity.
【Wuwuwu I don’t know why I’m so moved.】
【Not just Lin Qingyan and Lu Yuqi, everyone is working so hard, I’ve changed my opinion of this show.】
【Yan Yan really deserves it, he’s good-looking, has a good personality, and works so hard, I love him!】
Just as the netizens were moved to tears, Lin Qingyan suddenly lowered his head and sniffed his own scent, instantly wrinkling his brows in disgust. “So smelly…”
【Hahahaha although it’s moving, I can’t help but laugh.】
【The dumb beauty lives up to its name.】
【Lin Qingyan has too many scenes, why are there so few scenes of Nan Nan this episode, so speechless.】
Lin Qingyan’s screen time was indeed more than in the first episode, but it wasn’t because the director added scenes for him because of his relationship with Gu Fei. Gu Fei himself said it should be fair and just.
The real reason was that after the first episode aired, Lin Qingyan’s fan base grew the most. This kid was particularly popular with the audience. Although his total number of fans is currently not high, he’s growing fast. It’s believed that in a short time, his fans will surpass Lu Yuqi’s.
So, who else would they give the screen time to?
Lu Yuqi also had a lot of screen time, but these two were always together, so they had even more screen time.
As for An Nanyi’s screen time, it was indeed less in this episode.
As for the reason… it’s a long story.
In the final edited video, Lu Yuqi was the first to pass the assessment, with no mention of An Nanyi. Lin Qingyan was third, and the footage of him and Lu Yuqi teaching the students in Class D was also included.
【As expected, Lu Yuqi is the C position!】
【Yan Yan is also great, third place. Hard work always pays off. Those who said he lacked skill, eating their words now?】
【They even taught the contestants in Class D, that’s so great! Mom loves you!】
On the other hand, An Nanyi’s fans weren’t happy. Why did others have so much screen time, while Nan Nan had so little? However, when they saw that An Nanyi didn’t even pass the theme song assessment, everyone was a bit baffled.
【What’s going on? An Nanyi didn’t pass the assessment? His skills aren’t that bad, are they?】
【Nan Nan got sick during the assessment, so he didn’t participate. The lack of screen time is probably because of that.】
【Right, I saw it on Weibo just now. If Nan Nan hadn’t been sick, his ranking would have been very good. Definitely wouldn’t have been worse than certain people!】
…
After the show aired, several more trending topics appeared, some related to Lin Qingyan, some to Lu Yuqi, and some were bought by the production team. Of course, Lin Qingyan earned his spot on the trending list through his own merit. His fanbase grew significantly.
【I initially watched the show for Cynthia, the goddess, but unexpectedly, I became a fan of Lin Qingyan. He’s so handsome, my goodness!】
【I didn’t want to become his fan, but who doesn’t love a dumb beauty? Handsome, skilled, hardworking, kind, and helpful; who wouldn’t love a dumb beauty like that?】
【Hope everyone will vote for Yan Yan!】
…
An Nanyi looked at the comments on Weibo, unknowingly clenching his phone. He didn’t understand why so many people liked Lin Qingyan, while he barely got any screen time.
Although nothing was said openly, everyone was discussing behind the scenes the reason for An Nanyi’s failure to pass the assessment. Although he did feign illness and stayed in bed for two days, deceiving the audience, his fellow trainees didn’t believe him.
“Nan Nan, there’s something I don’t know if I should tell you…” Liu Yang’s expression was troubled, hesitant to speak.
An Nanyi put down his phone. “What is it?”
Liu Yang leaned close to his ear and whispered, “Everyone is saying behind your back that you were disqualified because you cheated. I don’t believe it, anyway. They’re too much, how can they say that about you!”
“Who said that?” An Nanyi’s face darkened.
Liu Yang, “I don’t know.”
An Nanyi’s heart was in turmoil. He suddenly remembered Lu Yuqi and Lin Qingyan subtly mocking him earlier…
“It’s just a rumour, I believe in you!”
“The performance song selections are about to be announced, let’s go.”
An Nanyi nodded heavily, his mind troubled.
After the theme song assessment came the first performance. Members of Class A could choose their preferred performance songs and form teams first, followed by Class B, and Class D last.
Lin Qingyan chose “Whale Turned into an Island.” He personally liked this song, and it suited his style. Lu Yuqi also chose this song, so they were a team.
Lin Qingyan was somewhat surprised. He thought Lu Yuqi would choose a more fiery song; that was his style. However, Young Master Lu simply put his hands in his pockets and said nonchalantly, “Want to try a different style, always doing the same thing is boring.”
Lin Qingyan said, “That’s true.”
However, to their surprise, An Nanyi also chose this song. Although he didn’t pass the theme song assessment, he was in Class B and ranked quite high.
Everyone chose independently, with no right to refuse, and Lin Qingyan could only calmly accept the fact.
An Nanyi seemed quite happy, smiling and saying, “Yuqi, Yan Yan, we’re on the same team now. Let’s work hard together.”
Lu Yuqi smiled ambiguously. “You need to work hard.”
An Nanyi said, “Yes, my skills are indeed inferior to yours, I will work hard and not hold you back.”
Lu Yuqi said, “Indeed.”