Sang Qiao sat up in bed, wiping the cold sweat on his forehead.
He couldn't help but recall Fu Xingzhou and the big wolf dog he was walking.
He shuddered.
He definitely couldn't go back to sleep.
While cursing Fu Xingzhou under his breath, Sang Qiao got out of bed, went to the bathroom, brushed his teeth, and washed up.
Oh, it's five-twenty.
It was too early, the photographer hadn’t started working yet.
Sang Qiao put on a random shirt, not his uniform, and groggily left the dorm and went downstairs.
Apart from the staff preparing breakfast, he was the only trainee in the canteen.
The aunt who served the food had become familiar with Sang Qiao recently and greeted him eagerly from afar, "You're here for breakfast so early again?"
Sang Qiao yawned widely, picked up his white porcelain bowl from the sterilizer, and went to the aunt to scoop out an extra date from the millet and red date porridge for himself. She also added two King of Kings ham sausages as a bonus.
Sang Qiao then got some side dishes, grabbed a Chinese steamed bun, and added some Old Godmother sauce.
He sat back at the table, all cheerful, ready to eat. Suddenly, he remembered that he had promised Fang Yuzhou to wake him up after he finished eating.
Since it wasn't yet time to use his phone, Sang Qiao, feeling too lazy to go upstairs and keep his word, sat quietly in his seat, and soon finished the Chinese steamed bun with ham sausage and Old Godmother sauce.
Just as he was about to eat another one, someone lightly tapped him from behind.
The next second.
Fang Yuzhou sat next to Sang Qiao, holding a tray. "Didn't we agree last night that you would wake me up?"
In Fang Yuzhou's tray, there was only a bowl of clear-looking millet porridge, a cup of skimmed milk, two slices of whole wheat bread, and a boiled egg.
He turned to Sang Qiao with a smile, "You sly eater, eating alone."
Sang Qiao: "..."
Though Sang Qiao always had a thick skin, going back on what she promised was a little embarrassing.
She had eaten a sausage given to her by the cafeteria lady, and there was one left on her plate.
Sang Qiao looked reluctant as she gazed at the remaining sausage. She pushed it towards Fang Yuzhou and asked, "Mm, want to eat one? I'll share it with you."
Fang Yuzhou was taken aback, then raised his eyebrows, "Do you know when was the last time I shared food with someone at the table?"
Uninterested in the last sausage, Sang Qiao pursed her lips and opened the second steamed bun, spreading on some spicy sauce.
Fang Yuzhou turned his head to see Sang Qiao's perky nose, "It was when I was in middle school."
Sang Qiao: "..."
Sang Qiao confiscated the sausage, "Fine, I won't eat it."
"Eat, eat, eat!"
Fang Yuzhou quickly took the sausage back from Sang Qiao, unwrapped it, stuffed it into a bread slice, and cracked the boiled egg on the table, saying to Sang Qiao, "As a repayment, let me peel an egg for you?"
Sang Qiao shook her head, "No, I don't like eggs."
Fang Yuzhou had many questions, "Then what do you like to eat? I'll take you out to eat in the future."
Sang Qiao cautiously glanced at Fang Yuzhou and slowly said, "Caring inquiries are no match for a hefty sum of money."
Fang Yuzhou laughed, then leaned in closer to Sang Qiao, "Want big brother to support you?"
Sang Qiao: "..."
Maybe.
But not necessary.
Especially since it was in the program, and a few days ago, Xu qiran had just called to remind Sang Qiao not to cause trouble.
Not for anything else, just for the three thousand yuan salary the company paid her every month.
Sang Qiao also firmly adhered to the basic principle of not coveting money from other trainees and keeping a distance from them, including Fang Yuzhou.
As the time to get up drew near, more trainees came to the cafeteria for meals.
Sang Qiao quickly finished the last steamed bun, handed her tray to the cleaning lady, and prepared to return to the training room for stretching.
Fang Yuzhou also handed over his tray, followed Sang Qiao out of the cafeteria, and said casually, "I forgot to mention just now, Qiao Qiao, you look great in this color of clothes."
Sang Qiao had forgotten that she wasn't wearing her uniform today; she looked down and realized the coincidence.
Today, the shirt she had pulled out of the wardrobe in the dark was the same style as the one Zhuan Hui had, but in a different color.
The one she had given Zhuan Hui was peacock blue, and hers was pomegranate orange.
Fang Yuzhou was obviously very knowledgeable about luxury brands. As they walked together, he said, "His brand's latest collection also has a jacket in this color. We can wear it together next time..."
Before he finished speaking, Sang Qiao and Fang Yuzhou saw Zhuan Hui walking towards the cafeteria from the other side.
Zhuan Hui was wearing a dark green windbreaker today, and his gold-rimmed glasses were perched on his nose, giving him a clean and upright look.
Sang Qiao and Fang Yuzhou were about to leave the cafeteria, while Zhuan Hui seemed to be heading in.
The three of them met face to face.
"Sang teacher, good morning," Sang Qiao greeted Zhuan Hui in a sophisticated manner.
Zhuan Hui nodded slightly, as if he wanted to say something but then noticed Fang Yuzhou next to Sang Qiao, "Excuse me, can I have a word with you?"
Sang Qiao really didn't want to have a word with Zhuan Hui.
He had been scared of Zhuan Hui's training recently, and even dreamed of doing a split in the middle of the night.
Before Sang Qiao could hesitate, Fang Yuzhou stood in front of him, "Teacher Zhuan, we are off to training now. Qiao Qiao is a member of my team right now, you can't just pull her away like this, can you?"
The three were positioned at a corridor directly facing the cafeteria, where staff were preparing to start recording, and trainees were returning to the training room after eating.
Zhuan Hui furrowed his brow, "I need to talk to Sang Qiao."
Fang Yuzhou was almost the same height as Zhuan Hui, but their styles were completely different, "Then why not wait until we finish training? Teacher Zhuan, you know how precious the training time of the trainees is."
Zhuan Hui: "..."
Kong Qiao: "..."
Onlookers: "..."
Yi Chu, who had just unintentionally passed by while going upstairs: "..."
Zhuang Hui's stellar career path has always been smooth, and hardly anyone has ever confronted him directly. His expression turned unpleasant immediately, "Fang Yuzhou, what is this attitude?"
Fang Yuzhou saluted Zhuang Hui in a mocking manner, "Teacher Zhuang, it's not about my attitude. You asked me to train separately, and as the team captain, I cannot agree."
Zhuang Hui: "..."
Zhuang Hui has never been particularly eloquent, and he is now looking black-faced under Fang Yuzhou's retorts.
After a while, Zhuang Hui looked at Kong Qiao directly, "Are you going with him or coming with me?"
Kong Qiao: "???
The bystanders' eyes that were originally on Zhuang Hui and Fang Yuzhou all turned to Kong Qiao.
Kong Qiao glanced at Zhuang Hui, then at Fang Yuzhou, and made the final decision as the senior team member.
He then nudged Fang Yuzhou's arm, "You go back to the training room first."
Fang Yuzhou also had an unpleasant expression.
Kong Qiao quickly added, with a reliable tone, "If Teacher Zhuang teaches me any unique skills or winning moves, I will definitely come back to teach you all!"
Fang Yuzhou: "..."
D-class, who the hell wants to see some unique skills!
Fang Yuzhou turned and left.
Zhuang Hui's expression improved slightly, and he was the first to take steps toward a place where surveillance cameras could not reach.
Kong Qiao had just taken a few steps after, he was stopped by Yi Chu, who had been standing nearby for a long time.
The expression on Yi Chu's face was quite subtle, and he didn't dare speak loudly in front of others, "Kong Qiao, pay attention!"
Kong Qiao: "???"
Kong Qiao really couldn't understand why life was so difficult this morning, and lowered his voice in response to Yi Chu, "What should I pay attention to?"
Yi Chu couldn't be direct and could only hint, "Tell me, what color is the uniform of the D-class?"
Kong Qiao blinked, "Emerald green?"
Yi Chu felt that the child could be taught and nodded, "What color is on my brother's head?"
Kong Qiao's eyes were full of admiration, "The golden glow of wealth?"
Yi Chu: "..."
Forget it.
It's hopeless.
Yi Chu looked at Kong Qiao and Zhuang Hui leaving together, feeling that Fu Xingzhou was emitting a green light from head to waistband.
To prevent his future self from looking even worse, Yi Chu decided to call his brother.
Knowing Fu Xingzhou, his cousin, doesn't like others calling his private phone directly.
So after thinking for a while, Yi Chu called Raven first.
The assistant answered the call promptly, "Young Master Chu?"
Yi Chu hadn't figured out how to tell Fu Xingzhou about the green light, so he hesitated, "Raven, are you busy with work recently?"
The environment on Raven's end of the call was very quiet, and he politely responded, "Young Master Chu, the boss is sick. If it's not urgent, I'll hang up the call."
Yi Chu: "???"
Yi Chu was shocked, "Is my brother sick?!"
This was even more shocking than the sun rising in the south!
Only the heavens, the earth, and Yi Chu knew that Fu Xingzhou had an ironclad exercise regimen and a robot-like precise daily routine. Over the years, he had never been sick.
For a moment, Yi Chu forgot to inform Kong Qiao and exclaimed, "Quickly, Raven, tell me who knocked my brother down!"
Raven: "..."
This earth-shattering plastic brotherly relationship also shocked Raven.
After a while, he said, "I'm not very sure about the details. It's just that the family's servants said that last night, sir seemed to have consumed unsanitary chicken soup. He had an acute appendicitis this morning and may need surgery."
Yi Chu: "???"
Yi Chu was stunned, "Is this poisoned chicken soup?"
Raven seemed very busy and had no time to chat with Yi Chu, "I haven't been able to contact Mr. Sang on his phone. If Young Master Chu is available, please convey the message to Mr. Sang, asking him to come to the hospital when he's free."
Yi Chu: "..."
Yi Chu took a glance at the figures of Sang Qiao and Zhuang Hui disappearing at the emergency exit, feeling more and more worried for his brother.
Except for some secluded corners, the office building used for filming was equipped with cameras in all the areas where people usually passed through.
Zhuang Hui stopped in the stairwell, turned around, and spoke to Sang Qiao first, "I'm sorry for suddenly calling you over."
Sang Qiao had been training under Zhuang Hui's strict demands for the past two weeks, and was super unaccustomed to him suddenly being polite. He took a step back nervously and said, "No need to apologize… uh, I mean, Teacher Zhuang, you don't have to feel sorry about it."
Zhuang Hui, with his good education and manners, particularly now, spoke quite gently, "It's about the time when I took your clothes."
Only then did Sang Qiao notice that Zhuang Hui was still holding a paper bag in his hand.
It was tightly sealed, filled with the aloof aura that surrounded Zhuang Hui.
Zhuang Hui handed the bag to Sang Qiao, "I forgot to give this to you last time, but it's already been washed."
Sang Qiao took it casually, "Ah, Teacher Zhuang, did you call me over for this? You could have given it to me in front of Fang Yuzhou as well."
However, Zhuang Hui shook his head gently, "It's not just about this."
Sang Qiao: ?
Zhuang Hui opened his palm in front of Sang Qiao, revealing the same white little medicine bottle from yesterday, "Are you really not taking it?"
Sang Qiao's expression changed, followed by a smile, "Teacher Zhuang, I've already told you, I really don't know this bottle."
Zhuang Hui calmly looked at Sang Qiao for a while, seemingly not intending to press the matter, and took back the medicine bottle, "My friend happened to be visiting my house that day and saw this bottle. He said the medicine inside is all prescription, and doctors wouldn't prescribe it carelessly."
Sang Qiao pursed his lips.
Zhuang Hui said, "So he advised me to return the medicine to its owner, to avoid any issues with the treatment."
Of course, it was necessary.
Prescription psychotropic drugs are subject to strict regulations, both in prescribing and taking them, to prevent drug abuse, and each dose should be strictly documented.
Unfortunately, Sang Qiao was an experienced old patient who had fought with doctors many times.
Therefore, Sang Qiao wasn't intimidated by Zhuang Hui's words, but instead smiled and nodded, "Teacher Zhuang, you are absolutely right. The owner must be very anxious!"
Zhuang Hui: …
Sang Qiao, with a sincere look on his face, said, "Should I help you look for the owner as well?"
Zhuang Hui: …
Zhuang Hui, who came from a distinguished family, was a typical well-educated gentleman, and naturally couldn't compare to Sang Qiao in terms of shamelessness.
After a few minutes of stalemate, Zhuang Hui shook his head and put the medicine bottle back in his pocket, "In that case, let's consider it a mistake."
Sang Qiao finally breathed a sigh of relief and was about to bid farewell to Teacher Zhuang.
However, Zhuang Hui suddenly said, "You look good in this color."
Sang Qiao looked down at his clothes, "Th-thank you, Teacher?"
Zhuang Hui: "This style suits you as well."
Sang Qiao:…
Sang Qiao couldn't immediately figure out Zhuang Hui's meaning, so he skillfully gave a timeless flattery, "No, no, you look the best. The most handsome in the world. You are the most good-looking in the entire show!"
Zhuang Hui: …
Perhaps amused by Sang Qiao, Zhuang Hui took a step forward, brushing against Sang Qiao's shoulder and standing face to face with him.
Zhuang Hui was taller than Sang Qiao, and from Sang Qiao's perspective, he could just reach Zhuang Hui's nose.
Zhuang Hui said, "Tell a grand lie."
Sang Qiao looked confused, "Huh?"
Zhuang Hui said, "Tell a big lie."
Sang Qiao: … Oh.
Nowadays, program directors are really becoming more and more toxic.
The stairwell floor was not wooden, and there were no handrails on the walls.
When Sang Qiao took the first step downward, he didn't maintain his balance and staggered.
Just as he was about to fall, a strong arm grabbed him and steadied him.
Zhuang Hui's voice came from above, "Find your balance."
Sang Qiao: … Okay, Teacher.
Zhuang Hui slowly let go of his hand, lifted the corners of his lips, and said, "Did Fang Yuzhou tell you to teach them my tricks when you go back?"
Sang Qiao: ???
Zhuang Hui: "Make them squat and watch you."
Sang Qiao: …
Ning is really bored.
He stayed like that for almost fifteen minutes.
Sang Qiao simply couldn't hold on.
Zhuang Hui finally pulled him up and said, "Practice hard, you have talent. Although you have wasted many years, it's enough to mix in this circle."
Sang Qiao's legs were sore, and he walked out of the stairwell looking disheveled and pitiful as if he had just been abused.
The two went their separate ways.
Sang Qiao went back to class A's training room, while Zhuang Hui went to class D following the schedule.
Time for the performance was tight, and Fang Yuzhou and Jiang Tong had already preliminarily arranged the formation for class A last night.
As soon as Sang Qiao entered the training room, Jiang Tong said, "The most outstanding student favored by Teacher Zhuang is back?"
Sang Qiao felt like he had twisted his leg when he did the big bend, and it was so painful that he didn't have time to pay attention to Jiang Tong, so he just found his place and stood there steadily.
Jiang Tong didn't look very good, and before he could say anything else, Fang Yuzhou turned back and glanced at him.
In the end, Jiang Tong snorted coldly and said nothing.
Class A's training was intense, and the practice time was long and dense.
Coupled with Sang Qiao's weak basic skills, his overall strength was somewhat lacking compared to class A, making training even more challenging.
After returning from the training room, Sang Qiao felt as if his skin had been peeled off.
When he wearily returned to the dormitory entrance, he saw Yi Chu standing by the door frame.
Sang Qiao: "......"
Leaning against the door, Sang Qiao took a deep breath and said wearily, "Mr. Yi, what do you have to advise me?"
Yi Chu chuckled, "I wouldn't dare to offer advice. I just came to tell you two things."
Sang Qiao: "?"
Yi Chu shook his phone, "Class A is busy, so you don't have time to retrieve your phone tonight, right?"
Sang Qiao, feeling sore all over, shook his head.
Yi Chu said contentedly, "That's great. Let me tell you the first thing. You're trending on Weibo. In the prime time, it's a hot topic. Are you surprised?"
Sang Qiao: "......"
Out of his sixth sense developed over many years in society, Sang Qiao always felt that this trending topic was not a good thing.
And as expected.
Yi Chu continued, "But it's being flooded with negative comments."
Sang Qiao: "......"
Yi Chu: "Do you know why you're being criticized?"
Sang Qiao, tired after a long day, had a hoarse throat, but his expression was quite normal, even a bit lazy, as he said, "Why?"
Yi Chu gave Sang Qiao a thumbs up, "Simple, you're being criticized by two groups of people, one is Fang Yuzhou's fans, and the other is Zhuang Hui's fans."
Sang Qiao: "......"
Yi Chu also had plenty of experience in being criticized, and he shared with Sang Qiao, "You should know you have CP fans with Fang Yuzhou, right? That's right, Fang Yuzhou's dedicated fans have been wanting to criticize you for a long time, and this time they finally got their chance."
Yi Chu paused before saying, "But they're not the most important. It's Zhuang Hui's fans who are the majority."
"After all, he's the 'Emperor', he's handsome with real talent. Today, they found out something interesting from behind-the-scenes footage from the show."
Sang Qiao shook his head, honestly saying he didn't know.
Yi Chu said, "They found out that you and them have matching couple shirts, same style but different colors, and they're even from the upcoming collection for the next season. And there are big fans who used to support them but are now criticizing you, saying they saw you two alone in the training room at 1am."
Sang Qiao: "......"
Yi Chu clapped his hands, "Sang Qiao, it's not me saying this, but you have some guts! You're flirting with Zhuang Hui on one hand, and with Fang Yuzhou on the other, stirring up a CP frenzy that's become extremely popular. Have you ever considered my brother's feelings?"
Sang Qiao: "......"
No, man, your brother and I are just messing around.
We haven't even shared a pure and clean bed.
Sang Qiao was feeling really aggrieved.
But he didn't say anything.
Yi Chu didn't know if he had misinterpreted the subtle expression on Sang Qiao's face, and paused for a few seconds before saying, "Sang Qiao, for the sake of the batch of autographed photos you got from me and for being my fan, I advise you, don't provoke Fu Xingzhou."
Sang Qiao: "......"
Yi Chu finished the warning, then changed the subject, "I had my manager look into it, and it turns out your trending topic is artificially boosted. Someone must have paid to smear you. Think about whether you've offended anyone recently."
Sang Qiao racked his brains and thought for quite a while.
Yi Chu: "Found anything?"
Sangqiao is very sincere: "No, too many people to offend."
Yichu: "..."
Yichu sighed, "I'm most afraid of sudden scandals on this kind of show. Now, someone online is naming you as a flirtatious person with a bad character. Maybe the production team will have a talk with you tomorrow."
Sangqiao remained calm, already preparing to quickly go back to the company to get his pension.
Yichu, however, said, "But you have a way out."
Sangqiao: "??"
Yichu's eyes flickered with gossip, "As long as you have the courage, just ask my brother to help you out. There's an old saying in the industry, do you know what it is?"
Sangqiao earnestly asked, "I don't know."
Yichu nodded in satisfaction, "It's called, 'There is no price you can't afford, and there's nothing that Fushitou can't handle. Fu Xingzhou is always the person who controls the balance.'"
Sangqiao: "It sounds a little melodramatic. Anyway, is the tyrant who controls the balance still in the office?"
Yichu: "..."
No, he's not.
The tyrant drank a bowl of chicken soup and went into the operating room.
Author's note: Fu Xingzhou: Who is it? Who bullied my wife during my surgery!
Fu Xingzhou: Huh, where's my wife?
Fu Xingzhou: Why do those in the viral videos look so much like my wife???