IDEI Ch23

It was the evening of the dress rehearsal, and the trainees were making the most of their time for final practice.

The mentor collaboration stage involved no eliminations and no competition for ranking votes, so many trainees had originally felt quite relaxed.

However, the mentors’ earnest dedication to the stage undoubtedly rubbed off on them, reigniting a fiercely competitive drive among the trainees who had grown somewhat fatigued midway through the competition.

After the rehearsal, their enthusiasm burned even brighter. The styling, makeup, and stage art were unprecedentedly spectacular this time, and their stage choreography was uniquely innovative. Barring any accidents, these would become classic stages talked about with relish for years to come.

None of them wanted to be the flaw that marred such a stage!

“Xiao-ge!” Trainee Yan Zihao, sporting a head of dreadlocks, hesitated, looking like he wanted to say something.

“What is it?” Xiao Yingyi paused his practice, grabbed a bottle of water from the side of the dance studio, tipped his head back, and chugged it.

With his head tilted back and eyes half-closed, faint blue veins showed beneath the pale skin of his neck, his Adam’s apple bobbing rapidly with each swallow.

Yan Zihao was almost transfixed watching him. Ever since their Xiao-ge had turned things around and been hailed as a handsome, grounded guy in the theme song MV, it was as if he had cleared all his energy channels. He no longer chased overly delicate aesthetics, instead strictly adjusting his daily routine into a healthy lifestyle.

Early to bed, early to rise, a disciplined diet, and intense physical training had made Xiao Yingyi’s condition better by the day. Even bare-faced, his skin was smooth and radiant with healthy color, his eyes sparkling, exuding a full, vibrant vitality from head to toe.

This elevated his visual appeal by several levels, putting him in a state that left the other trainees deeply envious.

“What are you spacing out for?” Xiao Yingyi set down his water bottle and waved a hand in front of Yan Zihao.

Yan Zihao shook his head to snap out of it, looking torn. “Xiao-ge, do you think I should listen to Qi… ge, and cut off my dreadlocks?”

He loved his dreadlocks, and they gave him plenty of recognition. But…

Dreadlocks truly did not fit this stage!

Earlier today, when Qi Yanning was styling him, he had asked whether he wanted to get rid of the dreadlocks and switch hairstyles. After agonizing over it, he had declined, but thinking back now, he felt a wave of regret.

“What do you think?” Xiao Yingyi asked in return.

Seeing Yan Zihao grow increasingly conflicted, Xiao Yingyi patted his shoulder. “Look at me, Wei Mingzhe, and Mo Jinghai. Think carefully about whether you want to trust Qi-ge.”

With that, he tugged at his collar and resumed practicing.

Yan Zihao agonized all the way until nearly nine o’clock. When training finally wrapped up, on his way back to the dorms, he ruffled his head, turned around, and walked toward the styling room.

I’ll just go take a look! At this hour, Qi-ge should already be resting, so I won’t have to touch my hair after all, Yan Zihao thought to himself.

Yet, whether by luck or misfortune, the lights in the styling office were still on. The door wasn’t fully closed, left slightly ajar.

Through the crack in the door, Yan Zihao could faintly see Qi Yanning seated at the conference table, his head down as he wrote something.

He hesitated at the doorway for a long while. The courage he had mustered completely evaporated, and indecision took over once more.

Until—

“Yan Zihao?” Qi Yanning’s voice drifted through the door. Though phrased like a question, his tone was entirely certain.

Yan Zihao froze. Taking a deep breath, he pushed open the office door.

“I…”

“Let’s go.” Just as Yan Zihao was about to speak, Qi Yanning had already stood up.

Go where? Yan Zihao looked utterly bewildered.

Following Qi Yanning’s footsteps, he arrived in a styling room in a daze. Then, prompted by Qi Yanning’s glance, he sat in the styling chair in the hair section.

“Once they’re undone, they can’t be put back. Are you sure you won’t regret it?” Qi Yanning casually twirled a pair of hair-styling shears, arching an eyebrow.

Yan Zihao clenched his fists, feeling rather solemn and tragic. “Take them out!”

He truly hated parting with his dreadlocks, but he didn’t want them to become the most discordant element on the upcoming stage, making him look like a Kunlun slave sold to the Central Plains.

Qi Yanning curved his lips, looking with interest at the dreadlocks Yan Zihao had treasured so dearly.

He had seen braids like this in his past life, though he had never untangled them. The principle wasn’t difficult, however, and Qi Yanning got the hang of it quickly.

His technique was exceptionally gentle, causing Yan Zihao no discomfort at all, though watching his hair puff up into a frizzy explosion as it was unraveled made his vision go dark.

Yan Zihao could only pray silently in his heart that Qi-ge wouldn’t botch it.

Soon, the entire head of dreadlocks was completely undone.

“Go wash your hair,” Qi Yanning clapped his hands and instructed.

“Wash it myself?” Yan Zihao pointed at himself in confusion, but under a single glance from Qi Yanning, he became instantly obedient. He walked over to the wash basin, washed his hair somewhat awkwardly, and blow-dried it until it was half-dry under Qi Yanning’s direction.

Dabbing at his damp collar with a towel, he returned to his seat.

“I’ll style tomorrow’s stage look,” Qi Yanning lifted a strand of hair with his fingers, looking at him through the mirror. “If you don’t like it…”

“We can always shave it into a buzz cut.”

Yan Zihao’s eyes widened instantly, and he shook his head furiously.

He didn’t possess Hai-ge’s skull shape that was as perfectly rounded as a braised egg. A buzz cut? God only knew how hideous that would look.

Qi Yanning cast him a half-smile and got to work.

Frightened by Qi Yanning’s words, Yan Zihao felt entirely on edge, keeping his eyes glued to Qi Yanning’s hands, terrified that if he blinked, Qi Yanning might pick up the clippers and shave his head.

Yet as the hairstyle gradually took shape, Yan Zihao’s eyes grew brighter and brighter.

This…

He loved it so much!

Qi Yanning only lightly trimmed the overgrown, frayed ends of his hair, before producing a small box filled with various colored threads and beads.

His hands wove deftly through Yan Zihao’s hair, and before long, slender braids began to emerge.

The braids weren’t thick, but thin and delicate, interwoven with threads and accented with beads at the tips.

After braiding several sections, Qi Yanning paused, gathering the upper portion of his hair along with the braids into a high ponytail, letting the lower section cascade loosely down.

With the crown lifted and a few fine braids framing both sides of his face, paired with Yan Zihao’s prominent brow bone and grayish eyes, he looked like a young prince from a foreign tribe, overflowing with exotic allure.

There was a reason Yan Zihao had loved dreadlocks so much before.

His bone structure was naturally three-dimensional, with a high brow bone and deep-set eye sockets; his grayish pupils made him look like a ferocious wolf. Yet he had a pointed chin and rounded lips, which softened the ferocity of his gaze, instantly turning the fierce wolf into a wolf pup.

Such contradictory features didn’t suit standard idol looks that emphasized approachable charm or sleek coolness. Only dreadlocks had matched his appearance, carrying an inherent brashness.

Now, however, he had found a hairstyle far better suited to him!

Yan Zihao was thrilled, twirling the thin braids at his cheeks with his fingers and patting the ponytail atop his head.

“Whoa, so cool! Qi-ge, your skills are unbelievable!” Yan Zihao spun the chair around, wanting to thank Qi Yanning, but in his excitement, he rammed his head directly into Qi Yanning’s ribs.

“Hiss…”

“Ah, Qi-ge, I’m so sorry! Are you okay?!” Yan Zihao sprang up in an instant, moving to support Qi Yanning, who had bent slightly forward.

Qi Yanning turned aside to avoid his touch, a smile blooming on his face.

“Does the hairstyle look good?” His tone was remarkably gentle.

Yan Zihao didn’t know why he asked so suddenly, but replied without hesitation, “It looks great!”

“Looks great?” The curve of Qi Yanning’s lips widened slightly. “Since you’re satisfied, we won’t redo it tomorrow. Be sure to keep it intact tonight.”

Yan Zihao felt struck by lightning.

“Qi-ge, I was wrong, please have mercy!” Yan Zihao clasped his hands together in a pitiful bow.

For some reason, he always felt this stylist Qi-ge possessed a unique aura that made him afraid to defy him.

Qi Yanning looked at him with an ambiguous smile.

“Qi-ge~” He tried to plead further, but caught the murderous glint in Qi Yanning’s eyes.

As if, were he to pester him any longer, he might end up on stage tomorrow as an inanimate prop.

“Okay Qi-ge I’ll sleep standing up and never mess up the hairstyle I’ll take my leave now goodnight so sorry!!” Spitting out words at a rapper’s breakneck speed, he fled in panic.

Pressing a hand against his ribs, which hurt even when inhaling, Qi Yanning let out a cold chuckle.

Truly…

Out of kindness he had stayed late waiting to restyle his hair, only to earn an injury for his trouble.

Just like his looks, a reckless little wolf pup.

*

The next day, Qi Yanning arrived at the styling room very early.

His ribs had ached continuously after returning last night, severely affecting his sleep. Having rested poorly, Qi Yanning tried his best to suppress his short temper. He sat expressionless, as if emitting a dense, dark aura from behind him; people bustling around didn’t dare approach him at all.

Only when Lou Yuxing’s group arrived did he finally stand up.

This time, Lou Yuxing’s group had drawn the opening slot, so their styling had to begin just after noon.

By now, Lou Yuxing’s styling was complete, and he stood before the mirror watching Qi Yanning apply makeup to Lin Zhiping.

Lin Zhiping’s look was orthodox theatrical opera makeup. She had originally worried Qi Yanning might produce an awkward, mismatched effect, but as time passed, her mind was set at ease.

Looking at Qi Yanning with keen interest, she asked, “Xiao Qi, from whom did you learn this craft?”

This stylist could not only execute traditional theatrical makeup, but his techniques were old, authentic methods that clearly came from rigorous training.

Still enduring the pain in his ribs, Qi Yanning had no desire to converse. He merely curved his lips without answering.

Of course he knew the old methods. In the palace of his past life, the Sixth Prince had been untamed and loved dabbling in theatrical roles; his older brother, the Emperor, doted on him, so Qi Yanning had spent a considerable period studying the art painstakingly.

Seeing that Qi Yanning didn’t reply, Lin Zhiping tactfully dropped the subject, merely sighing with admiration, “The younger generation is truly formidable.”

The group’s styling was soon completed. Out front, the audience seats beneath the stage were completely packed, everyone waiting with eager anticipation for this visual and auditory feast. The ambient roar even reached the styling room.

After Qi Yanning inspected every single look in detail, Lou Yuxing and his teammates headed backstage to stand by.

The surroundings felt deafeningly loud to him, but listening closely, it was actually his own heart pounding violently.

He felt an urge to bite his lip, but remembering his makeup, he forced himself not to, merely clasping his hands tightly together.

Just as his anxiety peaked, a cool, gentle hand reached out and patted the back of his hand.

“Good child, don’t worry,” Lin Zhiping’s eyes were filled with reassuring warmth.

Lou Yuxing took a deep breath, fighting to suppress his nerves.

This was his first time performing opera on stage after so many years. No one could be allowed to ruin this performance, not even himself!

“Let us welcome the first performance, ‘Life’!”

The host’s announcement rang out, met by a sea of screams from the audience. Lou Yuxing took a deep breath and stepped resolutely onto the pitch-black stage!

*

On stage, utter silence fell.

A plaintive, weeping operatic vocal pierced the darkness as a spotlight struck a figure in the center of the stage.

Dressed in a teal robe, he stood in profile to the audience below. As his lips moved, the crystal-clear operatic timbre immediately captured everyone’s attention.

[Who is this? Your Star has someone who can sing opera?]

[Lou Yuxing! Wuwuwu, why is Mama only finding out now that you can sing opera? Just how many surprises have you been hiding, baby!]

[This opera vocal, he really has skills]

[Sounds amazing, looks great, but isn’t this makeup a bit too heavy?]

Before the doubts in the bullet comments could ferment, the stage lights abruptly cut out, and Lou Yuxing vanished from view.

Only now did the performance truly begin. As the music swelled, the narrative designed by the trainees began to unfold.

In a chaotic era, humans were like drifting duckweed and blades of grass. One moment a noble lord, the next an enslaved captive of a fallen nation. Whether peddlers, laborers, or princes of royal blood, none could escape being swept up in the tides of the era. Through dance and song, the trainees conveyed this truth to every viewer.

As the song approached the chorus, the trainees’ choreography grew resolute and forceful. The people adrift like duckweed finally began to resist. The fierce, synchronized dancing was intensely thrilling to watch, save for one detail…

Where was Lou Yuxing?

The live audience, absorbed in the stage, didn’t notice, but viewers in the bullet comments began protesting.

[Where is Lou Yuxing?]

[Lou Yuxing only gets one line at the start? Your Star, you’re really something!]

[Lower-ranked trainees get zero human rights, huh? The weirdest styling, the fewest lines, and he vanished for the entire stage!]

[@YourStar, give us an explanation!]

Doubts exploded across the screen like water splashed into boiling oil, flooding the stream with protests.

Quick-fingered marketing accounts and fans had already reposted the grievance to Xingbo, sparking widespread outrage.

Until—

The end of the second chorus.

The backing music cut out abruptly, and clear operatic singing rang out once more. This time, Lou Yuxing was framed at the center.

Still positioned in profile, still wearing that intensely saturated theatrical makeup, his fingers shaped into an orchid gesture as the operatic vocals rolled from his lips like pearls falling onto a jade plate.

The trainees around him danced, their movements laden with profound sorrow, collapsing one after another.

In the end, he was the only one left standing.

Following the theatrical rhythm, he turned back, moving with delicate cloud-steps as he traced a light circle, his voice carrying the final line of the passage:

“Longing lingers on, sorrow lingers on; over which land does the bright moon of my lost nation now shine…”

As the final operatic note faded, the audience saw Lou Yuxing turning the other half of his face toward the crowd.

That half of his face was completely bare and pale.

Lou Yuxing wore no expression, yet a single crystalline tear slowly rolled down his cheek.

The bullet comments fell silent for a beat, before exploding into frenzy!

[!]

[HOLY CRAP HOLY CRAP HOLY CRAP]

[Ahhhhh what kind of masterpiece is this!]