IDEI Ch23

It was the night of the rehearsal, and the trainees were each seizing the time to carry out their final practice.

The mentor collaboration stage wouldn’t have any eliminations, nor would there be any competition over vote rankings, so many trainees were initially very relaxed.

However, the serious attitude of the top-tier contestants towards the stage had undoubtedly influenced them, reigniting the competitive spirit in trainees who had grown somewhat weary halfway through the competition.

After the rehearsal, they were even more fired up. The makeup, styling, and stage effects for this round were unprecedentedly impressive, and their stage design was particularly innovative. As long as nothing went wrong, this would be a stage that people would talk about for years to come.

They definitely did not want to be the “flaws” that might appear on this stage!

“Xiao-ge!” Trainee Yan Zihao, sporting dreadlocks, hesitated as he started to speak.

“What is it?” Xiao Yingyi stopped his movements, grabbed a bottle of water from the side of the practice room, and raised his head to take a big gulp.

With his head tilted back and eyes half-closed, the pale skin of his neck faintly revealed blue veins, and his Adam’s apple moved swiftly as he swallowed…

Yan Zihao was almost mesmerized. Ever since Xiao-ge’s theme song MV was praised, earning him the title of “handsome human god,” it was like he had unlocked a hidden potential. He no longer pursued a refined appearance but had forcefully adjusted his lifestyle to be healthy.

By going to bed early, waking up early, controlling his diet, and undergoing intense training, Xiao Yingyi’s condition had only improved. Even without makeup, his skin was smooth and radiated a healthy glow, and his eyes were bright. His entire being exuded a vibrant and healthy beauty.

This caused his looks to level up several more times, making the trainees even more envious of his excellent condition.

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

Yan Zihao shook his head, coming back to his senses, but his expression was conflicted. “Xiao-ge, do you think I should listen to Qi… Ge and cut off my dreadlocks?”

He really liked his dreadlocks; they had made him more recognizable. But…

Dreadlocks really didn’t fit with this stage!

Earlier today, when Qi Yanning was doing his styling, he had asked Yan Zihao if he wanted to remove the dreadlocks and change his hairstyle. Yan had hesitated for a long time before refusing, but now, thinking about it, he felt a bit of regret.

“What do you think?” Instead of answering, Xiao Yingyi asked in return.

Seeing Yan Zihao’s increasingly conflicted expression, Xiao Yingyi patted his shoulder. “Look at me, Wei Mingzhe, Mo Jinghai, and the others. Think carefully—maybe you should trust Qi-ge.”

After saying this, he tugged at his collar and continued training.

Yan Zihao stayed conflicted until almost 9 p.m. When the training finally ended, on the way back to the dormitory, he tugged at his own hair and then turned to walk toward the styling room.

I’ll just go check! At this hour, Qi-ge should already be resting, so my hair won’t be touched.

Yan Zihao thought to himself.

But, whether it was luck or misfortune, the lights in the styling office were still on. The door wasn’t fully closed, leaving a small crack.

Through the crack, Yan Zihao could vaguely see Qi Yanning sitting at the conference table, head down, writing something.

He hesitated at the door for a while, and all the courage he had built up vanished, replaced by his previous inner conflict.

Until—

“Yan Zihao?” Qi Yanning’s voice came from behind the door.

Although it seemed like a question, his tone was full of certainty.

Yan Zihao froze. He took a deep breath and 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 confused.

He followed Qi Yanning’s footsteps, dazed, all the way to a styling room. Then, under Qi Yanning’s silent gaze, he sat down in the hairstyling chair.

“Once it’s undone, it can’t be restored. Are you sure you won’t regret it?” Qi Yanning casually played with a pair of haircutting scissors and raised an eyebrow as he asked.

Yan Zihao clenched his fists, feeling somewhat tragic, “Undo it!”

He really couldn’t bear to part with his dreadlocks, but he didn’t want them to become the most out-of-place element on the next stage, making him look like some exotic slave sold to the Central Plains.

Qi Yanning curled his lips, looking with interest at the dreadlocks that Yan Zihao had previously treasured so much.

He had seen such braids in his past life but had never undone one. However, the method wasn’t difficult, so Qi Yanning quickly got the hang of it.

His movements were very gentle, so Yan Zihao didn’t feel any discomfort. But as he watched his hair puff up after being unraveled, his vision nearly went black.

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

Very quickly, all his dreadlocks were completely undone.

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

“Wash it myself?” Yan Zihao pointed to himself in confusion. After a glance from Qi Yanning, he immediately became obedient. He walked to the washing area, awkwardly washed his own hair, and then, under Qi Yanning’s direction, blow-dried it until it was half-dry.

He wiped the wet collar with a towel and returned to his seat.

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

“You could always shave it into a buzz cut.”

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

He didn’t have a perfectly smooth, egg-like skull like Hai Ge. Shaving it all off? Who knew how ugly that would look.

Qi Yanning glanced at him with a faint smile and began working.

Terrified by Qi Yanning’s words, Yan Zihao’s heart was full of anxiety. He stared at Qi Yanning’s hands, afraid that if he didn’t pay attention, Qi Yanning would pick up the clippers and shave his head into a buzz cut.

But as the hairstyle gradually took shape, Yan Zihao’s eyes brightened more and more.

This…

He really liked it!

Qi Yanning had only trimmed a little of his long, rough ends, then took out a small box of colorful threads and beads.

His hands skillfully wove through Yan Zihao’s hair, and soon, little braids were woven into place.

The braids weren’t thick, just thin strands with threads mixed in, and the ends were adorned with beads.

After finishing a small section of braids, Qi Yanning tied the upper half of his hair, including the braids, into a high ponytail, leaving the lower half loose.

The top of his head was lifted, a few delicate braids fell beside his cheeks, and paired with Yan Zihao’s prominent brow bones and slightly gray eyes, he looked like a little prince from a foreign land, full of exotic charm.

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

He was born with striking bone structure, high brow bones, and deep eye sockets, and his gray irises made him look like a fierce wolf. But with his sharp chin and round lips, the fierceness of his brow softened, turning the ferocious wolf into a wolf pup.

This somewhat contradictory appearance didn’t suit the idol styles that emphasized approachability or coolness, but the dreadlocks had matched his features well, giving off a bold and edgy effect.

However, now, he had found a hairstyle that suited him even better!

Yan Zihao was extremely excited, turning the little braids beside his face with his fingers and touching the ponytail on top of his head.

“Wow, this is so cool! Qi-ge, your skills are incredible!” Yan Zihao spun around in his chair, wanting to thank Qi Yanning, but in his excitement, he accidentally bumped his head into Qi Yanning’s ribs.

“Hiss—”

“Ah, Qi-ge, I’m sorry! Are you okay?” Yan Zihao immediately jumped up, ready to help Qi Yanning, who was bending slightly in pain.

Qi Yanning sidestepped his movement and flashed a smile.

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

Yan Zihao didn’t understand why he suddenly asked that, but he answered without hesitation, “It looks good!”

“Good?” Qi Yanning’s smile widened a bit, “Since you’re satisfied, I won’t redo your hairstyle for tomorrow. You better take good care of it.”

Yan Zihao was instantly struck as if by lightning.

“Qi-ge, I was wrong, please forgive me!” Yan Zihao clasped his hands together and bowed pitifully.

For some reason, he always felt that this makeup artist, Qi-ge, had a certain aura that made him afraid to disobey.

Qi Yanning looked at him with a faint smile.

“Qi-ge~” He tried to act cute, but then saw the murderous intent in Qi Yanning’s eyes.

It was as if if he kept pushing, he’d end up as a stage prop tomorrow.

“Okay, Qi-ge! I’ll sleep standing up, I won’t mess up the hairstyle, I’m leaving now, good night, and I’m really sorry!!” He rattled off his words at rapper speed, fleeing in a hurry.

Qi Yanning pressed his ribs, which still hurt when he breathed, and let out a cold laugh.

This was really…

He had stayed behind out of kindness to change his hairstyle, yet ended up with a rib injury.

What a reckless little wolf cub, just like his appearance.

＊

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

Last night, his ribs had hurt continuously, affecting his sleep quality. The sleep-deprived Qi Yanning struggled to suppress his growing irritation, sitting there expressionless, as if surrounded by a dark aura. People came and went around him, but no one dared approach.

It wasn’t until Lou Yuxing’s group arrived that he finally stood up.

This time, Lou Yuxing’s group had drawn the opening position, so they had to start their styling shortly after noon.

By this time, Lou Yuxing had already finished his styling and was standing in front of the mirror, watching Qi Yanning apply makeup to Lin Zhiping.

Lin Zhiping’s styling was the most traditional opera makeup. Initially, she had been worried that Qi Yanning would create something inappropriate, but as time passed, she relaxed.

With some interest, she looked at Qi Yanning and asked, “Xiao Qi, where did you learn your craft?”

This stylist wasn’t just able to apply traditional opera makeup; he even used old techniques, clearly having studied them carefully.

Qi Yanning, still in pain, wasn’t in the mood for conversation. He only gave a slight smile without answering.

Of course, he knew the old techniques—back in the palace, the sixth prince, with his free-spirited nature, had loved acting, and since his elder brother, the emperor, doted on him, Qi Yanning had earnestly studied the skills for a while.

Seeing that Qi Yanning didn’t respond, Lin Zhiping tactfully stopped asking and simply sighed, “The younger generation is truly impressive.”

Their group’s styling was quickly finished. By then, the audience in front of the stage had already filled the seats, and everyone was eagerly awaiting the performance. The noise even reached the styling room.

After carefully checking their styling one last time, Lou Yuxing and his teammates quickly headed backstage to prepare.

He felt like the environment around him was incredibly noisy. Listening closely, he realized it was just his heart pounding fiercely.

He wanted to bite his lip, but thinking of his makeup, he forced himself to hold back, clenching both hands tightly instead.

Just when his anxiety was about to reach its peak, a cool hand gently reached out and patted his hand.

“Good child, don’t worry.” Lin Zhiping’s eyes were filled with a soothing smile.

Lou Yuxing took a deep breath, trying hard to suppress his nervousness.

This was his first time performing opera on stage after so many years; no one could disrupt this performance, not even himself!

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

The host’s announcement sounded, and the audience erupted in screams. Lou Yuxing took a deep breath and confidently walked toward the pitch-black stage!

＊

On stage, there was silence.

A weeping and pleading opera voice echoed in the darkness, and the spotlight shone on the figure in the center of the stage.

The person wore a long blue robe and stood sideways to the audience. His mouth opened and closed, and his clear opera voice instantly captured everyone’s attention.  

[Who is this? Lou Yuxing can sing opera too?]  

[Lou Yuxing! Wuwu, why did mom only just find out you can sing opera? How many surprises has my baby hidden?]  

[This singing voice has some substance.]  

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

Before the barrage of comments could ferment, the lights suddenly went out, and Lou Yuxing disappeared from the stage. 

Now the stage could be considered officially started. With the music, the story designed by the trainees began to unfold.

In chaotic times, people are like floating weeds; one moment they are noble lords, the next they become slaves of a fallen nation. Whether it is a commoner or a noble son, no one can escape the engulfing tide of the era. A few trainees conveyed this meaning to every audience member through dance and song.

As the song gradually reached the chorus, the trainees’ movements became more resounding. The floating people finally began to resist, and the intense yet synchronized dance was thrilling, except for one thing…

Where was Lou Yuxing?

The audience present was immersed in the stage and didn’t notice, but some people in the comments had already begun to protest.  

[Where’s Lou Yuxing?]  

[Lou Yuxing only has one line to open with? You really are something, Yuxing!]  

[Trainees with lower rankings have no rights, huh? The strangest makeup and the least lines, even disappearing from the stage the whole time!]  

[@YourStar, give an explanation!]

The barrage of doubts erupted like boiling water in a hot pot, and for a moment, the screen was filled with critical comments.

Some quick-handed marketing accounts and fans had already moved this issue to Star Blog, and the crowd was stirred up.

Until—

The second chorus ended.

The background music abruptly stopped, and the clear opera voice sounded again. This time, Lou Yuxing was surrounded.

Still standing sideways, still with an almost theatrical heavy makeup, he opened his mouth, fingers poised like orchids, singing an opera voice that fell like large and small pearls onto a jade plate.

The trainees around him moved, their actions conveying deep sorrow, one after another collapsing to the ground.

Finally, only he remained.

As the drama progressed, he turned around, stepping lightly as if on clouds, slowly circling, and gently uttering the last line of this operatic dialogue:  

“Thoughts are endless, grievances are endless, the moon of my homeland is bright, on which continent…”  

As the singing fell, the audience saw that Lou Yuxing was facing them with the other half of his face. 

On that half of his face, it was pure white.

Lou Yuxing had no expression at all, but a single crystal tear slowly rolled down his cheek.

The comments fell silent for a moment, then suddenly erupted!  

[！]  

[What the heck, what the heck, what the heck!]  

[Aaaahhh, what is this good thing!?]