Bai Yin walked into the classroom with the bell.
Tang Yu glanced at her, with a threatening look in her eyes.
Bai Yin smiled calmly at her, then sat down in her seat.
Sheng XiRan was miserable, her whole body covered in tomato juice. She had to go back and wash her hair, change her clothes and redo her makeup, taking a full two hours.
It was almost the end of the speech class when she hurried over.
The class was already over. Tang Yu expressionlessly announced, "Sheng XiRan, speech class, zero points."
Everyone gasped.
It was known that each course was worth 100 points. Usually if the trainees were a few minutes late, they would only lose 3-10 points.
But this time, Sheng XiRan's 100 points were completely deducted.
This meant that no matter how hard she tried in the following classes, she was destined to have the lowest score in this training camp.
The points were directly related to the resources an artist would get when first signed. Sheng XiRan couldn't take this lying down. She immediately got angry and tried to argue with Tang Yu, "This is all because of Bai Yin! I only went back to change clothes because of her! Why am I the only one being punished?"
Tang Yu sternly said, "You are being punished because you were two hours late, it has nothing to do with anyone else."
"Then what about Bai Yin! She caused me to be late. Shouldn't she be punished too?"
Tang Yu looked at Bai Yin, "What happened?"
Bai Yin stood up from her seat and told the truth, "Sheng XiRan splashed tomato juice on me, so I retaliated."
Sheng XiRan insisted, "It was an accident for me, but you did it on purpose!"
"I don't care if you did it intentionally or not." Her indifferent gaze swept across the other trainees in the studio, "Provoke me, and this is what you get."
Sheng XiRan agitatedly said to Tang Yu, "Coach, isn't she too arrogant?"
Tang Yu walked over to Bai Yin and saw the faint tomato juice stains on her training clothes. It should have been washed off in the bathroom.
She looked up and met Bai Yin's eyes.
That glance even held a faint appreciation.
Tang Yu turned to Sheng XiRan, "Bai Yin did not affect the class with personal matters, nor was she late, so there is no reason to deduct her class points."
"Coach Tang, aren't you being biased here!"
"You really shouldn't be unsatisfied. Bai Yin also got her clothes dirty, but she chose the class over her image, while you..." Tang Yu coldly smiled, "went back and spent a full two hours grooming! When it could have clearly been done in half an hour."
Sheng XiRan was rendered speechless.
Indeed, she had been lazy, thinking that since she was already late, she would just push all the blame onto Bai Yin later anyway, so she was in no hurry changing and washing up.
She didn't expect that not only did Tang Yu deduct all her speech class points, but she also didn't punish Bai Yin!
Sheng XiRan was furious, like an angry pufferfish, but she was helpless and could only leave the classroom in a huff, preparing to tattle to her CEO dad.
...
After everyone left the classroom, Tang Yu did not leave.
Bai Yin thought about it, and also stayed behind.
Tang Yu looked at her meaningfully and curiously asked, "Oh? Not leaving?"
"Coach Tang should...have something to say."
Tang Yu smiled. She liked this little girl more and more. But she still put on a stern face and said, "I know you're capable and have some arrogance, but I have to tell you, being too outstanding in this circle...is not always a good thing. I'll be direct. I've seen your profile, it's very ordinary. You don't have the family background to contend with someone like Sheng XiRan. You understand what I mean, right?"
Bai Yin knew Tang Yu's words were unpleasant but well-meaning. If she didn't really care for her, she wouldn't say these offensive things.
She thanked her, "I'll be more careful in the future, thank you Coach Tang."
"Then I'll give you some punishment, to appease her a little. Will you accept it?"
"I accept, but not to appease her."
Tang Yu knew she was stubborn, and shook her head. "Before dinner, run 3 km around the lake. No dinner if you don't finish."
"Okay."
...
Bai Yin endured her hunger and finished the 3 km run around the lake.
By the time she got to the resort dining room, there was no food left, only the person she least wanted to see, Sheng XiRan. She was waiting there like a demonstration.
"Oh dear, there's nothing left to eat. Looks like you'll have to go hungry tonight." She had a smug smile on her face.
Bai Yin knew she must have bribed the dining staff to clear the food early.
She didn't bother to argue with her, and turned to leave the dining hall.
Sheng XiRan chased after her and grabbed Bai Yin's wrist.
But she didn't expect that even after running 3 km hungry, Bai Yin still had a lot of strength. Not only did she break free, but she almost made Sheng XiRan fall.
"You...!"
She was about to confront her again.
Bai Yin's eyes were cold as she glared at her, the intimidation made Sheng XiRan not dare to get close again. "Stay away from me."
"So arrogant! Do you think someone like you can make it big here? Just you wait...!"
Bai Yin ignored her threats and quickened her pace out of the dining hall. By the time she got back to her room, her steps were a little unsteady. Her stomach kept cramping.
She leaned on the bed and sat down, but it didn't alleviate the intense discomfort in her stomach. She could only curl up in bed, clutching her stomach, making herself like a fetus curled up in the womb.
This was the only position that made her feel safe.
Due to often going hungry as a child, Bai Yin developed chronic gastritis.
Over the years she had nursed herself back to health and the condition improved, but she still needed to take good care of herself. The slightest carelessness would lead to severe discomfort like today.
Bai Yin didn't bring any stomach medicine. There was nowhere nearby she could buy medicine either, so she could only endure...and get through it.
She arduously got up and took out a small box from the inner layer of her backpack. Inside was her grandma's white jade prayer beads.
The rosary was a relic her mother had left behind, one that her grandma wore for half her life, before it became her only keepsake.
Bai Yin lay in bed, fingers rapidly thumbing the beads. She murmured in a low voice, "Mom, I will make something of myself. I will never...never be bullied again."
Never.
She closed her eyes.
...
That night, after thinking for a long time, Tang Yu still called Chen HuaiXiao to report on the recent situation at the training camp.
Mainly...she also wanted to discuss Bai Yin.
She didn't know the relationship between Chen HuaiXiao and Bai Yin. She just felt the girl was very moldable, and would definitely become a big hit in the entertainment industry in the future. So she had to report to the CEO.
If the CEO could take interest in her, at least remember the name of this new artist, her future situation at the company would probably be much better.
Even having formed a grudge with Sheng XiRan, she estimated she wouldn't be bullied too badly.
"Mr. Chen, the quality of the artists this quarter is pretty good overall. A few are a bit arrogant, but I can keep them under control. I believe after three months they will be able to turn in a satisfactory report card to you, Mr. Chen."
On the phone, Chen Huaixiao gave a faint "hmm" without clear indication.
Tang Yu continued, "There is an artist named Bai Yin. So far, her comprehensive abilities are very good, attitude towards learning is also proper. She's gotten first place in all evaluations."
She heard cheers and whistles coming from Chen Huaixiao's side, seemingly engine sounds as well. She asked, "Mr. Chen, are you at a competition?"
"Hmm, continue." Chen Huaixiao's magnetic voice came through over the line.
"I almost forgot, it's GTC's competition tonight!"
Only then did Tang Yu remember this was an extremely important rally race, one which Chen Huaixiao had prepared for, for a long time.
"Mr. Chen, I won't disturb your competition anymore. I'll report back to you later."
Chen Huaixiao closed the car window. The rushing wind noise became much smaller, and it quieted down a bit in the car -
"Continue."
Tang Yu was very surprised. In the past when Chen Huaixiao was at races, he absolutely did not allow anyone to disturb him or affect his driving.
The trivial matter of artists' training camps wasn't even something he'd ask about at the company, so how come today...he seemed quite concerned?
She could only continue her report, "That artist Bai Yin, to be honest, of all the new artists I've trained over the years, I haven't seen anyone more promising than her. It's just that the girl's temperament is too proud."
"That's her personality. Can't change it." Chen Huaixiao's voice was as faint as water. "She's endured too much over the years. Repressing it further would only lead to collapse."
"Since she has ability, indulging her a bit does no harm."
After Chen Huaixiao said this, it was Tang Yu's turn to be dumbfounded.
What? Mr. Chen actually said "indulging her a bit does no harm"?
Didn't he always hate arrogant artists acting up because they had some ability?
And his tone seemed to even have a trace of indulgence? Was she hearing wrong?
Tang Yu recalled that this artist seemed to be personally scouted by Chen Huaixiao. Even the contract was signed by him directly rather than going through the agent department.
Thinking of this, it made sense.
An artist personally valued by Mr. Chen would naturally be doted on.
Tang Yu sighed.
Of those who could make it in the end in the entertainment industry, which one did not have the patience of Job?
Bai Yin had no backer. Even if she was spotted by Mr. Chen, with this temperament, she probably wouldn't go far.
"Mr. Chen, I will teach her well, and not let your efforts be in vain." Tang Yu assured him, "She had a conflict with another artist today. She was also taught a lesson. Didn't even eat dinner. Curbing her sharp edges a bit is good too."
Chen Huaixiao's expression instantly darkened, his voice like ice, "You're saying...she didn't eat dinner?"
...
At the GTC competition scene, a dramatic scene played out simultaneously in the footage transmitted back by the dozen tracking drones!
Chen Huaixiao's top-tier Bugatti supercar actually swerved off the track halfway up the mountain. It turned around and sped back down the mountain!
The two live commentary staff excitedly shouted -
"How could this happen!"
"Could this be Chen Huaixiao's tactical maneuver?"
"No no, he's rushing back to the starting line!"
"Could this be...a forfeit?"
Chen Huaixiao actually forfeited. Fans who followed GTC races knew how important this match was.
Especially Chen Huaixiao, who loved speed contests - even in his busiest times he'd make time to drive on the track every night.
How could he forfeit!
After Chen Huaixiao rushed back to the starting point, he did not stop the car, but continued driving onto the highway. Finally disappearing at the horizon of the spectators' sight.
Shen Bin was still at the scene. He watched as Mr. Chen's supercar flew past him.
He quickly called Chen Huaixiao -
"Master Chen! Were you kidnapped? If so, cough once. If not, cough twice!"
"Search for the nearest pharmacy and send the location to my phone."
"A phar...pharmacy? Master Chen, are you not feeling well?"
"Less nonsense."
Chen Huaixiao decisively hung up.
In less than a minute, Shen Bin sent the locations of nearby 24-hour convenience stores to Chen Huaixiao's phone, adding a line of kind regards from a corporate lackey -
"Wishing you well."
*
Bai Yin was curled up in the quilt. Her stomach didn't hurt anymore, just vaguely uncomfortable. Not enough to go to the hospital, but also hard to fall asleep.
She called Sun Lili, "Do you have anything to eat there?"
"I have some biscuits."
"Bring them over quick! I'm so hungry my stomach condition is acting up."
"Got it, coming now!"
Bai Yin hung up. Not half a minute later, her hotel room door was urgently knocked on.
She arduously got up to open the door, thinking to herself - bestie, you got here so fast.
But when the door opened, it wasn't her best friend. Instead it was Chen Huaixiao dressed in an orange-red flame racing suit.
He took off his gray helmet, revealing that handsome, cold face. His chest heaved slightly. In his hand was a white bag with a pharmacy logo.
When Bai Yin saw him, she was stunned for a moment, not realizing that she was only wearing a neiku on her lower body.
She shrieked and scrambled back into bed, using the sheets to cover herself.
Chen Huaixiao paid no attention to the girl's panic. His expression was calm as he entered the room and locked the door, then took out the stomach medicine from his pocket and checked the instructions.
It took Bai Yin several seconds to recover her wits. She demanded, "What are you doing here?"
"I was passing by for a race," he explained calmly.
Bai Yin was a little skeptical. "You just happened to pass by here?"
Chen Huaixiao firmly rejected that excuse: "You've done rally races before. They're the kind where you can spend the night."
"And you can stop to buy medicine mid-race?"
"Yes."
Bai Yin had no rebuttal. She sat quietly on the bed, hugging her knees, gazing at the man's crisp, well-fitted racing suit.
Compared to his usual suited-up look, this lent him a sharper, more youthful air.
He must really be in a competition, or else why would he be dressed like this?
Chen Huaixiao turned back to fill the kettle, intending to boil some water to make her take the medicine. Bai Yin quickly stopped him, "Don't use that kettle. I don't know how many people have used the hotel stuff."
"It's new," Chen Huaixiao said casually. "Everything in your room is brand new."
Bai Yin had some doubts. She touched the pillow, sniffed the sheets - they did seem completely new.
"Does everyone get this, or just me?"
Chen Huaixiao stood waiting for the water to boil, glancing at her with narrowed, beautiful eyes. "What do you think?"
Bai Yin laughed and sprawled on the bed, letting her inky black tresses cascade sensuously beneath her. "The boss's wife really gets VIP treatment, hmm?"
After the water boiled, Chen Huaixiao poured it into a cup to cool down, patiently waiting for it to reach a drinkable temperature. He tested it himself, then poured the stomach medicine capsules into his palm.
"Take your medicine."
Bai Yin was still reclining lazily, her fingertips idly poised by her lips. Her soft, sweet gaze beckoned him. "Come here and feed it to me."
