Qin Wei sat in the dressing room, not forgetting to repeatedly remind the staff:
"Clothes, remember to check them over."
The staff were exasperated to the point of tears:
"Teacher Qin, I have to say, we've checked these clothes over twenty times, if we check them again they'll be worn out...
What do you think about this?
Rest assured and wear them, I guarantee all seven outfits have no problems. I'll be watching from backstage, if there's anything wrong with the clothes, I'll go right away. You wear them, I'll dance, OK?"
Aiya, are all celebrities like this nowadays? Endlessly, endlessly checking the clothes, he's almost counted every bead on them...
Qin Wei: "..."
Qin Wei turned to him and asked:
"What are you thinking? Don't you think this scene is particularly offensive?"
The staff member sighed:
"Oh come on! I just said it casually, how could you imagine all that?
...Thinking about it does make one uncomfortable..."
Qin Wei: "As a colleague once aptly stated, I have never been so speechless..."
Staff: "..."
...
Because it was still in performance order, once the staff had checked everything, the artists not yet on stage didn't have much to do and could rest for the time being.
There were also screens in the dressing room where they could watch the livestream for a while.
Having just been busy with makeup and costumes, she missed Qiao Sixiao's performance, but from the staff's praise she gathered it had gone quite well. Just now it was D group's turn with Zhang Yuerwen and others.
By the time Qin Wei came over, they had already started performing. Many people around were watching too.
Missing the announcer, Qin Wei could tell after listening for a bit which song it was.
"Masayume Chasing, the program team is quite well-funded to buy the music copyrights from whatever country."
Qin Wei muttered this comment to herself, immediately drawing many looks her way.
Someone asked: "Teacher Qin knows this song?"
Qin Wei casually replied: "Fairy Tail OP, heard it before."
Hmm, she rarely embarrassed herself in this area.
This group's performance wasn't bad either, though some of the moves weren't done perfectly. And with the time limit, learning lyrics in a completely unfamiliar language was truly difficult, so they switched to singing in their native language instead.
It wasn't that the native language version didn't sound good, just that the lyrics were translated, so the wording wasn't as accurate and lacked some of the flavor compared to the original.
So, lyrics aside, the overall performance was still a bit lacking.
But looking at it as a whole, it was decent.
...
The next group's performance of "Rain Falling" was also very good. An original song by Chen Chen, the dance incorporated modern dance and ethnic elements. In Qin Wei's opinion, this group's performance was solid.
It seemed there really was an abundance of talent on this show...
Compared to them, she didn't amount to much.
Thinking this, Qin Wei felt pressured again...
Sigh...
She gently exhaled and got up to leave the room.
It was about time for her to go on stage.
Walking down the hallway she went through everyday, it suddenly felt extra long.
She'd had this feeling a long time ago, a very very long time ago...
"It's not possible this time. This show is very important to the company. Your stage experience is lacking. Next time, next time..."
"You may not get a turn this time, but your performance was great. We got you a chance to perform, but you still have to wait..."
"The company recognizes your talents, however..."
"No, next time..."
"No, no..."
...
"Qin Wei, what are you thinking about!?"
A bright voice snapped her out of it. Qin Wei realized she had spaced out while walking and completely failed to notice Qiao Sixiao standing not far away watching her.
"It's nothing."
Qin Wei breathed out. Seeing there was still time, she asked:
"How did it go for you?"
Qiao Sixiao shrugged:
"Average, not bad or good...
But you, why do you seem out of it?"
Qin Wei didn't respond, just kept walking towards backstage, but was suddenly stopped by Qiao Sixiao grabbing her shoulders from behind.
"Qiao Sixiao, what are you doing?"
Qin Wei got a shock and her distracted state instantly vanished.
Qiao Sixiao vigorously kneaded her shoulders a few times:
"You're too nervous, your muscles are all tense! Relax a little. You're dancing jazz! Your moves need to be smooth and sexy.
Relax! You've put in enough effort! Leave the rest to the audience's judgement. Just enjoy the stage!"
Having said that, Qiao Sixiao patted her shoulder and gave her a push from behind, then turned and left.
Qin Wei smiled wryly, encouraged by a competitor...
Hmm?
Really a competitor?
...
Backstage, Qin Wei's group was doing final preparations. Countdown to going onstage.
They had watched the other groups perform too. Everyone had solemn expressions, as if heading to their execution.
"I just saw Qiao Sixiao's dance, I can say that even if you gave me ten years I couldn't dance that well..."
"Don't compare with Qiao Sixiao. My god, I feel like the one I picked is even worse than Wang Yuewen's, and she was ranked lower than me before..."
"I'm already scared to death, my heart is pounding like crazy..."
Everyone had a little dark cloud over their head...
Qin Wei could only give everyone one last encouragement:
"Everyone, we've worked tirelessly, the results are already determined through the process. Have faith in the sweat and tears you've shed, their seeds have sprouted."
This seemed to strike a chord, and everyone's expressions lightened up somewhat. Qin Wei quickly had them do some stretching exercises to thoroughly relax.
"Ladies, just enjoy the stage from here on."
...
On stage, Yang Xiaowen asked:
"Audience friends! Coming up next is F Class, Qin Wei's group performance! Tell me loudly, are you looking forward to it!?"
"Looking forward to it!!"
"Then let's call out their names!!"
"Qin Wei!"
"Lu E!!"
"Don't worry, we have no expectations for you!!"
The bullet screen comments were also full of encouragement—
【Qin Wei, fly free!!】
【Qin Wei, don't pressure yourself!! We have no expectations for you!!】
【F**k no expectations, right, no expectations means no hope! Just dance however you want!!】
【Don't underestimate her! The performances so far prove she's already great!】
【I'll support you no matter what, really! Although I thought you were useless on previous shows, but I'm rooting for you this time!】
【Lu E, just treat this performance like a preschool graduation show, go home after it's over and your moms will support you for life!】
【Male moms cheer for you too (whisper)】
...
The cheers gradually died down. Qin Wei's group went onstage, took their predetermined positions, adjusted their breathing after getting set, and quietly awaited the music to start.
This moment felt so long...
