There's a saying, “Good news never goes beyond the gate, while bad news spreads far and wide.”
While Mu Li and the others were still waiting for the trainees to choose their spots, his phone rang. It was Liu Yun.
As soon as Mu Li answered, he heard Liu Yun's surprised Growl on the other end: “I heard you and Wang Yijia are together? What about Pei Pei then?”
“No, has the news spread to you so quickly?” Mu Li was shocked. This had only happened less than 5 minutes ago, and he hadn't expected even Liu Yun to know.
“So, it's true then?” Liu Yun shrieked, “Although I really ship you and Wang Yijia, if you two are together, what about Pei Pei?”
“No, oh my, who said it's true?” Mu Li felt like he was about to lose his ability to explain clearly, “There's nothing between us, it's all a misunderstanding.”
“Oh, it was a misunderstanding, sigh!” Liu Yun sighed.
Mu Li's mouth twitched: “No, why do you sound so disappointed?”
“Am I? No, I'm not,” Liu Yun insisted, “By the way, aren't you going to record Idol Project? How did you manage to get a scandal with Wang Yijia? I wouldn't find it strange if you had a scandal with Pei Pei or any other female trainee, okay?”
“Do you think I wanted this?!” Mu Li said irritably, “It's because the staff here are so gossipy. In just this short time, the gossip has already reached you.”
“Do you think the entertainment industry's gossip skills are for nothing?” Liu Yun explained, “In this short time, it's already spread throughout the chat groups of the three major idol entertainment companies. I estimate that in less than two hours, you and Wang Yijia will be trending on the hot search.”
Mu Li collapsed directly onto his chair: “This world, it's better if it's destroyed after all. Arceus, I'm on your side this time.”
“What nonsense.” After complaining, Liu Yun began to analyze, “However, this matter isn't all bad.”
“What? Don't tell me this is actually a good thing?” Mu Li retorted.
“It really is a good thing,” Liu Yun continued, “You and Wang Yijia didn't have much of a fan base in China to begin with. This suddenly makes everyone know you two, at least your popularity has gone up, and the show's popularity has also increased along with it.”
“Secondly, with you and Wang Yijia as a precedent, at least your scandal with Pei Pei can be suppressed.”
“Wang Yijia can also use this popularity to gain more fans. This is beneficial for both of you.”
“When you two collaborate on a song in the show, the popularity will explode.”
Mu Li couldn't help but sigh: “As expected, it has to be people with Miracle Eye like you.”
After talking with Liu Yun, Mu Li hung up the phone. Looking at Wang Yijia, who was still oblivious, he couldn't help but sigh: “Jia Ge, why don't you check your company's group chats?”
Fortunately, before Wang Yijia could check the messages in the group, the production team announced that the trainees were in position.
Mu Li, along with the four mentors, entered the studio.
The host of the show was Xu Yunyi.
At this point, the so-called variety show reaction showed its intended effect.
Mu Li had originally thought that after his appearance, no one would recognize him, let alone cheer or applaud. He had already prepared himself mentally for this, but when he entered the studio, he unexpectedly received a lot of applause and admiration.
“This is the creator of the theme song for this season's Idol Plan 1075. He is here today with our other four mentors to watch your performances.” After Xu Yunyi's introduction, the reaction from the audience was clearly even more enthusiastic.
At this moment, Mu Li even had the illusion that “I'm very popular,” until he sat down in his seat and heard the discussions coming from behind him.
“Who is that mentor?”
“He shouldn't be a mentor, right? Didn't they say there were only four mentors? Is that our theme song's author?”
“He should just be a guest mentor, the kind who records two episodes and then leaves.”
“He's very handsome, but I've never heard of him.”
“He can't be a newcomer, can he?”
...
Mu Li's hearing was quite good, but he just wanted to pretend he couldn't hear anything right now.
Compared to Mu Li, the other four mentors clearly had much stronger reputations.
Xu Yunyi, needless to say, is known as “China's Foremost Balladeer.” With his signature Xu-style love songs, it's hard to find a love song singer in today's Chinese music scene who can compare to him.
Fu Peiyao, the youngest Heavenly Queen. Her album sales alone, even if everyone present combined theirs, couldn't match her one divine album. What's even more enviable is that besides her God-given voice, she is also a master of both singing and dancing. In addition, she possesses a face that enchants all beings and an almost perfect figure.
Netizens' comments are: “After seeing her, you'll realize how biased Nuwa was when creating humans.”
Yin Nan, a leading figure among the new generation of singers. Although he doesn't have as strong a record as Fu Peiyao, he has carved out a niche for himself in the chaotic music scene with his “national peace and prosperity” voice. His ordinary appearance cannot conceal his astonishing talent.
Wang Yijia, one of the members of the hottest idol boy group globally. With his outstanding looks and excellent dancing skills, he has captured the hearts of thousands of young girls. Even though he hasn't yet made a name for himself in China, many fans have fallen for him through his overseas performances.
However, this is only a small part of his charm. As a singer, his smoky voice, like a subwoofer, directly showed the world what a gifted powerhouse is.
As for Mu Li, who? Never heard of him. For the sake of the production team, let's just give him some applause.
Fortunately, this was the case. After the trainees finished their performances, almost no one actively asked him for his comments, so he simply started slacking off on the side, his gaze completely unfocused.
This was Mu Li's skill of slacking off, which he had practiced for four years in college: unfocusing his eyes without closing them. The only flaw was that if someone looked closely at his eyes, they would find that his gaze was not focused at all. Other than that, it was perfect.
Xu Yunyi also knew Mu Li's level, and he tried his best to avoid letting Mu Li evaluate the trainees' levels. However, although he wanted to take care of Mu Li, he couldn't stop Mu Li from actively seeking trouble.
Originally, Mu Li was listening and watching properly on the side, and the other three mentors just turned a blind eye. But now this guy dared to openly space out and slack off, which made the other three unable to tolerate it.
After a group of trainees finished their performance, Fu Peiyao suddenly said: “Teacher Mu Li hasn't expressed any opinions yet, has he? Why don't we let Teacher Mu Li speak first this time?”
Mu Li seemed to hear his name in a daze, immediately snapped out of his unfocused state, and looked around with a puzzled expression.
Fu Peiyao couldn't help but Bite her silver teeth and said fiercely: “Teacher Mu, what were you doing just now?”
Mu Li wanted to ask Wang Yijia for Help, but Wang Yijia looked like he was enjoying the show, so Mu Li knew this guy definitely couldn't be relied on. At critical moments, he could only rely on himself.
“I was actually thinking, what exactly does our show want?” Mu Li feigned a sigh, pretending to be profound.
“I'd like to ask the trainees on stage, why did you come to this show?” Mu Li inquired.
The four trainees on stage came from an entertainment company called Qin Yun, an agency that creates Chinese-style idols. The song performed by these four trainees was also a Chinese-style song called “Wang Mingyue” (Looking at the Bright Moon).
Mu Li hadn't seen their performance just now, but the other four mentors hadn't zoned out, and they had seen their performance clearly.
From a professional perspective, they had obviously practiced this song many times. Whether it was the maturity of their performance or their singing and dancing skills, they could be considered a barely qualified girl group.
The reason Fu Peiyao questioned Mu Li was to subtly remind him. After all, they were recording a show, and if his zoning out was edited in, he might receive negative comments from netizens. However, she hadn't expected Mu Li to ask such a question instead.
Thus, she was not in a hurry to interrupt. She also wanted to see what kind of tricks Mu Li could pull off.
Facing Mu Li's question, the four trainees on stage were a bit stunned, but they quickly agreed on an answer: “To form a group.”
Mu Li continued to ask: “Since you want to form a group, then I'll ask you another question. For that performance just now, how much do you think you put into it? On a scale of 0 to 10, with 10 being the highest, how would you rate yourselves?”
Without waiting for the four trainees to answer, Mu Li continued: “The extent of your effort for a performance, you might be able to deceive others, but you can't deceive yourself. So, only you yourselves know how much you've put into this dream of forming a group.”
The four trainees were clearly hesitant. The other three trainees gave their answers: “5 points, 7 points, 8 points…”
But the leading girl named Tong Xue directly shouted: “10 points, I give myself 10 points.”
No, sis, are you that confident?
This time, Mu Li was speechless. He had originally intended to use this self-evaluation method to cover up his mistake of zoning out earlier.
According to Mu Li's estimation, these trainees' self-scores would accurately reflect their practice level.
But he hadn't expected someone to actually jump out and exploit this loophole, trying to use this self-evaluation to boost their score.
This move not only confused Mu Li. Not only was Mu Li confused, but everyone present was somewhat unable to understand the actions of this trainee named Tong Xue.
Everyone knew that the purpose of grading was to Help trainees assess their current level. After all, most of the people who could appear here were professionals, and no one was blind. Although Tong Xue's performance was good, it didn't reach the standard of 10 points.
As the saying goes, “Virtue not matching position inevitably leads to disaster; wealth not matching person inevitably leads to loss.” The literal meaning is that if you don't possess the corresponding talent but sit in that position, you will inevitably suffer a backlash.
If Tong Xue had A-level strength, it would be fine, but clearly, her strength was not enough to convince the public.
Although Mu Li hadn't seen Tong Xue's performance, he could somewhat gauge it from the reactions of others. He could even read a hint of cunning in Tong Xue's eyes.
However, it must be said that Tong Xue's move not only hurt herself but also incidentally hurt Mu Li.
Mu Li did not directly answer Tong Xue's question. He walked over to the four mentors. His originally calm expression instantly changed: “Brothers and sisters, please, don't mess with me anymore, or I'll be done for. How did Tong Xue really perform just now?”
Seeing Mu Li like this, all four couldn't help but laugh.
“Didn't you tell them to rate themselves? Where's that aura from just now?” Fu Peiyao's retort was late but arrived.
“Wasn't I trying to maintain our image?” Mu Li pleaded.
Finally, Yin Nan replied: “That Tong Xue, she has some skill, but you saw the result. Giving herself 10 points, she's really 'confident.' You also saw, she just wants to take a shortcut, she wants to use your question to boost her score. You can give her a B-level evaluation.”
“Good deeds are rewarded, and bad deeds come back to Bite you,” Mu Li shrugged, “Since she wants to use me to get a perfect score, then let's give it to her. I want to see if she can hold that position. What do you all think?”
“Since you've said so, of course, we'll listen to you,” Wang Yijia agreed, “I'm looking forward to watching the show, don't mess it up.”
“I have no objections either,” Yin Nan replied.
As for Xu Yunyi and Fu Peiyao, they certainly wouldn't object.
After gaining everyone's support, Mu Li's back straightened considerably.
“I've discussed it with the four mentors, and since you think you're a perfect score, we'll give you an A,” Mu Li announced.
PS: Trainee scores range from F to A, with A being the highest. There can only be six trainees rated A-level.
Mu Li's words directly ignited discussions among all the trainees present.
“This is the first A.”
“Is an A given so casually?”
“Can her level really get an A? Does that Mu Li even know what he's doing?”
...
Mu Li didn't pay any attention to these comments. He just smiled and said to Tong Xue: “Since you've taken that position, I hope you can stay there. Don't let someone surpass you before your seat even gets warm.”
As soon as these words were spoken, Tong Xue's face changed dramatically, and the complacent expression she had just shown instantly disappeared. This was because she knew that Mu Li's words had undoubtedly pushed her into the fire, and as a result, she had become the PK target for all the trainees.
Once the six A-level spots are filled, if anyone wants to compete to become A-level, they must defeat a trainee who is already A-level.
In other words, if any of these six A-level trainees are not strong enough to stay in A-level, then she will be everyone's challenge target.
This was Mu Li's open scheme: You want A-level, so I'll give you A-level. As long as you have the strength to stay there, that position is yours.
When you're out and about, your status is what you make it, but once the status you give yourself exceeds your control, the outcome can be very ugly.
Just like Tong Xue now, even though she sat in the highest position, she felt like she was sitting on pins and needles.
Soon, the remaining five A-level spots were filled.
When the seventh A-level appeared, it was the most exciting moment of this trainee debut show.