Chapter 46: The Script Is Ready

[Let me tell a horror story—just look at the progress bar.]
[Ah, how did it end in just a few minutes?]
[I knew Gu Jingyi, Cai Xukun, and Yue Hua would definitely be saved for the next episode; the early stages are just teasers at best.]

“Next trainee, please take the stage.”

As the announcer's voice echoed, Cai Xukun appeared in the corridor, dressed in a blue velvet jacket over a black inner shirt.

[Here he comes! Finally, the production team has delivered a stage with some real substance.]
[Cai Xukun should be alright; he previously participated in "Star Movement Asia," was active in the Swin boy group, and trained in South Korea for half a year.]
[Xukun is probably the best of the night; after all, he was a former TF member.]
[Can the person above stop overhyping your brother? There were only ever three real contenders in "Go, Boy." Your brother was just invited by a TF scout for training—when was he ever in the debut group? If you want to call the "fourth TF member," it's Liu Zhihong, who was eliminated before the group formed!]
[Why do Kun fans always have to pick fights? And with the Empire sisters, no less...]

Being a show that sparked attention even before airing, "Idol Trainee" attracted a large fanbase.

Yet, when Cai Xukun’s stage began, the chat went quiet—not to argue, but to appreciate the performance.

“Hello, mentors. I’m solo trainee Cai Xukun. Today, I’ll be performing my original song, ‘I Wanna Get Love.’”

Cai Xukun smiled shyly. After introducing himself and receiving Zhang Yixing’s nod, he stood center stage. As the music’s prelude played, his entire aura transformed.

His eyes grew seductive; he bit his lip while standing sideways.

His hand brushed his neck, then he loosened his jacket to reveal his shoulders, showing the black inner shirt beneath before putting the jacket back on.

The camera captured mentor Zhou Jieqiong covering her mouth, turning her head to stifle a laugh, alongside Zhang Yixing, who couldn’t hold back his amusement.

“My baby girl…”

After singing a short segment, Cai Xukun showcased a dance routine, followed by a rap section.

The director switched the camera to the trainees in the audience, focusing on the Yue Hua line. Justin and Fan Chengcheng, copying Cai Xukun, began shaking their suits and touching their chests.

“Bro, what are you doing?”

Zhu Zhenting looked at the two goofballs and chuckled.

The chat exploded:
[Justin, Fan Chengcheng, stop copying! Kids should keep their clothes properly on.]
[Isn’t Zhu Zhenting the oldest in Yue Hua? Why is he calling Justin “bro”? Am I misremembering? I recall Zhu Zhenting was born in ’96, Justin in ’02.]
[You’re not wrong. That’s exactly why. He doesn’t want outsiders to think he’s that old.]
[Can we have some respect for Cai Xukun? This is his stage—why give unrelated people camera time?]

[Because it’s awkward, it’s just uncomfortable to watch.]
[If you can’t handle it, that’s your problem. KunKun is the strongest overall—he can sing, dance, write songs, and even rap decently. Is there anyone in Yue Hua who can go one-on-one with him?]
[Right, no one in Yue Hua can. But Justin, who’s from Yue Hua, has his big brother Gu Jingyi who can.]

While the debate raged, Cai Xukun’s stage concluded.

Next came the mentors’ critiques. The show first aired Ouyang Jing’s stage.

“Your stage was relatively complete, but the transitions were flawed. It felt like a big mixed stew with no clear focus,” said Ouyang Jing, a rapper himself, blunt and straightforward.

The implication was that it was a jack-of-all-trades but master of none.

Cai Xukun’s expression darkened but he bowed and thanked the mentor politely: “Thank you, mentor.”

The chat grew livelier:
[Wow, that was bold. No wonder he’s a rapper—interesting.]
[I felt something was off earlier. Cai Xukun’s stage was stronger than the previous trainees, but it failed to stir emotions. Just as it was picking up, he switched focus to another aspect—and that aspect wasn’t very strong either...]
[Overall, it felt exhausting with no clear focus. Not sure what he wanted to express, but his facial control was good.]

The comments were fair, without harsh criticism.

[Ha, Gu fans can’t sit still, can they? Everyone knows Cheng Xiao, Zhou Jieqiong, and Wang Jiaer are close to Gu Jingyi. This show is disgusting, already suppressing KunKun, huh?]
[Kun fans’ logic is impressive. I’m just a bystander; I never praised or trashed Gu Jingyi. If you think fair critiques are fan bias, then fine—I’ll start following Gu Jingyi and join his voting team.]

The offended bystanders were speechless. Meanwhile, Gu Jingyi’s fanbase kept expanding.

[I get that Kun fans are defending him, but so far Zhou Jieqiong, Cheng Xiao, and Wang Jiaer haven’t made sharp comments against KunKun, right? Zhou Jieqiong even covered her face, screaming in excitement.]
[Don’t worry, Gu fans are used to it. Gu Jingyi is always the “beautiful, strong, and tragic” contestant in any competition. He gains the hype and the heat, the backlash and the criticism—all of it.]
[Gu fans don’t want to say much, but Gu Jingyi became a “phantom enemy” without doing anything. Right, he’s “sending messages” from afar, making Wang Jiaer and Cheng Xiao criticize Cai Xukun.]
[Haha, Gu fans sure have a sense of humor.]

After Ouyang Jing’s commentary, Zhang Yixing took control. He first praised Cai Xukun’s balanced skills politely, then let Zhou Jieqiong and Cheng Xiao each say a few words.

They all spoke tactfully; after all, these idols had debuted and knew their limits.

Perhaps because "Idol Trainee" had been rushing nonstop lately, Zhang Yixing glanced at Li Ronghao and gestured for him to give his critique.

Li Ronghao smirked disdainfully, avoiding eye contact—this was edited into the broadcast...

[Haha, please don’t make it hard for Li Ronghao.]

Finally, Zhang Yixing resumed control, smiling politely and candidly admitting:

“Our critiques might be somewhat subjective. Regarding original songs, considering your age, both Li Ronghao and I will refrain from commenting much for now.”

“Thank you, Producer Zhang.”

Cai Xukun bit his lip, looking somewhat unsettled.

[Low emotional intelligence: hard to judge. High emotional intelligence: subjective critique, considering age. No comment on original songs.]

[Am I imagining things, or did Wang Linkai’s shot flash by just now? He was seated in the audience, but I remember at minute 98, Wang Linkai’s initial stage rating was ‘B’—he was seated properly.]
[What can you say about talent shows—those who understand, understand...]
[Even the order of initial stage ratings needs editing...]

The ads inserted by the production ended just as the mentors finalized their decision:

“Cai Xukun, your rating is—”

The first episode of "Idol Trainee" concluded on this cliffhanger.

The preview for the next episode began, deliberately showing Gu Jingyi’s entrance.

In the trailer, Zhang Yixing solemnly announced:

“Gu Jingyi, your rating is—”

The preview ended there. Before the ending theme played, the show inserted footage of Gu Jingyi and Cai Xukun’s first encounter once again.

From their initial shared frame to Zhang Yixing holding the cue cards revealing their ratings side by side.

The first episode abruptly ended, leaving the audience hanging.

Despite being familiar with such suspense tactics in talent shows, the chat was still filled with complaints.

[I want to see Gu Jingyi! “Idol Trainee,” are you confused? Do we really need more traffic? Just show him already!]
[So anxious, really anxious. Who’s going to get the top A?]
“This is some devilish editing.”

Tian Xiwei sat cross-legged on the sofa, so angry she kicked the air.

“Ah, I’ve been sitting too long. Cramping up, it hurts so much.”

She rubbed her leg with red flower oil after pulling down her yoga pants a bit.

“It’s all because of ‘Idol Trainee.’ Why does Gu Jingyi’s first stage have to wait until tomorrow to air?”

Tian Xiwei pouted, murmuring softly.