Star Destiny Art Training Center has multiple practice rooms, separated by semi-transparent tempered glass. Walking along the long corridor, one could see trainees practicing dance or posture in each room. The faint sound of background music echoed through the hallways.
The Lunar New Year was fast approaching. Many people were preparing to leave or had already left Capital City to return to their hometowns for the holidays. But these trainees were not among them. They were seizing every moment to train hard, striving for a chance to debut, with no room for even a moment of slack.
The competition in the entertainment industry is always intense. In this day and age, each generation of newcomers is replaced quickly. If you haven't made a breakthrough two or three years after debuting, you're basically facing elimination.
Out of the hundreds of trainees at Star Destiny today, only a few would eventually make a name for themselves. To the average person, celebrities may seem dazzling and glamorous, but they stand on the backs of countless fallen competitors.
Fate is never fair. Even among trainees, some start from a higher point than others.
Take, for example, the newly formed "Little Tiger Group." Zhang Junzhi and his two teammates not only had a luxurious private practice room, but even for dance alone, they had two instructors.
When Lu Chen and Sister Li entered, the three boys had just finished a routine. Their foreheads were dripping with sweat, and they were panting hard, clearly exhausted.
But one of the dance instructors was far from satisfied. In a harsh and strict tone, he scolded them for their flawed movements and pointed out their technical mistakes. He even struck them on the arms and thighs with a bamboo ruler, including Zhang Junzhi.
From the instructor's awkward Mandarin, it was obvious that he was one of the foreign coaches hired by Star Destiny.
Star Destiny employed more than a dozen foreign instructors, reportedly from Japan and South Korea, all of them experienced professionals in training idols. This man was clearly one of them.
Lu Chen and Sister Li didn't step in to interrupt. Sister Li was undoubtedly heartbroken seeing her son being disciplined, but she did not interfere. She stood silently by the door, her eyes reddening, but she said nothing.
Because Sister Li deeply understood a core truth: "Only those who endure the hardest of hardships can rise above the rest."
Sure, she had the power to shield Zhang Junzhi from the storm, but since he had chosen this path and entered this industry, the road ahead had to be walked by him alone.
Just like a fledgling eagle leaving the nest, without going through the trials of wind and rain, how can it ever soar high in the blue sky?
So what if he got scolded or hit now?
Every trainee goes through this.
Overprotection is the worst harm you can do.
After the scolding, the three boys regained their focus, dragging their tired bodies back into position. As the music began again, they repeated the routine from the top.
This time, the two instructors finally nodded in approval, gave a few words of encouragement, and allowed them a short break.
The three boys collapsed directly onto the floor.
Only then did Sister Li push open the door and enter. She first greeted the two instructors politely: "Hello, Teacher Jin. Hello, Teacher Min."
Sister Li had years of experience in the entertainment industry, building everything from scratch to establish her own reputation. Her status in the show business community was far beyond that of these two instructors, yet she still maintained a respectful and courteous tone.
The two instructors were not arrogant types either. They immediately bowed and responded, "Hello, Ms. Li."
Sister Li smiled and said, "Let me introduce someone. This is Teacher Lu Chen."
She turned to both sides and introduced: "Lu Chen, this is Teacher Jin Anguo, from Korea's CAN Entertainment Company…"
The other, Teacher Min, was from Hong Kong.
Jin Anguo was in his forties, tall and slim with a stern look. His narrow eyes gave off a strict, no-nonsense vibe.
But when Sister Li introduced Lu Chen, his expression instantly changed. He stepped forward quickly and held out both hands, bowing slightly: "Mr. Lu Chen, I've heard so much about you!"
Though his accent was slightly awkward, the words "heard so much about you" were pronounced clearly and properly, with genuine respect in his tone.
Lu Chen reached out with both hands and shook his firmly, smiling as he said, "Mr. Jin, you're too kind."
He thought Jin Anguo was just making polite small talk and figured the man understood how Chinese people do social niceties. But to his surprise, Jin Anguo spoke earnestly,
"Not at all. I've listened to all of your works, Mr. Lu Chen, and I've also watched the TV drama you starred in, ''Autumn in My Heart''. You're a singer and actor of remarkable talent."
After a brief pause, he added,
"If you were in Korea, you'd absolutely become a great artist, just like Han Haomin or Kim Sunghyun!"
Han Haomin and Kim Sunghyun were both renowned South Korean celebrities, considered national idols. They enjoyed tremendous influence throughout Asia and were full-fledged stars in music, film, and television.
To compare Lu Chen with Han Haomin and Kim Sunghyun was undoubtedly a huge compliment.
Lu Chen looked a bit surprised and responded modestly, "Mr. Jin, you flatter me."
But Jin Anguo continued seriously,
"Mr. Lu Chen, you must be here to check in on Little Tiger Group's training. I'll have them perform the song you composed for them right now!"
He then turned to face the three boys and said in a deep tone,
"Show us your best performance!"
Though Zhang Junzhi and the other two were completely exhausted, seeing Lu Chen and Sister Li, they quickly straightened up and stood respectfully.
They didn't dare to interrupt or speak out of turn. When they heard Jin Anguo's command, the three boys gritted their teeth, took a few steps back to form their positions, and quickly set up their formation.
Lu Chen originally wanted to say they should rest a bit, but swallowed the words that reached his lips.
For a teenager like Zhang Junzhi, a little extra hardship can only help.
Teacher Min went over to the sound system and cued up the backing track needed for Little Tiger Group's performance.
A smooth and upbeat melody instantly filled the practice room.
It was "Butterfly Fly"!
This song had been specifically written by Lu Chen for Little Tiger Group and was slated to be the lead single of their debut album.
The concept of Little Tiger Group's style and image had been built around this very song. After Lu Chen gave the score to Sister Li, she had it professionally arranged by renowned composers in Capital City, and then had the choreography done at Star Destiny Art Training Center.
Zhang Junzhi and the other two had rehearsed the routine countless times. As the music began, they stepped into rhythm. The movements weren't especially complex, but they radiated with the youthful energy unique to teenage boys.
Even more impressively, they sang live while dancing, everything in sync, full of life and confidence.
Watching them give their all in this performance, Lu Chen felt genuinely pleased.
These three boys, performing with heart and effort, had started to resemble, just slightly, the original Little Tigers from the dream world's memories.
At the same time, no one noticed that a crowd had quietly gathered at the door of the training room, other trainees, boys and girls alike, peeking curiously inside, most of them with expressions of envy or wonder.
(End of chapter)
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