Chapter 16
Bai Sinian had noticed Cui Yeyi's strange gaze a few times before, but how could two classmates have such a gaze between them?
Downstairs, Bai Sinian pulled Cui Yeyi back: "I won't tell your dad or the teachers about your dating, but the condition is that you must practice seriously with everyone."
"Forget it, I quit." Cui Yeyi was full of resentment.
"Then you tell everyone yourself."
"I won't go!"
Cui Yeyi thought about the video that went viral last time, and how his dad was proud of him. He was a bit unwilling to just quit the band, and since that incident, his pocket money had come back. If he quit now, his dad might not only take back the money but also take away the music room.
But he was just so angry now and didn't want to rehearse.
Bai Sinian knew that when Cui Yeyi got angry, he tended to act impulsively. He patted Cui Yeyi's shoulder: "Okay, then you think it over carefully. When you've figured it out, tell Bian Rui. But Bian Rui will probably think you're a loser who chose to quit because you can't play the drums well."
The tactic of goading worked very well on Cui Yeyi. Sure enough, he no longer shouted about quitting and decided to go back to school first.
Bai Sinian returned empty-handed, and Fan Hongyi put down the bass and asked, "What happened?"
"He went back to school first."
Bian Rui silently observed Bai Sinian, not seeing any change in his expression.
Fan Hongyi glanced at his phone: "Should we go back to school too?"
"Let's go."
So the group gathered their things, some dragging suitcases and some carrying backpacks, as if going on a trip, but unfortunately, they were just returning to the school dorms.
They hailed a cab and headed to the school.
Cui Yeyi arrived at the school gate before them, coming empty-handed, without carrying anything.
The school gate was crowded with hurrying high school students, some with big bags and some with parents coming to send them off. The vehicles were jam-packed.
Cui Yeyi, with his hands empty, hadn't even reached the main gate when he was suddenly pulled aside by a stranger.
"What are you doing?" Cui Yeyi rolled his eyes, thinking it was some classmate he knew, but when he looked closely, it was an unfamiliar uncle.
"Who are you?"
The uncle, wearing a black baseball cap and black-rimmed glasses, chuckled and handed him a business card: "You're Cui Yeyi, right? I'm a talent scout from Hai Entertainment Company. Are you interested in signing with our company and debuting as a professional band?"
Cui Yeyi was taken aback, then looked at him suspiciously and took the business card from his hand.
He stared at the introduction on the card. This person was the agent of Hai Entertainment Company, named Chen Zhe.
Chen Zhe continued to introduce himself: "We are a professional entertainment company. Ling Jiaoli, one of the Four Small Flowers, was cultivated by us. It doesn't matter if you're underage, as long as your parents agree, we guarantee we will turn you into a top-tier band."
It sounded very enticing, and the 17-year-old Cui Yeyi couldn't resist the temptation of becoming famous and being in the spotlight.
He was bewitched and nodded: "Okay, I'll go back and tell my dad. He'll definitely agree."
Chen Zhe smiled brightly: "Great, and you also need to tell the other members. You all have to agree for it to work."
Cui Yeyi played with the business card in his hand: "No problem."
Chen Zhe: "Do you have the contact information for the other parents?"
Cui Yeyi: "No, I only have their contact information."
Chen Zhe: "Okay, we'll add each other on WeChat and stay in touch."
"Alright."
"It's been a pleasure working with you!"
The two shook hands, and Chen Zhe looked satisfied at Cui Yeyi. This high school student was already almost 1.8 meters tall, and the appearance of these members completely met the entertainment industry's standards. Even if they couldn't form a band, they could be organized into a boy group and debut as trainees.
After parting ways with Chen Zhe, Cui Yeyi headed to the cafeteria on his own. Then he opened the group chat.
【Tears Rip Open My Aorta: Going to the cafeteria to get a seat. Who's coming?】
【Male Model Cried for Me: Okay. We'll go to the dorm first to put down our stuff.】
Fifteen minutes later, the five of them gathered at their usual spot in the cafeteria.
Bai Sinian was the first to join Cui Yeyi, as if their previous argument had never happened.
"What, eating alone is too lonely?" Bai Sinian teased.
Cui Yeyi didn't fight back this time, as he had something to ask the group.
"What do you want to eat? I'll treat." Cui Yeyi took out his meal card from his pocket and waved it: "My dad recharged two thousand, so order whatever you want."
"Generous young master, just give me the most expensive dish."
Cui Yeyi obediently went to the counter to order - five dishes and one soup, filling the table.
When everyone arrived and saw the abundant feast, they paused for a few seconds, and Bai Sinian's heart tightened, wondering if they were really going to have a farewell meal.
"Eat whatever you want, don't be polite, I'm treating today!" Cui Yeyi enthusiastically invited everyone.
Fan Hongyi didn't hesitate, picked up his chopsticks and put a piece of meat in his own bowl: "Whoa, does Cui the young master have some good news today?"
Cui Yeyi chuckled: "Eat first, eat first."
Bai Sinian suddenly had a bad premonition. Could it be that his tactic of goading no longer worked?
Bian Rui sat on the side, chewing slowly, seemingly unconcerned about Cui Yeyi's matter; Shen Bei was oblivious, only focused on eating, happy that Cui Yeyi was being so generous today.
Halfway through the meal, Cui Yeyi finally revealed his purpose: "Do you guys want to debut?"
"Debut?!" Fan Hongyi exclaimed: "Of course! If we can make money just by playing music, who would want to study anymore!"
Bai Sinian secretly heaved a sigh of relief and smiled: "You guys will definitely be able to debut in the future! You'll become the hottest band."
Cui Yeyi felt like he had found kindred spirits and looked at Bai Sinian: "Right? And you also think so! I feel that since our anti-campus bullying video went viral online last time, if we make a few more music videos, our future path will be very smooth!"
Bai Sinian softly hummed: "That was a spontaneous product, a combination of heaven, earth, and people. Are you suggesting that we deliberately stir up some big events for the sake of popularity?"
Cui Yeyi: "It's not quite like that. Now that we have a certain foundation, with the packaging of a professional team, it will be easy for us to become popular."
Fan Hongyi agreed with him: "That's right. When we become famous, we'll have more say later on. When we see unfair things again, more people will be willing to listen to our voices."
Bai Sinian immediately rejected the idea: "That's something to consider in the future. For now, we should focus on the college entrance exam. Learning should be the top priority. If you only pursue fame and neglect your studies, this kind of band won't go far. In the future, when fans dig up your grades and they're as bad as dog shit, it will become your eternal black history."
Cui Yeyi: "But now we have a rare opportunity. Utilizing our current heat, we can quickly rise to fame!"
Shen Bei slowed down his eating, feeling that it was a bit unethical to be eating at this time, but Bian Rui seemed not to have heard their conversation and continued eating calmly.
Fan Hongyi shared the same view as Cui Yeyi, after all, who would still want to focus on studying when they could become famous?
Bai Sinian firmly opposed the idea. His idol band, how could they not even go to university before debuting! Those four years may not be necessary to read the professional books thoroughly, but at least they could experience the pure beauty of campus life. As long as people don't get tainted by the decadence of society too early, they would have endless creative inspiration.
If they only pursued false adulation and fame, without thinking about improving their inner self and strength, the future "dazzling stars" would only fall even earlier!
Cui Yeyi got anxious and directly bombarded Bai Sinian: "You're interfering too much! You just act as our manager as a joke, do you really think you're a big shot! You even want to control my private life, and now you want to control how we develop!"
Bai Sinian heard this and suddenly felt very sad. He didn't try to persuade Cui Yeyi any further, as those words were too hurtful.
The always silent Bian Rui finally slammed down his chopsticks.
Bian Rui's voice was clear and cold: "Cui Yeyi, what abilities do you have? Are you good at playing the drums?"
His gaze emanated a trace of disdain, looking down on Cui Yeyi, that gaze not fierce, but chilling to the bone.
Cui Yeyi swallowed.
Bian Rui wiped his mouth and placed the napkin on the table, then said, "The rap lyrics last time were written by Bai Sinian, and the melody was composed by me. I even taught you how to play the drums step by step. If we're talking about debuting, Bai Sinian is more qualified than you."
Oh no, Bian Rui was about to start ranting. Bai Sinian didn't have time to be sad, he quickly tried to mediate: "It's okay, it's okay. We know, Bian Rui, are you done eating? Let's go back to the dorm and rest early, we still have classes tomorrow..."
"If you're only here for the thrill of being chased by millions of people, I advise you to quit the band early. With your wealth and generosity, you'd better just start a live stream to show off your whole body, you'll definitely attract countless gold-diggers and enjoy the fame and glory."
He couldn't be stopped, and Bian Rui continued to get up close and personal: "Oh, right, it seems you can't even do that. The clothes you're wearing are Bai Sinian's, and the socks are Shen Bei's, right? The 'rich young master' label doesn't suit you, a good-for-nothing still wants to become famous, hmph."
The last "hmph" came out of his nose, exuding a strong sense of disdain, directly breaking Cui Yeyi's defenses.
Cui Yeyi's lips trembled with anger, unable to say a word, as he had forgotten how to curse, after all, Bian Rui had spoken the truth, and he couldn't refute it.
"Let's go, Bai Sinian, do you still want to stay here and be humiliated by him?" Bian Rui had already stood up, waiting for Bai Sinian to leave with him.
Bai Sinian was completely at a loss for direction at the moment. If Cui Yeyi hadn't said those hurtful words to him, he would have stayed behind to comfort and persuade Cui Yeyi.
Bian Rui, with his hands in his pockets, looked down at Bai Sinian, the oppressive feeling forcing him to stand up and follow Bian Rui.
Fan Hongyi looked at this uncontrollable mess and could only play the peacemaker: "Yeyi, don't argue with him like that. His mouth is a bit poisonous, not very tactful, but he shouldn't have any ill intentions towards you."
Shen Bei echoed: "Yeyi Ge, don't be angry, calm down."
"Actually, Bian Rui was right. Sinian Ge doesn't have the obligation to do so much for us, but he's willing to give so much without asking for anything in return. You saying those things to him is a bit wrong..."
Who knew that Shen Bei had summoned up so much courage to speak up for Bai Sinian, his palms were damp with cold sweat.
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