Chapter 34
Where Is Meng Fu?
The trainees in the other groups to the side did not dare to utter a word. They had wanted to inquire to the crew members about something else but they no longer dared to do so.
This was the case in the entertainment industry. This crew member did not seem like a new hire. He must have met countless trainees. They could not do anything to him even if he had done this intentionally.
To put it bluntly, everything still boiled down to status and popularity. If one of the four mentors or Ye Shuning, the big shot of the trainees, was present, the situation would be different. When one was neither famous nor popular, the entire crew was one’s father. When one became famous, the roles would be reversed.
“You can use mine first. ” Chu Yue calmly pulled Wu Yatong back. She then turned to Meng Fu and shook her head. “Meng Fu, bear with it. Look for me immediately after you come down from the stage. There should be enough time. Offending the stage crew will not do us any good.”
Judging from the attitude of the crew member in the baseball cap, it would be hard to find a mic at the eleventh hour.
Meng Fu glanced at Chu Yue. However, the latter could not read Meng Fu’s mind from her expression. “It’s alright. You don’t need to worry about me.”
The crew member listened to their conversation. He merely cast a brief glance at them and then sneered. Afterward, he walked away without a word. The surrounding crew members were busy with their respective tasks. They were rather cold and indifferent to the girls.
“He’s too much.” Wei Jin held onto her mic.
Meng Fu didn’t continue with the conversation. She took out her cell phone and swiped it. “Focus on your own preparation.”
After Meng Fu told them to go and practice, she walked outside alone. When she saw Zhao Fan, she removed her coat and threw it to her. She then used her other hand to press the cell phone once. Su Cheng’s latest reply appeared on the screen.
She took a glance at the reply and then put on her sunglasses. After tucking one of her hands into her pocket, she said, “Sister Zhao, let’s go.”
Zhao Fan was taken aback. “You have not rehearsed.”
“Boss says there’s no longer a need to.”
**
At the same time.
The program planner was welcoming someone he had never expected to see.
“Manager Sheng, you said you wanted to give us the rights to broadcast this on during a prime time slot?” Upon hearing Manager Sheng’s words, the program planner thought his ears had been damaged.
Sheng Entertainment was considered one of the top five super companies in the entertainment industry of the world, let alone Asia.
“Best Idol” was at best an obscure show on Lizi Station. If it weren’t for the popularity of the four mentors and Ye Shuning, he wasn’t certain how miserable the show’s ratings would have been.
Even the investments in the show were received in exchange for the bet-on agreement signed by the director. With Sheng Entertainment joining them, even a waning variety show would be able to draw a large audience using the prime slot live-streaming function on the Sheng Entertainment app. That was why the program crew felt that Manager Sheng was joking with them.
Manager Sheng smiled calmly. “It’s mainly because our company has just signed with an artist on Best Idol. Her rank on the show is pretty high. We’ve already drafted the contract. You can take a look at it first. I heard they are rehearsing tonight?”
Manager Sheng had seen Meng Fu’s information. She was good-looking but had poor academic qualifications. Notwithstanding this, Sheng Entertainment could make her famous.
He didn’t say much. The program planner had long been in the showbiz, how could he not understand what Manager Sheng meant? The program planner was very surprised. He didn’t expect Sheng Entertainment to have signed with an artist on their show.
He contemplated the situation. Ye Shuning was the most popular trainee and probably the only one on the entire show who could draw big players like Sheng Entertainment.
The program planner quickly got up and said, “Yes, her rehearsal is about to start. I’ll bring you to watch it.”
The rehearsal site was located downstairs, just a few minutes walk away. Manager Sheng had taken time to visit Meng Fu specially. He went downstairs with the program planner. When Manager Sheng descended the stairs, the program planner told his assistant to notify the crew as well as Xi Nancheng and the mentors to get ready.
**
Meng Fu was going to have a solo performance. Therefore, she was one of the first people to rehearse.
Nan Qiu was about to finish rehearsing and Meng Fu was the next one. The stage manager behind the stage curtains was making the arrangements. However, when it came to Meng Fu’s turn, the rehearsals were suddenly interrupted.
Xi Nancheng had been talking to Ye Shuning in her private lounge. After a long period of special training, Xi Nancheng was very much looking forward to Ye Shuning’s rehearsal tonight. Her rehearsal time was scheduled for 8:05PM but it was already 8:20PM and none of the crew members were in sight to notify them.
It would have been fine if this were in the past. Xi Nancheng knew that there would always be problems when running a show. However, his bad mood was triggered on this occasion. He had been waiting for Ye Shuning’s rehearsal and Ye Shuning’s teacher had told him that her upcoming performance would be astounding. Furthermore, someone from Sheng Entertainment had visited them.
At this juncture, Xi Nancheng had become really furious. He inquired with the person in charge, only to discover that Meng Fu was the cause of this situation. “She’s delaying the entire program because of one mic? Go and tell her if she doesn’t show up this time, she can forget about appearing ever again! She might as well withdraw from the show!”
This incident shocked several others as well as the other mentors. Tang Ze had also been waiting to watch Meng Fu and Ye Shuning’s performances. Tang Ze frowned upon hearing Mentor Xi’s outburst. Meng Fu was such a polite and caring young lady. He tried to ease Xi Nancheng’s mood by telling him that there could have been a misunderstanding.
Xi Nancheng sneered coldly and refused to listen to other people’s explanations. “I don’t wish to listen to how she’s doing now. Her rank merely rose by one place on the online popularity poll. She’s already showing an attitude when she’s not even famous. The program planner and Sheng Entertainment people are waiting. If she’s not going to perform, we don’t need to get a mic for her. We’ll bring forward Ye Shuning’s performance immediately.”
Ye Shuning had already gone to get ready for the performance.
Xi Nancheng then glanced at Tang Ze. “I’m going to look for the program planner and meet the people from Sheng Entertainment. Do you want to join me?”
Tang Ze declined Xi Nancheng to look for Meng Fu. Xi Nancheng glanced at him but said nothing. He went to look for the program planner and Manager Sheng immediately.
When he arrived, Ye Shuning’s rehearsal had already been moved forward. Ye Shuning had improved tremendously from last time. Xi Nancheng watched her performance from the side of the stage. He recalled that he had wanted to look for the program planner after watching the rehearsal. He had an obvious smile on his face and he heaved a sigh of relief. Fortunately, she did not stumble at all.
When he walked to the program planner, the planner’s head was turned away from Xi Nancheng. He was speaking to Manager Sheng. “Ye Shuning is our dark horse this time and we’re relying on her to make it to the international stage. Manager Sheng, let’s go back and discuss the live broadcast.”
Manager Sheng raised his hand and glanced at the planner with a smile. “This Ye Shuning is indeed good. But where is Meng Fu, the artist that we signed with? Isn’t it her turn to perform?”