Trending Again – Chapter 34

Trainee

The program team of 《Sailing Sisters》 is carrying out organized deployment. They have selected 101 artists from major entertainment and internet celebrity companies to participate in a competition and debut through a talent show.

In fact, to put it plainly, it is a large-scale star-making project that everyone is paying special attention to, hoping to become famous overnight.

Si Meng has been with the company for a week, and she’s actually quite idle. Lu Qi asked her to handle an announcement for 《Sailing Sisters》, but she hasn’t been involved in all those miscellaneous variety shows.

Xiao Entertainment does have excellent resources, and her popularity quickly skyrocketed. Various connections are eagerly trying to win her over, but she is not interested at all.

She doesn’t want to become an ‘idol.’ She wants to return to the film industry and become an unforgettable movie star.

Si Meng sorted out her accounts during this period of time. Although there weren’t many announcements, big or small, she managed to save up twenty million. Now she could start planning further.

She dialed Zhang Bilian’s number and it was connected after ringing for a dozen seconds.

“Hello, it’s Si Meng. How are you considering our collaboration?” Si Meng said while tapping her finger on the table, a habitual gesture she used during negotiations.

“It’s a good idea, but do you trust me so easily? Aren’t you afraid that I might run away with your people and money?” Zhang Bilian furrowed his brow, seeming reluctant to take advantage of others.

Si Meng chuckled lightly and said, “I have always been good at judging people, and besides, you don’t seem like the kind of person who would kill the chicken to get the eggs.”

“Alright then, leave the shop management to me. You take care of finding a head chef and the investment capital, while I’ll handle the promotion and location scouting,” Zhang Bilian said. He didn’t mind taking charge of the shop since he was more interested in food. Being the manager meant he could enjoy free benefits every day, which was simply fantastic!

Si Meng was sketching and drawing on the blueprint, with several business plans vividly portrayed on paper. Internet celebrity shops, as long as they had traffic and good flavors, combined with a solid operational model, would definitely be profitable.

As soon as Si Meng turned around, she was met with a disdainful look from Si Teng.

Si Meng: ?( ??? )?

Si Teng: (?°?д°?)

“Have you found those people? The ones on the list for the Kitchen God Competition.”

“Of course, I found them. But when did I agree to run errands for you? Do you know how many flights I have to take in a day, running around the city to catch people for you?” Si Teng grumbled discontentedly. She requested a vacation, just look at how haggard she has become.

“I know, you’re the best. How about I arrange for you to have a vacation in Sanya next week?” Si Meng tugged at her sleeve, acting spoiled. Clearly, Si Teng fell for it. She was a woman who acted tough but had a soft heart.

“Hmph, that’ll do.”

Si Teng looked at Si Meng’s playful face, the innocence of her youth long gone. She was no longer the impulsive little girl who acted recklessly in every situation.

“Are you planning to enter the entertainment industry again? The entertainment industry is very treacherous,” Si Teng said coldly from the side.

“Naturally. This time, I’m going to make a grand entrance. Those people will be startled when they see me again. It’s going to be quite amusing,” Si Meng schemed in her mind.

“Be careful in your actions. Don’t let the Si family find out. If you accidentally stir up trouble, they’ll pass the blame onto your brother,” Si Teng cautioned before leaping down from the second floor. Si Meng was unfazed by her hurried comings and goings, accustomed to her ways.

Come to think of it, it had been a while since she last saw Lin Hanyue. Lin Hanyue had been traveling for business projects recently, while Si Meng was busy with the shop and announcements, so she ended up living in the company dormitory.

Since they had confirmed their relationship, they rarely had the chance to meet face to face.

Si Meng opened WeChat, and Lin Hanyue’s video call came through. Si Meng hurriedly answered.

“Why do you have time to call me? Aren’t you busy with work?” Si Meng pouted, her tone exuding a sweet and affectionate atmosphere.

“Haha, work isn’t as important as you. Have you missed me? I’ll be able to come back in a few days,” Lin Hanyue appeared tired, but in the presence of Si Meng, she felt a surge of energy throughout her body, as if all the hardships were worth it.

“Hehe, work is important too, otherwise, how would you have the money to support me? Or should I be the one supporting you instead? You just need to focus on being beautiful, soft-waisted, and good in bed,” Si Meng’s words grew more and more enthusiastic, and Lin Hanyue could imagine her excitement, likely dancing with joy.

A day without seeing each other feels like three autumns. They realized they hadn’t seen each other for a whole week.

They talked for a few minutes before the secretary came to remind Lin Hanyue to attend a meeting. Taking into account the time difference, it should be evening now. Having to attend a meeting so late at night was truly exhausting, Si Meng sympathetically thought.

“Well, I have to go for the meeting. Take care of yourself, okay? Don’t drink anything cold during your period, and don’t stay up late…” Lin Hanyue looked at Si Meng’s smiling face and couldn’t help but smile along.

“I know, Aunt Lin, you go ahead and busy yourself. I understand,” Si Meng teased.

After finishing the call, Lu Qi happened to walk over, seeing Si Meng with a radiant smile on her face.

“How does it feel to be in a long-distance relationship? I bet you’ve had countless phone calls,” Lu Qi, experienced in matters of love, accurately guessed.

“Hehe, don’t tease me. Let’s talk about work. I need to earn money to support my beautiful family,” Si Meng took the script from her hand, which outlined the arrangements for the upcoming program.

The script provided clear instructions. There would be 101 individuals, but in the end, only 11 of them would successfully debut. As for who would make it and who wouldn’t, it was uncertain.

Si Meng pushed her luggage and got into the program’s vehicle, embarking on a new life as a trainee.

Upon arriving at the program’s location, she was greeted by a luxurious apartment building. From the first floor to the eleventh floor, there were dance studios, gyms, restaurants, study rooms, and recording studios, all fully equipped.

The dormitories were shared by five people each, with computer-generated random assignments that would determine their group. After 100 days of intensive training, the overall strength of the team would determine their debut.

Si Meng looked at the youthful and unfamiliar faces, their expressions filled with anticipation and innocence, longing for the glamorous entertainment industry.

She shook her head, realizing that she had long passed the age of youthful enthusiasm.

Si Meng entered the dormitory, where two girls were sitting on one of the beds. One had her hair in pigtails and was dressed in a Lolita fashion, exuding a cute and lovely image. The other was a tall girl with a cold temperament and a great figure, giving off a model-like aura.

The girl with pigtails greeted Si Meng warmly, while the tall girl merely nodded indifferently. After exchanging greetings, Si Meng began to unpack her belongings.

She was going to live with them for the next hundred days, huh? She hoped they wouldn’t cause her any trouble.

In the evening, they were urgently called to gather in the dance rehearsal hall. Si Meng glanced around and noticed that the other teams were already formed, with clear groupings, while they remained as a scattered group of three. Where were their teammates?

The instructor on stage began speaking. There were a total of 11 instructors, each responsible for guiding them for a certain period of time. The other instructors had yet to make an appearance, keeping their identities confidential.

“Alright, stop the noise! Are we in a marketplace? Keep making a fuss, and I’ll make you all do planks!” The dance instructor shouted impatiently, and everyone quickly quieted down. The 101 individuals were divided into three classes: A, B, and C. They would have an exam in two weeks, and those who didn’t pass would be eliminated.

Soon, the others formed their teams and began training in basic skills, leaving Si Meng and the two others standing there, dumbfounded. As a result, the teacher singled them out.

“You three seem to have a lot of free time, huh? Your teammates aren’t even here, so why did you bother coming? Do you think this is just a game of playing house?” The instructor vented their anger on the three without any distinction.

The girl with pigtails wanted to argue with the instructor, but Si Meng held her back. Shaking her head, Si Meng gave her a look, signaling her not to act rashly. It was a common tactic to target the ones who stood out, and there was no need to provoke unnecessary trouble.

“Teacher, sorry for the inconvenience. We’ll go find our teammates now. You’re right in your teachings,” Si Meng praised excessively, using flattery as her weapon. The instructor didn’t say anything and just waved them away.

As they walked out of the dance rehearsal hall, they heard agonizing screams coming from inside. The girl with pigtails trembled, grateful that Si Meng had pulled her away. Otherwise, she would have been the one suffering now.

“Sob… They’re so scary. Thank you, miss. Otherwise, I would’ve been in big trouble. My name is Fu Wenwen. What’s your name, miss?” Fu Wenwen smiled and linked her arm with Si Meng’s.

“I’m Si Meng. You’re welcome. We’re teammates,” Si Meng replied, leading them towards the direction of the dormitory.

Jiang Chixia, the tall girl, was taken aback and quickly asked, “So what do we do now?”

“Of course, we should take this opportunity to slack off. ‘Opportunity knocks but once.’ She asked us to find our teammates,” Si Meng yawned lazily. Just as they opened the door to the dormitory, she was embraced by a soft and fragrant girl.