Volume One: Rising to the Peak from Debut Chapter Nineteen: Group Audition

The next day at the company, Chen Jing went straight to find Lin Xi.

“You want to team up with Li Qingwei?” Lin Xi looked at Chen Jing in astonishment.

Chen Jing nodded and said directly, “The company hasn’t assigned me a teammate yet, right?”

Lin Xi shook her head. “That’s true, but you can’t just decide on your own.”

Chen Jing frowned and then said, “How about this—help me ask the company about their arrangements. If they haven’t decided, tell them my thoughts and see how they respond.”

Lin Xi sighed, helpless. “It’s no use, really. To be honest, among the sixty-four contestants advancing, some are new artists from other companies. Those companies will offer resources to pair their newcomers with you. Of course, our company will also choose someone who complements you as your teammate. So unless there’s a special reason, the company won’t agree to your request.”

Chen Jing remained silent. Lin Xi glanced at him, sighed inwardly, and thought, Well, I guess I can do something foolish for him—he is my artist, after all.

Just as Lin Xi was about to call the management, Chen Jing interrupted her.

“What if it’s for myself?” Chen Jing said calmly.

“Hm? For yourself? What do you mean?” Lin Xi was puzzled.

“I mean, I have a song that fits perfectly for the second round of ‘The Voice of Huaxia.’ It happens to require a rapper to collaborate with me. So…” Chen Jing looked at Lin Xi.

Lin Xi thought for a moment and asked, “Is the song really good?”

Chen Jing nodded.

Now it was Lin Xi’s turn to be silent. She pondered, then said, “Fine. This afternoon, I’ll call someone from the management, and you bring Li Qingwei over. We’ll try out the song, and whether the company decides or not will depend on how you two perform.”

Chen Jing felt relieved—the opportunity had come. He smiled, “No problem.”

“Oh, so confident?” Lin Xi smiled as well.

Chen Jing winked at her. “Of course. Who do you think I am?”

Lin Xi blushed, turning her gaze away and rolling her eyes, “Narcissist.”

Then Chen Jing called Li Qingwei.

“Hello, Boss Jing.” Li Qingwei answered nervously.

Chen Jing asked, “Did you practice the song I told you to last night?”

Li Qingwei replied excitedly, “Yes, I memorized the lyrics. Just a few parts where the rhythm is off.” He was certain Chen Jing had secured an opportunity for him.

“Good, come to Jingrun this afternoon. We’ll perform the song for the company.”

“I’m already at your company’s entrance.” Li Qingwei had been waiting outside Jingrun Entertainment since early morning for Chen Jing’s call.

“You’re downstairs?” Chen Jing was surprised and then pleased. “Come up now. Let’s rehearse a few times before the afternoon.”

“OK!” Li Qingwei was thrilled.

After hanging up, Li Qingwei stood up from the flowerbed in front of Jingrun’s entrance and burst out laughing. He knew he had finally found his opportunity—not just the second round of ‘The Voice of Huaxia,’ nor performing for Jingrun’s management, but meeting Chen Jing. All these chances were thanks to Chen Jing.

Chen Jing hung up and went downstairs to bring Li Qingwei up to the recording studio. He needed to prepare a demo of the song.

They hastily finished a section of the arrangement and rehearsed together several times. Time passed quickly, and before they knew it, afternoon had arrived. Neither had eaten, so Lin Zitan brought them two packed meals.

At three in the afternoon, Lin Xi came with a rotund gentleman.

Lin Xi introduced him to Chen Jing: “Chen Jing, this is the company’s COO, Wang Lu. President Wang oversees artist appearances and event activities.”

“Hello, President Wang,” Chen Jing greeted him, knowing this man was in charge of the assessment.

Wang Lu kept a smiling face, his eyes almost squinting, making them look even smaller against his broad cheeks. “Chen Jing, right? Truly a handsome fellow. Excellent, you rival my younger days. Lin Xi has a good eye.”

“President Wang, you flatter me,” Chen Jing replied with calm courtesy.

“This is the partner you want to team with?” Wang Lu turned to Li Qingwei.

Li Qingwei quickly stepped forward. “Hello, President Wang. I’m Li Qingwei.”

“Li Qingwei, eh? I can tell from your look you’re into music.” Wang Lu nodded approvingly.

Lin Xi interrupted Wang Lu’s compliments, “Let’s get straight to your performance. If the effect is good, that’s enough.”

Chen Jing nodded and led Li Qingwei into the recording studio.

Seeing Li Qingwei wipe his sweaty palms, Chen Jing reassured him, “Don’t be nervous. We’ll be fine. This is nothing, not even a challenge. When we perform live at ‘The Voice of Huaxia,’ you can be nervous then.”

Li Qingwei took a deep breath and smiled, “OK, I’m good now. You’re right, Boss Jing, this is nothing—I shouldn’t be nervous. Let’s do it.”

Chen Jing smiled and signaled for the music to play.

As the music sounded through their headphones, they both instantly entered their groove, keeping time with the beat. Chen Jing began softly, “Drifting…”

Afterwards, Chen Jing and Li Qingwei walked out of the company. Li Qingwei thanked him, “Thank you, Boss Jing.”

Chen Jing shook his head, “No matter the outcome, you earned this opportunity through your own efforts.”

After their song, Wang Lu hadn’t given an immediate response. He said he’d convene a meeting and let them know the decision.

Li Qingwei said earnestly, “No, I have to thank you. Let me treat you to a meal—you didn’t eat much at lunch.”

Chen Jing checked his watch—it was just past three. He waved, “No need. Next time. I have some things to sort out at the company.”

Li Qingwei didn’t insist. “Alright, you go ahead. Whenever you’re free, let’s get together.”

Chen Jing patted Li Qingwei’s shoulder with a smile, “Definitely.”

He headed up to Lin Xi’s office. Seeing Chen Jing enter, Lin Xi put down her pen and said lightly, “You haven’t left yet? I thought you’d gone.”

Chen Jing shrugged, “Nothing to do at home. I thought I’d practice the erhu.”

Lin Xi was surprised, “You play the erhu too?”

“Yes, just expanding my skills. If I ever flop in the entertainment business, I’ll go busking on the street,” Chen Jing joked.

Lin Xi rolled her eyes beautifully, not bothering to respond.

“How’s the company’s decision coming?” Chen Jing finally stated his reason for coming.

Lin Xi shook her head. “Not so soon. Wang Lu has to call a meeting. The earliest you’ll hear is tonight.”

“He’s actually going to hold a meeting?” Chen Jing was a bit surprised. “I thought he was just saying it.”

“No way. The company isn’t ruled by Wang Lu alone.” Lin Xi looked at Chen Jing. “Don’t worry, I believe in your song. When they meet, I’ll strongly recommend your choice. Your collaboration with Li Qingwei was truly impressive.”

“Alright, I’ll wait for good news then. Keep at it.” Chen Jing made a gesture of encouragement.

Lin Xi laughed despite herself, “You rascal, go on.”

Chen Jing grinned, “I’m off to practice the erhu. Thanks, my manager.”

Lin Xi watched his disappearing figure, shaking her head with a sense that this year’s artists would not be easy to handle.

Chen Jing headed toward the recording studio. Just as he arrived, someone called out to him.

“Chen Jing.” Li Manru walked over from behind.

“Manru, sis,” Chen Jing greeted her.

Li Manru approached, smiling warmly. “I saw your silhouette—it looked just like you. Didn’t expect it really was you.”

Chen Jing replied politely, “Is there something you need, Manru sis?” Having spent time with Lin Zitan, he’d learned plenty of gossip.

Among the three members of the original Folk Girls group, the one closest to Lin Xi and Lin Zitan was Xue Yue. The other member was just a colleague. The last, Li Manru, was someone Lin Zitan disliked, finding her too affected, a master of the art of tea-drinking. According to Lin Xi, she had a woman’s shrewdness but was too jealous, making her unlikable. These were Lin Xi’s private opinions, passed to Lin Zitan and then to Chen Jing, who felt Lin Xi was spot on.

Li Manru laughed behind her hand, “What, can’t I look for you without a reason?” She glanced away, shyly.

Chen Jing’s heart skipped—her words definitely meant she had something to ask. He wondered what her purpose was, but outwardly he looked bashful, “Of course not. I’m just honored you seek me out.”

“Haha, Jing, you really know how to talk.” Li Manru found his reaction delightful, loving to tease men until they blushed. Now she was even calling him Jing.

Then Li Manru feigned difficulty, “It’s just that your big sister has something to ask you, Jing.” Teasing aside, she got to business.

“No worries, Manru sis, ask away. If I know, I’ll tell you everything.” Chen Jing nearly thumped his chest in assurance—now you may call him Chen ‘Best Actor’ Jing.

Everyone, can you guess what song they sang? *^_^*