Reborn in the Hong Kong entertainment industry in the 1980s

Grandma Zhou said, "Look at this Miss Athena. She is also outstanding in appearance and has a degree from a prestigious university that Hong Kong people really admire. A degree is a big plus. She also has a great temperament, able to be both classic and fashionable, which is perfect for the Miss Hong Kong pageant criteria: beauty and intelligence."

Grandma Zhou added, "You're too alluring. Many housewives don't like your looks; they think you're a vixen."

Hu Xiaoxiao nodded repeatedly: These housewives have good taste; they can tell at a glance that she's a vixen.

Uncle Li, who was standing nearby, also pulled out a newspaper and pointed to the article about Zhao Yanhong, saying, "Ah Xiao, look at this young lady. She has a similar style to you; both of you are the bright and beautiful type."

Although she may not be as beautiful as you, she emphasizes her compassion and charitable work, claiming to be the kindest Miss Hong Kong in history, and many locals have a very good impression of her.

As someone who spends every day with the beauties, how could Hu Xiaoxiao not understand their strengths? Besides Athena and Zhao Yanhong, there are several other beauties who are both very talented and beautiful.

But will this discourage her?

Obviously impossible.

"It doesn't matter. The stronger they are, the more it means I'm stronger than them if I can defeat them."

Hu Xiaoxiao was full of fighting spirit.

The elderly people couldn't help but laugh.

"You young man, you have that spirit of never admitting defeat and never giving up that we had when we were young."

Hu Xiaoxiao asked curiously, "Grandma, Grandpa, did you also compete with others when you were young?"

“It’s more than just competition; we’ve been competing for most of our lives,” Uncle Li said. “When I was a child, I experienced war and struggled against nature and the earth. After moving to Baogang, I had nothing, and I fought my way up to where I am today step by step.”

Grandma Zhou looked at Hu Xiaoxiao with affection and reminiscence, "When I first came to Gangcheng, I was about the same age as you are now. I suffered a lot back then."

"Did Grandma also migrate from the mainland?" Hu Xiaoxiao asked.

Grandma Zhou said, "We all migrated from the mainland and have been here for decades. We don't know when we will be able to go back to our hometown for a visit."

Uncle Xu, who was standing next to me, had fallen silent at some point. After a long while, he finally said, "If we go back, we won't be able to find many people we know. Many people are dead, killed by the Japanese."

Seeing the atmosphere grow heavy, Uncle Huang said, "It's all in the past now. The Japanese devils have all been killed. When things get better in the mainland, let's go back to our hometowns together. Even if we're all gone, we should still pay respects to our ancestors and talk to them. The food's here, char siu bao. Who ordered this?"

The elderly people put down their newspapers and started eating, drinking, chatting and laughing, dispelling the previous gloom.

Only Hu Xiaoxiao felt a rare pang of homesickness.

After all these changes, I wonder if her hometown still exists.

The results of the round of 48 to 36 are in.

After Hu Xiaoxiao went to the TV station, the training instructor had already announced the results.

Hu Xiaoxiao was naturally shortlisted.

To make a lasting impression on the audience, the numbers were not renumbered this time; all the original numbers were retained, with Hu Xiaoxiao still number 23.

Unlike before, this time the production team will have each of the shortlisted contestants record a short self-introduction to be played during the evening program, in order to increase their popularity.

Judging from the trainer's expression, the broadcast last night went well, and today they immediately began practicing for next Saturday's program.

With ample time to practice, the dance music chosen this time was more challenging.

In addition to practicing singing and dancing, the 36 contestants also need to practice acrobatics, which is a project they are preparing for the final competition.

Every year during the grand finale, in addition to singing and dancing, the contestants will also perform other programs to showcase their versatility, such as fashion shows and acrobatics.

This year, with the added task of every Saturday, it's destined to be more demanding than in previous years, but it also brings higher visibility.

For the acrobatics segment, Hu Xiaoxiao chose a fan-spinning act and started practicing with the acrobatics teacher.

Each contestant is free to choose the acrobatic act they wish to perform.

Those confident of reaching the finals practiced diligently, while those lacking confidence and feeling they might be eliminated at any moment practiced perfunctorily. There were even one or two contestants who lacked confidence and didn't choose acrobatics, to avoid wasting their training.

After practicing fan-twirling until she was tired, Hu Xiaoxiao practiced singing for a while longer before going to the rest room to find something to eat and drink when she got thirsty.

Perhaps out of consideration for the contestants' difficulties, a rest room was specially prepared for them today, along with cakes and drinks.

Hu Xiaoxiao poured herself a glass of orange juice and relaxed by the window, watching the TV station staff bustling around.

One of the familiar figures was Fei Yi, the assistant from the program department. She had just come out of the studio and was then sent to work by the teachers in the training room.

Hu Xiaoxiao opened the window and beckoned Fei Yi over, "Why are you so busy today, like you're in a war zone?"

Faye, sweating profusely, was carrying a pile of documents. "We have two shows to record today, and the evening show needs adjustments. There's a lot to catch up on. And with the contestants, although there are fewer people, they're learning more, and there's more to do. I have to keep up with you all."

"Take a break first, come in and have a glass of juice."

Faye shook her head and said, "No, those are for you."

"Since you're working alongside us, why can't you eat with us?"

Seeing that Fei Yi's lips were dry and chapped, and her stomach was growling with hunger, Hu Xiaoxiao thought for a moment and went to tell the training teacher, "I would like to try on the costume for the demo recording later. Could you please arrange an assistant to help me?"

The TV station has a very complete selection of costumes, including a wide variety of period dramas and even more modern costumes. They have everything from everyday clothes to formal attire.

Apart from the contestants who had higher requirements and chose to prepare their own clothes for the recording of the demo, the other contestants borrowed costumes from the TV station.

The instructor spotted Faye nearby and called her over, asking her to fetch the costume.

Hu Xiaoxiao carried a tray, poured a glass of juice, took half a plate of small cakes, and went to the fitting room first.

Fei Yi came over panting, carrying a pile of costumes, and said to Hu Xiaoxiao, "These are specially picked out for you. They were all dry-cleaned and delivered, so I guarantee there won't be any sweat or strange smells."

Hu Xiaoxiao told Fei Yi to put the costume aside, moved the tray over, and whispered, "Hurry up, fill your stomach first, or you'll get a stomachache from hunger."

With tears welling up in her eyes, Faye hugged Hu Xiaoxiao tightly. "Miss Hu, you're so good to me. I've been here for five hours since this morning, and I'm so tired, hungry, and thirsty."

"I can see it. Hurry up and eat, don't let anyone see us." Hu Xiaoxiao sat at the door keeping watch, while Fei Yi ate and drank inside.

Taking a rare break, Fei drank half a glass of juice and ate a small cake while quietly telling Hu Xiaoxiao, "Your performance last night was a huge hit, the ratings soared, and the company's management is so happy."