How to become an ACE of a top boy group

She couldn't sleep well, as if something was pulling at her. The people from the past, the hands of her teammates and fans, fragmented pieces of her past life, were cut even more shredded, playing out incoherently in her dreams. She kept waking from one dream after another, feeling like she couldn't distinguish between reality and dreams. Had she really fallen? Or was it just a dream? She was still standing on the debut stage, her teammates beside her, fans waving light sticks below—

When Luo Xi opened her eyes to the sound of her phone vibrating, she was still a little dazed. She mumbled towards the bedside, "Lin Miao, Lin Miao..."

Until she woke herself up.

Luo Xi tapped his head: "041, are you there?"

[Rosie is here!]

The small ball that was swinging in the air immediately ran to Rossi's side.

Luo Xi nodded, confirming that this was indeed the reality.

The phone showed 5:09, and class was at 8:00. Since there was no special guest teacher listed in the schedule posted in the trainees' management group, Luo Xi decided not to attend the vocal class this morning. She grabbed the leftover steamed bun from yesterday, ate it quickly, and headed downstairs to the dance studio.

She completed two choreography practice tasks this morning, earning 100 points. Her total points are currently 2218, a slow increase, but Luo Xi knows she can't be impatient.

In the afternoon, there was a dance class in the large classroom. The teacher didn't lecture, but just had groups of people perform and then gave feedback. As a result, Luo Xi truly realized her level among the trainees. Even though she was performing a choreography that had reached a proficient level, among the wonderful performances of the group, her level was that of a complete novice among novices, and she received the evaluation of being "lifeless".

The other trainees, like Luo Xi, were also preparing for the qualifying selection, so most of them performed the choreography they had been practicing recently, asking the teachers for suggestions on improvement.

Some stood out, radiating energy and vitality; some had incredibly mature stage presence and strong audience engagement; some possessed superb dance skills, constantly showcasing their techniques… There were definitely more experts than just these, Luo Xi thought, considering there were others practicing in the small classroom upstairs. They could practically debut right away, so why were they even here in the talent show competing with her for a debut spot?

Among the people showcasing their dances were my quirky roommates from last night. Everyone was there except for Chen Zui. Their skill levels varied greatly, with the worst being about the same as hers. But Luo Xi always felt that the other girls weren't dancing seriously at all, while she was dancing seriously but still terribly.

After the presentation, Luo Xi worked hard and completed another task before the end of get out of class: mastering a choreography.

As Luo Xi was resting against the wall, she heard a familiar commotion. Turning around, she saw her quirky roommates, who were chatting and laughing as they walked toward the door.

For no apparent reason, Luo Xi thought of her former teammates. She wondered how they were doing now, and whether her accident had affected the group's debut... She really hoped that everything was alright for them.

Although I'm quite comfortable being alone.

"But I still prefer having companions to eat with, practice with, and work hard with!"

【Luo Xi, you still have me! 041 is the best partner for you on your journey to pursue your dreams!】 041 quickly comforted the host, who was in low spirits.

"Are you sure your attribute points and the humor shop aren't obstacles, baby?"

[That's an inviolable system program setting! Aside from that, the system is the host's thoughtful assistant, providing one-click internet access, 24/7 surveillance, and emotional support at any time!]

"Yes, yes, you're the most useful. I don't know how lonely I would be without you." Luo Xi flattered the system. It wasn't for any particular reason, but she was just used to being an idol and didn't want to make anyone who liked her sad.

While one person was chatting, the voices from the other end reached Luo Xi's ears.

"Brother, am I going to get the food again today?"

"Okay, we'll go back and wait for you. Hurry up, it got a little late yesterday."

"it is good."

The person who agreed to run the errand was named Tan Nianze. He used to be a group of people with Luo Enxi in the dormitory. It seems that after Luo Enxi was hospitalized, he switched to hanging out with them, but he was obviously not of a high status.

In fact, Tan Nianze's situation wasn't good when Luo Enxi was around. Luo Enxi associated with him solely to earn points by undermining his opponents' confidence, and the introverted and easily manipulated Tan Nianze became the target of Luo Enxi's daily verbal attacks. Over time, Tan Nianze became increasingly withdrawn and self-destructive.

With this memory in mind, Luo Xi felt quite uncomfortable seeing him being bossed around again.

The thin boy always seemed silent and cautious, and he would be startled if Rosie suddenly wrapped her arms around his neck from behind.

"it's me!"

Although Luo Xi wasn't quite sure how Tan Nianze would react, he spoke with great confidence.

"Oh, you're back."

Tan Nianze mechanically uttered a sentence, without pulling away from Luo Xi's hand, or rather, without any reaction, and simply continued walking silently towards the takeout pick-up area.

"Ronxi, you've done so many bad things, belittling a perfectly good person like this," Roxi thought to herself.

【That's right!】041 chimed in from the side.

Luo Xi pressed down on his shoulder: "Stop running errands for them, let's go eat, and practice together after we eat."

"what?"

“I’m back now, you can stay with me. Just send them a message and let them get their own food. If they don’t want to get it, they don’t have to eat it.”

"Oh... I helped them carry it because I also had takeout to deliver, and it was on my way. I can skip practicing, I'm not good at it."

"Because of what 'I' said before?"

"Pretty much. You're right about me not having any talent or anything. That's probably how it is."

"That was just me talking nonsense because I was jealous of you. If you don't have any talent, then what am I?"

"..."

After a long silence, Tan Nianze looked up at Luo Xi and asked, "Do you really think you can debut successfully?"

"Of course I can!"

"Come on, we're not good-looking, not tall enough, and don't have any talent for singing or dancing. Even if we were chosen, we'd just be cannon fodder. We might as well help them and pass the time."

"How can you be so self-deprecating before even being selected? And you can even imagine what if you get chosen, why can't you think bigger? What if you become a sensation on the show? What if you debut?"

"So if you think you can debut, then that's fine. I don't think it's my own business."

“No, I feel,” Rosie took a deep breath and said solemnly, “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said those things to you when I wanted to put you down. I’m sorry.”

"Thanks... No one has ever apologized to me before." Tan Nianze raised his arm and wiped his eyes abruptly. He took out a small notebook and a pen from his pocket. "Can I get your autograph? If you really debut, I'll have something to remember you by."

"of course."

Luo Xi habitually picked up a pen and signed the paper.

[Completed, one opponent no longer wished to participate; 500 points awarded]

The system notification sounded the moment I finished signing.

"?"

why?

[Because the host made him feel at ease and voluntarily give up his dream of becoming an idol, it means one less competitor. Moreover, the kindness you showed him will make him grateful to you from the bottom of his heart, and he will become your fan, Luo Xi!]

"..."

Luo Xi really had an urge to snatch that autograph back and tear it up immediately.

Relief? No, it's not that I'm satisfied with just this!

But that's 500 points.

Most importantly, she wasn't sure if she used some kind of reverse psychology, and even if this person was motivated and worked hard, would he be able to achieve the result he wanted? What if he tried but ultimately failed and didn't become an idol? What if he became an idol but the outcome was actually worse than finding a stable job and living a stable life?

So many people fight tooth and nail, so many debut artists remain unknown, but those who truly stand at the top and are remembered by everyone are built upon a mountain of defeated rivals.

Rosie couldn't give him any promises of "effort leading to success." Nothing can be promised for tomorrow. She couldn't even guarantee her own success.

"I think you're very beautiful, at least millions of times more beautiful than I am now. It's not worth giving up just because of your appearance. But if you really don't want to do it, then forget it. I don't know your true thoughts, and I don't know what the future holds or what the best course of action is."

"I'm also terrible, but I will never give up no matter what, even if I'm destined to fail, because being an idol is my dream, because this is my only pursuit and source of life. I will carry your share and keep working hard. If you are afraid, I will help you achieve your dream."

"Okay." His voice was still low. "Then I'll be going now."

Luo Xi patted him on the shoulder and turned to leave as well.