Jiang Ye finished her sentence, bowed slightly to Mu Xingchi, and then walked forward.

Mu Xingchi stood there for a moment, then followed her.

His tone was still light, as if he didn't understand the implication in her words, "Come on, it’s just dinner, is that really not possible?"

"It’s not that nothing is possible."

Jiang Ye calmly replied, "For example, if Teacher Jingjing invited me with you, I would probably go."

The meaning was clear.

Mu Xingchi: "..."

Jiang Ye's words were airtight.

No matter if you throw a straight ball or give a hint, she will throw it back to you, leaving you with no chance to find a way in.

Being rejected like this, Mu Xingchi had nothing left to say.

He didn't say anything else, he could only silently follow Jiang Ye out of the venue.

However, the next day when they met again for the rehearsal, Jiang Ye acted as if nothing had happened.

Mu Xingchi thought she would avoid him, but she didn’t.

She danced the same way, their interactions were the same.

When they made eye contact, she was still fully invested, her expression was no different from the previous rehearsal, focused and alluring, as if she wasn’t worried about him misunderstanding at all.

Mu Xingchi: "..."

He had been flustered by her gaze many times before.

But this time, being stared at like this again, Mu Xingchi actually felt a strange sense of… shame?

It felt like he had been outdone by this trainee who was several years younger than him.

He had just been bluntly rejected yesterday, and he was a little uneasy facing her during rehearsal today.

But Jiang Ye could truly separate her personal emotions offstage from the stage.

She was only eighteen years old this year.

How did she do it?

After the run-through with makeup, the whole group got back on the bus.

Mu Xingchi was supposed to go back to the mentor’s dorm to rest.

But after thinking for a moment, he changed his mind and went to the practice room.

Jiang Ye was still in the practice room.

She was facing the mirror, trying different moves, thinking about the best way to present them, her expression extremely focused.

Mu Xingchi watched her from the practice room.

He originally thought he had a lot in common with Jiang Ye.

He had also trained in Korea, he debuted when he was eighteen, and Jiang Ye’s boldness in directly choosing the first seat during the seat selection was exactly like him when he was younger.

He was also passionate about the stage and very demanding of himself.

It was because of this similarity that he admired Jiang Ye and was unconsciously drawn to her.

But now he realized that he and Jiang Ye had many differences.

For example, he was also strict with others, while Jiang Ye was always tolerant and encouraging towards her teammates.

And then there was their different views on the profession of being an idol.

To be honest, he had never really followed the so-called idol code of conduct.

He felt that fans liked him for him on stage, not for him in real life, his real self was just an ordinary person, he should be able to do whatever he wanted.

But Jiang Ye didn’t seem to think so at all.

She was even more demanding of herself than most idols.

He hadn’t really said anything yesterday, but Jiang Ye immediately sensed his thoughts.

He knew, of course, that idols shouldn’t date, and even if they did, they should report it to the company.

But they hadn’t gotten to that point yet.

Jiang Ye wouldn’t even give him a chance for dinner.

Why?

Mu Xingchi clicked his tongue.

He couldn’t help but feel a little frustrated.

Jiang Ye’s ears were sharp, and she immediately heard the noise at the door.

She thought it was Shen Zhiyi coming back, so she opened the practice room door, and when she saw Mu Xingchi, she was clearly stunned.

But she still politely asked, "Teacher Mu, do you need something?"

Mu Xingchi didn’t expect her to open the door so suddenly.

He was startled and almost subconsciously said, "Nothing, I just wanted to see you."

As soon as he finished speaking, he wanted to slap himself.

What was he saying?

It made him seem even more inappropriate.

Jiang Ye’s gaze seemed to be a little off as she looked at him.

It was as if she had to force herself to stop from closing the door on him, and she let him in.

For a moment, the atmosphere in the room was awkward.

Mu Xingchi closed the door, stayed quiet for a while, and then suddenly said, "Jiang Ye."

"I’m curious about something."

Jiang Ye: "You say it."

"You said that being an idol means you’re not an ordinary person anymore."

"Alright, I thought about it, I can barely agree with you."

Mu Xingchi asked, "But don’t you intend to be like this forever? It’s not possible, right?"

"Is that so hard?"

Jiang Ye looked at him, her expression a little puzzled, "During the idol period, not breaking any rules, is that very difficult?"

She paused and said tactfully, "If you really find it difficult, you can always go back to living as an ordinary person."

Mu Xingchi: "..."

Jiang Ye’s words had a hint of resentment.

Because she had heard news every year, even every month, about which idol was dating again, which fan had been heartbroken by a scandal.

She didn’t understand.

How rare was it to have the opportunity to stand on stage?

Hundreds of thousands of trainees debuted every year, but after the sifting process, only a handful of people could stand before the public.

Since he had this opportunity, why not seize it?

Even if he didn’t have any so-called dreams, wasn’t making money good? Wasn’t focusing on your career good? Why did he have to date?

If you truly loved someone to death, then go back to being an ordinary person.

There’s no such thing as making money from fans and dating at the same time, that’s immoral.

Mu Xingchi looked at her for a while, then suddenly said, "Then, what if you achieve that?"

Jiang Ye suddenly froze.

The next second, she looked at him with a subtle expression, "You’re not the kind of person who would quit the entertainment industry for love, are you?"

No way, that’s impossible, that’s too love-brained.

Mu Xingchi: "..."

Of course not.

He hadn’t gone crazy yet.

He pretended to laugh casually and said, "I just wanted to see how far you would go to please someone who likes you."

After asking this question, he was actually a little nervous.

If yesterday was considered a hint, then asking this question today was almost a direct statement of his attitude.

However, Jiang Ye’s expression didn’t change at all.

She just thought for a second, then shook her head, "That’s not possible either."

She said seriously, "Because even if that person quits the entertainment industry, I won’t."

Mu Xingchi: "..."

Jiang Ye felt her logic was correct.

As long as she didn’t quit the entertainment industry, she had to be responsible to her fans.

Of course, during her career development phase, she definitely wouldn't quit for anyone.

"... Okay."

Mu Xingchi sighed, "I understand."

He had once thought that he and Jiang Ye were people from the same world.

Now it seemed, they weren't.

Mu Xingchi stood up, and before leaving, he looked back at her.

"Tomorrow’s stage, you’ll still perform well, right?"

Jiang Ye looked into Mu Xingchi’s eyes and knew that he had mostly let go.

And his question, more than asking about her performance, was asking if they could return to their normal working relationship?

Jiang Ye smiled and nodded, "Of course."

•••

The next day, six o'clock in the evening.

Although this mentor collaboration stage was just a performance,

The audience’s enthusiasm hadn’t diminished at all, the shouts for the trainees and the mentors echoed throughout the venue.

Before the performance began, the five mentors drew lots on stage to decide their performance order.

Cui Qi shouted before drawing lots, "I want to go last."

Yang Jingjing was the first to draw, smiling, "I hope to finish performing early."

She took the paper, unfolded it.

She actually drew number 1.

"Then I’ll get ready."

Yang Jingjing waved her hand and quickly went offstage, "Good luck, everyone."

Mu Xingchi’s luck was average, he drew number three.

After the stages of Yang Jingjing and Chen Yiming ended, it would be his group’s turn.

Yang Jingjing’s collaboration stage was "I Want to Be Free".

This song was chosen by Mu Xingchi, the style was very energetic, not like a typical girl group song.

Fortunately, the average skills of the trainees in this group were not bad, and Yang Jingjing was a very good mentor who guided the trainees, performing the song with a different feel from the original, showing the trainees' shining youthful spirit.

Chen Yiming’s collaboration stage was "Clouds".

This was a lyrical song.

Cheng Zhen, who could finally sing again, showcased her powerful vocals, and the final high note duet with the mentor amazed many people.

Next was "Crush You".

The waiting rooms for the mentors and trainees were different.

So, it was only at the entrance to the corridor that Mu Xingchi saw Jiang Ye again.

He had already talked yesterday, so there was nothing to be embarrassed about.

Mu Xingchi stood at the front.

After a while, he suddenly heard Jiang Ye say, "Don’t be nervous."

Mu Xingchi’s heart skipped a beat.

With a complex and subtle emotion, he turned around, only to find that she was talking to Lu Xiaowan.

Mu Xingchi: "..."

Okay.

He thought, indeed, someone like Jiang Ye was naturally meant for the stage, and shouldn’t be hindered by any personal feelings.

All he could do was collaborate well with her on this stage, giving her a perfect final performance.

Even if they left this show and were no longer mentor and trainee.

At least this stage would be recorded in their resumes, commemorating their collaboration.