At 5 a.m., a time when even the sun is just beginning to rise.
The whole city is asleep, and most of the trainees are still resting, gaining energy for practice that will continue once it's time.
However, Luo Xin had already loaded Wei Mu into the car, heading for the hospital.
The van was provided by the production team, and they didn't call for an ambulance, which was necessary.
Calling for an ambulance would mean directing outsiders to the shooting location, and it would indicate that this incident would soon be leaked out. When that happens, the media would swarm over here like sharks smelling blood.
This is intolerable for the show, the production team, and even the capital behind them.
While it's necessary to save people, it's also crucial to cover up the news.
Sitting in the car, Luo Xin, aside from occasionally checking on Wei Mu and paying constant attention to his condition, barely speaks a word.
Next to him sits Zhuang Jian, the director in charge of the show, who is incessantly tapping on his phone, probably communicating with those so-called "higher-ups."
The vehicle proceeded silently towards a private hospital.
Once they arrived, Luo Xin took a fleeting look at the hospital's sign, recognizing it as a well-known chain hospital. Not only is it famous, but it's also very expensive. However, the price corresponds with an extremely high level of confidentiality.
He lets out a cold, wry smile. The production team really is sparing no expense this time.
Zhuang Jian is unaware of Luo Xin's thoughts because he's at his wits' end. When he was awoken by the staff, he was petrified.
He knew Wan Bei was no good, but who knew he could stir up so much trouble? Just thinking about it makes him want to get rid of Wan Bei and the person who brought him onto the show.
To suppress the news, he has been on his toes since he woke up and, thus, barely has any time to concern himself with Luo Xin, who accompanied him.
Once they got out of the car, Zhuang Jian rushed to find the chief physician they had previously contacted, begging him to treat Wei Mu effectively.
Wei Mu still seems unconscious, and his condition appears critical.
While Luo Xin was holding him, he felt that Wei Mu's body was vaguely hot to the touch, making him wonder if he had a fever. Therefore, Luo Xin didn't have the time to argue about the production team's plan, thinking that the primary concern was to save a life.
What followed was a chaotic scene, with filming taking place and specialists being consulted.
Luo Xin is not a professional, so he can't accompany Wei Mu everywhere. Just as Wei Mu was being taken in for some tests, Luo Xin sat in a chair by the door waiting.
Coincidentally, at that very moment, Wan Bei also arrived.
It had already been two hours since Luo Xin called for help in the morning.
Wan Bei appeared to be in good shape, showing no signs of fatigue even after staying up all night. He clearly had changed clothes, and Luo Xin faintly smelled a refreshing scent coming from him, as if his hair still had dampness from not being completely dried.
So, he went back and took a shower?
Thinking about the still unconscious Wei Mu, and then looking at Wan Bei with his pretentious demeanor, feigning concern and saying, "Is Wei Mu ok? I'm so worried…"
Anyone could see he was merely putting on a show. Luo Xin couldn't help but feel absurd.
Pushed to the limit by the absurdity, he stood up and approached Wan Bei.
Luo Xin had always been someone who didn't like to confront or express his emotions directly. When having an online dispute, no matter how sarcastic his words were, his facial expression remained unchanged. The emotional ups and downs of joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness seemed never to appear on his face.
At this moment, an exaggerated smile appeared on Luo Xin's face, and he even let out a laugh.
Wan Bei's pretentious act was abruptly interrupted by Luo Xin's laughter. He looked at Luo Xin warily, as it was Luo Xin who had ruined his only fun this morning, and he thought Luo Xin wanted to take the opportunity to threaten him.
Behind him, Wan Bei's own manager and assistant were urging him to behave better, as he couldn't afford to cause a scandal at this critical time.
Still laughing, Luo Xin walked up to Wan Bei, glanced pitifully at Wan Bei's assistant, then turned back to Wan Bei and called out, "Wan Bei,"
Everyone's eyes turned to Luo Xin at this moment.
Luo Xin stared straight at Wan Bei's nauseating face and laughed, saying, "I - swear - on - your - mother!"
Then, with a single punch, he knocked Wan Bei down, hitting the back of his head on the ground. Before anyone could react, Luo Xin was already sitting on top of Wan Bei, punching his face with all his strength, again and again...
Lying on the ground, Wan Bei let out a scream like a dying pig: "Ahh—"
Others rushed over to pull Luo Xin away, but for some reason, he seemed incredibly strong, and several people couldn't pull him off. When they finally managed to lift him a bit, Luo Xin didn't give up and continued kicking with his feet.
Luo Xin had known all along about Wan Bei's hobby of tormenting newcomers; there were hints of it in the news...
Yet, he didn't warn Wei Mu and even left him alone with Wan Bei in the practice room.
Luo Xin wasn't sure if he was hitting Wan Bei for Wei Mu or for himself, or if the person he was hitting was Wan Bei or the Luo Xin who went home last night.
But he knew one thing: he absolutely did not regret beating up Wan Bei right now.
Standing there, watching as the staff members helped Wan Bei to his feet, his freshly changed clothes were now wrinkled, his hairstyle was in a mess, and his previously handsome face was now bruised and swollen. He had completely lost his previous arrogance. Mumbling something incoherently, he was probably cursing.
Luo Xin watched with an icy gaze, even as the production crew members continued to persuade him, "It's not worth it. Wei Mu is still undergoing medical tests inside, and it's not worth confronting him as a newcomer..."
"Luo Xin... just wait for me, and see if I don't kill you!" After being beaten like this, Wan Bei directly gave up acting and also forgot about the manager's advice. He threatened Luo Xin fiercely, appearing full of hostility.
Luo Xin clapped his hands and laughed, "You idiot!"
Such a person like Wan Bei doesn't even have the qualification to be in a confrontation with Luo Xin.
In fact, it's because Wanbei didn't expect this. After all, no matter what, he is a senior figure in the industry. Therefore, no matter what happens, these little stars who haven't debuted yet or are still struggling in talent shows wouldn't dare to offend him.
Popularity is the original sin, and this is even truer for popular newcomers.
When he came to the hospital today, it was just for show. The main purpose was to make a statement to the show organizers, so it would be easier to deal with subsequent issues and suppress any news.
But is Luo Xin an ordinary little star?
He's not even a trainee.
Participating in the show was merely a way to pass the time and support Shao Xiangchen.
He is not afraid of withdrawing from the competition. What's the big deal about offending Wan Bei? Or even being blacklisted?
Luo Xin doesn't care at all.
Unlike those silly trainees and starlets, Luo Xin's purpose of participating in the show is not pure at all, and he is not the kind of person who will do everything to show his face for some dream.
He likes to take shortcuts, and often uses tricks for his own ends, sometimes even unscrupulous.
To put it simply, Luo Xin just wants to be happy.
So, if someone doesn't make him happy, he'll make sure they're even more unhappy.
In front of everyone, Luo Xin said word by word: "I want to see... Is it you who'll kill me or I get you out of the circle first! If I were your father, I would just pick up a condom and raise it, it would be cleaner than raising you."
________________________
After a round of cursing, Luo Xin finally managed to get rid of Wan Bei. After all, if Luo Xin doesn't consider a future in the entertainment industry, Wan Bei hardly poses a threat. It's the classic case of the barefoot being unafraid of those wearing shoes.
As long as Wan Bei believes he can still recover one day, he wouldn't dare to truly harm Luo Xin.
After Wan Bei left, Wei Mu's examination finally ended, and of course, he also regained consciousness.
However, Wei Mu when awake seems no different from when he fainted, maybe even worse than when he was out. After all, when he was unconscious, he didn't have to think about his leg or his future.
Since it was an urgent situation, the results of the examination came out very quickly.
The good news is, although Wei Mu's knee looks very beat up and bloody, most of it is external wounds. The sort that heals in a few days with proper care.
Wan Bei, while a tormentor, didn't actually aim to cause permanent lameness to Wei Mu. It's unknown how many times he had to practice to get his intensity right.
The fever isn't a horrifying complication, it's simply because he was overly exhausted.
But this doesn't mean Wei Mu is completely fine.
The most serious issue is that his old injury was triggered by his overexertion in practice last night.
Dancers often have problems with their legs or backs.
Wei Mu is no exception. Although he hasn't won any world championships, his many domestic certificates prove his dancing skills aren't just for show. Naturally, he also has various occupational ailments. In his last competition, he slightly overused his leg, but managed to recover with some rest.
This time, however, the combination of old and new injuries resulted in severe consequences.
"Walking should definitely be fine, but engaging in long, intense physical activity won't be possible in the future. The kind of dance you used to do will also be out of the question," declared the attending physician, flipping through the examination results.
Compared to some people who are unable to walk, Wei Mu's outcome could be considered very lucky.
However, as a competitor still in the midst of contests and on the verge of breaking through, this news strikes like a bolt from the blue.
Wei Mu lies in bed, lost in thought.
In the past, he actually had many opportunities and the company offered him numerous choices. He used to have many programs to participate in during his earlier years.
Now, he finds himself at a standstill, having accomplished nothing in his current situation.
He doesn't regret the hard work he put into practicing, nor does he regret choosing this profession.
He only resents himself for not seizing opportunities when he was healthy.
He knew it wasn't right when Wan Bei changed his attitude last night and that he should reject his "proposal."
But it was as if his judgment was clouded, afraid that he would become the weakest link in the team.
He had no more time to waste. This was his last chance.
But now, it seems like even that last chance is gone.
A Wei Mu who can't dance won't be liked by anyone anymore.
Luo Xin sits beside Wei Mu's sickbed. He doesn't comfort or urge him, but casually says, "I just gave Wan Bei a beating. That idiot probably won't dare to bother you now."
"Later, the production team should come to negotiate with you. Don't agree to their demands right away, wait for them to offer you a satisfactory price. The backstage resources of '001' are abundant. Leading roles in TV dramas, permanent guest appearances in variety shows, and popular programs – feel free to ask for more; they won't dare to haggle with you."
Luo Xin talked a lot, but Wei Mu didn't respond at all. However, that didn't discourage him one bit.
Consoling words are only useful if the other person feels comforted. Otherwise, it's just the speaker comforting themselves.
Feeling guilty, Luo Xin didn't know what to say. In the end, he advised, "I don't know how those who've practiced for years would feel if they can't dance anymore, but I can tell you from a fan's perspective..."
"You can be without talent or popularity, but fans definitely want you to be healthy."
"They're still waiting for you, even if..."
"Even if it's not the stage you wanted to be on."
After Luo Xin left, Wei Mu suddenly pulled the covers over his entire face.
Inside the stuffy quilt was his tear-streaked and distorted face.
Luo Xin's words were not casually said to comfort Wei Mu. Three years ago, an artist Luo Xin liked committed suicide.
Due to an illness, his voice, of which he was immensely proud, was ruined. The artist was a genius with a rare vocal range seen once in a hundred years. His capabilities could rival some famous opera singers. Because of these conditions, he was groomed from a young age to solely devote himself to the path of music, and singing is all he knew.
So when he knew he would never be able to sing like before, he just swallowed sleeping pills at home. The reason is also very simple, his life lost all meaning, and no one will look forward to his voice anymore.
Luo Xin felt a sense of regret, for he was extremely fond of that artist's songs. Thankfully, he had many other artists that he liked. As such, he only felt upset for a couple of days.
But a fellow fan he knew has been immersed in the news of the artist's death and has no way to get out. Every year, he held commemorative activities, and every time he would cry until he fainted, feeling that he hadn't told him how much he liked him when he was alive.
For some reason, when Luo Xin saw Wei Mu lying on the hospital bed with an ashen face like a walking corpse, he suddenly remembered that artist back then.
Losing a talent one takes pride in is, of course, terrifying. But Luo Xin hopes he would realize that even if he can't do anything, there will still be fans who like him and worry about him.
Sometimes, fans can be very picky, finding flaw in this and that, always on the verge of leaving the fandom.
But at other times, fans can easily be satisfied. As long as you're healthy, they ask for nothing more...
________________________
Luo Xin didn't know how the production team negotiated with Wei Mu in the end.
However, half a year later, when he saw Wei Mu's determined figure in a very popular variety show, he knew that Wei Mu had made it through.
But all of that came later. When Luo Xin returned to the filming location, everything seemed calm.
As always, everyone was practicing in the neighboring practice room, and occasionally, he could hear music leaking through the door gap as if nothing had happened.
He opened the door to the 'éphémère' team's room, and Shao Xiangchen, Wen Tongbai, and Shang Lin immediately looked over. They didn't ask anything, but their eyes were full of concern.
Luo Xin smiled and reassured them, "Wei Mu is alright, but he needs some rest."
"Additionally, we might need to change our guest collaborator."
They all believed him and promptly sighed with relief. "As long as he's alright, that's good." Shang Lin was the one who spoke, not understanding the complexities of the situation, and thinking that Wei Mu had genuinely ended up in the hospital due to overexertion from practice.
Wen Tongbai also felt that as long as Wei Mu was fine, that's all that mattered. He immediately looked relieved.
Shao Xiangchen, with more experience, didn't think it was that simple but couldn't think of any other possibilities, so he went along with Luo Xin's explanation.
With nothing else to do, everyone started discussing the matter concerning the new guest collaborator.
Of course, they all tacitly avoided mentioning Wan Bei. After all, he had always been surrounded by scandals and some changes were to be expected.
They didn't wait long before their new collaborator showed up that afternoon.
A head playfully peeked in, and a face that outshone everyone in the entertainment industry suddenly appeared in front of them: "Hi~"
Wow.
It's Zhou Beibei.
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