Future

Chapter 90 Future

The person who opened the door was indeed a staff member, but Pei Xiyan was also there.

He stood expressionless beside the staff, wearing a dark blue baseball uniform, radiating the same coldness as the season outside.

Huang Lizhi knew that he was born this way, and she herself was the same way. When she wasn't smiling, the corners of her mouth would turn down, making her look angry. That's why she liked to smile, to prevent others from accidentally misunderstanding anything.

But none of that matters. Why is the producer here?

Was it because of...me? The thought struck her, and she froze, sitting in the chair in front of the dressing table.

Pei Xiyan stood at the door, not expecting that Jin Nanxi would arrange a single waiting room for her.

He then turned his gaze to Huang Lizhi in front of the dressing table. Today's performance outfit showed off her well-proportioned figure, clear shoulder and neck lines, slender waist, and her whole body exuded the health and vitality unique to girls of this age.

"Is it convenient for you to come in?" Pei Xiyan smiled slightly, the coldness on her face dissipating and warmth rising.

"Yes, producer." Hwang Ye-ji realized what was happening, nodded, and then stood up, maintaining her usual courtesy.

"Thank you for your help." Pei Xiyan thanked the staff member who had led him there in a low voice and walked into the waiting room. Huang Lizhi then noticed that he was carrying something in his hand.

"Here, I bought this on the way." Pei Xiyan handed her the item, adding, "It's not coffee."

Huang Lizhi knew perfectly well; he could tell just by the color of the drink. The transparent glass contained a light brown liquid with black tapioca pearls at the bottom—it was milk tea, a drink that had recently become popular in the peninsula.

"Thank you, producer." Huang Lizhi took the milk tea, holding it neatly in front of him with both hands, like a kitten with its paws tucked in.

"You look great today," Pei Xiyan said again.

"Kamsahamnida." Unlike his reaction to the makeup artist's praise, Hwang Ye-ji grinned and lowered his head, his smile revealing more shyness than joy.

"Are you still nervous?" Pei Xiyan looked at her and asked that same old question again.

"I was really nervous before the rehearsal, but I felt much better after it was over," Huang Lizhi said.

When she stood on the stage during rehearsal, with bright spotlights overhead, she stared at the empty audience seats in front of her and a small circle of light at her feet. Her nervousness gradually turned into excitement with the rhythm of her heartbeat.

"No matter the outcome, just show yourself to the fullest," Pei Xiyan said. "The result isn't the most important thing; what matters most is what you learn afterwards."

"Yes." Hearing his words, Hwang Ye-ji looked at him with a smile in his eyes, "So, producer-nim... did you come here today specifically to cheer me on?"

Holding the milk tea, she already knew the answer in her heart.

But she still wanted to hear affirmation from the person in front of her.

"Okay, but I'm leaving soon." Pei Xiyan didn't plan to stay long. He then clenched his fist, making the same gesture as in the elevator last time, "Lizhi, fighting!"

Even without candy in her mouth, Hwang Yee-ji could still feel a faint sweetness spreading through her. She also clenched her right fist and waved it slightly, "I will."

"After all, you're JYP's secret weapon," Pei Xiyan smiled.

"Where did the producer find out about this title?" Hwang Yee-ji asked somewhat embarrassedly, as she actually found the title quite shameful.

"From the show's social media," Pei Xiyan said, "the first episode aired today, but they've already released the list of contestants for the next episode."

"The show should be recording soon, right?" he asked.

Huang Lizhi picked up the phone from the dressing table and glanced at it. It was 2:30, before the recording time...

"One hour and a half left."

"Then I won't bother you anymore. Just believe in yourself," Pei Xiyan advised.

"Hmm!" Huang Lizhi nodded vigorously, then escorted Pei Xiyan to the door, watching her figure disappear at the end of the corridor.

Just as he said, he didn't stay long, coming and going in a hurry. Huang Lizhi stood there, staring blankly at the end of the corridor for a long time, only snapping out of his daze when the makeup artist behind him reminded him.

The milk tea in his hand didn't have ice. Huang Lizhi took out a straw, inserted it, and took a small sip. The milk tea tasted very sweet, just as sweet as the one in the elevator last time.

The recording started promptly at 4 PM.

As each contestant took the stage, the atmosphere in the studio gradually heated up.

In a corner of the studio, Pei Xiyan was half-hidden in the shadows, with a dissolute young man standing beside her.

"Your dear sister is about to go on stage." Looking at the script in her hand, Jin Nanxi nudged Pei Xiyan with her elbow to remind her.

"What good sister?" Pei Xiyan glanced at him.

"If she's not a good sister, why would I need to come all this way to see her?" Jin Nanxi raised one eyebrow with a sly grin.

"I, Nuna, am here today too," Pei Xiyan said calmly.

"Sigh, so it was just a side effect after all." Kim Nam-hee shook her head and sighed. "I really wonder if Ye Ji will be heartbroken to hear this news."

Pei Xiyan ignored him, because as the host introduced them, Li Junhao, who was the introducer, came onto the stage from the other side.

When the four judges sitting on the judging panel saw him, they all had a look of sudden realization on their faces, as if to say, "Oh, it was him."

Pei Xiyan knew it was all an act. Aside from the rehearsals and procedures, as juniors, Li Junhao would definitely have to visit them after arriving at the venue. However, in order to create a sense of surprise for the audience, they needed to fake this reaction. Peninsula Variety loves to use this trick.

"...To put it bluntly, she's our company's secret weapon."

Through the thin lifting platform, listening to Lee Junho's introduction from outside, the candy in Hwang Yeji's mouth slowly melted.

"I hope you deliver a stage performance that you won't regret. Imagine it's your birthday today, and show yourself to the fullest." Lee Junho looked towards the rising platform. "JYP's 'secret weapon,' Hwang Yeji, please come out!"

The lift platform slowly rises, accompanied by the upbeat intro to "Ain't My Fault," "ohmyohmy..."

Oh my......

'

The moment she appeared, her unique and beautiful appearance stunned the audience. Holding the microphone, she deftly tossed her high ponytail, her every gesture exuding absolute confidence.

Almost everyone in the audience was captivated.

"You performed very well, you didn't seem nervous at all," Kim Nam-hee exclaimed.

"Magazine." Pei Xiyan nodded.

Her performance was excellent, perfectly showcasing her practice experience. The entire song performance was relaxed and effortless, but her singing skills were still lacking.

Pei Xiyan knew that the contestants who had performed before her were all singers with excellent voices, which meant that she would be at a certain disadvantage in front of the judges.

So after watching the performance, he left immediately.

"Not reading the comments anymore?" Jin Nanxi asked in surprise.

"No need to look." Pei Xiyan shook her head as she walked ahead. "Comments are only for this stage. She just needs to deliver on her promises for the future."

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