Chapter 149: Step by Step
Gu Qinghuan understood immediately and said, “That being the case, Chuchu, your group’s program is set too. Now it’s time to get busy.”
“I feel a bit uneasy,” Jiang Chuchu said, holding herself aloof and looking at Ye Weiyu and the others with a somewhat helpless expression. “With our group’s current situation, I don’t think we can keep up with the schedule.”
Bai Qingyin and Lou Cheng realized something. They didn’t look at each other, but instinctively avoided speaking at the same time.
Bai Qingyin leaned in first: “Can’t keep up with the schedule?”
She stroked her chin thoughtfully: “It’s actually possible.”
Ye Weiyu’s expression darkened slightly. “I trust my team members. There won’t be a problem.”
“Trust isn’t just something you say,” Bai Qingyin said sharply. “You couldn’t even show up on time for filming yesterday. If I were your team member, I wouldn’t trust you either.”
The cameramen filmed with extra enthusiasm. Conflicts among the performers—that’s what makes for good viewing!
Bai Qingyin’s words left Ye Weiyu speechless. Lou Cheng stepped forward to help: “He has his own things to do. He told us in advance, so it’s not a big deal.”
Lou Cheng glanced at the nervous-looking Mei Qingying and the others and continued: “Besides, Ye Weiyu has already finalized the song for the performance. From here, we just proceed step by step.”
Jiang Chuchu interjected: “But this ‘step by step’ approach might be a bit difficult to achieve.”
If anyone else had said that, Ye Weiyu would have told them to mind their own business. But Jiang Chuchu was his team member, so he couldn’t argue.
Lou Cheng pretended to think for a moment, then smiled: “Alright, my program is fairly easy. I’ll help supervise Ye Weiyu’s side.”
She casually added: “After all, he’s still a rookie and inexperienced.”
Gu Qinghuan quietly inhaled. If Ye Weiyu hears that, it’ll probably infuriate him…
Jiang Chuchu had expected Ye Weiyu to refuse out of pride, but after a few seconds of hesitation, he smiled gratefully and agreed: “Thank you, Lou Jie.”
It made sense—Ye Weiyu wanted to get closer to Jin Ding and probably welcomed any chance to interact with Lou Cheng.
Bai Qingyin said casually: “Then you help. I’ve already shown off enough. I’ll go back to rehearsing. By the end, the first place will definitely be mine and Ning Fu’s.”
Lou Cheng just smiled, didn’t reply, and turned to discuss things with Ye Weiyu.
Gu Qinghuan asked Jiang Chuchu: “He’s here now. Time to start preparing, right?”
Meaning that at school, everyone could start keeping an eye on things.
Jiang Chuchu nodded knowingly: “Yes, I need to start too. First, select the appropriate poetry based on the song.”
In other words, she would decide her approach based on Ye Weiyu’s moves.
Le Yi, accompanied by the always-silent Wen Ye, walked over: “We’ve rested enough. It’s time to work. The student council told me to pick up the props. Shall we go study the stage layout together?”
“Sure.” Gu Qinghuan agreed immediately, looking at Jiang Chuchu with reluctance: “Tell me if anything comes up.”
No snacking alone! Post it in the group! I want to watch the fun too!
Jiang Chuchu patted her shoulder: “Go on, you two.”
The four groups went their separate ways. Gu Qinghuan and Le Yi went to the student council to carry props, with Wen Ye helping. Taking advantage of the cameras not filming them, Wen Ye whispered: “That celebrity called Ye Weiyu… I don’t think he’s a good guy.”
Gu Qinghuan looked around to make sure the PD wasn’t watching, then asked quietly: “Why do you think that?”
“Recently, I’ve been studying some speaking techniques for writing scripts,” Wen Ye explained. “Just now, he made a decision on his own, yet insisted on having others ‘understand’ it. He actually took away the right to oppose and manipulated others’ thoughts.”
Gu Qinghuan said nothing: “My advice is just to stay away from him.”
Wen Ye nodded. He had no personal connection with Ye Weiyu; he just wanted to warn Gu Qinghuan. Since she understood, he didn’t elaborate.
The rest of the day, Le Yi, Gu Qinghuan, and Wen Ye found a secluded spot to plan the stage layout.
Le Yi’s small acting class resumed: “When filming a TV show or movie, directors arrange multiple camera angles to capture the best view. In live performances, the audience’s positions are fixed, so when arranging the set, you must consider their perspective.”
Even though it was just a few tables and chairs, Le Yi guided Wen Ye in arranging positions and had Gu Qinghuan stand in the audience area to check the effect. After hours of adjustments, the stage layout was finalized.
Standing by the props, Gu Qinghuan looked at where she’d stand earlier and suddenly felt nervous: “What if… my legs give out?”
“Don’t look at the audience. Focus on your partners and imagine the audience isn’t there,” Le Yi turned Gu Qinghuan’s head. “If you’re distracted, it means your concentration isn’t strong enough! Look at me! Recite your lines!”
Gu Qinghuan thought: Can I still run away now?
Of course not. Le Yi was strict but patient—he only wanted Gu Qinghuan to get used to the stage for now.
After Wen Ye helped finish the set and left, Gu Qinghuan and Le Yi used today’s 200-yuan meal allowance to eat at a nearby clay pot restaurant.
Le Yi looked at the onlookers, then at Gu Qinghuan eating intently, and sighed: “I wish I could put your concentration from eating into your performance.”
Gu Qinghuan replied between picking bones from the chicken feet: “Then next time I perform, I’ll imagine myself eating.”
Le Yi: No need. Mainly worried your stomach might growl on stage.
During lunch, the electronic catalog of costumes arrived. Le Yi sent it to their small group chat for everyone to choose.
Lu Jian and Gu Qinghuan both picked a dark blue and light blue spliced school uniform resembling a tactical jacket, with long sleeves and pants.
Yu Yuan preferred a baseball-style uniform, also spliced, in cream and light green.
Even though it was just a comparison, Yu Yuan insisted: “The set you picked is in cold colors, which doesn’t fit our skit style! Plus, tactical jackets are too stuffy. With stage lights, you’ll be unbearably hot!”
Lu Jian: “Really hot? It’s October, I’m afraid of cold.”
Yu Yuan: “Extremely hot! The stage lights will be so strong you can’t see the audience, and the stiff material of the jacket will affect your performance movements!”
Le Yi: “I agree with Yu Yuan on that. But tomorrow, I can bring both outfits for you to try on and decide on site. That’s still fine.”
Gu Qinghuan nodded internally and also sent a message to Le Yi: “So, which outfit should I choose?”
Gu Qinghuan: “Shirt and tie is the classic choice!”
Lu Jian: “Layer it with a V-neck sweater! Academic style!”
Yu Yuan: “By the way, we also need to pick outfits for the parents, right?”
The group chat immediately became lively. Le Yi, seeing them so engaged, quietly messaged his assistant: “Bring all my outfits tomorrow. They can choose on site.”
