I keep getting dragged into fierce competition while struggling in survival show

Chapter 2

Inappropriate makeup and styling are worse than none at all—leaving an "Greasy" first impression is the first step to failure.

There were two more companies to go before their initial evaluation stage.

The stage was a cacophony of voices, and the speakers were vibrating loudly. The backstage preparation area felt far removed from it all, gripped by an invisible sense of oppression. Dozens of cameras, like vigilant eyes, hovered high above, monitoring every contestant preparing to go on stage.

Gu Ye Ning twisted open a bottle of mineral water and squeezed out a bit to press down a few unruly strands of hair on his forehead.

"Just like this, I'll conquer you, cut off all your retreat—"

Suddenly, someone shouted behind him.

Gu Ye Ning's hand trembled, and a few drops of water splashed onto the back of his hand.

His two teammates from the same company were equally absorbed. Sheng Fan was facing the wall, repeatedly rehearsing his dance moves, while Ye Cong Ming had already warmed up his voice and was singing with his eyes closed, lost in his own world.

Jinghuang Entertainment was considered one of the wealthiest in the industry. Under its umbrella were three companies specializing in music, talent management, and fashion. Among them, the talent management company had the strongest growth momentum and was regarded as one of the most established in the country. In comparison, the music company was slightly weaker. The "Singing and Dancing Star" department under the music company had only been established for a year, and the three trainees sent to participate in this show, including Gu Ye Ning, were practically left to fend for themselves. They had even begged for the chance to compete this time.

The company sent them here, but didn't care much for them. Their makeup and styling were outsourced, and all three of them ended up with nearly identical smoky-eye makeup, leather jackets, and red rose accessories—a typical "bad boy" look.

Gu Ye Ning glanced at himself in the mirror.

His eyes were lined with harsh, overdone colors. Heavy and stiff eye makeup might work for those with plainer features, but definitely not for him.

Without extra makeup products on hand, only an opened packet of tissues was on the table in front of the mirror. Gu Ye Ning pulled out two tissues, wet them, and pressed them against his eyelids, trying to soften the heavy eyeshadow and blend out the overly defined eyeliner.

There wasn't enough time since his rebirth to redo his makeup, so he could only make some quick adjustments to avoid looking too awful.

He wiped away the overly bright lipstick with his finger, then drew a thin, elongated red line trailing from the corner of his right eye. It looked like a delicate yet decadent scar, softening the nearly inhuman sharpness of his brows and eyes.

In his previous life, the initial stage of 'The Shining Stars 'Season 2 aired in two episodes. He appeared in the first episode but didn't get a single personal shot. Even the group shots of their performance were barely shown— the mentors didn't even give them a chance for an additional performance.

"Ning-ge, what are you doing, making faces over there?"

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Sheng Fan heading in his direction.

Sheng Fan had naturally thick eyebrows and big eyes, with a deeper skin tone. His skin was oily and already sweating from nerves, making his makeup look even worse—why on earth did they give him mascara? Gu Ye Ning stared at him hopelessly for a few seconds, then wordlessly put his arm around his neck and dragged him to a corner away from the cameras.