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

Chapter 5

Choosing a dorm is a skill, but sometimes it's better to pass on certain so-called 'blessings.'

*

The initial evaluations ended past 2 a.m. The PD and mentors left one after another, while the trainees remained in their seats, waiting for the production team's next instructions.

Ye Congming was visibly exhausted. Gu Ye Ning knew why.

Both Wei Nanxing and Ye Congming had chosen the same song, "Drowning Fish," for their extra performance. In his previous life, Wei Nanxing had earned his first "A" with this song, and the same happened this time. Vocal coach Bai Su praised him endlessly, saying that Wei Nanxing's talent was extraordinary. He argued that Wei's goal shouldn't be merely to be the vocal member of an idol group, but that he was the hope of the Chinese music scene and should aim to become a true singer. Being in a boy band would only limit his growth.

Although Gu Ye Ning had snatched the first "A" this time, Wei Nanxing, who had gained significant popularity with this song in the previous life, remained a formidable competitor. Moreover, Wei Nanxing's emotional delivery and natural talent indeed surpassed Ye Congming's current level. A mentor later praised him by saying his voice had the power to "touch the heart."

In other words, their skills were comparable, but Wei's talent and emotional intelligence in singing were outstanding. singing intelligence were superior.

But Gu Ye Ning couldn't say that.

He simply wrapped his arm around Ye Congming's shoulders, pulled him closer.

*

The program's chief director, a man around forty who was always in a rush, rarely appeared at the recording site. After chatting with a group of staff members outside the studio, he finally came up to the stage and announced to all the trainees, "We will now proceed with dorm assignments."

"I'll explain how the dorms will be assigned."

"All the rooms are four-person rooms. With 200 trainees here, there will be a total of 50 dorms spread across two buildings."

"Does that mean we'll have an extra person in our dorm?" Sheng Fan asked Gu Ye Ning.

Gu Ye Ning nodded. In reality, that wasn't the case, but he couldn't reveal his foresight here.

"You will self-select your dorm mates. But please be aware of our rules: trainees from the same company cannot stay in the same dorm. Unless there are special circumstances and prior approval, once the dorm assignments are made, no changes will be allowed."

"After forming a group of four, you can go to the staff in front of the dorm buildings to register. They will help you find your luggage and guide you to your rooms."

A clamor erupted.

"What did he say?!"

Sheng Fan turned to look at Gu Ye Ning, then at Ye Congming, stunned by the new rule.

"W-why can't trainees from the same company stay together?" he stammered.

"Probably to help trainees from different companies get to know each other," Gu Ye Ning replied.

Although, based on his experience from previous life, conflicts often arose faster than friendships.

Sheng Fan said in shock, "But there wasn't this rule last season"

Gu Ye Ning said, "Last season, you could even change rooms. This time, you can't."

The rules were indeed far from ideal. Aside from the impracticality of prohibiting trainees from the same company from staying together, most people were strangers at the beginning of the recording. Randomly assigning dorms not only wasted a lot of time but could also bring many hidden problems, often leading to increased conflicts.