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

Chapter 7

Discrimination and favoritism are common everywhere.

*

On the first night after his rebirth, Gu Ye Ning didn't sleep well.

Countless dreams intertwined, flashing through his mind over and over again in just a few short hours. Then, he felt someone gently pushing his shoulder. Groggily opening his eyes, he saw Wei Nanxing's face. The curtains weren't drawn, allowing fragments of sunlight to filter in. Wei's figure was vague, as if he was already dressed and ready.

"What time is it?" Gu Ye Ning struggled to sit up in bed, his voice hoarse. The heating was cranked up too high, making his throat feel dry and scratchy.

"Not yet seven. The selection staff came by just now to inform us that the twenty-five dorms in our building will have post-evaluation interviews today," Wei Nanxing said.

Gu Ye Ning ran a hand through his messy hair, searching for his A-class training uniform by the bedside. Although his previous life wasn't that long ago, he couldn't remember every little detail of what happened every day, especially with the endless interviews—pre-evaluations, post-evaluations, and supplementary ones. Not to mention the various behind-the-scenes footage, commercials, self-made mini-variety shows, and external engagements.

After getting dressed, he headed to the bathroom to freshen up. Guan Fengxian was already there. The small light above the mirror cast a soft glow, outlining Guan's delicate brow bones and refined nose. Even his slightly messy hair had a fine elegance to it.

Gu Ye Ning: "..."

Guan Fengxian: "..."

Guan Fengxian: "Good morning."

Gu Ye Ning: "...Morning."

The mirror could just about fit two people standing side by side. After the initial greeting, they quietly brushed their teeth and washed their faces. Wei Nanxing entered to get his towel and, upon seeing their reflection in the mirror, stepped back with a laugh.

"This small bathroom is so dazzling."

"I feel like your use of that phrase is off, but I can't quite put my finger on how to correct you," Gu Ye Ning raised his eyes to look at the mirror. The image reflected felt like a still frame from a slow-moving, languid film. The cramped space quietly hinted at untold stories.

For Gu Ye Ning, the bathroom was indeed like a hidden oasis.

The cameras in the bedroom were already rolling, recording their every move. Since they didn't know which moments would make it into the final edit, they had to stay on edge every second. Gu Ye Ning spent the few minutes washing up to adjust his emotions before stepping out of the bathroom.

Xie Hou was standing in front of the mirror outside, fixing his hair. When he saw Gu Ye Ning come out, he smiled—a polite, distant smile full of unfamiliarity. "All done?"

Gu Ye Ning didn't even want to nod and responded with a curt grunt through his nose.

Before his rebirth, after Xie Hou said those words to him, Gu Ye Ning's first instinct was to ask him what he meant. He was so absorbed in his training during the show that he didn't have many close friends among the other trainees, and he didn't want to lose Xie Hou as a "friend." But after the video of their interaction leaked online, Gu Ye Ning never had the chance to meet Xie Hou again, except during formal recordings.

That infamous "I hate you so much" was left unresolved.

Gu Ye Ning had suffered, felt conflicted, and blamed himself, but now, he had already given up on uncovering the truth.