Chapter 8 The Eighth Day of Starting a Business

The sensation of an electric shock was far from pleasant—to be precise, it was downright unbearable. Yet, even so, Xia Xi refused to yield under coercion.

“Make it precise. Don’t leave me half-dead,” Xia Xi insisted.

If they managed to shock her to death, she might still have a chance to return to that so-called compensation department. This time, Xia Xi was determined to strike first.

The **[Electric Shock]** warning above her head didn’t allow Xia Xi to passively await punishment. At this critical moment, she still had to keep learning the theme song.

Within 48 hours, she needed to master both the song and the choreography of the theme song in full. After that, she would directly enter the solo recording and grading phase—a daunting challenge even for the A-class trainees.

The practice room knew no day or night; the lights almost never went out. The smooth floor glistened with what wasn’t water but the sweat of the trainees.

Every class’s practice room had the air conditioning running, blasting cold air, yet many trainees’ uniforms were soaked through from relentless practice.

Anxiety, frustration, breakdowns.

Every kind of negative emotion could be found in the practice room. Some gritted their teeth and pushed forward, while others collapsed in silent tears, retreating to their dorms for temporary escape.

In this intense environment, even normal meals and rest felt like sins—unforgivable.

The C-class had many trainees, and the crowd made the space feel chaotic. Xia Xi, quietly standing among them in a cap and learning from the dance instructor, didn’t stand out much. But a closer look would reveal that while some trainees took breaks to slump on the sidelines and others replaced them after resting, Xia Xi was never among them.

She simply didn’t rest, like an unfeeling, tireless dance machine.

Thanks to her morning runs during this time, her endurance had improved significantly. The rigorous practice was exhausting, but martial arts training had been even tougher.

This life felt fulfilling to Xia Xi, almost like her days of martial arts training—except now, she had more people around her.

For lunch, Xia Xi ate with Chu Sisi and Zhao Tianqi, who had come all the way from the A-class to the C-class door to fetch her.

Zhao Tianqi was the undisputed top student in *Pick 101*, and her focus was just as academic. After the meal, she asked Xia Xi, “How’s the dance coming along? Have you memorized all the moves?”

Chu Sisi, worried Zhao Tianqi might pressure Xia Xi too much, added, “It’s only been half a day. In the entire A-class, only Tianqi can perform the whole dance flawlessly…” So it was fine if Xia Xi hadn’t learned it yet—there was still time.

Chu Sisi already knew Xia Xi hadn’t been practicing for long.

Xia Xi set down her chopsticks. “I think I’ve got it.”

Chu Sisi: ??

Not only had Zhao Tianqi mastered it, but Xia Xi had too? Was she the only one lagging behind?

Chu Sisi, who had trained for over half a year just to compete here, looked down at her A-class uniform and began to doubt herself.

Zhao Tianqi immediately found an empty spot and ran through the theme song with Xia Xi.

The **Stage King** lived up to her name—no one could fault Zhao Tianqi’s skills. Not only had she learned the entire dance in half a day, but she also performed it with power and grace.

While Chu Sisi had already witnessed and marveled at Zhao Tianqi’s prowess in the A-class, seeing Xia Xi still made her want to applaud wildly.

Chu Sisi felt that if she were the one dancing alongside Zhao Tianqi, even if she remembered most of the moves, one glance at Tianqi’s flawless execution would throw her off. Yet Xia Xi didn’t falter at all.

She smoothly followed through the entire dance routine, though there was still a noticeable gap compared to Zhao Tianqi. But was that even a fair comparison?

Zhao Tianqi had been dancing for years, receiving professional idol training since her teens.

All things considered, Xia Xi’s performance was already astonishing.

The two stopped simultaneously and exchanged smiles. Zhao Tianqi corrected a few of Xia Xi’s movements—her sharp eye caught details Xia Xi herself had sensed weren’t quite polished.

Zhao Tianqi declared with certainty, “You’re definitely A-class material.”

From Zhao Tianqi, Xia Xi felt the aura of a true powerhouse. She took pride in having such a formidable friend, yet it also drove home a sobering realization—

She wasn’t good enough yet. She needed to push harder.

Time was just too scarce; she needed better planning.

[Ding—]

[Task: Host must utilize the Time Management Master skill within 24 hours]

Xia Xi had heard this chime countless times today, almost to the point of numbness.

Perhaps her unyielding demeanor—that reckless “life-or-death indifference” vibe—had thrown them off. Beyond the first two electric shocks, the system had fallen silent, reduced to repetitive reminders at increasingly frantic intervals.

She initially planned to ignore it as usual, until a thought struck her. With a pensive expression, she murmured the skill’s name: “Time Management Master?”

Could this skill only be used on fish…?

……

At the “Pick 101” production set.

The director sipped tea while monitoring practice room feeds, sighing.

“This year’s really running these girls ragged. Just watching exhausts me.”

The producer offered a hollow smile. Who’s to blame for their exhaustion, if not you?

Only the director could be this ruthless, giving trainees just two days to prepare.

The assistant director chimed in, “There’s one exception… Hey, have you guys noticed Xia Xi?”

Director and producer exchanged puzzled looks: Xia Xi? What about her?

Following the assistant’s cue, they reviewed Xia Xi’s day with growing bewilderment.

While 99% of contestants scrambled desperately—on the verge of collapse—Xia Xi not only dedicated hours to practice, but also went morning runs with Zhao Tianqi, helped Chu Sisi open bottles, mopped practice room floors, and even launched a free meal-delivery service for fellow trainees…

Her boundless energy made her stick out like a sore thumb.

Production team: ??? Do her days have 72 hours compared to everyone else’s 24?

Having confirmed the strategy’s viability, Xia Xi—now fully onboard—planted her hands on her hips and cheerfully demanded from the system: “More! Give me more!”