Chapter 9  The Ninth Day of Starting a Business

Xia Xi’s feelings toward this inexplicable skill had shifted from extreme aversion to eager anticipation.  

Not enough. She wanted more.  

But perhaps it was because she was too eager—after pinching her waist and arms until they ached, the voice in her head remained silent, as if it had died, never appearing again.  

“…” Honestly, the Misfortune Compensation Department was just being a sore loser.  

Xia Xi labeled the department as “petty and useless,” but she didn’t feel particularly negative about the skill’s disappearance.  

Through practice, she had come to understand that **[Time Management Master]** didn’t actually increase practice time directly. Instead, it helped her allocate her time efficiently within a given period, allowing her to balance work and life more effectively. That was why the production team saw Xia Xi effortlessly and energetically moving between various activities.  

Even without it, it wouldn’t hinder her practice.  

…  

“Do you want me to stay with you?” Zhao Tianqi asked before returning to Class A.  

“It’s fine, I can manage on my own. You should head back—don’t be late.”  

Xia Xi smiled at Zhao Tianqi, signaling for her not to worry.  

She knew Zhao Tianqi meant well. Having her around would help refine her movements—Zhao Tianqi was even more skilled in dance than the instructors hired for the show.  

It would be like having a one-on-one tutor.  

But time was limited. If Zhao Tianqi spent it helping her, her own practice time would shorten. She still hadn’t fully memorized the lyrics—despite being a dance prodigy, she struggled with remembering them. While walking together, Xia Xi had been murmuring the lyrics in Zhao Tianqi’s ear, trying to reinforce them in her memory.  

After confirming multiple times that Xia Xi didn’t need company, Zhao Tianqi returned to Class A, while Xia Xi resumed her position in front of the mirror in the Class C practice room.  

Many Class C trainees were practicing in front of the mirror, each at their own pace. Xia Xi corrected the movements Zhao Tianqi had pointed out and consciously incorporated facial expressions.  

This was a bright, upbeat song—she had to smile brightly. Xia Xi thought about how increased fame from the show = more money = the possibility of opening a **Martial Arts School**.  

Perfect. Her expression instantly fell into place!  

But as she practiced, Xia Xi gradually sensed something amiss, and her movements slowed.  

Through the mirror, she observed a trainee standing diagonally behind her.  

The practice room had cameras and a live broadcast. Most trainees crowded the front rows for screen time, but Xia Xi stood near the middle-back edge, making it difficult for viewers tuning in just for her to spot her at first glance.  

Now, Xia Xi noticed the girl with curly hair tied in a topknot standing in the very center of the back row. Her face was deathly pale, her expression strained, and she occasionally clutched her abdomen.  

Xia Xi thought: *Is she feeling unwell?*  

With so many trainees in the room and most focused on their own practice, hardly anyone noticed the abnormality—until the curly-haired girl suddenly swayed violently, prompting a startled cry from the trainee beside her.  

Viewers in the livestream were shocked, their hearts leaping into their throats. Another figure swiftly stepped forward and steadied the girl.  

**[What just happened?]**  

**[Was that Xia Xi who caught her? She moved so fast!]**  

**[Why did they leave the room? Is that girl okay?]**

The live stream currently didn’t have many viewers, but the small incident still caused some panic. Through the video, it could be seen that after exchanging a few words with the curly-haired contestant, Xia Xi helped support her out of the room.

Having left the practice room and camera range, Xia Xi had already settled the contestant who was clutching her stomach and gasping in pain. She told her, “Wait here for me, I’ll be right back.”

The curly-haired contestant was suffering from menstrual cramps and was now in so much pain she couldn’t even speak. Through tear-filled eyes, she saw Xia Xi running toward a female staff member.

When Xia Xi said she’d be quick, she meant it. She borrowed ibuprofen and a hot water bottle from the staff member, and also fetched a large cup of warm water that was just the right temperature to drink. She brought everything back to the curly-haired contestant.

Placing the hot water bottle on the girl’s abdomen, she handed her the warm water and ibuprofen, arranging everything perfectly.

“Drink this.”

Xia Xi had actually noticed the girl might be unwell earlier and was already walking over to check on her. She hadn’t expected the situation to be more serious than she’d imagined—the girl had nearly collapsed before she could reach her.

The curly-haired contestant was Chen Mengjia. After hurriedly taking the medicine and resting for a while, she finally felt like she was coming back to life and could speak again. She looked at Xia Xi gratefully.

“Thank you.”

Chen Mengjia never expected it would be Xia Xi taking care of her, and with such attentiveness too.

Xia Xi’s debut stage performance had been outstanding, and she usually hung out with popular contestants like Chu Sisi and Zhao Tianqi. Although Chen Mengjia was also in Class C with Xia Xi, they’d never really talked. She always felt like they were from different worlds. Yet here she was, with Xia Xi bustling around to help her through her unbearable period pain.

Perhaps because Xia Xi had been there for her at her most vulnerable moment, Chen Mengjia’s gratitude toward her soared. Strangely, she even began to see Xia Xi’s beautiful face as resembling that of a kind, nurturing mother. (?)

“Come on, let’s go back to practice,” Chen Mengjia said through gritted teeth as she tried to stand up, but Xia Xi pressed a hand on her shoulder to stop her.

Chen Mengjia: ?

Xia Xi studied her skeptically. “You’re not in pain anymore?” Judging by the girl’s furrowed brows, she clearly wasn’t fully recovered.

Chen Mengjia now felt like Xia Xi’s role had shifted to that of a strict father. (?)

Though the ibuprofen was effective, it couldn’t work miracles instantly. She wasn’t completely better, but Chen Mengjia was afraid of falling behind in practice—she still hadn’t mastered her dance routine.

“I can’t get eliminated in the first round!” Chen Mengjia punched the chair fiercely with her fist.

Xia Xi calmly picked up a small electric fan to cool Chen Mengjia’s reddened hand, listening to her wails in the background. She actually admired this kind of determination—everyone was fighting hard for their dreams, unwilling to give up no matter how tough it got.

Then she heard the girl sob, “If I get eliminated in the first round, how can I face the games I abandoned?”

“Seven days—a whole seven days—I haven’t played properly, not even my daily check-ins. After sacrificing seven days of gaming, I at least owe it to myself to make it to the second round.”

Xia Xi, “…” This wasn’t quite what she’d expected.

“You need to rest a while longer,” Xia Xi said firmly. “Wait until the pain subsides before starting.”

“Don’t worry about the dance.” She pressed her lips together, her gaze clear and bright. “If you trust me, I’ll teach you.”

Chen Mengjia: Huh?

…

And so, the production team discovered that the Time Management Master, Xia Xi, had taken on yet another new role—

Teaching Chen Mengjia the theme dance.  

With a sweet-sounding name and delicate features, Chen Mengjia was actually a rapper—her sharp tongue could fire off rapid verses with ease. Yet, when it came to dancing, she had absolutely no talent.  

Chen Mengjia had thought dancing would be the hardest part of participating in this show, but she never expected to get so lucky!  

After returning to Class C, Xia Xi pulled Chen Mengjia aside and broke down the moves completely, teaching her with simpler, more intuitive terms.  

“Chopping vegetables, chopping vegetables—yes, just like that, very good! Speed up the chopping a little.”  

“Here, hold your waist—you’ve strained it before, so just twist it lightly. And take care of your old stiff legs while you’re at it. Lower your hands a bit.”  

Xia Xi demonstrated while explaining, her movements and words perfectly synchronized, occasionally offering Chen Mengjia words of encouragement.  

Chen Mengjia was thrilled to realize—she was getting it! She was actually getting it! With Xia Xi’s help, her mom would never have to worry about her dancing again!  

Live stream viewers: *We’re learning… but also unlearning!* Watching this girl group dance now triggers some very strange associations!  

Before, Xia Xi had always stayed in the corners, often drifting off-screen, so live viewers hadn’t gotten a clear look at her practice level. But now, with Chen Mengjia as her anchor, Xia Xi couldn’t run away.  

And what they saw was smooth, effortless dancing—her long limbs stretching out beautifully, her bare face still stunning, skin as flawless as a peeled egg, her ponytail swinging with every move.  

Utterly captivating.  

**[All those celebrities who brag about their bare-faced looks, come take notes—THIS is what real no-makeup beauty looks like!]**  

**[Mute the audio and I’m totally into it—but with sound on, wait, this is how you learn girl group dances?!]**  

The first part of the dance was playful—or, in Xia Xi’s words, “chopping vegetables.” The latter half was sultry, oozing femininity, which Xia Xi described as “aching waist and stiff legs.”  

“…” The worst part was how *accurate* it was.  

In just over ten minutes, under Xia Xi’s guidance, Chen Mengjia had learned more than she had in half a day of struggling on her own.  

Chen Mengjia was nearly moved to tears—was this the joy of being carried by a pro?  

The other trainees in Class C couldn’t hold back either. Eager to join, one mustered the courage to speak up during a brief pause in Xia Xi’s teaching.  

“Xixi, can I learn with you too?” Hands clasped in pleading.  

Xia Xi blinked, then nodded. “Sure.”  

Teaching one was the same as teaching two.  

Once the floodgates opened, more and more trainees joined Xia Xi’s dance lesson. The official dance instructor was skilled, but Xia Xi’s teaching style was far more relatable—perfect for beginners.  

Her patience was unmatched.  

“Xia Xi, I want in too!”  

“If big sis can do it, little sis can too!”  

…  

Soon, Xia Xi had a whole crowd following her lead, murmuring her creative dance cues under their breath.  

“Chop vegetables… rub stiff legs… look at the sun, scoop the stars…”  

Xia Xi stared at the scene in the mirror, brows furrowing as a sudden existential doubt crept in. A conversation with her manager, Chao Ge, flashed through her mind.  

Chao Ge had said, *”You wanted to teach martial arts, right? This show is perfect for you—101 people, plenty of chances to play teacher. If you’re strong enough, you could even open a martial arts school right on the show!”*  

For the first time, Xia Xi questioned—had Chao Ge said *martial arts* school… or *dance* school?