"Based on the distinction between odd and even numbers, the groupings are: Shu Ran, Guan Yu, Chuchu, and Zhang Li in one group, the remaining eight automatically form the other group."
After reading it out loud, the director folded the paper again and calmly asked, "Go ahead, do you have any questions?"
Guan Yu: "One group of four people, one group of eight, are you serious? Does the show provide dances for four and eight people?"
"You can rest assured," the director answered confidently, "the show has prepared demos for dances from one person up to twelve people."
"...Outrageous! Didn’t you think about what to do if all twelve people ended up on the same team? Compete against yourself?"
The director smiled, "Actually, that situation won’t happen. Before the game ends, there’s a scoring session where guests are selected randomly for differentiated scoring."
For instance, uniformly deduct two points from everyone, with extra free points given to Cheng Zhirang and Bai Shu, who only gain points, and Jiang Zhufeng, who hasn’t been a contender.
Guan Yu couldn’t help but applaud him, "Ingenious, I’m impressed."
Mu Qiu was the second to ask a question, enduring the strong aroma from a hot pot base nearby, she asked a very relevant question.
"Two groups, one performance per group, altogether it’s at most ten minutes, right? You’re gathering eight thousand people just for these ten minutes?"
"That’s indeed a problem," the director sighed, admiring her for getting straight to the point,
"In fact, we haven’t thought about how to extend the performance time. Do you have any acts of your own? Maybe do a short play, movie clip, or dialogue with the live fans."
Mu Qiu raised an eyebrow, "Still haven’t figured it out? You are quite daring, director."
Such a big question, and they haven’t figured it out yet, but they’re releasing eight thousand seats?
"Aren’t you afraid the fans will mock you for lacking content, my director?" Guan Yu was also utterly speechless.
The director was still smiling, "Not afraid, I believe you can completely solve this problem. So, any ideas?"
Ideas, of course there were, especially for some guest performers wanting more time to showcase themselves?
But no one dared to speak up directly.
Those with experience looked towards the group leader, Cheng Zhirang, quietly asking, "Brother Cheng, what do you think?"
Cheng Zhirang thought for a moment and said, "We can propose some suggestions, then let the audience vote online. If more people agree, we’ll implement it, or allow the audience to make suggestions and consider the top suggestions."
Compared to the latter, the former is somewhat more reasonable.
Because the number of fans present varies greatly, if decisions are made based solely on likes, the final suggestions would likely be things like [Cheng Zhirang’s hot dance] [Li Yang’s performance again] [Lin Lian sings another song].
Thus, others wouldn’t even be mentioned, which would definitely cause disputes.
Mu Qiu scanned the expressions of others, subconsciously reaching for some melon, but in such an uneasy atmosphere, she felt uneasy without holding something in her hand.
But just as she touched the melon skin, her wrist was held back.
Cheng Zhirang was still talking while holding her hand under the table, away from the melon, then quickly let go.
"If everyone agrees, let’s think now about what segments to add. Everyone can propose an idea."
Xu Cheng and Zhang Li glanced at those beside them, embarrassed to start speaking. No one wants to outright say, "I want another show, give me the time," right?
They were too shy, but someone wasn’t.
Guan Yu clicked her tongue, "Actually, it’s simple. Didn’t the show prepare many songs? During song selection, there’ll surely be a mismatch of preferred dances, so we can choose several, then include them as extra shows.
For these additional shows, take an internal signup approach. If the number exceeds the demo’s original set, let skill speak, let those who can handle multiple shows and do well perform."
This way, those like them who are not familiar with it can take it easy, not having to learn more dances, as they wouldn’t think about signing up anyway.
Li Yang gave a high evaluation of her plan, "This is great, whoever wants and can perform, performs. Just right, it requires no additional material as songs were prepared beforehand, and the dance teacher probably knows every dance."
The only downside is, if the dance tracks provided are not normal, perhaps not many would want to add programs.
"Let’s vote by hand," Mu Qiu said, "if you agree with this method, raise your hand."
Everyone raised their hands.
"Great, we’ll follow this plan, and now just need to wait to select songs. Oh, and the hot pot is bubbling, let’s start eating."
There’s nothing bigger than eating hot pot.
Everyone’s wandering gaze could finally settle on the pot in the center of the table.
Red soup bubbling, exuding an irresistible aroma, the small clear soup pot in the middle is reserved for non-spicy eaters, with mushrooms, tomato slices, and enoki mushrooms gently bubbling on its surface.
The large table seating twelve still had space, filled with dishes.
Fresh vegetables, nearly transparent fish slices, duck intestines, beef, rolled enoki mushrooms wrapped in pork belly, honeycomb tripe, shrimp paste, frozen tofu, yellow spicy fish, urine beef balls, and even ready-to-eat Peking duck, boneless chicken feet, and must order hot pot dessert—brown sugar glutinous rice cakes, fermented ice powder.
The corner cabinet also had small pots of rice and green bean porridge for cooling the throat.
In beautiful carafes with condensation, filled with green kumquat mint water, perfect for when someone breaks into a sweat and laughs with joy, pouring a glass, taking a sip, and sighing with contentment.
This is summer, this is the real enjoyment of a vacation.
Guan Yu wiped her palms on her pants, stood up joyfully to serve a platter of beef.
"Been eyeing it for ages, friends! Let’s dig in!"
Mu Qiu immediately went for the pork belly rolls, Cheng Zhirang poured her a cup of warm barley tea, reminding her to take a few sips before eating.
It looked just like an ordinary friends’ dinner, no longer stiff, Lin Lian and the others stood to handle dishes.
Chuchu poured everyone a cup of green kumquat mint water, getting to Shi Yuhuai’s glass, he had already finished it and handed it directly over.
"May I trouble you for another, please." he said to Chuchu, eyes still on the dish in the pot, following up, grabbing a pair of chopsticks for tripe.
Chuchu wanted to say she wasn’t the drink server, but still smiled while refilling his cup.
The pot was full of dishes, Mu Qiu sat down satisfied, grabbing a red sugar glutinous cake piece for her stomach.
The cake was drenched in red soup, covered in roasted soybean flour, both high-calorie ingredients, she ate two pieces while drooling over Shu Ran’s appetite across the table.
"Eat slowly." Cheng Zhirang handed her green kumquat mint water, after she drank it, serving Peking duck rolled in flour pancakes.
The hot pot wasn’t ready yet, and she already consumed enough calories for Shu Ran’s whole day.