Chapter 84: The Only Drawback of Expensive Things Is Their Price (Please Keep Reading)

Inside the program’s dressing room.

Su Mu put on the clothes from the endorsed brand. Under the effect of an international label, even these trendy styles seemed to exude an air of expensive refinement.

At this moment, he was unaware of the evaluations the dancers outside had about him. Of course, no matter how harsh, it could hardly be worse than the criticism he’d previously encountered online.

Su Mu was completely immune.

He had emerged from storms of controversy and criticism before. Therefore, he knew well that the harsher the scolding, the deeper the love when the tables turned.

Nearby, director Xu Yang seemed a bit anxious, and finally couldn’t help but speak up:
“Su Mu, here’s a list. The strongest dancers in your bracket are all on it. If you really don’t know how to pick people later, you can follow this list. We’ve arranged it in advance, so don’t worry.”

Zhao Zhouming had already instructed them to make sure Su Mu left with a good impression. There must be no awkwardness for him during recording. Telling him in advance whom to select would at least prevent any embarrassing mix-ups.

After all, someone unfamiliar with street dance might not know how to choose. If the contestants started making a scene, it would be hard to smooth things over.

Su Mu replied, “Thank you, Director, but there’s no need. I can manage the selections myself.”

No need?
Do you actually understand street dance, brother?
Choosing people requires attention to detail, not just picking whoever looks pleasing.

Xu Yang rephrased, “It’s normal for variety shows to have some scripting, so there’s really no need to mind. These dancers’ routines are full of subtlety, I’m just worried—”

Su Mu smiled, then stood up and patted Xu Yang on the shoulder.

“Old Xu, do you know what my greatest strength is?”

Xu Yang hesitated, “Um, your looks?”

Su Mu shook his head, “Good looks are just instinct. But respecting money—that’s my highest virtue!”

Xu Yang was speechless.

Su Mu continued, “Am I expensive?”

Xu Yang replied, “Yes.”

Su Mu smiled, “Then the only flaw with expensive things is just that—they’re expensive. In every other aspect, you get more than your money’s worth.”

Xu Yang was baffled.

…

Half an hour later.

The program’s official recording began.

At first, it was the meet-and-greet with the mentors, as all contestants gathered in the center to greet the guests.

Among them, Zhang Junyu and Tang Jiahao were both stars who’d made their names through dance. So, after their entrance, they were warmly received by the contestants.

At the very least, before becoming idols, they had been professional dancers and had participated in major domestic competitions.

Next came the four members of NNQT, trainees by background. But they had showcased street dance on many previous shows and had a decent foundation, so their presence was more or less acceptable.

Only when Su Mu finally appeared did the cheers around noticeably dwindle. There was no booing, but neither was there much enthusiasm.

This clearly revealed the attitude the dancers held toward him.

From afar, Xu Yang broke out in a cold sweat.

He was genuinely afraid something would go wrong at the very start.
If Su Mu became unhappy, he wouldn’t know how to explain to Zhao Zhouming.

If this thing wasn’t handled well, his shows for the coming years might all be put on ice.

Outside the stage, Zhang Hua’an’s face, gloomy for days, finally lit up. His two big front teeth nearly gleamed. It was obvious that, in the eyes of the contestants, the NNQT boy band had a far better impression than Su Mu—even if only by a slim margin, an advantage was still an advantage!

Zhang Hua’an approached Qian Jida, eyebrows raised in satisfaction:
“Director Qian, I heard your Su Mu crammed for two months on street dance? But unfortunately, dancing is something that takes time to hone. My four guys here spent three years in the trainee camp—each one’s a natural dancer. I’m afraid this program will see them stealing the spotlight.”

Qian Jida replied, “It’s fine. I’ll just have the director edit their parts down later.”

Zhang Hua’an was shocked.

Qian Jida continued, “We’re the title sponsor’s endorsement, essentially bringing investment to the team. This request isn’t too much, is it?”

Zhang Hua’an’s face suddenly turned green. “You… Very well, Qian Jida! If you can’t win openly, you want to play dirty?”

Qian Jida rolled his eyes, “Give it a rest. If I wanted to play dirty, your four big boys wouldn’t even be on the show. I don’t have the time to bother, understand? Besides, does Su Mu need tricks to stand out?”

Zhang Hua’an retorted, “But the fact remains he can’t dance street.”

Qian Jida smiled, “Are you so sure your assumptions are correct?”

Zhang Hua’an was speechless.

At that moment, as the two exchanged snide words, the division of groups had already begun.

There were four audition zones in total, each presided over by Zhang Junyu, Tang Jiahao, NNQT, and Su Mu.

The contestants could choose whichever zone they wanted, then waited for their turn to perform.

“Where are you going? I’m going to Zhang Junyu’s side; we were in the same dance crew before.”

“I’m going to Su Mu’s zone! Trust me, there’ll be a show to watch there.”

“Yeah, I see a lot of people picking Su Mu.”

“He doesn’t understand street dance, so there’s a better chance to advance—he won’t be picking based on professional eyes. Those of us who aren’t as strong might just get lucky.”

“Damn, that makes sense!”

Some hopeful contestants now thought they’d found a shortcut to the next round, assuming Su Mu wouldn’t select based on expertise. Thus, many flocked to his bracket.

Soon, the audition began.

The rules were simple: each contestant had two and a half minutes to perform. If a mentor selected them, they advanced; if not, they were either put on hold or eliminated.

“Hello, Mentor Su Mu, my name is Mark. I’m a popper and have been dancing for three years.”

After he spoke, the DJ music started, and he began his routine.

The track was a fairly standard one. Su Mu had heard it many times before, so he was quite familiar with all its key beats.

The man in front of him danced adequately but nothing more—too many of his moves were old, well-worn tricks. He hadn’t added any fresh musical phrasing, simply going through the motions in a monotonous sequence.

A few minutes later, the performance ended.

Su Mu said, “For now, you’re on hold.”

“What?” Mark’s expression changed, a bit dissatisfied. “Mentor Su Mu, may I ask why? Could you give me a reason? I may not be a master, but I’ve danced for three or four years—I don’t think I’m that bad.”

Everyone was taken aback; no one expected Mark to challenge Su Mu right off the bat. Then, a round of applause broke out among the other contestants, as if supporting Mark. In truth, most were just eager to hear Su Mu’s response and critique.

If he couldn’t answer, it would only embarrass him and set the bar for the rest of the auditions at Mark’s level.

Su Mu ignored the heckling and looked calmly at Mark, then said,
“This track is indeed a classic popping piece, and your routine is also very Old School.
But have you ever considered that the more classic something is, the harder it is to find highlights in the eyes of others?
That’s a problem with your music choice.
Second, popping has evolved to focus more on phrasing and transitions, building style on that foundation.
Your moves are all frameworks and old routines; your popping lacks power, your stops lack solid control, and your musicality is not smooth.”

Mark was stunned.
So were the others.

Everyone listened in astonishment.
Was this really someone who didn’t understand street dance?

Su Mu paid no mind to the shocked looks, and patted Mark on the shoulder:
“Since we’re on the subject, let me add a few more words…
Dancing is an act of freedom, but if you’re competing, you need to respect the rules.
I hope everyone in my bracket understands this.
What I value most is your inner thoughts as you dance.
Not just popping, but locking, hip-hop, breaking—this holds true for all styles.
Old routines are fine, but if you stick to the rules just to muddle through, you won’t fool me.
If you’re just here for a shortcut, you shouldn’t have chosen my group, and that’s not the right attitude toward street dance!
So what I’m saying is this: your style can be Old School, but your mentality cannot!
The progress of street dance is first and foremost the progress of thought, only then technique and style. I hope you all remember that.”

[Speech proficiency +1]
[Skill point +0.01…]

At that moment, the room fell silent.

Even a few street dance veterans from the neighboring zones turned to look over.

Suddenly, someone started applauding.

“Damn! Who said Su Mu doesn’t understand street dance?”

“I apologize for ever doubting him, just for that speech alone!”

“That’s the true core of street dance!”

“Well said—can I still apologize in time?”