Chapter 5: Why Do I Have to Tag Along for the Interview?
In the interview waiting area, a colorful array of preparations was underway.
This was quite different from a typical job hunt.
The atmosphere of artistic performance auditions had its own distinct flavor.
It felt less like a job interview and more like a talent show.
Everyone was busy getting ready.
Some were stretching their legs, others loosening their tendons, some warming up their voices, while others struck poses.
There were those chatting, some silent, and a few acting wildly.
After all, this was an audition for entertainers, and everyone had their own unique skills to showcase—singing, dancing, acting, martial arts, sports, and even some rarer talents like drama and modeling. During preparation, most looked a bit like eccentric sharks on the prowl.
Who pursues art without a touch of madness?
Li Can felt a bit overwhelmed by the sheer number of beautiful women around him; his gaze was hard to control.
“There might be future superstars right here,” he said, nudging Lin Feng’s arm.
Li Can’s eyes sparkled.
“Hey! Look over there! Oh my God! Is she real?!”
“...”
“Those heels are so high, with such thin stilettoes—it looks dangerous. Feels harder than walking on stilts... Wait! They’re red-bottomed! This girl knows how to accessorize!”
“...”
“Future female stars really stand out—the nose is a nose, the eyes are eyes.”
“...”
Lin Feng no longer wanted to respond.
He just thought to himself: Just die already, I don’t mind dying…
Flashy, provocative.
Add some indescribable expressions and movements.
There were plenty who were serious.
But many were not.
Some were genuinely stretching or warming up, but others were clearly preening and trying to attract attention.
A quick glance made it obvious who truly had skills and who was looking for shortcuts.
Compared to some of the candidates, even clubs seemed restrained.
Though Li Can had lived two lives and studied music from a young age, growing up surrounded by women, having seen countless beautiful girls...
This had nothing to do with beauty.
It was mainly the intensity.
...And those sky-high heels.
It was clear that everyone was giving their all to break into the entertainment industry.
At this moment,
Li Can felt as if he had slipped back to his previous life, roaming freely with the female muses on the fringes of Douyin, stealing a few more glances than usual.
Lin Feng smirked and teased, “Alright, stop staring. Your eyeballs are about to fall into their socks!”
“Pervert! I was only looking at their socks, and you want to look inside the socks.”
“... You can fool your friends, but don’t fool yourself.”
“Don’t talk nonsense. If you do, I’ll tell Han Jiayin you watched with me, drooling and wanting to see inside the socks.”
“...”
After a brief silence,
Lin Feng couldn’t hold back and cursed out in a flowery, poetic way.
Amidst this sea of blossoms, it seemed oddly fitting.
“I! @#... beep... &%& ah @! ¥!?”
But Lin Feng didn’t rant for long.
A voice interrupted him.
“Next group!”
With that, a woman in a suit, wearing glasses and appearing to be around thirty, stepped out of the interview hall.
She greeted the crowd before re-entering the interview reception room.
“Music applicants, come in. Others, please wait a moment longer.”
“Understood!”
Hearing that the music auditions were starting, Li Can glanced toward the entrance of the interview area and stood up alongside Lin Feng, heading toward the audition room.
Their relaxed demeanor sharply contrasted with the nervousness of other applicants.
It didn’t feel like a job interview, more like a casual gathering.
“Don’t worry, Feng, I was just joking earlier. I definitely won’t tell Han Jiayin. It’s all between bros.”
“...”
“That woman just called the next group—it felt weird, like something you’d hear often on the third floor of a club...”
“Li Can, please watch your image.”
“Fine, give me eight hundred.”
“?”
Inside the interview room,
The two walked in and stood in line by the wall under the woman's direction.
More applicants followed, lining up in order.
Facing the three interviewers was a wide open space, with a grand piano arranged to one side.
[Man, this really does feel like the third floor of a club…]
Lin Feng muttered to himself, glancing at Li Can.
The thought of “eight hundred bucks” lingered persistently.
He felt he couldn’t even look at the interview properly anymore.
“Good day, leaders!”
The interview began.
It mainly consisted of questions and answers.
A few lucky ones might get a chance to showcase their skills and leave a stronger impression.
After previous rounds of screening, everyone present had at least met the company’s baseline requirements in ability and education. This stage was more about seeing if the candidates fit the company culture.
...That was the polite way of putting it. In reality, this round was somewhat a test of obedience.
The atmosphere was deliberately tense, ignoring the candidates’ proudest strengths.
Interviewers neither affirmed nor encouraged the candidates’ achievements, often criticizing them sharply.
Their words were cutting.
Such interview tactics were all too common. Those who made it this far were either capable but stubborn or ordinary people who had sunk a lot of effort into multiple rounds.
They were perfect as obedient workhorses.
Those who refused to conform usually dropped out at this stage.
If someone could see through it all, remain calm, keep their emotions in check, reasonably refuse some unreasonable demands, or propose better solutions...
The company might be happier to have such an irreplaceable talent.
But they might also reject them.
It depended on whether the company wanted obedient workers or capable individuals.
As the interview went on,
Li Can didn’t make much of an impression, but Lin Feng’s brow furrowed deeper.
He increasingly felt something was off.
He had come through multiple rounds himself, so waiting here was normal.
But Li Can... Though it was a bit annoying that he had to go through an interview despite being eligible to become a music producer without one, his talent and track record should have spared him from this meaningless formality.
Wait!
Something was wrong!
Lin Feng grew alert and quietly asked Li Can,
“This isn’t right, Can. I’m supposed to be interviewed, but what about you?”
Li Can was startled by Lin Feng’s probing question, eyes wide open.
His sharp, eagle-like gaze now carried a dumbfounded quality—an owl is also a bird of prey, after all.
“Yeah, why am I here?! I should have reported directly.”
Which part had gone wrong?
Li Can’s body quivered again, eyes wider than ever.
Damn, it must be that Song...
Just then,
The interviewers’ eyes settled on Li Can.
Beneath his handsome features, his faintly furrowed brow and contemplative expression gave off a unique aura. Were it not for the intelligent gleam in his eyes, he could be a side-profile heartbreaker.
“That one over there, come here!”
Before Li Can could react, the interviewer called him over.
Instantly, all eyes in the room turned to him.
Li Can didn’t freeze.
Like muscle memory, he smiled slightly and stepped into the center of the room.
After all... the atmosphere was set; he was here now.
His tall posture and unflustered demeanor earned a nod of approval from the interviewers.
“What’s your name?”
“Li Can.”
“Hm... Li Can? Let me check...”
The interviewer began searching through the resumes of this round’s candidates.
“Don’t just stand there. Tell us, what can you bring to the company?”
It wasn’t that Li Can hadn’t anticipated the question.
The atmosphere had built to this point, and it didn’t feel right not to respond.
Without hesitation, Li Can replied,
“That depends on what the company can offer me.”
“Hm?”
The interviewer’s hand paused, looking up in surprise.
Damn, this young man?!