Who is Helping Me Win by Lying Down [Transmigration] - Chapter 2:

Chapter 2

After feeding the dog, Chen Shu changed his clothes, packed the dog’s supplies, took it downstairs for breakfast, and noticed from the navigation that the distance from both the hotel and the dormitory to the company was similar. So he headed out on foot to the company.

Since he was an hour and a half early, the practice room was empty when he arrived.

With the program recording approaching, he needed to quickly familiarize himself with the c
horeography and rhythm of the performance piece. The practice room offered ready-made conditions, making it more convenient than the hotel.

Yan Jingchuan lay curled up in Chen Shu’s clothes, watching him intently.

Only one night had passed since Chen Shu had picked him up, yet the soul-deep exhaustion and hunger he had felt were noticeably alleviated. After eating and drinking his fill, a faint, subtle warmth seemed to spread through his mind.

He wasn’t sure if this was a physiological trait of being a dog, but he knew it certainly wasn’t a bad thing.

Because of this alone, he temporarily set aside the nonsense he had heard that morning.

Before long, drowsiness gradually washed over him. He found a comfortable spot in the clothes and lay down to sleep.

It wasn’t until an hour and a half later that the others began to arrive one by one.

The first to enter was Gu Wei, the instigator of the bullying against the original host in the novel.

The four people behind him seemed less like his teammates and more like his lackeys, often following him in doing nothing worthwhile.

Noticing Chen Shu sitting by the wall resting, with the dog in his arms, Gu Wei was about to say something when the vocal coach walked in.

The morning session was vocal training.

They now had only two main classes each day: vocals in the morning, dance in the afternoon, and practice in the evening, all aimed at polishing their final performance.

Is everyone here?

With the teacher present, Gu Wei had to restrain himself and replied, Chi Yu isn’t here yet.

Your team leader is on leave, but it’s fine. I’ll take his place. After saying this, the vocal coach gathered everyone into a circle around the piano. Let’s go through it once.

Chen Shu took the sheet music and skimmed through his part twice. Just as he familiarized himself with the lyrics, it was already his turn to sing.

Fortunately, the past hour and a half had allowed him to get used to the melody. Even though he wasn’t particularly skilled in pop singing, he transitioned naturally.

As soon as Chen Shu began singing, the others turned to look at him, their expressions mixed with surprise.

If they hadn’t seen it with their own eyes, no one would have believed it was Chen Shu singing.

His technique was unremarkable, but his steady breath control, combined with his uniquely deep and cool tone, made his voice particularly captivating.

The vocal coach also glanced at him but didn’t comment immediately. Only after the song ended did he point out the mistakes each trainee had made.

When it came to Chen Shu, however, his tone shifted.

Chen Shu has improved significantly. He sang very well.

Hearing this, Gu Wei’s grip on the sheet music tightened abruptly.

Since the team was formed, this was the first time the teacher had praised Chen Shu individually instead of criticizing or correcting him.

He glanced over and saw Chen Shu’s indifferent expression, as if he didn’t care about this unprecedented praise, making Gu Wei grit his teeth in frustration.

He knew Chen Shu’s abilities best—mediocre in both singing and dancing, barely keeping up with the pace. This good performance was nothing but a fluke.

Having found a reason to dismiss it, Gu Wei slowly relaxed his grip.

Their families had been business competitors, and his family had always been overshadowed by the Chen family. Back in school, he had felt inferior whenever he encountered Chen Shu. Now that the Chen family had fallen, Chen Shu was beneath him in every way, left far behind long ago.

Don’t think a single compliment will change such a huge gap!

Get ready, let’s go again, the vocal coach said.

Gu Wei immediately gripped the sheet music, cleared his throat, and mustered all his focus, ready to show Chen Shu what real skill looked like.

But Chen Shu seemed to just be hitting his stride.

After each song ended and following the vocal coach’s guidance, his singing technique grew more polished than the last time, and he hadn’t made a single mistake. His individual training progressed faster than anyone else’s.

By the midday break, before the vocal coach left, he specifically stayed behind to give Chen Shu a few extra pointers.

Gu Wei stood watching, his frustration doubling.

What kind of luck did this guy have today to stand out so much?

But then he remembered something and let out a low, cold laugh.

Whatever.

No matter how well he sings, what’s the use? Chen Shu’s family has no money for connections, and he still dreams of debuting? Pure wishful thinking.

Besides, there’s dance practice this afternoon.

With Chen Shu’s level—not even able to keep time properly—no matter how much he improves at singing, he’ll still end up humiliating himself.

The more he thought about it, the more Gu Wei’s anger subsided.

When he glanced at Chen Shu again, he just sneered dismissively, With a pile of family debt, so poor you can’t even support yourself, and you’re keeping a dog?

With that, he turned and left.

Hearing this, Yan Jingchuan glanced at Chen Shu.

Chen Shu remained expressionless. He had already walked over to his dog, casually picked up his backpack, and was looking down for the milk bottle when his slightly long hair—a remnant from the original owner—slipped from behind his ear again.

Frowning slightly, he fed the dog, then went downstairs and found a random barbershop to get a haircut.

After eating and heading back upstairs, he happened to run into Chi Yu—the story’s main protagonist—who had just returned from taking leave.

Chi Yu looked pale and distraught, likely having just learned the news that Yan Jingchuan had been diagnosed as being in a vegetative state. It wasn’t until Chen Shu entered the elevator with him that he realized someone was beside him.

Chen Shu? But when he turned and saw Chen Shu, he was taken aback. You… got a haircut?

Yet it didn’t seem like just a simple trim.

His features hadn’t changed—his face was still lean—but Chen Shu had always kept his hair slightly long, with bangs that covered his eyes, hiding a face that stood out even among the one-in-ten-thousand trainees. Combined with being ostracized and rarely interacting with others, he came across as gloomy and introverted, his brilliance completely overshadowed, making him rather unnoticeable in the group.

Now, though, perhaps because the new hairstyle revealed all his features, Chi Yu noticed that Chen Shu’s expression and outline were unusually sharp and cold. His jet-black eyes were deep and piercing, entirely different from before, as if his entire aura had been reborn.

Chen Shu said, Yeah.

As he spoke, he also caught sight of his reflection in the elevator’s full-length mirror.

Though he was now a different person, this face was still his—just four years younger and slightly thinner.

Chi Yu stared at him for a long time before finally snapping out of it, awkwardly saying, Short hair suits you better.

Chen Shu smiled. Thanks.

Chi Yu lowered his head again, pursing his lips and falling silent.

Chen Shu glanced at him.

In the original story, Chi Yu had a sunny, kind-hearted personality. As a trainee in the same company and something of a friend to the original owner, he often helped out where he could, unable to stand the way other trainees ostracized him. The original owner owed him quite a few favors.

Now that he had been reborn in the original owner’s body, it was only right that he inherit the original’s obligations and responsibilities.

Thinking of this, Chen Shu said, Don’t be too sad.

Chi Yu trembled slightly and whispered, Brother Jingchuan… my friend is still in the ICU. The doctors said unless a miracle happens, he might remain in a vegetative state for the rest of his life…

Hearing his own name, Yan Jingchuan’s ears twitched. He poked his head out and saw Chi Yu standing shoulder to shoulder with Chen Shu.

It was him?

Yan Jingchuan quietly turned over and half-stood up from Chen Shu’s embrace.

Chen Shu didn’t mind, only saying, Don’t worry, he will wake up.

Though he would only wake up once.

Chi Yu took this as mere comfort and forced a smile. I hope so.

But Yan Jingchuan detected the certainty in Chen Shu’s tone and couldn’t help looking up at him, though from his angle he could only see Chen Shu’s chin.

Then Chen Shu reached out and mercilessly pressed him down. If you don’t behave, you’ll have to walk on your own.

… After careful consideration, Yan Jingchuan settled back into Chen Shu’s arms.

Only then did Chi Yu notice. Your dog?

The puppy was quiet and well-behaved, curled up into a fluffy ball.

Mm.

Is it a German Shepherd? So cute. Chi Yu tried to perk up, not wanting to bring his mood to the company. What’s its name?

Name?

Chen Shu rubbed the puppy’s head with his thumb. It shares my surname, Chen. As for the name…

He thought for a moment and decided firmly, Let’s call it Wangcai.

Yan Jingchuan: …

Chen Wangcai? Chi Yu’s mouth twitched slightly.

Chen Shu said, A humble name is easier to raise.

Besides, he had found Wangcai right when he got his paycheck—it held sentimental value.

Chi Yu didn’t comment.

Chen Shu scratched Wangcai’s chin with his knuckle. Wangcai, do you like this name?

… Chen Wangcai closed his eyes expressionlessly, using silence to express his feelings.

Soon, the elevator doors opened.

By the time Chen Shu and Chi Yu returned to the practice room, it was already 2 p.m.

The dance instructor for the afternoon class saw them enter and clapped his hands. Everyone’s here, gather for rehearsal.

Only then did he notice the change in Chen Shu, his eyes lighting up.

The others immediately noticed too, exchanging uneasy glances with grim expressions.

Although they were a team now, in the competition they were all rivals. The more attention Chen Shu attracted, the worse it was for them.

Gu Wei’s face was particularly sour. He was determined to secure a debut spot and refused to believe that Chen Shu, who had been a waste for a year, could close the gap between them in just three days!

Instead of fussing over superficial tricks, you should practice the formations a few more times.

Hearing Gu Wei’s sarcastic tone, the dance instructor glanced at him and shook his head inwardly. Let’s start rehearsing, everyone get ready.

Chen Shu first set the dog down, then went to his position and stood ready.

Afterward, under Gu Wei’s gaze shifting from confidence to shock and gloom, the music played from start to finish.

Just like in the morning, Chen Shu performed flawlessly from beginning to end.

Chen Shu, you’ve improved a lot! the dance instructor said delightedly. But your intensity is still a bit lacking, like on this beat—

As he spoke, he walked over to demonstrate, then continued explaining.

Chen Shu listened carefully.

He wasn’t professionally trained in this area and still had much to learn.

When the day’s practice ended, he returned to the locker room, set Wangcai on the floor, and grabbed a change of clothes to shower.

Yan Jingchuan had just woken up. Seeing the leash was still attached, he didn’t move.

The warmth in his mind grew clearer. He closed his eyes again, focusing, as if he could hear the sound of the heart monitor even while awake.

Beep—beep—

Yan Jingchuan focused intently on distinguishing the sounds, his thoughts drifting further away without realizing it.

…It seems there’s not much hope for President Yan. Ah, truly, life is unpredictable.

Who was speaking?

Yan Jingchuan’s eyelids fluttered slightly as his eyes slowly opened.

Seeing an unfamiliar ceiling, he shifted his gaze slightly, his typically icy dark eyes falling on the figure by the bed.

The doctor facing him was utterly shocked: Yan—

His companion didn’t look up: Yan what?

Look at President Yan!

Yan Jingchuan’s brow furrowed slightly.

The moment he opened his eyes, a needle-like, dense pain exploded in his mind, growing more intense with each passing moment.

He couldn’t hold on much longer. A powerful suction force spread from within him, and his vision uncontrollably darkened.

The patient on the bed fell into a deep sleep, his eyes slowly closing once more.

His companion looked over, bewildered: What happened to President Yan?

The doctor had no time to answer, quickly stepping forward to perform a check-up, but all the data remained unchanged.

He opened his mouth but couldn’t speak.

—

Consciousness returned.

When Yan Jingchuan woke again, the warmth in his mind had completely vanished, leaving only a sharp pain. As soon as he stood up, waves of weakness rapidly spread throughout his body.

Just then, chaotic footsteps approached from outside the door.

Gu Wei, leading the way, spotted the dog by the bench. Disgust flashed in his eyes, and finding it in his way, he kicked it back into its dog bed as he passed.

Yan Jingchuan, utterly defenseless, staggered and fell to the ground. But the burning sensation from extreme hunger in his stomach was even more unbearable.

Seeing this, Gu Wei raised his foot again.

What are you doing?

A cold, deep voice sounded from behind.

The tone made Gu Wei’s heart tremble, and he instinctively halted his movement.

Seeing it was Chen Shu, his expression turned awkward, and he raised his foot again: Even if I kick it, what can you—

Before he could finish, Chen Shu was already in front of him, kicking the heel of his raised foot.

A numbing pain shot through Gu Wei’s foot, and he immediately lost his balance. Letting out a cry, he stumbled backward, only to be grabbed by the collar with one hand by Chen Shu, who hauled him back and slammed him against a nearby wardrobe with a heavy thud.

The others around, who had been about to intervene, were too frightened to move.

Gu Wei grunted in pain, his hands clutching at Chen Shu’s wrist, but he couldn’t break free no matter how he struggled.

Chen Shu leaned in slightly, his icy gaze fixed on Gu Wei’s evasive eyes.

What do you want? Gu Wei pressed the back of his head against the wardrobe, trying to create distance. He clenched his teeth tightly, but his breathing still trembled uncontrollably. Let me go!

From now on, Chen Shu’s expression remained unchanged as he said calmly, stay away from my dog.

With that, he released his grip in front of Gu Wei, then turned his attention to Wangcai, who was curled up on the ground, and crouched down to check on him.

The familiar hand landed on him, and Yan Jingchuan trembled slightly, opening his eyes and crawling a step toward the direction of the dog carrier.

Chen Shu reached out and pulled the carrier over. Just as he was about to pick Wangcai up to take him to the vet for a check-up, he saw the dog extend its front paws, grab the milk bottle from inside, and struggle to push the nipple upward.

Hungry? Seeing that Wangcai was still thinking about eating, Chen Shu felt somewhat relieved. He finished feeding him the milk from the bottle, then scooped him up and held him in one arm. Standing up, he slung his bag over his shoulder. Let’s go back and make you some Milk Cake.

His voice faded as he walked further away.

The others could only watch his retreating figure, none daring to step forward.