After Being Bound to the Scummy Alpha System, I Became Famous Thanks to My Face Blindness - Chapter 16

On the fourth day of training camp, the first half of the second public performance finally aired.

The trainees were temporarily given back their phones so they could promote the show online.

As soon as Tang Ling opened Weibo, she was bombarded with red notifications.

The aftermath of the Ying Kener incident had finally settled. After nearly a week of struggling, Ying Kener’s agency had no choice but to post a formal apology.

Though no definitive proof ever surfaced identifying the mastermind behind the drugging incident, the company shoved all the blame onto Ying Kener alone, declaring that she had “failed to meet idol standards” and would be suspended for two years of self-reflection.

In the ever-changing world of showbiz, two years was enough time for the public to completely forget her.

In other words, Ying Kener’s career was effectively over.

Many netizens tagged Tang Ling to gossip, while others reposted the audio clip of her exposing Ying Kener, waving the “Tang Shi” banner high. But even more people expressed confusion over Ying Kener’s actions.

Why would a debut artist with her own hit song stoop so low as to sabotage Tan Shiyi—especially when they were teammates? A team should share both glory and loss.

A trainee who had been eliminated before the first public performance even aired came forward to explain that the situation wasn’t as dramatic as everyone thought. Inside the hypercompetitive environment of Beidou Star Training Program, talented and hardworking girls were everywhere. Ying Kener’s minor achievements were barely noticeable, which only worsened her sense of inadequacy.

Under such constant pressure, it was easy to fall prey to jealousy, inferiority, and comparison. For those without a strong mindset, one impulsive decision could lead them astray.

The moment Ying Kener decided to drug Tan Shiyi, she had already abandoned the team—there was only herself left in her heart.

Tang Ling actually found that explanation quite convincing. Back in the Peach Blossoms Crease team, Ying Kener really had faded into the background.

Still, when she planned her scheme, Ying Kener probably never expected to get caught, let alone end up serving as a stepping stone for others. Ironically, the incident only made netizens anticipate Wildfire even more.

“Ying Kener’s fans, please stop. It’s obvious your idol was too selfish! Quitting the team at such a critical time—did she ever think about the others? If it wasn’t for her betrayal, Tang Ling wouldn’t have gone so hard on her!”

“Wuwuwu I was at the live taping! But I signed an NDA so I can’t say anything. I cried so hard.”

“I can’t wait for Wildfire! Have you seen the spoilers? Their outfits were literally hand-designed by themselves! Is there anything Tan Shiyi can’t do? No! There isn’t!”

“I will love Tang Shi forever.jpg Tang Ling, pamper Shiyi to death!!! Go, go, go!”

“When are Tang Shi getting married? When are Tang Shi doing it? When are Tang Shi DOING it?”

Tang Ling scrolled through the comments, eating melons with mounting anxiety. She was terrified Tan Shiyi might see these posts and get disgusted again, which would earn Tang Ling yet another “Scummy Alpha” point—pushing her closer to that dreaded Majestic Curve threshold.

Honestly, any girl who heard the phrase “Majestic Curve” would probably shudder in fear.

At eight o’clock sharp, the broadcast began.

Each dorm room had a wall-mounted TV, so the trainees could watch the show live.

Tang Ling and Cheng Qingyan had just settled down when the doorbell rang.

Being hopeless with faces, Tang Ling didn’t want to answer it. She turned to look at Cheng Qingyan instead.

Expressionless, Cheng Qingyan said flatly, “It’s probably not for me.”

With no choice, Tang Ling got up to open the door.

Three people stood outside.

Short hair—rare among the trainees—and that familiar For Her perfume. It was He Junnian and Fu Xin up front, no doubt about it.

And the girl standing slightly behind them, head lowered and lips pressed together, could only be Tan Shiyi.

He Junnian greeted cheerfully, “We came to watch the broadcast with you! Mind if we come in?”

Fu Xin added softly, “Is Cheng Qingyan here too? We’re not disturbing you, right?”

Hearing that, Cheng Qingyan rose from the bed. “I don’t mind. Please, come in.”

He Junnian and Fu Xin visibly brightened, walking in with happy smiles.

As Tan Shiyi passed Tang Ling, their shoulders brushed lightly. She murmured, “Sorry to intrude.”

Each dorm only had two chairs. He Junnian, being the first through the door, naturally claimed the one further inside. “Then I’ll take this seat, okay?”

Fu Xin was about to sit in the remaining chair when she realized that left none for Tan Shiyi.

She hesitated. “Um, Shiyi, do you want to sit here instead?”

Tan Shiyi blinked, momentarily caught off guard. She hadn’t expected to be left without a seat. Shaking her head, she said, “You sit. My room’s right next door—I’ll grab a chair.”

Tang Ling waved her off. “No need to go to all that trouble. Just sit on my bed. Uh, you don’t mind, right? I certainly don’t.”

The words had barely left her mouth before she regretted them. After all, she and Tan Shiyi didn’t exactly have fond memories when it came to beds. The last time she’d invited Tan Shiyi to sit on hers was when the original host—shameless as she’d been—had drugged her.

He Junnian, oblivious as ever, said cheerfully, “Come on, just sit together. What’s the big deal? We’ve known each other for ages, eat together, live together—what’s wrong with sharing a bed?”

Tan Shiyi looked straight into Tang Ling’s eyes. “If you don’t mind, then I’ll sit.”

Tang Ling waved her hands hastily. “Sit, sit! It’s fine, really. Don’t be so polite.”

Tan Shiyi pressed her lips together and sat down at the edge of the bed.

Tang Ling naturally sat down on the other side.

Cheng Qingyan glanced at their positions, her expression thoughtful.

On the TV, the host had just finished announcing the advancement rules, and the performances officially began.

The girls chatted idly as they watched the livestream.

At that moment, Tang Ling’s phone started vibrating—it was a message from Fang Zhizi.

Ever since Tang Ling had carried her back to the dorm and helped her ice her injured foot, Fang Zhizi had developed a fledgling attachment to her—contacting “Tang Ling-jie” for every little thing and eager to share every bit of news.

“Tang Ling-jie, the show’s starting! Are you watching too?”

“Tang Ling-jie, I saw you! You look so cool in that Klein blue outfit, QwQ! Did you see me too?”

“Tang Ling-jie, our group’s performing Next Stop, Sunny Skies next! You have to praise me, okay? Hehe [cute][cute]”

Tang Ling thought gloomily, I can’t even spot you on screen—how am I supposed to praise you? She decided to ignore the messages and set her phone aside.

But Fang Zhizi, unaware, kept sending messages one after another.

The phone, lying horizontally between Tang Ling and Tan Shiyi, buzzed intermittently—the sound oddly intrusive in the quiet room.

Finally, Tan Shiyi couldn’t take it anymore and turned to her. “Aren’t you going to reply?”

Tang Ling looked embarrassed. “No need. She’ll stop after a while.”

Tan Shiyi lowered her gaze slightly. “She?”

Tang Ling answered honestly, “Fang Zhizi. She wants me to watch her performance.”

“Oh.” Tan Shiyi’s tone carried a hint of thought. “I heard she sprained her ankle. It’s not serious, right?”

Tang Ling shook her head. “It’s fine. A couple of days’ rest and she’ll be good as new. Anyone learning dance gets a few bumps and bruises.”

“That’s true. But isn’t Fang Zhizi quite young? I think she’s underage.”

“Yeah, she just turned fifteen not long ago.” Tang Ling recalled the messy state of Fang Zhizi’s room and said casually, “The little girl’s pretty pampered. I bet she’ll differentiate as an Omega.”

Tan Shiyi gave Tang Ling a long, deep look. “You don’t even spare someone that young?”

Tang Ling: “?”

Inside her head, the system Xiao Nan’s chirpy voice rang out:

“Congratulations, Host! You’ve gained 5 Scummy A points! Keep it up—the majestic curves awaits ahead!”

Tang Ling: “!”

What kind of person do you think I am?

She hurriedly explained, “What are you thinking? I only see her as a little sister! I don’t have any improper thoughts about her!”

Tan Shiyi lowered her head slightly. “I didn’t think anything. It’s just, your actions are easy to misunderstand.”

Tang Ling was speechless. How did I make it look like that? I only carried her upstairs because I mistook her for you! Otherwise, would I have volunteered to play janitor?

After holding back for a while, she muttered under her breath, “I swear, there’s nothing between me and Fang Zhizi. If I’m lying, may I never get a girlfriend for the rest of my life.”

Tan Shiyi averted her eyes. “You don’t have to swear to me. It’s not like there’s anything between us.”

Just then, He Junnian clapped her hands excitedly. “It’s Wildfire! It’s Wildfire! Come on, girls—spam the bullet screen!”

She bent over her phone, typing frantically.

On screen, as the clock’s second hand ticked three beats, there was a crisp click—and the spotlight converged on Tang Ling alone. She flashed a roguish smile. “Wildfire.”

He Junnian screamed, “Aaaah! As expected of Tang Ling! So cool!”

Even Fu Xin couldn’t help exclaiming, “Our performance really blew the roof off!”

The show’s editors clearly knew what they were doing. Knowing how popular “Tang Shi CP” was, they’d given Tang Ling and Tan Shiyi plenty of duo shots—each frame practically a desktop wallpaper. Even Tang Ling herself felt a bit bashful watching it.

She leaned closer to Tan Shiyi, nudging her shoulder lightly. “I won’t do anything you hate again. Just trust me this once, okay?”

Tan Shiyi’s voice was soft. “Is my attitude that important to you?”

Of course it is! Tang Ling thought. Your attitude literally decides whether I end up picking trash on the streets!

Putting on a thick skin, she said, “We’re already a CP now. If I don’t care about your opinion, whose would I care about?”

Tan Shiyi seemed to smile faintly, her bright eyes meeting Tang Ling’s. “Then I’ll wait and see how you perform.”