After Being Bound to the Scummy Alpha System, I Became Famous Thanks to My Face Blindness - Chapter 27

The training officially began.

When it came down to the crucial moment, Jiang Manli still proved herself reliable. She picked three songs for the group to choose from — Tearing Through Summer, Insomniac Moon, and Island Diary. Contrary to her carefree, loud personality, her picks were all artistic, emotionally charged pieces with strong impact — ideal for a band performance.

After a team vote, they finally settled on Insomniac Moon. The song had a high degree of recognition and popularity — familiar to most audiences — which could easily boost their likeability and lower the difficulty of the performance.

Although this was Tang Ling’s first time serving as a team captain, she had seen how Tan Shiyi organized her own team before, so she followed her example and prepared a preliminary plan.

For Cheng Qingyan and Fang Zhizi, who had both worked under Tan Shiyi before, this was nothing new. But Lu Yao, Chi Ningrui, and even Jiang Manli herself were a little surprised — none of them had expected Tang Ling to come up with a performance framework in such a short time.

Tang Ling handed each of them a printed copy.

“This is just my rough idea for now,” she said modestly. “It’s definitely not perfect, so if anyone has suggestions, please speak up. We can discuss and adjust together.”

Lu Yao sighed in admiration. “No wonder your popularity’s been skyrocketing. You’re really capable — and totally fit to be captain.”

Jiang Manli grinned and leaned over. “Or maybe, just maybe, it’s because I chose such great songs?”

Lu Yao straightened up, looking serious. “Jiang Manli, stop trying to hit on me for no reason. I joined this group because I wanted to work with Tang Ling — you have nothing to do with it.”

Jiang Manli’s heart shattered a little, but she still plastered on a smile. “Alright, alright.”

Tang Ling: “…”

Hopeless.

Still, this team turned out surprisingly easy to get along with.

There was Jiang Manli, the wild pink-haired one who wore Harry Winston accessories; Cheng Qingyan, the stoic beauty with long straight black hair; Fang Zhizi, the chattering little one who called everyone “jiejie” every other sentence; Lu Yao, petite yet curvy; and Chi Ningrui, with her distinctive dark-green twin ponytails — each with such clear traits that even someone face-blind could tell them apart.

Tang Ling had to admit — Jiang Manli had done a good job picking her team.

Meanwhile, Tan Shiyi’s group had eight members. Besides the newcomers, He Junnian and Fu Xin had chosen to stay by Tan Shiyi’s side as always.

Their chosen song was Can You Forget Me, a love ballad perfectly suited for a band performance, with Tan Shiyi and He Junnian sharing the role of dual lead vocalists.

Tang Ling’s evening lessons with Tan Shiyi also continued as scheduled.

Every guitarist owned more than one electric guitar — Tang Ling was no exception. The next day, she asked Ah Tong to bring over her favorite one: a lake-blue electric guitar that felt like an extension of her own hands. She also brought an extra — for Tan Shiyi.

The one she picked for Tan Shiyi was a classic red-and-white maple guitar, with a timeless double-cutaway design. No flashy decorations, just clean lines — simple, modest, yet full of youthful energy.

Tan Shiyi hadn’t expected Tang Ling to prepare a guitar for her. Her eyes widened. “You got this for me?”

Tang Ling replied casually, “I’ve used it a few times. As long as you don’t mind.”

Lowering her head, Tan Shiyi hugged the guitar tightly. “I’ll treasure it. Thank you.”

“Try playing a bit,” Tang Ling said. “See if it feels right.”

Tan Shiyi nodded. “Okay.”

During the day, she had already practiced basic scales and broken chords with the instructor. Now, she tried to replicate the exercises on her own — her movements careful but determined — then looked up at Tang Ling, nervous yet hopeful.

Tang Ling smiled encouragingly. “That was great! You’ve only been learning for one day and you’re already this smooth — you’ll do fine on stage.”

A hint of relief flickered across Tan Shiyi’s face.

But then Tang Ling frowned. “How long have you been practicing today? Do you still want your fingers?”

It was only then that Tan Shiyi noticed her hands. Her pale fingertips had turned an angry red, and there was even a blister forming on her right middle finger.

She instinctively tried to hide her hands, but Tang Ling caught them before she could.

“Your fingers are already this red,” Tang Ling scolded softly. “By tomorrow, they’ll hurt even worse. If you keep practicing like this without restraint, do you still think you’ll be able to perform?”

Tan Shiyi bit her lip and stayed silent.

Keeping her ability to play the piano a secret might have been the most irrational thing she’d ever done. Never before had she imagined herself, out of personal reasons, doing something that could potentially jeopardize the team’s overall performance.

The pressure on her was immense. Now that things had come this far, she refused to let herself make even the smallest mistake. No matter what, she couldn’t be the one to drag the team down.

So even the simplest scale drills or chord practices — she took them seriously, practicing through the entire afternoon. Even when her fingertips and nails ached unbearably, she kept going.

Tang Ling sighed at the sight of her stubbornness and coaxed gently, “Alright, no more for today. Come back to the dorm with me — I’ll help you warm your hands, okay?”

“But I haven’t practiced enough,” Tan Shiyi protested softly. “It might affect the performance.”

“The performance’s still far off,” Tang Ling countered. “What’s more important — your body or the show?” She took Tan Shiyi’s hand firmly. “Just take a night off, alright? Give yourself a break.”

Feeling the warmth of Tang Ling’s hand, Tan Shiyi finally gave a quiet, obedient “mm” and followed her steps.

Early June nights felt like being trapped inside an invisible steamer — stuffy, hot, and suffocating.

They walked one behind the other, each lost in thought.

Both of them were thinking about what had happened the last time they were in the dorm — and neither dared to meet the other’s eyes.

As they neared the dorm entrance, Tang Ling warned softly, “By the way, my roommate’s in tonight. She’s pretty loud and straightforward — if she says something inappropriate, just pretend you didn’t hear it, alright?”

Tan Shiyi, unfamiliar with Jiang Manli, asked hesitantly, “Will we disturb her rest?”

“As long as you’re not afraid of her disturbing you.”

Tang Ling knocked on the door. “Manli-jie, Shiyi’s here. Is it a good time to come in?”

A loud, exaggerated voice rang out from inside.

“Holy crap, Ling-jie, look at you! You’re really leveling up your dating game, huh? Bringing your girlfriend home already? Give me a sec to prepare myself!”

Tan Shiyi: “……”

Tang Ling: “……”

Tang Ling muttered under her breath, “Just pretend you didn’t hear that.”

Moments later, Jiang Manli swung the door open with dramatic enthusiasm. It had barely been a minute, yet she had thrown on a suit jacket, spritzed some hairspray, and was just short of clenching a rose between her teeth. She kept winking at Tang Ling like an accomplice.

Tang Ling ignored her antics. “Shiyi hurt her hand. I’m going to get a warm towel for her.”

Jiang Manli grinned mischievously, clearly uncertain whether she wanted to help or stir trouble. “I mean, come on—where else in the whole Northern Star system could you find such a gentle, considerate, world-class Alpha like our Ling-jie? You’ve really struck gold, sister-in-law!”

Tang Ling sighed, already exasperated. “Can you not? It’s Shiyi’s first time here. Don’t scare her off, okay?”

Jiang Manli chuckled shamelessly. “First time? Didn’t she come here to play Gomoku once? Bet you didn’t know, I’m secretly a Tang Shi shipper!”

Tan Shiyi had never encountered someone so brazenly thick-skinned and forward. She stood there, a little lost for words.

Tang Ling brushed past Jiang Manli, half-supporting Tan Shiyi as she guided her toward the table. “Sit down. I’ll get you some hot water.”

She went into the bathroom, turned on the faucet, and just as the warm water started to flow, she heard Jiang Manli’s voice echoing from outside.

“Oh my god, sister-in-law, what happened to your hand? That’s on Ling-jie—she’s got a dozen guitar picks lying around, and not one for you?”

Tang Ling called back, “Jiang Manli, quit pretending you know what you’re talking about! How’s a beginner supposed to use picks?”

Carrying the basin of warm water, Tang Ling returned and sat down beside Tan Shiyi. She unwrapped a new towel, soaked it, wrung it out, then gently took Tan Shiyi’s hands in her own, wrapping the towel around her fingers and pressing softly over her fingertips.

When she noticed Tan Shiyi wince slightly, she asked with concern, “Does it hurt? Is it the blister? Do you want me to pop it?”

Tan Shiyi lowered her gaze. “No need. It’s small—should be gone by morning.”

Just then, Tang Ling heard Xiao Nan’s voice ring inside her head:

“Alert! Host’s Scummy A-value decreased by 10 points! Host, pull yourself together!”

Tang Ling blinked at Tan Shiyi in confusion. With Jiang Manli chattering nonstop nearby, she’d have thought her score would rise out of irritation—but it went down?

Tan Shiyi, noticing her gaze, blushed faintly. “Why are you looking at me like that all of a sudden?”

Tang Ling hesitated. “You, you’re not mad?”

Tan Shiyi averted her eyes, her voice soft. “You’re being so kind to me. Why would I be angry?”

A little embarrassed, she tried to pull her hands back. “I can do it myself. You don’t have to.”

Tang Ling caught her hand again. “It’s fine. Let me massage it a bit—it’ll help the circulation.”

Jiang Manli, watching them, grinned wickedly. “Well, well, well! Am I being the world’s brightest light bulb here?”

Tang Ling kicked her under the table. “Then why aren’t you getting out of the way already?”

Unfazed, Jiang Manli clung on. “Aw, don’t chase me off! How often do I get to witness the model couple up close? I’m just trying to study and learn, you know—purely educational!”

Tang Ling rolled her eyes and turned to Tan Shiyi. “She’s always like this. Don’t take her seriously.”

Fortunately, Jiang Manli’s attention span was as short as ever. After a couple of minutes, she got bored and left when her gaming buddies called her online.

That left Tang Ling and Tan Shiyi sitting awkwardly together under the lamplight. After all the teasing, neither knew what to say.

Tang Ling touched the towel—it had already cooled. “I’ll go change the water.”

Tan Shiyi quickly said, “No need. I feel much better now. Let’s stop here for today. I should head back.”

Tang Ling stood up as well. “I’ll walk you home. Otherwise, I bet the moment I turn my back, you’ll sneak off to the practice room again.”

Tan Shiyi’s cheeks flushed. She had been planning to put in more practice, but she hadn’t expected Tang Ling to see right through her.

“I wasn’t. I didn’t mean,” she stammered.

“Oh please,” Tang Ling said with mild exasperation. “You think I can’t tell? Hasn’t anyone ever told you to take better care of yourself?”

Tan Shiyi lowered her head. “You’re the first person who’s ever said that to me.”

Tang Ling felt a mix of helplessness and tenderness. “Then remember it—and don’t let the first person who said it down.”