After Dissing The Aloof Omega In A Talent Show - Chapter 5

Ming Tang was currently frozen in place.

She had just experienced “social death” on stage moments ago, and now a new round of impending doom was arriving so soon?

But at the thought of the punishment the system mentioned, Ming Tang shuddered and obediently followed the staff to a separate, small recording room.

Ming Tang sat properly in the chair, but her fingers kept twisting the ribbons of her outfit. The table was to her right, and the chair was a high stool. Such a distant and low barrier provided her with zero psychological security during the interview, leaving her nervous habits completely exposed to the camera.

“We noticed that during the self-evaluation, you chose the fifth rank, but the mentors ultimately gave you an F. Do you have anything to say about that?”

Ming Tang thought: If I said it was all Qiao Xiangshu’s fault, would you even be able to broadcast it?

“I saw a friend up there earlier and just headed over. As for being assigned to Class F, I indeed have a lot of room for improvement,” Ming Tang responded with perfect decorum.

“Alright. I believe you’ve also seen the trainee currently in the Center position. The program understands there is a certain connection between you two; how do you view her performance?”

Ming Tang thought: Here it is. The death trap question has arrived.

Ming Tang took a deep breath, looking like a hero about to sacrifice herself on the battlefield.

“Actually, I feel that Chi Ling’s stage didn’t reach its full potential.”

As soon as she said this, Ming Tang clearly saw the staff member’s expression turn incredibly awkward. There was the excitement of catching a “hot take,” mixed with blatant confusion. Even without studying psychology or being a mind reader, Ming Tang could decipher the crucial message written all over the staff member’s face. How does a bottom-tier trainee dare to question the person in first place?

Ming Tang had already decided to throw caution to the wind and continued calmly.

“Her styling today is so cute, like a blue lop-eared rabbit, but it doesn’t quite match the style of the stage she prepared. I want to see her do a cute concept stage.”

Behind the camera, the staff member frowned in confusion.

“And she’s always wearing a cold expression. Her smile is clearly more infectious. I think someone as beautiful as her should smile more.”

The staff member’s frown deepened. Ming Tang once again read the expression: Who asked you?

The more Ming Tang spoke, the more confident she became. Her previous tension and guilt vanished completely.

“And there’s one more problem, which I think is quite serious.”

“What problem?” The staff member was drawn in, asking subconsciously.

“I’ve learned this choreography too, but I can’t dance it well. I think it’s because she hasn’t taught me yet.”

Staff: …Is it possible the problem is just you?

Seeing Ming Tang’s dead serious expression, the staff member hesitated and looked toward the assistant director for guidance. The assistant director’s expression was also complicated, he had likely never seen this particular brand of provocation before.

【Daily mission accomplished. Please keep up the good work, Host.】

The system’s voice rang out abruptly in her mind.

Ming Tang was overjoyed: Great! This actually satisfies the mission requirements. I won’t get electrocuted by this dead system today!

Seeing the “ecstasy” on Ming Tang’s face didn’t look fake, the assistant director waved his hand, signaling the staff to end the interview and let her go. Although the material was a bit bizarre, it was usable. No one mentioned that the trainees they recruited included a “tipsy” type.

The slight gloom from being placed in Class F seemed to have been swept away. Had it not been for the cameras still rolling, the corners of Ming Tang’s mouth would have curled into a wide grin. She kept muttering, “It’s not appropriate to laugh right now,” as she headed back to the recording hall.

Many trainees had already gone backstage to prepare, leaving many empty seats in the lower ranks. Ming Tang found a random spot and, watching the other trainees’ performances from a closer distance, began to interrogate the system.

“521, where is my reward for completing the mission?”

【None.】

“There are punishments for failing, but no rewards for succeeding?”

【Host, the system does not provide mission rewards.】

Ming Tang didn’t give up. “So, will my future missions also be related to Chi Ling?”

【Yes, Host.】

“What if I get eliminated? I won’t be able to stay in contact with Chi Ling then.”

【Within the mission timeframe, failure to complete the task on time will result in punishment according to the rules.】

What does that mean? Is this system pure torture?

Although Chi Ling was burdened with a mountain of negative press, she was undeniably beautiful. The people who hated her and those who loved her were almost split fifty-fifty across the internet, but the total number of followers was massive. With such strong skills and high popularity, Ming Tang could practically predict that Chi Ling would be the one who stayed “Center from start to finish.”

If Ming Tang wanted to avoid being tortured to death by the system’s various punishments, she had to work hard to improve herself and survive round after round.

It shouldn’t be called a Love System, it should be called a Survival Survival Incentive System.

Ming Tang thought for a moment. Since there were no incentives, only punishments, it should be called the “Debut or Die System.” However, she already had the ambition to climb to the top. With dual motivation, she might just climb even faster.

Once the initial stages for all trainees ended and the ratings were finalized, it was time for lunch.

Ming Tang was meeting the others in Class F for the first time and was wondering if she should get to know her future companions, when a familiar voice rang out behind her.

“Ming Tang! Let’s go eat together!” Qiao Xiangshu rushed over, making a move to grab Ming Tang’s arm.

Turning around, Ming Tang saw Chi Ling seemingly walking in her direction. Ming Tang stepped aside, causing Qiao Xiangshu to overshoot. Qiao Xiangshu turned back with a face full of disbelief and confusion.

“Ming Tang, can I join you?”

Chi Ling stood before Ming Tang. Her usually cold face wasn’t exactly smiling, but it looked like spring snow that had just begun to melt, there wasn’t a hint of distance in her eyes. This time, Ming Tang saw Chi Ling’s eyes clearly, they were a lighter brown than usual, resembling warm-colored agates under the bright lights.

Chi Ling tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear, revealing a tiny red mole on her earlobe. Struck by this “beauty attack,” Ming Tang blinked at those eyes.

Chi Ling blinked back and asked, “Is that not okay?”

Ming Tang shook her head first, then quickly nodded: “It’s okay!”

Qiao Xiangshu squeezed between the two with a probing look. “Do you two have some secret relationship behind my back?”

Chi Ling showed Qiao Xiangshu an unusually friendly face but simply shook her head. “We just met.”

Ming Tang echoed, “Just met.”

Qiao Xiangshu still narrowed her eyes, clearly unconvinced, but she turned to look at Ming Tang. “Seeing as I set you up today and caused you to be lectured by Yu…”

Qiao Xiangshu wanted to say “Senior Sister Yu,” but then she remembered that the person in front of her was Chi Ling, who had an unknown conflict with Yu Wenqing. Furthermore, Qiao Xiangshu was no longer at Huayin and had no standing to call Yu Wenqing “Senior Sister,” so she changed her words mid-sentence.

“Caused you to be lectured by Mentor Yu, I’ll treat you to lunch today.”

Ming Tang pursed her lips. “Qiao Xiangshu, do I need to remind you that eating at the cafeteria is free?”

Hearing this, Chi Ling gave a low laugh. The corners of her mouth curved up slightly, but the outer corners of her eyes curved even more, turning them into “smiling eyes.”

“Senior Chi Ling! You look so beautiful when you smile.”

Ming Tang thought blankly. Is the camera in the interview room a wishing well?

“Is that so?” Chi Ling asked politely.

“It is.” Ming Tang took a step forward, hooked her foot to trip Qiao Xiangshu slightly, and then pushed her aside. Ming Tang leaned her face toward Chi Ling and squinted with a smile. “Let’s go, Senior, or there won’t be any food left.”

Chi Ling nodded slightly, but Ming Tang noticed that the tips of Chi Ling’s ears were turning a faint red, making that little red mole look even more vivid. The best friend who had been forcibly pushed aside, Qiao Xiangshu, looked resentful.

Once they had their food and sat at a table, some of the faster trainees were already halfway through their meals. Chi Ling picked up a bit of mashed potato with her chopsticks, placed it on a piece of lettuce, and asked casually while keeping her eyes downcast.

“Judging by what Yu Wenqing said during the first stage, she seems very familiar with you?”

Ming Tang paused. The braised shrimp in her mouth suddenly lost its flavor.

“Senior Chi Ling, you probably didn’t notice her company,” Qiao Xiangshu said while biting her chopsticks, her voice quite clear. “She is…”

“Senior, I’m from Huayin. I’m technically your junior sister,” Ming Tang interrupted Qiao Xiangshu, taking the initiative to confess her identity.

Chi Ling nodded, her expression not looking particularly surprised. “Then you guys don’t hate me.”

Ming Tang sharply caught the word “guys” and asked, “Senior, you know about her?”

“Yes, I’ve researched some of my more capable opponents.”

Qiao Xiangshu, who had been cut off earlier, gave a sly smile. “Oh, why wouldn’t Senior Chi Ling know you? It’s really hard to guess, isn’t it?”

Ming Tang gave Qiao Xiangshu a silent glare.

“When we were at the company, we didn’t really agree with their methods,” Ming Tang replied softly to Chi Ling’s question. “The moment I actually saw you, Senior, I felt that those stories were just what they wanted us to believe.”

“Normally, no company would pull out a former employee every month just to trash them.”

Chi Ling’s eyes curved again. “You have quite an interesting way of speaking.”

Ming Tang looked at Chi Ling and smiled along. Having dealt with shocks and surprises all morning, while using both her brain and body, Ming Tang was starving. She took two large gulps of rice before continuing, “Senior, if you only eat such a small amount of greens, won’t you be hungry during training this afternoon?”

Chi Ling paused. She didn’t pick up that topic but kept her eyes down. “Just call me Chi Ling. I’m not really a ‘senior’.”

“I’m going back to the dorm to pack my luggage,” Chi Ling said, picking up her empty tray and standing up. “I’ll be going now. See you next time.”

“Sen… uh, Chi Ling, see you next time.”

Ming Tang was a bit dazed by the sudden departure. She didn’t know if she had said something wrong to make Chi Ling leave so abruptly. Watching Chi Ling’s receding back, Ming Tang whispered the name, which the owner had personally allowed her to use, several times.

Two syllables, both unfamiliar and intimate.

“Ming Tang, I’m serious, your state of mind today is very strange.”