From Trashy A to the Heiress’s Little Son-in-Law After the Idol Competition (GL, ABO) - Chapter 20

How could you bear to let yourself be scolded like that?

By the time she thought of a rebuttal, Wei Ge had already left.

“Keep practicing,” Shen Ya said.

Wei Xuanzhi smirked mockingly, “Especially you, Xiao Yanjin.”

That night, everyone else had gone back, leaving only Ji Yunuo still practicing relentlessly.

Xiao Yanjin sulked in the corner.

If Ji Yunuo wasn’t leaving, neither would she, she wanted to make it clear she was unhappy.

“Still not leaving?” Ji Yunuo asked, drenched in sweat from practice.

“Why didn’t you stand up for me?” Xiao Yanjin huffed.

“Because what he said was true.”

“But he only criticized others briefly, yet he went on and on about me. Anyone watching would think I’m completely useless.”

“When it comes to dancing, you are completely useless,” Ji Yunuo said patiently. “You can sing well, so why did you choose the dance category?”

“Because I wanted to leave. If my performance was bad enough, maybe I wouldn’t gain any fans, and I could get eliminated in the first round.” Xiao Yanjin admitted bluntly. She didn’t want any promises with Ji Yunuo anyway, they weren’t from the same world, and they might never see each other again after this.

“If that’s the case, then why are you upset when Wei Ge criticizes you for slacking off?”

Ji Yunuo was right. If she had no intention of staying and refused to practice seriously, then being scolded by the instructor was only natural.

Xiao Yanjin fell silent. The way Ji Yunuo had spoken to her just now felt like a caring older sister even though she was only three years older.

Three years still made her an older sister, though.

“Because I wanted you to defend me. Wouldn’t that make us look more like a CP?”

“I can help you, but only if you start practicing properly now.”

“But I want to leave.”

“Xiao Yanjin, so many talented people pour their sweat and tears into fighting for a debut spot, only to fall short in the end.

“If you don’t want it, that’s your choice. But what if you keep slacking off and still advance? Wouldn’t that be unfair to everyone else? You’re a public figure now.

“No one knows what’s in your heart. All they see is that you barely try yet still make it through. And if that happens, no matter what you do in the future, you’ll always be criticized and attacked.”

Ji Yunuo suddenly reached out and ruffled her hair, her usually expressionless face softening with a faint smile. “You should take responsibility toward the fans who support you.”

Xiao Yanjin froze for a moment, her eyes suddenly brightening.

Only then did she realize why she had been sulking she had somehow grown dependent on Ji Yunuo. Seeing her refuse to take her side felt like getting into a fight with a friend, only to have her own mother scold her instead.

Xiao Yanjin exhaled sharply and stood up.

“Can you stop patting my head?”

“Why?”

“I’m not a puppy.”

Ji Yunuo watched as Xiao Yanjin struggled to follow the dance tutorial, amused. Aren’t you, though?

By the time they returned to the dorm, it was already 2 a.m.

Xiao Yanjin was drenched in sweat. After showering, she lay in bed, trying to focus on Ji Yunuo’s words.

But the moment she recalled her voice, her face became even more vivid in her mind.

Xiao Yanjin shook her head violently.

She’s just a preachy older sister. What’s there to miss?

Though, admittedly, being lectured by her hadn’t been that bad.

Xiao Yanjin’s practice sessions became even more intense than before, to the point where she continued practicing even during meals.

Wei Ge came to observe their training once again.

Overall, they had improved significantly compared to before.

“Ji Yunuo, why aren’t you the center?” Wei Ge asked.

“Shen Ya dances better than me,” Ji Yunuo answered honestly.

“You should strive for it in the future.”

Finally, Wei Ge turned to Xiao Yanjin. “Xiao Yanjin, you’ve improved a lot, but you still need to work harder especially on your facial expressions. And…”

He launched into another round of criticism, nitpicking even the things she had done well, as if afraid the audience wouldn’t realize her shortcomings.

Xiao Yanjin pursed her lips, suppressing her frustration as she prepared to respond.

“Teacher.” A cool voice interrupted.

“I think Xiao Yanjin executed that move perfectly. I taught her one-on-one, there’s no way she did it wrong.”

“You can say her expressions need work, or that her fundamentals are weak, but she puts genuine effort into every move. She’s made great progress, and you should try encouraging her instead.”

Ji Yunuo finished calmly.

This was the first time she had ever contradicted an elder. Growing up, she had always obeyed without question, never once rebelling. But now, she stood her ground.

It felt surprisingly good.

As soon as Ji Yunuo finished speaking, stunned silence fell over the room, everyone staring at her in disbelief.

Wei Ge was visibly taken aback. Normally, when he reprimanded a trainee, no one dared to speak up even if he was wrong. But now, someone had openly challenged him, telling him to be more encouraging.

Xiao Yanjin quietly smiled to herself. Being defended felt nice.

Though, someone else didn’t seem too happy about it.

“Are you the leader?” Wei Ge asked coldly.

“No.”

“Who is?”

“Me.” Shen Ya raised her hand.

“Xiao Yanjin’s dancing still has flaws. She’ll need guidance, let the leader take charge of that.”

“Teacher, I only want Ji Yunuo to teach me.”

Wei Ge’s expression darkened further.

“Do you think Shen Ya isn’t skilled enough?”

“No, it’s just, ” Xiao Yanjin stifled a laugh. “Because Ji Yunuo is gentler.”

She said it offhandedly, fully aware that this dramatic moment would definitely be aired by the show’s producers.

Her words were nothing more than bait something to stir up the shippers and invite backlash from Ji Yunuo’s solo fans.

Let them rage until she got eliminated in the first round!

Hearing this, the tips of Ji Yunuo’s ears gradually turned red.

She wondered to herself was she really that gentle?

Wei Ge swallowed his anger. After all, his public persona was that of a refined yet sharp mentor. He couldn’t lose his temper, he absolutely couldn’t!

Damn it!

How could he not be furious? These two clearly didn’t respect him as an instructor!

One dared to talk back, the other dared to refuse orders this was outright defiance!

Still, given Ji Yunuo’s family background, he didn’t dare scold her.

“Fine. Keep practicing.”

After Wei Ge left, Shen Ya, visibly displeased, exited with Wei Xuanzhi and the others.

Ran Wan went to the restroom again.

The practice room was left with just the two of them.

Ji Yunuo cleared her throat. “What you said earlier was it true?”

“Hm?” Xiao Yanjin looked at her, her clear eyes glinting under the light.

“That I’m gentle?” Ji Yunuo’s voice softened noticeably, as if the question unsettled her in some way.

No one had ever called her gentle growing up. Her mother said she was too aloof, never close to them. Her aunt said she was too proud, never smiling. Her grandmother said she seemed preoccupied, though in truth she had no such worries. Her grandfather praised her composure, saying she had the makings of a great CEO.

Everyone admired her steadiness, calmness, restraint the very image of a noble young lady.

But no one ever called her gentle.

Ji Yunuo thought “gentle” wasn’t a good word for an Omega, at least not in the eyes of certain mothers-in-law looking for ideal daughters-in-law.

Yet when Xiao Yanjin said it, the word carried a different meaning.

It felt like genuine praise, heartfelt admiration.

“Is Sister Nuo not gentle?” Xiao Yanjin approached, whispering with a light laugh by her ear: “Your voice may be cool, but it’s not harsh at all. In fact, it’s lovely like a mature woman’s voice, you know? That dignified tone.”

Ji Yunuo raised her eyes, dewy like rain-kissed pear blossoms, delicate and pitiful. Xiao Yanjin found herself momentarily transfixed.

Ji Yunuo suddenly stepped back with a cold snort: “Xiao Yanjin, what scheme are you plotting now?”

“No scheme at all. Didn’t I tell you before?” Xiao Yanjin shrugged, a playful smile lingering. “I want to form a CP with you, sister. Of course I need to get along well with you.”

Ji Yunuo hesitated briefly.

Xiao Yanjin leaned in again, lowering her voice.

“During your last heat, sister, you took advantage when I wasn’t looking and kissed me. I’m still holding a grudge, you know. The Xiao family will need your support in the future. If you ever want me, just say the word, I wouldn’t shed a single tear even if you marked me.”

Ji Yunuo shot her a glance: “I’m not someone who throws around talk of marking lightly.”

“What a shame. Many other Omegas would kill to have this body,” Xiao Yanjin replied with a smirk, the teasing glint in her eyes finally fading.

Ji Yunuo felt unsettled by Xiao Yanjin’s earlier words.

Since starting school, countless alphas had pursued her. Though some bold rich kids had dared to flirt outrageously, without exception Wei Qin had intercepted them, after that, no one dared show her disrespect.

Their pickup lines were always the same: “I’ll be your alpha” or “I’ll take care of you,” reeking of machismo.

But Xiao Yanjin was different. Even when flirting, she offered herself up as the one to be teased.

Ji Yunuo huffed quietly. Given how shameless she was, such words weren’t surprising.

Yet unusually, Ji Yunuo felt neither anger nor offense.

“Want some?” Lan Yuanning returned from training and offered her a small rainbow chocolate. With their intense workouts, low blood sugar was common keeping candy on hand was standard for every trainee.

Ji Yunuo paused, then accepted.

The chocolate had a milky sweetness that blossomed on her tongue, leaving a lingering fragrance just like Xiao Yanjin’s pheromones. Ji Yunuo’s heart gave an unexpected lurch.

Lan Yuanning smiled. “You finished training early today.”

Checking the time just past six, Ji Yunuo nodded. It was indeed quick.

“How’s your group going?” The two typically quiet Omegas chatted on the balcony, their pleasant voices like wind chimes in a gentle breeze.

“Not bad. The members are quite obedient, especially that alpha Jiang Nan.” Lan Yuanning’s smile softened slightly.

“She is indeed very obedient,” far more so than Xiao Yanjin could ever be.

But upon closer thought, Xiao Yanjin was all talk, in action, she still listened to her quite well.

“Are you and Xiao Yanjin in the same group? Has she been bothering you?” Lan Yuanning suddenly asked curiously.

Ji Yunuo chuckled. “Why are you like those netizens, thinking Xiao Yanjin came here just to pester me?”

“After seeing how you two interact, I almost believed it,” Lan Yuanning admitted, a hint of concern in her voice. “It’s better to be careful around alphas.”

Ji Yunuo’s gaze remained clear and steady. “Don’t worry, at the very least, she listens to me.”

A while later, Ji Yunuo went out to buy coffee.

Passing by the shared balcony in the dorm hallway, a sour, pungent odor hit her nose.

For someone with extreme cleanliness habits, the stench was nothing short of chemical warfare.

Anxious to locate the source and have it cleaned up, she quickly zeroed in on the tightly shut glass balcony door.

Even though it was sealed, the smell still seeped through perhaps Ji Yunuo’s sense of smell was just too sharp, but she couldn’t stand it any longer.

She pushed the door open forcefully, only to find three pairs of wide, startled eyes staring back at her.

Xiao Yanjin, Shi Zhengyi, and Jiang Nan were huddled together, cooking noodles.

The pot of noodles was drenched in red oil, and the smell was unmistakably coming from it.

Shi Zhengyi stammered, “Sis,  sister-in-law, hello.”

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