I Became the Top Competitor in a Talent Show Novel - Chapter 33.1

Chi Meng strode forward and stood behind Song Jiaqi. When the two met eyes, Chi Meng immediately flashed a brilliant smile. For some unknown reason, a chill ran up Song Jiaqi’s spine. She stiffened and her hairs stood on end.

She eyed Chi Meng warily and moved closer to Chen Zhu. Just as she took a step, Chi Meng raised her hand, pinched the corner of Song Jiaqi’s clothes, and pulled her back.

Come, stick together.

Song Jiaqi slapped away Chi Meng’s “paw.” Stick together? Don’t you dare come near me!

Chen Zhu heard the commotion behind her and thought it best to make the choices herself. “Renxing Entertainment: Song Yingjun, Ye Qing, Ling Yao.”

She named all the remaining teammates from Renxing Entertainment in one breath. Renxing had three A’s, one B, and one F on the first stage. Now, besides her in the A-Class, the others were spread one in each of the remaining classes, aiming for an even spread. Now, she had the right to choose any teammates, with only one goal: to win the first stage and secure the 10,000-vote victory bonus.

In the early stages of the show, 10,000 votes could directly determine whether they survived the first elimination. She had promised Meng Limin that all of Renxing would not be eliminated in the first round, and she intended to keep that promise.

There were three spots left, and she needed to choose teammates who would ensure an absolute victory.

Chen Zhu’s gaze fell on the B-Class. The eyes of the B-Class trainees lit up, looking at Chen Zhu with anticipation, a perfect display of mutual admiration.

Sister, look at me!

Pick me!

“Yuan Sike,” Chen Zhu said.

Yuan Sike was a trainee from Xinghuo Agency. She looked a little surprised when Chen Zhu called her name, smiled, and walked out of the B-Class. Meanwhile, Xue Weiran, An Ran, and Su Shao from the A-Class looked disappointed.

Chen Zhu continued, “Yuan Yixin.”

Yuan Yixin looked up in astonishment and happily ran towards Chen Zhu.

Looking at the current composition of Chen Zhu’s team, someone exclaimed in surprise, “Yuan Yixin is from Le An Coast, and she even got an A in the initial stage. Chen Zhu’s team is strong!”

“There are eighteen people in the B-Class in total, and now there are only four B-level trainees left! The Center’s benefit is too good.”

“This team’s votes will definitely be very high!”

“I think so too.”

The other A-Class trainees looked back at the dwindling number of B-Class trainees, gasping inwardly, hands clasped together, begging Chen Zhu to save some for them. Chen Zhu was also hesitating, her gaze resting on Liu Yuexin but remaining silent.

Yuan Sike poked her head out, looking at Chen Zhu who was slow to finalize the last teammate. She whispered, “Xiangxiang Jie, call Hua Xiaowei. Hua Xiaowei got a B in both the initial stage and the theme song. She’s very stable and diligent.”

Chen Zhu was fond of the word “diligent.” She nodded at Yuan Sike and called out Hua Xiaowei’s name.

From the B-Class, a long-haired girl walked out, smiling shyly. Under the envious gaze of everyone, she jogged to the end of the team. Yuan Sike high-fived her, and Hua Xiaowei quietly greeted everyone.

Chi Meng watched the team selection from beginning to end, then reached out and rubbed Song Jiaqi’s arm, hoping to rub off some good luck.

Song Jiaqi grabbed Chi Meng’s hand and, when Chen Zhu wasn’t looking, switched places with Chi Meng. She was about the same height as Chi Meng, so hiding behind her was just right. Chi Meng turned her head, looking at Song Jiaqi with a knowing, significant look.

Now, there were only thirteen people left in the B-Class, and only thirteen teams were forming. The remaining eight A-Class trainees felt nervous, not because of the small number of remaining B-Class trainees, but because they were worried that one of their teams would have to compete against Chen Zhu’s team.

“Do you guys want to perform ‘In the West Wind’?” An Ran quietly asked the person next to her. Many immediately shook their heads. An Ran nudged Xue Weiran with her shoulder and asked, “Are you open to it?”

Xue Weiran folded her arms, her fingers tapping on her shoulder, and said with a hooked smile, “I’m very open.”

The first group of teams was assembled. The staff brought in equipment similar to a lottery machine, containing ping-pong balls with the names of all trainees except the A-Class and the first team. The mentors would go up one by one to draw five trainees who would have the same right to choose team members as the A-Class trainees.

The D-Class and F-Class trainees, the largest groups, immediately clenched their fists, hoping for good luck. For them, this was a very rare, potentially fate-changing opportunity.

Over a hundred ping-pong balls bounced inside the machine. After counting down three, two, one, Teng Jia slammed the stop button and retrieved the first drawn ping-pong ball.

“Jing Ming,” Teng Jia announced loudly.

In the C-Class, Jing Ming’s mind went blank. She was pushed onto the stage.

“Is it really me?” Jing Ming said in a daze. After confirming with the mentor, she excitedly clasped her hands together.

“Next, Jiang Mo.”

D-Class Jiang Mo’s eyes widened. She walked up blankly and stood with Jing Ming. The two of them were as excited as if they had won the grand prize, holding hands and jumping around in a circle.

“I’m so envious, it’s like winning the lottery,” the trainees in the D-Class next to Jiang Mo looked on enviously.

Su Mengyao was also envious: “I’ve never won the lottery.”

“Did you buy a ticket?” the trainee asked.

“Oh, right, I haven’t,” Su Mengyao scratched her head and chuckled.

Everyone: “…”

Lin Xueyang, Yu Jiantian, and Jiang Menghan, the three other selected trainees, stood on the stage excitedly, feeling very nervous.

Xie Tongyue smiled and said, “The five trainees are now on the stage. Next, the eight A-Class trainees will choose songs one by one.”

The eight others besides Chen Zhu had already drawn lots and stepped forward in order to select their songs.

Qi Yan, who drew first, chose “Demons.” An Ran chose “Vague.” Ning Yuze chose “Silence.” Jiang Yingyue bit her lip and, under the gaze of all the trainees, slowly walked up to Chen Zhu.

The host and the mentors next to them looked surprised. The trainees below, especially Jiang Yingyue’s company mates, looked astonished and whispered, “No, Yueyue!”

“This is the most suitable song for me. I want to try,” Jiang Yingyue said to Chen Zhu.

Chen Zhu smiled slightly, made a gesture of invitation, and said, “Welcome.”

Jiang Yingyue nodded and stood next to Chen Zhu.

The five lucky trainees who thought they would be forced to choose Chen Zhu’s team covered their chests and let out a sigh of relief.

“Yingyue, you’re a great person!”

“Yingyue, you are a warrior!”

Everyone shouted at Jiang Yingyue. Jiang Yingyue’s face turned red. Chi Meng smiled and said to Chen Zhu, “Xiangxiang is so scary.”

“Is the Captain a dragon?” Song Yingjun joked, “Xiangxiang Dragon.”

Chi Meng’s eyes lit up, “Then we’ll be the Xiangxiang Dragon Team.”

Chen Zhu: “…”

Since the most “terrifying” team was chosen by Jiang Yingyue, the atmosphere in the venue relaxed considerably. Luo Guo happily ran towards “Flowers Have Bloomed” and waved to her compatriots.

Her compatriots An Kuilin, Lin Tingxia, and Yun Guo immediately waved back, indicating for her to take them away quickly. They could sing small sweet songs like this a hundred more times!

Only three A-Class trainees remained, and two songs were still unchosen. Zhou Siyang unhesitatingly chose one of them, “Not Bad.” Xinghuo’s Su Shao glanced at Xue Weiran and stood in front of the last song.

At this point, besides ‘In the West Wind’ being full, the remaining six trainees had to make their own choices, and every choice they made would put them in competition with an A-Class trainee.

The five trainees who were just happy to be selected and given the right to choose their teammates now sighed. Fortune is followed by disaster. They had the right to choose, but they lost the chance to be teammates with an A-Class trainee.

Xie Tongyue gently said, “Trainee Xue Weiran, please make your choice. Which song will you choose?”

Xue Weiran held the paper ball in her hand, surveying the trainees standing under the seven song panels. Apart from the trainees from Xinghuo, everyone else was inevitably nervous.

After all, this was Xue Weiran!

The woman who pushed Liu Yuexin off the initial Center stage.

“Don’t look at me, don’t look at me,” Luo Guo raised her hands to block her face, nervously grinding her teeth, but her sixth sense told her Xue Weiran wouldn’t challenge her.

Xue Weiran, a sweet song?

Hehe.

Looking at the current situation, ‘In the West Wind’ was full. Xue Weiran wouldn’t choose An Ran’s team with ‘Vague’ or Su Shao’s team with ‘Not Bad.’ Excluding the sweet song, only Ning Yuze’s ‘Silence,’ Qi Yan’s ‘Demons,’ and Zhou Siyang’s ‘Never Ever’ remained.

Xue Weiran took a step forward. Chen Zhu turned her head and glanced at Zhou Siyang next to her.

Zhou Siyang sensed something and frowned. Just then, a shadow appeared next to her hand. Xue Weiran squeezed into the space between Chen Zhu and Zhou Siyang and casually said, “I’ll stand here.”

Zhou Siyang stiffened her face, giving her some space, and nervously licked her lips.

Chi Meng looked at Xue Weiran, then at Chen Zhu, thinking: All of them are big shots.

After Xue Weiran made her choice, the other five, with fear in their hearts, resolutely chose the songs that suited them. Next, they would select team members in the order of song choice, one trainee at a time.

Chi Meng was excitedly watching the show live with 019, when she heard Song Jiaqi yawn. She turned around and saw Song Jiaqi’s teary-eyed, sleepy expression.

What? Song Jiaqi signaled with her eyes.

Nothing, just looking at you. Chi Meng replied with her eyes.

The two stared at each other. Yuan Sike popped her head out from behind, confused: “What are you looking at? All mushy-eyed.”

Song Jiaqi/Chi Meng: “?”

“Oh, just get used to it. Sister Chi and Jiaqi communicate in code all the time,” Song Yingjun whispered.

A few people chuckled softly. Chen Zhu looked back and glared.

The team instantly fell silent. Everyone immediately lowered their heads.

At least they understood the captain’s eyes.

Be quiet.

The other lonely teams began to choose members. Starting with Qi Yan, who was usually colder than Song Jiaqi, she took a deep breath and quietly said, “Lin Yuxin.”

Lin Yuxin was a trainee from Xinghuo Agency, with an A-level on the initial stage and good overall strength.

After Qi Yan, An Ran immediately called Liu Yuexin’s name. For a victory in the first public performance, the overall team strength was very important. As others had thought, the thirteen B-Class trainees were completely divided up in the first round of selection.

Yuan Sike sighed again, “Xiangxiang is truly a brilliant strategist. Whether she took one more or one less, it wouldn’t have been enough for them to divide.”

Everyone immediately nodded, flattering Captain Xiangxiang for her strategic planning and sure victory. Chen Zhu slightly lifted her chin, haughtily gesturing for everyone to shut up.

Chi Meng also smiled and started massaging Captain Xiangxiang’s shoulders. Xue Weiran also reached out, but Chen Zhu slapped her hand away. Are you on our team?

“People who aren’t on our team can’t butter up Captain Xiangxiang!” Yuan Sike said, reaching across Song Jiaqi and Chi Meng to massage Chen Zhu’s shoulders. However, because her arm wasn’t long enough, she could only barely scratch Chen Zhu with her fingertips.

Song Jiaqi, sandwiched in the middle, had her face buried in Chi Meng’s black hair, overwhelmed by the scent of floral shampoo, and was almost suffocating.

Xue Weiran: “Tch.”

Chen Zhu raised her hand, telling Yuan Sike to withdraw her show of respect. She slightly turned to the side, her eyebrows gently furrowed, and a hint of confusion on her cool face. It looked to the camera as if she was discussing some serious matter with her team members.

Chen Zhu asked, “Does Xinghuo have this kind of tradition?”

Xue Weiran: “Bullshit!”

Yuan Sike clutched Hua Xiaowei’s sleeve and pretended to wipe away tears. Life used to be so tough, and now she was just waiting to eat well and live luxuriously with Captain Xiangxiang.

Xue Weiran let out a soft snort, indicating that she wouldn’t talk to people whose teams were complete, and went back to focusing on choosing her teammates. However, both Chen Zhu’s team and Zhou Siyang’s team, which would compete against Xue Weiran, could feel the nonchalance emanating from Xue Weiran.

It seemed the opponent for the first public performance couldn’t make her nervous.

Because of this thought, Zhou Siyang tightly pursed her lips, her gaze scanning the remaining trainees.

Next to her, Chen Zhu quietly said to Chi Meng, “Xue Weiran probably chose her song, teammates, and backup members right after the mentors revealed the songs. Don’t be fooled by her.”

Chi Meng smiled and asked, “Captain Xiangxiang knows Weiran very well.”

Chen Zhu glanced at Chi Meng, hummed, and said, “We learned street dance at the same dance studio in high school.”

That’s indeed very familiar.

Half an hour later, all team members had been selected. Everyone lined up according to their assigned teams, listened to some encouraging words from Xie Tongyue and the mentors, and then dispersed to their respective team practice rooms.

The seven dance studios were all on the same floor, with competing teams separated by the doors, which had the song name pasted on them. First come, first served. The team name needed to be filled in below the song name. While others were still thinking of names, Chi Meng pulled a black pen from her sweatpants pocket and wrote with a flourish.

Xiangxiang Is So Fragrant Team.

Chen Zhu: “??”

Before Chen Zhu could voice her objection, Chi Meng immediately said, “This team name is amazing!”

Yuan Sike immediately chimed in: “Just by hearing this name, you know it can lead the team to victory! Especially since the name contains our Captain Chen Zhu’s noble nickname. How fortunate is this piece of paper to bear her name!”

Chen Zhu: “I don’t—”

“Our team name is both nice to hear and easy to remember. We must thank the Captain for her selfless dedication!” Chi Meng immediately applauded.

Yuan Sike applauded enthusiastically. The others subconsciously followed suit, only Song Jiaqi lowered her head, examining what was in Chi Meng’s pocket.

Chen Zhu: “…”

“What exactly does Xinghuo teach normally?” Song Yingjun muttered.

Chen Zhu gave Song Yingjun a look of affirmation.

Chi Meng pushed the door open and beckoned everyone in, saying, “I’m the oldest here. Listen to me. The team is called this! It’s final and doesn’t need to be changed.”

Chen Zhu looked confused: “Aren’t I the captain?”

Yuan Sike was surprised: “You’re the oldest?”

Chi Meng immediately pulled out a piece of chocolate from her pocket, one for everyone. The one who takes a gift is beholden to the giver. After establishing seniority outside the parking lot yesterday, Chi Meng once again confirmed her ‘older sister’ status in the practice room.

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