I Became the Top Competitor in a Talent Show Novel - Chapter 39.2

The long elastic rope was stretched to its tightest. You could see Su Mengyao’s immense effort from her back, while Hua Xiaowei—plop—inserted the straw into the milk bottle.

Team One and Team Five erupted in cheers, everyone applauding Hua Xiaowei.

Hua Xiaowei retreated while shrinking her body.

“Hurry up! There’s still a chance!” The onlookers shouted loudly. As Hua Xiaowei relaxed her tension, Su Mengyao quickly grabbed the milk, and Qi Yan also took the opportunity to quickly reach for a bottle.

Grabbing the milk is not the victory; drinking it all is!

Hua Xiaowei took first place. Su Mengyao raised her milk with puffed cheeks, and the other places were quickly settled. Everyone felt a lingering fear, looking at Hua Xiaowei and then Su Mengyao. Where did these two small figures get so much strength?

When Hua Xiaowei returned victorious, everyone immediately praised her: “That was amazing!”

“I really couldn’t tell you had this kind of strength!”

Hua Xiaowei smiled humbly. “Well… I trained in Taekwondo for five years and can split twelve roof tiles at once!”

Everyone paused, stunned, and then silent.

Chi Meng pulled Song Jiaqi and quietly backed away: “This person is extremely strong. Don’t mess with her.”

Song Jiaqi wholeheartedly agreed and paid her respects to the master.

Team One and Team Five celebrated their initial victory with high spirits, but unexpectedly, Team Ten played dirty and sent out Su Mengyao again. This curly-haired girl was incredibly strong, winning the next two rounds and achieving excellent results of second and first place. Their total score instantly surpassed the others. In contrast, Team One and Five only got three points in the second round, blending in with the other teams.

“Hiss…” Chi Meng gasped, clapped her hands, and lowered her eyes to advise the two captains: “We’re in danger! What should we do?”

Captain Shen’s expression darkened. She stated, “Speak properly.”

Then, she turned, pulled Hua Xiaowei over, and asked, “Can you drink more?”

Chi Meng immediately said, “Go for it!”

Hua Xiaowei’s smile became even more bashful.

The other teammates had no objection, as the performance order was truly important. With fourteen stages in total, the teams that performed earlier left a shallower impression on the audience later on, and going first also meant too much pressure. Everyone wanted to be a little later in the lineup.

When Hua Xiaowei entered the ring, Su Mengyao from Team Ten, who was resting, took a big gulp of milk. Curse it! She’s the woman who defeated me!

Hua Xiaowei’s heroic posture from the first round still lingered in everyone’s minds. The other six trainees on the field looked wary, gripping the belt around their abdomen tightly. But when the whistle blew, a one-sided situation occurred again.

A trainee lying on the floor looked dazed: “I felt like I was flying just now.”

Team One and Team Five had a secret weapon. The girl who obediently drank her milk with both hands left a heavy shadow on the other teams. Team Nine’s Captain Xue Weiran sneered: “I don’t believe she can drink any more! Go!”

The facts proved that Hua Xiaowei could indeed drink more.

Her stomach didn’t even show the slightest bulge!

Is she a pig?!

The other trainees nearly yelled out loud, angrily denouncing Team One and Team Five for being unfair.

“We just want to win, by any means necessary!” Chi Meng held out her palm and slowly clenched it into a fist, laughing like a villain.

Song Jiaqi slapped her hand away. Be careful or others might break your hand.

However, for the final round, Team One and Team Five sent out someone else. No need to provoke too much anger. Getting first place is enough.

The other teams: “…”

Angry, but dare not speak.

Xie Tongyue, who had been watching the fun the whole time, smiled and had Team One and Team Five choose the performance order. Shen Zhu patted Hua Xiaowei and motioned for her to go up. Amidst the audience’s plea of “Nooo,” Hua Xiaowei placed the sticker for “West Wind” at the very end.

She turned around, bowed to everyone, and said softly, “Thank you, everyone. I admit it.”

Everyone: Even angrier now!

Finally, the order for tomorrow night’s performance was set as: “Demons,” “Never Ever,” “Not Bad,” “Flowers Have Bloomed,” “Faintly,” “Silence,” and “West Wind.”

The trainees laughed and chatted as they reassembled. Xie Tongyue stood in front of them, her expression becoming more serious. She said in a deep voice, “Tomorrow will be the last battle for some of you. If leaving is destined, you must face it frankly and seriously.”

The trainees felt a pang of sadness at Xie Tongyue’s words. Only they knew the effort they had put in during this time. Tomorrow was the moment they would truly take the stage!

“July 1st, I’ll be waiting for you on stage. Trainees, let everyone see you!”

“Yes!”

The teams disbanded. Song Jiaqi hooked Chi Meng’s sleeve and whispered, “Going back to rest?”

Chi Meng hooked Song Jiaqi’s hand in return and said leisurely, “Talking in your sleep in the middle of the night? Tomorrow is the end. Why not practice all night?”

She finished with a smiling face, but then saw Song Jiaqi’s brow slowly furrow. Chi Meng’s smile faded, and she said helplessly, “I was joking. I’ll go back to sleep after practicing until one.”

Song Jiaqi: “…”

“You…” Even in her previous life, Song Jiaqi had never seen anyone as relentlessly dedicated as Chi Meng. But she couldn’t stop Chi Meng from working hard. After a long pause, she said softly, “Take it easy.”

“Don’t worry,” Chi Meng patted her. “I know my limits.”

“I hope so,” Song Jiaqi muttered.

Chi Meng pushed her, and the two walked out with the main group. “Let’s go, Fishy, time to practice.”

Hearing her random nickname, Song Jiaqi rolled her eyes: “I’m afraid you’ll turn a ‘salted fish’ into a ‘fresh fish’ with all this effort.”

“Oh!” Chi Meng was delighted. “That would be great! Fresh fish is more nutritious and delicious to eat!”

Song Jiaqi: …again.

She felt her pocket, pulled out a piece of candy, and handed it to Chi Meng. For no other reason, she was genuinely afraid that Chi Meng might collapse from low blood sugar one day. Chi Meng sucked on the candy, hugged her “Fish,” and felt like she could dance the routine ten times!

The next day, the bus carried all the trainees to the city stadium. Rehearsals began. The feeling of performing on stage was completely different from being in the practice room. Many trainees made mistakes due to nervousness and unfamiliarity, their faces pale with worry about the upcoming performance.

“It’s okay, we can do it!” At this moment, the teammates stepped forward to comfort them. “It’s okay to make mistakes now. You’ll definitely perform well on stage!”

The camera silently recorded the warm moment. They were opponents, but also teammates.

Backstage, the Team One lounge was silent. Everyone began to apply makeup. Yuan Sike mumbled, “Song Jiaqi, why didn’t you smile during the rehearsal? Do you naturally not smile?”

The innocent Song Jiaqi nearby: “?”

“She does smile. She gives a very good cold smile. You can ask Mengyao,” Chi Meng said slowly.

Song Jiaqi: “???”

Someone chuckled, and the tense atmosphere eased. Yuan Sike’s expression improved slightly. Seeing her so stressed, Hua Xiaowei took an ear of corn from her bag and split half of it for her.

Yuan Sike: “…You can still eat before going on stage?”

I feel like I’m going to throw up!

“I’m too hungry,” Hua Xiaowei said melancholically. “If I wasn’t afraid of a bulging stomach, I could eat a whole pig right now!”

Chi Meng looked at Shen Zhu with concern.

Shen Zhu: “I am a dragon.”

A fragrant dragon.

“Speaking of which, why is the captain called ‘Xiangxiang’ (Fragrant)?” Chi Meng changed the subject to lighten the mood. “Is it related to Chenxiang?”

“The one who split the mountain to save his mother?” Yuan Yixin immediately asked.

Upon this topic, the Renxing members chuckled.

Song Yingjun said, “It is a bit.”

Shen Zhu’s face darkened, and she gave Song Yingjun a warning look. Song Yingjun, unafraid of authority, said, “I heard that in the elementary school’s talent show, the captain played Chenxiang. Plus, her surname is Shen, so…”

Everyone: “Oh~”

Makes sense!

“It sounds nice,” Chi Meng told Shen Zhu. “It sounds very—fragrant!”

Shen Zhu: “…”

She questioned Song Yingjun, “Where did you hear that?”

She had never mentioned this at the company to anyone. Song Yingjun just smiled without speaking. The other Renxing members were also being mysterious, and Shen Zhu’s face slightly darkened, letting out a small huff.

The atmosphere in the lounge gradually relaxed. After a while, the PD came to remind them that they would be on stage for the greeting in ten minutes. Their smiling faces immediately stilled. This was not an impromptu appearance like at the Dongjiang Music Festival, but a grandly prepared stage, exclusively theirs, after a week of training.

“I wonder how many people came to see it…” Yuan Yixin murmured.

Hua Xiaowei whispered, “I regret it. I shouldn’t have chosen last. The sooner you die, the sooner you get to heaven.”

Yuan Sike looked blank: “Why aren’t you smiling? Why aren’t you smiling…”

Chi Meng, who was already a little nervous, suddenly lowered her head. Song Jiaqi next to her said in a cold voice, “I saw you!”

“I’m sorry, but! Hahaha!” Chi Meng’s lips curved, and starlight seemed to flow in her eyes.

Song Jiaqi was momentarily stunned, then sighed. “Forget it.”

Chi Meng’s smile deepened.

Ten minutes later, the many trainees stood backstage and emerged one by one as introduced by Xie Tongyue. The entrance was not in the performance order, but by team order. When Chi Meng stepped onto the stage, the cheers that greeted her made her suddenly freeze.

Song Jiaqi gently nudged her from behind.

Chi Meng stood on the stage and quietly exhaled.

So many, so many people.

019: “Wow!! So many people!!”

“They’ve all come to see the Host!” 019 said proudly.

The vast stadium was packed with people. Many even held light boards. Chi Meng heard someone calling her name. She looked over and saw a group of people holding up light boards for her.

“Sister Meng is the strongest” “Chi Meng is invincible”

Chi Meng curved her lips. The camera passed in front of her, and the cheers from the audience suddenly grew louder. Song Jiaqi lowered her head, pinching Chi Meng’s elbow and pushing it up, so Chi Meng raised her arm and waved to everyone.

“Jiaqi, so many people,” she turned and said to Song Jiaqi.

Song Jiaqi nodded and retreated to the back with Chi Meng.

The fourteen teams appeared one by one, lined up neatly in rows.

Xie Tongyue smiled and said, “Welcome to ‘Star Ascent,’ the large-scale girls’ talent show prioritizing popularity and skill! This is the site of the first public performance, which will be live-streamed by Dongjiang TV App. Everyone can send bullet comments to interact.”

The screen behind the trainees switched to the live stream. Dense bullet comments drifted across, and the number of viewers in the upper right corner was rapidly rising.

“Thank you to all the Star Makers who came to watch the performance live, and thank you to those watching the live stream on screen. Voting for the ‘Star Ascent’ program has been ongoing for a week. Please don’t forget to cast your precious vote for our lovely trainees while watching the live stream.” Xie Tongyue smiled and added, “Special reminder: during the performance, the Dongjiang TV App will issue two additional voting tickets that will expire after midnight, so please don’t forget to use them!”

After the opening remarks, Xie Tongyue glanced below the stage and smiled, “I see many students wearing school uniforms. By the way, wasn’t yesterday the day the college entrance exam scores were released? There should be some test-takers from this year in the audience, right?”

“Yes!” A warm response came from the audience.

Xie Tongyue turned and looked at the trainees, saying gently, “We also have a few college entrance exam candidates among our trainees. Shall we invite them out?”

As soon as the college entrance exam candidates of Star Ascent were mentioned, two words immediately popped into everyone’s mind: “Not Bad.”

Someone in the audience immediately shouted: “Chi Meng!”

Chi Meng held Song Jiaqi’s wrist and waved happily. Song Jiaqi, who hadn’t wanted to come forward, looked down at her gripped wrist and pursed her lips.

Forget it.

Chi Meng, Song Jiaqi, Su Mengyao, and two other trainees stood on the stage, nervously looking at Xie Tongyue.

Xie Tongyue gently asked, “Have you all checked your scores?”

At the same time, at No. 1 High School, admissions officers from different universities gathered in the meeting room, having traveled day and night. The principal of No. 1 High and the head of the third-year academics enthusiastically welcomed the long-distance guests and poured them tea.

The professor from University D was impatient and immediately asked, “Is Chi Meng here? Why isn’t she answering the phone? University D is developing very well, and it’s close to home. How wonderful is that!”

The professor from University N immediately said, “I think some things should be discussed with Chi Meng in person.”

The professor from University U: “Where is Chi Meng?”

The principal laughed awkwardly and pulled out his phone. “Chi Meng is… a bit busy right now!”

The admissions officers crowded their heads together, all looking at the screen in his hand. The person they were looking for was right there on the phone, shaking her head! On the stage at the Dongjiang Stadium, the five students waiting to check their scores after the performance shook their heads in unison. Then, an excited voice suddenly came from the audience.

“Chi Meng!”

“Senior! Fireworks! Fireworks!” Lu Shifei practically screamed the words.

Chi Meng was stunned for a moment, then gave Lu Shifei a thumbs-up.

This commotion drew everyone’s attention. The local Dongjiang people were puzzled. Yesterday, they saw a video on a local channel of No. 1 High School’s fireworks, which lasted a full twenty minutes, grand and spectacular. But what does that have to do with Chi Meng?

Amidst the confusion, an incredible thought surfaced in someone’s mind.

Xie Tongyue asked, “Is that Chi Meng’s junior? What is the secret code ‘Fireworks’?”

“Well, there’s a tradition at our school that when someone achieves a particularly good test score, the school sets off fireworks to celebrate,” Chi Meng smiled. “It’s a good thing.”

Song Jiaqi suddenly turned to look at Chi Meng, her eyes slightly widened.

“I see.” Xie Tongyue didn’t think too much of it and continued hosting: “After the college entrance exam scores are out, you have to fill out your university applications. Why don’t the five trainees give their best wishes to the students who are about to apply?”

Chi Meng and the others nodded.

At this moment, Song Jiaqi, who had been quiet, spoke up. “Chi Meng first? Chi Meng should have a school in mind. Where did you apply?”

Chi Meng paused, looking at Song Jiaqi. Song Jiaqi nodded at her and smiled slightly.

“Chi Meng?” Xie Tongyue reminded Chi Meng to speak.

“Well,” Chi Meng turned back and said softly to Xie Tongyue, “Before the college entrance exam, I signed a pre-admission agreement with J University. My major is already set: Applied Economics.”

The stadium fell silent instantly.

Xie Tongyue was momentarily bewildered and subconsciously asked, “Pre-admission is…”

Chi Meng chuckled, her clear voice traveling across the entire stadium through the microphone.

“It means… a guaranteed acceptance.”

Old Meng: Please don’t let me get too big. Chasing the daily updates is happier. Never let me get too big. I’ll lose myself~ yeah.yeah.yeah. Wuwuwu~

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