I Became the Top Competitor in a Talent Show Novel - Chapter 47.2

After Wei Xin went up, only Meng Xiaofei and Jin Jingqian were left from Xiangjiao Lan Entertainment. Jin Jingqian glanced at Meng Xiaofei out of the corner of her eye, seeing her looking tense and somewhat upset, and whispered, “I guess I’m eliminated… Sigh.”

Meng Xiaofei glanced at her but didn’t speak.

“I really envy Xin-xin,” Jin Jingqian whispered. “Let Xin-xin carry my part forward.”

Meng Xiaofei curled her lip, thinking Jin Jingqian was hypocritical. Could she really be at peace wishing her advancing teammate well after being eliminated? However, she didn’t care whether Jin Jingqian stayed or not. When she went back during the break, the company told her the online comments about her were very controversial, all caused by her challenging Chi Meng to a dance battle in the first episode. Meng Xiaofei had read those comments; how dare so many people curse her?

Who were these people to curse her? If Chi Meng wasn’t good at dancing, she deserved to be demoted. Besides, half the votes went to her at the time, and now they were all blaming her? No matter what, it was the show’s arrangement that was improper. Why should the PK stage only allow for challenges on the items specified by the designated person!

Besides, maybe Chi Meng was so dedicated to the theme song because she couldn’t handle being consecutively demoted and was motivated to practice harder. In that case, she and the other two trainees who specified Chi Meng for the PK actually helped her. If it weren’t for them, would Chi Meng have gotten so much screen time in these two episodes?

Meng Xiaofei was indignant. She used a burner account to argue with these people and liked comments from those who agreed with her. She saw many people speaking up for her, so it seemed there were still many sharp-eyed people in the world, and they would vote for her. Meng Xiaofei didn’t think she would be eliminated.

Let Jin Jingqian be eliminated and go back crestfallen, she thought disdainfully.

“Now we announce the final trainee to enter Class C.” Xie Tongyue quickly scanned the card and read, “The trainee ranked 39th, Xiangjiao Lan Entertainment—”

Everyone’s attention immediately fell on the two remaining trainees from Xiangjiao Lan Entertainment. Meng Xiaofei’s eyes brightened, staring at Xie Tongyue’s mouth, her eyes wide.

“This trainee received a total of 403,852 votes. Congratulations, Jin Jingqian.”

Jin Jingqian, who was mentally preparing how to say goodbye to Wei Xin, was stunned. The shocked gaze of Meng Xiaofei beside her suddenly landed on Jin Jingqian’s face, her voice slightly loud due to surprise: “It’s you?”

Jin Jingqian was heartily clapped on the back by a trainee on the other side, who excitedly congratulated her on making it to 39th place.

“It’s me?” Jin Jingqian was incredulous. “Why me?”

Su Mengyao next to Chi Meng was so happy that her curly hair frizzed up like a dandelion. She enthusiastically applauded, “It’s someone from our Team Ten!”

On the pyramid, Wei Xin happily waved at Jin Jingqian.

Meng Xiaofei stared intently at Jin Jingqian’s retreating back as she walked onto the stage. She couldn’t understand why it was Jin Jingqian and not her. Jin Jingqian hadn’t had much screen time in these two episodes!

“Jin Jingqian’s stage performance was very good!” Su Mengyao told Chi Meng. “Of course, everyone in our Team Ten did pretty well, otherwise Boss An would scold us with her eyes!”

She spoke with lingering fear. Chi Meng couldn’t help but laugh. Song Jiaqi beside her scoffed softly.

Su Mengyao heard it and leaned in close to Chi Meng’s ear, muttering, “She doesn’t need to scoff. When she runs into Boss An’s hands, let’s see if she still scoffs!”

Chi Meng smiled and also whispered back, “But Jiaqi’s leader is Xiang-xiang (Shen Zhu).”

She motioned with her eyes for Su Mengyao to look forward. The back of Captain Xiang-xiang, who was sitting in front of them, was steady and unmoving.

Su Mengyao, who hadn’t interacted with Shen Zhu, scratched her head.

After Jin Jingqian took her place on the stage, Sheng Xue from Lehaian, Jiang Jiameng from Tiaozhan Music, and Jian Zi—the trainee who became a sandwich between two people after Chi Meng left the initial stage—walked onto the stage one after another. The vote counts announced by Xie Tongyue kept rising, breaking through 550,000 by the time the 31st trainee was called.

With only three spots left in Class C, the atmosphere in the trainees’ seating area was extremely heavy. Xie Tongyue’s voice seemed to be infected by the solemnity as she said gravely: “The trainee ranked 30th, with 554,148 votes, Xingkong Entertainment—Jing Ming.”

“Yeah!!”

Su Mengyao was so happy it was as if she were the one called. Jing Ming herself looked lost and confused. Her legs were a little shaky as she got up, and she looked incredulous when she stood on the stage.

As the former Class F roommate and leader of the theme song’s four-person tutoring team, Chi Meng offered Jing Ming her warmest congratulations!

Xie Tongyue: “First round of eliminations, the trainee ranked 29th, with 556,252 votes, Renxing Entertainment, Ye Qing.”

In the front row, Shen Zhu suddenly let out a huge sigh of relief. A happy smile bloomed on her face. She had only half-sighed when Ling Yao went up, but with Ye Qing securing 29th place, her shoulders immediately relaxed.

After sending Ye Qing to the stage, Song Yingjun couldn’t help but tease Shen Zhu: “You still have me and Jiaqi, Captain.”

Shen Zhu was still absorbed in her own joy and ignored her.

The trainee ranked 28th was called onto the stage. Everyone gave speeches and took their seats on the pyramid. The Class C trainee results were fully announced. By this point, only Class B’s eighteen spots, the top nine debut spots, and the last trainee in Class D remained to be announced.

In the seats on both sides of the stage, now missing more than half their occupants, some faces showed anticipation, others were filled with despair, and still others slowly straightened their bodies and said leisurely, “It’s our turn.”

Chi Meng whispered, reaching out to hold Song Jiaqi’s and Su Mengyao’s hands, like other trainees who were close friends. Song Jiaqi looked at Chi Meng, gently squeezed her hand, her thumb resting on the back of Chi Meng’s hand. Su Mengyao cupped Chi Meng’s hand with both of hers, muttering something, seeming to be “casting a spell” again.

On the stage, Xie Tongyue tore open the Class B envelope, pulled out the pink card, and unfolded it.

She smiled slightly as she looked at the names of the eighteen trainees on it. Below the stage, several trainees subtly trembled.

“Next, I will announce the trainees ranked 10th to 27th in this elimination round. These eighteen trainees are strong contenders to challenge for the debut spots. I hope you continue to work hard in the future.” As if to prolong the suspense, Xie Tongyue’s pace was slow. She held the card in her left hand and said unhurriedly, “The trainee ranked 27th, who received a total of 627,194 votes, is Yan Feifei from Muxing Entertainment.”

Chi Meng, sitting up straight, applauded.

“The trainee ranked 26th, Du Yunfei from Xingyun Entertainment, 630,845 votes.”

While applauding, Chi Meng’s mind played “lucky girl~” and her lips trembled slightly.

“The trainee ranked 25th, Renxing Entertainment, Song Yingjun.”

Chi Meng enthusiastically applauded, high-fiving Song Yingjun.

“24th place, Shi Keyi Entertainment, Luo Guo…”

“23rd… Xu Siqi…”

“22nd… Zhou Siyang…”

One by one, familiar names walked onto the stage.

21st Hua Xiaowei, 20th Xinghuo Su Shao… The vote counts ranged from 600,000 to 700,000. By the time 19th An Kui stood on the stage, the vote count had reached 810,000.

The nine trainees in Class B thanked everyone and walked up the steps of the pyramid, filling nine seats.

Chi Meng took a deep breath, instinctively biting her lip. She had never made such a small gesture before. Song Jiaqi couldn’t help but look at Chi Meng’s profile and turned her hand to hold Chi Meng’s.

“What’s the rush?” she whispered.

Chi Meng: “Mhm.”

Her eyes were still fixed on Xie Tongyue, watching very attentively.

“The trainee ranked 18th, receiving 828,469 votes, the tenth trainee in Class B, Su Yijia from Qingmang Culture. Congratulations.” Xie Tongyue said with a smile.

The girl, whose team lost the stage to An Ran’s Team 3 in the public performance but who had showcased her charm as the leader and main C, covered her chest as she stood up. She embraced the trainees on either side before walking onto the stage, revealing a gentle smile.

“The trainee ranked 17th, Huohua Qingyin Yu Jiazi…”

When the name was read, a cute trainee below the stage broke into a radiant smile. As the leader of Team 11, who had PK’d with Luo Guo and Lin Tingxia in the public performance, she was also a girl with a sweet style.

“The trainee ranked 16th, Xinghuo Economy,” Xie Tongyue paused. On her left side of the stage, the four remaining Xinghuo Economy girls looked up at her, waiting for Xie Tongyue to reveal the answer.

“It’s Xinghuo’s turn to show their strength,” someone couldn’t help but say, with an envious tone of admiration.

“Congratulations, with 840,020 votes, Xinghuo Economy, Yuan Sike.”

Chi Meng smiled, grabbing Song Jiaqi and Su Mengyao’s hands and tapping them repeatedly on their legs. Su Mengyao cooperated by patting Chi Meng’s hand with her own.

The ranking was now at a fever pitch. Many people already had faces in mind for the remaining spots, just wondering who would be ahead and who would be behind.

“The trainee ranked 15th, Dianshi Chengjin Media, Jiao Xiaowei, 868,984 votes.”

“The trainee ranked 14th, Lehaian Entertainment—”

Lehaian’s Du Bi and Yuan Yixin both sat up straight.

“946,433 votes, Du Bi.”

The girl with the bun in her hair curved her eyes, stood up, and walked onto the stage.

Chi Meng tilted her head up towards the ceiling. Beams of bright light from the recording hall’s canopy shone down, illuminating every face with a different expression, clearly capturing everyone’s emotions. Across the stage, she saw Lin Tingxia from Shi Keyi Entertainment raising her small face, tears welling up, staring blankly ahead, sitting alone in her remaining seat.

“…” Chi Meng couldn’t help but squeeze the hands of the two people beside her again. She turned sideways and leaned on Song Jiaqi’s shoulder.

“I’ll get up when my name is called.”

“Shouldn’t my name be called first?” Song Jiaqi retorted. “Oh, or maybe my name won’t be called at all.”

Chi Meng’s gaze instantly sharpened, falling on Song Jiaqi’s face. Her usual gentle smile vanished like clouds blown away by the wind. She looked at Song Jiaqi without expression, and after three seconds, moved her eyes away, saying flatly, “Don’t say that.”

Song Jiaqi’s throat went dry from Chi Meng’s serious look. She opened her mouth, then quietly closed it.

The host on stage continued to announce the rankings, “The trainee ranked 13th, with 981,904 votes…”

Xie Tongyue paused deliberately.

Below the stage, the trainees were surprised: “Wow! Almost a million!”

“Even if one person casts nine votes, that’s over a hundred thousand people voting!”

“We only have one-sixth of that.”

“Sigh…”

Hearing the discussion, Xie Tongyue said unhurriedly, “Shi Keyi Entertainment.”

On the pyramid, the three people from Shi Keyi Entertainment all jumped up, their faces filled with surprise.

In the seats below, Lin Tingxia, hearing the familiar company name, opened her mouth and gave a bewildered “Ah.”

“What ‘ah,’ go!” Xue Weiran, sitting behind Lin Tingxia, thought Lin Tingxia was too slow.

Lin Tingxia was out of it. She hesitantly stood up, her face showing a rich mixture of expressions—”Is it really me? Then I’ll stand up. Is it really me? Should I stand or sit?” She looked pitifully at Xie Tongyue.

Xie Tongyue burst out laughing, “It’s you. Shi Keyi Entertainment, Lin Tingxia.”

An Kui on the pyramid shook her head repeatedly, feeling that her own kid was truly dense. Lin Tingxia, who had been secretly crying just moments ago, blinked her red eyes and ran onto the stage with a smile as if she had just found money. Her legs were still a little weak as she climbed the stairs, and she even stumbled.

Everyone rushed over to help her up, discovering that she had scraped her knee. Lin Tingxia, however, laughed happily, saying it was nothing, completely unaware of any pain due to her joy.

“You call this extreme joy turning into sorrow,” Yuan Sike patted Lin Tingxia’s head.

“Not sorrow, not sorrow, extreme joy, extreme joy!” Lin Tingxia pumped her fist.

Yuan Sike shook her head. Oh dear, she’s really knocked herself silly.

Seeing they were alright, Xie Tongyue gently reminded them, “While advancing is wonderful, please be careful.”

“Continuing with the rankings, next is the trainee ranked 12th in this round. She is an individual trainee.” Xie Tongyue said.

Hearing Xie Tongyue’s hint, Shen Zhu suddenly turned around, her gaze falling on Chi Meng’s face. After a moment of thought, she looked at the trembling Su Mengyao next to her.

“…” She slowly turned back.

Song Jiaqi thought she could almost hear Shen Zhu’s internal deliberation.

Compared to others who could still guess who the 12th person was, Chi Meng and Su Mengyao looked at each other, their eyes filled with the same tension.

Is it you?

Or me?

The two had an eye conversation.

Xie Tongyue continued: “This trainee received a total of 1,265,672 votes in our first round of voting, which is the watershed moment for this round. Let us congratulate the individual trainee—”

“Su Mengyao!”

In that instant, Chi Meng seemed to see a dandelion suddenly explode, and then she was covered in dandelion fluff.

“Jie-jie, Jie-jie, it’s me, it’s me!” Su Mengyao shouted, throwing herself into an embrace with Chi Meng, fiercely planting two kisses on her face. Then she spread her arms to look at Song Jiaqi… Su Mengyao abruptly rotated her embrace ninety degrees and hugged Shen Zhu in front of her.

“Xiang-xiang! Xiang-xiang!”

Su Mengyao warmly kissed Shen Zhu’s face twice.

Shen Zhu: …

Are all young people like this now?

Chi Meng raised a hand to wipe her face, sighing softly towards Shen Zhu.

The child is still young.

However…

“I won?” A light bulb went off in Chi Meng’s head. She clapped her hands and turned to look at Song Jiaqi.

Song Jiaqi realized something. Her expression changed, and her brow furrowed fiercely. “How is that possible?”

Su Mengyao is only 12th?

This ranking is too—normal?

Chi Meng curved the corner of her mouth, smiling playfully at the frustrated Song Jiaqi, forgetting her own tension. It wasn’t until the surrounding gazes fell upon them and Xie Tongyue on stage said, “The 11th place, Renxing Entertainment…”

Shen Zhu spun around abruptly and hugged Song Jiaqi.

Song Jiaqi: ?

“You did very well,” Shen Zhu praised her gently, stroking Song Jiaqi’s head.

Song Jiaqi is two days younger than Su Mengyao. The child is still small and needs praise.

“1,513,969 votes. Congratulations to Renxing Entertainment’s Song Jiaqi.”

Chi Meng’s heart settled. She sighed in relief, smiling as she patted the stunned Song Jiaqi and said, “That’s how it should be, Jiaqi.”

Even when she stood on the stage, Song Jiaqi was still in a state of surprise and uncertainty, feeling a sense of daze.

It had been too long, too long since she had stood in a higher position than Su Mengyao. This gave rise to a secret pleasure in her heart, mixed with nine parts of terror.

Just like in her previous life, standing high up, she was dragged down little by little by the fated female lead until she finally fell into the abyss.

Su Mengyao, who had no idea what Song Jiaqi was thinking, put her hands behind her back and looked up at Song Jiaqi with a grin, “Jiaqi, Jiaqi, do you think Meng Meng Jie-jie will be in tenth place?”

She tilted her head, her curly hair following the tilt, “Because we’re always linked together.”

Song Jiaqi shook her head.

She was still consumed by a feeling of bewilderment. The golden pyramid in front of her sparkled, stimulating her pupils and nerves. She lightly licked her lip, looking at the 11th seat.

So close to the top nine.

So close to debuting.

So close to returning to the entertainment industry…

Su Mengyao sensed that Song Jiaqi’s emotions were off; she wasn’t happy. She scratched her face, thought for a moment, and said, “Congratulations.”

Song Jiaqi lowered her eyes, meeting the younger, cleaner eyes compared to her previous life. She hummed, “Congratulations to you, too.”

Su Mengyao smiled happily, completely carefree.

As the two congratulated each other, the trainee ranked 10th, Liu Yuexin, a step away from the debut spots, walked onto the stage and stood next to Song Jiaqi.

“Please, the trainees on stage, give your acceptance speeches in order,” Xie Tongyue said gently. “Starting with trainee Su Yijia.”

Below the stage, Shen Zhu patted the empty seat beside her for Chi Meng to sit down. The two quietly listened to the trainees on stage, whose voices ranged from crying to laughing. When one trainee finished and everyone applauded, Chi Meng was startled by the sound of the clapping.

Did I… make it into the top nine?

I can’t possibly be eliminated.

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