I Became the Top Competitor in a Talent Show Novel - Chapter 48

“Trainee Chi Meng, please come on stage,” Xie Tongyue said with a smile. She looked in Chi Meng’s direction and deliberately asked, “Did I see that correctly, Chi Meng, are you shedding tears?”

“What’s wrong? Are you unhappy about returning to the training camp with free room and board?” Xie Tongyue teased.

Chi Meng was startled, then instantly burst into a smile. Her slender knuckles wiped away the warm moisture from the corners of her eyes. With her hands by her sides, she smiled at Xie Tongyue.

The crowd burst into laughter.

After the second episode of the show aired, the content regarding the trainees on the voting interface was updated. Clicking on a trainee’s profile not only showed their individual camera performance (direct cam) for the theme song assessment but also included rough, unedited behind-the-scenes footage. Chi Meng’s segment contained an interview. During a break in training, the girl, whose face was still sweaty from dancing, was brightly lit under the camera. Her face was clear without makeup, and she looked seriously at the producer (PD) in charge of the interview.

The female PD’s voice was gentle as she asked Chi Meng about her feelings on the training. The conversation gradually expanded to other topics. The PD asked, “Besides enjoying a challenge, were there other reasons for you to participate in our show?”

The girl in the camera looked troubled, her lips moving slightly, seemingly unsure whether she should speak.

The PD’s eyes immediately lit up. She thought, I knew it wasn’t that simple, and her tone became even gentler, saying, “Can you tell us?”

“It’s nothing much, just…” The girl raised a hand and wiped her forehead with the back of it, pushing her bangs that were stuck to her skin to the side. As she lowered her hand, the shadow of her fingertips flashed across her distinct features, and her bright eyes were smiling.

“When I first received the show’s promotional flyer, it said free room and board, so… it just happened that I didn’t have anywhere to go recently, haha!” The girl, feeling a bit embarrassed, scratched her head and laughed shyly, whispering, “Does that sound bad? Please cut this part out, please cut it out.”

Chi Meng raised her hands and made a heart shape over her head.

Looking at the bright and vibrant young girl, the PD paused, then gently said, “It’s not bad at all.”

“That’s good. Actually, a job with free room and board is excellent, you can save money,” Chi Meng seriously started discussing with the staff, “Sister Lu, do you all usually have a meal allowance…”

She earnestly led the PD astray into a discussion about the salary structure of the variety show’s production staff.

The later content was cut by the post-production team, but the four words “free room and board” were remembered and spread by Chi Meng’s fans. Xie Tongyue, whether she saw it online or heard the meme from people around her, used it on the show to tease Chi Meng.

Chi Meng walked to the center of the stage amid the laughter. The splendid pyramid radiated a pristine white light, like a dazzling dream, calling out with a gentle, charming voice to the hopeful hearts, guiding the trainees who wished to climb to glory.

Chi Meng raised her head, looking at the position on the second tier that belonged to her.

“Half a month ago, when I first walked in here, I thought: So this is where they film the show!” Chi Meng’s voice was carried to everyone through the microphone. “It’s so beautiful.”

“At that time, I didn’t have the confidence to stay, watching everyone perform on stage like an outsider, seeing these girls who can sing and dance, and are so good-looking~” Chi Meng said playfully. “I really came to the right place!”

The trainees let out good-natured laughter, their bright eyes looking at Chi Meng. Someone even laughed and said, “The key is the free room and board!”

“Standing on this stage again two weeks later, my feelings are completely different. I never imagined that so many people would cast their votes for me, allowing me to achieve such a good ranking. I am very, very grateful.” Chi Meng bowed deeply.

She said earnestly, “As a trainee who still has many shortcomings, I will remember this feeling of excitement and gratitude today. This honor, at this moment, comes from all the Starmakers who chose, trusted, and liked me. If my future stages can repay your affection, I will use one hundred percent of my effort to let you see my progress.”

“Thank you to all the Starmakers, thank you to the production team and directors who gave me this opportunity, thank you to the mentors, Sister Tongyue, who helped me improve, thank you to all the teammates and friends who have been with me and helped me, thank you, everyone. No matter where we go in the future, please continue to pursue your dreams and keep working hard!” Chi Meng said with a smile, raising both arms to make a heart shape toward the pyramid and the trainees on both sides of the stage.

On the pyramid and on both sides of the stage, the trainees, some crying, some laughing, raised their hands to make big heart shapes.

Elimination is not the end of life; staying is not the entirety of the future. Whatever the future holds, this period will be etched in their memories.

Chi Meng stepped onto the golden staircase and walked toward the top amid applause, standing beside the golden chair in the middle of the second tier. On the left side of the fourth tier, a dark-haired girl looked up, across a row of people, at Chi Meng.

She watched Chi Meng turn and take her seat, gently rubbing the armrests with her hands, a look of profound appreciation in her eyes.

“Sit down,” Su Mengyao tugged on Song Jiaqi’s sleeve to remind her.

Song Jiaqi looked back, then calmly sat down amidst the astonished glances of those around her.

Only two spots remained to be announced for the first round of rankings on Star’s Journey. Everyone knew the names of the only two people who deserved these spots. On stage, Xie Tongyue pressed the card onto the table and said in a heavy voice, “The trainees who received the 1st and 2nd debut spots in this vote are—”

Someone whispered the two names.

The corresponding names and images of the two appeared on the big screen. Left fiery, right fragrant: Xue Weiran was still pouting her cheeks, but as the camera caught her, her cheeks deflated, and she reached out, poking her cheek with her index finger to make a ‘V’ sign. Chen Zhu still maintained a calm expression. At Xie Tongyue’s prompt, she got up and walked onto the stage.

Xue Weiran, walking towards her, raised her chin at Chen Zhu and lifted her eyebrows, seemingly teasing her. Chen Zhu pursed her lips and raised her hand. Xue Weiran took her hand, and the two faced the pyramid, still holding hands.

Behind Chi Meng, on the higher step, the only golden throne sparkled. Several beams of light illuminated behind it, like the tail light of stars flying through the universe.

Excited music erupted in the recording hall. The two trainees on stage looked relatively composed, but the onlookers took deep breaths, nervous for Xue Weiran and Chen Zhu.

“Who do you think it is?”

“I don’t know… it’s hard to guess! Either of these two could be it, just let me know already!”

Chi Meng clasped her hands under her chin, her eyes wide open.

Just as the tense atmosphere was about to reach its peak, Xie Tongyue slowly opened her mouth, “I announce that the trainee who received Second Place in this Star’s Journey public vote is—”

“—Who is it?”

The dramatic pause nearly suffocated half the people.

“Oh, my goodness!!” Chi Meng heard Lin Tingxia slap her thigh and couldn’t help but laugh, feeling sorry for her leg.

The other trainees were also tormented by Xie Tongyue’s suspense, sighing and groaning.

Xie Tongyue burst into laughter, finally dropping the suspense. She raised her hand and said, “Congratulations to Starfire Entertainment’s trainee, Xue Weiran, for winning second place in this vote with 5,525,788 votes!”

“Congratulations!”

Xue Weiran chuckled, slightly pulling her wrist, and pulled Chen Zhu into a light hug.

“Congratulations, Captain Chen,” she whispered in Chen Zhu’s ear.

Chen Zhu smiled, “Congratulations to you too.”

“Congratulations to Renxing Entertainment’s trainee, Chen Zhu, for taking the top spot in the first round of voting for Star’s Journey with 5,950,319 votes! Congratulations on the birth of our Center!” Xie Tongyue announced loudly. “Please, both trainees, share your thoughts!”

Xue Weiran naturally stepped forward, took the microphone handed to her by a staff member, and smiled, “Thank you.”

“Thank you to all the Starmakers who chose me. Thank you for liking me and selecting me. Although I usually act nonchalant, actually getting such a good ranking makes me feel overwhelmed! Thank you!” Xue Weiran’s low voice carried a smile. She touched her hair, looking a rare bit shy. “In short, thank you to everyone—my management company, my teammates, the production team, and all of you, and most importantly, the Starmakers who care about and love me. Although I can’t grind as hard as the ‘Demon Chi,’ I will continue to work hard with a determination no less than the ‘Demon Chi’ in the future, and repay everyone with my stages.”

Xue Weiran called out Chi Meng, even mimicking Chi Meng’s usual gesture of respect, tapping her forehead at the camera. After a sincere thank you, she walked toward the pyramid with her usual confident smile.

After she took her seat, Chi Meng shook her hand, “Thank you, elder brother.”

“Thank you too, little ghost,” Xue Weiran shook her hand.

Chi Meng: ??

What kind of ghost is “little ghost”? Why not call her “soul”?

“I saw online that some of your fans call themselves ‘Tangs’ (ponds), the ‘Tang’ from ‘pool’ (Chi), wanting to be the fish in your ‘Tang.’ There are also ‘Dream Catchers’ who want to be the ‘ghosts in your dream’,” Xue Weiran whispered. “Your fans haven’t unified a fan name yet. You should think about it, so you don’t end up with a fan name you don’t like.”

It works like that?

Chi Meng took the advice but wondered what a “ghost in the dream” was. Scary!

It was Chen Zhu’s turn to give her speech on the stage. Both of them immediately went silent and looked at Chen Zhu.

“From the moment I decided to become a trainee, I had only one goal: to debut.”

“Now that I stand here, having gained so many people’s affection, my dream from back then is so close… I am very happy,” Chen Zhu said gently. “I couldn’t have gotten here on my own, so thank you, everyone.”

“Thank you for having expectations for me, and thank you for choosing me because of those expectations. I will be forever grateful, and I will continue to move forward, carrying everyone’s hopes.”

“With passion in my heart, I will never look back.”

She raised her arm, her fingers clenched tightly into a fist, and the eyes blossoming with a smile were full of light.

The theme song of Star’s Journey played at that moment. The trainees on the pyramid stood up, watching the sole victor of the night walk toward the throne. Chi Meng clapped her hands, repeating Chen Zhu’s words in her heart.

With passion in my heart.

If her life after entering the camp hadn’t felt real, then in these few days off, the continuously rising follower counts on social media, the daily increase in videos on video sites, the enthusiastic daily greetings under her Weibo posts, the custom-made emojis designed by artists using her image, the fans promoting her to everyone around them, the viewers watching her stage performances over and over because they liked her…

…as well as the 5.2 million votes.

She finally clearly felt that this profession was completely different from everything she had experienced before!

This was a job that carried a profound emotional connection, like two stars passionately heading towards each other, meeting at a certain moment.

5,194,204.

Chi Meng would never forget this number for the rest of her life.

It turned out that so many people liked her.

Chi Meng smiled; she also loved this affection—loved it and was grateful for it.

The theme song’s music reached its climax. Chen Zhu turned around, stood in front of the golden chair, and looked down at the stage. The lights in the recording hall shifted and focused on her.

Everyone was looking up, gazing at the most brilliant person of the night, while Chi Meng quietly turned and looked down at Song Jiaqi.

Song Jiaqi looked up and raised an eyebrow at Chi Meng.

Congratulations, third place.

You’re welcome, little sister.

The smile at the corner of Chi Meng’s mouth deepened, and she raised a hand in salute.

As promised, keep working hard.

The Great Sister Bet

After Chen Zhu led the eighty remaining trainees in a bow of thanks, the production team allotted ten minutes for the trainees to say their goodbyes. The trainees who stayed had to move forward, while those who were eliminated had to return to continue training, await the next opportunity, or make other choices.

All five trainees from Renxing Entertainment successfully advanced. Four of them went to talk to the eliminated trainees they knew. The sole remaining trainee, Song Jiaqi, was generally aloof and rarely spoke to anyone other than Chi Meng and Chen Zhu. The three trainees from Renxing rarely interacted with others. Now, she sat quietly in a corner, watching Chi Meng exude charisma in the crowd.

This person’s social skills are a bit too good, Song Jiaqi raised an eyebrow. How does she know everyone?

We only stayed in the dorms for two weeks, not two months, right?

Song Jiaqi, who hadn’t even memorized a few names, boredly fidgeted with her fingers. After a long time, Chi Meng finally returned. She stood in front of Song Jiaqi, the corners of her mouth curving up.

Song Jiaqi: …

Her expression gradually cooled. She thought Su Mengyao is truly a disappointment and sullenly said, “Older sister.”

“Hahaha!” Chi Meng burst into laughter, reached out to pat her “little sister’s” head, and said gently, “Look at you, you lost again. Do you admit defeat this time?”

“No,” Song Jiaqi said stubbornly.

Chi Meng laughed softly, her fingers ruffling the hair at the front of Song Jiaqi’s head. The black hair danced messily, catching on Song Jiaqi’s long eyelashes.

Are you supposed to be an older sister to someone like this?

Song Jiaqi was forced to close her eyes tight, swatting away Chi Meng’s mischievous hand. She swept all her hair back directly, lifted her eyelids, and met the gaze with cold eyes. Her vibrant, intense features bloomed like a intoxicated flower in the dim corner.

“How about this, since we’re always betting, let’s make a big one,” Chi Meng leaned against the railing, watching Song Jiaqi and speaking softly.

Song Jiaqi lazily glanced at her, indicating she was listening.

“We’ll bet on…” Chi Meng slowed her voice, her smile bright, “In the final performance, which trainee will rank higher: the one named Song Jiaqi or the one named Su Mengyao?”

Song Jiaqi’s fingers stilled. Her hand, pale in the dim light, was caught in her hair. She unconsciously tightened her grip, slowly sliding her fingers down along the strands.

The black hair that had been pushed back slowly returned, falling onto both sides of her cheeks, but her furrowed brows were clearly exposed. A feeling of boundless bewilderment arose in her heart.

“What do you mean?” Song Jiaqi asked.

She clearly knows what I mean.

Chi Meng rested her chin on her hand, unhurriedly repeating the terms of the bet, and added, “One round determines the winner, and the terms can never be changed after this.”

Song Jiaqi slowly straightened up, her expression gone. With her dramatic and deeply saturated looks, even a faint expression was as profound as an unfading ink wash. “What if I—if one of us gets eliminated?” she asked.

“Then the other side automatically wins,” Chi Meng said.

“You think I can make it to the final stage?” Song Jiaqi sneered.

Chi Meng’s smile remained unchanged, and she said softly, “I don’t know that. I will only choose the person I want to choose. That choice will decide whether I can be your older sister from now on.”

Song Jiaqi calmed down.

The winner of this “sisterhood bet” would be determined by her and Su Mengyao’s final stage rankings. If she was eliminated early, the side that chose Su Mengyao would automatically win. Therefore, the key point was…

“Who do you choose?” Song Jiaqi’s eyes narrowed as she looked at Chi Meng. “You choose first?”

Chi Meng was as calm as if she were getting food at the cafeteria, smiling brightly, “I’m sacrificing the opportunity to be called older sister by you in the future to make this decision, so of course I should choose first. Besides, I’ve already decided.”

“I choose Song Jiaqi.”

Chi Meng said without hesitation, “In the final performance, I believe Song Jiaqi will rank higher than Su Mengyao.”

“What about you, do you think she can do it?”

Song Jiaqi was completely frozen in place, staring straight at Chi Meng. Her lips trembled slightly, unable to speak.

She…

One Week to Decide

“All trainees, please gather on the stage!”

A staff member’s voice came over the sound system, echoing in the hall and interrupting the conversation between the two.

The corner remained quiet. Chi Meng was not in a hurry for Song Jiaqi to make her choice. She stood up from the railing, patted Song Jiaqi’s shoulder, her palm resting there, and said warmly, “The fulfillment time for all our previous bets was one week, so you have one week to think carefully. Tell me your answer after the second public performance.”

Song Jiaqi looked up at the girl who was leaning in to meet her gaze. The light filtering through the air kissed her amber eyes. Her calm pupils were like ancient jewels sunken in the sea.

“But for this upcoming week, I’m still your dear older sister,” the beautiful, mermaid-like lady said in her sweet voice. “Maintain respect for your older sister, good little one 030”

Song Jiaqi: …Did you buy a phone just to learn all this nonsense?

Chi Meng: 030

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