The Plan to Save the Villainess Supporting Actress [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 17 

After the photo activity and two other mini-games concluded, everyone hastily ate dinner before moving on to the first public performance group filming.

The first public performance was divided into twelve song groups. The 12 contestants from Group A served as team leaders, while the remaining contestants first selected their preferred songs, after which the leaders decided whether to accept them into their teams.

On stage, mentor Gao Hongzhe called out the contestants’ names one by one. Gradually, many stepped out of the broadcasting room and headed toward the practice rooms labeled with their chosen song titles.

Based on their theme song evaluations, contestants selected their songs in order of ranking.

Soon, it was Group C’s turn.

As expected, Shen Jiaying chose a lighthearted song with a cute, playful dance style.

Nan Zhi stood beside Zhu Ran and couldn’t help but glance at her.

As if sensing Nan Zhi’s gaze, Zhu Ran smiled and said, “It suits her well.”

Zhu Ran’s darkening value remained unchanged.

Compared to the sudden fluctuation when Zhu Ran first encountered Shen Jiaying, her darkening value now remained steady whenever Shen Jiaying was mentioned, showing no more volatility.

Did this mean Zhu Ran was beginning to let go of the past?

Nan Zhi smiled quietly to herself. That would be a good thing.

After Groups C and D finished, it was Zhu Ran’s turn.

Gao Hongzhe looked at her with an unreadable glint in his eyes and asked with a smile, “Contestant Zhu Ran, Group F doesn’t have many options left most songs are already full. Is there a group you’d like to join?”

Zhu Ran nodded. “My first choice is the ‘Southern Wind’ group.”

The moment she spoke, the room fell into stunned silence.

“Southern Wind” was a lyrical ballad.

Given that Zhu Ran had already showcased her a cappella skills, she should have chosen a high-energy dance track to highlight her abilities. Why would she pick “Southern Wind”?

But the most shocked of all was Nan Zhi.

Because in the original storyline, Zhu Ran had indeed joined the “Southern Wind” group.

Had her changes caused a shift in the plot?

No, that couldn’t be.

All her modifications so far had only revolved around Zhu Ran and Shen Jiaying.

The impact on others was minimal, this plot point shouldn’t have changed.

Or was it because Zhu Ran was placed in Group F, leaving her with fewer choices?

After some thought, Nan Zhi could only come up with this explanation.

On stage, Gao Hongzhe’s voice rang out again. “What a shame, Contestant Zhu Ran. We’ve all heard your a cappella your skills are outstanding. ‘Southern Wind’ would have been a great fit for you. Among the limited options left, which song would you like to pick now?”

The broadcasting room played a drumbeat at the perfect moment. After a brief pause, a staff member signaled off-camera for Zhu Ran to respond.

Nan Zhi unconsciously held her breath.

Of the remaining 10 contestants in Group F, only six songs were still available.

Shen Jiaying’s group had three spots left, while among the other five groups, three were dance tracks and two were rap songs.

Zhu Ran’s options were truly limited.

“I’d like to ask Contestant Nan Zhi which song she thinks would suit me best.”

Zhu Ran suddenly turned to Nan Zhi with a smile.

???

Tang Keyue teased, “Come on, this is an official recording can we not try such bold new things here?”

Gao Hongzhe quickly caught on and played along. “A first in history! I never knew this rule could be used like this asking a fellow contestant to recommend a song for you? Does this mean you really don’t have a preference? Production team, is this allowed?”

Zhu Ran smiled and explained, “No, it’s because Nan Zhi has always been very lucky. I wanted to catch some of that koi fish luck.”

“You should have discussed this earlier,” Gao Hongzhe sighed with a tone of earnest advice. “Don’t affect the recording schedule. It’s so late now look at our director team and those middle-aged folks. They all need proper rest, don’t they, Teacher Bi Junyu?”

He deliberately looked up and addressed Bi Junyu behind the camera. An off-screen voice boomed with a hearty “Get lost,” sending everyone present into fits of laughter.

The director team gestured their approval of Zhu Ran’s request.

Gao Hongzhe nodded in acknowledgment and quickly took control of the situation.

“Alright, our Teacher Bi has gone back to sleep. Nan Zhi, could you help make the selection?”

Nan Zhi’s heart pounded wildly.

With the plot veering so wildly off course, was there still any hope?

She raised her eyes to look at Zhu Ran and suddenly froze.

Zhu Ran tilted her head slightly and silently mouthed a sentence.

Choose the one you want to go to.

The one Nan Zhi wanted to go to?

Did Zhu Ran mean she wanted to be in the same group as her?

[Prompt: New mission Host, please help the female lead win the first public performance.]

Nan Zhi: [How am I supposed to help Zhu Ran win? If anything, Zhu Ran should be helping me! She’s so strong!]

The system reminded her: [Just help Zhu Ran choose a song that suits her.]

In the original plot, there were many descriptions of the first public performance, but almost all of them focused on Shen Jiaying.

Nan Zhi only knew that the song Shen Jiaying chose would defeat the other group, while “South Wind” would lose to its opponent, resulting in one member being eliminated from the group.

As for the other songs, the original plot barely mentioned them.

Blind selection, huh…

Nan Zhi narrowed her eyes slightly, carefully examining the songs displayed on the large screen.

Undoubtedly, choosing Shen Jiaying’s group would guarantee Zhu Ran’s victory.

But that wouldn’t be the outcome Zhu Ran desired.

Zhu Ran was someone so suited to and passionate about the stage, she deserved to shine brightly.

Nan Zhi’s gaze drifted slightly to the right.

Finally, it settled on one particular song.

“I’ve made my choice.”

Gao Hongzhe smiled. “So, our lucky koi, which song have you chosen for contestant Zhu Ran?”

Nan Zhi looked at the stage and answered firmly, “I’ve chosen ‘Fool’ for Zhu Ran.”

The moment her words landed, the girls in the two practice rooms on the screen reacted in starkly different ways.

The “Fool” group erupted in cheers.

Meanwhile, the “Because I Like You” group was stunned.

Gao Hongzhe asked, “Contestant Zhu Ran, what are your thoughts on the song Nan Zhi chose for you?”

Zhu Ran snapped out of her daze and shook her head with a smile. “None. I really like this song too.”

“Great. Then, may I ask the leader of the ‘Fool’ group are you willing to accept contestant Zhu Ran into your team?”

Yu Yulin, the leader of the “Fool” group, nodded frantically.

“Congratulations to contestant Zhu Ran for successfully joining the team.”

“Now, Nan Zhi, the ‘Fool’ group has no spots left. Which song is your pick?”

Nan Zhi smiled faintly and calmly replied, “‘Because I Like You.'”

Instantly, an uproar broke out among all the groups on the screen.

Gao Hongzhe burst into laughter. “Well, well! Planning to go up against Zhu Ran, are you?”

“Can you tell us your reason for choosing this? Contestant Zhu Ran, don’t rush off, you should listen too.”

Nan Zhi glanced at Zhu Ran by the door, her eyes curving into crescents. “I hope contestant Zhu Ran wins, so I chose the song that suits her best.”

Gao Hongzhe nodded.

That was the truth.

Among the remaining songs, “Fool” was the most fitting for Zhu Ran.

The song had strong adaptability, if rearranged well, it could become one of the most explosive performances of the night.

Moreover, the choreography for “Fool” was personally crafted by Xu Silan, making it visually stunning.

Unfortunately, the overall strength of this group wasn’t great.

The leader, Yu Yulin, was a powerhouse vocalist who had somehow ended up with a dance track.

The rest of the teammates were also relatively weak in dancing.

It was a good song, but winning would be a tough challenge.

No wonder Yu Yulin and the others had been so excited when Zhu Ran joined finally, they had a dance specialist. How could they not be thrilled?

As for “Fool’s” competitor…

Nan Zhi smiled as she looked at a certain someone on the big screen. When their eyes met, the corners of her lips curled up even more.

“My skills aren’t actually that great, I don’t have any particularly strong areas so I plan to play it safe and choose a song with a relatively simpler dance style.” Nan Zhi shrugged, deliberately sighing with a look of regret. “Even though I really like contestant Xue Zhi, my abilities just don’t measure up. I wouldn’t want to drag down the rap group’s heavy hitters.”

In the rap group, Xue Zhi immediately blew a big kiss to the camera.

Gao Hongzhe: “Now, it’s time for the leader selection. Leader of ‘Because I Like You,’ do you agree to Nan Zhi joining your team?”

The response was another nod.

There weren’t many people left in Class F, and Nan Zhi was one of the more capable ones.

“Alright, congratulations to Nan Zhi for also selecting her desired song. You and contestant Zhu Ran may now head to your respective practice rooms.”

At the entrance of the broadcast room, Zhu Ran stood waiting, smiling as she greeted the curly-haired puppy running toward her.

“Hello there, opponent.”

Zhu Ran chuckled helplessly. “Didn’t I tell you to pick the one you wanted? Why did you choose ‘Fool’ for me?”

“I don’t want to work overtime,” Nan Zhi said matter-of-factly. “None of the other songs suited you.”

Before Zhu Ran could reply, Nan Zhi patted her shoulder with a solemn air. “Hang in there, little Zhu Ran. Your opponent isn’t a pushover, you know!”

Zhu Ran couldn’t help but laugh. “Who isn’t a pushover? You?”

Nan Zhi shook her head, her expression turning serious.

“Shen Jiaying.”

The true favored heroine, the center of “Because I Like You”, Shen Jiaying.

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