The Vicious Female Supporting Character Goes Viral After Her Masks Drop During the Talent Show - Chapter 16

Everyone in the room froze at Lu Yuanqian’s words.

Lu Tingshen stood up first and asked, “Where is she?”

Lu Yuanqian hurriedly swiped open her phone, clicked on a video, and held it up for everyone to see. “Right here! She’s the Center!”

A youthful, energetic melody filled the serious atmosphere of the police station reception room. Confused, everyone leaned in—including the young officer taking the report—their eyes fixed on the small screen.

On a triangular stage, nine girls stood elegantly with their backs to the camera. As the melody shifted and the lights brightened, the girls turned in unison to the beat. The camera immediately zoomed in on the center position.

Lu Tingshen’s eyes locked onto the screen. At the heart of the formation was Zhong Yan.

Under the spotlight, she smiled like a blooming flower, sweet and vibrant. Every expression and movement seemed to possess a magical charm that transcended the screen, infecting every viewer with her dreamlike world.

As more girls appeared and the camera cut to others, Lu Tingshen found himself unable to see anyone but her. Soon, during the second chorus, the camera returned to her. The center platform beneath her feet rose slowly, placing her at the highest point as she led the group in the song’s signature choreography.

Zhong Yan’s “peach blossom” eyes curved into a smile as she looked directly into the lens. With a fluid dance step, she pointed a finger at the audience, tapped her own cheek, and tilted her head with a playful grin.

“Did you choose me?” the lyrics sang.

Lu Tingshen’s gaze flickered.

Golden streamers fell from the ceiling like a galaxy of stars, yet Zhong Yan, standing amidst the shimmering shower, shone brighter than the stars themselves.

The Realization

Only when the video ended did the room snap back to reality. The video froze on Zhong Yan’s final “ending fairy” shot. Director Gong pointed at her and asked Shi Qian and Zhong Jiamao, “Are you certain this is your daughter?”

Shi Qian and Zhong Jiamao were still dazed. “Yes… it should be her.”

Director Gong sighed helplessly. “What do you mean ‘it should be’? How can parents not recognize their own daughter? Especially one this talented.”

Lu Tingshen understood their shock to an extent. To be honest, seeing this version of Zhong Yan made him hesitate to recognize her as well. The girl in the video looked like her, yet didn’t feel like her.

She had the same face, but he had never seen her like this: radiant and glowing. He hadn’t even known she could sing or dance. For the first time in his life, Lu Tingshen felt a surge of curiosity about her. He wondered what had happened during the ten years they were apart.

The Change of Heart

Once the Zhong family confirmed it was indeed her, the case was dropped. By the time they left the station, lunch hour had passed. Feeling guilty over the farce, the Zhongs invited the Lu family to their home for tea as an apology.

Inside the Zhong residence, Shi Qian served tea and snacks while Zhong Jiamao apologized again. “I’m so sorry. We didn’t understand the situation and caused everyone so much worry.”

Lu Dingchun smiled kindly. “It’s fine as long as your daughter is safe. Her talent is truly impressive.”

Fang Hui added in surprise, “Does Xiao Yan intend to enter the entertainment industry? We never knew she had such aspirations.”

“This… we actually aren’t sure yet,” the Zhongs replied with awkward smiles.

Fang Hui realized that if they didn’t even know she was on a show, they certainly wouldn’t know her dreams. However, Shi Qian, sensing that the Lu family might dislike having a daughter-in-law in show business, quickly added, “She isn’t suited for that industry. She’s likely just doing it for the novelty and will come home once she’s had her fun.”

Lu Yuanqian, who was re-watching the theme song video on her phone, frowned. Just then, the video reached the “Did you choose me?” line.

“How is Sister Zhong not suited for it?” Lu Yuanqian countered. “I think she’s perfect. I’ve already ‘chosen’ her—I’m voting for her as soon as the show starts.”

Lu Yuanqian spoke out of a genuine change of heart, but also because she disliked Shi Qian’s fawning attitude.

“Qianqian,” Fang Hui warned her daughter to mind her manners.

“It’s no trouble at all,” Shi Qian smoothed things over. “It’s Xiao Yan’s blessing that Yuanqian likes her! Since they’ll be family soon, it’s great the sisters-in-law get along so well.”

Zhong Jiamao seized the opportunity. “Now that Tingshen is back from his studies, shouldn’t we start preparing for their wedding?”

The Lu parents exchanged an awkward look. They had come here today specifically to break off the engagement.

“Actually,” Lu Dingchun began, “we met today to discuss the cancel—”

“We do need to discuss the wedding,” Lu Tingshen interrupted.

His parents looked at him in shock. He had been silent since leaving the police station, seemingly lost in thought.

Lu Tingshen looked up and gave the Zhongs a faint smile. “However, I hope Zhong Yan can be part of the discussion. Let’s wait until she returns to discuss the details.”

The Internet Explodes

The theme song MV for Best Girls surpassed 100 million views on its first day. After a two-year hiatus, the return of this major survival show set the internet ablaze.

Fans had spent weeks guessing who the “Initial Center” would be. Most bets were on Tian Jingyu from Dingming Entertainment. Rumors had even suggested her spot was guaranteed. However, after the theme song filming ended, those “insiders” deleted their posts and vanished.

When the video finally dropped, fans rushed to see how “outrageous” the new Center was. Within minutes, forums were flooded.

Thread: Is the Initial Center for real?

OP: She’s so good that I’ve already fallen down the rabbit hole.

Comment 1: I came here ready to complain, but I’ll just bury myself in this fandom instead

Comment 2: Who is she?! She’s stunning. The production kept her a secret just to drop this bomb, didn’t they?

Comment 3: When she sang ‘Did you choose me?’, I actually nodded at my screen.

Comment 4: 1 minute. I want all the info on this woman.

The name Zhong Yan began to trend. She was a “layman”—a trainee without a major agency—yet she was outshining the veterans.

The Secret Identity

As fans dug for information, a “verified” staff member posted a teaser: “The Initial Center is incredible. More than you can imagine. Career-fans can join the fandom with peace of mind—you’re going to win.”

The mystery peaked when the first episode finally aired on the Dragon Boat Festival.

Lu Tingshen sat in his living room, claiming he was only watching to “evaluate the employees” from his company, Dingming Entertainment. He watched impatiently through the first two hours of the show, barely paying attention to the other trainees—including his company’s frontrunner, Tian Jingyu.

Then, the keyword appeared on the screen: “The Mysterious Individual Trainee.”

Zhong Yan stepped out in a modern white qipao, her hair in a loose, elegant braid. She looked like a white rose dusted with morning dew.

“Sister Zhong is so beautiful…” Lu Yuanqian whispered.

On screen, Zhong Yan began her performance. She chose the song “Unforsaken”, the theme song from the hit drama Hating the Spring Breeze.

Her voice was haunting—at times ethereal and mournful, at others soaring and tragic. It felt less like a song and more like a legend being told.

When she finished, even the judge Mu Bin was moved. But the real shock came during her self-introduction.

“Actually, I have another identity,” Zhong Yan said with a smile. “Before joining this show, I was a writer. My pen name is Zhong Yan.”

The room went silent.

Lu Yuanqian jumped off the sofa, screaming. “Zhong Yan is the author Zhong Yan?! The world is too small! I’ve been a fan of her books for years! I’m voting her to the Center position!”

On screen, the show’s mentor, the superstar Yan Shi, was visibly blushing. Zhong Yan looked at him and said, “I saw your comments on my Weibo before. I didn’t reply then because I wanted to tell you in person: You were always the best lead actor for my story.”

The camera cut between the two, capturing a moment of intense, lingering chemistry.

“They look so good together,” Lu Yuanqian giggled. “I ship it.”

Lu Tingshen’s face darkened. “As long as the engagement isn’t canceled, she is still my fiancée. She shouldn’t be involved with others.”

He stood up and headed upstairs, leaving his sister with one final remark: “For now, just keep calling her your sister-in-law.”

As he reached the second floor, a smirk finally played on his lips.

Zhong Yan. The author. This woman was becoming more interesting by the second.