The Vicious Female Supporting Character Goes Viral After Her Masks Drop During the Talent Show - Chapter 54

On New Year’s Eve, the old apartment building was filled with the warm, bustling atmosphere typical of a small town.

Xia Yuansheng and Meng Jun had prepared a table full of delicious dishes. They walked to their daughter’s bedroom and knocked gently on the closed door.

“Mengmeng, it’s time to eat! Your dad and I made your favorite—sweet and sour pork ribs!”

At the table, Xia Meng forced a smile, responding to her parents’ warmth and care to maintain the holiday spirit. Even though she had no appetite, she forced herself to eat a few pieces of the ribs. She didn’t want them to worry, but she simply couldn’t find it in herself to cheer up.

She had failed to debut. Furthermore, due to some controversial comments she made during a live stream, she had incited public outrage. In the months following the show’s end, Xia Meng had been unable to find any work. Honestly, since the finale, she had felt an unprecedented sense of exhaustion and confusion. She couldn’t pinpoint the exact cause, but the feeling left her with neither the heart nor the energy to deal with her career. Consequently, she had returned to her hometown to clear her head.

Since returning, she had grown quiet and reflective. She initially thought her malaise was due to Yu Junran. However, she slowly realized that these emotions had been festering since the start of the program. The incident with Yu Junran was merely the tip of the iceberg; beneath the surface lay a massive glacier—the feeling that, since joining the show, her life had been slowly falling apart.

Growing up, she had always been the brightest, happiest person in the room. At home, her parents cherished and protected her. In school, teachers praised her, and classmates admired her; she was always the center of attention. Professionally, she had signed with the best entertainment agency and was only one step away from her idol. Her dreams had seemed within reach.

She was like a delicate, bright peach blossom, forever blooming in the gentle breeze of a perennial spring.

But after joining the show, she realized she was no longer the center of the world. Others were far more radiant than she could ever hope to be. She realized that when she spoke, people no longer offered praise, but instead met her with insults and ridicule. Yet, when others spoke, the crowd watched with admiration and respect.

She realized, slowly and painfully, that people no longer loved her. The dream she thought was within her grasp had become a cliff she could not climb. Her “gentle spring” had been torn to shreds, and her vibrant life ground into the dust.

Why did it turn out like this? Xia Meng couldn’t understand it, and she sank deeper into depression.

The New Year’s Gala was playing on the television. The festive noise swirled around her, but it failed to capture her attention—until a voice announced:

“Next up—the ultra-popular girl group, SHESONE!”

Xia Meng’s hand froze, her chopsticks hovering mid-air. She couldn’t help but look at the screen. The camera caught a close-up of Zhong Yan’s face. As the stage curtains parted, Zhong Yan, dressed in a magnificent costume, led the girls toward the center of the stage with a confident stride.

On stage, they were so self-assured, so radiant, and so blindingly beautiful that Xia Meng couldn’t bear to look. She lowered her head and began stuffing rice into her mouth, one bite after another, though she couldn’t taste a thing.

Seeing this, Xia Yuansheng and Meng Jun immediately changed the channel. But Xia Meng quickly finished a few bites, murmured that she was full, and retreated silently to her room.

Left alone in the living room, the couple exchanged a look and sighed. They knew their daughter better than anyone; how could they not see her despondency? Their hearts ached for her, but they were powerless to help. They were just ordinary people. At home, they could protect her, but they had no reach within the complex world of the entertainment industry.

After a long silence, Meng Jun whispered, “Do you think… we made the wrong decision back then?”

Xia Yuansheng looked at his wife.

“I’m just thinking,” Meng Jun continued, “if we hadn’t hidden the truth, would Mengmeng’s fate be different? Maybe she wouldn’t have to suffer like this. She could be like that girl on TV… just as successful.”

Recognizing the implication, Xia Yuansheng hesitated. “Are you saying Mengmeng is really… from that family?”

“I searched for that girl’s birthday online,” Meng Jun said softly. “It’s the same day as Mengmeng’s. We were in the same hospital, even in adjacent rooms. I can’t help but wonder.”

The hospital at the time was a high-end private maternity clinic, far too expensive for them to afford. It had been a stroke of luck; twenty years ago, Meng Jun was a teacher at a private bilingual primary school. The students there came from wealthy families. Meng Jun had been on good terms with the mother of one of her students, and that family happened to own the hospital. The mother had arranged for Meng Jun to give birth there free of charge.

It was Meng Jun’s first time in such a luxurious place. She had been shocked to learn that the woman in the room next to hers was the wife of the Chairman of the Wensheng Group. That shock was why she had never forgotten the details, even after all these years.

“Yuansheng, we both know singing has been Mengmeng’s dream since she was a child. But now she has no work and is wasting away. We have no power to help her, but they do.”

Meng Jun looked at her husband urgently. “If becoming someone else’s daughter allows her to live a smooth life where all her dreams come true… then my loss will be worth it.” Her voice broke at the end.

After another long silence, Xia Yuansheng sighed. “I understand.”

SHESONE had been debuted for four months.

As the promotions for their first album wound down, the peak of group activities passed, and the members began taking on more individual projects. Usually, the distribution of solo work was a battlefield for fans—often, some members would be “drowned” in work while others “starved.”

However, SHESONE’s management remained fair. Dancers went to dance variety shows; vocals were given OSTs (Original Soundtracks); rappers were sent to music festivals. Those who ranked higher in the finale received high-end brand endorsements, while those lower down received mid-range ones. The goal was to ensure everyone had a place.

Fans noticed a strange phenomenon: Zhong Yan, despite being the clear “center” and top star, didn’t actually have the most activities. While her endorsements were all top-tier luxury brands, she rarely appeared on variety shows or music festivals. Since the tour ended, she had almost vanished from the public eye.

New fans were confused, but long-time fans of her writing persona explained: “Based on my six years of following Teacher Zhong, whenever she disappears, she’s preparing a ‘big move.’ Just wait—the ‘mysterious’ Zhong Yan always delivers a surprise.”

With the tour over and the members busy with solo schedules, Zhong Yan wasn’t staying in the dorms. She had moved back to her own apartment.

Between her years of royalties and film rights, she had earned a significant amount. After setting aside funds for her company, she had bought a comfortable, modern apartment near the city center. It was quiet, secure, and private.

One winter afternoon, as sunlight streamed into her study, the only sound was the tapping of her keyboard. After finishing a final edit, Zhong Yan stretched her aching back. Just as she stood up, her phone rang.

The screen flashed: “Zhong Yang.”

Zhong Yan frowned and ignored it, heading to the balcony to get some sun. Ten minutes later, the phone was still ringing. She rolled her eyes. In the past, her brother, Zhong Yang, barely contacted her. Lately, he called constantly with excuses about “missing her” or “family gatherings.”

She knew his game. Purely self-serving.

She usually told him she was too busy and hung up, which would buy her two days of peace. But the constant buzzing was now ruining her train of thought. She finally snatched the phone up.

“Hello, Sis? You finally picked up!”

“I’m busy. If you have something to say, say it fast.”

Zhong Yang laughed nervously. “It’s nothing major, just that you haven’t been home in ages. Mom and Dad miss you. Right, Mom? Dad?”

Faint, hesitant voices from Zhong Jiamao and Shi Qian could be heard in the background. Zhong Yan sneered inwardly. He was really pulling out all the stops this time.

“See? They miss you so much they’re speechless!” Zhong Yang’s voice boomed. “So, are you free this weekend? Let’s have a family reunion dinner!”

“Not free,” Zhong Yan said curtly, preparing to hang up.

“Wait, wait!” Zhong Yang shouted, knowing how fast she was. “Any day is fine! We’ll work around your schedule!”

“I’m not free any day.” She hung up.

Silence finally returned. But as she sat back down to work, the phone buzzed again. Frustrated beyond belief, she grabbed the phone and answered without looking at the ID.

“I said I’m busy! Stop calling!”

“…Sister?”

The voice on the other end was not Zhong Yang’s.