Transmigrated as the CEO's Top-Tier Stand-in - Chapter 18

Chapter 18

The Show Must Go On

The trainees’ stage performances continued.

After Ji Yu, she watched Chu Nanxing and her friend’s group performance. Both had excellent singing and dancing abilities, but because their practice time together was short, Chu Nanxing received an A, while the other temporarily received a B.

Among the A grades awarded so far, Huangting Entertainment accounted for two, Xiaoxi Entertainment one, and another trainee with six years of experience also received an A.

Ji Yu wasn’t very interested in who got an A. Instead, she was more focused on Jiang Lianque and Ling Lan next to her.

Jiang Lianque was a mysterious gem, a graduate of a top-two university in the country, and a national scholarship recipient during her studies. Since her appearance, the knowledge concentration in the air seemed to rise sharply for the trainees in the hall, as if taking a few deep breaths would grant them the blessings of an academic prodigy.

Jiang Lianque’s temporary group with four others performed quite well. She was the best dancer among them, and she had only spent three months learning the routine.

Her trainee experience was zero.

As if knowing she would be a talking point in the early stages of the program, Qi Feng smiled and asked her with the microphone: “Why did you want to participate in this program?”

Jiang Lianque glanced in the direction of the camera.

Qi Feng instantly understood and laughed: “It’s alright, this part won’t be broadcast. I’m just curious myself.”

Jiang Lianque smiled faintly. Her golden long hair looked even more dazzling under the stage lights, like a deity walking out of ancient Greek mythology. Surrounded by a saintly glow, she sincerely stated: “Because compared to The Ultimate Brain next door, you guys offered far too much.”

The staff in the control room muted her mic. Only the trainees in the front rows and the mentors could hear her voice. Qi Feng was initially stunned, then burst into loud laughter. The surrounding speakers amplified his laughter in all directions, waking up some drowsy trainees who had been waiting for too long, causing them to ask around about what happened.

Ji Yu sat there propping her chin, watching the glittering Jiang Lianque. She asked the System in her mind: “With her photographic memory, she must have a unique method for learning to dance. Her vocal range isn’t narrow, and she’s a gifted academic with an aura. If she works hard enough, she should make it into the final nine debut spots, right?”

At least Ji Yu felt that Jiang Lianque’s personality was very appealing to fans and she was naturally witty. With sufficient exposure, extraordinary talent, plus some effort, it shouldn’t be hard for her to secure one of those nine positions.

Even though it was called a talent show, the program was ultimately a variety show. As long as it was a variety show, audience preference would play a part, and Ji Yu knew this well.

The System, however, hesitated for two seconds: “…No.”

Ji Yu: “?”

The System said: “She isn’t in the final debut group. She withdrew from the program midway due to family reasons. She couldn’t continue participating.”

Ji Yu slowly blinked. “Family? What happened… at her home?”

The System was about to search the world timeline, but she added: “Forget it. Don’t tell me.”

She was leaving anyway. Why listen to so many stories?

Meng Rendong’s Revelation

The stage performances on the twelfth floor continued one after another.

No one knew how heavy the clouds were gathering on the top floor of the same hotel.

Meng Rendong hadn’t turned on the lights. In the spacious living room, she felt the sun outside gradually decline towards the west. As the sunset slowly took away the earth’s residual warmth, the whole city turned cold.

Though sitting inside in the height of summer, Meng Rendong felt as if she were standing against the wind in the deep freeze of winter.

Heat was being slowly drained from her limbs and body.

A chill crept into her heart.

She kept asking why.

Why had Ji Yu, who clearly could not eat sweets, repeatedly consumed them in front of her over these four years?

How much did Ji Yu have to love her to be willing to go this far for her?

And how careless and casual was she, to be blind to Ji Yu’s true preferences over those thousands of days and nights?

Thinking back now, she knew nothing about Ji Yu’s hobbies, birthday, preferred brands, or daily habits. No wonder Ji Yu was tired.

Meng Rendong closed her eyes, and countless voices surged within her mind, each one a lash across her pride.

“Do you still think Ji Yu deliberately wanted to break up?”

“Meng Rendong, you weren’t even a competent sugar daddy, because she returned the money and the apartment untouched.”

“Have you ever considered that perhaps you behaved worse than you thought?”

The countless voices shattered her self-respect, utterly defeating her. In a daze, Meng Rendong curled up on the sofa, tightly closing her eyes, raising her arm to shield half her face, until the voices overlapped and intertwined endlessly in her mind.

After an unknown amount of time, the clamor subsided into a void. In that blank sense of helplessness, a small voice from a corner whispered: “She loved you so much. If you sincerely apologize to her and tell her you want to develop a real romantic relationship, will she agree?”

Will Ji Yu get back together with you?

This voice was like a lifeline appearing before someone on the brink of death.

The force that Meng Rendong had momentarily let down suddenly surged back into her body. Driven by an impulse she couldn’t explain, she abruptly sat up from the sofa, grabbed her phone, and headed downstairs, forgetting her jacket. As she walked, she called Wang Luoshui:

“When does it end?”

“I want to see Ji Yu. Just once. I promise it won’t affect your filming.”

A Final Goodbye

Ji Yu was watching Ling Lan’s stage.

Ling Lan’s singing ability was excellent. Whether it was modern songs or Western music, thanks to her childhood foundation in opera vocal training, her voice was stunning enough to amaze the entire hall. Especially her first performance, an ancient-style song, the rapid switching between the theatrical opera voice and her normal singing was enough to capture everyone’s attention with just a few shifts.

Some people who were nodding off felt themselves unconsciously tilting their heads toward the stage, wanting to clearly hear the celestial voice.

Her dance foundation was also decent.

Unfortunately, she also lacked trainee experience. The choreography was done with the help of a friend, and when the dance mentor asked her to freestyle, her performance was noticeably lacking. She ultimately and regrettably received a B.

Ji Yu applauded as she came down and smiled at her: “That was great. You’ll definitely get an A next time.”

Ling Lan pursed her lips into a smile, then reverted to her usual cool demeanor. She took out a pen and paper, seemingly inspired, and began writing a song.

Ji Yu felt a bit sleepy after watching over a dozen stages. Afraid she might fall asleep, she quietly told a staff member she was going to the restroom, planning to splash some water on her face.

As she walked, she asked the System: “When does the elimination start?”

The girls here were all very kind.

But she didn’t want to stay any longer.

Whether it was Night and Qi Feng’s stage, the genius Jiang Lianque’s, or Ling Lan’s, they all unconsciously sparked a competitive desire in her.

But she didn’t want to enter this industry.

So, better extinguish that ambition before it fully ignites.

The System vaguely sensed the approaching farewell but set aside its melancholy. It adopted its usual cheerful Corgi voice and replied: “The first round of eliminations will happen after the theme song assessment!”

“The theme song only gives you three days.”

“Yuyu, you only need to wait three more days.”

Ji Yu reached the washroom. Hearing the System’s words, she softly agreed. She looked at herself in the mirror. After a moment, she smiled faintly, leaned over to cup water, and splashed the cold water on her face.

Three days.

She murmured the time.

She had prepared for this for so long, yet when the moment came, Ji Yu realized she still didn’t know how to say goodbye without regret. Perhaps distracted, she forgot to wipe her face when she looked up. Some water got into her eyes, making them sting and feel gritty.

She was about to reach for a tissue in her pocket—

The next second, the sound of a tissue packet being torn open was heard, and a piece of tissue was gently pressed onto her eye from behind.

Ji Yu reached out to take it, accidentally brushing the person’s fingertips. Feeling the delicate skin, she realized it was a woman’s hand and relaxed. She pressed the edge of the tissue to dry the water near her eye while softly saying:

“Thank you…”

As the words fell, she opened her eyes and saw the person standing beside her.

The person was slightly taller than her.

Black hair was tucked behind her ears. A wine-red shirt had a beautiful silk ribbon design tied around the neck. The silky fabric draped long at the neckline, giving a seductive feeling. Yet, the owner of the shirt had an intensely cold face the face she was most familiar with.

She stared at the face, a bit slow to react, until she noticed the person wasn’t smiling. Only then did she seem to register the difference. She lowered her eyes, retreated slightly, and said politely:

“CEO Meng.”

Meng Rendong saw her intentionally create distance and felt the intervening air grow cold. She instinctively moved closer, naturally raising her hand to touch Ji Yu’s face. But the moment her eyes met Ji Yu’s detached gaze, she stopped.

Her fingertips hung in the air, as if afraid of scaring the person away.

After a long time, Meng Rendong quietly said:

“I’m sorry.”

Ji Yu: “…?”

Seeing Ji Yu’s lack of reaction, Meng Rendong pursed her lips and quickly continued: “I’m sorry for thinking you liked sweets.”

“I’m sorry for forgetting your birthday.”

“I’m sorry for giving you a terrible gift on your birthday.”

“Ji Yu, can we… start over? This time, let’s not be the same kind of relationship. Let’s be normal lo—”

Ji Yu shook her head.

She still smiled very gently, seemingly unbothered by Meng Rendong’s past “careless mistakes,” but she firmly interrupted:

“It’s alright, CEO Meng. Those things are in the past.”

“I won’t dwell on them. Besides, I was the one who never told you.”

Meng Rendong had been full of guilt, expecting Ji Yu to be angry, resentful, or perhaps even show that “I finally waited for this day” look. But there was nothing.

Ji Yu’s forgiveness terrified her.

She reflexively wanted to reach out and grab onto something, but Ji Yu took a step back first, increasing the distance.

Dropping the used tissue into the nearby bin, Ji Yu turned back to her and said very lightly: “CEO Meng, truly, goodbye.”

This should be the final goodbye, right?

Meng Rendong watched her gracefully turn away, and the curve of her hair as she turned. For some reason, she had a sudden premonition that she was about to lose Ji Yu forever.

She wanted to call out Ji Yu’s name again, or perhaps rush over and grab her. But before the words could leave her mouth, she glimpsed Chu Nanxing appearing around the corner.

Meng Rendong was instantly silenced.

Her gaze seemed to move uncontrollably, mechanically shifting to Chu Nanxing, unable to turn away.

The Great System Malfunction

After walking a significant distance.

Ji Yu stopped in the empty corridor and communicated with the System: “Can I leave early? I’ve already participated in the show. Help me smooth over this part in the world timeline. I can’t wait any longer.”

The System asked: “Do you really want to leave now?”

Ji Yu nodded, standing there alone, seemingly a little lonely: “Yes… I think I miss her a little.”

She missed Si Tian.

She wanted to return to that world, stand under the starry sky she had once seen, and breathe the air she had once breathed.

Ji Yu realized she couldn’t tolerate being here for another moment.

She smiled and told the System: “The hotel we stayed at before has a kitchen. I stored a pet cake there, made with the ingredients you gave me. If you ever want to eat it, you can retrieve it. I know you’ll find a way.”

The System wanted to say something, but was afraid its opening words would be a plea for her to stay—

But it knew.

Ji Yu was already very tired.

It could only reply with a slightly distorted voice: “Initiating transmission system, world timeline modification in progress… 10, 9, 8… Tha-Thank you for coming, Yuyu. Thank you for being willing to step into my world for my supporting character…”

“Actually, I have a gift for you too, Yuyu… I, I found… Si Tian’s soul location. You might be able to find her reincarnation.”

Ji Yu, who had been smiling, suddenly widened her eyes at this statement.

“What did you say?”

“Once you return to your original world, I will transmit the location to you. Remember to be happy every day!”

“3, 2… Preparing for transmission!”

Ji Yu reacted too late, unable to ask all the questions she had. She could only hurriedly agree, even closing her eyes, wanting to communicate with the System once she was back. But after a while, she was still standing in the same spot.

She opened her eyes.

The environment was the same.

There was no sensation of dizziness.

Ji Yu’s eyelashes fluttered. She sounded confused: “System?”

The System’s voice was strangely choppy: “Tra-Transmission… failed…”

Ji Yu rarely frowned: “Hmm?”

The System was about to explain, but the next moment it discovered something significant, causing its words to catch halfway: “It’s alright, I can try restarting it, but Yuyu…”

Ji Yu asked with concern: “Hmm? What’s wrong? Don’t worry me. Did something happen?”

The System choked up for a long time, unsure how to speak.

Just when Ji Yu’s heart was racing with worry, the System finally stammered:

“I just checked Si Tian’s soul location during the self-check.”

“I found that she…”

“She is in this world.”

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