Transmigrated into the Villainous Scummy Alpha in a Talent Show Novel - Chapter 23.1

How could she not see that Jiang Ming was putting on a brave face? The girl before her, eyes red and brimming with tears, even with her head held in place, still couldn’t bring herself to meet Lin Qi’s concerned gaze.

It was as if she had done something wrong and didn’t dare face her.

Just what had happened?

No matter how worried she was, Lin Qi couldn’t pry open Jiang Ming’s mouth and force the truth out. Seeing Jiang Ming in such a state, her heart ached, how could she bear to push her further?

Spotting the sponsor’s yogurt pouch on the table and remembering the phone in her pocket, Lin Qi had a sudden idea. “Do you remember your aunt’s phone number?”

The question caught Jiang Ming off guard. Having likely cried alone in the dorm for a while, she now blinked at Lin Qi with reddened eyes, looking inexplicably adorable.

“I remember.”

Her voice, softened by tears, carried a vulnerable, almost fragile sweetness.

Swallowing the sudden rush of saliva in her mouth, Lin Qi inwardly scolded herself for her less-than-noble thoughts. Quickly pulling out her phone, she dialed the number Jiang Ming recited digit by digit.

“Here. My mom gave this to me today. If you can’t talk to me, then talk to your aunt. I’ll step out for a bit.”

Handing the phone to Jiang Ming, Lin Qi considerately left the room, grabbing a piece of brown sugar on her way out, intending to brew a warm cup of sugar water for the wronged girl.

Though she couldn’t deny her curiosity, Lin Qi had the foresight to turn on call recording before handing the phone over, relying on the fact that someone raised in Japan wouldn’t recognize the feature.

Waiting outside with the sugar water, guilt gnawed at her for taking advantage of Jiang Ming’s ignorance, but concern ultimately outweighed it.

Who had bullied Jiang Ming in her absence?

Several faces flashed through her mind. The most likely culprit was Song Jin, who had been conspicuously absent for days. After all, the guy had a crush on Wei Xuanyue but got nowhere, he probably harbored plenty of resentment toward Lin Qi.

Then there was Zhu Yu, who had been acting suspiciously today, avoiding eye contact. If Zhu Yu wasn’t up to no good, Lin Qi would eat her hat.

But what conflict could Zhu Yu possibly have with Jiang Ming?

The door remained shut for a long time, suggesting Jiang Ming and her aunt, Qi Xun, had much to discuss. Deciding not to wait idly, Lin Qi left the sugar water by the water dispenser and strode purposefully toward the practice room.

She’d ask Tan Yi. Though the girl was unreliable and prone to flippant remarks, she was good-hearted and had a soft spot for Jiang Ming, she wouldn’t hide anything from Lin Qi.

The seven members of the team were in the middle of a vocal lesson, but the atmosphere was starkly different from the past few days. The usual harmony had given way to an awkward silence. When Lin Qi pushed the door open, she found everyone with their heads bowed, lost in thought, while the instructor watched them sternly without speaking.

What was going on now?

She’d only been gone half a day, yet it felt like the entire group had changed.

“Lin Qi, come here.”

Called over by the vocal instructor, Lin Qi was honestly still confused.

“While you were away today, a small conflict arose here.”

Nodding, Lin Qi waited for the instructor to continue.

“Zhu Yu questioned Jiang Ming’s legitimacy as the center and challenged her to a battle. Her words were… rather blunt. Contestant Jiang Ming ended up in tears and is likely in the dorm now.”

So that was it?

Pressing her lips together, Lin Qi lifted her calm gaze to Zhu Yu, who remained silent with her head down, then swept it across the others pretending to be invisible. Her voice turned icy.

“Zhu Yu, what exactly did you say?”

The guilty party stiffened her neck but said nothing.

“Either speak up or get out. I don’t need someone who stirs up internal conflicts in my team.”

Still receiving no response, Lin Qi walked to the door with a smile, tore off Zhu Yu’s name tag posted there, and tossed it into the trash bin. She tilted her head and glanced at the visibly shocked group. “You can leave now. Join any other team you want.”

“Captain”

Tan Yi, noticing Lin Qi’s seemingly calm demeanor masking her burning anger, stepped forward as if to mediate.

“Perfect timing. Tell me, what did Zhu Yu say to Jiang Ming? I saw Jiang Ming in the dorm. She may be gentle, but she wouldn’t cry over just a few words.”

Realizing Lin Qi was here to avenge Jiang Ming, Tan Yi abandoned any thought of mediation. She had long wanted to give Zhu Yu a piece of her mind but lacked the authority. Now that the captain was here, she could finally ride on her coattails though that didn’t sound quite right.

Shaking her head, Tan Yi dismissed the thought and began recounting the scene.

After Lin Qi was called away, they had practiced their dance routine a bit longer until class ended. Tan Yi considered inviting Jiang Ming to dinner, but Jiang Ming said she wasn’t feeling well and wanted to return to the dorm. The next time they met was at the 7 p.m. vocal class, where Jiang Ming seemed fine. Zhu Yu, however, kept her head down, lost in thought.

During the first rehearsal combining singing and dancing, Zhu Yu seemed to steel herself and spoke up. “Jiang Ming, I don’t accept you as the center.”

Her words brought everything to a halt, even the teacher. Jiang Ming’s vocal skills were undeniable, how could she not deserve the center position?

The teacher, patient, asked, “Why do you think that? The center was chosen with everyone’s approval. Hindsight isn’t a good habit.”

Zhu Yu took a deep breath and stared at Jiang Ming, who remained expressionless. “Your father is a murderer. How dare you come here to audition? Do you want everyone to know you’re a murderer’s daughter?”

Silence fell over the room. Rumors had circulated in the camp that Jiang Ming’s father had been imprisoned for murder in Japan, leading to her deportation and a four-year stay in a mental hospital. People speculated she had psychological issues.

But after days of interaction, Jiang Ming seemed entirely normal just quiet and a bit shy.

Zhu Yu’s brazen accusation made everyone wonder: Did she have proof the rumors were true?

If so, a chill ran down their spines. They had been sharing a room with a murderer’s daughter for so long.

Honestly, even Tan Yi felt conflicted. Raised in peacetime, most contestants came from privileged backgrounds none had ever encountered a real murderer.

Yet, remembering Jiang Ming’s diligence and sincerity over the past days, how could she be a bad person?

“Zhu Yu, do you have evidence? Without it, this is slander,” Tan Yi retorted, siding with Jiang Ming. Even if Jiang Ming really was a murderer’s daughter, they were in a closed camp, how could Zhu Yu have proof?

Zhu Yu smirked, her eyes locked on Jiang Ming. “She’s the proof. Dare you say your father isn’t a murderer?”

For a moment, the large classroom was so quiet that even the sound of breathing could be heard clearly. Tan Yi frowned as she looked at Jiang Ming, who was lost in thought with her head lowered. Inside, Tan Yi was nearly frantic with anxiety.

Just say it’s not true!

Finally, Jiang Ming raised her head. Her eyes were red-rimmed, but her lips were pressed tightly together. Without Lin Qi by her side, she revealed an uncharacteristically strong demeanor. Though she was on the verge of tears, her voice was cold and tense. “What does it have to do with you?”

“See! She didn’t deny it! Isn’t it obvious?” Zhu Yu seized upon her momentary evasion, pointing at her with certainty. “Aren’t you going to withdraw from the competition?”

Jiang Ming instinctively glanced at the crowd around her. All eyes were fixed on her, filled with fear. For a moment, she found herself at a loss for words. Years of upbringing had taught her not to lie.

But could she really say it?

Even before anything was confirmed, everyone had already begun to distance themselves from her in fear. If they really found out, would she, who had finally made friends be isolated again?

And then there was Lin Qi,

She was kind to her now, saying it was because Jiang Ming was a good person. But if she found out Jiang Ming was the daughter of a murderer, what would Lin Qi think?

Would she, leave her too?

Or be afraid of her?

Her heart ached so much it felt like it was being torn apart. Jiang Ming lost the ability to think. She cast a deep glance at the teacher and contestants still watching her, their eyes filled with unmistakable suspicion. Overwhelmed by helplessness and sorrow, the girl covered her tears and ran out.

Escaping from that suffocating place.

Aimless, she eventually found herself back in the dormitory. Clinging to the blanket that still carried Lin Qi’s scent, she buried her face in it. But then she feared her tears would leave traces, so she covered both her eyes with one hand, trying to stem the endless flow.

She didn’t want to stay here anymore.

Yet with every breath, it felt as if Lin Qi was right beside her, holding her. The warmth of that feeling made it so hard to let go.

If she really withdrew from the competition, would she ever cross paths with Lin Qi again?

Just the thought made it hard to breathe. Jiang Ming cried until she was lightheaded, her temples throbbing with pain. Even though no one was around, she didn’t dare make a sound, her sobs as soft as a newborn kitten’s whimpers.

It was a habit born of circumstance. During her four years in the psychiatric hospital, she’d often had emotional breakdowns. But fearing she’d disturb the patient in the next bed and invite a beating, she’d learned to cry quietly, her whimpers barely audible.

After crying for what felt like an eternity, the sensitive girl suddenly heard the sound of the door opening. She knew instantly it was Lin Qi. Panicked, Jiang Ming let go of the blanket and sat at the desk.

As expected, Lin Qi noticed her sadness. But Jiang Ming didn’t dare speak of what had happened that day. If she told her, and Lin Qi asked if it was true, how could she answer?

Logically, she should tell the truth. But faced with Lin Qi, the words stuck in her throat. Jiang Ming was terrified, terrified that the person she clung to so desperately would come to despise and avoid her.

That was why she wore the expression of someone who had done wrong and couldn’t face Lin Qi.

Even as she took the phone, Jiang Ming prayed silently: Please, don’t let Lin Qi find out about this.

After listening to the entire sequence of events, from Jiang Ming leaving for an external shoot to her being verbally provoked by Zhu Yu until she fled in tears Lin Qi’s gaze grew increasingly icy. She had only been gone for a few hours, yet this angst-filled plot seemed determined to fulfill its duty by throwing hardships and setbacks at the female lead.

The image of the red-eyed “rabbit” she had seen in the dormitory made Lin Qi’s heart ache. Why did this world have to treat Jiang Ming so harshly?

Before meeting Song En, Jiang Ming had already suffered far too much. That was why, even when faced with the blind, domineering CEO’s sensitive and volatile temper, Jiang Ming still saw her as a beacon of light so much so that she humbled herself to the point of fearing rejection and abandonment.

Unaware that her own eyes were gradually reddening, Lin Qi clenched her fists and swept a cold glance over the indifferent teammates who had adopted a “not my problem” attitude. Though they didn’t know Jiang Ming’s past and their choice to ignore the situation was understandable, Lin Qi couldn’t help but seethe with anger.

Why…

Why couldn’t they trust Jiang Ming a little more?

Why couldn’t they see the Jiang Ming they knew in their hearts?

Had all these days of bonding meant nothing?

Unable to make choices or reveal the truth on Jiang Ming’s behalf, Lin Qi carefully weighed her words before speaking in a tone laced with disappointment, “So, none of you believe Jiang Ming either? Forget not knowing the truth right now, even if her father really did kill someone, can’t you at least consider the reasons behind it? We’ve had a good relationship since entering the camp, and you’ve all witnessed Jiang Ming’s actions firsthand. Are you seriously afraid she’d kill you?”

As expected, her words swayed the already hesitant contestants back toward Jiang Ming’s side. Before Zhu Yu could interject, Lin Qi cut her off. “And you believing every rumor you hear. Today, it’s Jiang Ming. You want to push her out of the C-position and take her place. Then what? Who among us will you target next?”

The stern rebuke left Zhu Yu drowning in the same helplessness Jiang Ming had felt earlier condemned by all, with no way to defend herself. She glanced at the other contestants, who now regarded her with open disdain, and attempted a final rebuttal. “Lin Qi and Jiang Ming are roommates! Of course she’s biased toward Jiang Ming. Don’t let her mislead you!”

Lin Qi had been waiting for Zhu Yu to bring up their living arrangement.

Crossing her arms, she loomed over Zhu Yu with an undeniable height advantage. “So what? If Jiang Ming were truly a bad person, do you think I’d defend her like this? Or are you planning to slander me next, claiming I’m also the daughter of a murderer?”

She stepped closer, towering over the trembling girl. “Honestly, I found you suspicious this afternoon acting all guilty, like you were up to no good. And sure enough, you targeted Jiang Ming. So, who’s next? Me? Or Tan Yi?”

“I, I didn’t!”

Lin Qi nodded, a cold smirk playing on her lips. “Right, you didn’t. But what about the person behind you? Are they just using you as cannon fodder while they stay hidden? Don’t think I don’t know who started the rumors in the first place.”

“Wh-what are you talking about? I don’t understand!”

“You don’t need to understand. Song Jin does. Tell her this: if she dares to scheme against Jiang Ming again, she’ll regret it. She’s not the only one with connections, I have them too. The Lin family’s influence is no less than the Song family’s.”

Song Jin?!

At this, Tan Yi finally remembered something and raised her hand. “Captain, I saw Zhu Yu talking to Song Jin in the bathroom during dinner. They must have been discussing this.”

Shrugging her shoulders, Lin Qi flashed an icy glare for the first time. “Zhu Yu, do you still want to deny it?”

“No! I swear I didn’t see Song Jin at dinner!”

By this point, everyone understood the situation. Lin Qi hadn’t planned to say more, but then the previously silent door swung open. Wei Xuanyue walked in with a dark expression, seeing the usually sweet girl with a cold face was quite the sight.

Lin Qi was surprised. What was Xuanyue doing here?

“Zhu Yu, you’re disqualified from the competition.”

Her usually cheerful voice was now frosty. Wei Xuanyue’s chest heaved with barely suppressed anger. “The notice just came down. You violated the rules by slandering a teammate. Pack your bags and get out.”

“Xuanyue?”

“Xiao Qi, I’m sorry. I just found out about this. My mom called and told me that Song Xiaoyuan that bastard, was using his influence to force Jiang Ming to quit. She knew Jiang Ming was my friend and told me to come check on things.”

“So, you used your influence to get Zhu Yu kicked out instead?”