Transmigrated into the Villainous Scummy Alpha in a Talent Show Novel - Chapter 31

The next day, when they gathered at the square, it was already time for the second performance song selection. The show’s host held the script, looking somewhat troubled.

“Good morning, everyone. Next, let’s have our three auditing trainees stand to the side. Miss Jing, please introduce yourself.”

Jiang Ming had been taken away early in the morning turns out, she was changed into the gray training uniform exclusive to auditing trainees. Lin Qi observed her calm expression and couldn’t help but admire how the aloof female lead looked even more striking in cool-toned attire. But out of curiosity, she spared a glance at the parachuted auditing trainee.

After all, this was yet another character not mentioned in the book.

At first glance, it was obvious she was a proud and haughty young lady. Even in the gray training uniform, she unconsciously tilted her slightly rounded oval chin upward. Though her bright, expressive eyes gave her a youthful charm, she crossed her arms, exuding an air of “stay away.”

“My name is Jing Sha, ‘Jing’ as in scenery, ‘Sha’ as in gauze.”

Miss Jing was actually quite exasperated. She had clearly told her father she wanted to be an actress to get closer to her favorite film queen. So how did she end up being sent to an idol survival show instead?

Her father had even tossed out a teasing remark: “Your beloved film queen’s team mentioned that her next project’s co-star will be the center of this show. If you want to work with her, go fight for that center position.”

With the competition already a third of the way through and the public’s chosen center, Lin Qi, practically untouchable, what was she supposed to fight for?

If she managed to debut at all, she’d have to suspect her father secretly slipped some money under the table.

So, Jing Sha scanned the room full of trainees eyeing her with hostility and sighed helplessly. She didn’t want to take up an auditing trainee spot either!

Seeing Miss Jing’s sour expression, the host felt even more of a headache coming on. According to the Jing family patriarch’s instructions, not only did Jing Sha have to join the show, but she also had to enjoy herself…

Help. He was just a host.

“Alright, let’s proceed with the song selection for the second performance. The second performance will focus on specialized stages vocal, dance, and creation. Each category has three teams, with seven members per team. The screen will now display the songs and choreography for the vocal and dance groups. The creation group is a blank slate, within these ten days, you’ll need to complete the lyrics, choreography, and arrangement entirely on your own. Anyone up for the challenge?”

Lin Qi focused intently on the screen. Ever since she altered a key plot point in the book yesterday, she no longer had any knowledge of what would happen next. The butterfly effect had begun, and she had no idea what surprises the second performance might bring.

Though knowing the book’s plot wouldn’t have helped much anyway, the story was told mainly from Jiang Ming’s perspective. After the female lead was eliminated, it barely touched on the rest of the competition, let alone this parachuted auditing trainee, Jing Sha.

After watching all six songs, Lin Qi thought one of the vocal group’s love songs would suit Jiang Ming perfectly. But this time, the contestants would choose songs based on their rankings, while the three auditing trainees could only leave it to fate.

Anxious enough to break a sweat in late April, Lin Qi glanced worriedly in Jiang Ming’s direction, only to be interrupted by the host.

“Now, let’s invite our first-place contestant, Lin Qi, to select her song.”

Pulling her gaze back, she hesitated. Though she already had a preference in mind, Lin Qi couldn’t stop thinking about what Jiang Ming would do.

“Don’t hesitate anymore. Auditing students can only fill in the spots at the end. Lin Qi, you should still pick a song you’re good at.”

Meeting the show producer’s gaze, the teasing in his eyes made Lin Qi realize her feelings were far too obvious. But after his lighthearted jest, it was all cloaked under the guise of friendship.

Unsure whether to thank the producer or not, Lin Qi gently bit her lower lip before decisively walking toward the dance group. If she set aside Jiang Ming, she truly wanted to lose herself in a powerful dance routine for once.

Having been on this talent show for nearly a month, performing the energetic and cute theme song, dancing a slow and melancholic routine, Lin Qi had almost forgotten that in her past life, she had risen to fame through powerful dance.

The moment she saw the choreography for this song on the big screen, she fell in love with it instantly. Without a second thought, Lin Qi stood behind the placard for The Last Waltz.

With its strong rhythm and lyrics tinged with yandere vibes, she could already picture the aesthetic beauty of everyone waltzing with mannequins dressed in wedding gowns. As an art enthusiast, she was utterly smitten.

“Alright, let’s invite the second-place contestant to make her choice.”

The selection process continued in order, but Lin Qi found it strange. Although the dance for her song was somewhat challenging, it shouldn’t have been so off-putting that even after the C-class trainees had chosen, her group only had three members, one of whom was her old friend Tan Yi.

The moment Tan Yi joined, she excitedly slapped Lin Qi’s shoulder. “I thought I wouldn’t get to pick this song! Who knew it’d be this unpopular?”

“Some things are better left unsaid.”

Lin Qi crossed her arms, feeling a headache coming on. There was no way she could let Jiang Ming join this song now.

“Originally, Wei Xuanyue was going to pick this too, but the moment she heard how much I loved it, she rushed off to the creative group instead, like she was afraid of being in the same team as me.”

Letting Tan Yi’s chatter fade into the background, Lin Qi frowned and focused, waiting for the D-class trainees to make their choices. Sure enough, by the time all sixty contestants had picked their songs, The Last Waltz only had five members, one fewer than even the unfilled creative group.

Was the choreography really that discouraging?

“Alright, as you can see, The Last Waltz team is still short two members, while the creative group is missing one. However, auditing students don’t have the right to choose. Lin Qi, please select two auditing students to join your team.”

The producer’s look practically screamed, Pick Jiang Ming already! He had even set up the opportunity for her.

But Lin Qi knew all too well, this dance was too difficult. Her team already had herself, Tan Yi, and another popular contestant. If Jiang Ming joined, she would definitely not make it into the top three, meaning she’d be eliminated.

If she went to the creative group instead, Lin Qi had deliberately observed earlier, most of the trainees there were from the D-class, with even the team leader being Wei Xuanyue from the C-class. If Jiang Ming performed well there, she could at least secure second place.

With Wei Xuanyue looking out for her, Lin Qi could rest easy.

Pressing her lips together, Lin Qi avoided Jiang Ming’s hopeful gaze. “I choose Yuan Li and Jing Sha.”

The moment the words left her mouth, Tan Yi behind her gasped, the producer’s eyes widened in shock, and even Yuan Li looked stunned. Though she did prefer The Last Waltz, even someone unfamiliar with Lin Qi knew about the ambiguous relationship between her and Jiang Ming.

Out of three options, she had to pick two and deliberately leave out Jiang Ming?

Yuan Li cautiously glanced at the girl who was hanging her head, looking utterly dejected. The determination that had been in her eyes earlier had now turned into profound disappointment.

To be honest, even as an omega, she couldn’t help but feel a pang of sympathy for Jiang Ming. It was the kind of emotion one feels when seeing something beautiful wronged, like a delicate, vibrant flower blooming by the roadside. Those who appreciate its beauty would admire it, yet fear it being plucked too roughly.

Compared to the many stunned faces in the room, the only one who stood out was the young lady of the Jing family. Her expression froze in an instant, what on earth was this?

If she remembered correctly, The Last Waltz was the group she least wanted to join. Just moments ago, Jing Sha had been daydreaming beautifully, Lin Qi wasn’t stupid, after all. She would surely pick Yuan Li, whose dancing skills were outstanding, and Jiang Ming, who had a close relationship with her. That way, Jing Sha could quietly slip away and laze around in the creative group.

But then, what had she just heard?

Jing Sha took a step forward, glancing back every few steps with a pleading look at the show’s host. Help! She was a pampered young lady who barely exercised, she couldn’t sing, couldn’t dance, and now she was supposed to belt high notes and perform intense choreography here?

Dad, I was wrong!

“Alright, then Jiang Ming will automatically join the creative group. The second performance’s groupings are now complete. Everyone, please head to your assigned classrooms for training.”

The host finished reading from the script and shrugged helplessly at Miss Jing. The cameras were rolling, there was nothing he could do.

Lin Qi led the group to the classroom, only to find An Zi Zi there again. Wait, wasn’t the visiting mentor’s role supposed to end after the first performance?

“President Song thought I was fair, so he assigned me as the dance instructor.”

Nodding, Lin Qi met An Zi Zi’s all-seeing gaze and let out an awkward laugh. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to see her, it was just that the sight of her made Lin Qi nervous.

“Um, Instructor An, I should mention this upfront, I don’t know how to dance.”

Hearing this, An Zi Zi frowned and turned her sharp gaze toward the timid Jing Sha. Her already cold and striking demeanor grew even more rigid, as if she couldn’t quite comprehend it. “If you can’t dance, why did you join this group?”

“I was dragged in against my will. Auditors don’t get a choice. Who would’ve thought Captain Lin would pick me and Yuan Li but not Jiang Ming?”

At Jing Sha’s words, Lin Qi suddenly had an epiphany. She hadn’t explained to Jiang Ming why she hadn’t chosen her. During the selection earlier, Jiang Ming’s eyes had clearly been pleading for Lin Qi to pick her.

Yet, in the end, Lin Qi had chosen Jing Sha, who couldn’t dance over her.

“Instructor An, nature calls. I’ll step out for a moment.”

From Jing Sha’s words, it wasn’t hard to deduce Lin Qi’s real reason for leaving. An Zi Zi’s eyes dimmed slightly, but she nodded in the end. “Go ahead.”

Completely unaware that she’d been found out, Lin Qi clutched her stomach in feigned pain and hurried out of the classroom. She then began searching room by room until she finally found the sign for Creative Group 3, only to discover it was completely empty.

“That’s weird.”

Frowning, she pressed her face against the window to peer inside. Sure enough, there wasn’t a soul in sight. Lin Qi pouted and stepped back, only to turn around and find a cold-faced beauty standing right beside her.

A beauty who was freezingly cold.

“Jiang Ming! I was just looking for you. Why isn’t anyone training in the classroom?”

Unlike last night’s soft and sweet demeanor, Jiang Ming raised an eyebrow and looked up at Lin Qi, her tone once again cool and distant. “Captain Lin, shouldn’t you be practicing your dance with your two auditors? What are you doing looking for someone from the creative team?”

Ouch, when did the female lead learn to be so sarcastic?

Lin Qi felt a headache coming on and was momentarily at a loss for words. But seeing Jiang Ming still standing there with a cold expression, seemingly waiting for her to say something, she finally had a moment of clarity. The mouth on her face finally proved useful.

“I didn’t choose you for a reason. The dance in my group is too difficult, you don’t have the foundation to master it easily. Plus, my group already has three popular contestants, including me, so it’d be hard for you to make the top three. The creative team is different. There’s only Xuan Yue as the standout, and she can take care of you. The choreography can also be tailored to your comfort zone.”

“Really?”

Hearing this, Jiang Ming’s expression finally softened. Heaven knew how hurt she had been when Lin Qi didn’t pick her, she had assumed it was because her dancing was too poor and Lin Qi was worried about the stage performance.

If that were the case, Jiang Ming could understand Lin Qi’s concerns, but she couldn’t help feeling upset. So, she had hidden her emotions behind a cold facade.

But this was good too. Like someone spoiled by affection, as if confident that Lin Qi would always coax her, Jiang Ming reverted to her student-day quirks. It felt like she had the right to act coy and willful unlike herself, yet also exactly like herself.

When she saw Lin Qi’s smiling, crescent-shaped eyes and heard her firm yet warm “Really,” Jiang Ming couldn’t help but hug her. Her voice returned to its soft, sweet tone, but with the same determination. “Lin Qi, don’t worry. I’ll definitely make it into the top three. I want to stay.”

Patting Jiang Ming’s head, Lin Qi replied, “I believe in you.”

After their brief reunion, the two returned to their respective classrooms. The moment Lin Qi stepped inside, she heard Jing Sha’s agonized wails.

“I can’t do it, I can’t! My back really won’t bend any further!”

Following the sound, she saw An Zizi pressing down on Jing Sha’s shoulders to force her into a backbend, while Yuan Li supported the stiff waist of this young lady, probably to keep her from falling.

Spotting Lin Qi in her upside-down view, Jing Sha’s tears streamed from the pain. The pampered heiress whined like a Shar-Pei, “Lin Qi! Do you have a grudge against me? Why did you pick me?! Ah, ow ow ow! Teacher An, be gentler!”

All Lin Qi could do was turn away and laugh unapologetically.