Transmigrated into the Villainous Scummy Alpha in a Talent Show Novel - Chapter 51

The following days served as a much-needed break for the exhausted trainees. The program team announced the song selection rules for the third performance via broadcast: fans would vote to choose the songs for them. The top seven members voted for a song would form the group performing it, while those ranked outside the top seven would be assigned to other songs. This tested the fans’ understanding of their idols and their ability to gauge their favorites’ rankings accurately.

Lin Qi didn’t idle away these three days either. From her mother, she learned that An Zizi and the program’s initiator had been frequently visiting President Song En’s office. Meanwhile, photos of Xia Lian “making three visits to a thatched cottage” trended online, sparking speculation that she was negotiating better terms before disbandment. But Xia Lian’s alt account posted a cryptic Weibo message:

“It’s not about better terms, it’s about being desperate to leave this company that tramples on others’ dreams.”

The most shocking part was her mother’s move: publicly extending an olive branch under the post using the company’s official account. Now, it was impossible for anyone not to understand what Xia Lian was hinting at.

Wasn’t it the very injustice Lin Qi had faced?

Though deeply moved by so many people standing up for her, Lin Qi knew this wasn’t an issue they could resolve.

She didn’t slack off on practice either. These days, she immersed herself in the training room, learning basic dance moves with Jiang Ming and practicing choreography on her own to prepare for the upcoming performance. After all, she’d seen on fan forums that her supporters had overwhelmingly voted for the first song a powerful, high-energy dance track. The program initiator mentioned that all five songs for this round were freshly composed, and the choreography likely wasn’t ready yet.

That morning, as she was practicing, the program team summoned everyone to the plaza via broadcast to announce the song selections for the third performance.

Finally, both in Class A, Lin Qi and Jiang Ming stood side by side in matching pink training outfits, holding hands a picture-perfect pair.

The program initiator stood by the large screen across the plaza, holding a script listing the seven members assigned to each song. When his eyes landed on the last song, he couldn’t help but sigh.

“Today, we’ve gathered everyone to announce the song selections for the third performance. This time, your fans chose for you. We hope you’ll deliver an outstanding stage and live up to their expectations.”

“The first song is Ember. The leader for this song is our so-called ‘eternal runner-up’.

Pursing her lips, Lin Qi knew it was the trainee who’d ranked second in the last elimination. Well, given her own ranking, she’d probably be assigned to a later song. Surely Song En wouldn’t rig even the song selections?

But as the names of all seven members for Ember were announced, Lin Qi’s name was conspicuously absent. Tan Yi, standing beside her, shot Lin Qi a stunned look when her own name was called. Hadn’t they seen on Wei Xuanyue’s phone that fans had voted for Lin Qi as the leader for Ember?!

Lin Qi forced a smile and nodded at Tan Yi. “Go ahead.”

Biting her lower lip, Lin Qi lowered her head after Tan Yi left. Ember was a song she loved its composition and lyrics brimming with power. This performance would mark the debut of each song’s original lineup. To be stripped of such a great song, honestly, she was furious.

The anger only intensified upon hearing that Song Jin had also joined The Spark. Lin Qi’s tightly clenched fists at her sides were gently enveloped by Jiang Ming’s reassuring grasp. Raising her head, Lin Qi met Jiang Ming’s equally indignant gaze, yet the latter still softened her eyes to comfort her.

Shaking her head, Lin Qi tried to calm herself and smiled at Jiang Ming. “I’m fine. I just really liked the first song. Not being able to sing it feels a bit disappointing, that’s all.”

But as the next three songs were announced, her name still wasn’t called. Only Wei Xuanyue, Jiang Ming, and herself remained in Class A. What was going on?

Only the fifth song was left First Love

Honestly, in her past life, even after debuting for two years, Lin Qi had never sung a sweet, saccharine song. Her expression nearly faltered as the show’s host announced, “For the final song, First Love, the remaining seven contestants will join this group. Jiang Ming, since you received the highest votes, you’ll be the leader.” The three of them silently made their way to the fifth song’s team.

Jiang Ming wasn’t entirely surprised. She had seen on Lin Qi’s phone that fans had voted for her to perform First Love. After all, she had recently dyed her hair pink, and though her features were cool and elegant, her smile was soft and sweet making her a good fit for a cute concept.

But Lin Qi?

Why had she ended up in the First Love group?

With Wei Xuanyue’s comforting hand on her left shoulder and Jiang Ming on her right, along with Yuan Li’s worried gaze from behind, Lin Qi forced a smile despite her unhappiness. “Why the long faces? This is First Love shouldn’t we be sweet and happy?”

Deliberately raising her hands beside her cheeks in a peace sign, Lin Qi pursed her lips into a smile. “Well? Sweet enough?”

It was hard to describe the effect someone with such striking, spirited features softening her usually charming peach-blossom eyes, the curve of her crescent-moon smile on her petite face actually making her look somewhat adorable.

The three, who had been sulking, couldn’t help but laugh. Jiang Ming pinched Lin Qi’s cheeks. “Very cute. With your skills, First Love will definitely be interpreted perfectly.”

Lin Qi nodded smugly, crossing her arms. “Of course! Who do you think I am?”

Wei Xuanyue watched the sweet interaction between the two without a word. Maybe Lin Qi joining the First Love group wasn’t so bad? She had once harbored the mischievous thought of wanting to see Lin Qi act cute now, by some twist of fate, it had come true.

While the other six contestants went to the practice room to wait for their instructor, Lin Qi found a quiet corner. Relying on her excellent memory, she dialed the number from yesterday’s call. The first attempt was hung up on. She tried again, and this time, the call was quickly answered by a gentle voice. “Hello, who is this?”

Song En really knew how to put on an act, playing the polite and kind stranger.

Lin Qi scoffed coldly. “Song En, do you believe me when I say that even if I withdraw from this survival show, you still won’t gain control of the Song family?”

“Lin Qi? What do you mean?”

The voice instantly turned cautious, confirming Lin Qi’s suspicions.

“Your so-called ‘difficult situation’ is it because of your illegitimate sister, Song Jin? Or should I say, Song Xiaoyuan?”

After a long silence, Song En’s voice darkened. “I don’t understand what you’re talking about.”

“You’re just blind, not deaf. Do you really think your spoiled half-sister would ever let you off the hook? If your father hadn’t suddenly passed away, do you think you’d have been released from the hospital? People’s hearts are biased, you don’t actually believe Song Xiaoyuan’s mother would ever support you, do you?”

“How do you know all this?”

Lin Qi had pieced together that Song Jin was Song En’s sister after all, she’d read about it in the book. Song En had been confined in a hospital by her stepmother until her father’s unexpected death last month, which forced her release to manage the company. But now that things had settled, why would her stepmother, Song Jin’s mother simply hand the company over to her?

And who else would have such a strong vendetta against her, demanding she withdraw from the competition, other than Song Jin, who had a soft spot for Wei Xuanyue?

Then there was Song En’s warning, that if Lin Qi didn’t drop out, the competition would take a turn for the worse. That could only mean her stepmother was threatening her: if Lin Qi wasn’t forced out, control of the company would fall into Song Jin’s hands.

About 30% of this was speculation, but judging by Song En’s reaction now, she’d guessed right on all counts.

With a confident smile, Lin Qi said, “Don’t underestimate me. To be honest, I really dislike Song Jin. Since we share a common enemy, why not work together?”

Truthfully, she had no desire to collaborate with Song En. Someone who had once tried to harm her was instinctively unlikable, and the fact that she was Jiang Ming’s canon love interest only deepened Lin Qi’s distaste. But right now, stuck in the training camp, her influence was too limited.

“How would we cooperate?”

Song En’s polite, gentle voice barely concealed her excitement. She tightened her grip on the phone, her closed eyes stinging as if she could finally see a way out from under the thumb of those two leeches, her stepmother and half-sister.

“It’s simple. I’ll handle things in the camp, You just need to come in afterward and clean up the mess.”

“Deal!”

“As for my third performance, I expect you to be fair. This time, it’s not just me, my friends Jiang Ming and Wei Xuanyue are also in the First Love group. I don’t want them dragged down because of me.”

“Don’t worry! I never planned to interfere with the third performance anyway. Yuan Li, is in your group too. Could you not tell her about what I did before?”

Her previously calm voice suddenly wavered with unease. Lin Qi frowned in confusion. Why did Song En care so much about Yuan Li?

“Fine. Since we’ve agreed to cooperate for mutual benefit, I won’t hurt anyone you care about. I expect the same from you.”

With their tentative alliance formed, Lin Qi hung up and sighed, heading toward the First Love group’s practice room. As she walked, she mulled over the best time to execute her plan. That bastard Song Jin had been living too comfortably, repeatedly targeting her and those around her.

When she pushed open the door and saw An Zizi again, Lin Qi was surprised. “Instructor An, aren’t you supposed to be teaching The Spark group?”

Why was the aloof, domineering instructor here coaching First Love instead?

“Teach my ass. That group’s full of nepotism hires.”

Her blunt outburst drew laughter from the trainees. Lin Qi took the seat left open for her between Jiang Ming and Wei Xuanyue. Meeting Jiang Ming’s concerned gaze, she flashed a bright smile and leaned in to whisper, “Don’t worry. I’ve settled things with Song En.”

Jiang Ming also nodded, cautiously glancing at the visibly furious An Zizi, and whispered to Lin Qi, “Teacher An has been scolding here for five minutes now.”

Although she had initially felt some hostility toward An Zizi due to her relationship with Lin Qi, after spending so much time together, Jiang Ming had genuinely grown fond of the straightforward, kind, and outspoken teacher. Moreover, she knew the Lin Qi beside her wasn’t the same person as before, so there was no need for jealousy anymore. Thus, she hoped Lin Qi could calm down An Zizi, whose face was flushed with anger.

With a helpless smile, Lin Qi stood up, took An Zizi outside, and explained the truth and their current plan to her.

An Zizi’s mood instantly lifted, her eyes sparkling with eager excitement. “When? How can I help?”

“No rush. Let Song Jin gloat for a couple more days. Don’t be angry we still have dance lessons to attend.”