Transmigrated into the Villainous Scummy Alpha in a Talent Show Novel - Chapter 62

“Next up, let’s welcome the ‘First Love’ team for their performance.”

Adjusting his tie as the lights dimmed, Lin Qi felt inexplicably nervous. Even though she was already a two-year veteran idol, this was just a simple, sweet song nothing that should cause any mishaps, right?

Then Yuan Li took Wei Xuanyue’s hand, singing, “You appear and disappear in my dreams, making me understand that first love requires patience.”

In the waiting room, the six members of the “Ember” team were sprawled on the sofa. Tan Yi and Jing Sha were curled up together, the former letting out a cold laugh, teeth faintly grinding.

Jing Sha, dressed in a black-and-red jumpsuit, chuckled unkindly and patted Tan Yi’s stiff shoulder, whispering, “Hey, jealous? Didn’t you say you didn’t like Xuanyue?”

“Shut up!”

After their playful scuffle, the screen zoomed in on Jiang Ming. Her pink hair made her skin appear even fairer, her smiling eyes adorned with subtle shimmer. Raising the microphone, her voice soft and sweet, was perfect for the bridge: “You always shine on me like sunlight, under that glow I’m always safe and sound. Your love is so bright, making me glow with radiant light.”

As the hook approached, Lin Qi took a deep breath and met Jiang Ming’s complicated gaze. Her originally high-pitched voice dipped slightly, and by the last line, it was almost a whisper: “No matter how the future changes, wherever you are, I’ll be there too.”

The mistake was obvious to everyone. Wei Xuanyue turned with the choreography, frowning at the dazed Lin Qi while the camera captured her back, silently mouthing, What’s wrong?

Lin Qi didn’t know why, but Jiang Ming’s gaze had sent a chill through her heart like that final look, etched with longing and reluctance. They were supposed to lock eyes here, just as they’d practiced, sweet and effortless. So why did those eyes now seem so sorrowful?

Her throat tightened. Lin Qi didn’t answer, just shook her head and forced a smile, rejoining the group dance.

From then on, she moved purely on instinct, even dreading the finale. But the three-and-a-half minutes flew by. In the darkness, Lin Qi picked up the box handed to her onstage.

Turning to Jiang Ming, the spotlight illuminated just the two of them. Lin Qi knelt on one knee, holding out the ring with a reverent expression, her eyes veiled in tender curiosity.

That gaze still lingered in her mind, puzzling her endlessly.

The slender ring finger now bore a silver-glinting diamond. According to the choreography, they were supposed to embrace. But instead, Lin Qi wrapped an arm around Jiang Ming’s narrow waist, her eyes drifting from those slightly damp fox-like eyes to the crimson lips, then leaning in for a staged kiss.

Amid the audience’s unending screams, Lin Qi pulled back just a hair’s breadth from those lips. Without accompaniment, she lifted the microphone and softly sang the closing line: “With you by my side till the end, forever might just happen by accident.”

Slumped on the sofa, the seven members of the “First Love” team sat in silence. Finally, their leader Wei Xuanyue, who was also closest to Lin Qi spoke up, sitting beside her on the couch. “Xiao Qi, what was that about?”

With a sigh, Lin Qi offered a pale smile. “I must have been half-asleep I forgot the final stage design.”

Wei Xuanyue frowned and shook her head. She wasn’t concerned about the stage performance just now; after all, the final effect had still been excellent. Their group had won praise, with Lin Qi even earning the title of “Most Liked Performer,” proving that the audience had recognized their efforts despite any mistakes.

What worried her was what was really going on with Lin Qi.

“Xiao Qi, come out for a second.”

Meeting the unusually serious gaze of the usually cheerful girl, Lin Qi stood up to follow. Truth be told, she had been wanting to talk to Wei Xuanyue as well was Jiang Ming really…? Or was she just overthinking things?

“Xuanyue, it was my mistake that threw Lin Qi off during her part.”

The two paused mid-step. Wei Xuanyue softened her expression. “Jiang Jiang, what exactly happened?”

A little amused by the stark contrast in how Wei Xuanyue treated her versus Jiang Ming, Lin Qi decided to listen carefully, was this just a momentary slip in emotional expression, or was it genuine?

Jiang Ming’s smile faltered for a split second, though no one noticed. She wore an apologetic expression as she explained, “We were supposed to exchange a look before the hook, but I got the emotion wrong. It was meant to be sweet, but I ended up looking sad, and that threw Lin Qi off.”

Wei Xuanyue clearly wasn’t convinced and voiced the question Lin Qi had been thinking: “Just a wrong expression?”

“Yeah. I’m sorry.”

Lin Qi still found it odd. That look only she had seen it had been filled with such unmistakable confusion. Could it really have just been a mistake?

Since when was their little bunny such a good actress?

But now, Jiang Ming seemed completely normal, her bashful smile as adorable as ever, with no trace of the sorrow from their earlier exchange.

Shaking off her doubts, Lin Qi reached out and ruffled Jiang Ming’s hair, her smile reassuring. “No need to apologize. The final performance was still great. First love is always bittersweet, anyway.”

“Is it?”

Lin Qi had meant it as casual comfort, but Jiang Ming’s response was unexpectedly earnest, her tone far from indifferent.

“Uh, yeah.”

“What about your first love? Was it sad?”

The truth was, Jiang Ming was her first love. Thinking back on their time together, Lin Qi realized she hadn’t really experienced much of love’s bitterness.

Aside from the sting of that slap anger and hurt, she had always held the upper hand. Sure, she’d cried from heartache over Jiang Ming, but did that count as sadness?

Before she could answer, Jiang Ming spoke again, her voice soft but her tone light, as if finally admitting something. “Mine, was.”

What did that mean?

Had Jiang Ming’s first love been filled with pain and regret?

But wasn’t she Jiang Ming’s first love?

Sensing the conversation was veering into dangerous territory though the ambiguity between Lin Qi and Jiang Ming was practically legendary among the trainees, Wei Xuanyue quickly shot Yuan Li a meaningful glance. “Hey, why don’t we go visit the Ember team’s practice room?”

The five trainees moved with perfect synchronization, and in moments, the First Love group’s lounge was left with only two people in heavy silence.

Lin Qi crouched in front of Jiang Ming, looking up at her with unwavering focus. “Nuonuo, Did I do something to upset you?”

Visibly, in an instant, Jiang Ming’s fox-like eyes reddened, the corners tinged with a faint pink. She lost her voice, covering her eyes to prevent Lin Qi from seeing.

During this time, the most prevalent emotion had been heartache. Lin Qi’s eyes also reddened, overwhelmed with discomfort. She always forgot that Jiang Ming was a sensitive and delicate girl, constantly believing that her presence alone could cure her psychological struggles.

But she wasn’t omnipotent. This girl also had a habit of putting on a brave face, bottling everything up. Unless she was at her breaking point, she would never let it out.

With one knee on the soft sofa, Lin Qi pulled the trembling figure into her arms, her heart aching. A sour emotion spread through her nose, bringing tears to her eyes as well.

“Nuo Nuo, what’s wrong? If you need to cry, cry freely, okay? Holding it in will only make it worse.”

Knowing Jiang Ming had been suppressing her emotions for too long, these tears had to flow. Lin Qi patted her back soothingly with one hand while the other cradled her head, occasionally massaging her temples where veins pulsed faintly.

Surprisingly obedient, Jiang Ming, realizing there was no point hiding anymore, buried her face in Lin Qi’s shoulder. Tears poured out uncontrollably, soaking the ivory-white shirt until it clung to her skin, the smudged makeup staining the fabric like an abstract painting.

Her shoulder grew warm, and the sound of soft, restrained sobs echoed in her ears, light and fragile, making Lin Qi’s heart ache even more. Why did even her crying have to be so cautious?

The damp heat seared through to her chest. Lin Qi sighed, comforting Jiang Ming while berating herself. She had known all along that the female lead had hidden autism and severe self-esteem issues, how could she have been so naive to think her love alone could heal everything?

Even by the end of the novel, after Jiang Ming had been with Song En for three years, she still felt unworthy, still feared being looked down upon.

So where had Lin Qi gotten the confidence to believe she could do better than Song En? How could she think that just one day together would erase all of Jiang Ming’s insecurities?

Outside, the two groups had finished their performances. Perhaps half an hour had passed. Sensing the sobs gradually quieting, Lin Qi moved to check on Jiang Ming, only to find her asleep.

A helpless smile tugged at her lips. It always seemed to be like this between them, just when explanations were needed, one of them would fall asleep.

Gently resting Jiang Ming’s head against the sofa, Lin Qi leaned down and kissed her tear-streaked eyelids. But then, the supposedly still lashes fluttered slightly this girl was pretending to sleep.

Maybe she didn’t know how to face her yet.

Glancing up at the camera overhead, Lin Qi raised a hand and made an “X” gesture, ensuring this moment wouldn’t be broadcast. Then she bent down again, pressing a kiss to her slightly salty lips.

Her open eyes caught the faint tremble of Jiang Ming’s lashes. A smile curved her lips, inadvertently parting the soft ones beneath hers. Pulling back, Lin Qi fetched makeup remover wipes and began cleaning the smudged face of the now tear-stained “little kitten.”

The announcement of first place would be made verbally by the show’s host later anyway. As she wiped away the foundation, revealing Jiang Ming’s delicate, soft features beneath, Lin Qi lowered her voice, knowing she could hear.

“I’ll love you forever. Don’t be afraid anymore, okay?”