Transmigrated into the Villainous Scummy Alpha in a Talent Show Novel - Chapter 65

Early in the morning, just after waking up, Lin Qi was startled by the sound of the program crew knocking on her dormitory door. Rubbing her eyes, she realized she hadn’t slept well the night before. Perhaps it was the difficulty of adjusting from luxury to simplicity, ever since she had slept holding Jiang Ming, sleeping alone now felt like something was missing.

Even hugging an extra pillow didn’t bring her any comfort.

With a sigh, she glanced at Jiang Ming, who had also been woken up, before getting out of bed to open the door. “What’s going on?”

Standing outside was Song En, leaning on a crutch, offering an apologetic smile. “Sorry to wake you so early. Since you and Pei Zhirong signed that endorsement deal yesterday, you two need to go film today. The earlier you start, the sooner you can return after all, the mentor collaboration stage only gives you three days to prepare. Time is money.”

Nodding, Lin Qi checked the time on her phone only 5:03 AM. But seeing Song En already dressed and ready to fetch her at this hour, her competitive spirit flared up. There’s no way I’m losing to the official pairing!

Her drowsy eyes instantly sharpened with determination as she headed to the sink to wash up, forcing a reluctant tone. “Song En, why don’t you come in and sit for a bit?”

“No need. I still have to find contestant Yuan Li to teach me some dance moves.”

That suited her just fine, but Lin Qi still pretended to insist. “Oh, come on, it’s so early. Yuan Li might not even be awake yet.”

Yet upon hearing this, Song En, who had been about to leave, paused. She frowned slightly, murmuring almost to herself, “You’re right, I shouldn’t disturb her sleep.”

“Then I’ll impose on you for a bit.”

Lin Qi’s smile instantly stiffened. Gripping her toothbrush tightly, she guided Song En to sit at the desk. “You can wait here. I’ll finish washing up and head out for the shoot. Hey, are you coming with me?”

She wasn’t actually asking because she wanted Song En’s company, she just didn’t want those two left alone together. And besides, this was her and Jiang Ming’s dorm!

Lin Qi wouldn’t even let Song En sit on the bed.

“Is contestant Jiang Ming awake?”

Wow, straight to Jiang Ming, huh? You really love her.

Grinding her teeth, Lin Qi glanced at Jiang Ming, who was sitting on the bed looking dazed, and exhaled sharply through her nose, her voice strained with forced politeness. “She’s awake.”

Jiang Ming had been confused since the early-morning knock. Still groggy from sleep, she glanced between the composed Song En and the visibly irritated Lin Qi, assuming the latter was still upset about the previous rigging incident. Frowning, she replied coolly, “Song En, I’m awake. What’s the matter?”

“Nothing much. Just letting you know I’ll be accompanying contestant Lin Qi to film the endorsement.”

What the hell?

Midway through brushing her teeth with enough force to make her gums bleed, Lin Qi froze at those words. That kind of statement, sounding like a report, was something you’d only hear between lovers or from someone trying to preemptively avoid misunderstandings.

Song En’s case was definitely the latter. Does she already know about Jiang Ming and me? And she’s… okay with it?

Her movements softened, and she flushed with embarrassment over her earlier pettiness. She wanted to explain, but her mouth was full of toothpaste foam, so she stayed silent.

Jiang Ming also found the statement odd. What does that mean? Is Song En worried I’ll misunderstand something between her and Lin Qi?

She shook her head. How could that even happen? If Lin Qi doesn’t outright dislike Song En, that’s already being generous.

“I know.”

“No, you don’t, Rinko. Can I ask you something? Why have you had a grudge against me from the very beginning?”

The toothbrush was already put away, and now she was spreading foam on her face. Rinko pondered, how could she say, Because you’re the canon love interest for my girlfriend? She lowered her voice. “Because of that rigged match.”

“No. The first time we met was before the match. You already disliked me back then. Can I know the reason?”

Just like in the book, because of her blindness, Song Eun’s other senses were sharp. And because of her disability, she had endured many hardships, making her sensitive. The hostility Rinko had tried so hard to conceal was instantly picked up by her.

“I had a dream once. In it, someone with the surname Song stole my girlfriend. So I felt a bit resentful toward you. Sorry about that.”

“Was it Jiang Ming? You dreamed that I would take her away?”

The sound of running water filled the room as Rinko rinsed the foam off her face, then wiped away the remaining droplets with a towel. When she turned around, she met Jiang Ming’s complicated gaze expectant, probing, and tinged with displeasure.

“Yes.”

Telling it as a dream was close enough to the truth. Finally unburdened of all her secrets, Rinko sighed in relief. She didn’t plan on putting on makeup. After changing in the bathroom, she walked up to Song Eun and grabbed her phone. “Let’s go. I’m ready.”

Unexpectedly, Song Eun shook her head from where she sat on the stool. “I’ll wait for you downstairs. I think Jiang Ming has something to say to you. I could feel her watching you.”

“Mm.”

The sound of the cane tapping against the floor gradually faded. As Rinko closed the door, she caught sight of the brightening sky, maybe they’d even see the sunrise on the way to the shoot.

Her wandering thoughts snapped back to reality. For some reason, she didn’t want to talk about this with Jiang Ming. But when she turned around and saw the frown on her face, Rinko sighed. “I’m sorry. There’s one more thing I’ve kept from you.”

At the same time, Jiang Ming’s voice turned noticeably colder. “You still haven’t told me the truth.”

Both of them froze for a moment. Jiang Ming recovered first, propping a pillow behind her and crossing her arms, her habitual posture when scrutinizing something. “Is it related to Song Eun?”

Rinko was used to her soft, sweet voice. Now, hearing it so distant and cold, she felt awful. Honestly, she didn’t care much about revealing the transmigration part. It was just her possessiveness acting up, she didn’t want Jiang Ming to know that Song Eun was her canon love interest.

“Your dream… wasn’t really a dream, was it? Meaning, if you hadn’t come, I would’ve ended up with Song Eun?”

The coldness wasn’t just in her tone, the words themselves stung. Rinko knew there was no hiding it anymore and nodded. “Yes. If I hadn’t come, you and Song Eun would’ve been happy together.”

For a moment, silence filled the dorm. Jiang Ming raised a hand to cover her eyes, she must’ve been holding back for a long time, but her voice still cracked with emotion. “No, I wouldn’t have been happy.”

Rinko had been sulking over her own words about them being “happy together,” but seeing Jiang Ming cry threw her off balance. Flustered, she dropped to one knee beside the bed. “Wait, why are you crying? Shouldn’t I be the one crying? I almost lost my girlfriend to someone else!”

Unable to suppress her trembling voice, Jiang Ming could only try to cover her reddened eyes. She couldn’t quite define the emotion swirling inside her something akin to relief, yet laced with lingering fear, as if she had been pulled back from the edge of a cliff but still teetered precariously.

“I”

The moment she uttered that single word, her voice seemed to vanish. A sudden wave of unease washed over her, and she lowered her hand, turning to look at Lin Qi, who wore a deeply concerned expression, as if seeking confirmation.

Seeing Lin Qi still by her side, Jiang Ming felt a flicker of reassurance, yet the distance between them suddenly felt too vast. She reached out, wrapping her arms around Lin Qi’s neck, then buried her face in the crook of her neck, where the familiar scent of sandalwood enveloped her. The warmth steadied her restless heart.

“Nuonuo, what’s wrong?”

Completely baffled by Jiang Ming’s tears and with her already low emotional intelligence, Lin Qi had expected anger for keeping secrets, not this soft, clingy embrace paired with quiet sobbing.

And that phrase “wouldn’t be happy” did it mean that even if Lin Qi hadn’t come, Jiang Ming wouldn’t have found happiness with Song En?

Unconsciously, the corners of Lin Qi’s lips curled upward. She couldn’t contain her joy, this feeling of being needed was absolutely exhilarating.

What had always mattered most to her was Jiang Ming’s stance. After all, both she and Song En had played the role of savior, though Lin Qi’s temperament was admittedly better than Song En’s, outwardly gentle but inwardly fragile.

But did that difference in personality truly matter to Jiang Ming?

Today, Lin Qi had her answer. In Jiang Ming’s heart, she was better than Song En.

Gently patting Jiang Ming’s trembling back, a gesture she was growing accustomed to Lin Qi murmured softly, “Tell me why you’re crying, okay? Seeing you like this breaks my heart. You should be angry right now yelling at me for keeping things from you. Then it’d be my turn to cry.”

Jiang Ming let out a small laugh, her face still buried in Lin Qi’s shoulder, her cheeks, ears, and neck flushed crimson with embarrassment. She didn’t understand why she had become so emotional. Before meeting Lin Qi, she had always handled everything on her own.

But ever since Lin Qi came into her life, she had grown softer, more prone to tears.

Perhaps it was the comfort of having someone to lean on knowing Lin Qi would indulge her, she had grown spoiled, shedding tears just to receive warm hugs and tender words.

“I, I was scared”

Frowning, Lin Qi leaned back slightly, tilting Jiang Ming’s face up to meet her gaze. “Scared of what?”

Unsure if her tear-streaked face looked too pitiful, Jiang Ming hesitated to lift her head, yet she yearned for the warmth in Lin Qi’s bright, gentle eyes. She stole a glance before lowering her gaze again, her voice muffled and softened by tears. “I was scared,  of what would’ve happened if you hadn’t come. I, I don’t like Song En. She’d sacrifice others’ dreams for her own gain. She’s not as good as you.”

Lin Qi ruffled Jiang Ming’s fluffy, pink-tinted hair, her heart swelling at how adorable she looked. Nodding, she teased, “Of course. Who could possibly compare to me? And yet, here I am, hopelessly in love with you. Shouldn’t you stop crying now? How about a smile?”

Instead of answering, Jiang Ming shifted, rising from her seated position to kneel on the bed. She wrapped her arms around Lin Qi’s waist, clinging tightly. “When I’m a little braver… will you tell me about my past? The real story?”

“Do you really want to know?”

“Mmm, I want to know just how happy I am right now, but don’t tell me yet. I’d still be scared looking back.”

With a sigh, Lin Qi held her tighter. “Don’t be afraid. I’m always here, always will be.”