Chapter 123
"I'm moved to tears. I initially joined the fandom because of Girls' Generation. Now, more than a decade has passed, and my youth is gone, but I can still see newcomers dancing this dance and singing this song."
"Now it's Girls' Generation, in the future it will be Girls' Generation, forever Girls' Generation!"
"Into the New World," I really like this translation. When we meet again, it will be in another world. This phrase is strangely fitting in the current context, evoking a sense of nostalgia for a long-awaited reunion.
"It's a pity that the three-person version of 'Reunion World' lacked a lot of impact, far inferior to the nine-person synchronized dance. The final result still depends on the lead singer's performance."
The comments section was buzzing with excitement, clearly indicating that the anticipation was high even before the episode began.
Xie Qingxuan's "Flow State" only serves as a closing act, rather than completely controlling the audience's emotional freedom.
Even though going on stage leaves many people feeling mentally satisfied and emotionally drained, this debut song, which originated from the pioneer of Chao Nation girl groups, is an irresistible wave of nostalgia for the audience of "Flash Dance" and even most viewers in the Live Broadcast Room.
That special emotion, fermented over the years, completely transcended the individual stage, dispelling the debuffs imposed by [Flow State] and rekindling their interest in the stage.
On the other hand, this interest stemming solely from the dance track "Into the New World" has both advantages and disadvantages for Kiriwake Yayoi's group.
On the positive side, the Great Demon King's [Flow State] blockade was forcefully breached.
The downside is that viewers may unconsciously develop excessively high expectations for this performance that recreates their own youth.
--If you want to wear the crown, you must bear its weight.
Any mistake or even a minor flaw in the dance will be magnified, causing public opinion to shift and scores to plummet—a situation akin to walking a tightrope.
At this moment, on the stage.
Kiriwake Yayoi's eyes were tinged with cherry blossom pink. She was neither nervous nor worried. Even her possessiveness towards Chu Yuanqing was overwhelmed by her extremely terrifying focus the moment she stepped onto the stage.
--Idol.
If she could, she would love to ask herself a year ago if she believed that she could be so close to that word a year from now? So close that she has repeatedly stepped onto the stage under the spotlight and won so many encores and joy.
Even at my lowest point, when I was working at a convenience store cashier with my mind filled with beats and song lyrics, I would still say earnestly and firmly upon hearing this question – I believe.
Kiriwake Yayoi believed was never that she was destined to stand on the stage.
She believed in herself—the one who had been betrayed, deceived, and let down, who had fallen countless times alone, yet rose again and again, persistent, determined, passionate, and brave, dancing in the practice room while crying.
Because I believe, I am not afraid.
At this moment, [Perfect Performance Method] transcends fantasy in its intense obsession, using the surging tide of idealism as its center, continuously superimposing illusory yet real quantum states, reenacting the anomalies on the Public Performance stage, and capturing and merging the projection of the future.
--Light, free, and passionate.
The girl's dance moves were so fluid, it was as if she had replicated the style of the original girl group. Her skirt swirled and danced with her movements, and her steps were graceful and natural. Her eyes were slightly upturned, and her eyelashes were curled. Every time she glanced at the camera, her pupils seemed to sparkle with stars, and her smile was confident and determined.
This unique "Flow State" state, belonging Kiriwake Yayoi, has no fancy functions or abilities. It is like a knight guarding her childhood vow, chasing time for her across vast distances, enabling her to successfully meet her most perfect and radiant self on stage in that instant.
In just a few brief seconds, the stage presence created by the dance music, combined with a terrifying personal charisma, overwhelmed the judges' seats like a tsunami, and then, through the camera, reached the hearts of every audience member, creating deep ripples.
Youth, courage, hope...
These themes from "Into the New World" vividly leap into memory within just a few breaths rendered in the Flow State. If it weren't for the overwhelming presence of the Great Demon King leaving the audience feeling emotionally drained, the combination of the dance music itself and its nostalgic appeal would have been enough to surprise and delight the audience.
Unfortunately, this alone is not enough to immerse most of the audience in the stage.
At the same time, as the prelude to the dance music was coming to an end, the three people changed positions.
Tang Liuli replaced Kiriwake Yayoi as the Center position of the group. Her makeup was pure and innocent, her emerald green eyes made her skin look fair, and her twin ponytails made her look even more youthful. The beauty mark at the corner of her eye was alluring, and overall she was beautiful and cute.
This is not Tang Liuli's first time on stage.
This time, however, she was more serious than ever before.
It wasn't just about wanting to win back Chu Yuanqing and hoping to be admired by him; it was also because... she wanted to try, to try shining on stage as an idol.
--Life has no meaning.
These are values instilled by childhood trauma.
But the support signs held up one after another during the Public Performance, Chu Yuanqing's repeated concern and lectures, and the forced writing of homework to rack her brains to reach the word count, all awakened her numb mind and made her start to think about a question for the first time.
What is the true value of an actor?
Why do so many fans still support me after all these years? Can they find meaning in their lives through my work? Is my reason for living simply to preserve that meaning?
Tang Liuli didn't understand.
During the week she spent with Little Sakura, she absorbed many of Sakura's ideas about idols.
It was a very simple and down-to-earth idea: to live up to every fan who came for me and to bring happiness and smiles to all the audience through the stage.
Tang Liuli had to admit that Kiriwake Yayoi was not simply a bad woman; she was an innocent and stubborn idealist, the least likely fool to betray the beautiful definition of an idol, and the most idol-like idol in the entire Sea Capital of <Flash Dance>.
Even if such an ideal is a bit foolish, it is still worth considering.
Tang Liuli knew that this performance would definitely be included in the show, and that there would definitely be fans who came specifically for her to watch, observe, and love her at this moment.
Therefore, even if it wasn't out of personal desire to be with Chu Yuanqing, but simply to live up to the expectations of those who came for her, she had to uphold her values as an idol and create a stage that could bring happiness to people!
The emerald green in Tang Liuli's eyes was ignited by the raging fire, like a gemstone becoming more and more translucent in a furnace. Her thoughts quickened, her sense of time slowed down, as if she were seamlessly entering the realm of [Flow State], following in the footsteps of Little Sakura's burst of energy.
In that instant, the talent known as empathy was completely mastered, descending upon my vision in an abstract and surreal form.
An illusion so boundless it resembled a dazzling starry sky, stretching out continuously, encircling everything above, below, left, and right, even reaching the edge of one's vision. Each dim star represented a fluctuation of emotion.
This is the first time she has viewed these empathetic "stars" from a purely observational perspective.
So many, really so many.
Are all of these... audience members here to watch our performance?
Tang Liuli instantly snapped out of her illusion. She stopped thinking about when Dream Weaver Rabbit started its live stream and why the audience's emotions were so gloomy. She was only immersed in a strange joy and a kind of immense emotion.
The girl concealed the long-held melancholy in her eyes, and smiled brightly at the camera, as if revealing a long-hidden truth, and began to sing:
"I wanted to convey this to you, even though you only heard it after all the sorrowful time had passed."
--The Dad's indifference, the mother's death.
--The ignorance and despair of being treated as a tool since childhood, the past entangled in cowardice and confusion.
"Close your eyes and feel it, the throbbing in my heart, and the way my eyes look at you."
--I don't know when I forgot how to laugh.
--I don't know when I lost my reason for moving forward.
"Don't wait for a special miracle; what lies ahead is a rugged and bumpy road."
Now, I want to work hard to meet her expectations, but I am even more unwilling to let down those of you who still like me and support me even so.
--so...
"Although the unknown future and obstacles cannot be changed, I will not give up."
Please protect me and my wounded heart with your unwavering love.
It was a timbre as clear as jade, or like a clear stream dotted with ice flowers, flowing by with a tinkling sound, bringing a taste of sorrow yet determination, warmth and happiness.
In that instant, the ability called [Emotional Link] burst forth through a powerful song, encapsulating Tang Liuli's life over the past decade and weaving it into a brief, somber poem.
--It begins with feelings of loneliness, sorrow, anger, and fear.
--Using a middle tone of unfreedom, cowardice, confusion, and decadence.
Finally, hope, love, courage, and sincerity become the closing notes.
All of this condenses into a burning, intense emotion, piercing the hearts of all listeners through song, spreading slowly and gently like fireworks, washing away the weariness deep within the soul, and revitalizing all emotions like a stimulant.
Incredible.
Even those who know nothing about Tang Liuli are unconsciously captivated and mesmerized by her singing.
Tang Liuli's fans felt as if they had swallowed a mouthful of shards of glass and knives. The traceable, piercing pain evoked countless memories, causing them to shed tears in a daze.
This is a child they watched grow up and develop to where he is today; a child they watched grow from having immature acting skills, a shy smile, and being somewhat timid during interviews, to becoming skilled, cheerful, and famous throughout the country, only to disappear like a shooting star for six whole years.
If Girls' Generation represents the memories and youth of many fans...
This child prodigy who once illuminated the lives of countless people remains a source of deep regret and White Moonlight memory for many viewers, representing the youth of six years ago in the height of summer.
Now... these two completely different nostalgic feelings are quietly fermenting and burning in her melodious singing, where her pronunciation, tone, breath control, and the near-perfect proportion of her true voice, falsetto, and breathy voice are all perfectly balanced.
In the month or so that Tang Liuli quietly returned to the path of stardom, countless fans have been wondering why the once cheerful and radiant child star who touched and healed countless people has become a melancholic and socially awkward girl who seems to have lost all her brilliance.
Tang Liuli has never given a direct answer to the question. Her Weibo posts are formulaic and calm, as if she deliberately erases or even avoids the six years she disappeared from the public eye.
And just a dozen seconds after the girl began to sing, all the fans felt a pang of sadness in their hearts, realizing a truth—the child they had pushed was using this song as a response to her six-year disappearance.
Tang Liuli's singing became increasingly passionate, like a slowly rising tsunami, her breath remaining steady amidst frequent dance movements, building towards the final climax.
Kiriwake Yayoi's [Flow State] continues to shine, pushing the stage atmosphere to even greater heights.
In comparison, Chu Wangshu appeared lackluster.
The reason is simple: setting aside objective factors such as ability, in the three-person version of <Into the New World>, the Center position and the lead singer account for 80% of the presence, leaving the remaining person as just a filler.
But you have to understand that maintaining a synchronized group dance with teammates of such skill level, even just being a decent background figure is a huge challenge.
Chu Wangshu was not discouraged. She had no reason to use her amateur efforts to defeat Little Sakura, who had been struggling in the industry for seven years, and even less reason to defeat her childhood idol who had become popular all over the country six years ago.
Xiao Qing once said that it doesn't matter if you're not number one.
Dad said it's okay not to work that hard.
Therefore, there is no need to be anxious or worried.
For now, all I need to do is lie low and do my best within my capabilities.
With this mindset, even in dances with numerous up-and-down and left-and-right steps, as well as high-difficulty moves like kicks and waves, she successfully kept up with her teammates' rhythm and cooperated seamlessly with them, becoming an indispensable ingredient in the harmonious blend of two different states of Flow State.
This is what girl groups are all about. Even if someone's brilliance overshadows the stage, the occasional sparkle of the supporting members will still be noticed by the audience, becoming a unique ingredient in the group and influencing the style and charm of the entire group.
Chu Wangshu may not be dazzling enough right now, but it is precisely because of her presence that her teammates can unleash their full potential without any worries.
With her Kiriwake Yayoi adjusted her breathing, took over the singing, and then handed the singing task over to the lead singer when the positions were switched again.
Tang Liuli's singing has a powerful resonance; her voice seems to pierce through the years, using a long-silent soul, somewhat timid yet gradually becoming firm, to express the courage in her heart, as if she wants to ignite the whole world with a passion that flashes like a shooting star.
"No need for extra words in our gaze; this moment stands still."
--I have already given my answer.
"I love you, that's how it feels, and it ends the confusion and hesitation."
I want to try to like more things, to find meaning in life, and to become an independent adult. Only love built on this foundation is mature and not scalding.
"The ever-changing sorrows of this world, now I say goodbye."
--From today onwards, I've decided to seriously say goodbye to the past.
"On countless unknown roads, I chase after a faint glimmer of light."
Even if it's tough, it doesn't matter; even if it means embarrassingly running away in the future, it doesn't matter.
"Together forever, until we meet again in my world."
--One day, I will become mature and rational, yet retain my youthful passion, and become a truly outstanding idol who lives up to your expectations and deserves your love...
The echo lingered.
The boundless night sky, filled with stars, once again swept across the horizon. However, unlike its previous state, which had been extinguished and dimmed by the Great Demon King, all the stars were rekindling into flames as Tang Liuli continued to sing.
Splash, splash.
A strong wind blew, and the waves surged.
All the flames of life burn brightly under the blessing of the dual [Flow State] state in Reunion World.
In that instant, as if gathering the emotions of countless people, the dark night sky suddenly shone brightly, weaving a magnificent galaxy that heals the soul.
Tang Liuli found herself in a bizarre and fantastical illusion. Her eyes widened slightly, a stark contrast to her forced experience of her mother's spiritual imprint and her past passive acceptance of others' emotions.
Those emotions, originating from the audience and fans, are incredibly gentle, like a veil of moonlight, bringing no burden whatsoever, only warmth and heartfelt comfort, falling heavily into the depths of the soul, telling of pure love.
So, my talent can be this gentle...
The stage performance slowly came to a close.
Countless pure Heart Tide, drawing upon a vast amount of magic, surged into the Moon Wing on her chest. The shimmering blue sapphire on them shimmered and shimmered, and through a twist of fate, the artificial lantern was the first to be imbued with a touch of spirituality.
Tang Liuli was still in a daze for a long time; she hadn't actually thought that much about it before going on stage.
But after truly pouring my emotions onto the stage and performing "Reunion World" with Flow State, many things I had been thinking about recently found their answers in an instant, leading to this performance that is destined to be remembered.
Kiriwake Yayoi's breathing quickened slightly, a thin layer of sweat appeared on her fair neck, and the smile she gave when looking at the camera was still sincere and joyful, full of enthusiasm and happiness.