Chapter 174
Otherwise...
Well, given Little Sakura's personality, she would never participate in such a chaotic and absurd distribution, nor would she accept compromising in this way and "sharing" Chu Yuanqing's things. She would only leave behind the words, "Each person should rely on their own abilities and pursue their goals fairly and squarely," and then turn around and leave.
But now, a simple kiss and Magic Replenishment to heal injuries are two different things.
Kiriwake Yayoi to realize something.
Upon closer reflection, it seems that Xiao Qing didn't give any of the people present a genuine kiss; it was all based on circumstances beyond her control, an accidental act of Magic Replenishment with those present.
"So, if we look at it from this perspective, we're all actually starting from the same point, right?"
Kiriwake Yayoi murmured to herself, then looked up at Xie Qingxuan and said bluntly:
"I hate it when Xiao Qing kisses other girls, because I like her, the kind of liking you have as a lover."
"But it's precisely because I love her that... I don't want her to get hurt. I believe you all feel the same way as me, or even more so."
Xie Qingxuan lowered her eyes upon hearing this, nodded, and whispered:
"Yes, I never want to see Xiao Qing cough up blood again. It's terrifying, like... I might never see her again at any moment."
Tang Liuli pursed her lips and nodded. She was still touched by the blood-stained scene, which touched her psychological scars and made her instinctively afraid. But as soon as she thought about the possibility of losing Chu Yuanqing, a fear a hundred times stronger than that overwhelmed her and surpassed the gloom of the past.
Who could forget that feeling?
It's like watching a precious gem, held close to your heart, gradually shatter, constantly intensifying the feeling of emptiness within. With each fragment that falls away, your heart is ripped open, letting something slip away forever with each drop of blood.
Tang Liuli stammered a little, but expressed her thoughts very earnestly:
"I... I don't know Xiao Qing's past, but she must have had a very hard time."
"According to online sources, Xiao Qing grew up in an orphanage, has no family, and lives in a government-subsidized rental apartment. She needs to work to support her family, so her participation in 'Flash Dance' is most likely to earn money for living expenses."
As the girl spoke, her thick eyelashes drooped, casting shadows on her eyelids, making her appear somewhat sad. She seemed to be immersed in the other person's "past," and continued:
"Even though this situation is already difficult enough, Xiao Qing still became Magical Girl."
"Although I don't know what she was fighting, it must have been a terrifying and ferocious enemy. She's not even an adult yet, she's so young, there's no reason for her to fight, and she shouldn't have been so badly injured."
The Green Eyed Cat grew increasingly sad, imagining:
"Xiao Qing is very kind and gentle. If she were to fight, it would definitely be to protect something, just like the protagonist of <Magical Girl Daliana>. Even if the enemy is terrifying, she would still pick up her Magic Wand and transform for love and peace!"
The girl's tone became firm as she spoke:
"I... I may not be able to become Magical Girl, but if it can help Xiao Qing, I can accept anything else! It doesn't matter!"
Upon hearing this, Kiriwake Yayoi was also extremely worried.
Liuli's imagination makes a lot of sense. Since the concept of Magical Girl has appeared in anime, there must also be enemies who oppose them. Otherwise, there would be no way to explain Qing Bao's injuries, which cannot be explained by normal medicine.
What if the enemy catches up with <Flash Dance>, but Qing Bao is still seriously injured?
No, following this logic, could Qing Bao have participated in <Flash Dance> just to stand in the spotlight and prevent her enemies from finding an opportunity to attack her?
Thinking about it carefully, the underground base used for the competition in Flashdance is indeed very safe.
Little Sakura continued to imagine and let her thoughts wander. She finally decided to find an opportunity to ask Qing Bao more questions about this, otherwise she wouldn't be able to stop worrying. She glanced at the two of them and said:
"Since everyone thinks this way, let's adopt a fair shift system."
Xie Qingxuan thought for a moment, then turned his head and said:
"Then let's allocate it on a seven-day cycle?"
In just a few words, the Little Idol reached a consensus.
The final schedule is as follows:
1,4-- Xie Qingxuan.
2,5-- Kiriwake Yayoi.
3,6-- Tang Liuli.
As for Sunday, it's a bit more complicated. The Golden Haired Doggy suggested having a party, Little Sakura insisted on rock-paper-scissors, and the Green Eyed Cat thought it should be decided by drawing lots.
Finally, combining the suggestions of the three people, a rather abstract rule was formed.
That is, let Chu Yuanqing draw lots.
The slips of paper used for drawing lots contained various possibilities. For example, if you drew a slip with the names of three people on it, it meant that all three of them would sleep together. There was also a chance that you would draw a slip with only one person on it, which had a kind of aesthetic appeal, like the emperor choosing his concubines.
Well, the rules set up to ensure fairness ended up resembling a sex game, making Green Eyed Cat and Little Sakura feel extremely embarrassed. The two decided to ask the naturally innocent Xie Qingxuan to relay the message.
It's worth mentioning that this schedule only determines the Magic Replenishment in the evening; the three Little Idol didn't say how the rest of the time would be allocated. It's like a tacit understanding that public and private matters are kept separate, and that they will still compete with each other during the rest of the time.
After that, the three of them returned to their own rooms.
Tonight is destined to be a sleepless night. Apart from her Little Cotton-padded Jacket is fast asleep, even the most innocent Xie Qingxuan is thinking a lot in bed and finding it hard to fall asleep.
This results in the Little Idol looking listless when they wake up in the morning.
Chu Yuanqing tied her long hair into a side braid and put on an adorable pink cat paw apron. She removed a strand of hair that was stuck to her cheek and casually started frying eggs in the kitchen. Her fingertips were tinged with the tempting aroma of cooking, giving her a taste of everyday life.
From the back, the undulating curves of the apron, with the tied apron strap as the dividing point, are quite reminiscent of a married woman.
Xie Qingxuan sat on the yoga mat, calmly closed her eyes, and began her usual morning meditation.
Kiriwake Yayoi's eyelids drooped; she wasn't in good spirits and was playing the guitar drowsily, her slender fingers moving rhythmically as if by reflex.
Tang Liuli simply lay down on the sofa, curled up like a cat taking a nap. There were still water droplets on her eyelashes from washing her face, which shone brightly in the sunlight of the virtual system. Her beauty mark was quite eye-catching, making her look exceptionally cute.
Chu Wangshu was full of energy, sitting properly at the dining table, wearing headphones and watching online classes, flipping through a book called "The Complete History of Painting in the Great Xia". He was extremely focused and had the demeanor of a top student.
Breakfast time.
Little Sakura regained some energy, and she pulled the fast-sleeping cat up and dragged it to the dining table.
Chu Yuanqing took off her apron and let Tang Liuli sit next to her. She pinched Tang Liuli's cheek and felt that the child must have imagined a lot of things last night. Her feelings were a bit complicated.
The Green Eyed Cat leaned against Chu Yuanqing's slender shoulder, her clever little head slowly sliding down to his full, rounded breasts, creating a soft wave before continuing to slide down and resting directly on his plump yet slender thighs. She habitually rubbed her face against them, her curled eyelashes trembling slightly.
Chu Yuanqing was wearing form-fitting yoga pants. She didn't think much of it, just took a bite of salad, and smiled gently. She scratched the girl's chin with her fingertips as if teasing a cat, and then gently combed the girl's messy hair. Seeing this, Little Sakura next to her immediately perked up.
"What cunning Liuli Cat Cat!?"
Kiriwake Yayoi was furious; she should have let the other person continue sleeping soundly on the sofa.
But as she watched, Little Sakura subconsciously reached out and pinched the Social Anxiety Cat's cheek. She glanced at Chu Yuanqing's upturned eyes and his doting smile, and immediately felt a sense of happiness, like leisurely petting a cat during breakfast after marrying her husband, and her anger subsided instantly.
And the next moment,
A Golden Haired Doggy, speaking in a matter-of-fact tone, said something that made Kiriwake Yayoi feel ashamed:
"Xiao Qing, I want to rest my head on your lap too."
Chu Yuanqing felt guilty about his scumbag declaration from the previous night and agreed almost without hesitation:
"Sit next to me when Qingxuan has breakfast tomorrow."
Kiriwake Yayoi decided to abandon her dignity. Her eyes drooped slightly innocently as she suppressed her shame, kept a straight expression, and said earnestly:
"I want a lap pillow too!"
Chu Wangshu glanced at the two older sisters with a puzzled look.
How strange! Sister Xie usually seems aloof, strong, and imposing, but when she starts acting cute, she doesn't hesitate at all and is incredibly clingy. And... why has Sister Yayoi become so childish? A lap pillow? Only little kids want that, right?
But that's what I thought,
The Little Cotton-padded Jacket hesitated for a moment, then whispered in agreement:
"Um... I want one too."
Although... although it's childish, it's Qing Bao's lap pillow! It must feel just like the mother in her imagination. It would be such a shame to miss out on it, right?
In order not to show favoritism, Chu Yuanqing had no choice but to agree to all of them.
Well, it's just a massage on my thighs, it's very natural and healthy, and it doesn't feel astringent at all. Even if I used it on Yayoi, Liuli, Kiyohyun, and Xiao Shu all at once, it wouldn't matter, it's just fine.
After breakfast, the five of them went to the practice room together.
Even after their promotion, they still live in Area A1, and the location of their practice room remains unchanged. Apart from the addition of a Golden Haired Doggy, their training routine is largely the same as before.
The first activity was learning the dance. Since the five of them had accumulated several experiences of learning dance at high speed, they picked it up quickly this time and didn't make some of the small mistakes they had made before.
In just one morning, I had already formed a basic framework for <Wannabe> in my mind.
As for the originally anticipated adjustment period...
Xie Qingxuan's skill level is very high, and she is completely compatible with lower-level dancers. There are no problems with her dance practice, and even in terms of communication and cooperation, thanks to the little secret they shared yesterday, nothing unexpected happened. It can be said that they get along quite well.
Afternoon.
Kiriwake Yayoi around and asked:
"Who do you think should dance in the Center position?"
This is a very sensitive issue.
The more people in the team, the more parts they get, and the more important the Center position becomes.
The decision for the three-person team's "Reunion World" was straightforward: Tang Liuli was the lead vocalist, Chu Wangshu hadn't ventured into the "Flow State" genre, and her dance skills met the B-Class definition, so the Center position was undoubtedly Kiriwake Yayoi.
The same applies to the four-person team. Because <Pandora> is quite special, the roles of pard are divided very evenly. The biggest difference in the amount of screen time is the initial action, which was simply assigned based on appearance at that time, so it was given to Chu Yuanqing.
Now it's a five-person team, and the difference in popularity between the Center position and other positions is even greater.
In a normal team, this would probably be a battleground of backstabbing and scrambling for the Center position, but...
This team is clearly not normal.
Kiriwake Yayoi started the decision-making meeting, Tang Liuli took a wary step back. The Center position? Just performing on stage is terrifying enough, let alone being in the most eye-catching spot! The moment Little Sakura saw her, she shook her head vigorously.
"I... I... I'm the lead singer! I don't want the Center position!"
As the Green Eyed Cat spoke, it fearfully hid behind Chu Wangshu, then instantly slid to its knees and chose to forfeit.
The Little Cotton-padded Jacket thought for a moment and said:
"I don't want it either, my dancing skills are a bit lacking."
Although she has learned [Phosphor Tide], she is not yet confident in using this skill consistently. It remains in a Schrödinger's cat state, sometimes working and sometimes not, occasionally being ineffective and sometimes incredibly powerful.
In this situation, coupled with the fact that her dancing skills are indeed inferior to Xie Qingxuan and Kiriwake Yayoi in the group, the Center position is really not something she has much to do with, and there is nothing to fight for.
Chu Wangshu's personality is like that; she believes in the principle of reaping what you sow. Compared to the other seniors in the team, she feels that she still has many shortcomings. She is already lucky enough to have stepped into the [Flow State] field, and she still needs to continue to hone her skills.
Despite thinking this way, the Little Cotton-padded Jacket actually felt a little regretful deep down.
After all, Dad has already promised to come to the second Public Performance. If he can perform in the Center position, it will definitely make him see him more clearly.
Keep up the good work!
"One day, I'll make sure my Dad sees me standing in the Center position of the stage!"
Chu Yuanqing was unsure what his daughter was thinking and was currently hesitant.
If she were to act solely on her own opinion, she definitely wouldn't want the Center position. However, considering that she needs to be liked by more people to gain more influence, the Center position, which receives the most exposure, is clearly the best choice.
Just then, the lantern that resonated with his mind and thoughts trembled.
Chu Yuanqing's expression was strange, and she wondered to herself:
"You mean, after I used [Pure White Aria] to express the Heart Tide of Liuli, Yayoi, and Xiao Shu last time, could you use this as a medium to transform the audience's positive feelings towards these children into magic?"
No wonder, no wonder my magic power increased so rapidly this time. After Magic Replenishment my magic power yesterday, I couldn't even reach the threshold of the [Pool] level. I've even stabilized at this magic power level now. It turns out it's because I absorbed the entire team.
It should be noted that, according to the original estimates, this would have to wait until after the second Public Performance, and it would have taken some time to develop before it could reach its full potential.
Chu Yuanqing's feelings were complicated; she didn't know whether to be happy or sad. She murmured to herself:
"So, in other words, as long as you and your teammates are in a state of Flow State, you can transform all the positive emotions created by the entire team into magic?"
"Although it's good news, something still feels off, like I'm stealing their things."
"Forget it, I'll make it up to you in other ways later."
After reading it, Chu Yuanqing also chose to withdraw.
Since the result is the same regardless of whether you're in the Center position or not, there's naturally no need to fight for it.
Therefore, the only people left are Xie Qingxuan and Kiriwake Yayoi.
The Stage Tyrant thought for a moment and casually said:
"Let's decide by rock-paper-scissors."