Chapter 78
The girl smiled joyfully and stepped out of the dance with light and free movements. Her international superstar aura made her own stage seem like a reef in the sea, not swallowed up by Chu Yuanqing's brilliance.
It is obvious, just as Xie Qingxuan guessed, that those who have awakened [Flow State] possess unique abilities.
This ability originates from within, like a response from the soul.
Xie Qingxuan's [Flow State] state originates from her intense desire to destroy her sister's dreams, and the resulting ability is the corresponding one—to steal the brilliance of others.
Tang Liuli's [Flow State] state originates from her talent for passively empathizing with others, and the resulting abilities correspond to this—indiscriminate imitation and the ultimate performance of complete immersion.
Kiriwake Yayoi's "Flow State" originates from her dedication to idols, her love for the stage, and her desire to shine. The awakened ability becomes pure, which is the Perfect Performance Method after sublimation.
But unlike Xie Qingxuan.
After Little Sakura entered [Flow State] state, she became so engrossed in the stage that she didn't realize her Perfect Performance Method had been elevated to a bug-like skill.
However, Chu Yuanqing's recent outburst has distracted her and delayed this discovery.
The Kiriwake Yayoi's eyes deepened, and a raging fire burned in her chest, as if she had met a rare soulmate. Her brain secreted a large amount of dopamine, stimulating her emotions to become even more excited, which in turn enhanced the purity of her [Flow State].
That's right, that's exactly how it should be done.
Xiao Qing, this is the kind of person you should be on stage!
The girl's expression was one of relief and joy. During the week of rehearsals, it wasn't just the contestants on the main stage who were disappointed with Chu Yuanqing's performance; she herself, who had high expectations for him and regarded him as her goal, was also disappointed.
Unlike the others, she firmly believed that when Chu Yuanqing stepped onto the real stage, just like his explosive performance during the Second Evaluation, he would definitely show a completely different style from the rehearsal!
So, while Ji Shuzhu and Tang Liuli were busy being thieves, while Xie Qingxuan was stunned by the other's brilliance, and while Chen Yining had stopped at the threshold of [Flow State], was almost swallowed up, she was happy to do it all, her Heart Tide was surging, and she squeezed out even more talent, raising the stage atmosphere once again.
In an instant, the secondary stage, like a giant ship on the sea, refused to be swallowed up by the dazzling storm. Led by the Center position, it weaved through layers of obstacles and managed to regain some control of the situation under Chu Yuanqing's dominance, all while basking in the audience's gaze and cheers.
As a result, the pressure immediately fell on Chen Yining, whose stage experience was clearly the most among the three, and whose performance during the week of rehearsals was no less than that of Kiriwake Yayoi.
But when they actually went on stage, both of them entered a state of "Flow State," instantly elevating the decisive factor to a level she could never reach.
--I'm not reconciled.
--I'm very unwilling to accept this.
As soon as the theme song's background music started playing, Chu Yuanqing, located on the main stage, seemed to have captured everyone's hearts, seizing 80% of the attention and gazes, much like a god worshipped and revered, winning the MVP award for the entire event.
Why?
Why was she able to easily surpass her own decade of hard work and dedication after only a few weeks of dance and vocal training?
How is it that she, despite having only been on stage a few times, was able to reach a state of "Flow State" that was so unattainable to me, and even comprehend a realm beyond that?
A blank look appeared in Chen Yining's eyes.
I don't understand, I don't comprehend, I don't know.
At this moment, the resentment in my heart melted away, even jealousy and envy disappeared, leaving only confusion that filled my soul, and despair that gradually swallowed and tarnished the brilliance like mud.
Chu Yuanqing's existence is like proof that she has no talent for becoming an idol.
Every breakthrough and advancement this outsider made weighed heavily on her inner self, forcing her to lower her proud head, to admit her weakness, and to abandon that increasingly distant vision.
No, I can't give up yet, I can't despair yet, I can't let it end like this.
"I still have to fulfill my promise to Shu Zhu; I'm still standing on a stage with an audience watching me."
"Whether I can enter [Flow State] or not, whether I will be overwhelmed by them or not, I must first take responsibility as an idol and as the Center position, and perform the theme song to the very end."
Even though this dark emotion was like a boulder continuously falling from a high mountain, the pride and resilience in my heart, and even the promise I made with Ji Shuzhu when we were children, acted as a bottom line, forcibly suppressing it deep inside my heart.
Chen Yining's smile remained unchanged, maintaining excellent facial expression control even in direct camera shots. Her raspberry-red hair swayed in the light, and the beads of sweat she shed resembled shattered gems. Even her breathing and steps were as precise, perfect, and flawless as during rehearsals.
The same was true for subsequent performances.
The Young Lady's singing voice is sweet, and her performance at the end of the theme song fully demonstrates her usual level of skill. If you set aside the emotions she is suppressing, she looks exactly the same as usual.
Furthermore, the reason why Chu Yuanqing would "invite the gods to possess him" again was ultimately to avoid dragging down his own team members, not to devour the brilliance and splendor of the entire stage.
This meant that the few lingering echoes that Charlotte pitied no longer conveyed the terrifying scale of multiple emotions and even multiple illusions that had occurred in the previous scene; instead, they only reached the level that Chu Yuanqing desired.
It can be said that, apart from not being able to control herself at the beginning, she was intentionally balancing things out later on, gradually restraining her personal charm, and trying to divert the audience's attention to the whole, which was a proactive way of sharing the glory and tending to be an approach of distributing the favor evenly.
Therefore, by the middle of the performance, the stage was like a three-horse chariot, forming a balanced state of mutual support. The stage's appeal was all blended into one, together bringing <Candy> back to its normal sweet song style, implementing the theme song's concept, and drawing thunderous cheers from the audience.
Chu Yuanqing was somewhat dazed. She covered her chest with one hand, and the azure blue in the Lantern Pendant faded away. Her extraordinary adaptability to the stage disappeared like the tides under the moon's gravity. The intense Witch senses surged back, and the sound of her heart beating became more and more intense.
The smile on the girl's delicate face remained unchanged. She naturally covered the microphone with her small hand, coughed a few times, and tasted a slightly cloying, sweet and metallic flavor on her tongue. She pursed her lips, lowered her eyes, and looked at the scenery below the stage.
The cheering sticks, some gilded, some deep blue, some cherry blossom pink, wove together the dreams of 167 contestants in a kaleidoscope of colors. They rippled like waves offstage. Though the fans were scattered and not perfectly aligned, they still swayed in a dazzling sea of light.
Xu Ling seemed to have just woken up from a beautiful dream, her face full of excitement and joy. She never imagined that she would see a stage of this caliber in the first Public Performance of a Talent Show.
The girl mingled in the sea of thousands, waving her light stick and shouting along with the enthusiastic audience:
"Encore! Encore!"
"Encore! Encore!"
"Encore" is a transliteration of the word, meaning to request an encore performance.
The Live Broadcast Room is now filled with comments demanding an encore. With the stage atmosphere so intense, a five- or six-minute theme song performance is clearly not enough to satisfy the audience's desires, leading to an increasingly heated atmosphere.
The contestants on stage felt the wave of sound rushing towards them, and their Heart Tide with excitement.
Unfortunately, if the Program Group hadn't made prior arrangements, they would have had the energy and the will to dance "Candy" a few more times to meet the expectations of the fans in the audience.
Kiriwake Yayoi dazed; she broke into a wide smile, and hot tears rolled down her cheeks.
Seven years later, she finally stood on a real stage, enveloped by a wave of fans chanting "Encore".
Even if only a portion of the audience came for her, for her who had endured despair for so many years, this scene was already enough happiness, so much so that it seemed only tears and smiles could answer this emotion.
Many players on the field are the same.
As long as they connect it to their dreams and recall the brutal competition format of "Flash Dance," they can truly realize how precious the current waves of embraces and the sea of support lights they see are, and they can't help but shed tears.
Liang Xiaoxiao didn't cry. She couldn't find her own support color and fans in the sea of light, just as she couldn't find her weight on the stage or her place in Chu Yuanqing's heart.
Perhaps they are aware of it.
However, some things cannot be explored too clearly, just as living with complete understanding does not necessarily bring happiness.
Instead of digging into the root of the problem, let's treat it as a surprise box for the future; one day it will pop out on its own and explode like fireworks right before our eyes.
As for now? Just enjoy the unique charm of idols and the stage.
Tang Liuli had mixed feelings. She saw her name on many light boards, with emerald green fireflies dotting the surface. Next to her name were a group of chibi-style characters, and she could recognize them all by their distinctive features. They were all characters she had played in the past.
Among them is even the earliest version of Magical Girl Daliana, which is clearly a spontaneous support activity by longtime fans; otherwise, it would be impossible to do it with such care and attention to detail.
Can...
"Why? What's so likable about someone as awful as me?"
"Isn't this strange? I left the entertainment industry without saying anything, and even when I came back, I didn't explain or act. Instead, I became an idol who has nothing to do with acting. How stupid would someone have to be to continue liking me?"
Tang Liuli wanted to laugh out loud with sarcasm. She wanted to say these true feelings in public, just like before, hiding in her shell, pretending to be a hedgehog full of sharp thorns, wishing she could scare away everyone who tried to get close.
Even faster than the upward curve of her lips were the glistening, scalding tears that shattered from her eyes, and... the unconcealable guilt.
--Socially anxious, irritable, insecure, gloomy, and also arrogant and stubborn.
Tang Liuli disliked this version of herself; she even loathed herself to the point of disgust.
The reason she never attempted suicide was because she was more unwilling to become an ugly and insane madwoman like her mother than to die. Therefore, she endured her increasingly terminal mental state and chose to stay in this world, which she saw as anything but beautiful and full of hellish scenes.
And that is why,
Tang Liuli couldn't understand those fans who still liked and supported her.
Only someone like Chu Yuanqing deserves to be treated gently by the world. Someone like her, with dirty and crazy blood in her veins, doesn't deserve such treatment at all.
Why don't you insult me? Why don't you cyberbully me? Why don't you continue to show me the ugliness of human nature?
Tang Liuli couldn't accept it and wanted to escape, but at this moment, Chu Yuanqing seemed to have constructed an invisible barrier with a mysterious, idealistic power, causing her talent to fail on him for the first time.
The warm harbor had closed its doors to her.
Tang Liuli could only face her inner turmoil alone amidst painful entanglement.
Xie Qingxuan felt somewhat regretful, as her stage values were quite harsh.
If it weren't for Chu Yuanqing's [Flow State] state protecting the other contestants, this Great Demon King would have undoubtedly plundered the other contestants' spotlight on the Public Performance stage, treating everyone as stepping stones, climbing to the top alone, and embodying the spirit of selfishness on stage.
But...
It's okay, there will always be a chance to use it.
Ji Shuzhu stood beside the two of them. She looked up at the Young Lady on the side stage, a fleeting sadness in her phoenix eyes. Her beautiful, aloof face softened, her expression becoming resolute and indifferent. She murmured to herself:
"Xiao Ning, I know you've already tried your best."
"But now, the only one who can try to cure my illness is her."
At the very front of the main stage,
Deep within Chu Yuanqing's soul, the sound of glaciers cracking echoed.
The girl's heart felt like it had been pierced by swords, the clanging of metal against metal, the whispers of flesh being torn apart, all bursting forth in intense pain, mingling with the crackling sounds of breaking flesh, weaving a gentle yet desperate melody.
No, I'm starting to hallucinate. I need to leave quickly and find a place to rest.
Chu Yuanqing's pupils were slightly unfocused. She pretended to fix her hair to avoid the camera, took a deep breath, and waited for the audience's encore to subside slightly before speaking according to the script provided by the Program Group:
"Although the Public Performance has ended, the Program Group has arranged a convention related to <Flashdance> outside the venue, where there are some merchandise items for sale. Interested viewers can go and take a look."
He finished speaking.
The 168 contestants politely bowed in response, and the three stages descended, disappearing from view amidst the audience's regretful yet satisfied gaze.
The Live Broadcast Room was flooded with comments, with viewers sharing their thoughts after watching:
"I'm so sad. Seeing Little Sakura in tears, even true fans broke down. Anyone who's read the old posts knows how much she loves the stage and what hardships she's endured over the past seven years. Today's Public Performance is truly the culmination of her suffering, fulfilling her long-held dream."
"Wow, this is the first time I've seen Qing Bao with makeup on. Her high recognizability and flawless beauty in this direct camera shot are almost too much! If this gets out, it'll probably turn a bunch of casual viewers into fans???"
"Thanks for the invitation. I'm just a passerby, recently became a fan. Where can I get Qing Bao's bitter tea seeds?"
"Damn it, were those two slaps for Yuan Xiao and Qing Bao together???"
"Hehehe, although Qing Bao's performance in the Public Performance wasn't as amazing as her previous divine performance, her stage presence was still incredible, especially that first glance when she came on stage, it made me want to vomit. Qing Bao was amazing in every way!"
"To share her glory with the world, the Qing God was willing to shed some of her divinity and step down from her lofty pedestal, allowing those with little taste to appreciate the charm of the other contestants. She is gentleness itself. I'm so moved I could cry!"
The Live Broadcast Room ended automatically after only a short time.
Full of anticipation, Xu Ling followed the staff's directions to the rather large exhibition hall of <Flash Dance>. However, half an hour later, she walked out of the exhibition hall in great disappointment, so angry that she couldn't help but grind her teeth.
The girl was in the shade, using her phone to reply to messages from her friends in a group chat, her fingers frantically typing and complaining.
"Damn it, the merchandise at the <Flashdance> convention didn't even have posters about the contestants. It was full of Dream Weaver Rabbit figurines, statues, stickers, pillows, keychains, even shirts with it printed on them, and some kind of anime artbook!!!"
This sentence, when posted in the group chat, immediately triggered a string of "f***" characters, which then sparked a heated discussion about how to cook rabbits into a dish.
However, not long after Xu Ling complained, someone online made a similar comment, and "luckily" claimed to have met the AI version of the mascot, complaining that the Dream Weaver Rabbit must have accurately recognized her fandom.
That's why this guy smiled and pulled out a poster of Xie Qingxuan, implying that he was being mean by giving away a poster as a free gift with the purchase of three body pillows.
Yes, it's so despicable that it's beyond description.
Xu Ling, a wealthy woman, was furious after hearing about this gossip in the group chat.
She didn't hate that the Dream Weaver Rabbit could kill people; she only regretted not meeting the real deal. Otherwise, she would definitely buy thirty plushies and throw them in the trash, while keeping five posters of Qing Bao and Little Sakura for herself.
Undeterred, Xu Ling spent another two hours browsing the exhibition, only to leave disappointed and empty-handed.
On the way home in a taxi.
As the girl dozed off, she dreamt of Chu Yuanqing tidying his hair as the stage closed. A sudden chill ran through her, and she awoke abruptly. Without giving it much thought, she murmured to herself:
"How could Qing Bao be in trouble? I must have been reading too many tragic fanfics in the group."
At the same time.
Zhelong Town, a retro-style coffee shop.
The magic within Chu Yuanqing's lantern became so chaotic that his disguise failed. His Tianshan Snow hair fell to his shoulders, his golden eyes drooped, and his exquisite face showed a pale and fragile expression.
The girl was kneeling in front of the sink, covering her mouth with her hand to try to keep her cough from going out. Sticky, bright red blood dripped from between her fingers, falling onto the cold tiles and shattering into pieces in the cracks.