Grab The Heroine and Run Away Ch.12

5/7

“Hey!”

Xu Heran said unhappily, “No making fun of me. Didn’t you recognize me?”

“Who?” Xin Nuo countered.

Xu Heran sighed and didn’t answer.

Xu Yanran, her half-sister from the same father – although she didn’t admit the term “sister.” Xu Yanran was the illegitimate daughter of their father on paper. When Xu Heran’s mother was pregnant, their father’s mistress with a protruding belly came knocking at the door, nearly causing Xu Heran’s mother to miscarry.

At that time, Xu Heran’s mother was just a third-rate actress in China. She immediately divorced upon learning of Xu’s father’s affair, but was then mocked and threatened by Xu’s father and his mistress. However, the next day, a private plane belonging to the Xu family landed in China. The CEO of Universal Group, along with the prestigious Duchess Diana of the Blue Kingdom, their legal team, and bodyguards, arrived to support their daughter. Only then did Xu’s father realize that the woman he had married was the only pearl in the palm of Universal Group!

This incredibly fantastical Cinderella storyline propelled Xu Heran’s mother to fame. At the time, all media outlets were discussing this matter, and it was known far and wide. Right on the second day of winning the lawsuit, Xu Heran’s mother left China and returned to the Blue Kingdom to inherit billions in assets. After experiencing two consecutive failed marriages and feeling extremely disappointed in love, she found making money more interesting.

Sixteen years later, the original Xu Heran had a quarrel with her family and, in a fit of anger, ran back to China. She wanted to enter the entertainment industry there, becoming a star more dazzling than her mother to prove herself. Ironically, her method of proving herself was established by Xu Heran’s mother on the day she was determined to do so. In China, Xu Heran’s mother established Universal Entertainment and invested heavily to create the program 《Starlight Girls》 launching her into the spotlight.

Rather than feeling that something was amiss, the original Xu Heran, as her ranking continually dropped, believed that her family was intentionally making things difficult for her, trying to force her to return to the country. In her eyes, not directly debuting meant that her family didn’t love her, that they weren’t truly concerned for her!

The relationship between the original Xu Heran and her family grew increasingly strained, and eventually, they completely severed ties.

Xu Yanran, after her father learned that 《Starlight Girls》 was funded by the Xu family, was discreetly placed in the program through connections. He wanted to provoke Xu Heran’s mother, to have Xu Yanran make her debut while overshadowing Xu Heran. He aimed to use Xu Yanran’s success to humiliate Xu Heran’s mother, to tell her that the child he was raising by his side was a hundred times more successful than Xu Heran!

Moreover, this success was all thanks to the Xu family!

Initially, the original Xu Heran had no knowledge of Xu Yanran’s existence. Xu Yanran herself went to the original Xu Heran, softly and weakly calling her “sister,” which nearly provoked a physical confrontation. From then on, Xu Yanran approached her multiple times, always adopting a docile attitude toward the irritable Xu Heran. There was an accidental instance caught on camera, which further cemented the rumors that the original Xu Heran was using her status to oppress the trainees.

“…”

Xu Heran’s expression subtly changed. She crossed her arms and watched as Sun Lingxi and her group left the stage.

“You did well,” she said to Sun Lingxi.

Sun Lingxi shook her head, raising her hand to cheer for her, “Go for it!”

The girl at the back lifted her face, smiling at Xu Heran with the same obedient and cute expression, “Sister, go for it!”

The program’s cameraman stood on the side, capturing everyone’s expressions clearly.

Xu Heran raised an eyebrow.

If she were to give Xu Yanran a hard time now, it would probably become tomorrow’s news about Xu Heran’s unchanging stubbornness. However, there was no way she could put on a pleasant face after spotting Xu Yanran.

Although Xu Yanran had very little presence in the novel, she wasn’t likable at all, and she even managed to debut in the end!

Xu Heran felt a thorn in her throat.

“Sorry.” A pristine arm suddenly extended over, wrapping around Xu Heran’s shoulder. With her, Xu Heran left Xu Yanran’s presence. She stood on the steps in her high boots, and a single glance showed that her legs were even longer than Xu Yanran’s height. Xin Nuo tilted her head slightly, her gaze drifting downward as she spoke warmly to Xu Yanran, “Make sure you see clearly, okay? Your spot is there. You can’t stand here.”

She pinched Xu Heran’s shoulder, pushing her onto the stage. Turning back to Xu Yanran, she smiled playfully. The bright stage lights left Xu Yanran’s deep gaze forgotten, merely outlining the girl’s fair face.

In the air, a faint but tangible sense of danger flowed silently, as if materialized.

Xu Yanran held her breath, feeling as if someone was choking her from behind, a chilling sensation washing over her.

Xin Nuo was clearly smiling, yet her eyes were cold and disdainful, as if she were looking at a pitiful insect, one she could squash at any moment.

After they went on stage, Xu Yanran remained immersed in the cold atmosphere, taking a while to regain her composure.

“Xu Yanran, don’t you dare cry, the cameras are still on us!” a sweet-looking girl said without any reservation.

“Youyou!” Sun Lingxi quickly pulled her.

Xu Yanran shuddered, an inexplicable fear gripping her heart. Her eyes quickly reddened, and she hastily averted her head, her tone sounding pitiful and submissive, “I, I wasn’t crying.”

“That’s good then. Otherwise, people might think I bullied you,” Youyou said nonchalantly. Then, without looking at her, she went straight to the side of the stage to watch Team Ten’s performance. The others exchanged glances and followed Youyou’s steps.

Behind the group, Xu Yanran wiped away the tear at the corner of her eye. Her dark eyes lifted, gazing leisurely toward the stage. The chill that had enveloped her dissipated, and her courage returned to her.

“Tsk.”

Xin Nuo hadn’t grown a brain at all, actually hanging out with Xu Heran just because Xu Heran said she liked her? What a joke!

She was all over Xu Heran, acting like a sister, but Xu Heran had never willingly included her. Those claims of being best friends, of genuine liking, were all just for the sake of hogging the limelight.

The more Xu Yanran thought about it, the more she loathed it, and a thick wave of jealousy surged within her. Angry flames flickered in her eyes, but she didn’t dare let anyone see. She sniffled and cautiously stood at the back of the group. When she lowered her head, her messy bangs covered her eyes, which gleamed with a cold light. Crystal tears traced down her face, captured by the expressionless cameraman’s lens.

The final song of the performance, also the first song composed, written, and choreographed by the trainees themselves since the start of the program, began without any announcement from the host to keep the mystery until the last second.

The entire performance venue plunged into darkness.

Before long, on the large screen facing the entire venue, black floral letters entwined like thorns slithered and extended. The lush and resplendent flower buds unfurled, dripping crimson blood.

In the darkness, Xu Heran clenched her fist tightly, her thoughts drifting absentmindedly.

Don’t get too proud yet. Look carefully at my stage. Even if I’m eliminated, I’ll make sure people know.

Her talent was beyond doubt!

Moreover, she didn’t remember anything about the novel where Xu Yanran caused a stir in the entertainment industry after her debut.

I, the malicious supporting female character, and you, the cannon fodder?

Does that count?

“Drip, drip.”

The sound of water splashing. A beam of light fell onto the stage, and the girl seated upon the divine throne tilted her head slightly. Flower petals, imprinted with bite marks, descended to her lips. Her indigo eyes radiated superiority, a cold smirk reflecting in the camera’s lens. Her intricate pupils gleamed like a galaxy, disdainfully flitting away from the mesmerized audience’s gaze, like elusive mist, evaporating and swirling.

Yearning turned into a rope, desperately wanting to bind her, to have her gaze forever fixed upon oneself.

Within a silent sigh, eerie music began to play. The girl lowered her leg, her expression icy, her hands folded in prayer. Six figures circled around the throne in the darkness, their snow-white arms dancing like chains in the shadows.

“Cast aside the bindings of dogma, refrain from pointing fingers.”

“Right now, let everything begin anew.”

A deep voice instantaneously shattered the stage’s tranquility. Countless pairs of eyes in the audience widened as they observed the transformation on stage. The obstinate, noisy, and now endearingly passionate girl had exchanged her lively expression for a cold one. Her melodious, exquisite voice commanded attention.

Six beams of light descended alongside her, and all seven rose. Left hands rested on each other’s shoulders, their heads tilted to the side in synchrony, executing a neat wave. Just as the swaying hips began to descend, their snow-white legs immediately stepped forward.

“Follow me, foolishness, blindness, greed, jealousy, devote everything.” Xu Heran, who had completely transformed, walked behind the other six, her neck rotating clockwise in a deliberate, slow circle. Almost incanting, she whispered, “Rely on me, commend me, respect me, promise me.”

The remaining six immediately murmured, “Follow me, admire me, covet me, desire me, follow me, admire me, covet me, desire me…”

The bewildering dance in the darkness resembled devilish sorcery. As the girl sang softly, the screen swept across each of their faces. The girls in red dresses bore inviting smiles, alluring and languid. On the other hand, those in black attire exuded an icy indifference, only granting a slight hook of the mouth in a fleeting glance.

After the repetitive chorus, a gentle voice chuckled, “Follow me.”

Simultaneously, the remaining lights on the stage lit up, instantly illuminating the entire stage.

“Ah—”

The audience at the front gulped and raised their voices to the maximum, showing their support for this performance that had completely captured their attention.

“Don’t complicate things, listen, don’t stubbornly struggle.” Xu Heran chuckled lightly, her finger tracing down her waistline. “Accept this guidance, climb upon the hem of my dress.”

Xin Nuo stepped forward from behind her, her finger pressing against Xu Heran’s shoulder. She gazed into her eyes and lifted the microphone. “With your ignorant eyes fixed upon me, tightly twist ambiguity, act cunningly.”

“In devout entanglement, believe that it’s not too late now.”

Xu Heran lowered her eyelashes to hide the laughter in her eyes, then turned and walked to the last position, giving the microphone to Jiang Qiong and Yueyin.

“Pure presentation, poor performance.”

“The boundary, indistinct and inseparable.” Song Fenghua’s cold voice erupted in cheers from the audience.

“Could it be.”

“Could it be, could my innocent expression not make your heart flutter?”

Haya, “changed and transformed,” stood in the center, her beautiful face exuding cold pride and disdain. “Forget it, listen to your intuition—it says…”

Laurel’s black boots hit the ground. “Abandon everything, offering yourself to my control. Out of courtesy, I will appropriately let emotions take center stage. Let’s see who gives in to impulse first, stop fixating on following me, and let everything go.”

As the song reached its climax, with Xu Heran at the center, the other six formed a circle around her. Black on the left, red on the right. The left hand of the person without a microphone rested on the shoulder of the person beside them. They all sang in unison.

“Follow me, follow me, me, touch me, touch me, me.”

Their long hair billowed, the slender waists of the seven girls swaying in the spotlight, their hair brushing against their cheeks, their eyes alluring and enticing, yet their gaze dangerous and mysterious. The words “seductive” and “enticing” were fully displayed, and the costumes enveloping their bodies refracted the radiance of the crowd.

“My soul is not weeping within this body,” Jian Yueyin’s high notes emerged.

“Follow me, follow me, me.”

Lead vocalist Xu Heran stood at the front, with Xin Nuo and Song Fenghua behind her. The other four followed suit. As all seven waved, they raised their hands and held onto their slender, snow-white necks, arrogantly tilting their heads back.

Their long hair cascaded down, expressions on the girls’ faces mocking, their gazes captivating and soul-stirring.

A smile played at the corner of Xu Heran’s eyes. Her index finger traced down her neck, and at the moment it touched her skin, she suddenly turned sideways. Her descending hand lifted, clasping the swan-like neck of Xin Nuo by her side.

Xin Nuo’s gaze softened, as if gazing upon a deity, offering herself as a sacrificial lamb. She was enticed by the deity’s song, drawing closer to the deity’s visage. Her gentle palm rested on the deity’s shoulder.

“Touch me, touch me, me.”

White fingers adorned with rose-patterned nails toyed with the tender skin of the sacrificial lamb. Glistening water diamonds were tears of supplication to the deity. Xu Heran hooked her lips, her nose brushing against Xin Nuo’s. The distance between their lips was less than half an inch, their breaths intertwining—

“Ah!! Xu Heran, you’re still young! Mommy won’t allow you to do such things!”

The resounding cries of the audience below nearly pierced their eardrums. Xu Heran remained unfazed. Just as their red lips were about to meet, she and Xin Nuo separated, one to the left and the other to the right. Xu Heran immediately raised the microphone. “Believe in me, I venerate the only one.”

“I will be—” Jian Yueyin began singing the high notes.

“Will be—” Xu Heran immediately followed, even higher than Jian Yueyin’s high notes.

The two harmonizing high notes seemed to form a stairway to the deity’s throne. The divine figure on the elevated platform sat gracefully, smiling at its prey.

“Follow me, follow me, me, touch me, touch me, me.”

The stage erupted into another climax, the cheers of fans below never ceasing.

“Hiss!” Sun Lingxi took a deep breath, her pupils uncontrollably dilating. She raised her hand and pressed against her own goosebump-covered arm.

Team Ten, truly remarkable, Team Ten!

Everyone in their team wore solemn expressions, yet couldn’t help but be shaken by Team Ten’s performance. Xu Yanran’s face turned pale as she stared intently at the girl on the screen who seemed to be born for the stage.

Why couldn’t she receive these cheers!

Onstage, as the six repeated “follow me” in harmonizing tones, the performance approached its climax. They leaned in close together, their gazes cold and disdainful, directed toward the audience below. The girl at the center crooked her finger, her thumb pressing against her lips, leaving a long trace of lipstick.

She tilted her head, her expression aloof and seductive.

“Follow me?”

“Ah—Xu Heran!”

“Xin Nuo—”

“Song Fenghua!!”

The shouts from the audience below grew louder and more numerous. The cheering voices of Haya, Jiang Qiong, and Laurel, along with Jian Yueyin, joined in, each wave of support more fervent than the last.

Behind the stage, Sun Lingxi’s team, a few young girls, opened their mouths wide and applauded enthusiastically. Someone whispered softly, “We lost…”

Xu Yanran’s fingers, wiping away tears, clenched tightly and ground against her teeth.

“Thank you, thank you!” Onstage, all seven bowed in gratitude.

Ning Yunfei applauded as she stepped out from the side of the stage. “That was amazing! I never expected it. Truly impressive, Xu Heran.”

“The most impressive one is my sister Yueyin!” Xu Heran immediately said, “And also Haya and Fenghua, who choreographed the dance.”

She extended her arm, repeating the sensual gesture of holding her neck, “This was Nuo Nuo’s suggestion, by the way~”

“Hush.” Xin Nuo immediately raised her index finger to stop her. She took a slight breath, her eyelashes fluttering as she raised her gaze. Her hand followed, landing on Xu Heran’s nose, giving it a gentle tap.

“Enough talking, I’m afraid your mom will get angry.”

She tilted her head, deliberately looking towards the section of the audience that had just shouted the loudest. “Mrs. Xu, are you okay?”

The author has something to say:

Xin Nuo: Favorability +5

Xin Nuo thinks Ran Ran is impressive.

You can tell I made up the lyrics, right? Hahaha… Hearts!

ToC

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Translator: Glariosa
Editor: Sinensis