Grab The Heroine and Run Away Ch. 33.2

“For specific details, please wait for notifications within the app.” Ji Songyu said with a smile, “Now, we will reveal the rankings of the top seven trainees on this stage.”

In the livestream, fans who were shouting, “Stop fighting and go fight on the bed,” immediately ceased their matchmaking activities and began to spam the names of their favorite trainees.

Ning Yunfei whispered, “We will announce the top seven trainees’ rankings one by one, and the rest will be announced together.”

“So, in this stage, the trainee who received the seventh highest number of votes is!”

Everyone immediately looked up at the large screen in mid-air.

The Starlight Girls’ crown logo slowly rotated, froze after three seconds, and a photo of a girl with a sweet smile appeared.

Fish Harmony – Sun Lingxi: 425 votes.

Applause erupted from the audience below, and congratulatory messages flew through the barrage in the livestream. Sun Lingxi suddenly clenched her fist and excitedly jumped around.

“I’m seventh!”

Sun Lingxi stood next to her company-mate Mu Yueliang, and the two hugged each other.

Ranking sixth.

Another adorable girl.

The captain of Team Five immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

Angel Entertainment – Sasa: 435 votes.

“Making it to the top seven is decent.” She high-fived her teammates, concealing the latter part of her thought.

But these vote counts are quite low.

“Teams Two and Five.” Xu Heran began counting on her fingers. At that moment, a small exclamation came from their team as the profile picture of the fifth-ranked trainee appeared.

Fantasy Economy – Jiang Qiong: 479 votes.

“What can I say?” Jiang Qiong playfully flicked her hair, “Boss, your money wasn’t spent in vain. I’ve earned you some votes back!”

The Woof Woof Team high-fived, Xu Heran put her hands on her hips and raised her chin, “Not bad. You’re allowed to have an extra chicken leg today.”

Ranking fourth, Angel Entertainment – Lin Weining: 500.

Lin Weining turned her head and looked at Xu Heran.

“Add, add, add, more chicken legs for Sister Weining!”

Amid cheers, Xu Heran swayed her hips a bit, giving their team over nine hundred votes! They were leading the other teams by a significant margin!

“The trainee ranked third place.” Ning Yunfei announced with a smile, her microphone pointing towards the audience.

Suddenly, the voices of fans for Mu Yueliang, Song Fenghua, Jing Rui, and You Yu grew louder one after another.

On the big screen, the crown rotated and froze on a photo of a girl with heavy smoky makeup.

Haya: “…Hey!”

“Can you change the photo for me?”

Xu Heran still remembered how Haya had teased her about her bite marks. She immediately burst into laughter, “Hahaha!”

Third place, Blast Entertainment – Haya: 625.

Haya was from Team Two. Team Two’s captain, Mu Yueliang, felt a sense of relief.

“Only 625 for third place?” a trainee whispered, “It feels quite low!”

“What’s the result of 10,000 divided by 42? Could it be that we have too many people, and the votes are spread out?”

“Top two… Top two must include Xu Heran, right?”

In the audience, the voices of the Pearl Beads and Knight’s Brigade grew louder and louder. Just as they had agreed, they were competing with each other, shouting and cheering.

Onstage, Xu Heran raised her fist and joined the Knight’s Brigade.

“Xin Nuo! Xin Nuo!”

Xin Nuo: “…”

Shut up!

She covered Xu Heran’s mouth.

On the big screen, a golden crown froze, capturing the calm smile in the girl’s eyes as she gazed into the distance.

“Ah—Xin Nuo!”

“Congratulations, Nuo Nuo!”

Second place, individual – Xin Nuo: 942 votes.

Xu Heran, who had been tallying votes in her mind, immediately put her hands on her hips and burst into laughter, “Hahaha, see! This is our Nuo Nuo!”

She repeated emphatically, “Our, Nuo Nuo!”

Xu Heran gave a thumbs up and pointed in Xin Nuo’s direction.

She turned sideways to face the stage, looking at the trainees. The girl’s makeup was a bit heavy, but it added to the dreamy feeling of virtuality. She resembled a living two-dimensional virtual character. Amid the slightly reddened drunken makeup on her face, her galaxy-like eyes sparkled with brilliant light, outshining the shimmering dots of light.

The satisfaction in Xu Heran’s eyes almost overflowed from the corners, blending into the pink sides of her cheeks. The trainees, who had felt some emotions due to Xin Nuo pulling ahead in votes, rolled their eyes in response.

Yes, yes, we get it, your “family” is amazing.

Sigh, why call it Starlight Girls? Wouldn’t Matchmaking Girls be better?

Xin Nuo stood behind Xu Heran, watching her burst into laughter with her hands on her hips. She felt that if this continued, someone might end up grinding pearls to powder. She quickly reached out and grabbed Xu Heran’s wrist.

On the big screen, the name in first place appeared.

The girl’s photo was larger than those of the other ranks, with a crown specially added to her head. In the picture, she slightly tilted her chin, wearing a proud expression, and her blue-purple eyes sparkled.

First place, Universal Entertainment – Xu Heran.

1728 votes.

Xin Nuo’s pitch-black pupils radiated light. She smiled and spread her hand, holding onto Xu Heran’s waist, “Awesome, first place!”

Xu Heran looked at her vote count twice. Upon hearing Xin Nuo’s voice, her initial surprise turned into pride. “Yeah, yeah, I also think I’m first!”

She turned around and embraced Xin Nuo.

“Am I good or not?”

“Good!”

“Can I have a reward, please?” Xu Heran’s eyes sparkled.

“Sure, sure.” Xin Nuo nodded.

“Well…” Xu Heran’s hand was still on Xin Nuo’s waist. She hummed and whispered softly, “Then, sis, can you kiss me?”

If words wouldn’t work, it was time to take the initiative!

Xin Nuo’s smile froze for a moment. She squinted her eyes, slipping her hand into Xu Heran’s coat. Her slightly cool fingers touched Xu Heran’s bare waist, gripping the soft flesh.

“Sure, what?” Xin Nuo smiled playfully. “Tell sis again, what reward does Ranan want?”

Feeling threatened, Xu Heran’s body stiffened, looking pitiful, “I want a big chicken leg.”

“Good girl.” Xin Nuo playfully pinched her pearl.

“!!!”

“What are those two talking about? Camera, can’t you be more understanding?”

“Xu Heran, all these moms congratulated you, but you don’t even spare them a glance. Such a disobedient daughter!”

“Just accept it. Little Pearl also wants to talk to us, but that’s Xin Nuo.”

But that’s Xin Nuo.

Little Pearl, who didn’t get the reward she wanted, hugged Xin Nuo. Just like countless times before, she leaned against Xin Nuo’s shoulder. However, she had grown taller now, and the action was a bit uncomfortable, but Little Pearl didn’t mind at all.

Onstage and offstage, everyone’s gaze turned to the big screen as the remaining thirty-five trainees’ ranks were revealed.

Xin Nuo crossed her arms, her mouth curved as she glanced at the last-placed Xu Yanran with 0 votes. A seductive smile played on her lips, her eyes glistening with a radiant light, savoring the pale expression of a rat crossing the street.

At her shoulder, Xu Heran, who had been focusing on Xin Nuo, also smiled along.

Hmm, Nuo Nuo’s in such a good mood. If I do something mischievous, I probably won’t get scolded, right? If she won’t let me kiss her, then it should be okay to kiss Nuo Nuo, right?

With a daring attitude, she calculated her chances of getting into trouble. Decisively, she lifted her head, pouted, and pressed her soft, moist lips against Xin Nuo’s fair cheek.

Her movements were awkward, and she didn’t quite control her strength. As her lips landed, the skin beneath puckered slightly.

“Mwah.”

Xu Heran looked up, swallowed hard, and in response to Xin Nuo’s sudden blush and stiffening, she explained, “It’s a reward for Nuo Nuo, the second-place reward~”

“Xu Heran—”

“Ah, ah, ah, Pearl’s gone mad! Pearl’s gone mad!”

“I saw it! Xu Heran kissed Xin Nuo! I saw it with both my eyes!!!”

“Someone has to die in this competition today!”

“Let me die! Sweetly kill me!”

“Show mercy, Nuo Nuo! She’s just a child! She doesn’t understand! Make her compensate you! Make her kiss you every day!”

In an instant, the production team, the director’s team, and Cui Qi all went crazy together. Ning Yunfei stifled a laugh, and along with Ji Songyu, they tried to steer the conversation toward the individual performances of the trainees. Director Liu, who had taken a breath of oxygen, waved desperately, urging the trainees to move forward and blocking Xin Nuo and Xu Heran.

Xu Heran… Xu Heran was about to get hit, and it was Xin Nuo who had initiated it.

What live broadcast, what camera—Xu Heran had to be punished.

Xin Nuo’s hand “slapped” on Xu Heran’s buttocks, and there was a watery lip mark on his red face.

Xu Heran still looked aggrieved, “I just kissed once!”

“How many more kisses do you want?” Xin Nuo’s voice turned cold as she pulled her hand back.

Ouch, her hand hurt.

“I’m sorry.” Xu Heran quickly apologized.

Well, she got her kiss, so no harm done.

“Xu Heran, from now on, sleep by yourself.” Xin Nuo huffed, turning her head away.

Xu Heran widened her eyes; this wouldn’t do!

Before she could say anything, Tan Yutong from the third-placed team stepped forward to perform.

Their team had a total of 1239 votes, more than three hundred votes ahead of Sasa’s team, who performed the same song. Tan Yutong, who had garnered the most attention on the stage, stood at the center and sang a sentimental song, earning a lot of applause.

The individual performances were relatively rough. All the trainees and hosts stood on the stage, and the program team directly searched and played the song’s music. Being able to step forward and perform in front of tens of thousands of people in the audience and twenty million viewers in the live broadcast room was a brave act for these young trainees.

But as future idols, they absolutely couldn’t fear the stage.

“Next, the second-placed team, Team 2, you can choose two trainees for solo performances,” Ning Yunfei announced.

Team 2’s leader, Mu Yueliang, scratched her head. Although there was a trainee with 0 votes in their team, the total votes of their entire team were still not as high as those of Xu Heran and Xin Nuo combined. She had to admit defeat.

But she didn’t want to miss the chance for a solo performance.

Mu Yueliang glanced at the other members of Team 2, seemingly ready to ask if any of them would let her take the opportunity. However, one member from Team 2 walked forward without hesitation. Xu Yanran didn’t look back, picked up the microphone, and spoke with a confrontational tone.

“The song I’m performing is 《Radiance》”

Onstage: “…”

In the audience: “…”

In the live broadcast room: “???”

“What the hell is she doing? She didn’t even discuss it with anyone and just went up? She’s singing without any background music?!”

Xu Yanran completely dropped the act. She curved her lips downward, wore her usual disdainful expression, and without waiting for the program team to play the background music, she started humming the song. Perhaps she knew that the program team might not provide her with background music, but it didn’t matter. She just wanted to irritate Xu Heran.

And while she was at it, irritated Team 2 as well.

There were only two slots, and she was going to casually occupy one. As long as it made Xu Heran uncomfortable, she would be content.

There were only two slots, so she decided to take one at random. The rest of you can fight over the remaining spot. Didn’t Xu Heran want to sing 《Radiance》? Well, she decided to sing that song in advance! As long as Xu Heran feels uncomfortable, she’ll be happy.

Xu Yanran broke the mold, not caring at all.

“Is she crazy?”

“What is she even singing… Even the buzzing of mosquitoes sounds better than her.”

“Hahaha, you guys don’t know, right? This is our renowned teacher Xu! A famous folk performer, a master of face-changing! Super impressive!”

“Teacher Xu, redefining high notes.”

《Radiance》 has a high pitch, and Xu Yanran strained her voice, singing with a flushed face and a strained neck. After finishing, there was complete silence in the audience.

The audience was taken aback by her performance.

Xu Yanran gritted her teeth, growing increasingly frustrated. Although she couldn’t hit the high notes, she didn’t think she was that bad!

Where did her singing fall short compared to Xu Heran’s?

“Clap, clap, clap.” Suddenly, applause broke out from the audience. Xu Heran covered her mouth, bewildered, and joined Xin Nuo in applauding.

“Very impressive,” Xin Nuo said with a smile. “Very entertaining. Thank you, this trainee, for bringing joy to everyone.”

Congratulations, Xu Yanran, you’ve finally achieved your long-standing goal and left a deep impression in everyone’s hearts.

After tonight, no one will forget you, and no one will forget your melodious voice.

Xin Nuo’s sincere praise.

“Hahaha, is this really Xin Nuo? Nuo Nuo suddenly turned naughty!”

“I remember when Xu Heran looked at Xin Nuo’s expression during the selection process in the last round. It was Nuo Nuo who was edited in later, how naughty. At the time, I was wondering why the editing was so chaotic. Now I get it! Xin Nuo was deliberately doing this!”

“I always thought Nuo Nuo was a gentle and quiet beauty, only fighting back when provoked by Little Pearl. So, is Nuo Nuo actually a cunning schemer?”

“Friend, did you forget Lin Ran’s interview? Skillful strategy, calm and composed. You see, apart from Xu Heran, the other trainees all hold a sense of respect for Xin Nuo. Respect, everyone understands, right?”

Xu Yanran was mocked by Xin Nuo and instigated by her just a while ago. Back on the stage, at this moment, her hatred for Xin Nuo exceeded even that for Xu Heran. She glared fiercely at Xin Nuo.

“Can I go first?” Laurel from Team One asked, having already chosen her performance.

“Go ahead,” Jiang Qiong patted her shoulder, “but I think you might not be able to outdo Teacher Xu.”

Laurel raised an eyebrow and smiled.

Is that so?

That’s not necessarily true.

Everyone in Team One was dressed very coolly. The blonde girl wore sports shoes, gray pants, and a white baseball jacket. A white headband held back her golden short hair, which sparkled with glitter as she walked.

Laurel strode forward, blocking Xu Yanran’s path as she walked back. She lifted the microphone to her lips.

“Drop the beat.“

The blonde girl lowered her gaze and coolly looked at the furious Xu Yanran. She began to set the rhythm with her left hand. “Hey, yo, yo.”

“Look at who it is, my friend. Are you called Xu Yanran or Xu Little Girl? You’ve had many outstanding performances, but none compare to today’s performance where I lose myself. I whipped up this song for you, hope you don’t hate it. Hey, stand here, ok, let my voice be a bit louder.”

Laurel made a “a little bit” gesture with her thumb and forefinger, then looked up, raised her voice, and started rapping as she walked.

“You like shedding tears, but it’s a pity cheap saltwater can’t turn into pearls. Sweetly addressing others in public, and calling them fools behind their backs. Oh, fish and pearls can’t be mixed. Some people deserve to lose. Wait, I haven’t named names, please don’t project yourself into this.”

Laurel spread her hands, shrugged with a helpless expression, raised the microphone again, and spoke menacingly.

“You’re just a wild boar in the deep mountains, eating rotten feed. Forever holding dirty thoughts, thinking others raise long guns and cannons against you. But how can a wild boar compare to a pearl? Isn’t it more accurate to say you’re a wretched beast? You’ve recited the princess’s virtues a thousand eight hundred times, but you’ll forever understand only surface matters while your heart rots. Today, I’ll expose your true face and advise you to be honest in the future, lest you wear through the dungeon floor. Your cunning is muddled and your logic is twisted, after all, who let the pig be a pig?”

“Everybody! Join me, you are a pearl, pearl, pearl,” Laurel suddenly pointed towards Xu Heran, “You are a flawless gem that forever shines bright.”

“Repeat after me, pearl, pearl, pearl!” Laurel shouted loudly, pointing her microphone towards the audience.

The sudden diss by her silenced the ten thousand-strong audience momentarily, but subconsciously they started to join in, “Pearl, pearl, pearl.”

“Louder, chant, pearl, pearl, pearl!” Laurel’s gaze turned icy, standing on the stage with arms outstretched and fingers poised.

The audience below caught on and waved their support sticks.

“Pearl, pearl, pearl!”

“Dazzling pearl!”

“Okay, and what are you? You’re a pig, pig, pig, you’re a wild mountain pig, I’m afraid of sounding too harsh and insulting to pigs, you’re a pig, pig, pig.”

The audience below cheered enthusiastically.

“Pig, pig, pig!”

“You’re just a pig!”

“Pig, pig, pig!”

“You’re foolish and insult pigs!”

“Pig, pig, pig!”

“I’m so shocked!” Xu Heran was startled and covered her mouth, listening to the ten thousand-strong audience and Laurel together chanting “pig, pig, pig,” and suddenly the word “pig” lost its meaning in the live broadcast.

“Bang!”

Xu Yanran slammed her microphone onto the ground, emitting a miserable scream, covering her face, and without looking back, she dashed towards the audience below.

“Oh wow~ One pig escaped, my performance is over, thank you all,” Laurel said expressionlessly, bowing.

The excited audience below vigorously waved their support sticks, cheering for Laurel.

“Great job!” Xu Heran clapped excitedly, turned her head and looked at Xin Nuo, “Isn’t this worth a hug?”

Xin Nuo chuckled, “Go ahead.”

“Hua Hua!”

Laurel was hugged by Xu Heran, and Jiang Qiong also rushed over, embracing Laurel tightly, “Awesome!”

Xu Heran quickly unwrapped a piece of bubble gum, held it in both hands, and respectfully offered it to Queen Flower, thanking her for taking the initiative to confront Teacher Xu and achieving a complete victory.

“You’re welcome.” Laurel blew a bubble and crossed her arms.

“I must never offend Queen Flower again!” Xu Heran exclaimed, returning to Xin Nuo’s side and admonishing her.

Xin Nuo smiled faintly, “Please help me convey this message to Little Pearl.”

Little Pearl: “……”

Okay, sure.

Because of Xu Yanran’s angry departure, Ning Yunfei calmly announced the invalidation of Team Two’s quota for Xu Yanran. After a brief discussion, Mu Yueliang and Jing Rui from Team Two each performed a song.

As for Team One, Xu Heran voluntarily withdrew. Apart from Laurel, Jiang Qiong and Xin Nuo, who won in rock-paper-scissors, each performed.

“Xin Nuo!!!”

“Nuo Nuo—”

When Xin Nuo stepped forward, the audience below, with glistening eyes, looked at the black-haired girl as if gazing at a star in the sky.

“Before, I rarely sang songs, I mostly danced,” Xin Nuo held the microphone up, looking down at the audience.

The stage was brightly lit, and the faces of the audience below couldn’t be clearly seen. The glow of the support lights and the waving banners formed a flowing river, twinkling among the crowd.

“But now, I find singing very interesting. When I was young, my mom was always busy, and I would secretly watch TV after finishing my homework.” The black-haired girl chuckled lightly, her voice clear and pure, resonating in the hearts of everyone, making those who heard it involuntarily smile.

“I mostly forgot the TV show plots, but I remembered that song very clearly. I want to sing this song for all of you.” Xin Nuo spoke softly, “The song is called《Longing》.”

Melodious music filled the gymnasium.

The clear and beautiful tones enveloped the surroundings, like a melancholic poem being told.

When she sang, “Most willing to forget the poetry of ancient times, most disdainful is the lovesickness,” the audience below joined in a chorus. Xin Nuo was momentarily stunned, swaying her body slightly, lightly singing with a smile. Her mood was pleasant, and she subconsciously turned her head, looking behind to find someone. The girl who was usually the most cheerful, as if her radiant smile was glued to her face, stood quietly, her expression faint as she gazed at her.

When Xin Nuo noticed the gaze, Xu Heran widened her eyes and curled up her lips.

A warm teardrop rolled down her cheek.

“Huh.”

Xu Heran froze, raising her hand to touch her face.

It’s all because Nuo Nuo sang such a sad song. She thought with a slight sting in her heart.

But what is lovesickness? She didn’t understand.

However, Xu Heran felt that in the future, she could try to understand a bit.

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The author has something to say:

《Longing》by Mao Amin

Red beans grow in the southern land, a distant matter indeed.

What is lovesickness? No one cares anymore.

Drunk and lying in the sleepless city, neon lights everywhere.

In the wine glass, a realm of charm overflows.

Most willing to forget the poetry of ancient times, most disdainful is the lovesickness.

Guarding love, fearing ridicule, and also fearing being seen through.

Spring comes to see the red beans bloom, yet there’s no trace of a lover going to pick them.

Fireworks hold romantic sentiments, but true feelings are absent.

Forgot to mention that the small tea bowls are all next door, hahaha. By the way, the comments these two days are a billion times fewer than before. (Want to say something but stopped) (Sad) (Upset) (Thinking about it makes me sadder) (Couldn’t help but cry out) (Wiping tears) (Faking strength) (Casual chit-chat). It’s okay, I know everyone loves me very much. Even if the comments are a billion times fewer than before, it’s okay. I’ll cherish them in my heart and won’t say it out loud. I’m okay, I’m fine, I’m good. Yeah yeah yeah (holding paw).

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Translator: Glariosa
Editor: Sinensis

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