Grab The Heroine and Run Away Ch. 39.1

Jiang Qiong felt that after this vacation, something was obviously off between certain people.

Following the natural laws and biological habits of the Pearl family, a certain Pearl should have rushed up to hug and embrace a certain Nuo the moment they saw each other, but now, a certain Pearl had been staring at a certain Nuo for a full two minutes without moving, not only not rushing forward, but even squinting their eyes and staring fixedly at a certain Nuo!

On the contrary, a certain Nuo was smiling, even intentionally reaching out, hooking a certain Pearl’s chin, pinching their cheeks, and yet the certain Pearl was avoiding it!

A certain Pearl was even refusing to let a certain Nuo pinch them!

“Hiss!”

“This is odd.”

The two onlookers said in unison.

Jiang Qiong and Haya exchanged a glance, their expressions full of suspicion.

“Could it be that Little Pearl saw the recent hot topic?” Haya stroked her chin, looking deeply thoughtful.

“What hot topic?” Xu Heran asked, “Can you guys whisper a little farther away from the people involved, at least like two meters away?”

She turned her head, addressing Jiang Qiong and Haya who were standing right beside her.

“Hehehe, that would be less fun.” Jiang Qiong grinned mischievously.

Xu Heran rolled her eyes, stuffed her hands into her pockets, and asked again, “What hot topic?”

“Is it the photos from the stage that went viral?” Xin Nuo asked softly, “I heard from Sister Cui that the feedback for this performance was pretty good.”

“More than just pretty good.” Haya took out her phone, opened the photo album, held it vertically, and continued scrolling while saying, “Several photos from this performance went crazy. Your team’s cheongsam look had several viral photos. Fans went crazy for Little Pearl’s explosive stage presence. Thanks to you two big shots, Jiang Xiaoqiong and I also rode the wave of popularity. If there’s a chance, we’ll follow and break out of the circle too.”

Haya and Jiang Qiong immediately raised their hands and gave a fist bump, as if in a New Year’s greeting, “Thank you, thank you, thank you!”

Xin Nuo chuckled softly, opened her arms, and embraced Xu Heran from behind, resting her head on her shoulder. Xu Heran’s hands were still in her pockets, but she didn’t avoid it and allowed Xin Nuo to hold her.

“Of course, the one who gained the most from this is our unparalleled and flourishing Windy Blossom~” Haya slid her finger down, and on the screen appeared a GIF recorded a long time ago.

“Hmm?” Xu Heran paused.

It should be the performance after they advanced from their stage performance of 《Follow Me》 Song Fenghua was seated in front of Haya, expressionless. Her inward-angled and upward-slanted phoenix eyes glanced into the distance, and her icy gaze fell coldly, like a handful of pale snow being sprinkled, as if she saw someone she deeply detested. Her gaze was unapologetic, full of disdain as it glanced and then disdainfully retracted. The gaze at the corner of her eye was like a sheathed dagger, flashing silver and disappearing in an instant. The GIF ended with a freeze-frame of her cold profile.

“Wow!” Xu Heran gave a thumbs up, “Little Windy Blossom looks handsome!”

Xin Nuo squinted her eyes in agreement.

“There’s one more.” Haya scrolled down again, revealing the next photo. It depicted two girls dancing on the stage, raising their jade-like hands high, their folding fans flipping through the air, and their long legs lifting gracefully. The off-white and light blue corners of their dresses fluttered like butterflies dancing in a garden of flowers.

The two beautiful girls moved in harmony, dancing lightly on the fluid-like stage. Behind them, other girls swayed their waists like flowers. They were fairy-like figures in a blooming garden, dancing as twins.

Jiang Qiong’s expression suddenly turned subtle. She looked at Xu Heran, wanting to laugh but restraining herself, deliberately using a pitiful tone as she gazed at her, “Silly child, haven’t you realized the seriousness of the situation?”

“What do you mean?” Xu Heran said in confusion. She saw Haya scrolling down for more photos and her expression turned subtle again. “Wow, Haya! Why are you saving pictures of our Heavenly Sister! Oh, there’s also one with me and Nuo Nuo!”

Haya defended herself unabashedly, “Why can’t I save pictures of a beautiful sister? Who said I can’t save pictures of pretty girls?”

“I just like looking at pretty girls! Dare you say you haven’t saved any of Xin Nuo’s?”

Xu Heran coldly snorted.

“So, what’s so serious?” Xu Heran ignored Haya and asked Jiang Qiong.

Jiang Qiong chuckled, touched her red hair, and hid behind Haya.

“Of course, it’s that ‘Envelope CP’ suddenly became popular. People are shipping Xin Nuo Nuo and Song Fenghua even more than they did for Peng Ran and Xin Dong. Everyone seems to prefer pairing Xin Nuo Nuo with Song Fenghua these days.”

Xu Heran: “…………”

She turned her head sharply to look at Xin Nuo, her expression a mix of shock and hurt.

Xin Nuo slowly lowered her hand, stood up straight, cleared her throat, and raised her hand to touch Xu Heran’s face. “I can only say that I had no knowledge of this matter.”

#Hearts have their own beauty, and promises have their own charm.#

“Shuangyu Sister is the best! Shuangyu Sister is amazing! Gentle as water and cold as ice, but I’ll give all my tenderness to you alone! Ah, is there anything better than this?!”

“Classical x classical, Nuo Nuo and Fenghua’s synergy on stage is incredible! Every move they make is identical! I can already imagine them holding hands and dancing silently in a quiet practice room late at night. They don’t even need to speak, just a glance or a move, and I’ll understand you!”

“They even have the same height! What is this?! It’s a perfect match! I was born for you!”

“Sob sob sob, it’s too genuine! Especially their song on stage! I suspect they deliberately chose the same song! Astonishing beauty, from now on you’re in my heart! What more could I ask for in this lifetime? For you! I’m doing it all for you!!!”

“Ah ah ah ah, it’s mutual devotion!!!”

“Sob sob sob sob, I’m a Nuo Nuo fan. I used to be a Xinran fan before, but since Little Pearl carried Nuo Nuo, ‘Pengran Xindong’ suddenly caught up! Our Nuo Nuo is obviously the ‘1’! An ice queen on the surface and a cold heart inside! How could she be the ‘0’?! Let’s embrace the Envelope here for a bit, at least here, our Nuo Nuo is the ‘1,’ right?”

“Ah, well… although I really don’t want to say this, because during the opening of the stage, Fenghua sings the male part and Nuo Nuo sings the female part, so now Envelope and Sending Letter fans are also arguing.”

Nuo Nuo fans: “……”

Xu Heran: “……”

“Are they crazy?” Xu Heran said in shock.

Xin Nuo sat in a chair, watching the playback of the stage performance. Shortly after the live broadcast ended, the program schedule was adjusted to air on Saturday, aligning with the original recording of the show.

The stage started playing, giving a signal to the undecided viewers with tickets.

Check out the girls’ stage performance! The voting will end in three days! If you don’t vote now, your favorite trainee will be eliminated! Hurry up and vote for her!

The program continued to blur the vote counts of all trainees on the ranking board in the final three days, disrupting the rankings.

Xin Nuo withdrew her gaze and looked up at the bed above her.

“What’s wrong?”

Xu Heran was leaning on the edge of the bed, wide-eyed. “They’re pairing you up with Little Fenghua!”

Xin Nuo wanted to laugh a little, but seeing Xu Heran’s expression, she held it back. She made a noncommittal sound and spoke calmly, “Isn’t it strange?”

“It’s beyond strange!” Xu Heran angrily tossed her phone aside.

“Didn’t they pair us up too?” Xin Nuo said with a playful smile. “Your fans calling me daughter-in-law didn’t make me angry, so why are you getting angry on my behalf with Fenghua?”

Xu Heran choked for a moment, looking somewhat uncomfortable. “That’s different.”

“What’s different?” Xin Nuo pressed.

The more Xu Heran thought about it, the more uneasy she felt. She suddenly pounced onto the bed, restlessly rolling around.

“Ah ah ah ah, it’s just different!”

Jiang Qiong entered the room holding a watermelon, saying cheerfully, “What’s the big deal? We still have a Super Topic, and the Woof Woof Team will be united forever. You and Hua Majesty, Hua Majesty and Haya, Haya and you, who doesn’t have a few CP names? Don’t get upset, have some watermelon.”

“They brought a whole cart of watermelons outside, and the assistant director is handing them out at the door. Oh, by the way, Xu Pearl, you and the assistant director even have a CP name, ‘Love and Kill’ combination. Do you know about it?”

Xu Heran sat up abruptly, a look of horror on her face. “What?”

Xin Nuo chuckled softly, turned off the screen, and stood up.

“We’re recording tomorrow. After finishing the watermelon, rest early. Xu Heran—” when Xin Nuo called Xu Heran’s name, she raised her voice, “Shall I bring you watermelon? Do you want to forgive Sister Nuo Nuo, huh?”

Jiang Qiong, squatting by the trash can, perked up her ears.

Huh?

What watermelon?

On the bed, Xu Heran angrily covered her head with a pillow, sounding sulky, “You must solemnly apologize to me for the matter of wanting to put a bag over my head!”

Xin Nuo immediately responded, “I solemnly apologize to you.”

She blinked, raised her hand, and caught Xu Heran’s drooping finger. “But let’s be clear, it’s not that I wanted to put a bag over your head. It’s about handing a bag to the person who wanted to put a bag over your head. At most, I’m an accomplice.”

“Hmph!”

Xu Heran snatched her hand back in indignation.

“Then bring me two slices of watermelon as well, and I’ll forgive you!”

“Sure.” Xin Nuo chuckled softly and spoke gently.

“And you also have to promise that you like me the most!” Xu Heran raised her hand, pointing at the ceiling. “Pengran Xindong is the best CP!”

Xin Nuo sighed softly.

“If you say so, then it is.”

“Hehe,” Xu Heran was satisfied. She sat up, leaned against the wall, and pointed towards the door with her chin. “Off you go.”

Jiang Qiong, crouching on the ground, wiped off the watermelon juice from her mouth. “Xu Pearl, do you need a mirror? Look at how smug you are after getting away with being cute!”

“Get lost! Tomorrow I’ll announce the dissolution of the Woof Woof Team. The Woof Woof Team has no heart at all!” Xu smugly flipped her hair, feeling proud of herself.

“Pah!” Jiang Qiong spat out watermelon seeds and decided to go vote for Xin Nuo later!

Woof Woof Team, inserting itself between opponents twice!

Yeah!

At 7:30 in the morning, the recording site of《Starlight Girls》

After a week of voting, the rankings of the twenty-one girls were set. Today, seven of them will leave the stage. Compared to the beginning, the practicing trainees, now reduced to half, were seated according to the company arrangement.

To Xu Heran’s left was Xin Nuo, and to her right was Song Fenghua. In front of her was Jiang Qiong, Laurel, and behind her was Haya. Among the seated trainees, there were three from Angel Entertainment: Lin Weining, Sasa, and Jian Yueyin. Fish Harmony Entertainment had Sun Lingxi, Mu Yueliang, and Shu Yuemo. Dream Entertainment had Tan Yutong and Liu Yueming. Apart from these three major agencies with two or more trainees each, Thunder Economics had Sang Shiyi and Luo Xi holding hands together.

Only trainees from four companies had companions sitting together.

“I heard…” Jiang Qiong shifted her stool backwards slightly and the people around her all leaned in her direction without a word.

“During the days we were on break, Dream Entertainment’s Mu Yingdi took Tan Yutong and Liu Yueming out for engagements,” she whispered.

“How do you know everything?” Haya, also a fellow internet idol, felt defeated.

“You’re the only one on a break!” Xu Heran, who trained with professionals whenever she had free time, said in dissatisfaction.

“Awesome,” Laurel succinctly remarked.

Xin Nuo leaned slightly forward and whispered, “Dream Entertainment might seem huge, but in recent years, their artists have been declining. The only one who can sustain them is Mu Yiyue.”

“Oh!” Everyone nodded.

Xin Nuo chuckled and glanced at Xu Heran.

And Universal Entertainment suddenly emerged as a dark horse, shaking the positions of the three major agencies. The first to panic would undoubtedly be the weakest in strength.

As a monopolist, who would willingly see their position overtaken by newcomers and reshuffled?

“Yeah, did you guys check Weibo? About Ge Tao,” Jiang Qiong said. “I took a look on Wednesday night. Tan Yutong is leading in votes, and that fortune-teller god is prancing around again.”

She used the phrase “prancing around” to describe Ge Tao, and everyone knew her attitude towards him. Laurel squinted, concealing the disdain in her eyes. “Don’t pay attention to him, a petty person.”

“Yeah, yeah.” Jiang Qiong patted Laurel’s shoulder. “Of course, we won’t pay him any mind.”

Xin Nuo sat behind Jiang Qiong and glanced at her, then at Laurel, and blinked.

Huh?

Does Laurel know Ge Tao? Or not?

Unfortunately, she hadn’t encountered Laurel in her previous life, so she didn’t know what had happened with her.

Ge Tao… she hadn’t heard of Ge Tao either.

There were still ten minutes left in the recording of the program.

Xu Heran stretched her legs and looked around, a hint of confusion in her eyes. She raised her hand and greeted the cameraman who was approaching.

“Hello, I don’t think I’ve seen you before?” Xu Heran finished speaking and looked around again. “Hey, it seems like many of the crew members aren’t familiar today?”

Hearing her voice, the trainees around her subconsciously looked around. They had spent quite a long time with the crew members, and even if they didn’t know their names, they remembered their faces. At a glance, they noticed that many of today’s crew members were not only unfamiliar but also fewer in number.

“It’s really strange, isn’t it?”

Someone laughed and said, “Could it be that the director can’t afford to pay the salaries anymore?”

“We’ve got our Little Pearl still sitting here, so don’t talk nonsense,” a trainee waved her hand.

Xu Heran grabbed the camera, her expression fierce. “Come clean! Where did you tie up our original cameraman?”

The photographer who came to film Xu Heran was quite young, a female camerawoman. She whispered, “We’re camerapersons from Universal Entertainment. Director Liu asked us to come. We don’t know the specifics.”

Oh, they’re one of us, so that’s okay!

Xu Heran smiled and extended her hand, greeting the camerawoman. “Thanks for your hard work, please capture us well, teacher. Thank you!”

The camerawoman blushed and nodded hurriedly.

“Don’t disturb them while they’re working. Sit properly,” Xin Nuo hooked the collar of Xu Heran’s coat and pulled her back.

Before long, the host, Ning Yunfei, gracefully walked onto the stage.

“Ladies, good morning.”

All the trainees chorused, “Good morning, Sister Feifei!”

Ning Yunfei smiled gently. “Today is another day of farewells. The names of the fourteen trainees who have advanced this round are already in my hands. Out of the twenty-one trainees here, seven will be leaving this stage.”

As her voice fell, a soft sigh spread among the trainees in the seats.

These twenty-one girls had come a long way, and regardless of the outcome, they had worked hard. So, they had no regrets.

“Now, I will start announcing the rankings in reverse order, beginning with the thirteenth-place trainee,” Ning Yunfei inserted the microphone into the stand. Standing behind the podium, she tore open the only envelope in her hand.

“Starlight Girls, the sixth ranking announcement, the thirteenth-place trainee is—” Ning Yunfei paused for a moment, “from Fish Harmony Entertainment, Mu Yueliang, with 1,761,041 votes.”

Among the trainees’ seats, Sun Lingxi hugged Mu Yueliang.

Mu Yueliang widened her eyes in surprise, unable to conceal the disappointment in her heart, but she forced a smile, “I’m staying, I’m staying. It’s good to be able to stay!”

Sun Lingxi patted her head.

“In this reset vote, 1.76 million Star Makers supported you. Congratulations, Mu Yueliang,” Ning Yunfei smiled, allowing Mu Yueliang to take her seat, the thirteenth in the fourteenth row.

“Wow, Yueliang at 13,” Xu Heran licked her lips.

Xin Nuo nodded, grabbing Xu Heran’s hand. Little Pearl was nervous; her blue-purple eyes blinked anxiously.

“I feel like I’m back to that time when I dropped to 59th place,” Xu Heran whispered to Xin Nuo, “but this time we have seats, no hugging.”

Xin Nuo curved her eyes and opened her arms.

Xu Heran’s eyes lit up. She gently tugged her chair towards Xin Nuo and extended her arms, embracing Xin Nuo’s shoulder. They leaned against each other.

“Xu Heran, no crying this time,” Xin Nuo teased, “and no biting, okay?”

Xu Heran’s nervousness dissipated by half. She grabbed Xin Nuo’s hand and moved it toward her mouth, muttering, “Who’s the one always biting now?”

“Hmm, I’ve caught your habit, so it’s all your fault.”

Among the tense trainees, only the two of them were close, smiles on their faces. The new cameraperson’s eyes gleamed brightly as they followed Xu Heran’s instructions, capturing plenty of shots of Xin Nuo.

Naturally, Xu Heran, closely entwined with Xin Nuo, was also recorded on film.

“The twelfth-place trainee, with 1,892,173 votes, congratulations,” Ning Yunfei looked up, “Distinctive Voice, Laurel.”

“Laurel!”

Jiang Qiong immediately turned and hugged the person next to her. “Your Highness Hua, bless Old Woof!”

Laurel’s fingers trembled with excitement. She patted Jiang Qiong’s shoulder and then exchanged high-fives with Xu Heran, Xin Nuo, and Haya, who was stretching her arm in the third row.

“Friends, the ‘Luggage Strategy’ works, the ‘Reverse Cow’ works,” Laurel’s lips trembled slightly as she feigned calmness and stepped onto the stage.

The ‘Luggage Strategy,’ every time before rankings, Jiang Qiong, Laurel, Haya, and Jian Yueyin would pack their luggage, always ready to be eliminated.

Prepared each time, they managed to survive every time!

“Hua Hua, you’re amazing!” Xu Heran exclaimed excitedly. “Hua Hua is the only rap trainee who made it this far, she’s really great!”

After her excitement, Xu Heran quickly returned to Xin Nuo’s side for a hug. Behind them, Haya occupied two seats alone, both her hands resting on the backrests of their chairs. She watched them intently as they leaned against each other.

“The eleventh-place trainee, with 1,903,541 votes,” Ning Yunfei’s gaze swept the seats, searching among the trainees. When her gaze settled, the nearby trainees widened their eyes in surprise.

“Dream Entertainment, Liu Yueming.”

At that moment, whether it was trainees from other companies or Liu Yueming and Tan Yutong from Dream Entertainment, they all wore expressions of astonishment.

“Interesting,” Haya said excitedly. Dream Entertainment worked so hard, and Liu Yueming only ranked 11th?

This ranking is quite intriguing!

“Stay calm,” Xin Nuo’s voice was low. “Dream Entertainment is pushing Tan Yutong.”

Oh, right.

Haya stopped swinging her legs. She had just intended to pinch Xu Heran, but she withdrew her hand in disappointment.

Such a tease!

“Tenth place, with 2,076,176 votes,” Ning Yunfei looked towards Angel Entertainment, where the three trainees instinctively straightened their backs.

“Angel Entertainment, Jian Yueyin.”

“Great!” Xu Heran immediately applauded.

Truly worthy of Sister Yue, she steadily improves every time!

Jian Yueyin smiled, stood up, hugged her companions, walked onto the stage, and took her seat.

On the stage, the host chuckled softly, his voice low.

“Ninth place, with 2,181,247 votes.”

“Congratulations, Blast Entertainment, Haya.”

Xu Heran immediately turned around and vigorously high-fived Haya. “Go up there!”

“Sure thing!” Haya stood up, her smile radiant and confident.

“A pleasure to meet you.” Haya sat down and shook hands with Jian Yueyin.

Jian Yueyin returned the handshake with a smile. “Not at all, not at all.”

“Eighth-place trainee, with 2,384,174 votes,” Ning Yunfei continued, “Angel Entertainment, Sasa.”

Jiang Qiong nervously tossed her hair, her blushing face reflecting in her red hair due to nervousness. “In this ranking, progress or regression doesn’t matter. As long as I can stay, there’s a chance to vie for a debut position.”

“I’m not asking for anything else, I just want one more chance at the door!” Jiang Qiong turned her head, glanced at Xu Heran, and made a determined decision. “If my wish comes true, I’ll admit that Xu Heran is the leader of the ‘Woof Woof Team.’ I’m willing to let her lead the ‘Big Woof Woof’!”

Xu Heran: “???”

“Who wants to be a ‘Woof Woof’!”

Xin Nuo leaned against Xu Heran, chuckling, and nodded repeatedly. “Yeah, yeah, how could we, Pearl and Pearl, be ‘Woof Woof’? We’re Pearl and Pearl!”

Hearing Xin Nuo’s words, Jiang Qiong immediately shook her head. “Forget it. ‘Woof Woof Team’ is fine, but ‘Piggy Team’ is not acceptable. ‘Piggy Team’ is too damaging to our self-esteem!”

Xu Heran: “???”

On stage, Ning Yunfei took a deep breath, her gentle smile directed at the camera.

“Ranks eight to thirteen have been announced. Now, it’s time for the most important part—the rankings for debut positions.”

Below the stage, some trainees looked downcast, shaking their heads helplessly at their friends. Some took a deep breath, clasped their hands in prayer, while others leaned against each other as if they were meant to be that way from the beginning.

“Nuo Nuo, first place!” Xu Heran started a traditional performance, forming hand seals with both hands. “Nuo Nuo must be first!”

Xin Nuo’s face showed no signs of nervousness. She smilingly grabbed Xu Heran’s busy fingers.

“Saying it out loud lacks sincerity, obedient Ranran, quickly learn from Jiang Qiong and make a vow.”

Xu Heran’s movements froze, and she asked in confusion, “Make a vow about what?”

“Well… how about this? Are you willing to be a little piggy for me?” Xin Nuo chuckled, slipping her fingers between Xu Heran’s, pinching Xu Heran’s slender and thin thumb, gently kneading it between her fingertips.

“Come on, quick. Do you want to be a ‘Woof Woof’ or a piggy?”

Xu Heran took a deep breath, hugged her arms, her expression grave.

“I can only say that I’m a Little Pearl.”

Little Pearl, if it’s for the sake of Nuo Nuo getting first place, it’s not impossible to round up a bit.

Xin Nuo immediately burst into laughter, reaching out to hug Xu Heran.

“Little Pearl is so well-behaved.”

Xu Heran shook her head repeatedly. “Sister is so naughty.”

But what can I do? I still chose to forgive her.

Sigh.

“Please show some respect for the situation here. Tan Yutong has already gone up, and you’re still sticking together,” Jiang Qiong couldn’t help turning her head back, expressing her disdain.

The two people huddled together were stunned. “Tan Yutong? What rank?”

“Here.” Jiang Qiong nodded toward the stage.

Xu Heran looked up and saw Tan Yutong’s expression somewhat stiff, sitting in the seventh position with embarrassment.

“Tan Yutong is seventh?” Xu Heran exclaimed in surprise. “Didn’t they say Dream Entertainment was particularly active in promoting her?”

“Hmm.” Xin Nuo nodded, grabbing her ponytail and smiling. “No matter how active the promotion is, it can’t compare to actual votes.”

A total of 2.66 million votes is a really good number. If it weren’t for Dream Entertainment and Mu Yiyue pushing behind the scenes, whether Tan Yutong could make it this far is still an unknown.

Tan Yutong, seventh place, Yuyou from Best Entertainment got 80,000 more votes than her. This sweet and adorable girl, despite being from a smaller company with less promotion, had a decent popularity among the public. She entered the debut ranks once again in this round of voting.

“Fifth place trainee, with 2,812,178 votes.”

“Angel Entertainment, Lin Weining.”

---

We’re currently looking for editors, so if you’re interested at all, then please contact @Glariosa or @sinensis on discord.

Come join the Discord, where all the cool kids hang out!

Please support us on Ko-Fi. You can now read extra chapters by supporting.

Translator: Glariosa
Editor: Sinensis

---