Chapter 41.1

“Please, at the final stage, as the second member to debut, trainee Xin Nuo, take your place on the debut seat that belongs to you!” Ning Yunfei, who had stepped aside, called out loudly.

Xin Nuo raised her hand, waved to the countless cheering audience below, and bowed. The girl in the red dress smiled gently, turned around, and stepped onto the long stage.

Xu Heran stood in place, turning around.

Amidst the dazzling lights, the figure of the black-haired girl resembled a dreamlike phantom. She ascended the high steps amidst applause and took her seat on the second row, a silver chair with golden numbers.

Xu Heran felt somewhat dazed, a feeling of unreality making her anxious. But the shouts from the audience and the enthusiastic expressions of the fans were so genuine. The sense of falsehood shattered, and genuine joy surged from the depths of her heart. Xu Heran smiled.

Finally, along with Nuo Nuo, they debuted!

“Now, with the most enthusiastic applause, let’s welcome the champion of the 《Starlight Girls》 final stage, crowned with the honor of twenty million votes, our well-deserved trainee – Xu Heran from Universal Entertainment! Take your seat on the golden chair that belongs to you!”

“Xu Heran—”

“Little Pearl!!”

Below the stage, five thousand people stood up in unison, cheering and jubilant, watching the girl standing at the center of the stage.

Ning Yunfei raised the microphone, her expression excited. “The 140th girl, the trainee who ranked first in the first round – Xu Heran. Despite experiencing setbacks, she reclaimed her throne on the final stage with a positive attitude and undeniable strength. Let’s cheer for her!”

“Xu Heran, you’re the chief debut trainee tonight! Congratulations!”

“Ahhhhh—”

“Ranran!”

“Xu Heran!”

Xu Heran opened her arms, mimicking an embrace toward the audience below. With her hands crossed over her abdomen, she bowed to the three directions below the stage. Then she turned around, bowing to the viewers in the live broadcast room, her friends who had walked this journey with her, her teammates, the show’s production team, and the Universal Entertainment team.

She raised a radiant smile, and as she turned around, all the lights at the top of the hall converged and focused on the path to the throne.

The brilliance paved the way like a long carpet for the queen’s coronation.

Xu Heran took a step forward, and with a “bang” from the sky, golden flakes showered down like snowflakes. Stepping on the falling sparkles, she ascended the steps.

“Ha…”

Xu Heran took a deep breath, under the gazes of everyone looking up at her. She narrowed her eyes and took her seat.

Behind her, on the large screen in the hall, a golden crown rose, slowly spinning above the pink-haired girl’s head.

“Ahhhhh!!!”

“SGS, go for it!!”

“SGS!”

Ning Yunfei walked to the bottom of the steps, facing the audience. Her tone was solemn. “I declare that the 《Starlight Girls》 program concludes perfectly, and SGS idol group has successfully formed! Let’s look forward to the future, let’s witness together their journey ahead!”

After Ning Yunfei finished, she raised her arm, her open palm pointing toward the seven debut seats behind her.

The camera panned along with her fingertip, capturing the high stage. Upon receiving a signal from the staff, Xu Heran, positioned above the stage, bit her lip. She stood up first, raising the microphone in her hand.

“SGS, all rise.”

From beneath the golden chairs, six girls stood up, smiling.

“Thank you to all the mentors who have supported us throughout. In the future, please continue to support Shining Girls,” Xu Heran’s young face bore an unprecedented solemnity. “SGS, bow!”

“Please continue to support us!”

All seven girls bowed deeply.

“Bang!”

“Bang bang bang!”

Golden and silver sparkles, colorful ribbons, and soft petals fluttered down from the air, showering a grand celebration. Xu Heran straightened her posture.

As she lowered her head, Xin Nuo happened to turn hers.

The air was filled with the scent of flowers and the colorful, mottled lights. Two girls, separated by a single step on the stage, shared a gentle gaze and exchanged a light smile.

“Ahhhhh, my baby did it!!!”

“Congratulations Xu Heran! Congratulations Little Pearl! Congratulations Xin Nuo! Congratulations Xin Nuo! Congratulations to all the girls whose dreams have come true!!”

“I’ve been following this show for half a year, I watched Little Pearl transform before my eyes, becoming so likable. And now she’s finally debuted, why do I feel like crying, sob sob sob!”

“These are tears of joy!!”

“Sob sob sob, my Fenghua, I discovered this girl in the corner of the first episode, and I fell for her at first sight! But that dog director didn’t give her any screen time—although later I found out it was Fenghua’s own fault, but I just wanted to scold that dog director. I didn’t expect her to become more and more outstanding! Sob sob!”

“Including Little Pearl, Xin Nuo, Yueyin, Fenghua, Jiang Qiong, Haya, Laurel, every girl in SGS climbed up from the back with gritted teeth! They all debuted based on their own abilities! I love them so much!”

“So! Ning Ning!!!”

“Why!!!”

“Is it true or false that Ning Ning’s image collapsed? Public opinion online is overwhelmingly against her! But I can’t believe that such a gentle girl on the show could be that kind of person!”

“…Image can be packaged, too. So many people from Angel Entertainment came out to expose her, she even apologized herself, and you’re still defending her, are you dumb?”

“But Little Pearl and the others are still close to Lin Weining! I still don’t believe Ning Ning would snatch someone else’s position. She has both looks and talent, I don’t believe it!!”

“Goodbye, everyone, stay safe on your way!”

“Please continue to support us~”

On the stage, the seven girls waved goodbye to the remaining audience members. As the doors of the hall closed and they were left alone, the seven girls exchanged glances, still finding it hard to believe.

Are they really going to debut?

Is it really them?

“Where’s Xu Heran?” Xin Nuo suddenly asked.

The other five paused, looking around in all directions, question marks popping up above their heads.

Wasn’t she just here?

“Xu Heran!” Cui Qi stood not far away, shouting toward the person on the stage, “Why did you go back up again!”

Xin Nuo quickly turned around and followed the steps to search upwards. At the very top of the high stage, on the golden chair, someone was sprawled out, legs resting on the armrests, propping themselves up with their arms, a smug expression on their face that said, “Let me enjoy a bit more.”

Xin Nuo: “…”

“That’s enough, seriously!” Jiang Qiong pointed at her and shouted, “Can you come down, I’m straining my voice talking to you like this!”

Xu Heran leaned her left hand against her forehead and raised her right hand, shaking her index finger in the air.

“This is the first-place throne, you wouldn’t understand.”

Jiang Qiong, Haya, Laurel, Jian Yueyin all fell silent, even Song Fenghua couldn’t help but avert her gaze.

In the silence, Xin Nuo chuckled softly, “I didn’t see anything.”

Jiang Qiong and Haya’s eyes lit up, and they immediately rolled up their sleeves and charged forward.

The smug expression on Xu Heran’s face turned into horror as she looked at the approaching duo. She raised her hand to block, “What are you doing?”

“Get out of the way, let us have a turn too!” Jiang Qiong and Haya grabbed one of Xu Heran’s arms each, yanked her up, tossed her aside, and then the two squeezed into the golden chair, striking poses for the cameraman to take pictures.

Xu Heran rolled her eyes, shook her head, and strolled over to Xin Nuo’s side, gesturing towards the stage, “Look at these two childish ghosts!”

Xin Nuo sneered.

What’s with the elementary school kids?

She extended her hand, patting Xu Heran’s shoulder and causing her to lower her head. Her fair fingers plucked a shiny piece from Xu Heran’s pink hair, removing a glimmering speck.

Xu Heran lowered her head and, once Xin Nuo said “okay,” she stood up, rubbed her head, and looked around. The hall, previously full of people, was now empty and the staff were beginning to pack up.

“Hey!” Suddenly, Xu Heran remembered something. She turned around, eyes widening, “Where’s Sister Weining?”

“And where are the Yueliang and Lingxi?”

Haya, who had been taking selfies with Jiang Qiong, put her hand down and replied, “They probably went back. I saw Yu Xianghe, Sister Weining’s manager.”

Jiang Qiong, who had been squeezed to the side by her, licked her lips and couldn’t help but say, “Although I’m happy with seventh place, why did I end up seventh?”

“I thought Sister Weining would at least be in the top five!”

“Of course, I didn’t mean that being in the top five now is bad…” Jiang Qiong immediately added, her survival instincts kicking in.

Among the top five, Jian Yueyin and Song Fenghua exchanged glances. Fifth-ranked Haya stroked her chin and whispered, “Yeah.”

When she heard that she was fifth, she felt something was wrong and immediately went to comfort Lin Weining. Moreover, Lin Weining had been off lately, and they thought it was due to stress, so they tried to help her relieve it.

“Sister Cui!” Xu Heran immediately waved, “Sister Cui, what’s Sister Weining’s vote count?”

Cui Qi, who was talking to someone, raised her hand.

“She’s eighth…” Jiang Qiong licked her lips nervously.

Cui Qi patted the shoulder of the person in front of her and walked over with her.

“Sasa?” A trace of surprise appeared in Xin Nuo’s eyes.

The girl wearing a cap lowered her mask, pouted her lips, and tears fell with a “plop.”

“Oh my god, sisters! I finally see you! You have no idea what I’ve been through these past few days!” Sasa hugged Jiang Qiong and sobbed loudly.

“That damn company is inhuman, bullying me, a little trainee!”

Sasa said angrily, releasing Jiang Qiong and placing her hands on the edge of the stage. She clapped the floor with one hand, and the glittering petals around her were blown by her hand’s movement.

The people on stage fell silent, their smiles disappearing from their faces, and they quickly jumped down.

“What happened?” Haya asked.

Sasa wiped her tears with her hand, unable to speak.

“Didn’t I complain to you guys before about how strict and crazy my current company has become? There are more trainees than ants in the ground. If one doesn’t work out, they switch to the next one immediately, and there’s no chance for a second try. The managers treat us terribly.”

“But after I got eliminated and returned to the company, I found out that during our participation in the show, he took over our company’s somewhat third-tier, potentially second-tier, popular idol artist. No wonder he ignored us during this period!” Sasa said, her voice bitter, “I thought he was just unprofessional, but it turns out he just felt we weren’t as useful as his third-tier artists!”

“After I got eliminated, he even mocked me. I couldn’t help but express my opinions about him, and then we started arguing. He thought I looked down on him.” Sasa raised her palm and made a pause gesture. Tears adorned her face as she said coldly, “Yeah, I really did look down on him.”

Listening quietly to her story, the seven of them couldn’t help but laugh.

“During the argument, I slipped out something I shouldn’t have said. I told him that if things didn’t work out, we could terminate the contract. After all, I have somewhere else to go. He panicked when he heard that. He checked my phone and found out about my contact with other entertainment companies. He scolded me for being disloyal and ungrateful, but he didn’t even realize what kind of person he is. Could I endure that? Of course not! So, we just kept arguing!”

Sasa rolled up her sleeves, “We haven’t even debuted yet, and we can’t have opinions about the company? Is terminating a contract the ultimate sin? If the company treats me well, why would I want to terminate it?!”

“Sister Cui should know what happened next. This manager of mine even went as far as to check the phones of all the trainees participating in the program, including Angel. At that time, Weining was still in training camp. He came looking for her himself, asking for her phone. Weining defended me a few times, which made him even more agitated. He felt like we were challenging his authority.”

Xu Heran frowned, “Why did he have the right to check your phone?”

Sasa smiled, “We’re just little trainees, so of course, the manager can manage us however he wants.”

Haya clenched her fist in anger.

Cui Qi, who stood by with her arms crossed, said, “The current public opinion is this: Lin Weining privately contacted a manager from Fantasy Entertainment and revealed her thoughts about switching companies. The manager of your company reported it to your company in time. Lin Weining was punished by the company, and all promotions were withdrawn.”

Sasa’s chest heaved as she gasped for air in anger, “To be precise, it was that damn manager from their company who checked Weining’s phone and coincidentally saw the message from the Fantasy Entertainment manager. But as everyone knows, we surrendered our phones during the training camp, so who could see our messages? But because Weining defended me… Our relationship with our manager had always been tense, and he wanted to teach us a lesson.”

“It doesn’t matter if we debut or not. After all, he has better artists to manage.” Sasa sneered.

Xu Heran was taken aback, gaping in disbelief.

How could this be?

“You think it’s over just like that?” Sasa continued talking and unexpectedly started laughing—a cold, bitter, and speechless laugh. “What’s even more ridiculous is that after all this, in Angel Entertainment, three trainees who trained with us and are usually with us spread false news online about Lin Weining, accusing her of being a bully and tormentor during her time as a trainee in the 《Starlight Girls》 program!”

“They claimed that her gentle demeanor was all an act and that the slot she got to participate in 《Starlight Girls》 wasn’t originally hers—it was one she stole!”

“It’s so laughable. Like we had any damn right to steal someone else’s spot. It’s the company’s decision on who they want to send! They’re just jealous of Weining’s current popularity and opportunity to debut, while they’re still stuck as trainees!”

Everyone: “?????”

Xu Heran looked at Cui Qi, and Cui Qi nodded.

“You didn’t pay much attention to online news due to preparing for the stage, but this incident did cause quite a stir and affected Weining’s votes.”

“This is ridiculous,” Haya said speechlessly. “Do they have any evidence? How dare they smear Weining like that?”

Sasa smiled faintly, “Who needs evidence? But our kind-hearted manager, he used Weining’s account to post on Weibo, apologizing to those three trainees in Weining’s voice and admitting to bullying them!”

…

The seven girls were too shocked to speak.

Beyond—astonishing!

“Oh, by the way, our trainees’ social media account passwords are all in the hands of our manager,” Sasa wiped her face harshly.

Xu Heran asked softly, “Does Weining know about all this?”

Sasa shook her head.

“I’m not sure. I can’t reach Weining.”

“I did tell her,” Cui Qi suddenly spoke, “but Weining said she wants to see how the company responds.”

At that moment, Xin Nuo asked, “When did you tell her, before or after the apology?”

Cui Qi replied, “Before.”

“Got it.”

“However, last night, the program team communicated with Lin Weining about the fake apology incident. She should know about it now.”

Xu Heran: “…”

Haya turned around and cursed angrily. Jiang Qiong raised her hand and placed it on her shoulder. Everyone frowned, unable to comprehend.

“I don’t understand. What’s the point of your manager doing something like this? Isn’t he afraid of being exposed? He doesn’t expect his artists to do well, and he’s even tarnishing their reputation. Does he have a mental problem?”

Sasa smiled bitterly, “Little Pearl, we’re not like you. We don’t have a massive company backing us up. Both Lin Weining and I come from ordinary families. Our contracts are in the hands of Angel Entertainment. Even if we debut, if we don’t become popular, we still won’t have a say. Now that we’re being smeared, how can we explain it to everyone? We’re powerless.”

“He wants to ruin us, it’s that simple.”

“It’s not your fault. If I had known, I would have endured it, even if I had to wait until Weining debuted,” Sasa cried sorrowfully.

Xin Nuo shook her head, “It’s not your fault.”

“Exactly, this situation can’t be blamed on you in the slightest,” Xu Heran was almost driven mad with anger, spinning in place, “Don’t blame yourself for trash like him. Even calling him ‘trash’ is an insult to actual trash!”

“Let Emperor Hua insult him!”

Laurel crossed her arms, her face serious and devoid of expression.

“He’s just enjoying the pleasure of control.” Leaning against the stage, Jian Yueyin stood behind everyone and spoke softly, “In the harsh system, under the desire for opportunities, the manager still holds some authority. Inequality arises.”

Xu Heran paused, suddenly remembering that Jian Yueyin was also from Angel Entertainment and recalling Jian Yueyin’s words on the stage.

Yueyin said she had been in darkness before and had already grown accustomed to it.

…

Xu Heran’s anger surged like a raging fire.

“Where’s Weining? Did she leave?”

Cui Qi glanced at her phone, “She went to the garage, the Angel Entertainment manager was there during the livestream. They should be going back together. But I’ve asked someone to stop the Angel’s car at the garage entrance, not sure if it will work.”

Xu Heran was about to mention that Yueyin was still here, but at that moment, a dark figure dashed out.

“Charge, brothers and sisters!” Haya shouted.

Xu Heran’s eyes lit up, “Let’s go! We’re rescuing Weining!”

“Woof Woof Team, mobilize!” Jiang Qiong raised her fist high.

Xu Heran pulled Xin Nuo and followed in the footsteps of Haya. Cui Qi anxiously yelled, “Xu Heran, Xin Nuo is wearing heels!”

Just as Xu Heran had taken a couple of steps, she abruptly stopped, causing Xin Nuo behind her to bump into her.

“Let’s go, Nuo Nuo! We must save Weining, who is in imminent danger. Our SGS mission is here!” Xu Heran said, preparing to carry Xin Nuo. But then she remembered that Xin Nuo was wearing a long dress.

The taller girl licked her lips, bent over, and extended her left arm through Xin Nuo’s knees. Her right arm wrapped around Xin Nuo’s delicate waist, encased in the red skirt.

“Charge!” Xu Heran shouted and lifted Xin Nuo.

Xin Nuo was suddenly airborne. Instinctively, she held onto Xu Heran’s shoulders and looked back with her dark eyes.

Jian Yueyin, Song Fenghua, and Laurel were following them. Laurel… Laurel opened a fire extinguisher box, pulled out a fire extinguisher, and approached with her head down, emitting a fierce killing intent.

“…Haha.” Even though it was a tense moment, Xin Nuo couldn’t help but laugh.

“Let’s go, Zhuzhu, let’s be heroes!” She smiled and patted Xu Heran’s shoulder, “Zhuzhu, charge—”

“Wait, you guys… Laurel, what are you doing with the fire extinguisher?” Cui Qi shouted in terror, waving to her assistant and bodyguards to catch up, “You’re planning on getting into trouble before even debuting, aren’t you?”

“I’m going too!” Sasa rolled up her sleeves.

“Wait, you can’t go. Your contract is still with Angel Entertainment. I’ll have someone take you back first,” Cui Qi whispered, “Today, you haven’t been here, understand?”

In the underground parking lot, various cars were parked sporadically, the space quiet and empty.

Among them, the door of a nanny car was wide open. The driver sat in the driver’s seat, leaning to the side. One hand held a phone playing videos, while the other held a cigarette, his head remained down.

By the car door, Lin Weining hung her head, an indifferent expression on her face, as she put on her coat.

The Angel Entertainment manager sat in the passenger seat, arms crossed. He glanced at the rearview mirror and couldn’t help but curl his lips as he saw Lin Weining’s expression. He sneered, “Lin Weining, who are you trying to show your face to? You guys are quite something, seven people and not a single debut! Do you realize how much face you’ve made our company lose?”

“We, Angel Entertainment, a well-known and established entertainment company in the industry, have had our reputation completely tarnished by you!”

Lin Weining’s eyes reddened slightly. She exhaled and murmured, “I want to know…”

“Why did you use my name to apologize on my behalf?” Lin Weining asked him, “Why admit to something baseless, why apologize for something I didn’t do?”

“Did you ever ask me? Why should I carry these accusations?” The manager paused, then started laughing with a mix of contempt and indifference, “Why? Just because you betrayed the company? We’ve nurtured you for four years! In the end, you gained fame, you were on the verge of debuting, and yet you wanted to switch companies? Lin Weining, your conscience has been eaten by dogs!”

Lin Weining stated, word by word, “I’ve said it, I didn’t.”

“Can ‘yes’ or ‘no’ easily clear things up for you? Why would Dream Entertainment contact you, inviting you for a meeting?” The manager shouted, “You’re all going to meet, is the next step signing a contract?”

“Heh.” Lin Weining shook her head, “You’re truly laughable.”

Upon hearing her words, the manager’s anger flared up.

“What attitude are you giving me? Look at all the things you’ve done!” He pointed his finger, almost jabbing it toward Lin Weining’s face, “If it weren’t for me stepping in to apologize on your behalf, who knows how long this would’ve gone on! You happily enjoyed yourself at the training camp, living the good life, while I bore the brunt of the criticism outside!”

“All those insults online? Every word registered with me!”

Lin Weining remained composed, “I never asked you to bear the criticism for me. And moreover, whether I did those things or not, you know, don’t you? As my manager, shouldn’t your responsibility be to clear my name? Why add fuel to the fire?”

“Why?” Her accusations hit a nerve with the manager, “Lin Weining, you haven’t even debuted and you’re feeling resentful. Are you daring to talk back to me? Oh~ that gentle and obedient facade you used to put on, was it all an act? Why add fuel to the fire? Let me tell you! Because you’re a waste!”

“Waste!”

“Without Angel Entertainment, you’re nothing. If we hadn’t promoted you, would you have this status? If we simply remove your promotion, you won’t even touch the debut spot. Who else but you is a waste?”

“Without Angel, without my help, could you have secured first place those two times? It’s forgivable for Xu Heran, but you, Xin Nuo, Jian Yueyin, multiple times, you can’t even make it to the top three? Song Fenghua, who only knows how to dance, is stronger than you! She casually dances her way ahead of you! Are you not a waste?”

Lin Weining’s lips quivered, her frail body trembling. She struggled to suppress the anger within her, her voice quivering in tandem with her body.

“You’re insane.”

She repeated softly, “You’re insane. I know Angel Entertainment is under pressure. You’ve been managing trainees for four years, and you have opinions about us. I understand that.”

“But I won’t forgive you. Go make an appointment at the psychiatric department.” Lin Weining finished her words, straightened her clothes, and turned to leave.

Lin Weining’s words pierced through the manager’s feigned anger, exposing his thoughts in the air. His lack of success had led him to vent his frustration on the trainees, which had become commonplace. Now, as Lin Weining challenged him, his immediate reaction was to look around, only to find the parking garage still eerily quiet. Only then did he breathe a sigh of relief.

“Lin Weining!” he shouted at the girl’s retreating figure, “Who gave you permission to leave? Do you want to terminate your contract with Angel Entertainment?”

“Can you afford the breach of contract fee?”

The manager’s words made Lin Weining halt in her tracks.

Thinking he had a firm grip on the situation, the manager smiled smugly, “Come over here and apologize to me. For the next year, we’ll keep our distance from each other. I’ll let you leave Angel Entertainment peacefully. But if you dare to leave, bring out a million in breach of contract fee. You can go wherever you want, and I won’t stop you!”

Lin Weining’s hands clenched tightly together. In that moment, numerous negative thoughts surged through her mind.

“A million, can you actually produce that?” the manager sneered.

“A million? Is that all?”

A clear voice instantly shattered the atmosphere in the parking garage.

Lin Weining froze, suddenly turning around to see Haya’s worried gaze. Behind Haya, familiar faces looked at her from afar, their expressions filled with concern.

Lin Weining’s fingers trembled as she tightly gripped her clothes.

Xu Heran repeated, “If you give her a million in breach of contract fee, will Weining no longer have any ties to Angel Entertainment?”

Haya released her clenched fist, slipped her hand into her pocket, and stepped forward. She stood in front of the visibly anxious Angel Entertainment manager, her smile menacing, “Only a million? Do you want payment in cash or by card?”

Xu Heran paused for a moment as she was about to ask Cui Qi for her phone.

Behind her, Jiang Qiong, Jian Yueyin, Laurel, Song Fenghua, and others all turned their gazes toward Haya, blinking in astonishment.

Did Haya just say something audacious?

“Hmm?” Xin Nuo patted Xu Heran’s back, prompting her to put herself down. With a firm “thud” of her high heels hitting the ground, the girl’s pitch-black eyes landed on Haya’s back, playfully lifting an eyebrow.

Haya… so bold?

Catching up and panting against the wall, Cui Qi followed suit in shock. “You guys…”

Lin Weining’s manager’s eyelids twitched uncontrollably, his uneasy Adam’s apple sliding up and down.

When did these people arrive, and how much did they hear?

He took a step back, assuming a defensive stance, and addressed the person in front of him, Haya. “Who are you?”

Haya was exasperated, “Who am I?”

“Aren’t you a manager from Angel Entertainment? You brought the trainees to the show, and they’ve come this far. Yet you don’t even know who I am?” Haya smiled faintly, “You’re quite dedicated, I must say.”

Xu Heran approached, chiming in, “Absolutely.”

“If you don’t know her, at least you should recognize me, right?” She stood beside Haya.

Lin Weining’s manager, of average height and not very imposing, found himself overshadowed by the two much taller figures standing before him. Their dark shadows covered him.

“Oh… Ms Xu.” Lin Weining’s manager offered a conciliatory smile, “Congratulations on your debut. Are you all going out to celebrate?”

“Yes, celebrating Weining’s escape from petty people and her boundless future,” Xu Heran said with a cheerful smile.

Lin Weining looked at them, stunned.

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Translator: Glariosa
Editor: Sinensis

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