Chapter 77.1

With 《Dreaming Alice》, Xin Nuo successfully secured the championship in this year’s sports dance competition. Song Fenghua and Laurel both achieved good results in the afternoon gymnastics and swimming events. This edition of the Celebrity Sports Games concluded with SGS winning the ultimate championship.

Many artists looked at the eight beautiful girls on the stage and sighed. How could some people not only be good-looking but also have such outstanding performance in sports? Is there no chance left for everyone else?

Compared to the artists, numerous entertainment companies saw SGS’s outstanding performance in the sports competition and couldn’t help but think about their album sales that skyrocketed with every release, the top rankings of their singles, and the breakthrough ratings of the programs they participated in. From last summer to today, a whole year has passed, and both small and large male and female groups in the entertainment industry have been overshadowed and suppressed by SGS, and it seems like they will continue to be suppressed for another year.

“It’s still okay, there’s one more year…” Many entertainment companies consoled themselves. As long as one year passes and SGS disbands, their own groups will finally see the light!

Just one year!

The comforted artists raised their spirits! With just one year, they wouldn’t have to hide in SGS’s spotlight anymore! After disbanding, it’s better to stand alone than together with eight people, right?

After the sports competition ended, the eight members of SGS stayed in the capital, waiting for the album signing event. Around this time, the screening of Xin Nuo’s movie was coming to an end. Director Li You’s film 《Rustling in the Wind》 became the biggest winner of this summer season, thanks to its excellent script and the perfect performances of the actors.

“Just tell me, how many streets did you beat Mu, the ‘Emperor of Shadows’?” Everyone asked Xin Nuo.

Xin Nuo sat on the table, propping her cheeks with her hands, surprised by the question. “Huh, there’s a movie from Mu, the ‘Emperor of Shadows,’ this summer too?”

Upon hearing her words, several people fell silent for three seconds, then burst into laughter.

“Wow, Zhu is red, Nuo is black. You still say Little Pearl is mischievous? Listen to yourself, does that even sound logical?” Jiang Qiong exclaimed loudly.

Xin Nuo displayed an elegant smile.

Xu Heran held her face with both hands, smiling as she watched Xin Nuo.

In early September, SGS held a signing event at the Music Note Impression City in the capital. Only a thousand people had the opportunity to get their albums signed, but despite the official efforts to control the situation, the fans who came to support caused a commotion outside the venue. Thankfully, Universal Entertainment had prepared a plan in advance, and the on-site order was maintained quite well. The signing event concluded successfully.

“I signed ‘Love-Sudden Heartbeat Xindong’ and don’t recognize these four characters. It’s giving me a headache,” Xu Heran rubbed her wrist and had an expression of annoyance, but everyone could see the pride that leaked from the corners of her eyes.

These fans seemed to have planned it beforehand—making Xu Heran sign “Love-Sudden” and Xin Nuo sign “Xindong.”

Jiang Qiong rolled her eyes. “Don’t let Sister Cui hear you say that!”

Jian Yuyin smiled slyly. “I seem to have seen someone making Nuo Nuo sign ‘Xindong’ after signing another CP name. What do you think?”

Did that really happen?

Xu Heran immediately looked at Xin Nuo. Xin Nuo seemed a bit tired, leaning back in her seat. She faintly smiled after hearing Jian Yuyin’s voice. “When Zhuzhu eats hotpot, she orders a lot of dishes. People like to ship CPs, and shipping a couple more should be the same, right?” What’s the same about that!

Xu Heran shook her head, her gaze deep.

No rush.

After the signing event, they immediately headed to Beijing TV to perform the title track 《Freedom》 from their album. This was the first stage for this album. The theme of the album was 《Freedom》 and the eponymous song was the title track, with lyrics and composition by Jian Yuyin.

As the night curtains opened, the pure and clear voices of the girls entered the ears. The stage lights were bright, and they wore black and silver stage outfits, exuding confidence and radiant smiles.

“All things in the world, no one can imprison me. I am the freedom that blooms freely in the mountains and fields. I should be like the wind, I yearn for freedom, my heart belongs to it, freedom is—”

The camera instantly turned to the center of the stage, focusing on the girl holding a blue-purple microphone. After Laurel’s rap, she sang with passion, igniting the atmosphere.

“I have never given up, I have never stopped my steps!”

“I am freedom, and freedom is that I have never been willing to say no until now!”

SGS’s second soprano, Jian Yuyin, appeared. “I have never surrendered, I have never stopped my steps! I am freedom, and freedom is that I willingly become the wind that no one can hinder my steps!”

“La la la, la la la la la!”

The eight of them on the stage bounced around, raising their hands to lead the audience in applause. Behind the eight girls, the roadside band that had rushed over from Haicheng also swayed along, guitars and bass guitars, creating splendid melodies at their fingertips.

“La la la, la la la la la!”

Xu Heran said, “I have never surrendered—”

“I have never surrendered!” Jian Yuyin immediately followed up.

“Never stopped my steps.”

“Never stopped my steps!”

“Freedom is my soul chasing recklessly in youth!”

“La la la, la la la la la!”

…

“Report—” After returning to the hotel, Jiang Qiong exclaimed, “Report to Her Royal Highness, the dual sopranos have ranked up again! Right in front of you~”

Xin Nuo was unbuttoning the cuffs of her shirt. Upon hearing this, her eyes glanced at a certain Pearl drinking water beside her.

“Behead.”

Xu Heran’s shoulders twitched, and she turned around, blinking, “When you eat hotpot, you order a lot of dishes. People like to ship CPs, and shipping a couple more should be the same, right?”

Exactly the same words she had said to Xin Nuo, unchanged.

“Oh my.” Jiang Qiong immediately used a voice loud enough for everyone to hear and said to Xin Nuo, “Your Highness, Xu Pearl here is disregarding your authority, deceiving and hiding things from you. She doesn’t understand that there are things you can do but she can’t!”

Xin Nuo coldly smiled at Xu Heran.

Jian Yuyin sat on the sofa, shrinking back as if she didn’t exist.

“Feeling daring?”

Xu Heran took a breath of cool air. “Absolutely not!”

Jiang Qiong said, “Your Highness, she’s dared to do a lot of things!”

“Jiang Xiaoqiong! I haven’t provoked you recently!”

“Pah, I’ve even seen the video of you pole jumping like a little frog looking for its mother!” Jiang Qiong exclaimed loudly.

“Who’s a little frog looking for its mother? That’s a tadpole! I clearly said you fell out of the kangaroo mother’s pouch like a baby kangaroo!” Xu Heran immediately retorted.

“Look!” Jiang Qiong said, “You’re vilifying me!”

“Yes, that’s right, I give up, what can I say!”

Jiang Qiong rolled up her sleeves. “Come on!”

“Come on!” Xu Heran rolled up her sleeves.

Haya walked behind Jiang Qiong and started pushing her towards Xu Heran, saying, “Forget it, it’s not a big deal, don’t take it to heart. Just have a fight, oh.”

“I’ll fight you with spiciness!” Jiang Qiong exclaimed loudly, tilting her head and pointing her finger at Xu Heran. “I’m offering two packs of spicy snacks!”

“Scared of you? I’m in for three packs!”

The onlookers: “…”

The world needs peace, please go.

“What spicy snacks? Who’s eating spicy snacks?” Cui Qi, who had just entered the room, immediately said, “Let me catch anyone secretly eating random stuff behind my back. We’re in the middle of singing now! How dare they eat spicy snacks! I’ll turn them into spicy snacks!”

Xu Heran and Jiang Qiong exchanged glances.

“You misheard, Sister Cui. No one mentioned spicy snacks,” Xu Heran immediately stood behind Xin Nuo, “I’m not like Jiang Xiaoqiong, I never eat those spicy snacks. Isn’t that right, Nuo Nuo?”

A certain Pearl boldly extended her hand, palm pressing against Xin Nuo’s neck, three fingers pressing on her neck and moving upwards.

Xin Nuo nodded vigorously.

Xin Nuo: “…”

“Xu Heran!” Xin Nuo playfully hit the Pearl from behind. Xu Heran and Jiang Qiong’s unfinished business was passed down to Xin Nuo.

“Serves you right!” Jiang Qiong pushed her into the water, supported by her loyal teammates.

Cui Qi touched her forehead. She always felt that since forming the group, everyone was becoming more lively. Even the usually calm and quiet Xin Nuo, Jian Yuyin, and Song Fenghua were all becoming more carefree, one after another.

Well, it’s probably a good thing.

“Get some rest early today. We’ll be flying all over the country tomorrow. Let’s work happily, girls!”

“Ah~”

Everyone raised their hands in response.

Just as arranged by Cui Qi, the eight members of SGS began their schedules. Until October, when the schedules concluded, Xin Nuo started filming her drama, Lin Weining led a group, the others prepared for their album and participated in variety shows, while Xu Heran… Xu Heran started catching up on her studies.

Beijing University was renowned, boasting numerous esteemed professors. Xu Heran was afraid of being caught up in end-of-term cramming like everyone else. Besides occasionally participating in 《As You Wish》 she focused solely on her studies, completely unconcerned about her future popularity.

While everyone was busy with their respective tasks, news of the debut of SGS’s new girl group took the internet by storm.

SGS’s new girl group, “SugarFruit,” composed of Sun Lingxi, Mu Yue Liang, You Yu, Luo Xi, and Sa Sa, debuted with a fresh, sweet, and cute image on Universal TV’s show 《Voice of the Stars》

The pen in Xu Heran’s hand dropped onto her notebook with a soft “pat.” “When did Sister Cui manage to recruit Lingxi and Moon over?”

“Sometime during the summer,” Haya leaned against the table, scooping ice cream. She told Xu Heran, “Mengdong Girls’ performance has always been lackluster. Their company has multiple similar girl groups, leading to internal resource imbalance. They leaned more towards the senior groups that were becoming popular. Lingxi and Moon felt that they were half the reason the team couldn’t take off, carrying a lot of psychological pressure. They had conflicts with the company. Didn’t you notice they haven’t been out much this year?”

“Did you talk to them?” Xu Heran asked with a smile.

“A few days ago, FYU participated in an internal company variety show. I went to bring them food and happened to meet Lingxi. We chatted for a bit,” Haya smiled. “They can be considered to have parted ways with the company amicably. Their only thought now is to earn back the termination fee.”

“StarryGirls endorsing a fruity beverage finally ended up in the hands of their own girl group.”

“Sasa finally debuted!” Xu Heran said with a smile. “Congratulations, everyone. I haven’t been on Weibo much recently, so I had no idea about all of this.”

Haya immediately glanced down at her, “Is it because you don’t have time to be online, or is it because someone who joined the group isn’t in touch with the outside world, so you also don’t feel like looking at your phone?”

“Why wouldn’t I be in touch?” Xu Heran looked at Haya with a “You wouldn’t understand” expression, a hint of pride in her tone. “Nuo Nuo and I exchange goodnight messages every night.”

Haya followed with a “That’s it” expression.

Comfortingly, the girls patted Xu Heran’s shoulder. One of them took out her phone from her pocket, unlocked the screen, and showed it to Xu Heran.

In the frame, Lin Weining was wearing an outfit from a recent stage performance. She looked pure and elegant, clean and beautiful, smiling at the camera. In her hands, she held a bouquet of flowers, her expression a bit shy.

Beside her, a tall girl slightly bent over, her arm around Lin Weining’s shoulder. She lowered her head, her lips brushing Lin Weining’s cheek.

“!!!!!!”

Xu Heran: OOO

“You—” Xu Heran’s voice suddenly dropped, “Are you two together?”

“Not yet,” Haya picked up her phone, looking at it with a sense of appreciation for a moment, then made a “tsk” sound. “We’re both idols, so it’s not easy to bring it up.”

“Oh~” Xu Heran immediately raised an eyebrow, and her envy dissipated.

“Even though you kissed her cheek, gave her roses, and even used a photo of her as your screensaver, you’re just ordinary friends, right?” Xu Heran suddenly sounded a bit smug. What’s a cheek kiss? She’s way ahead… hehe.

“There’s still half a year before we stop being idols, but Sister Ning Ning will continue,” Xu Heran made a clucking sound, “I thought you’d be ahead of me, but it turns out… hehe.”

“Hehe about what?” Haya rubbed Xu Heran’s head. “Little brat, catch her first before you mock me.”

“Don’t be so smug here. When Weining and I get together, you and Xin Nuo won’t have made any progress!”

Xu Heran swatted her hand away. “Just wait. We’ll definitely be faster.”

Haya shrugged indifferently, went to throw away the trash, and with her hand raised, waved casually at Xu Heran. Her tone wasn’t all that sincere.

“Good luck.”

Xu Heran licked her lips, then took out a customized calendar from her nearby bag. The calendar covered from June 1st of this year to June 1st of the next. Already more than half of it had passed.

A certain Pearl’s fingers counted the passing days on the calendar, feeling inexplicably reassured.

Just half a year left.

Soon.

Xu Heran, go for it!

As the end of the year approached once again, the forest villa echoed with the wails of students facing final exams. Xu Heran, who had been waiting for this scene, donned golden-rimmed glasses, hands in her pockets, and flashed a devilish smile to the crowd before turning around and getting into the car bound for the capital city.

“What’s she implying!” Jiang Qiong clenched her fist in Xu Heran’s direction. “She’s looking down on us! Nuo Nuo, can you tolerate that?”

Seeing the departing car, Xin Nuo immediately responded, “No.”

“Wait until I give her a piece of my mind.”

Satisfied with the answer, Jiang Qiong’s face lit up with a brilliant smile. But the thought of her miserable final exams immediately soured her expression. “No, I need to study hard from now on too. The pressure of final exams is terrifying. Please let me graduate soon!”

Dog Woof Woof raised her hand towards the sky.

Xin Nuo chuckled, took out her phone from her coat, and someone’s WeChat appeared conspicuously.

“Am I cool or what?”

“Little Pearl with arms akimbo.”

Xin Nuo’s lips curled upwards.

“Super cool!”

Inside the car, Xu Heran smiled, tapping Xin Nuo’s profile picture.

It’s coming.

Perhaps considering the possibility of SGS disbanding in the middle of next year, by the end of the year, invitations for New Year’s Eve galas from major television stations flowed in, even the highly esteemed Beijing Television’s New Year’s Eve Gala sent an invitation.

Cui Qi, as SGS’s main manager, smiled with relief. This indicated that the eight girls had gained recognition from many people. It was an achievement for SGS and the entire team.

The news of SGS appearing at the New Year’s Eve gala sparked countless discussions. Apart from celebration, there was also reluctance to see SGS go. With half a year left, some devoted fans felt distressed at the thought.

“Wuwuwu, why is it only two years? Can’t it be twenty years!!”

“Please don’t disband, please, my darlings. They’re so happy together, don’t let them separate!”

“Universal, you’ve always taken care of fans, please, don’t let SGS disband!”

“Well, there’s no way around this. They mentioned their future plans in variety shows too. It’s not possible for them to be idols forever. Many people even think their skills aren’t good enough just being idols.”

“Look at every song SGS has released, every stage they’ve performed on. With every performance, they’ve shown us that even as idols, they aim to be the best, the greatest idols! Bringing us the most positive and uplifting songs!”

“Ah, this… Yue Yin lowered her head in silence.”

“Hahaha, what’s going on? The sad atmosphere suddenly turned strange.”

“Don’t be sad. Look at our darlings’ smiling faces. We need to support all their decisions! Because they have a clear plan for themselves! Believe in them! We will still see them!”

“Yeah!”

On the Spring Festival Gala stage, SGS took passionate segments from all their songs since debut, such as 《Stellar Catch》 and 《Freedom》 and combined and rearranged them into a single song. With confident voices on the stage, they expressed their unyielding determination to climb higher.

That night, at midnight.

As the countdown reached its culmination, amidst the multitude of “Happy New Year” wishes from households far and wide, Universal Entertainment released their New Year’s greeting.

Universal Entertainment: “Thank you to all the fans, partnering platforms, cooperating businesses, and all the teams who have supported and encouraged Universal throughout. On behalf of all the artists and employees at Universal, Qiuqiu here sends warm greetings and wishes everyone a happy new year and a joyous family. Saying goodbye to the old, embracing the new, in the coming year, Universal will bring you even better works with a fresh attitude. On this auspicious day, I will convey the message from the SGS team. As an idol girl group that has always been anticipated by everyone, SGS will hold an Eight-Star Solo Concert on September 15th of this year. We, SGS, will never disband!”

SGS: “Amidst the starry skies, we possess the brightest eight stars. This summer, let’s meet at the Eight-Star Solo Concert! SGS will not disband. We have many more summers in our future. Wishing everyone a happy new year, and let’s meet again in the new year!”

After the official announcement, amidst the New Year’s fireworks, SGS’s fans laughed and cried. Not disbanding meant there would be more days to meet in the future. Could they hope for the day they reunite and set off once again?

This is great, no disbanding!

As long as the name SGS remains, so will they!

At a hotel in Beijing, the eight SGS members and their team members sat together for a New Year’s Eve dinner, chatting and laughing, taking photos, and greeting fans. They saw this message.

“Well, it’s not time for us to go solo yet, but the atmosphere is so intense that it feels like we’re taking off today,” Jiang Qiong said.

Song Fenghua held her face up; today was New Year’s, and there was a bit more smile on her face than usual.

“You’re flying solo?”

“How can a barking dog fly in the sky?” Jiang Qiong immediately replied, “Let Ning Ning fly!”

“Well, fairies should be able to fly!”

Lin Weining was tricked by Haya into drinking a glass of wine that was too sour, making her face scrunch up. Hearing Jiang Qiong’s words, she opened her arms and said, “I’m flying~ I can’t fly very high though.”

Haya buried her face in her arms and burst into laughter.

The atmosphere at the table was lively. Everyone took out their phones to video call their families. Whenever someone spoke in their hometown dialect, the people around them would join in, shouting “Mom, Dad, Grandpa, Grandma.”

Xu Heran reached for her phone. “I’m calling Xu Junran right away.”

“Tch!” Everyone expressed their disdain for her.

Xu Heran dialed the video call with a smile. When Xu Menglan’s voice appeared, a group of people rushed over.

“Mom—”

Each voice sounded sweeter than the last.

“Hey, my darlings, Mom is sending you red envelopes.” Xu Menglan smiled very gently, wishing everyone a Happy New Year.

Jian Yueyin and Haya lifted Xin Nuo’s chair and pushed it in Xu Heran’s direction, standing side by side.

“Hurry up, quickly call Mom!” Haya teased.

“Our mom is sending you a red envelope, a big one.” Jian Yueyin followed suit.

Xin Nuo’s face gradually turned red. If it weren’t for Xu Menglan looking at her with a smiling expression through the camera, she would’ve definitely mentioned Jian Yueyin and Haya. What’s more, the people beside her not only didn’t help her, but they even raised their hands to poke her arm.

“Go on, call her. I’ve already called her ‘Mom’,” Xu Heran said to Xin Nuo’s mom on Xin Nuo’s phone. “Right, Mom?”

Xin Nuo’s mom smiled and said, “Oh, it’s Heran, you’re video calling with your family?”

Xu Menglan immediately sat up straight. “Oh, it’s my prospective mother-in-law. Come on, turn the camera around, let me chat with my prospective mother-in-law for a bit.”

Xin Nuo’s mom thought she misheard and looked at Xin Nuo in confusion.

“…Auntie is just joking,” Xin Nuo bit her lip and said.

“Is it ‘Auntie’?” Xu Menglan teased with a smile.

The others around them immediately chimed in, “Is it ‘Auntie’?”

Xin Nuo had no choice and softly called out, “Mom.”

Xu Menglan smiled in response and waved at the beautiful woman on the other phone. “This matter, it’s settled like this!”

Xin Nuo’s mom didn’t understand, but she smiled and nodded.

Even though she didn’t know what happened, nodding was the right response.

Amidst the laughter, Jian Yueyin lowered her head and looked at Song Fenghua. She saw Song Fenghua standing behind everyone, smiling at them. Jian Yueyin also nodded. Good, it seems Xiao Fenghua has come to terms with it. Leading a team isn’t easy, especially when two people like the same teammate. It’s quite a predicament.

Thinking this, Jian Yueyin raised her hand and touched Xu Heran’s head.

What’s the point of being so likable?

Xu Heran was proudly telling her mom, “I’m so charming!”

Xin Nuo gave her a sidelong glance, fed up with her empty words.

After saying goodbye to their families, Sister Cui stood up and raised her glass.

“I’ll say a few words here—Xu Heran, you go first.”

Xu Heran put down her raised hand and grinned, “Sister Cui, no need for formalities, just speak directly!”

“Exactly, speak directly.” Jiang Qiong, who was busy peeling shrimp, chimed in.

Laurel was drinking; surprisingly, she had a good tolerance and her face wasn’t turning red.

Her Highness Flower was just Her Highness Flower.

“Go ahead.”

Jian Yueyin sighed, “Just don’t tell me we have to work tomorrow.”

“…I’m not that naggy.” Sister Cui had an expression of “since you’ve figured it out, I won’t hide it,” “We have a three-day holiday, and then we’ll officially start working. To ensure everyone’s exposure, the first half of this year will be busy. We have two albums to release, and a concert tour starting in August, with the solo concert in Haicheng in September.”

“Girls, hold on a little longer. Victory is right ahead!” Cui Qi painted a bright picture for everyone.

“Liar,” Xin Nuo muttered softly.

Even Lin Weining said, “I feel like after September, Sister Cui will say, now that we’re going solo, to ensure our current achievements, we have to do this and that…”

Everyone let out a collective sigh.

“Work, huh!”

Sister Cui slammed the table, “No sighing during the New Year. Buck up, everyone! Tell me loudly, is work good or not?”

The eight girls stood up and raised their glasses, laughing, “It’s fantastic!”

“Go for it!”

Xu Heran took a sip of juice with a smile, then glanced at Xin Nuo. Their eyes met, and they instinctively clinked their glasses together.

“Dear Sister Nuo Nuo, in the new year, please take care of yourself more.”

Xin Nuo smiled softly, “Happy New Year.”

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Translator: Glariosa
Editor: Sinensis
Proofreader: Ruu

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