Chapter 76: The Idol’s Embrace

Following procedure, Tian Lanxing should now be standing at the center of the stage, saying a few words of encouragement to the contestants and then announcing the start of camp.

“Lord Tian Lanxing, where are you going…” he whispered behind her, trying to catch up.

Tian Lanxing ignored him and walked straight toward the contestant seats. Every pair of eyes in the venue and dozens of cameras tracked her movement.

Eventually, Tian Lanxing stopped in front of one person.

Silver strands brushed against Chu Yuyao’s cheek. Her idol was right there, inches away.

She froze. This was the idol she dreamed of day and night, the one she never dared hope to get so close to, even in her dreams.

Then, a chill ran through her.

Why did Tian Lanxing come over?

Could it be… she also saw the barrage comments online? She heard Sun Yuanyuan’s words and thought Chu Yuyao was a shameless backdoor entry?

Chu Yuyao closed her eyes in despair, awaiting judgment.

She could endure being cursed by the whole world. But if even the idol she admired most was going to blame her, loathe her…

Then she really would die.

Tian Lanxing looked at Chu Yuyao’s tear-streaked face and frowned slightly.

“Idiot.”

A very soft murmur.

Then, Tian Lanxing gently wiped the tears from the girl’s cheek.

Chu Yuyao’s mind went blank. She even forgot to breathe.

Before she could process it, Tian Lanxing opened her arms and gave her a big hug.

Soft bodies pressed together.

To comfort Chu Yuyao, Tian Lanxing had to steel herself and forcibly mimic Hua Mu’ai’s tone.

“I made an exception to let you advance, and it wasn’t to watch you cry.” Tian Lanxing’s lips came close to her ear. “Use that same fierce determination you have when gaming to sing, and shut them all up.”

Chu Yuyao trembled.

How did Tian Lanxing know she was good at gaming?

And that tone.

Chu Yuyao’s eyes flew wide open.

Lord Tian Lanxing is Hua Mu’ai!

So her idol had been by her side from the very beginning.

Letting go, Tian Lanxing turned to face the stage and snatched the microphone from Wang Kaiming’s hand.

“I saw everything that just happened.”

Her pleasant voice echoed through the venue.

“Some people said she has no talent and is a backdoor entry with connections.”

Tian Lanxing pointed at Chu Yuyao, who was still in a daze.

“But I’ve heard this child sing. It’s the most beautiful voice I’ve ever heard.”

The entire venue fell silent.

Tian Lanxing gave a mischievous yet dangerous smile.

“Everyone here is smart, so don’t just believe every rumor you hear. If you keep scolding people like this, you’ll make this little girl very sad.”

With that, she tossed the microphone back to the host and walked back to center stage.

The contestants who had mocked Chu Yuyao earlier were too scared to breathe. Sun Yuanyuan, who had been so arrogant moments before, now shrank into her seat, pale-faced, wishing she could find a hole to crawl into.

She shouldn’t have listened to sister Xuzhi and picked a fight with this silent girl.

The livestream chat exploded. The server nearly crashed from the flood of incoming comments.

“Holy shit! Lord Tian Lanxing is protective!”

“What backdoor entry! This is a talent personally approved by Lord Tian Lanxing, okay!”

“If Lord Tian Lanxing says her voice is beautiful, what kind of godly voice does this girl have?”

“Everyone who cursed, get out and apologize! Who dares question Lord Tian Lanxing’s judgment!”

“Wuwuwu, Lord Tian Lanxing hugged her. I’m dying of jealousy! I want to be hugged by Lord Tian Lanxing too!”

“Sun Yuanyuan, come out and take your beating! Intentionally leading online bullying, what a scheming girl!”

…

In just one minute, public opinion on Chu Yuyao reversed completely.

Not only was she cleared of the “backdoor entry” stigma, but she now wore the radiant halo of “personally endorsed by Tian Lanxing.”

The contestants who had mocked her just moments ago had completely changed their attitudes. Some were envious, some jealous, but mostly respectful.

Chu Yuyao touched her cheek, where she had been wiped, and her eyes reddened again.

Her earlier anxiety vanished in an instant, leaving only a pounding heart.

Her idol had not only saved her but also protected her in front of everyone.

Clenching her small fists, Chu Yuyao silently vowed in her heart.

She had to become stronger, bright enough to be worthy of the recognition her idol had given her.

At the back of the contestant seats.

Qin Xuzhi’s features twisted with jealousy.

How could this happen!

How did Tian Lanxing know Chu Yuyao!

She was just a country bumpkin, a pet she could trample underfoot, a plaything to toy with at will. How could she deserve a hug from Tian Lanxing!

Qin Xuzhi breathed rapidly, a terrifying thought creeping into her mind: Had Chu Yuyao’s re-entry into the list been personally requested by Tian Lanxing?

“No! Absolutely not!”

Qin Xuzhi kept denying it in her mind.

That trash Chu Yuyao, who could barely speak clearly, how could she be worthy of knowing a legendary magical girl?

It had to be a coincidence!

Yes, Tian Lanxing must have accidentally heard Chu Yuyao sing somewhere, thought it was okay, and happened to help her out today. Chu Yuyao was just lucky!

Qin Xuzhi took deep breaths, forcing herself to calm down.

Tian Lanxing was also her idol, and she absolutely could not accept her idol favoring someone beneath her.

“Chu Yuyao, don’t get too cocky too soon.” Qin Xuzhi gritted her teeth.

Even if Tian Lanxing speaks for you, so what?

In the next assessment, I’ll show you that a pet is always a pet, and can never turn the tables!

As long as I make you look ridiculous in the next assessment, Tian Lanxing will naturally see your true colors.

The opening ceremony ended in a fervent atmosphere.

The contestants returned to their dorms. The atmosphere in Group Seven had undergone a sea change.

Sun Yuanyuan hid in her bed, not daring to make a sound, afraid that Chu Yuyao would use Tian Lanxing to retaliate. The others tried every way to get close to Chu Yuyao and pry into her relationship with Tian Lanxing.

Without a word, Chu Yuyao went to the bathroom. Standing in front of the mirror, looking at her renewed self, she splashed cold water on her face.

She couldn’t be cowardly anymore. Even if she had to give it her all, she would stay on stage.

Just then, the bathroom door pushed open.

“Yuyao, I’m so envious of you.” Qin Xuzhi walked up beside her, her voice as gentle as ever.

Chu Yuyao turned her head to look at the girl who had shown her kindness at school.

“Xuzhi…”

“But just having Lord Tian Lanxing’s praise isn’t enough. The assessments later will be about real skill. Are you ready?”

Chu Yuyao clenched her fists and nodded.

“Mm-hmm, I’ll definitely work hard.”

Qin Xuzhi turned and left. The moment she closed the door, she muttered silently.

“Hmph, hope you can still smile later.”

Time went back to shortly after the opening ceremony had begun.

Pushing open the apartment door, Xia Xingyan scanned the living room.

Shen Tinglan had a laptop on her lap and was peeling an apple.

“Isn’t the summer camp still going on? Why are you back now?”

Xia Xingyan changed her shoes and hung her backpack on the coat rack.

“Not feeling well, so I asked for leave early.”

Shen Tinglan smiled but didn’t call her out on the excuse. She put down the fruit knife and pointed at the laptop.

“The livestream of the captain’s opening ceremony just started. Want to watch together?”

📚 Also on NHV Novels

The Wandering Life of a Foolish, Mentally challenged Child

darkFemale ProtagonistGender Bender

Read Now →
Not interested