Chapter 27

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This chapter is edited by gravityjammy. Thank you for your contribution!

Chapter 27: It Must Have a Big Impact on Dancing!

Bang!

Chu Yuanqing, like a startled little animal, securely closed the anti-theft door with a smart lock. She stood frozen for several seconds, then, with a solemn expression, banged her head against the wall in an attempt to physically shake off the disturbing image.

Darn, do kids develop so well these days? How did I not notice she was so big when she went on stage? It must have a big impact on dancing!

No, what am I even thinking?

Chu Yuanqing pinched her cheeks with her small hand until they turned red, trying to quell her guilt. She sighed and was about to apologize, but when she subconsciously patted her chest, her hand brushed against something soft, elastic, and heavy.

Chu Yuanqing woke up as if from a dream.

To others, she was just as beautiful as Xie Qingxuan now. Even if she apologized, it would probably seem out of place, wouldn’t it?

Her emotions suddenly turned cold, leaving her feeling hollow inside.

With a sad sigh, she released the door and stepped inside.

The dorm room assigned by the program group was surprisingly spacious, located underground. The air was fresh, and the windows displayed scenes that mimicked real sunlight, creating a warm, comfortable atmosphere that felt far from stifling.

By now, Xie Qingxuan was nowhere to be seen, and the sound of running water filled the bathroom, indicating she was showering.

As Chu Yuanqing entered the room, she saw a girl organizing a suitcase, carefully sorting through makeup and toiletries.

This trainee was a bit different. With strikingly beautiful features, a melancholic expression, and a somewhat exhausted look, she stood out. A teardrop mole at the corner of her eye made her unforgettable. When she glanced up, a cold, almost ethereal beauty seemed to radiate from her.

The most striking thing, however, was her eyes—emerald green.

While beauty often signifies vitality, in her case, it was paired with an aura that made her seem unusually melancholic, as if she carried a small, persistent dark cloud always raining above her.

Could this child have Gryorian heritage?

In Chu Yuanqing’s impression, only that small northern country was known for producing people with green eyes.

However, her name was a traditional Daxian name—Tang Liuli.

During the self-introduction at the front of the stage, followed by targeted questions from the mentor, Chu Yuanqing had noticed the odd details.

Tang Liuli had been a well-known child star, appearing in numerous popular TV shows and even taking on supporting roles in films. She was a classic example of early fame.

But for some reason, at the peak of her career at just 11 years old, she left the entertainment industry. She deleted all her social media accounts and vanished from the public eye for a full six years, not even promoting her appearance on ‘Dazzling Stage’.

If the mentor hadn’t revealed her secret identity, no one would have recognized her as the dazzling girl from six years ago.

At the time, there had been a lot of buzz and discussion among the competitors.

Of course, Chu Yuanqing remembered Tang Liuli because they had both received harsh criticism from Chen Baijiu for their poor dancing skills.

But the difference was, her singing voice was remarkably refreshing.

In a good way, of course.

Tang Liuli’s voice was like that of a sea nymph—clear, ethereal, and technically flawless. It more than made up for her lackluster dancing, earning her a Grade B rating. Her singing was her strong suit, far surpassing her abilities in any other area.

The only criticism was that the song she chose, along with her performance style, matched the current image of melancholy, even bordering on a moody, emo vibe.

It was a stark contrast to the bright, cheerful child star Tang Liuli, who had been famous six years ago for her heartwarming smile.

It was hard to imagine how the public would react to this.

But compared to that…

Chu Yuanqing stared at her intently for a long time, feeling an odd sense of familiarity.

After a moment of thought, she suddenly asked:

“Are you… the child star who played Delaina in ‘Magical Girl Delaina’?”

Tang Liuli furrowed her brows slightly, calmly closed the suitcase, like a prickly little animal, and warily said:

“…It’s me, do you need something?”

Chu Yuanqing’s face lit up with excitement. She quickly pulled out a notebook and a pen from her bag, eagerly asking:

“Wow, it’s really you! Could you please give me your autograph?”

Tang Liuli was taken aback by the request, her carefully built social defenses crumbling in an instant.

“Magical Girl Delaina” was the first show she acted in when she first entered the entertainment industry.

Honestly, the production of the show was as rough as her acting skills when she first started. It was filmed years ago but didn’t air until later, drawing only a small audience and achieving little success.

That period had been the lowest point in Tang Liuli’s career as a child star.

So, she never imagined that one day someone would ask for her autograph for this show.

Moreover, Chu Yuanqing, this fan, was not only a competitor but also exceptionally beautiful.

After a brief pause, Tang Liuli decided that signing an autograph was no big deal.

So, she impatiently took the notebook.

Though she was a bit impatient, she was very honest when signing, with fluent movements as if she had practiced for a long time. Her handwriting was beautiful and elegant, giving off a touch of elegance.

Chu Yuanqing happily accepted the notebook, her face lighting up as she said thank you.

Tang Liuli stood up, moved her suitcase a little further away, and resumed crouching on the ground to organize her things, creating a clear sense of distance.

After a moment, she casually asked, as if nothing was out of the ordinary:

“Do you really like that show?”

Chu Yuanqing thought for a moment before answering honestly:

“Not really, but my daugh… niece loves it. I got the autograph for her.”

“Magical Girl Delaina” was the only TV show she watched with her daughter from start to finish. She even bought DVDs and toys as birthday gifts back then.

She remembered working extra hours on weekends to buy gifts at the time.

But as for the show itself, there wasn’t much to say. It was probably just a simple, charming, and whimsical story filled with heartwarming moments.

A magical girl defeating the bad guys.

Justice triumphing over evil.

With few twists and turns, everyone ended up happy, laughing.

Chu Yuanqing enjoys this kind of story, even though the process of good triumphing over evil seems unrealistic and childish, as long as love can conquer all without reason.

But that’s okay.

The era that gave birth to “Magical Girl Delaina”.

This fact itself was the best redemption for her.

Chu Yuanqing’s beautiful face softened, her expression gentle, a relieved smile appearing.

In that moment, the grey glass on the pendant hanging from her chest briefly turned a pure, holy white, only to be swallowed by an endless darkness.

In that instant, magical energy surged, spreading and extinguishing the positive emotions contained within, like tides receding.

Tang Liuli was the only one watching, and she couldn’t help but get swept up in the moment, feeling as if she were witnessing something extraordinary—like Mary witnessing the arrival of Jesus, lost in a warm and encompassing sense of peace.

Suddenly,

Tang Liuli froze in place, her heart pounding in her chest. It felt as though dark clouds were breaking apart above her, and her tired, gloomy spirit was being cleansed. A strange clarity and comfort washed over her, even her guarded heart opening completely.

The girl’s bright green eyes were soft and sad as she murmured absently,

“It’s almost… like a mother.”