Chapter 36

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Chapter 36: Standing on the World’s Tallest Stage

Giggles.

The words just popped into her head.

Chu Yuanqing nearly burst out laughing. She didn’t think the contestant who had approached Kirimi Miyuki was a lesbian, but she found it amusing how Kirimi Miyuki was in a difficult situation, surrounded by admirers. The situation strangely echoed the words, making her want to laugh.

But then, considering Kirimi Miyuki’s seemingly kind nature, Chu Yuanqing felt a headache coming on.

Can this child really handle it all?

Chu Yuanqing couldn’t help but feel a bit worried. As a seasoned worker, even if she didn’t fully understand the scheming nature of talent shows, she could easily see that the eager trainees swarming around were simply there to take advantage and seek attention.

It all boiled down to how cunning their methods were.

Thinking this, Chu Yuanqing glanced sympathetically at Kirimi Miyuki.

At this stage, the full extent of Grade A players’ privileges hadn’t been revealed yet. They might know that Grade A players could bring others to their practice rooms, but they had no idea that they could also gift access to valuable equipment.

It wasn’t until the rules were fully revealed that the ensuing tsunami became the real test.

But… is it easier now?

The girl pondered for a moment, then, when no one was around, she gently tugged at Kirimi Miyuki’s sleeve, signaling for her and Chu Wang Shu to follow. She quickened her pace.

What if you don’t feel like socializing?

It’s simple—just show that you’re not in the mood to chat.

As for being envied, caught on camera, and scrutinized online like a blood-sucking vampire…

It could only be said that those things didn’t matter at all to someone who just wanted to quit the competition and didn’t have much time left.

If they didn’t matter, why not keep this eager little idol out of trouble?

So,

With a reluctant attitude, Chu Yuanqing continued to avoid communication, tangled in a silence with the other person, casually offering several excuses to dodge the situation. With a mysterious and irresistible momentum, she stubbornly led the way to the meeting point, defying all odds.

This meeting point wasn’t the original stadium; at first glance, it resembled a university lecture hall.

The overall tone was ivory white, with most of the decor made from expensive wood. Paired with the virtual scenery outside the window—filled with chirping birds and fragrant flowers—and the soft lighting that blurred the line between reality and illusion, the room exuded a fresh, youthful atmosphere.

As Dream Weaver Rabbit sat at the teacher’s position behind the lectern, she noticed a trainee entering and proactively used a teaching whip to tap the blackboard, which projected the seating rules.

Chu Yuanqing glanced over, feeling somewhat speechless.

Simply put, it was just another rule enforcing a system of hierarchy.

Currently, there were a total of 168 participants in Sea City’s “Dazzling Stage,” including 14 in Grade A, 26 in Grade B, 39 in Grade C, 41 in Grade D, and 48 in Grade F.

This lecture hall used virtual reality projection to differentiate colored blocks on the ground, with five different designs of chairs arranged from high to low. The colors and chairs corresponded to each other, making it easy to distinguish the different levels.

Chu Wang Shu blinked, disappointed, and muttered:

“Oh, this time it’s not just random selection, but based on levels?”

“What a pity… I wanted to sit with Qing Qing.”

Chu Yuanqing tried to offer surface-level comfort but secretly felt happy, even relieved.

She couldn’t help it—her current appearance had no authority in front of Little Shu. Even when she acted cold, she couldn’t be tough with this child.

Well, this led to even her coldness being seen as part of her character.

It was really sad—her daughter was no longer afraid of her!

So, it was best not to sit together—distance creates beauty. Maintaining a normal friendship was enough; it must not evolve into a dangerously close relationship.

Even though, at times, she strangely enjoyed being close, Little Shu had no bad intentions. Yet, the deep-rooted male mindset made her resist contact with her daughter.

Also… enjoying things was a sign of starting to go bad!

Chu Yuanqing felt more and more excited. She couldn’t wait to say goodbye to the little girl and sit in the most remote corner of the Grade C area. But before she could even take a step in anticipation, her sleeve was suddenly grabbed.

—She was Kirimi Miyuki.

The girl seemed to have imagined something in her mind, a restrained emotion flickering in her eyes. Without giving Chu Yuanqing a chance to speak, she naturally wrapped her arms around her, offering a brief hug in public—a fleeting, gentle touch.

Afterward,

The idol made a cute cheering gesture with her hand. Then, under the envious gaze of Chu Wang Shu from a distance, she walked toward the highest stairs and sat in the designated area for Grade A.

Chu Yuanqing felt slightly annoyed and a bit restless. She held back her expression as she sat in the corner of the Grade C area, fighting the impulse to pinch the other girl’s face fiercely under the subtle scrutiny of those around her.

Darn it, I did this to make things easier for you, not for you to voluntarily let me suck your blood!

Why are you so easily moved! Are you an idiot?!

Hmm, if she knew about Kirimi Miyuki being mistreated by her teammates before, she might understand why things turned out this way.

Chu Yuanqing felt very upset. She didn’t mind being called names like “green tea” or “scheming,” but she was afraid of drawing attention from internet users and making it harder for herself to stay in the competition.

However, as more and more beautiful trainees with exceptional talents filled the classroom and occupied most of the seats, her anxious heart began to feel more at ease.

That’s right, there were so many pretty girls on the show, almost too many to count. Who would care about a contestant with no presence and lacking skills? She had really been too self-conscious.

Chu Yuanqing quickly regained her confidence, becoming optimistic again, and waited for the results of the battle for the theme song with a more relaxed attitude.

Soon, a giant screen was projected onto the blackboard, displaying music videos customized for each theme song. Each song played quickly, showcasing the most memorable scenes before transitioning to the next one.

Eight theme songs were previewed within two minutes, and then the screen switched to the voting interface on the official “Dazzling Stage” website.

Dream Weaver Rabbit scanned the trainees in the room, not mentioning the theme of the gathering. Instead, with a mocking grin, he cruelly said:

“Even though it’s only been 24 hours since the last evaluation, you should all understand the importance of ratings.”

“Some of you have fallen to Grade F, some are just one step away from Grade A, and others have given up on aspiring beyond Grade D and C.”

“Does it feel strange? The show has just begun, yet the goddess of victory seems to have lost interest in you.”

“Unreasonable, isn’t it? The future of victory or defeat—and even the fate of becoming an idol—depends on just one performance on stage.”

“But being an idol means constantly overcoming these unreasonable obstacles, using the stage as your lifeline, burning passionately to shine brightly!”

“The selection mechanism of Dazzling Stage is all about winning or losing on stage!”

“Losers will have their years of hard work denied, their right to shine taken away, and eventually, their dreams and beliefs trampled on.”

“However, the winners will bask in flowers and praise, step over the bodies of all losers, devour the dreams of their opponents along the way, sharpen their shining selves, and stand on the highest stage in the world!”