Chapter 71

Our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/PazjBDkTmW

Chapter 71: You Will Receive Love

Chu Yuanqing gently lowered her raised toes, looking at the girl who wrapped herself up like a spring roll, crying more and more happily. She couldn’t help but pat her head and softly comforted her:

"Xiaoxiao, please don’t cry. You can tell me what’s wrong."

After saying this, Chu Yuanqing sighed quietly in her heart.

She had barely fallen asleep for a few minutes when she heard the person in the bunk above crying.

Although she could ignore it, the mechanism of "Dazzling Stage" determined that sooner or later a large number of people would become stepping stones and sacrifices.

But Liang Xiaoxiao and Chu Wang Shu were about the same age, both seen by her as children who shouldn’t face hardships, and should just be happy every day.

Chu Yuanqing couldn’t fall asleep listening to the child’s crying.

With tears in her eyes, Liang Xiaoxiao looked at her super cute roommate, Daxia, as if looking at a savior. She felt the inner grievance being released, tears flowing like small pearls uncontrollably. She suppressed her sobs and whispered:

"Sob sob, Qing Qing, I’m stuck in the blanket like a dummy."

Chu Yuanqing held her breath for a moment and tried hard not to laugh out of respect.

Chu Yuanqing quietly helped the child wipe away tears with a tissue, just like a prison guard releasing a prisoner from foolishness, setting the other free from a silly state.

Liang Xiaoxiao sat up unsteadily, her swollen ankle wrapped in bandages. With Chu Yuanqing’s support, she slowly got out of bed, put on pink bunny slippers, sat on a stool, looking very sad.

Liang Xiaoxiao felt embarrassed and comforted by a seemingly younger girl. She even sensed a nurturing maternal warmth from the other.

To make things worse, despite thinking it was embarrassing, she felt good when her head was patted on – this made her feel even more embarrassed.

Chu Yuanqing handed a few tissues to Liang Xiaoxiao, comforting her like a little child, patting Liang Xiaoxiao’s head gently, and softly saying:

"There, Xiaoxiao, wipe your tears, stop crying for now, how about going out with me for a while?"

There were people sleeping in the dormitory, definitely not a good place for chatting.

Liang Xiaoxiao nodded obediently.

Chu Yuanqing supported her, and they walked out of the dormitory together.

The corridor of Building F was spacious, and along the way, they could see some vending machines that could be used freely with access cards.

There were many entertainment facilities in the building, but so far, no one had shown interest.

Probably to take care of the contestants’ mental states, there was a park area covered by a virtual system 24 hours a day at the bottom of the building. It synchronized with the external weather, wind speed, and temperature, perfectly simulating fresh clean air, recreating a pleasant evening breeze and gentle moonlight.

Chu Yuanqing found a bench and sat down next to Liang Xiaoxiao. She had two cups of warm coffee in her hands, handed one to the other person nearby, then looked up at the fake crescent moon on the dome, quietly without saying a word.

Due to experiencing dissociative identity disorder multiple times, she could be considered an expert in long-term illnesses. She had counseled many comrades on psychological issues and was an unconventional spiritual mentor.

Liang Xiaoxiao’s situation was obvious, just like Xie Qingxuan’s, both had failed on stage.

From the injury on her ankle, it was apparent that she had likely been in an accident, spraining her foot on stage.

In this situation, not only is it difficult to improve the rating, but it’s also challenging to maintain a Grade D. The efforts of the past week may go to waste, and there is a high probability of being cut out of the second episode.

Unlike Xie Qingxuan, who comes from a small company without strong backing, and whose personal talents are not outstanding, this defeat could determine her future fate, leaving little chance for a fresh start.

It’s normal to cry in such circumstances, and words of comfort may seem inadequate.

Therefore, after the little girl next to her calmed down a bit, Chu Yuanqing took the initiative to start a conversation.

She didn’t mention the stage, idols, or secondary ratings. Instead, she talked about everyday topics, picking up bits and pieces to chat about.

Liang Xiaoxiao was daydreaming a bit. Chu Yuanqing’s voice was soothing with a hint of sweetness, like rain-washed skies, exuding a magical charm.

Normally, it would be fine, but it seemed that in her attempt to comfort someone, she unintentionally lowered her voice, slowed down her tone, making the breaths from her lips vivid, like a light song by the fireplace, swaying the soul and consciousness slowly into a warm embrace.

The young girl felt light-headed, as if she was lifting up, akin to a devout prayer in a church, where sunlight penetrating through the stained glass dome bestowed a sacred baptism.

This warmth, different from that of her original family, flowed into her strong heart like water.

The hidden scars and unhealed wounds deep inside found brief comfort in gentle silence.

Liang Xiaoxiao understood.

She used to think Tang Liuli was too childish to ask Qing Qing to read bedtime stories to her every day.

But now she realized it wasn’t that Tang Liuli was childish, it was just that Qing Qing’s gentle voice was so soothing and captivating that anyone would want to listen every day.

Even someone as mature as herself now wished to hear bedtime stories every night.

And as Chu Yuanqing continued to ask questions, these fanciful thoughts vanished into thin air.

Liang Xiaoxiao felt almost enchanted, revealing everything like pouring beans from a bamboo tube.

She mentioned being forced to do farm work by her mother since she was young, nearly missing out on education until the local government introduced subsidies for school.

She shared that her father started drinking when she was in junior high, feeling like she was a burden and once almost tried to strangle her in a drunken state, believing he could scam the insurance company for a large sum of money.

She said that after her little brother was born, the elders in the family stopped smiling when they saw her. They only frowned as if dealing with a burden.

She said that when she was forced to sign the contract, she felt not only sad and wronged, but also surprisingly relieved. Because by doing so, she didn’t owe her parents anymore, she didn’t have to stay in this backward small county, and she didn’t have to stay in this cold home.

Liang Xiaoxiao talked a lot, as if she had been holding it in. From the unappetizing meals at the company to the teachers’ indifferent attitude in class, even the trivial matter of her waist getting smaller recently, all came pouring out of her.

The girl’s expression changed from sadness to a light smile. She held the coffee can in her hands, sniffed the rising steam, took a sip, and felt her whole body relax.

Sometimes it is just like this.

Even though the problems were not solved and past sorrows continued to sting like sharp blades, just by opening up to someone, it felt like releasing built-up pressure, finding mental relief and liberation.

Chu Yuanqing’s gaze showed a hint of pity. Being an old item that had witnessed countless events, she knew that even without the Calamity God and disaster beasts, beings in the world still endured other hardships among the chaos.

Daxia was the most developed country in the Donghong Federation and held a high position in the global economic system. However, the flourishing era, overall peace, and most people’s happiness couldn’t stop the breeding of mud and filth.

As a savior, she could sacrifice millions of lives to create a world line without the Calamity God and disaster beasts, but she couldn’t build a utopia where everyone could be happy.

Human nature is evil.

This argument may seem extreme, but there are always examples in the world that make people firmly believe in it.

Liang Xiaoxiao’s family is just a tiny reflection of a larger truth.

Chu Yuanqing has seen too much suffering, tasted too much malice from human nature.

——Betrayal, deceit, disappointment, harm, ridicule, conspiracy.

——In that muddy era if one wants to save the world, they must first step over the thorns laid by their compatriots with malice.

Chu Yuanqing should have been numb to the world’s suffering, but because she was able to listen to the gaps of all things, peering into the soul realm of rules and lines, she still retains her flawless original intention.

The girl, unlike earthly beauties, showed a compassionate look on her face, her clear eyes tinged with pity, the lantern pendant on her chest slightly warming up, releasing the personal charm hidden deep in her soul.

Chu Yuanqing reached out and gently touched the other person’s cheek, her slender palm hanging down, the moonlight gently veiling her fingertips, like the halo that gradually tainted the fingers when a deity bestowed a believer.

"Xiaoxiao, your parents are bad people without a doubt, your company is doing bad things for their benefit, and ‘Dazzling Stage’ is very harsh and realistic. You might be eliminated soon and never get to perform on stage or become an idol."

"But don’t lose hope in this world, and don’t lose hope for the future."

"There will definitely be many good people waiting for you in the future. As long as you live your life diligently, stay positive and optimistic, you will eventually meet someone who makes you feel warm from within, feel loved."

"And when you meet that person, even though the past hardships won’t disappear, the happiness you will experience will still make you feel like your life has meaning."

"So, don’t cry, your life is still long, isn’t it?"

Liang Xiaoxiao was a bit absent-minded, feeling the warmth of fingertips touching the skin, the sensation was slightly cool but in the moment of heartbeat, it melted into intense warmth, causing her fair cheeks to blush suddenly.

Chu Yuanqing’s voice was like feathers gliding by the ears, itching and confusing the mind, the warmth and care reflected in her words felt like sharp knives stabbing into the heavy heart, triggering a burst of burning emotions.

The girl felt her heart beating rapidly, much more nervous than when standing on stage.

She stared at the person in front of her, so close yet seemingly unreachable, someone who was offering love and redemption like a deity, awakening emotions that broke free from past beliefs, like a wildfire burning at the core of her heart.

Liang Xiaoxiao never felt loved by her family. Her grandparents didn’t like her when she was young, her dad treated her like she was not important, and her mom wished she was a boy. She is always cheerful because she has to be cheerful.

So the warmth in her chest, the burning desire in her heart, and the yearning for comfort deep in her soul all felt unfamiliar, so much so that she couldn’t recognize them for a moment.

She liked the warmth, the love, and the longing.

Liang Xiaoxiao obediently lowered her head, tears forming in her eyes, instinctively leaning into the soft hand as if craving the love she had never experienced before.

The scars in her heart fell away, leaving an emptiness that eagerly soaked up the intense warmth, transforming it into a joyful rush through her whole body like electricity.

Chu Yuanqing didn’t see anything wrong, she just sighed silently, feeling sad for Xiaoxiao who seemed to lack love, never treated with care since she was a child, now not knowing how to respond to the little attention she was getting.

Little Shu grew up without a mom, and due to a curse, she didn’t receive much care even after starting middle school, but at least she had three meals a day.

Even though she didn’t have much growing up, she tried her best to give love and companionship.

Liang Xiaoxiao had a complete family, but in reality, she received no love at all, experiencing the ups and downs of life more than Little Shu, making her seem even more pitiful.

After pinching her cheeks, Chu Yuanqing glanced at the fake crescent moon in the sky and casually withdrew her hand, softly saying:

"Alright, it’s getting late now, shall we go back to sleep?"

Liang Xiaoxiao suddenly felt a huge sense of reluctance and loss, followed by intense shame and a blush creeping up from the corner of her eyes as if awakening from a dream.

The girl, feeling dazed, followed the other person back to the dormitory, and only started sorting out her thoughts after lying back on the bed.

Well, as Honey Qing said, I will meet someone in the future who will make me feel warm from the bottom of my heart, as if I am being loved, and from this, understand the meaning of living.

But warmth… and being loved too?

Isn’t this exactly the feeling Honey Qing just gave me?!

Liang Xiaoxiao suddenly sat up, her pupils dilating.

She nervously glanced at Chu Yuanqing’s bed, then silently rolled around on her own bed, wrapping herself up like a spring roll, her brain malfunctioning in confusion.

What’s going on? Am I really in a bad situation?

What am I daydreaming about little Qing Qing?

Do I have a crush on her? Or am I turning her into a mother figure? No, no, no, that would be too strange in any case!

Liang Xiaoxiao thinks of herself as a normal person.

At least before being overshadowed by someone’s brilliance, she was just from a dysfunctional family, but she was still fine.

But now, she not only doubts her sexual orientation, but also questions her mental state.

Regardless of her tangled thoughts and self-doubt, she can’t help but repeatedly remember the warmth of that person’s fingertips in her mind.

The care and pity that she extracted from it, transformed into a sweet taste on her tongue, making her subconsciously lick her lips like a kitten.

After licking, her expression stiffened, immediately realizing that something was wrong.

Oh no, I can’t control my feelings.

Oh no, Honey Qing is so addictive, their charisma is like a natural idol!

So… it’s not all my fault, right?

Liang Xiaoxiao shamefully continued to sink towards the direction of stealing motherly love.

At the same time, a strong sense of fear started to grow.

If she used to worry about being eliminated before, caring about her 15-year slave contract, it was the only chance to break free from the chains and gain freedom.

And now, there’s an added fear.

That is – the fear of never seeing Chu Yuanqing again.

The fear, in theory, is not as strong as the despair of being unable to change fate, but when it truly grows, it pierces deep, hits the heart directly, and squeezes out intense emotions.

People who lack love are always like this, they value love more than anything else, as if it’s the last straw dragging them into the swamp.

As for whether they can be saved after holding onto the straw? What is the real value of the straw itself?

These questions are not important at all, what’s important is to grab onto that straw.

So…

Liang Xiaoxiao’s desire to stay on the "Dazzling Stage" grew stronger and stronger, as if she had acquired a certain trait. It not only chased away the confusion of becoming an idol, but also magnified desires by thousands of times, forming a strong core driving force.

– She wanted to stay at all costs.

Because once she leaves, the heartless entertainment company will definitely exploit the sporadic popularity she gained from the "Dazzling Stage". The non-stop schedules and work will make it impossible for her to reach that seemingly distant figure, like moonlight.

– She must find a way.

Looks, mindset, camera sense, dance skills, vocal ability, stage talent.

None of these are good enough, need to find one outstanding skill, evolve it into a weapon that surpasses other competitors, or being eliminated in the first round is almost certain.

Liang Xiaoxiao thought and pondered.

She chewed up and swallowed all the sadness, pain, confusion, dissatisfaction, despair, and negative emotions caused by her failures on stage, and remembered the redemption and love given by that person, melting them all into…

——Paranoid greed.

There’s no time for confusion now, no time for self-pity either.

These meaningless things should all be discarded, used as fuel for sharpening.

By any means necessary, she had to stay as long as possible, staying for a few rounds is better than nothing.

Spending a minute with Chu Yuanqing meant experiencing a precious moment of love.

The girl seemed to grasp the meaning of life, undergoing a transformation in her thoughts, the arc of light in her eyes deepening, like flickering black mist, she glanced in the direction where that person was, slowly closed her eyes, revealing a happy smile.

Tiredness surged like waves, and dreams arrived as expected.

In the scattered farmyard, Liang Xiaoxiao saw her childhood self curled up next to a big yellow dog. She looked skinny, small, and pitiful, with bruises on her arms, sitting on the ground crying, feeling so helpless and lonely.

At 17 years old, she looked at this scene, slowly crouched down, and firmly embraced her 7-year-old self. She smiled and whispered gently:

"It’s okay, Xiaoxiao."

"You will receive love."

"You definitely will."

…

…

The next day.

The 168 contestants once again entered the very spacious multimedia classroom.

Dream Weaver Rabbit stood in front of the podium like a university teacher, smiling as she looked at each contestant’s face. Their expressions varied, but most of them seemed nervous yet hopeful.

The mascot smiled and said:

"Human nature is always like this."

"Even after the stage performance, most of you can probably guess whether your rating will rise or fall."

"But after reviewing the performance and considering the elements of virtual reality, it’s natural to feel hopeful and think that maybe the situation isn’t so bad."

Suddenly, Dream Weaver Rabbit created 168 virtual envelopes swirling around like a storm, showing a wicked grin. With crimson eyes, she gazed down at everyone present and said softly:

"Dear trainees, the chance for a rebirth has slipped away from your fingertips since yesterday, as the results of the secondary rating have already determined your future paths."

"And now, it is time to announce the results publicly and let you all taste the fruits of your efforts."

Recruitment of Editors: https://gravitytales.com/recruitment-of-editors/