Chapter 75
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Chapter 75: Never Be the Carry Center!
Ji Shuzhu looked unusual—strange, even.
Chen Yining quickly sensed that something was wrong. At first, she thought Ji Shuzhu might have caught a cold. Without overthinking, she reached out and touched Ji Shuzhu’s forehead. Feeling it was warm, her concern grew.
“Ji Shuzhu, do you have a fever?”
“Yes, I have a fever, but it’s a… different kind of fever,” Ji Shuzhu murmured contentedly.
Her expression resembled that of a lazy cat basking in the afternoon sun, her misty eyes brimming with unshed tears. Her typically cool and aloof demeanor softened, replaced with a coral blush that brought out an endearing, girl-next-door charm rarely seen before.
Ji Shuzhu pursed her lips slightly, savoring the feeling of emptiness being filled. Her hand trailed from her full chest to her soft waist and abdomen, as if walking on clouds, greedily enjoying a fullness she hadn’t experienced in ten years.
Immersed in the lingering sensation, Ji Shuzhu wasn’t in the mood to explain herself. Only after Chen Yining asked multiple times did she reluctantly frown and, while enduring the waves of joy, reply casually:
“I’m fine, really. It’s just… related to hypermnesia. I’ll be okay in a moment.”
“Hmm… yeah, don’t worry, Little Ning.”
Chen Yining hesitated but eventually let it go. Still, a sense of unease lingered.
Ji Shuzhu’s unique hypermnesia was a double-edged sword. While it had enabled her to achieve exceptional success by leveraging long-buried memories, it also caused her severe mental strain and occasional emotional breakdowns. The incident at the music festival in Histan had been attributed not only to extreme anti-fan behavior but also to the overwhelming side effects of her hypermnesia.
Now, even though her childhood sweetheart’s warmth was reassuring, her unfocused eyes, flushed cheeks, and delicate sighs—almost as though she were ascending to another realm—left Chen Yining feeling subtly uneasy.
Yet she reassured herself: It’s just the hypermnesia.
Suppressing her instincts, Chen Yining turned her focus to Chu Yuanqing, who appeared deeply shaken. Chu Yuanqing’s usual pride was nowhere to be seen. Her bright face, usually filled with confidence, now looked conflicted, her lips slightly pursed, and her gaze uncertain.
The once-proud heiress was not one to avoid failure. She could acknowledge her weaknesses and admit when she fell short.
But Chu Yuanqing’s stage performance wasn’t just better than her own—it was significantly better.
Chen Yining understood that even if she managed to break free of her limitations and master “Heart Flow,” she couldn’t hope to replicate such a performance.
What truly unsettled her wasn’t merely being surpassed. It was the realization that Chu Yuanqing’s stage—her art—transcended the very dreams Chen Yining had held of shining under the spotlight.
It was a crushing defeat, like being submerged by an unrelenting tsunami.
If not for Ji Shuzhu’s peculiar state distracting her, Chen Yining might still be trapped in her feelings of inadequacy, unable to claw her way out of the emotional turmoil.
Even now, confusion lingered in her mind.
Beyond cheating, she couldn’t fathom a path to surpassing Chu Yuanqing in her current state.
But if she couldn’t even imagine victory, how could she ever ascend to the top of Dazzling Stage and claim the debut position she so desperately sought?
No, she told herself. The situation isn’t that bleak.
Chen Yining took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down.
According to the mentors, Chu Yuanqing was a pure amateur—a novice with no prior stage experience, limited training, and weaker technical skills compared to her own. Objectively, Chen Yining’s foundational abilities were superior.
And yet, Chu Yuanqing’s performance had been so extraordinary that it rivaled recordings of world-class idols.
The only explanation was that Chu Yuanqing had stumbled into a rare burst of inspiration—a fleeting, almost miraculous state of “Heart Flow” that allowed her to unleash her hidden potential.
This kind of phenomenon wasn’t sustainable. It couldn’t be repeated.
Yes, Chu Yuanqing’s upper limit was impossibly high, but her lower limit was equally real. There was no need to idealize her as invincible.
Moreover, with Ji Shuzhu as her partner, Chen Yining believed their duo had a solid chance of succeeding against any competitor in this round of Dazzling Stage.
Reassured by these thoughts, Chen Yining relaxed, a faint smile gracing her lips.
Ji Shuzhu, too, began to recover, though a hint of regret flickered across her face.
What she’d experienced wasn’t the full intensity of sensation—merely fleeting fragments, like catching the aroma of a gourmet meal without tasting it. The fullness that had momentarily warmed her was already fading, leaving an emptiness behind.
The satisfaction, so vivid in her mind, felt like an illusion—something only accessible in her memory palace. Though she could revisit the feeling in her mind, the growing void within her made it harder to appreciate.
But Ji Shuzhu didn’t let herself dwell on the loss. Instead, her expression softened into a sweet, hopeful smile as she glanced at Chu Yuanqing.
It’s okay, she thought. That person still has so much more to offer.
As long as I stay close to her, I’ll keep tasting that sparkle… I can always be happy.
And as for Chen Yining, standing quietly by her side?
Ji Shuzhu still harbored feelings for her childhood sweetheart.
Even though the other person’s sparkle couldn’t satisfy her, leading her to temporarily step away, her feelings hadn’t yet been distorted.
At this moment, however, with her mind still lingering in the climax of her emotions and in a blank state of excitement, Miss Choreographer found herself, in her confusion, completely forgetting her childhood sweetheart. Instead, her thoughts were consumed with seeking happiness for herself—through Chu Yuanqing.
On the other side, Chu Yuanqing was completely unaware of this. She was still preoccupied with the shame of being seen in an embarrassing light by her daughter. She tried desperately to piece back together her shattered dignity as a father, quietly comforting herself:
It’s okay. As long as we keep this secret buried forever, the fact that I danced in a skirt will be forgotten!
Yes, that’s right.
Chu Yuanqing firmly convinced herself that in future interactions with her adorable daughter, she would have to be extremely cautious—never showing any flaws that might reveal her identity as Chu Yuanying!
Meanwhile, the big screen randomly began replaying Tang Liuli’s stage performance. Most of the contestants onstage recovered from their distractions and began watching attentively.
Because Beauty Jade had gone before her, any flaws in the followers’ performances were magnified by the audience. After Tang Liuli’s performance ended, a flurry of discussions broke out among the spectators:
“Are her dancing skills slightly better than Chu Yuanqing’s? Maybe, but not by much.”
“The real bonus point is her singing skills. Tang Liuli’s lead as the main vocalist is solid—there aren’t many in this season of Dazzling Stage who can compete with her in that aspect.”
“Tang Liuli is definitely Grade A material. She’s specialized, but after watching her last stage, I still feel oddly bored.”
“No way! Chu Yuanqing’s performance is far beyond what a trainee can deliver.”
“Feeling better now? With all these amazing Grade A performances, we might as well call it a night.”
Tang Liuli’s performance made all the other beautiful girls, who had been trembling with fear, breathe a sigh of relief. It was as though Chu Yuanqing, like a prehistoric giant entering a kindergarten, was the only one of her kind in Dazzling Stage. If there were more like her, the others might as well quit.
Of course, among the 168 contestants, there were calm and analytical minds like Chen Yining. She rationally assessed the uniqueness of Chu Yuanqing’s irreplicable stage presence. But most contestants were still caught up in Chu Yuanqing’s allure, unable to think objectively or draw detached conclusions.
At this point, Chu Yuanqing seemed like a terrifying figure, even surpassing the role of the Great Devil. Referring to her as “Godly Qing” felt entirely natural.
The other Grade A performances gradually followed.
Ji Shuzhu, Chen Yining, and Xie Qingxuan delivered performances that didn’t leave much of an impression on the audience. However, Kirimi Miyuki’s stage presence in Heart Flow, fueled by her genuine love for the stage, gave the audience a small thrill once again.
While her performance may not have been as impactful as Chu Yuanqing’s, it brought a distinct stage aura. Her unique style and charm, especially in her interpretation of the theme song, set her apart from the rest.
—Heart Flow.
Everyone understood the reason behind this difference. Among the six Grade A players in Sea City’s Dazzling Stage, only Chu Yuanqing and Kirimi Miyuki had a clear grasp of Heart Flow.
The other four contestants were not lacking in talent—some even excelled in other areas. But Heart Flow was the core of infectiousness on stage. Without this key element, one was destined to be overshadowed by others.
This was not a mystery.
An idol’s personal charm can take many forms, but the factor that ultimately determines a stage’s infectiousness is purity—belief, dreams, emotions, and self.
Only those with exceptionally high purity can enter the realm of Heart Flow. In essence, Heart Flow itself is a threshold.
Even Xie Qingxuan, who excelled in appearance, singing, dancing, figure, demeanor, and the remarkable skill of meditation, fell short on stage. She couldn’t match Little Sakura’s presence, revealing the significant gap between them.
Dream Weaver Rabbit turned off the big screen, scanned the contestants’ faces, clapped with a smile, and asked:
“What are your thoughts, everyone? After watching the performances of the six Grade A contestants, do you feel clearer about the path ahead?”
“Whether or not you feel clarity, the victory this time belongs solely to the six contestants who successfully earned the Grade A title. They will enjoy top-tier privileges in the underground base.”
Dream Weaver Rabbit’s crimson eyes glinted with sarcasm as it enthusiastically spread its arms, speaking with a blend of pity and excitement in an enticing tone:
“All the facilities in the contestants’ residential building will be unconditionally open to them.”
“Not only will they have access to the highest level of idol training in their personal practice rooms, but they will also receive a nano-camera for free use, enabling a daily four-hour live broadcast.”
Moreover, “Dazzling Stage” will provide each Grade A contestant with five million yuan for external promotions and arrange short-term endorsements with domestic brands in the future.
When these words were spoken, the entire audience was stunned. Even viewers in the live broadcast room were taken aback, questioning whether Dazzling Stage had lost its mind:
“Haha, I’m starting to wonder how this show is even making money. Giving six people endorsements? That’s just unbelievable.”
“They must have coordinated this with the contestants’ companies beforehand, right? Let’s not forget that Xie Qingxuan, Chen Yining, and Tang Liuli are exceptional—two are signed with top companies, and one was a famous child star. Securing endorsements for them isn’t exactly casual.”
“Dang, isn’t the real issue that the lesser-known contestants now have even fewer opportunities? This competition format is brutal.”
The viewers in the live broadcast room were buzzing with opinions, and the contestants onstage were even more flustered.
While they had anticipated extended live broadcasts and personal practice rooms as perks, the five million yuan in promotional funds and pre-arranged endorsements were beyond their imagination.
To be blunt, this treatment was better than what some contestants received even after debuting in third-tier shows. The reward seemed almost absurdly extravagant for the early stages of a talent competition.
Dream Weaver Rabbit, seemingly expecting their stunned reactions, made no effort to comfort them. Instead, it mockingly remarked:
“If a reward of this caliber isn’t available, how could this possibly be called a chance for rebirth from the ashes?”
“The stage determines victory. The stage determines the future.”
“This is the principle that Dazzling Stage has always upheld.”
With a faint smile, Dream Weaver Rabbit reminded them:
“For those of you who want to stay in the competition, hold on tightly to every opportunity to climb higher in the days ahead.”
“Believe me, the show’s format may be ruthless, but there is always hope for a comeback.”
It then spoke in a slower, gentler tone:
“Of course, this hope depends on your strength and courage.”
The room fell silent as its words echoed.
A projected image appeared on the screen, showing an aerial view of a large stage. The main stage base began to split into three triangular sections, each capable of moving closer together or farther apart via remote control. The dome above soared high, housing an impressive and dazzling lighting system.
Dream Weaver Rabbit clapped its hands, breaking the contestants’ reverie, and announced:
“Alright, let’s move on to the highly anticipated Carry Center battle.”
“As you can see, due to the number of participants, this performance’s stage is much larger than the secondary rating stage.”
“Also, given the number of contestants, the 168 of you will be divided into three groups of 56. Each group will perform on a separate stage.”
“To enhance the visual effects, the stage is divided into a main stage and two side stages. From the six Grade A contestants, one Main C and two Side Cs will be selected.”
“The positions of the remaining contestants will be determined based on their ratings and their upcoming performances.”
Three Carry Centers!?
The lower-ranked contestants immediately caught the significance of this announcement, their gazes shifting toward the Grade A players with envy and even jealousy.
With only six Grade A contestants remaining, half of them had a shot at becoming a Carry Center. The odds seemed unfairly in their favor, sparking murmurs of discontent.
Not long after, the super AI beneath the stage smiled warmly and dropped another bombshell that ignited the audience:
“Additionally, your first performance will not just be a live broadcast. We will randomly select 2,000 audience members to watch the performance live.”
“In other words, this will be a truly meaningful stage show!”
The announcement sent shockwaves through the venue.
The viewers in the live stream room were the first to explode with excitement:
“Oh my gosh, if I get chosen, I’ll be a ‘shining guard’ for my idol!”
Meanwhile, the contestants displayed a mix of reactions. Most were thrilled and excited, though nervousness lingered beneath their smiles.
It was no secret that in the entertainment world, stages of this scale were a rarity.
In Daxia Country, idol careers were notoriously fleeting, like flowers that bloom briefly before fading. Once the initial popularity from a talent show waned, most groups disbanded within a year, with members pivoting to other roles in the industry.
This stage wasn’t just another opportunity; it was a lifeline—a chance to shine under the spotlight one last time. And with a live audience of 2,000 people, the stakes had never been higher.
Dream Weaver Rabbit’s announcement was music to the ears of those who loved performing. For nearly two-thirds of the 168 contestants, who had felt disheartened moments ago, a renewed sense of determination now burned within them.
Little Sakura, among them, seemed the most enthusiastic.
Chu Yuanqing, however, had a completely different reaction.
Upon hearing the announcement, it was as though she had been struck by lightning. Her mind went blank, her body frozen in place, overwhelmed by hopelessness.
Dancing in a little skirt in front of 2,000 people? Isn’t that as good as killing me?!
In that moment, only one thought echoed in her mind:
No matter what, I must NOT win the Carry Center!
Nullparadox
I love this novel too much!!! QAQ