Chapter 85

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Chapter 85: I’ve Stolen Your Sparkle

The same day.

Lucky ones like Xu Ling started flaunting their good fortune across forums, group chats, TikTok, and moments, drawing envy and resentment from many. Some even wished they could skewer them with a spear.

The price of the performance tickets skyrocketed quickly—from 5,000 to a staggering 200,000 in no time.

However, it was soon revealed that the tickets were linked to individual IDs, and entry required facial recognition, making resale impossible.

Thus, the game between the rich was abruptly concluded. If not for the leak, the prices might have multiplied several times.

But the fans and supporters, having endured unpleasant experiences with scalpers, and most people not being wealthy, didn’t express much dissatisfaction. In fact, many suggested that “Dazzling Stage” should continue with this rule.

Following the typical approach of talent shows, the organizing team had already arranged the creation of original songs and dances for the debut girl group, preparing for concerts to profit from the show.

In other words, in the “Dazzling Stage” competition zone where Chu Yuanqing was, once the girl group debuted, it wouldn’t take long before they could hold a massive concert for thousands of fans—perhaps even a nationwide tour!

By that time, if the rule remained in place, it could prevent scalpers from monopolizing ticket sales, put an end to various unpleasant practices, and help the fans who had been negatively impacted.

On that day, complaints started surfacing within the Yuanxiao Group.

“So the reason for the high ticket prices is that news about the performance got out. If the news hadn’t been leaked, the price could’ve reached a million.”

The same topic had long been circulating in the fan support groups of the contestants.

Fans, eager to support their favorite idols, had to first calculate how many lucky people in the same group had won tickets. Only then could they decide on the support colors, light sticks, banners, and even send experienced fans to guide the newcomers on how to show proper support.

Support indeed has its rules, especially in this culture-rich island nation.

A standard song structure generally includes an intro → A melody → B melody → chorus → interlude → A melody → B melody → chorus/C melody → chorus → ending.

In this island country, fans perform a series of supporting actions such as clapping, jumping, waving, raising hands, rain brushing, backing vocals, and hand clapping, each corresponding to different parts of a song’s structure—from the intro to the interlude, the chorus, and more.

In Daxia, the culture of support isn’t as strong as it is in other places. Here, fans are more financially involved. For instance, before their idol’s major events, they will fundraise, plan, and carry out large-scale promotions like subway posters, bus advertisements, and so on, all on their own initiative.

However, to ensure proper support during a concert without causing disruptions, it’s essential to educate fans on some small supporting techniques.

As the performance neared, only one day remained.

Rehearsals now required multiple buses to transport the contestants, and the performance location was no longer a secret.

In recent days, the media and paparazzi had been stationed in Zhelong Town, even at the Sea City Expo Center, filming and staking out the area.

Among them, many fans gathered around the entrance barriers, hoping to catch a glimpse of their idols and take some photos to share online.

This was normal, as it’s common for talent shows to let fans wait eagerly and snap pictures, helping to maintain the show’s popularity between episodes.

Even a unique show like “Dazzling Stage” had started to use live broadcasts, no longer isolated in an underground base with no outside interaction.

As a result, candid photos of the contestants had been circulating, with Grade A contestants drawing the most attention.

This change led to the transformation of Chu Yuanqingfan’s town saint image—from a photo of her working in a maid outfit to an image of a girl, tired but adorable, with a daughter on her shoulder, gazing down with love and compassion, a gentle smile curving her lips.

It was a moment captured just in time—a father caring for his daughter, who had been paralyzed after the parade.

After admiring the photo, Xu Ling seemed to gather courage from it. She looked at the three support items piled before her, her hand trembling as she reached for her phone.

Suddenly, a flurry of chimes and beeps echoed in the room.

Message notifications kept popping up.

Since she had proudly boasted about winning the ticket draw on her social media, she was now being mentioned in three different group chats—the Spring Mud Group, the Lantern Festival Group, and the Shengqing Couple Group—where people were asking if she wanted to join the group support activities.

At the same time, several close friends were messaging her privately, inquiring about her plans.

Xu Ling’s scalp tingled, filled with regret, as she felt like she had entered a strange battleground.

In that moment, she couldn’t help but count her blessings.

First, as a huge fan of Little Sakura, she had been the first to promote her in the country, translating various bits of gossip about her from the island nation before the first episode aired. She also posted explanations on Weibo, Bilibili, and TikTok.

Additionally, she had compiled a story about Little Sakura’s dream journey—from Hokkaido to Tokyo, where her dreams gradually shattered over seven years. This gave later fans a complete understanding of her journey, and Xu Ling had put a lot of effort into it.

With around a million fans on Weibo and a growing fan base recently, Xu Ling had become a prominent figure in various fan groups. She even coined the fan name ‘Spring Mud,’ cementing her high status.

However, this status crumbled when she created a popular fan fiction pairing of Little Sakura and Honey Qing, actively promoting it. This caused a major stir.

The simple truth is, if even a star’s fans start creating fictional relationships, what happens when they become overly obsessed? Who will protect the star’s rights then?

It’s like a Catholic pope secretly worshipping not only Jesus but also other gods. Such impurity cannot be accepted by the crowd, let alone by the devout believers.

Thus, just as Xu Ling had initially created a support group for Chu Yuanqing and then handed it over to someone else, she eventually gave up control after creating the fan fiction pairing. She transferred ownership to a senior fan of Little Sakura, maintaining some influence while relinquishing her grip on power.

Xu Ling understood herself well. She had once been a casual fan, only falling for Little Sakura, without any real understanding of fan management or the desire to do so. Giving up control had been inevitable.

Now, she was a devoted fan of both Little Sakura and Honey Qing, promoting them before their debut and leading fans who supported their relationship.

Xu Ling paused, then looked at Honey Qing’s loving photos. It was like being comforted by her mother for a long time, and it reignited her courage.

She solemnly replied to the message on her phone and then…

She held the support stick tightly at its edge!

The girl pressed the button.

Golden light overflowed from it, with a sacred and gentle texture, exuding a luxurious vibe. Most astonishing was the scattering of pink cherry blossoms inside, gently swaying in the golden light, blooming slowly to form a beautiful visual combination.

Gold was the chosen support color of the Yuanxiao Group.

While this color might appear earthy to many idol fans, it seemed to enhance Chu Yuanqing’s mysterious sacredness, fitting her perfectly.

Spring Mud chose pink, corresponding to the cherry blossoms that bloom in March.

From the support stick in Xu Ling’s hand, it was clear at once that it was a carefully prepared item, designed by the two fans who supported them enthusiastically.

This had arrived the day before, delivered by a local courier. Besides the support sticks blending the two fans’ colors, there was also a delicate handcraft with Chu Yuanqing and Kirimi Miyuki’s photo printed on it, alongside a fan light board.

Hmm, holding the sign up was troublesome, so it wasn’t often used during concerts. It was mostly a simple gift.

As a basic moral sense, CP fans avoid performing actions in front of the main characters. The fan light boards were commonly used, and their design was subtle, with only Chu Yuanqing’s name and cherry blossoms intertwined in the gaps, quietly hinting at the bond between the attacker and the receiver.

Xu Ling’s face pressed against the light stick. Her eyes reflected the golden cherry blossoms, and she seemed to suddenly remember something. Her expression gradually turned dazed before she suddenly woke up, coughing a few times and barely containing a smile.

She said firmly:

“Sorry, Honey Qing.”

“I’m sorry, Miyuki.”

“Mom can’t completely give up any one of you, so becoming a CP fan and cheering for you both together was inevitable, right?”

…

…

As night descended, the final day of rehearsals came to a close.

Exhausted contestants climbed into special cars, heading back to the underground base in Zhelong Town.

The atmosphere in the three cars varied significantly.

The contestants assigned to Little Sakura as Vice C were in high spirits. They felt as refreshing as eating watermelon by the sea. Despite their fatigue, their expressions were full of anticipation, their longing for the stage palpable.

It was clear that after a week of rehearsals, these contestants were captivated by Kirimi Miyuki’s stage presence, as if they were being painted by her energy. They performed with renewed vigor, their spirits lifted, and laughter echoed throughout their car.

Meanwhile, the contestants under Chen Yining were more neutral. There was nothing particularly special or depressing about the mood, just a calm and normal atmosphere.

But the contestants on Chu Yuanqing’s side were the quietest. Most of them had their eyes closed, either resting or staring blankly out the windows.

Outside, the colorful lights of Sea City illuminated the night, especially the nearly one-kilometer-tall tower that stood proudly across the shimmering river. It was a striking building, embodying the desires of the city.

Dream Weaver Rabbit appeared, floating mid-air through the car’s device. It gazed out at the night, as though preparing to tell a story about the sights, pondering which past event to share. A soft smile played across its face.

After observing the expressions of the 56 contestants, the rabbit noticed their dark, gloomy, and irritable moods. It whispered to itself:

“More than a week has passed. It’s had enough time to ferment.”

“Is it Disaster Shell? Or fuel? Or idols? Or witches?”

“All of this will be decided by your ‘heart’, wouldn’t you say? Is that not fair?”

The train carriage fell into a deep silence, the air heavy with a gloomy atmosphere. The exhaustion only seemed to intensify.

Tomorrow, they would face an audience of two thousand. For some, this might be the final performance of their lives.

As the main stage performers, they realized more with each rehearsal that their shining moment would be overshadowed by the two side stages during the actual performance.

They were unwilling. Very unwilling.

If…

If Xie Qingxuan had the main carry position, how much better it would be.

Dark clouds swirled in Luo Chan’s eyes, her desire growing, mesmerized by the glowing lights of Sea City.

It was the embodiment of her desires, the greed in her heart, a vision of a hopeless future.

Luo Chan knew that if she was eliminated from “Dazzling Stage,” she might never experience such a lavish life again. And so, she couldn’t help but blame, resent, and hate.

Despite voting for Tang Liuli, engaging in malicious voting, and pushing Xie Qingxuan out of the Carry Center, the ugly side of her emotions kept dwelling on the outcome that would benefit herself the most.

Dark clouds flickered in Luo Chan’s eyes as she glanced at Chu Yuanqing. Chu Yuanqing’s profile was perfect, her expression indifferent, and her features seemed sculpted by the gods. A fleeting glance left an indelible mark in Luo Chan’s heart.

She was so beautiful. If Luo Chan had such a face, could she climb to the top of the popularity charts too? Could she effortlessly change her fate, escaping the confines of her small town?

How unfair. She had no foundation at all. Why should Chu Yuanqing be able to surpass all the hard work Luo Chan had put in for five years? Why could she create such an unbelievable stage?

Luo Chan wished Chu Yuanqing would disappear.

If the Carry Center could be replaced by Xie Qingxuan, or better yet, if it could be her, that would be wonderful.

If everyone’s attention could always be on her, how fulfilling that would be.

Though many negative thoughts surfaced, moral restraint and basic reason suppressed her actions.

Luo Chan sensed something was wrong, but the urge was like an avalanche, unstoppable. When her eyes met the mascot’s smile, filled with crimson, she completely lost the ability to struggle.

Reason snapped.

Instead, a strange and inexplicable logic emerged, almost like a mental illness.

There were no cameras in the car. If she wanted to break Chu Yuanqing’s resolve without revealing her true feelings to the outside world, now was the time. Before they reached the base.

Consumed by unkind thoughts, Luo Chan stood up, expressionless, and walked toward Chu Yuanqing, the others watching in confusion. With blunt words, she mocked:

“Chu Yuanqing, you’re in the best position, the main carry position, yet you can’t surpass the two sub-C players. Every rehearsal ends in failure, only boosting the confidence of the other teams. Aren’t you ashamed?”

“Are you pretending not to know? Or are you really so foolish you can’t see how much everyone is bothered by you?”

Luo Chan laughed suddenly, then hysterically burst into tears, continuing:

“Before joining ‘Dazzling Stage,’ you weren’t even a trainee. You couldn’t possibly understand how hard we work, how much we value this opportunity. Do you?”

“Do you know how rare it is to perform on stage? Do you know that for most of us, because of ‘Dazzling Stage’s rules, this might be the last stage we ever perform on? Do you realize how much attention the main stage will get tomorrow because of your incompetence?”

Dark clouds appeared to seep from her eyes as she reached out to touch Chu Yuanqing’s clear eyes. Her lips trembled, and she whispered softly like an incantation:

“Chu Yuanqing, you don’t deserve to be the main carry position. You might as well give it up.”

Snap.

Her wrist was caught.

Luo Chan lowered her gaze in instinct, only to see the person holding her hand.

Xie Qingxuan.

The platinum blonde-haired teenager stood, expression indifferent, her eyes swirling with black haze like a vortex. Her presence was oppressive, as though the Demon King had descended.

The unusual Heart Flow, acquired by mistake in evolution, exhibited terrifying traits in this moment.

Luo Chan was rendered speechless, dazed. The black haze in her eyes seemed to meet a more powerful force, being consumed and devoured. It was as if all her emotions, even the smallest of them, were forcefully snatched away, chewed up, and swallowed whole.

Luo Chan staggered back, slumping to the ground, her chest hollow and empty. For a moment, even the bewildered emotions she felt were hard to process.

Xie Qingxuan seemed slightly dazed as well. She subconsciously heard the sound of falling rain, and a fragment of her personality emerged briefly, followed by an urgently pursued Dream Puzzle.

Did I… take away her shine?

Chu Yuanqing watched the scene, feeling confused and somewhat lost.

At the same time,

Dream Weaver Rabbit’s eyes gleamed red, a joyful smile spread across its face as it whispered softly:

“Is this completely different from Kirimi Miyuki’s type?”

“This competition… seems more interesting than I thought.”