"Makeup?" Qi Wu repeated before calmly shaking her head. "I don't use that."
Qi Wu had not cared if she wore makeup, and there was no way Jin Si would have asked her about that. As for Chang Xun… He was such an overbearing mother hen that naturally assumed makeup was something every woman owned, so he did not need to worry needlessly.
Hence, Qi Wu did not own any makeup.
Jiang Xuxu, who did not know the truth about Qi Wu's situation, felt her heart ached even more for Qi Wu.
In her mind, Qi Wu was a naïve girl whose family was in dire straits and could not even afford to buy her a single cosmetic product.
Talents who had not signed on with a talent agency had to pay for their own makeup and outfits at the start.
Overwhelmed by an urge to do good, Jiang Xuxu promptly declared, "I have an extra set of makeup with me, sweetie. If you don't mind, I can give it to you."
Qi Wu blinked. "Thanks but I wouldn't know how to use it."
There was a wide variety of makeup in this era, and they all looked so complicated. Qi Wu had not included that field in her studies yet.
Back in the temple, she never actively dressed herself up anyway. Her handmaidens would handle everything for her.
When she lived in the temple, she did not deliberately dress herself up. The maids of the temple would take care of everything for her.
Jiang Xuxu silently stared.
Once more, she was drowning in a mind-numbing pit of admiration. "Is this what they mean when they say pure gold does not rust?"
Oh, how she envied Qi Wu!
If it was possible, no one wanted to wake up an hour early just to do their makeup. Would that time not be better used for sleeping?
"Sweetie, let me put on some simple makeup for you in the future. You really can't go on like this."
Jiang Xuxu felt like she worried about Qi Wu more than she worried about herself.
However, one look at Qi Wu and she found herself willingly accepting the burden.
Qi Wu was so sweet. She was worth any and all effort!
Jiang Xu screamed and shouted on the inside about how great Qi Wu was as her mind slowly evolved into the mind of a hardcore fan.
Qi Wu did not accept the offer and instead turned to look at the stage. "It's your turn."
Jiang Xuxu froze in shock. It was only then that she realized she had been so preoccupied with whispering to Qi Wu that she forgot to watch the performances being put on.
If the production team focused on them…
For the first time ever, Jiang Xuxu prayed that Song Qi would forget all about them.
However, that was evidently impossible with Qi Wu around.
Meanwhile, in the control room located in the backstage area, Qu Man and Hu Mofei had listened in on the entire conversation.
As the two women were still wearing their mics, the production team could hear every word spoken no matter how softly they whispered.
At first, Song Qi had been observing the hall with stern eyes, solemnly keeping an eye out for potentially great contestants. However, he could no longer focus on his task due to Qu Man and Hu Mofei constantly whispering and chattering over the radios.
"Are the two of you going to just stare at her the entire day?" he snapped.
Qu Man and Hu Mofei instantly shot back with retorts of their own."
"I'm her primary contact. Can I not keep an eye on her?"
"I'm her fan. It's a fan's right to watch their idols!"
Silence fell.
Song Qi felt too exhausted to even argue back.
The two of them were usually very efficient and professional while working for him. They were rarely ever distracted while working.
However, now… they were both bewitched by a young woman!
Did she cast a spell on them or something?
The more Song Qi thought about it, the angrier he was. In the end, he scoffed. "You're embarrassing!"
Qu Man and Hu Mofei both ignored him.
"Still, who would have thought? Qi Wu does not wear any makeup at all. No wonder Chang Xun places that much importance on her. She has a great foundation to work with. As long as she's not a complete fool, she would do well with some training."
Qu Man continued to mutter to herself as she observed Qi Wu through the cameras.
Compared to Hu Mofei who gazed at Qi Wu with paternal adoration, Qu Man's admiration for Qi Wu was more objective and rational.
*
As a streamer who was famous for her singing and dancing, Jiang Xuxu naturally chose to perform the routine she was most familiar with for the showcase.
The song she chose was very cheerful. Soon, the entire hall was filled with joy. Due to her extroverted nature, Jiang Xuxu did not feel any stage fright and enthusiastically interacted with the crowd.
As it would help with the filming, many of the other contestants were naturally willing to play along.
Once her performance was over, the entire hall was filled with excited cheers. The depressing gloom from before had vanished.
Song Qi, who was sitting at the furthest seat on the judging table, silently nodded in approval.
As soon as Jiang Xuxu got off the stage, she eagerly returned to Qi Wu's side. When she eventually sat down, she realized her hands had been clenched so tightly that they were covered in a thin sheen of sweat.
"Did you know that I nearly went off-pitch because I happened to lock eyes with Mr. Song once during the performance just now?"
"You did well."
Qi Wu did not beat around the bush with her praise. When she looked up at Jiang Xuxu, her eyes seemed to be filled with starlight due to the reflection of the lights above them.
"You were born to be an idol."
She had spoken solemnly without using any flowery words. Still, it was enough for Jiang Xuxu's heart to mysteriously start racing.
There was nothing that gave more joy than genuine approval and praise.
Jiang Xuxu nearly lost control of her volume as she cried out, "I love you, sweetie!"
Qi Wu helplessly patted her on the shoulder.
Sitting a few seats away, Tong Luo watched the two interact with a flicker of envy in her eyes.
However, she soon looked away and forced herself to calm down so that she could perform at her best.
A few more contestants performed after Jiang Xuxu. Then, it was Tong Luo's turn.
When she walked up the stage, the audience began to chatter and mutter among themselves. She could feel stares of curiosity, shock, and scorn directed her way.
Her face remained calm and composed as she dipped into a slight bow in the direction of Song Qi before she got into position for her performance.
She had chosen to perform a scene from a stage performance.
The character she was embodying was a flower that continued to grow toward the sun despite being beaten down time and time again by the wind and rain.
Tong Luo had taken dancing lessons since she was a child, so she was not a bad dancer.
Her body language and the expressions on her face fit perfectly with the music soaring through the air.
Even the contestants who had glared at her in disdain slowly found themselves gazing at her with solemn eyes.
No one thought Tong Luo could endure all that she had suffered and eight whole years of being ignored by her agency and still be in prime condition to perform.
Even Song Qi felt surprised.
Through the radio, Qu Man commented, "It looks like she had taken this opportunity as her one last chance to turn her life around."
Song Qi agreed with that statement.
This was especially obvious when Tong Luo had to fall to the ground as part of her performance. She actually fell with a loud thud that had everyone staring in shock.
However, she seemed to not notice the pain and continued dancing.
A minute passed by. Her performance ended exactly on the dot.
No one could react at first. Then, a clap snapped them out of their stupor, causing them to applaud as well.
Tong Luo saw that the person who had clapped first was Qi Wu.
Conflicted emotions warred harder within her eyes.
For once, Song Qi actually commented on a performance. "You did not let yourself go. I admire that."
The crowd immediately erupted into a frenzy.
That was because none of the contestants from before received a comment from Song Qi himself.
"Thank you, Mr. Song."
Tong Luo had to hold back her excitement as she walked off the stage.