The conversations in the group chat shifted rapidly. Just moments ago, everyone was discussing the support items, and now the topic had moved to the group's "sugar mommy." The lucky fans who had been selected for the tickets were now sitting in their seats, with their travel and even accommodation costs covered. They were all @-ing the "sugar mommy," expressing their gratitude.
Qin Ran, who was the "sugar mommy" in question, sat in her seat, logged into her main account, watching as everyone @-ed her alternate account. For a moment, she debated whether to switch accounts and respond. The venue wasn't particularly well-lit, and most people were focused on their phones, so switching accounts might go unnoticed. However, the seats weren't very spacious, and if her classmate sitting beside her glanced over and saw her logged in as the "sugar mommy," her cover would be blown. Unlike Ling Miaohan, who might enjoy her secret identity being discovered, Qin Ran was determined to keep hers hidden.
After some consideration, Qin Ran decided to stay logged in on her main account and simply lurk, letting her alternate account remain silent.
As the fans continued to thank the "sugar mommy" without receiving a response, the chat grew quiet. Qin Ran considered explaining the silence, but realized that doing so from her main account might raise suspicion. After all, everyone had likely forgotten she was the one who had invited the "sugar mommy" into the group. If she suddenly chimed in now, people might connect the dots.
Just as Qin Ran was about to give in and log into her alternate account, her classmate sitting next to her came to the rescue.
"Maybe the 'sugar mommy' is asleep," her classmate suggested. "She mentioned being overseas, so the time difference might mean she's sleeping right now."
Her classmate's explanation was perfect. Everyone quickly agreed, deciding not to disturb the "sugar mommy." The conversation shifted to other topics, and Qin Ran was relieved.
After a while, the fans in the venue noticed that the seats were nearly full, and the staff began calling for quiet, signaling that the performance was about to start. Everyone quickly posted their last messages in the group chat before putting their phones away.
The performance started right on time. Just like the first public performance, it began with a dazzling light show. Once the host kicked things off and the judges took their seats, the show officially began. The judges' fans, who had learned who the judges were after the first public performance, were present in full force this time, cheering loudly for their idols.
This time, unlike the first public performance where two top stars performed together, they each had their own separate performances with backup dancers and elaborate stage setups. Their fans screamed passionately, making the atmosphere electric. Qin Ran held up her light stick and swayed it along with the crowd, but the loud cheering from the other fans was a bit too much for her ears.
Still, she reminded herself that she would probably be just as loud, if not louder, when Yu Shuman performed.
After the two opening performances, the host did another introduction before announcing the first group to perform. Qin Ran tapped along to the music, her face expressionless, but her mind was solely focused on when Yu Shuman's group would take the stage.
This time, her group was performing sixth out of nine groups, placing them slightly toward the latter half of the lineup. It wasn't an ideal spot, but it had been decided by a random draw. After the uproar caused by Pei Qi changing Ling Miaohan's order in the last performance, the major companies had pushed for a fair drawing of lots this time. With Yu Shuman and Ling Miaohan in the same group, no one objected to the random draw.
Seeing that her group was slated to perform sixth, Pei Qi had been in a sour mood during recent business meetings, which amused the other companies. A few days ago, at a summit, he had a brief, tense exchange with the president of 99 Entertainment, who coolly replied that he was simply following orders from his boss. Pei Qi was left stewing, while everyone else enjoyed the scene.
Though performing sixth wasn't the best, Qin Ran was confident that her group would earn high marks.
After sitting through several performances, Qin Ran finally brightened up when Yu Shuman's group was about to take the stage. Their stage setup was unique, with three silk screens descending to obscure the stage. Behind each screen stood one of the performers, their silhouettes illuminated by backlighting, creating an intriguing effect that piqued the audience's curiosity. Each performer's pose represented a different element of the Dunhuang murals.
From left to right: the Whirling Dance, the Celestial Maiden, and the Deer King.
The Deer King pose was difficult to depict, but the antlers were unmistakable. The Celestial Maiden's pose was classic and instantly recognizable. The Whirling Dance, represented by Yu Shuman, was less familiar to the audience, but her silhouette—one arm bent behind her head, the other hand resting on her chest, fingers delicately poised, one leg raised in a graceful arc—immediately drew the eye with its complexity and elegance.
As Yu Shuman's pose was the most challenging, her screen was the first to be removed. As the music began, she danced her way forward, gracefully moving from behind the screen to the front of the stage, executing the choreography her teacher had meticulously crafted.
Yu Shuman's outfit was a two-piece ensemble with a strapless top and flowing silk pants gathered at the ankles, leaving her feet bare as she danced across the stage. The outfit was sleek and simple but could easily look disastrous on someone without the right physique. Yu Shuman, however, had the perfect figure—toned in all the right places, with subtle muscle definition at her midriff. Her dance was powerful and precise, captivating the audience.
As her solo ended, Yu Shuman gracefully seated herself on the stage, assuming the pose of a Dunhuang goddess. The spotlight on her dimmed slightly, and then the focus shifted to Ling Miaohan, who began her performance. Unlike Yu Shuman's powerful and exotic dance, Ling Miaohan's choreography was ethereal and delicate, reminiscent of traditional Chinese dance.
With her limited knowledge, Qin Ran still preferred Yu Shuman's dance—it was dynamic and full of energy, whereas Ling Miaohan's felt as if it could lose momentum at any moment.
After Ling Miaohan finished, taking her place at the front of the stage, the last performer, the classically trained dancer, began. Her performance was technically the most challenging and executed with impeccable skill. Even Qin Ran, who was biased toward Yu Shuman, had to admit that this dancer's performance was the most visually stunning.
Once the solos were completed, the three dancers came together for a synchronized group dance.
As the final note played, sheer fabric descended from above, shrouding the stage in a soft veil. The three dancers returned to the poses they had held at the beginning, their silhouettes once again cast in shadow. This was the cue for the audience to applaud. Someone started clapping, and soon the entire venue was filled with thunderous applause. Qin Ran clapped so hard that her hands turned red.
When the votes were tallied, Yu Shuman's group was in first place. With only three groups left to perform, Qin Ran doubted they would be surpassed. When the fabric was lifted, the three performers took their bows. As Yu Shuman exited the stage, Qin Ran noticed her scanning the audience. Qin Ran waved her light stick furiously, knowing she was just one among many fans, but with so many light sticks and support items, Yu Shuman was sure to spot her fans.
A moment later, Yu Shuman smiled.
Qin Ran felt a sense of surrealism. She knew Yu Shuman hadn't seen her specifically, but maybe, just maybe, she had seen the section where her fans were seated. Before she could dwell on it, her classmate beside her grabbed her hand, shaking it excitedly. "Did you see that? Shuman smiled in our direction! She definitely saw us!"
"Yeah, she really did!" echoed a nearby fan, grinning widely. Hearing this, the rest of the fans grew even more excited, their cheers for Yu Shuman growing louder. But by this point, Yu Shuman had already left the stage and likely couldn't hear them.
It didn't matter, though. The important thing was that Yu Shuman had seen them and acknowledged their efforts with a smile. For these fans, that was more than enough.
As Yu Shuman disappeared backstage, Qin Ran felt a pang of regret. She should have gone to work today. That way, she could have seen Yu Shuman as soon as she stepped off the stage and told her how amazing she was.
Instead, she was stuck in the audience, watching the remaining performances, her mind wandering. She remembered Yu Shuman telling her that once she gained more fame, she would ask Li Jie to make Qin Ran her assistant. At the time, Qin Ran hadn't taken it seriously, but now it seemed like a good idea. At least that way, she could always be by Yu Shuman's side.
The next performance began, but Qin Ran's thoughts were elsewhere. She knew it was rude and disrespectful to the performers on stage, but she couldn't help it.
People can't control their thoughts, after all.
Qin Ran: AAAAAAAH! SHUMAN!!!
System: I can't watch.