Chapter 24: Mockery and Sarcasm

Mo Qi wiped Lin Zheng’s tears away, not bothering with the microphone, and murmured softly, “It’ll be soon.”

Lin Zheng nodded and stepped onto the small platform reserved for advancing contestants.

“Congratulations to Contestant 01, Lin Zheng, for becoming the first to advance to the national top fifteen!”

Thunderous applause erupted as the host, Meng Weiliang, came on stage. “On the other hand, Mo Qi will enter the second round of the PK challenge. Mo Qi, are you nervous?”

Mo Qi smiled. “It would be a lie to say I’m not nervous, but I’ll do my best so I have no regrets.”

“Go, Mo Mo! We’re rooting for you!” Four or five girls who had bought tickets specifically to support Mo Qi stood up, cheering her on.

Mo Qi’s first PK ended in defeat; facing the risk of elimination, her supporters were more anxious than she was herself.

Meng Weiliang encouraged her as well, “Give it your all.”

“Thank you. I will,” Mo Qi bowed to the girls and left the stage.

Xie An watched her approach, wanting to speak but hesitating.

Mo Qi patted his shoulder. “Don’t be nervous—just enjoy your music. Go on, hero!”

Xie An laughed. “Mo Qi…”

Mo Qi raised her eyebrows at him.

“Never mind, I’ll tell you at dinner tonight.” Xie An clenched his fist in a gesture of encouragement, then went on stage with the contestant he was to PK against.

Mo Qi shrugged and headed backstage to prepare for the second round.

Wang Min quickly caught up, blocking Mo Qi’s path with an air of arrogance.

Busy staffers passed by, glancing up but hurrying on with props.

Mo Qi gazed at Wang Min with an expressionless face. “A good dog doesn’t block the way.”

“Tsk tsk, Mo Qi, what a pity.” Wang Min wore a smug, gloating smile. “Who would’ve thought that King Shen didn’t give you his vote? Does this mean he’s lost interest in you?”

“That’s right.” Mo Qi didn’t refute her; she nodded, acknowledging, “I’m no good in bed—couldn’t keep King Shen. But you seem to be serving the assistant director well. Why don’t you try climbing into King Shen’s bed?”

Wang Min’s smugness vanished instantly, her face dark and ugly. “What nonsense are you spouting?”

“You know better than anyone if it’s nonsense or not.” Mo Qi suddenly grabbed Wang Min’s collar, her voice low and cold. “I’ve warned you before: don’t try to provoke me. The consequences aren’t yours to bear. This is your last warning, Wang Min!”

Ahead, a staff member hurried past carrying props.

Mo Qi extended her arms to hug Wang Min, patting her shoulder and smiling gently, “No need to be nervous. Do your best.”

The staffer nodded to Mo Qi as he passed.

Mo Qi straightened her clothes, pushed Wang Min aside, and continued on her way.

Wang Min watched her retreating figure, clenching her fists hard.

Mo Qi must have seen it! No, she couldn’t let others think her advancement was due to the assistant director’s connections.

“Wang Min! Everyone’s looking for you—why are you here? It’s almost your turn,” a staff member responsible for contestants’ entrances hurried over, puzzled. “What’s wrong? You look pale.”

“Nothing, just a bit nervous.”

“Alright.” Wang Min, her face grim, turned toward the stage.

“What’s her problem? Who does she think she is, acting so high and mighty?” The well-intentioned staffer muttered under his breath.

Mo Qi entered the backstage makeup room, where several contestants were still preparing.

When they saw Mo Qi come in, they offered a few words of comfort.

“Mo Qi, don’t worry. You’ll definitely advance in the second PK! Good luck!”

“That’s right. You actually sing really well.”

Mo Qi smiled faintly. “Lin Zheng is strong—I expected to lose to her. You guys keep working hard.”

During the seven days of training, Shen Yijue only visited Mo Qi on the first day and showed no special favor afterward.

Today, during voting, he hadn’t favored Mo Qi at all, so everyone speculated their relationship had soured.

Their expressions carried a hint of curiosity, even a trace of schadenfreude.

After all, nobody enjoys struggling while others win easily through connections.

Mo Qi observed their strange looks but paid them no mind.

The human heart was the hardest thing to predict—even lovers who thought themselves in love could betray each other. Who could truly be trusted for a lifetime?

A cold light flickered in Mo Qi’s eyes. She smiled gently and walked up to her original stylist. “Teacher, could you help me change my makeup?”

“What are you preparing for your second PK? Tell me about it, so I can style you to match the choreography.”

It was a kind offer. After all, seven days of training had gone into this—being eliminated on the first day would be a shame.

Mo Qi thought for a moment. “A mute dancer. Please follow your own inspiration for me, Teacher.”

“A mute dancer?” The stylist pondered. “I have a bold idea—we still have time before the second PK. If it doesn’t work, we can switch to something safer.”

Mo Qi nodded, and the stylist began to remove her makeup and apply a new look.

A television in the makeup room connected to the stage, so they could watch the entire competition.

Xie An, with his unmatched musical talent, advanced smoothly to the national top fifteen.

“It’s Wang Min’s turn!”

Wang Min was already on stage in a bright red, fluffy short skirt with a black belt at her waist, exuding passionate elegance and cool allure.

Joyful music played—Mo Qi recognized this Madonna dance track, “La Isla Bonita,” Spanish for “The Beautiful Island.”

The dance was lively and passionate, full of energy.

Wang Min danced like a seductive fire fox on stage, beautiful and enchanting.

“I’ve tried samba before—it’s too hard. I gave up quickly. Who would’ve thought Wang Min could dance it so well! Amazing! If we have to PK against her, we’re doomed.”

“Wang Min has a foundation in ballet, so it’s easier for her to pick up other dances. Your basics are good too—don’t lose heart.”

Wang Min’s personality was unpleasant, with a severe princess complex, but she truly had real talent.

Perhaps it was her wealthy upbringing—her interests were broad. Whether it was dance, music, or acting, she seemed to have received systematic training, and she played piano and violin excellently.

For someone like this, if she couldn’t even get through the first round, the judges would truly be blind.

Mo Qi withdrew her gaze from the television.

Wang Min could achieve good results based on her own abilities, yet she still deliberately sought connections with the assistant director. Perhaps it was because she had been favored for so long that she couldn’t accept or face defeat anymore.

After the last few contestants finished their makeup and left, the stylist who had spent a long time working on Mo Qi finally stopped.

“All done, Mo Qi. Take a look and see what you think.”

Mo Qi opened her eyes. The large makeup mirror reflected her entire face clearly.