Chapter 49: CHAPTER 49

Jiang Ye and Qin Yue finished their phone call and returned to the practice room.

After this incident, she had no doubt that these trainees were each hiding three phones.

No wonder some people had been looking at her strangely since yesterday.

Today, their concern and worry were even more obvious, almost as if they were about to write “It’s okay, you can go back and rest for a while” on their faces.

Actually, Jiang Ye was not as fragile as they thought.

There were many children in the orphanage who had suddenly lost their parents in accidents and had no relatives to care for them.

Compared to them, her experience of being sent to the orphanage at birth was relatively better.

After all, she had never experienced what it was like to have parents, so she had nothing to compare it to.

Although she occasionally felt a sense of loss during her growth, the overall environment was still pretty good. Growing up, she never felt that being an orphan made her inferior.

“Alright, alright.”

Jiang Ye picked up the lyrics sheet and took the lead in boosting morale, “Let’s train.”

“The ranking announcement is the day after tomorrow, and we need to record this stage before then. Time is tight, everyone, let’s work hard.”

“Jiang Ye.”

Suddenly, a trainee spoke up, “Actually, even if the program team says we can’t record the eight-member stage, it’s okay.”

She looked at Jiang Ye seriously, “I’m just happy to practice a stage with you.”

Being next to Jiang Ye was infectious.

She might not be the earliest to arrive, but she was always the last to leave.

She never complained or showed any lack of enthusiasm.

This attitude inspired other trainees, who had felt uncertain about their futures and considered the stage meaningless, to rediscover their original intentions while training with her.

It’s safe to say, she was the best embodiment of what it meant to be an idol.

The surrounding trainees echoed her sentiment.

“That’s right, I’m just happy to train with you.”

“Me too! I originally just wanted to get through today, but being with you all makes me really happy, I’m satisfied!”

Jiang Ye was taken aback but quickly understood that the trainees were trying to comfort her in their own way.

“You’re satisfied?”

Jiang Ye blinked and smiled, “But I’m not yet.”

“I promised to record a stage for everyone, and since you all believe in me, how could I not fulfill my promise?”

Moreover, she had already asked the selection manager to contact the producer, and they had agreed to her request.

If lucky, they might not just record a simple practice room version, but actually use the stage.

“So, for the eight-member version of ‘Tiny’, let’s go all out together!”

“Jiang Ye.”

In the afternoon, while practicing, the selection manager came to the practice room to find her, “It’s your turn to record this week’s one-minute benefit time.”

Jiang Ye glanced at Liang Yu.

Liang Yu nodded at her, “I’ll keep an eye on things, you go.”

Since they had practiced enough for their stage, there was still time even if they had to record tomorrow.

Jiang Ye agreed, put down her things, and followed the selection manager.

The one-minute benefit time was a result of fan voting.

Each week, the trainee with the most votes would record a one-minute video, which could include chatting or showcasing skills.

Jiang Ye had recorded several times already.

Logically, her fans should have given their turn to someone else this week.

However, after the recent events, her fans rallied again to vote for her.

Jiang Ye borrowed a guitar and entered the recording room.

“Hello, producers, we meet again!”

Holding the guitar and facing the camera, Jiang Ye smiled and said, “I’ve always wanted to show you some of my other skills, so I learned a bit last minute. I hope you’ll like it.”

Of course, this wasn’t entirely true.

She had learned a little about the guitar before coming on the show.

Although she wasn’t very skilled, she could manage to play a bit.

However, in the show, she wanted to present herself as someone eager to improve and work hard for a better self.

Plus, she knew she had many fans, and showcasing her learning a new skill would give them a sense of fulfillment.

After all, Qin Yue had already revealed her past wounds.

She didn’t agree with this approach, but everyone had seen it, so she couldn’t just let it go to waste.

Now was the time for her to show everyone her healed scars.

“But I’m not very good at it.”

Jiang Ye looked down at the strings while joking, “You can’t laugh at me!”

With one hand on the guitar strings and the other gently strumming, she leaned closer to the microphone and began to sing softly.

“I want to go to the farthest place, dancing and chatting about dreams with you. As if I’ve never lost hope or been hurt, still believing that daring to fly will lead to the sky.”

•••

The one-minute benefit time was recorded and released immediately.

Jiang Ye finished recording in the afternoon, and the video was posted that evening.

Jiang Ye’s fans, who had voted for her out of concern for her well-being, rushed to watch the video.

In the video, after singing half a song, Jiang Ye waved at the camera.

“This song is what I want to sing for everyone. Thank you all for always being with me. Let’s go to the farthest place together.”

She smiled, showcasing her signature bunny teeth.

Throughout, her attitude was calm, without any hint of deliberately seeking sympathy.

Her singing was soft, as if she were quietly comforting her fans across the screen.

“You don’t have to worry about me. The past can’t be changed, but I’m no longer in pain. Now, I’m working hard to be the best version of myself.”

The fans watching were overwhelmed.

【This is her response to us?】

【So she knows, right.】

【She must know! Even if she didn’t hide her phone, something this big would have been communicated to her.】

【Oh my god, I’m really crying. Daughter, I’ll definitely accompany you to the farthest place to see the brightest dawn!】

【What are you all waiting for? Have you voted today? Let’s vote!】

•••

On the other side, Xue Zhihan was secretly checking the forum updates.

The dedicated group was buzzing about Jiang Ye.

Even though Shengrui Entertainment seemed to have belatedly reacted by removing all information related to Jiang Ye and the orphanage, the fans remained tight-lipped about the matter.

Still, when Jiang Ye was mentioned, there was a tinge of sympathy in their tone.

Not only on the Chasing Light Girls forum but also in other entertainment groups where fans could not reveal their affiliations, discussions about Jiang Ye had taken on a more forgiving tone.

While Xue Zhihan was shocked to discover Jiang Ye was an orphan, she quickly realized that leveraging one’s past hardships to gain sympathy was an effective strategy.

Just like Jiang Ye, who had her tragic background exposed yesterday, only to record a comforting video for her fans today.

With this dual stimulus, it was hard for fans not to be emotionally affected.

Even if someone questioned whether Jiang Ye recorded the video intentionally at this moment, they would be rebuked.

“How can you say that when she’s been through so much? Don’t you have a heart?”

Xue Zhihan was already contemplating how to quickly solidify her fan base.

Today, she was in the same group as Shen Zhiyi.

Since Shen Zhiyi had previously expressed a desire to try for the C-position, they each brought their own training group.

Xue Zhihan secretly observed, noticing that Shen Zhiyi seemed much more confident than before.

Although the second performance hadn’t aired yet, Xue Zhihan knew she had performed well.

If Shen Zhiyi could shine in the third performance, she might really rise up.

But Jiang Ye’s incident reminded her that there was another path to take.

Determined, Xue Zhihan immediately called her manager.

“I have a plan that will definitely bring my popularity back.”

“You have to help me one last time.”

•••

Later that evening, the Chasing Light Girls forum was abuzz again.

【Wow, there’s just too much gossip lately! Someone just dug up Jiang Ye’s background, and now someone is revealing Xue Zhihan’s school experiences.】

【What’s going on? Please elaborate.】

【A former middle school classmate has come forward, claiming that Xue Zhihan was bullied in school. Here’s the original post, I’m sharing the link.】

【Is there any proof?】

【The classmate posted a group photo from their old class, confirming that they were indeed in the same class as Xue Zhihan.】

【I just saw it. According to her, Xue Zhihan was bullied because she was the prettiest girl in class and faced unwarranted exclusion. For years, no one dared to be her friend, and her books were thrown in the trash while chalk dust was put in her water cup. The informant admitted that while she didn’t intervene back then, she regretted it now that Xue Zhihan is participating in a talent show. Thankfully, Xue Zhihan seems unaffected by her past, and she’s posting to repent for her former sins.】

【Wow, that’s tragic. Those who bully should be punished.】

【5555 I can relate; I was bullied too. I sympathize with Xue Mei. I’m going to vote for her.】

【Why is the Chasing Light Girls group filled with such tragic pasts?】

【Real love for each other! I hope I don’t hear about any more sad stories from the other girls.】

【Although it’s not right to say, I feel a bit of a ship forming between Xue and Ye, let’s connect our little pity line.】

•••

Jiang Ye finished a long day and checked the forum that evening.

Her own situation was no longer being discussed, but instead, there was an overwhelming amount of news about Xue Zhihan.

Jiang Ye: “?”

Although it’s not quite right to say, isn’t this timing a bit too coincidental?