After Being Bitten By Top-Tier O, Flop A Went Viral - Chapter 43

43: Secret Crush

“Hey, Teacher Wu, I was clearly teaching properly. How could you resort to such underhanded tactics?” Yan Qing rubbed the back of her head as she picked up the chalk, protesting.

Wu Zihan’s hand was still resting on the chalk box. Her calm words carried a hidden edge. “I may not be very knowledgeable, but I fail to see how abs have anything to do with singing.”

“Her abs are well-trained, which means her core is strong. Doesn’t that help with diaphragmatic breathing?” Yan Qing retorted without hesitation.

Qin Que hadn’t expected the two of them to engage in such a rigorous discussion about her abs. Just as her face, which had been saved by Wu Zihan’s intervention, began to cool down, it heated up again.

Wu Zihan clearly realized that continuing this discussion wouldn’t end well and opted for a more direct approach. She snapped a piece of chalk in half. “Would you like to test that theory?”

“Alright, alright~ You’re right, you’re right.” Yan Qing dragged out her words and turned to Qin Que with a sidelong glance. “What are you smiling at? Happy to see me getting scolded?”

“No.” Qin Que immediately suppressed her rising smile, trying to appear as if she and Yan Qing were united against a common enemy. However, she couldn’t help but feel grateful to Teacher Wu.

Having such a fair and strict teacher was a blessing for every student.

Yan Qing seemed to sense her insincerity. She raised her hand as if to pinch Qin Que’s cheek but hesitated, fearing the hidden weapon behind her. In the end, she could only let out a dissatisfied hum. “Let’s continue.”

The evidence proved that Teacher Wu’s chalk was quite effective. Although Yan Qing still occasionally touched Qin Que’s stomach during the lesson, she refrained from making any more shocking comments.

This left the live-stream audience somewhat dissatisfied.

Comment 1: I know Teacher Wu means well, but could Yan Qing describe in detail how those abs feel? Please?

Comment 2: Didn’t you see yesterday? When she took off her jacket, her sweat-drenched clothes clearly outlined her muscles. Tsk tsk, they must feel amazing. Lucky Yan Qing.

Comment 3: Cries while touching my own belly Who’s got abs so I can experience Yan Qing’s happiness?

Comment 4: They’re firmer than your belly but still soft. Overall, they’re springy and perfectly toned—not too bulky, not too scrawny. Broad shoulders, narrow waist—she’s genetically blessed for fitness. —From a passing gym trainer.

Comment 5: Now that you mention it, I’m kinda hungry.

Comment 6: Let’s not turn this into food porn.

Comment 7: Even Yan Qing doesn’t dare to joke around now. It’s like the Queen Mother of the West showing up at the Cowherd and Weaver Girl’s house—no sugar today.

Comment 8: I’m starving, but after hearing Wu Zihan tear into Dai Yuchen, I forgive her.

Comment 9: Teacher Wu, you’ll always be my queen. That was epic!

Comment 10: Seems like Teacher Wu really likes Qin Que. Maybe consider taking her as an unofficial apprentice?

Comment 11: Teachers always favor well-behaved students like Qin Que who endure everything. But I doubt Yan Qing would agree.

Comment 12: LOL, imagine your girlfriend becoming your junior sister, and every time you mess up, she tattles to Teacher Wu. How would you survive?

Comment 13: Everyone’s so well-behaved today. Even the “Instant Noodle Couple” isn’t bickering.

By the time Qin Que finally managed to sing the long sentence smoothly, Yan Qing raised her hand. “Teacher, we’re done practicing.”

Wu Zihan walked up to them, standing half a meter away, and said succinctly, “Sing.”

“Together, just like this, never to part…”

Yan Qing wasn’t as unskilled at singing as Wu Zihan had implied. At this moment, her voice was soft and sweet, perfectly conveying the joy and sweetness of young love.

Just listening to it made Qin Que’s heart race. She didn’t dare look at Yan Qing, afraid she’d forget the melody, so she stared straight at the blackboard behind Wu Zihan and sang the next line.

“Together, let me hold you tight…”

No off-key notes, though her voice trembled slightly. Still, she made it through.

“Walking with you through spring, summer, autumn, and winter, watching the snow, moon, and flowers with you…”

The next line was a duet.

“Let’s just be together.”

Their voices intertwined, Qin Que’s low, warm tone supporting Yan Qing’s light, sweet melody, creating a harmonious blend.

“Stop.”

But Wu Zihan abruptly cut them off just as they were getting into the groove.

Qin Que’s voice caught mid-line, and when she turned, she saw Yan Qing looking equally confused.

“Teacher, did we sing it wrong?”

“No, but how is this any different from singing at a karaoke bar?” Wu Zihan’s gaze swept over their faces. “Where’s the interaction?”

Interaction was required too?

Before Qin Que could speak, Wu Zihan explained, “Musical performance isn’t just about singing. It involves corresponding actions to create the song’s atmosphere. Have you ever seen a singer just stand stiffly on stage and sing?”

Qin Que lowered her head in embarrassment.

She thought back. Though she didn’t watch many music shows, she remembered that singers at least moved around or waved to the audience. For love songs, holding hands or exchanging glances was standard.

She wasn’t sure how Yan Qing had performed, but she knew she’d been as stiff as a wooden post.

“We’re not professionals. Do the standards have to be this high?” Yan Qing glanced at the alpha beside her, who was hanging her head, and chuckled.

“These are already lowered standards,” Wu Zihan said firmly. “You’re professional actors. Understanding the lyrics and performing accordingly shouldn’t be a problem. Five minutes. Do it again.”

The time constraint didn’t allow for meticulous line-by-line adjustments. Yan Qing quickly marked a few lines and instructed Qin Que, “Just look at me while singing.”

This was likely a simplified version. Yan Qing took on the responsibility of the interaction, leaving Qin Que to follow along.

Though Qin Que wanted to contribute more, she knew that simply keeping her voice steady while looking at Yan Qing would be an achievement. She nodded obediently.

Five minutes later, the song began again.

Qin Que gazed into Yan Qing’s smiling eyes. The deep affection in those indigo-blue eyes clung to her soul like thick syrup. She barely resisted the urge to look away, though her voice trembled even more.

When they reached “Walking with you through spring, summer, autumn, and winter,” Yan Qing took her hand. The woman’s palm was warmer than usual, enveloping hers snugly.

Qin Que watched as that pale hand guided hers toward Yan Qing’s smiling face.

Her voice cracked on the final “together,” and she went off-key.

This time, they stopped without Wu Zihan’s intervention.

“Sorry, my fault.” Qin Que withdrew her hand and admitted her mistake, though she couldn’t help feeling disheartened.

She’d had a similar issue during the last talent show and had barely scraped by thanks to Yan Qing’s unconventional methods.

But this time was worse. It wasn’t that she didn’t believe in the idea of her and Yan Qing being “together.” She was just… shy. And since this was a duet between the two of them, she couldn’t hide behind another layer of pretense.

To her surprise, Wu Zihan didn’t criticize her. Instead, she nodded. “Your state is correct, but the emotion is wrong.”

“You should be able to tell that this song is about two people in love expressing their feelings after committing to each other,” Wu Zihan said, her gaze shifting between them as she dissected the sweet love song with clinical precision. “They’ve firmly chosen each other and are genuinely happy about it. So while there might be shyness, the dominant emotion should be certainty and happiness.”

Her eyes settled on Qin Que’s face as she dropped a bombshell. “Your performance was too shy and hesitant. It came across more like an unrequited crush—someone who can’t be sure of the other’s feelings.”

Qin Que: “…”

Her, secretly crushing on Yan Qing? What a joke.

She wouldn’t dare even if she had ten times the courage.

Qin Que wanted to refute this, but she couldn’t find the words. Her brain was overheating, leaving her gaping like a fish out of water.

“Teacher, isn’t that enough?” Yan Qing stepped in front of her, her smile gone. “She’s shy. If you keep using metaphors like that, she won’t be able to sing at all. Besides, she’s always struggled with this kind of performance…”

“I know,” Wu Zihan cut her off, her tone still calm. “I watched your talent show. Her portrayal of love is indeed unusual. But this time is different. I think all she needs to overcome is her own timidity. It’s not as hard as you think, and you don’t need to act like I’m forcing her to jump off a building.”

“Also, while your emotions are much better than hers, you’re not flawless either.” Without giving Yan Qing a chance to respond, Wu Zihan turned the critique on her. “You’re too relaxed and casual. This song is about the early stages of a relationship. There should still be some shyness and nervousness.”

Feeling this wasn’t enough, she added a remark similar to the one she’d made about Qin Que: “You come across like you’ve been together for years and are confident the other will indulge you no matter how much you mess around.”

Yan Qing: “…”

No wonder she couldn’t get along with Wu Zihan. The woman was too sharp-eyed and blunt, with no regard for whether her words might embarrass others.

She was still trying to figure out how to stop Wu Zihan from fixating on the whole “secret crush” thing—or at least let her teach Qin Que slowly—when the alpha behind her patted her shoulder.

“It’s fine. I’ll give it a try.”

Try what? Do you know how intense Wu Zihan’s teaching style can get? Your face will be burned right off!

Yan Qing turned to warn Qin Que, but Wu Zihan spoke up meaningfully from behind her. “Are you scared? Or are you worried about her?”

Me? Scared?

Yan Qing took a deep breath and turned back with a smile. “Of course not. It’s her good fortune to have your guidance, Teacher.”

Wu Zihan looked at her, a hint of understanding in her eyes, and her lips curled into a faint, stiff smile.

What’s she smiling about?

Yan Qing’s internal alarms blared. She hated feeling exposed like this, so she decisively stepped aside, her signature smile back in place.

Fine, I’ll stay out of it.

Qin Que finally walked up to Wu Zihan. She’d made up her mind—if she hadn’t performed so poorly today, Yan Qing might not have been criticized at all.

She couldn’t keep relying on Yan Qing to bail her out.

“Teacher Wu, what should I do?” She met Wu Zihan’s gaze, her expression resolute.

Wu Zihan nodded approvingly. “This attitude is much better. Now, turn around and do something you consider beyond the bounds of friendship with Yan Qing.”

Huh?

Qin Que froze.

Something beyond friendship?

The only thing that came to mind was kissing.

But doing that to Yan Qing…

What was the point of this?

She hesitated, her earlier resolve wavering again.

“Don’t think! Just do it!” Wu Zihan’s voice suddenly sharpened. “If you can’t even face yourself, how can you stand beside her?”

Qin Que jolted as if struck. She spun around, stepped forward, and cupped Yan Qing’s face in her hands.

The woman’s face was softer and warmer than she’d imagined. Her widened eyes, filled with surprise, reflected Qin Que’s own face.

So close.