Everyone Spends Money to Make Me Debut as Center (GL) - Chapter 14

“You may begin your performance.”

As soon as the words were spoken, the entire venue fell silent. Many people even held their breath.

Chi Ling’s previously indifferent eyes immediately changed. Her cherry-red lips parted, and she sang the first line with the music.

[The direction that guides me is a dazzling crown]

Unlike her previous commercial performances, Chi Ling sang in a slightly lower voice, using a head voice that made her sound more ethereal.

The smile on her face was more striking and captivating than ever. The girls in the lower rows, who were closer to the stage, were so captivated by her radiant presence that they were frozen in place.

[You who are by my side are the only warmth in a long, cold winter]

A crisp snap of her fingers woke the stunned audience. Everyone’s eyes lit up.

[Words that become swords cannot pierce my heart. It’s not just language that’s blocked by a hard shell]

[After enduring blizzards and frost, the spotlight is within reach]

She swung her arm out straight, pointing forward, then followed with a quick toss of her head. Chi Ling’s gaze was fixed on the judges’ table. She had a habit of finding a camera to flirt with during her performances, and so Bai Chang, who was sitting in the middle, had the honor of becoming her professional prop.

Matching the lyrics, the expression on Chi Ling’s face was incredibly stubborn and eye-catching. After that glance, Bai Chang’s attention didn’t stray from her for the entire performance.

At the end of the song, Chi Ling’s voice gradually lowered, and with the long musical accompaniment, it sounded like the low roar of a lion returning to the forest.

[Engraved on a stone tablet, bl00d and sweat form a seal]

[When that time comes, even the gods will pour their praise upon me]

“Ahhhhh! Sister Chi Ling is so cool! Amazing, amazing!” While the other girls were still quietly savoring the performance, Su Wanwan stood up and cheered for Chi Ling.

The others then reacted, and the hall erupted in applause.

Su Wanwan’s tone was a bit excited, but her praise was spot-on. They had never imagined that the same Chi Ling who used to trip over herself while dancing could improve to this extent.

Now they finally understood where she got the courage to go straight for the number one seat!

Chi Ling’s previous commercial performances had trended, but those were her famous songs that she had sung hundreds of times. Not only were they not fresh, but even if she sang and danced well, the strict audience would only see it as her duty as a veteran artist.

Also, to fit the theme, Chi Ling had chosen a fresh and lively style with a simple choreography, so even if she performed it perfectly, she couldn’t show her full potential.

So, she simply wrote a song herself, one that would allow her to give her all on stage. She completed both the composition and the choreography alone, and she didn’t lower the pitch or reduce the number of big moves just because she had to sing and dance live.

The song itself required excellent lung capacity to perform, and the choreography, in addition to basic waves, had many jumps and turns. Not to mention the squat and head-toss move during the chorus. An average person would be out of breath just from the chorus, but Chi Ling still sang the clear and complete high notes.

After the performance, Chi Ling held her final pose until the music completely ended before standing up and bowing deeply.

If you had to ask who was the most surprised person in the room, it would have to be the dance judge, Wei Jie.

Wei Jie had coached Chi Ling when she was still at MK. It wasn’t an exaggeration to say that Chi Ling was one of her most difficult students. Not only were her fundamentals poor, but she was also stubborn, couldn’t handle hardship, and didn’t want to practice. Every time Wei Jie taught her, it was an agonizing experience.

So, before the performance started, Wei Jie had no expectations at all. But now, she had straightened her posture, and her hands were clasped in a formal pose. The completely new Chi Ling in front of her was someone she barely recognized.

“Chi Ling, to be honest, where did you go to train in seclusion during your time away from the industry? Send me a copy of your secret manual; I need to practice, too,” Wei Jie said playfully, being the first to pick up the microphone.

Chi Ling had been taking small breaths, recovering her stamina, but she couldn’t help but laugh when she heard Wei Jie’s comment. She raised her microphone. “Teacher, you’re too funny. You’re the one who told me that to dance well, you have to practice hard. I’ve always remembered that.”

Pang Shiru, who had been sitting quietly, picked up the sheet music that Chi Ling had given to everyone and asked with her microphone. “Did you write this song yourself?”

Chi Ling nodded. “Yes.”

“‘Your Queen’?” Pang Shiru lowered her eyes and read the title of the song. “You’re very confident in yourself.”

The trainees behind them immediately quieted down. Was she about to start a harsh critique? As a veteran senior, Pang Shiru’s strictness was well-known. A performance that looked good to them might be full of flaws in her eyes.

“Yes, Teacher,” Chi Ling took a deep breath, clutching the microphone with both hands. “I think if you’re not ready, you shouldn’t come to the competition. Since I’m here, it means I’m ready.”

“Heh.” Pang Shiru let out a short laugh after hearing her words, and her previously serious expression broke. “That’s very interesting.”

The trainees: Huh?

“Chi Ling, I’ll remember you,” Pang Shiru said, looking up at Chi Ling. “This performance was not bad. Don’t let me catch any of your flaws in the next public performance. My mouth is famously venomous.”

“Okay, thank you, Teacher Pang.”

The five judges conferred with each other and began to give their grades.

With the exception of Wei Xike, who showed a B, everyone else showed an A.

“My score is a little different from the other judges because I believe that an idol’s attitude and personality are also very important. As a role model for fans, she should be able to set a good example,” Wei Xike explained.

The atmosphere, which had been lively because Chi Ling got an A, slowly grew cold due to Wei Xike’s words.

Anyone with an ounce of sense could tell that Wei Xike was bringing up old news. Her words meant that no matter how good you are now, it doesn’t erase the things you’ve done in the past.

In fact, Wei Xike’s words also represented the thoughts of most people online. For example, during her previous commercial performance, while she did impress many people, and many acknowledged that Chi Ling was seriously trying to change, her arrogant temper and her scandalous behavior were still fresh in the minds of her haters, who were ready to bring up the past at any moment.

“Okay, thank you, Teacher.”

The gossip-loving audience: That’s it? That’s all?

Chi Ling was the one who slapped Wei Xike! But she’s just standing there acting like she’s humbly accepting the criticism? That’s a huge surprise!

Not to mention the production team, who were desperate for content, even the judges were looking at her in a new light.

“Come here,” Bai Chang said, breaking the silence.

Chi Ling took a moment to realize that she was talking to her. She pointed to herself, and after getting a confirming nod from Bai Chang, she walked towards the judges’ table.

“Congratulations on getting the first A.” Bai Chang took out a gold-colored grade sticker. “Raise your hand.”

With dozens of cameras rolling, Chi Ling had no choice but to do as she was told.

Bai Chang looked down, her lowered eyelashes concealing her expression. She held the grade sticker in her right hand and placed it over the gray A on Chi Ling’s hip, pressing it down and gently patting it.

All the trainees were holding their breath as they watched the two of them. The solemnity of the scene made Chi Ling feel that the ceremony was quite sacred.

“Keep up the good work.” After sticking it on, Bai Chang looked up and smiled at Chi Ling.

The look in her eyes was completely normal, as if she were still the same person—the kind and tolerant actress Bai, a good teacher and friend on stage.

Chi Ling couldn’t back down. Her eyes curved into a smile, and she looked completely innocent. “Thank you, Teacher Bai.”