Failed to Pretend to Be an Alpha and Got Marked by the Enemy (ABO, GL) - Chapter 86

Chapter 86

The distance between the stage and the tiered platform was far, and the camera’s range was limited, so the audience only knew Ming Zhu was under the stands but did not know she was looking at Yu Jing.

That gaze was focused and intense, a feeling Yu Jing knew well, but because they were in front of the camera and so many people, Yu Jing felt uneasy under her stare. The little deer in her heart spun dizzily, lost its direction, reluctant to look away, yet afraid others would discover their little secret.

Yu Jing wore that custom-made performance outfit, and someone gently tugged the open-collared suit’s neckline. She regained her focus, turned her head, and met the gaze of Xiao Yihuan, who leaned on her shoulder, making small movements.

Each trainee had a small microphone pinned to their chest. Xiao Yihuan leaned close to her ear and whispered, “Only Sister Ming Zhu could give such a unique answer.”

Yu Jing’s gaze wandered, settling on the tall, striking figure at the stage’s center. Her lips curved into a small, unconscious smile.

Without any deliberate design, Ming Zhu always stood out whenever she appeared. This was likely her unique personal charm.

However, such a seemingly casual response was magnified by picky netizens, and many controversial comments appeared in the live stream.

[What’s with “bored at home”? Just say it’s for money, it’d be more honest than Chen Chen’s answer.]

[Saying it’s to hype a CP with Yu Jing would be more believable.]

[Which celebrity joins a variety show not for fame and money? Stop pretending.]

[I think it’s so fake. If you’re so real, don’t come on the show.]

[Her persona is a bit much.]

[Those calling it fake probably don’t know Ming Zhu’s background. She’s never lacked resources. Maybe she really came to mentor out of boredom.]

[Background? Exaggerated, right? I checked her Baidu page—nothing but age, gender, and acting experience.]

[Finally, someone said it. Let me spill some tea: Ming Zhu’s identity isn’t simple. You all know Yang Fan, the titan of the industry, right? She’s his only direct disciple.]

[Ming Zhu is Yang Fan’s disciple? True or false???]

[The tea seems real. At Yang Fan’s 70th birthday, my idol went and posted a group photo with him on Weibo. Ming Zhu stood right beside Yang Fan.]

[No wonder Ming Zhu joined ‘Treasure Hunt’. The show’s director is Yang Ming, Yang Fan’s son!]

[Now I get why Ming Zhu got the lead in ‘Qinghu Legend’ and ‘Ranger’. The directors, Zhang Jin and Yu Hao, are both Yang Fan’s students, right?]

[With Yang Fan as her backer, she does have the capital to act high and mighty…]

Ming Zhu’s background sparked heated discussion. Some wanted to dig deeper into the gossip, but most show fans didn’t care for off-topic drama, and the two groups clashed in the live stream.

The on-site atmosphere remained harmonious.

The host finished the first question and asked Ming Zhu more questions.

After the interview, Ming Zhu didn’t return to the mentor’s seat but went backstage to change clothes.

The host announced the third mentor’s performance, and the trainees quickly shifted focus from the previous act, looking curiously and expectantly at the central stage.

The next four mentors took the stage: popular powerhouse female singer Chen Ziyi, popular powerhouse male singer Ai Li, former girl group leader Mi Ya, and rap master Ah Bing. All four were professional singers, showcasing their killer moves, delivering explosive, thrilling performances.

The trainees got hyped. Xiao Yihuan hugged Yu Jing’s arm, shaking it while screaming. Yu Jing half-heartedly echoed her, but her attention quietly shifted to Ming Zhu, who had returned to the mentor’s seat.

Among the six mentors, Ming Zhu spoke the least, sat the straightest, and was low-key yet the most eye-catching. Yu Jing watched her slender, upright figure, her excitement slowly turning to worry.

Ming Zhu was an actress by trade, reserved and disliking crowds. Could she adapt to mentoring on a music show? Plus, ‘Youth Training Camp’ was a reality show, and with such picky viewers, what if they disliked her and bashed her?

Lost in these thoughts, Yu Jing nearly forgot she was there to compete. Then the host announced the rules for the first solo stage.

Each trainee had one and a half minutes to perform, but not everyone could finish. Each mentor’s seat had a lamp, all lit before the performance. If a mentor was dissatisfied, they could turn it off. If two or more mentors turned off their lamps, the trainee’s performance stopped. A stop might result from a mentor’s misjudgment, so stopped trainees got one retry, lasting no more than a minute. After all 100 trainees performed, the live platform would open voting. The 40 trainees with the fewest votes would be eliminated, while the 60 advancing trainees would be divided into six classes, A to F, based on vote counts.

After hearing the rules, some less confident trainees’ faces fell.

The trainees buzzed, whispering to each other. Chen Chen grabbed the mic, turned, and asked, “Who wants to volunteer to perform first?”

The trainees’ faces changed, and they lowered their heads, trying to hide.

“No one? Then I’ll pick randomly.” Chen Chen stood on his chair, scanning the tiered platform layer by layer.

“Oh no, oh no.” Xiao Yihuan squirmed uncomfortably. During ‘Treasure Hunt’, she often clashed with Chen Chen, who was notoriously unpredictable for show effects. She clutched Yu Jing’s hand nervously, nearly burying her face in Yu Jing’s arms, whispering so only they could hear, “I have a bad feeling. Brother Chen will definitely call me.”

“Found it!” Before Yu Jing could respond, Chen Chen pointed toward them.

Seeing Chen Chen’s smug expression from afar, Xiao Yihuan sensed trouble and gripped Yu Jing’s hand tighter.

Yu Jing saw her distressed look, grew nervous too, patted her shoulder, and silently prayed: ‘Brother Chen, be human and spare Yihuan.’

“That one in the black suit, Yu Jing, come on, it’s you!”

“…”

As Chen Chen’s words landed, the cameraman rushed over, capturing Yu Jing’s stunned expression.

Realizing it wasn’t her name, Xiao Yihuan lifted her head from Yu Jing’s arms, her expression mixed—relieved Chen Chen spared her, yet worried for her friend. She looked at Yu Jing sympathetically. “You’re the unlucky one.”

“…” Yu Jing was speechless.

Chen Chen’s call caught her unprepared, but she didn’t blame him. Performing first had advantages; under everyone’s anticipation, the first performer would be memorable. But since no one knew the others’ strengths, nobody dared act rashly.

Though friends off-stage, they were mentor and trainee now. Yu Jing couldn’t be as relaxed as during ‘Treasure Hunt’. She accepted her fate, smiled faintly at the camera, freed herself from Xiao Yihuan’s grip, and was about to stand.

“No need to stand.”

A low, familiar voice came through her earpiece, halting Yu Jing’s movement. She looked up.

Ming Zhu, previously seated upright, turned toward the tiered platform. The light softened her face. Across the crowd, she gazed at Yu Jing, frozen in her seat, her lips curving gently. She said warmly, “He’s teasing you. The performance order is decided by drawing lots.”

The voice in the earpiece was clear, as if Ming Zhu spoke right by her ear. Yu Jing’s heart fluttered. She didn’t dare show too much in front of the camera, knowing Ming Zhu wouldn’t lie. She smiled, relaxed, and sat back down.

[Chen Chen’s such a dog. He called Yu Jing his godly teammate during ‘Treasure Hunt’, yet now he makes her go first.]

[Did Xiao Yihuan think Chen Chen would call her? Her face went pale, lol.]

[I feel like Chen Chen’s deliberately giving Yu Jing screen time.]

[Ming Zhu’s so gentle whenever she talks to Yu Jing. Is there really nothing between them?]

[Is Ming-Yu for real?]

[I think they’re kinda perfect together.]

[Enough, this is ‘Youth Training Camp’, not ‘Treasure Hunt’. Can CP fans chill?]

Hearing Ming Zhu mention drawing lots, Chen Chen, who wanted to prank, froze and asked, “How did you know it’s by lots?”

The other four mentors looked at Ming Zhu, confused.

Ming Zhu adjusted her posture, nodded toward a staff member carrying a huge box to the mentor’s seat, and said concisely, “I guessed.”

Following her gaze, everyone noticed the cardboard box.

The staff placed the box on the stage and left. The host walked over and said, “Teacher Ming Zhu is right. For fairness, the performance order is decided by drawing lots. Come on, Brother Chen, draw the first one.”

The box had a small opening, just big enough for a hand. Chen Chen rolled up his sleeve, pulled out a card, and without tricks, raised an eyebrow and read the trainee’s name. “First performer, Xu Jia.”

The chosen trainee, Xu Jia, covered her face, stood, and walked to the stage’s center. She introduced herself, “Hello, mentors. I… I’m Xu Jia, a trainee from Tianhe Entertainment…”

Xu Jia performed a sing-and-dance routine. Afterward, the mentors commented one by one.

Chen Chen, the main MC among the mentors, managed the flow and lightened the mood, so his comments had a humorous touch.

Ming Zhu didn’t know much about sing-and-dance but took notes seriously, clearly stating what she thought was good or bad. Though not professional, her sincerity was impeccable.

After the two non-professional mentors commented, the four professional mentors spoke. Their standards were high, and Xu Jia’s performance didn’t resonate much, so they gave brief remarks.

Xu Jia earned three mentor votes. Whether she stayed or left depended on the results after all trainees performed.

The mentors continued drawing lots.

As more performed, the unchosen trainees grew increasingly anxious.

Xiao Yihuan kept needing the bathroom, clutching Yu Jing’s arm and wailing, “If it’s not my turn soon, I won’t hold it.”

Yu Jing laughed helplessly.

After two more contestants, Xiao Yihuan’s name was finally drawn.

Her voice was sweet, and her chosen song suited her. She sang steadily. After her one-and-a-half-minute performance, rap mentor Ah Bing said, “That voice makes people want to fall in love.”

Xiao Yihuan’s face reddened. She bowed shyly. “Thank you, teacher.”

Seeing his old friend, Chen Chen switched tones, squinted. at the sweaty trainee, and teased, “Your song wasn’t have much difficulty, and you didn’t dance. Why so much sweat after just one compliment from Ah Bing?”

Xiao Y blurted out, “Be-because I need to pee!”

“Pfft—” Chen Ziyi, drinking water, nearly spat it out. “That answer’s too honest.”

The other mentors laughed.

Xiao Y’s face turned beet red. Her bladder pressed her to skip the comments and rush offstage.

But she forgot Chen Chen’s unpredictability.

Hearing her urgency, Chen Chen got a bad idea. He grabbed an untouched sponsor drink from the table and smirked. “Singing’s tough. Come, your brother rewards you with a bottle of water.”

Chen Chen handed it to a staff member, who ran it to Xiao Yihuan.

Xiao Y wanted to cry. The word “water” made her urgency worse. She gritted her teeth and said, “Thanks, Brother Chen.”

“You’re welcome.”

Chen Chen seemed to torment her, mentioning water repeatedly in his comments, driving her mad.

After all mentors finished, Xiao Y couldn’t hold it anymore. Clutching the bottle, she bolted offstage to find a restroom.

When Xiao Yihuan returned from the bathroom, two more trainees had performed. She sat down, saw Yu Jing propping her chin, yawning, and whispered, “Why haven’t you gone yet?”

Yu Jing shrugged, looking helpless.

As contestants went up and down, Yu Jing’s eyelids drooped. Finally, she heard her name from the mentor’s seat: “Next trainee, please, Yu Jing.”

That familiar, pleasant voice flowed through her earpiece, snapping Yu Jing awake from her doze. She opened her eyes, saw Ming Zhu holding her name card with anticipation, jolted, adjusted her jacket, took a breath, stood, and walked to the stage.

After a brief introduction, Yu Jing took a deep breath, adjusted her earpiece, and moved her body to the music.

The moment she started, the live stream’s comments flooded in.

[Yu Jing’s really a sing-and-dance idol! I totally misjudged her before.]

[Her timing’s insane. I didn’t expect Yu Jing to dance so well!]

[I saw her practice room clips on Weibo, so I knew she could dance, but I didn’t expect this level.]

[Holy crap, that waist move killed me. Her flexibility’s unreal!]

[Did I see abs? So gorgeous, so strong!]

[Singing high notes while doing splits? So stable, not even a shake!]

[The earlier ones were garbage—I was bored. Open your eyes, this is real sing-and-dance!]

[Best stage tonight.]

Not only the live stream viewers but also the on-site trainees and mentors were stunned by Yu Jing performance.

As soon as her act ended, Mi Ya, a former girl group leader with sing-and-dance experience, grabbed the mic first. “Your profile says you trained for three years. As a senior, honestly, I trained five years in Korea and didn’t reach your level. Did you study dance before?”

Yu Jing wiped a bead of sweat from her brow, smiled faintly, and said, “Yes, teacher. I started dancing at seven, so about ten years total. I only began systematic sing-and-dance training three years ago.”

“No wonder.” Mi Ya glanced at Ai Li beside her and added, “Also, your flexibility’s excellent, but you dance with such power. I can tell your dance foundation is solid. Also, it’s clear you worked hard. Great job.”

Yu Jing bowed. “Thanked the teacher.”

Per the process, the two non-professional mentors commented first, paving the way for the professionals. But Yu Jing’s performance was too stellar, and the four professional mentors scrambled to speak, all voting for her.

Chen Chen, usually the chattiest and most playful, turned quiet in this round. He held the mic, hesitated long, and finally said, “Nothing to say to say. I’m rooting for you!”

‘Bang!’

Chen Chen slammed the button on his table, and a lamp went out.

Yu Jing was dumbfounded. “Brother Chen, are you trying to sabotage me?”

“Whoops, sorry!” Chen Chen realized he’d mistaken the lamp for the voting button, quickly pressed the right one, and said to the camera. “Cut that out, yeah.”

Ah Bing reminded him, “Brother Chen, this is a live broadcast.”

Mi Ya covered her mouth, laughed.

Others laughed too.

They chuckled.

Chen Chen was used to being funny, so nobody could tell if it was intentional, but it worked. He grinned, ruffled his hair, raised an eyebrow, and looked at Ming Zhu, who hadn’t commented, with a mischievous glint. “Your turn.”

Trains and trainees who knew the Ming-Yu ship, like Chen Chen and along with live stream viewers, too, waited eagerly, wondering if Ming Zhu would shower Yu Jing with praise or critique her like others.

Yu Jing’s palms started sweating.

She sweated.

She was confident in her performance and stayed calm during earlier comments, but But she got nervous when it was Ming Zhu’s turn.

The more she cared, the more she wanted to excel. Ming Zhu was so perfectionistic; she feared MingZhu spotting flaws.

Her legs tensed unconsciously, her back stiffened, and Yu Jing Jing stood straight, looking a like a student awaiting a teacher’s grade, gazing obediently at Ming Zhu.

Ming Zhu picked up the mic calmly, her amber eyes steady, hiding a warmth others couldn’t see, and looked directly at Yu Jing.

Yu Jing grew nervous, licking her lips repeatedly.

Ming Zhu’s lips parted slightly, and she asked quietly, “Are you tired?”

“…Huh?” Yu Jing was thrown off by the question. Wasn’t it supposed to be a comment? Why this? But it wasn’t weird, and since it was live, she adjusted her expression, trying to smile naturally, and said, “I’m fine.”

After asking, Ming Zhu stood, grabbed a drink from the table, and walked toward the stage under everyone’s gaze.

Yu Jing’s heart.

Yu Jing’s heart skipped, and her palms sweated more.

With so many eyes on them, Ming Zhu wouldn’t do something special, right?!

That would expose their relationship, wouldn’t it?!?

Ming Zhu approached steadily, step by step.

Yu Jing’s heart raced, and she wanted to back away but hesitated and stayed put.

She thought she should trust Ming Zhu. Since they agreed to keep things private for now, Ming Zhu should know her limits.

Yu Jing relaxed quickly, smiled brightly at Ming Zhu, and preempted, “Teacher Ming Zhu, are you, like Brother Chen, treating me to a drink?”

Chen Chen had given Xiao Yihuan a drink earlier but hadn’t gone on stage, so Yu Jing wasn’t sure what Ming Zhu intended.

“Hmm.” Ming Zhu’s expression stayed neutral as she unscrewed the bottle and handed it to her.

Dodging would raise suspicion, so Yu Jing took the drink naturally. “Thank you, teacher.”

Since Ming Zhu had opened it, Yu Jing couldn’t not drink. She took a symbolic sip.

“Sweet?” Ming Zhu asked.

Another question!

Under countless gossiping eyes, Yu Jing braced herself and said crisply, “Sweet!”

Ming Zhu’s lips curved slightly. She took the bottle, faced the camera, and said seriously, “For a refreshing summer, choose Changqing. Five flavors to satisfy your picky taste buds. Tired or thirsty? Grab a bottle, Changqing it up, and breeze through summer.”

Yu Jing blinked. “???”

What was Sister Sister saying? Wasn’t she supposed to critique her performance?

Yu Jing stared blankly at Ming Zhu’s back, still processing, when Ming Zhu turned, faced her, and handed the drink back.

Yu Jing was baffled.

A hint of embarrassment flickered in Ming Zhu’s light-colored eyes. Meeting her puzzled gaze, she explained softly, “The director told me to read an ad. I finally found the chance.”

“…” Yu Jing gripped her hand, too awkward to respond.

Chen Chen, catching on late, laughed. “She, Ming Zhu, that ad was too stiff.”

Ming Zhu ignored his jab, looked at Yu Jing, and shifted gears. “You sang well, and danced well too. Also, keep it up.”

With that simple comment, Ming Zhu left the stage and returned to her seat.

“…” Yu Jing stayed stunned.

Nobody saw anything odd in Ming Zhu going on stage, since other mentors had interacted with contestants during retries.

CP fans didn’t miss a chance to hype Ming-Yu.

[She waited until almost the end to do an ad? I don’t believe it. She, Ming Zhu, definitely saved it for her.]

[Why only unscrew the cap? Feed it to her, she didn’t!]

[You Jing, you called her Sister Sister so sweetly during ‘Treasure Hunt’. Why Teacher Ming Zhu now, lolling?]

[Ming Zhu, your comment to your wife was too half-hearted!]

Yu Jing hadn’t expected expect Ming Zhu’s critique to be so short, or for her to come up with a drink. Stunned for seconds, she snapped out of it when the host signaled to leave. She left.

She bowed ninety degrees to the mentors’ seat.

She hugged Yu Jing, then left the stage.

Back at her seat, Yu Jing didn’t sit. She placed the drink on the chair and whispered to Xiao Yihuan, who was about to praise her, saying, “You, I’m going to the restroom.”

Xiao Y’s words stuck in her throat. She made an OK gesture.

Yu Jing crouched, slipped out of the studio quietly, found the restroom, locked the door, opened her palm, and revealed a crumpled item, bright.

It was a small note, damp with sweat, carrying a faint, cool fragrance. Ming Zhu had slipped it to her while facing away from the camera.

Yu Jing’s heart had nearly leapt out then. Calming her breath, she unfolded it, saw the elegant handwriting, and her heart skipped half a beat.

“You shone so brightly on stage. I want the world to see your radiance, yet I want to hide you away, just for me.”