High-Altitude Worker, Unfortunately a Cannon Fodder Female Supporting Role - Chapter 26

Zhao Ke smiled modestly, playing along perfectly. “It’s all thanks to the company’s training.”

“Heh, alright,” Kong Jianshan said, no longer insisting. He patted Zhao Ke’s shoulder. “Go get changed and start filming. Remember to mention all five of your sisters by name.”

Zhao Ke nodded in agreement.

She had carefully reviewed the profiles Wang Ran had sent her in advance, detailing the five girl group members. All were young women, aged eighteen or nineteen, beautiful, energetic, and brimming with youthful vitality.

After applying a light layer of makeup, Zhao Ke stood before the camera and began recording earnestly.

Now in its third season, the talent show’s viewership had declined compared to its first two seasons. Apart from Qiao Shuxue, the breakout star of the first season who had immediately captivated audiences, the remaining contestants had mostly drifted in and out of the entertainment industry.

Despite this, Zhao Ke meticulously highlighted each member’s strengths, delivering her praise earnestly before the camera.

After filming her individual support video, Zhao Ke still needed to record a group cheer video with the five girls.

The leader, Ming Yue, stepped forward to greet Zhao Ke. “Hello, Sister Coco! I’m Ming Yue, the leader of LYRIX.”

“Hello, hello,” Zhao Ke replied.

She glanced at Ming Yue, whose style leaned toward cool and edgy, with several dreadlocks braided into her hair.

“Sister Coco, we all really admire you,” Ming Yue said sweetly.

“Thank you! You girls keep working hard too.”

Zhao Ke genuinely believed their company’s girl group had potential. Based on the roster Wang Ran had sent her, all the members were above average in skill. Ming Yue and two other members had been training in dance since childhood, while the remaining two included a film school student and a vocalist who had previously achieved decent results in a singing competition.

The photoshoot went smoothly. The girls chattered animatedly, answering pre-rehearsed questions without letting a single remark fall flat, creating a lively team atmosphere.

The photographer called out from a distance, “Alright, everyone! Let’s pose in a five-pointed star formation for the group shot.”

“Zhao Ke, you stand in the center. Perfect!”

Zhao Ke positioned herself in the middle of the group, spreading her arms as instructed.

Just before the shutter flashed, she blinked. In that split second, her gaze fell on the girl to her left, Su Xi, whose arched back revealed the back of her shirt.

Zhao Ke clearly saw several broad, red welts across Su Xi’s back.

“That’s a wrap!”

The photographer checked the photos and nodded in satisfaction.

After the shoot, the girls headed to the dressing room together to change out of the company-provided outfits and into their own clothes.

Zhao Ke chatted casually for a few minutes before casually asking, “Practicing dance must be really tough, right?”

“Yeah, our dance teacher is super strict,” the girls sighed, their enthusiasm draining at the mention of dance.

During a wardrobe change, the red marks on Su Xi’s back were openly visible.

Zhao Ke noticed that her teammates seemed unfazed by the sight. “Are those from dance practice too? Did your teacher design a killer move for you, or is it a personal technique?”

The atmosphere suddenly grew tense. The girls exchanged glances before forcing smiles and nodding. “Yeah, yeah, it’s all for the cameras.”

Zhao Ke pressed her lips together, saying nothing more.

Their unanimous reaction dispelled her initial, darker suspicions.

After changing back into her own clothes, Zhao Ke went to Liu Tiande’s office.

Liu Tiande looked exactly as she remembered him: lean, with piercing, energetic eyes.

As soon as he saw her enter, he called out, “Zhao Ke, come here and take a look at this.”

Zhao Ke walked over, and Liu Tiande handed her a script for a campus rom-com by a certain director.

“I’ll get you a acting coach for the next two days to cram. Audition next Wednesday, okay?”

Liu Tiande currently managed only one artist, Zhao Ke, and he kept a close eye on her activities. After filming the variety show this week, she would have some downtime.

Zhao Ke, aware of her limitations, wasn’t opposed to acting lessons. But when she heard the dates, she frowned.

“I can’t, Brother Tiande. I have something else on next Wednesday.”

“What is it?”

Liu Tiande’s heart sank slightly. Was Zhao Ke, after achieving some success, reverting to her old lazy habits?

Zhao Ke looked at him earnestly. “I need to attend Qiao Qinglu’s involuntary commitment hearing. The court called me a few days ago.”

“Ah, I see.” Liu Tiande sighed heavily, wanting nothing more than to forget Qiao Qinglu’s existence.

“Then I’ll go with you that day,” he declared firmly.

Though she’d miss an audition, the lessons still had to continue.

Zhao Ke spent her days rushing through the concrete jungle, and her evenings were dedicated to immersing herself in character emotions. By the end of each day, she was physically and mentally exhausted.

In the following days, as filming for the variety show wrapped up, Zhao Ke found herself constantly facing the mirror. To the point where seeing her own face triggered an automatic reflex to manage her expressions.

Finally, Wednesday arrived. Zhao Ke felt a faint sense of anticipation for the upcoming hearing.

After today, she likely wouldn’t see Qiao Qinglu again.

Wednesday, 8:00 AM, the courthouse entrance.

Zhao Ke thought she had arrived early enough, but the scene at the gate was overwhelming, packed with people.

“Put on these sunglasses,” Liu Tiande said, pulling a pair from the glove compartment of their van and handing them to Zhao Ke. “It’s probably all Qiao Shuxue’s fans out there.”

Though Zhao Ke’s reputation had recently turned around, her relationship with Qiao Shuxue remained delicate. Liu Tiande feared irrational fans might act irrationally.

Zhao Ke nodded, put on the sunglasses, and stepped out of the van first.

An eerie silence fell over the crowd. Despite the hundreds of people present, not a single voice could be heard.

Zhao Ke walked forward, ignoring the piercing gazes that felt like a thousand arrows aimed at her back.

“Let’s go in,” Liu Tiande said, falling half a step behind her and placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

Standing on the courthouse steps, Zhao Ke suppressed the sudden urge to turn back.

Footage of Zhao Ke’s appearance at the hearing quickly went viral online.

Today is a good day.

Please, please, please give Qiao Qinglu a severe sentence!

Though… it’s more likely she’ll be committed to a mental hospital for long-term supervision. A prison sentence seems unlikely.

Off-topic, but Zhao Ke looks so cool in those sunglasses!

Half an hour later, Qiao Shuxue appeared at the courthouse entrance.

Her fans had been organized in advance, avoiding loud commotion. Instead, they quietly offered words of encouragement to Qiao Shuxue.

Qiao Shuxue responded with genuine gratitude, “I know, thank you all.”

“Yes, we’ve finally waited for this day.”

The summer sun blazed fiercely, making Qiao Shuxue squint. Just as a hint of impatience stirred within her, a shadow fell behind her.

“Let’s go, my darling.”

Gu Jason stood behind her, his custom-tailored suit impeccable. He held a branded black umbrella like a silent knight.

Qiao Shuxue gave Gu Jason an appreciative smile and waved a reluctant goodbye to her fans.

Her sleek black dress and stiletto heels left an elegant silhouette as she ascended the courthouse steps.

The fans watched the departing figures, their eyes hollow and entranced, as if they had been captured.

“So beautiful,” one murmured.

“Phantom Vision Yue Manwen!” another exclaimed, referring to Qiao Shuxue’s character in the legal drama.

Fans edited leaked footage of Qiao Shuxue, adding filters and dramatic music, before posting it online with the caption: “The Valkyrie has finally awaited her righteous judgment.”

The comments section was flooded with fans who had been waiting online, clamoring for justice as if Qiao Shuxue were a true champion of justice rather than a lawyer representing a criminal suspect.

Indeed, Qiao Shuxue remained Qiao Qinglu’s nominal elder sister. After days of professional observation by psychiatrists, Qiao Qinglu had been diagnosed with schizophrenia. As Qiao Qinglu’s legal representative, Qiao Shuxue would receive the judge’s final verdict on her behalf.

Inside the courtroom, the hearing had yet to formally begin.

“Keke, you haven’t met my boyfriend yet, have you? Come, let me introduce you,” Qiao Shuxue said, affectionately linking arms with Gu Jason and leading him across the courtroom.