Evaluation of the Group 12 Showdown (Part Three)

“...This is our very own lovely day~”

When Joe Yiqing struck the final pose, her expression differed from Lan Chenxi’s; while Lan Chenxi’s smile was sweeter, Joe Yiqing’s carried a hint of playfulness.

After the performance, Joe Yiqing immediately covered her face and stepped back. It was her first time showcasing herself so closely in front of other trainees.

She felt a peculiar embarrassment, as if performing a talent in front of familiar faces.

Yao Xin and Fang You’an followed with their performances.

In truth, even before performing, Yao Xin and Fang You’an regretted running for the center position. They had thought their control over expressions might give them a chance, but after watching Lan Chenxi and Joe Yiqing, the gap was clear. The A-class was indeed deserving of its reputation.

How could they possibly snatch the center spot from two A-class trainees? Forget about managing expressions; the first problem was they couldn’t even hit the right notes.

So, they numbly withdrew from the competition.

“So, the choice is between Lan Chenxi and Joe Yiqing,” said Xi Rui.

Both Lan Chenxi and Joe Yiqing lowered their heads, covering their eyes as they listened.

“Raise your hand if you choose Lan Chenxi.”

Yao Xin, Fang You’an, and Joe Yiqing raised their hands.

Seeing Xi Rui didn’t select Lan Chenxi, Yao Xin and Fang You’an exchanged glances.

“Raise your hand if you choose Joe Yiqing.”

Xi Rui and Lan Chenxi raised their hands.

“Alright, you may open your eyes now.”

Once both opened their eyes, Xi Rui announced, “Based on the votes, congratulations to Lan Chenxi for becoming our center.”

Lan Chenxi looked at Joe Yiqing in surprise, while Joe Yiqing clapped happily.

“Come put this on,” Xi Rui handed a small crown sticker to Joe Yiqing.

Joe Yiqing took the tiny crown and personally stuck it onto Lan Chenxi’s clothing.

“You did great too,” Lan Chenxi said.

Joe Yiqing had joined the center competition more as a personal challenge than an obsession with winning. In her eyes, Lan Chenxi was fully deserving of the center role.

“I’m counting on you, our center~” Joe Yiqing said, her eyes brimming with warmth.

Lan Chenxi blinked, smiling as she hugged Joe Yiqing.

Next came the division of song parts.

“First, the lead vocalist.”

Lan Chenxi glanced around, but no one raised their hand.

Yao Xin and Fang You’an avoided eye contact, while Xi Rui remained unmoved.

The lead vocalist role carried a heavy burden, with many high notes. In the original song, three people handled the high notes and harmonies; here, the lead would have to cover them alone.

Joe Yiqing hesitated, unsure if she could sing it well.

“Then let’s try singing it,” Xi Rui suggested.

Yao Xin and Fang You’an screamed with pained voices, sounding like slaughtered pigs.

Xi Rui favored a mid-to-low vocal range and gave up as soon as she tried the high notes. Lan Chenxi also tried but could only use falsetto, barely managing it.

Only Joe Yiqing managed to sing through.

However, she wasn’t satisfied; though she hit the notes, her pitch was off and her voice unstable.

---

“That’s a relief! Our group finally has a lead vocalist!” Yao Xin looked at Joe Yiqing joyfully.

“Being able to finish the song is already great. With some practice, you’ll nail it!” Fang You’an added.

“I think it’s pretty good,” Xi Rui nodded at Joe Yiqing.

“Are you okay with it?” Lan Chenxi asked, noticing Joe Yiqing’s furrowed brow. She didn’t want to push her.

Seeing everyone’s hopeful eyes, Joe Yiqing hesitated but agreed, “Alright, I’ll give it a try.”

Just as Lan Chenxi was writing Joe Yiqing’s name next to the lead vocalist spot on the lyric sheet, a clear, refreshing high note rang out nearby.

It was the same section everyone had just tried to sing.

Everyone turned to see Wen Yali’s group, who were also holding auditions for lead vocalist.

The singer was Mo Hanmeng. After her performance, her group’s members all wore expressions of amazement and applauded enthusiastically. Wen Yali beamed with pride.

“She sings so well,” Yao Xin exclaimed involuntarily.

She then quickly turned to Joe Yiqing. “But I think you’re just as good.”

“Yeah, you’re just not as familiar with the song. Over there, you can tell she’s practiced before,” Fang You’an chimed in.

“I think your voice is even more pleasant,” Xi Rui said simply.

Lan Chenxi looked at Joe Yiqing and noticed no defeat or retreat on her face. Instead, her eyes sparkled as she thoughtfully watched the other group.

Smiling, Lan Chenxi ruffled Joe Yiqing’s hair to bring her attention back. “I believe in you, my lead singer.”

Seeing that even though their team had just formed today, the members cared for and encouraged each other, Joe Yiqing felt a warmth inside and smiled. “I’ll work hard.”

After confirming the vocal parts, Lan Chenxi immediately began teaching the dance.

She remembered most of the moves and, checking against the tablet, arranged formations and corrected everyone.

“I’m so tired,” Yao Xin and Fang You’an sat against the wall, too exhausted to move.

Watching the three A-class members who had barely rested and kept practicing, Joe Yiqing had gone from completely unfamiliar with the dance to moving smoothly. Xi Rui, though seemingly rebellious, was surprisingly obedient and diligent during practice. Lan Chenxi hardly took breaks; when the team practiced independently without needing her help, she quietly watched choreography videos, designing new formations and moves.

“Still have energy?” Fang You’an asked, turning her head.

“Rested enough, let’s go,” Yao Xin said, pushing herself up. Fang You’an followed, joining the trio.

Tomorrow, the mentors would inspect their progress. They couldn’t afford to lag behind just because they were from Class F. It was a competition, after all. They could rise to the challenge!

“Qingbao!” Fu Huanhuan called out.

Joe Yiqing was watching the dance video with Lan Chenxi and Xi Rui. Because their number differed from the original singers, some positions and movements needed adjustments. The three were discussing this when Joe Yiqing heard her name and looked up to see Fu Huanhuan standing before her.

“Are you done yet? If you don’t head to the cafeteria soon, the food will get cold!”

Realizing it was almost mealtime, Lan Chenxi put down the tablet. “Let’s eat first, then practice again tonight.”

Fu Huanhuan linked arms with Joe Yiqing. “Come on, I’m starving!”

Lan Chenxi and Xi Rui followed behind.

The four sat together at an empty table with their meals.

“Hmm? Why are there only three in your group? Where are the other two?” Fu Huanhuan asked while eating, having noticed earlier.

“Yao Xin and Fang You’an went to eat first. We only planned to watch a little but got caught up discussing and lost track of time,” Joe Yiqing explained.

“I remember those two are from Class F, right? Are you practicing well?”

“We’re fine. We have a very responsible and excellent captain~”

Lan Chenxi covered her mouth and coughed lightly when she heard that.

Joe Yiqing laughed, glancing at Lan Chenxi.

Watching the interaction between the two, Fu Huanhuan’s eyes darted between them, narrowing gradually.

“By the way, Qingbao, have you noticed anything different about me?” Fu Huanhuan asked, showing off.

Seeing Fu Huanhuan’s smug expression, Joe Yiqing pretended to scrutinize thoughtfully. “Hmm... what is it?”

When Fu Huanhuan was about to blow a tiny fist in frustration, she said, “I noticed long ago. Congratulations! I’ve always thought ‘Love Alert’ suits you perfectly.”

Fu Huanhuan also wore a small crown sticker over her left chest, indicating she had been chosen as center. “Love Alert” was a sweet little song, and Fu Huanhuan’s age and temperament matched it well.

“Hehe, it’s all thanks to my teammates’ trust.”

Fu Huanhuan smiled foolishly for a moment, then her mood sank as she said to Joe Yiqing, “Now that we’re in different groups and practice times don’t match, I’ll probably stick with my own team from now on. I won’t come over to eat with you anymore, so don’t wait for me.”

Previously, the two had stuck together, practicing whenever free even if not sharing the same dorm. But now, with separate groups, group activities took priority.

Though it was her own choice to join the show and she had more experience in singing and dancing, Fu Huanhuan felt that she’d been relying on Joe Yiqing all along. When she wanted to give up during practice, Joe Yiqing encouraged her to hold on; when uncertain about stage design, Joe Yiqing gave advice; when the pressure of the theme song’s three-day deadline overwhelmed her, seeing Joe Yiqing working hard without complaint calmed her.

But Joe Yiqing was growing too fast. When they first auditioned, Fu Huanhuan had been teaching her to dance. Now, Joe Yiqing was a candidate for the theme song’s center, had entered Class A, and teamed up with Lan Chenxi. Their relationship seemed strong too...

“I have to work hard too,” Fu Huanhuan thought, though she still felt a bit of separation anxiety.

Pretending to wipe away tears, she made a dramatic gesture. “Wuwu, Qingbao, I know you miss me terribly. Don’t miss me too much, okay?”

Joe Yiqing immediately saw through the act and, with a playful tone, said, “I’ve got a new love now. I can’t remember the old one anymore.”

“Only the new love laughs, never the old love cries,” Fu Huanhuan pretended to sob, then angrily slammed down her chopsticks. “Who is this new love? Which little enchantress?”

Joe Yiqing extended her left hand to introduce, pointing to the two beside her.

“Little Enchantress Number One” — Lan Chenxi glanced over, avoiding conflict and quietly eating.

“Little Enchantress Number Two” — Xi Rui slowly wiped her mouth and said, “Qingbao, who is she?”

“Why are you calling her Qingbao?” Fu Huanhuan glared at Xi Rui, slamming the table in accusation.

“Can’t I call her Qingbao?” Xi Rui lifted her chin proudly.

“Absolutely not! That’s a pet name between me and her! I gave it to her!” Fu Huanhuan pointed to herself, emphasizing her claim.

“I insist on calling her that.”

“I forbid it!”

“Qingbao, say something! Will you choose her or me?” Fu Huanhuan looked at Joe Yiqing with a heart-melting gaze.

“Qingbao, didn’t you say you loved me? Have you forgotten?” Xi Rui also looked on the verge of tears.

No, no I haven’t.

Joe Yiqing felt a headache coming on. She shouldn’t have gone along with Fu Huanhuan’s theatrics earlier.

Fu Huanhuan alone was enough, but Xi Rui was just as much a drama queen.

The two clicked instantly, performing a scene that Joe Yiqing couldn’t stop.

Without her even participating, the plot evolved by itself. It had already reached the stage where “old love” Fu Huanhuan scolded “jerk” Joe Yiqing for seven sins, while “new love” Xi Rui shared the righteous anger.

“Jerky” Joe Yiqing thought: Fine, as long as you two are happy.