SGSHE86

While Jing Heguang was inwardly seething with dark, resentful thoughts, the four people in Class A classroom were taken aback.

Qu Liuguang, who had looked so confident just moments ago, had suddenly burst into tears.

Most of the show’s contestants were sharp, and those who made it to Class A certainly possessed high emotional intelligence. Some immediately suspected that Qu Liuguang was deliberately playing to the camera.

Yet, there were still those unwilling to think the worst of him.

The guy with the buzz cut walked over and asked with concern, “Qu Liuguang, what’s wrong?”

Qu Liuguang let out a few sobs, revealing his reddened eyes to the camera. He was naturally handsome, and his crying face held a genuine, heart-wrenching quality that made people want to comfort him.

Luan Xing’an took out the small pack of tissues he was carrying and handed a sheet to Qu Liuguang.

Qu Liuguang glanced at him, disgusted by the other man’s feigned concern. He lowered his gaze and refused to even look at Luan Xing’an.

Qu Liuguang’s resentment toward Luan Xing’an deepened. If not for him, he wouldn’t have had to flip his persona so early, throwing his entire plan into disarray.

Then, the other two walked over as well.

“Qu Liuguang, why are you crying? Don’t be sad, I’m really happy to be performing with you!”

“Yeah. Our performance is going to be great. It’ll definitely be even more explosive than what you did on your last show!”

If Qu Liuguang could put on a show of ‘feeling wronged’, they could certainly put on a show of ‘brotherly anticipation’.

Luan Xing’an sensed that Qu Liuguang disliked him. His hand, still outstretched with the tissue, hovered awkwardly in the air for a moment before he quietly withdrew it.

After pulling his hand back, Luan Xing’an slipped the remaining half-pack of tissues into the buzz-cut guy’s hand from behind. He was the only one among them who had brought tissues.

Luan Xing’an then silently stepped back, watching as Qu Liuguang was surrounded and comforted by the other three. Luan Xing’an kept his head lowered.

He felt a bit like he had stolen something that belonged to Qu Liuguang.

After all, Qu Liuguang had the best overall skills. The reason everyone chose him for the solo performance was largely because he didn’t fit well into the other group acts, not necessarily because he was the absolute best…

Luan Xing’an whispered, “How about…I join the trio performance instead? I don’t have to dance. I can just sing on the side, I can do backing vocals.”

Hearing this, the guy with the buzz-cut moved his lips as if to speak, but ultimately held his tongue.

There were only two solo slots available. He had worked hard for years and naturally wanted to showcase himself, he was reluctant to give up the opportunity.

Qu Liuguang sobbed softly but didn’t reply.

The other two, meanwhile, were dumbfounded: Huh?

Kid! You’re way too naive!

You’re actually falling for such an obvious trap?

Luan Xing’an looked at the two of them and asked tentatively, “Is that okay? If I perform with you guys…my voice is actually quite well-suited for backing vocals.”

Joining the trio act might cause some inconvenience for them, so he felt he had to ask.

What choice did they have? This kid was so innocent, he was even volunteering to sing backing vocals, a role that rarely got any spotlight…

“Sure, performing with Xing’an sounds great.”

“It’ll be a fun performance. You have to dance, though. Otherwise, it’ll lack soul!”

They agreed with smiles, while Qu Liuguang sniffled and said stubbornly, “I don’t need you to step aside for me. I’ll take back what I deserve.”

On camera, his attempt to put on a brave face perfectly blended vulnerability with resilience.

Qu Liuguang’s crying spell wasn’t really about the solo performance, it was about showcasing the vulnerable side of his public persona.

To debut in a talent show, one needs the strong support of die-hard fans, and tugging at their heartstrings, evoking a sense of protective sympathy, is a standard tactic to fire up their fighting spirit.

Meanwhile, watching Qu Liuguang pull one stunt after another, Jing Heguang could barely hold back from speaking up.

He kept muttering, “If I stir up another topic, something even more intense, the director definitely won’t have the heart to cut it,” and it took a forceful effort from Jing Heguang to rein in his rapidly unraveling composure.

However, the look Jing Heguang shot at Qu Liuguang grew increasingly hostile. He even mentally prioritized taking Qu Liuguang down over getting Luan Xing’an to finally ‘get a clue’ about romance.

Jing Heguang dug up his memories regarding Qu Liuguang and reviewed them meticulously.

Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated.

Previously, Jing Heguang had been more concerned with Luan Xing’an, merely waiting for Qu Liuguang to crash and burn on his own so that he would only strike when Qu Liuguang made a move.

But now, Jing Heguang was no longer satisfied with that approach.

***

Luan Xing’an was in low spirits. Although he tried to act as if nothing was wrong, the sluggish pace of the afternoon rehearsal clearly betrayed his poor state of mind.

He had chosen a lighthearted, narrative-style song for the first live performance, a story set in an old city street, intended to evoke a bright and heartwarming atmosphere.

Yet, his own gloomy mood colored his performance, completely stripping the song of its intended vibe.

Several mentors stopped by to check on him, each advising him to take a moment to adjust his mindset and mood.

Jing Heguang saw it all and felt anxious, yet he had to attend rehearsals for other classes as well. The schedule was chaotic and packed with over a dozen different acts.

At dinner, Jing Heguang ate quickly.

After finishing his meal, he found a spare moment and headed toward Luan Xing’an’s rehearsal room.

***

Qu Liuguang stepped out of the restroom in his own rehearsal room and pushed open the door leading to the hallway, where he spotted Jing Heguang.

Recalling the panicked words of the woman from the phone call, Qu Liuguang felt a sudden impulse and followed him.

Jing Heguang knocked on Luan Xing’an’s door. “Is anyone there?”

Qu Liuguang walked up behind him, tapped him on the shoulder, and said with a smile, “Teacher Jing, I need to speak with you.”

Hearing no response from inside, Jing Heguang glanced at Qu Liuguang and said, “Let’s go inside to talk.”

Jing Heguang opened the door, and the two of them stepped in.

Qu Liuguang smiled as he covered the lens of the automatic camera and turned off the audio recording equipment.

Jing Heguang also reached out and switched off his own microphone to show Qu Liuguang.

However, in the corner of the room, hidden from view by a wall, Luan Xing’an was bewildered by the sound of the door opening and closing.

His rehearsal that afternoon had gone poorly. He was in a foul mood and hadn’t eaten, so he was sitting on a small stool in the dark corner, listening to music and zoning out.

Luan Xing’an removed his headphones and was about to speak up when the voice of the person talking made him freeze. It was Qu Liuguang, and Qu Liuguang didn’t like him.

Qu Liuguang seized the initiative: “Teacher Jing, Luan Xing’an is certainly talented. But no matter how famous he gets, what do you stand to gain?”

Jing Heguang, hands in his trouser pockets, raised an eyebrow: “I don’t quite follow. Why not just be frank?”

Qu Liuguang smiled confidently: “Teacher Jing, I met you once before, at the birthday party of your company president’s daughter. I was wearing a white blazer that night, and Qianqian kept hovering around me. You should remember that.”

Back then, while other artists were trying to curry favor with the president’s daughter, Qianqian had been the one trying to get close to him. Qu Liuguang was certain he had made a lasting impression.

Indeed, the original owner’s memories held an image of Qu Liuguang in that blazer, exuding an air of refined elegance.

Otherwise, the original owner wouldn’t have treated Qu Liuguang so well in his past life, it was simply a case of mutual self-interest.

Jing Heguang wanted to draw Qu Liuguang out, so he nodded and played along: “I remember. And then?”

“In that case…Teacher Jing must know the award-winning actor Qu Ran, right?” Qu Liuguang said in a low voice, gazing at Jing Heguang with smiling eyes.

Up close, the man’s handsome features were even more pleasing to the eye, so much so that Qu Liuguang momentarily forgot the times Jing Heguang had been unpleasant.

Jing Heguang lazily lifted his eyelids and shrugged: “I know of Actor Qu. You share the surname ‘Qu’, could it be that you’re part of the Qu family? But even if you are, what does that have to do with me?”

“How could there be no benefit?” Qu Liuguang grabbed the man’s tie, locked eyes with him, and spoke clearly: “Ditch Luan Xing’an, and the global ambassadorship for COLL is yours.”

COLL was one of the top three luxury brands in the world. The Qu family had secured this opportunity because the brand’s current head was a close friend of Qu Liuguang’s mother, essentially a coming-of-age gift for Qu Liuguang.

Securing a global ambassadorship with COLL would, at the very least, cause Jing Heguang’s market value to skyrocket.

With his value multiplied, Jing Heguang could earn far more easily by simply taking on a few events than by investing the time and effort to cultivate a newcomer. After all, newcomers have legs of their own. They can, and often do, run off.

Qu Liuguang trusted that Jing Heguang could distinguish which option was better and more important for him.

Even Luan Xing’an, sitting on his little stool, knew the name COLL. He knew it was a luxury brand.

Luan Xing’an clutched his earlobes, looking somewhat dazed.

But then, he froze completely.

He heard Jing Heguang ask, “How do we drop Xing’an? The show has already started. Besides, are you even allowed to talk about the COLL endorsement yet?”

Luan Xing’an pressed his legs together. His large, round eyes lost their luster as he lowered his head to gaze at the dark ground.

A single droplet slid gently down his fair cheek, landing on his black trousers and darkening the fabric where it fell.

He wept silently, only the tears kept falling.

Luan Xing’an didn’t want to believe it, how could brother Jing, who had treated him so well, ask such a question?

He had thought the answer would be different. Brother Jing had been so good to him!

Brother Jing had treated him so well, and he knew what Luan Xing’an wanted, didn’t he?

Logically, Luan Xing’an knew that the endorsement was a fantastic opportunity, yet he felt a deep sense of grievance.

Perhaps he had been spoiled by the way he’d been treated lately?

Memories of the time they had spent together flashed through Luan Xing’an’s mind, leaving a bitter, aching sensation in his heart, as if a wound had been torn open again and doused with saltwater.

He thought back to how he used to look away whenever Jing Heguang gazed at Qu Liuguang — a childish, immature reaction.

He thought of the drawings he drew of a little lemon pair.

He also realized why he had been thinking of Jing Heguang while he sang…

In an instant, so many things suddenly made sense to him. But before he could even fully grasp the situation, he was already destined to lose — or rather, never obtain — the person he wanted.

Sure enough, aside from his grandmother, no one would ever like someone as messed up as him.

Luan Xing’an covered his mouth. Tears, like transparent crystal beads, came tumbling down in a rush.

Outside.

Qu Liuguang shrugged. “If I dared to bring it up, I can certainly make it happen.”

Among the three Qu sons, the older two weren’t the type to act cute or curry favor, so the family doted on him, the youngest.

Jing Heguang, having extracted all the information he wanted, looked up and smiled. “I get it now.”

“Huh?”

Qu Liuguang sensed something was off and asked, “What about your promise?”

“Me?” Jing Heguang pulled out his tie. “Stay away from me. Using inducements to try and drive away a top-tier trainee, your mind is in the gutter!”

Qu Liuguang’s expression shifted instantly, and he flew into a rage. “Fuck! What do you mean? Are you playing me for a fool?”

He had offered something he thought was incredibly tempting, yet Jing Heguang acted completely unimpressed?!

Did the guy realize he was a Qu family member and delusionally think he could haggle for a better deal?

Qu Liuguang snorted coldly. “Jing Heguang, let me tell you, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. You won’t get another chance like this.”

The two, who had seemed poised for a friendly interaction, suddenly found themselves arguing and trading barbs.

One showed open disdain, while the other sneered with mockery.

It seemed…something wasn’t quite right.

Luan Xing’an, his eyes brimming with tears, suddenly didn’t know whether he should let them fall or not.