Chapter Twenty-Two: A Classic Tune and a Surprise Box
With just a single sentence, everyone was snapped back to reality.
But the expressions on Wen Yan and the others' faces only grew darker.
Disgraceful—utterly disgraceful.
In this moment, Wen Yan almost regretted having been the top performer in the last episode.
Wasn’t this just making things harder for herself?
She shot a sidelong glance at Bai Ling.
Although...
She had to admit Bai Ling was strikingly beautiful, and her dance just now had been stunning.
But...
She simply couldn’t accept it.
Clenching her fists, she silently cheered herself on.
It’s all right. Sooner or later, she, too, would shine brilliantly!
Come on, Wen Yan!!!
Once Bai Ling had brought everyone back on topic, the judges, now disinterested, began giving their comments on Wen Yan and the others’ performances.
Bai Ling, sensing the mood, tactfully left the stage.
She exhaled in relief—her task was finally over.
“At least I didn’t embarrass myself.”
“If my poor singing had been exposed, I’d have been in serious trouble.”
Not bothering to change outfits, Bai Ling returned directly to the guest seats.
She hadn’t cared much, but she soon noticed that everyone’s eyes continued to drift toward her from time to time.
There was no helping it—compared to the rest of the dull and tedious show, Bai Ling was, perhaps, one of its few highlights.
Even the director’s team, astutely reading the mood, kept cutting the camera to her.
Who knew if the director was angling for a reward or had some ulterior motive.
Regardless, the director’s team was very satisfied with her performance.
The chief director, the executive director, and the assistant director all wore beaming smiles.
“This segment must be included in the final cut—give Bai Ling as much screen time as possible.”
“Excellent, wonderful. We were worried that if she didn’t sing her famous song, she wouldn’t bring in much traffic or heat, but it seems we were overthinking it.”
“If she didn’t want to sing, perhaps it was to avoid stealing the show, or maybe Chunqiu wants to control the copyright. It doesn’t matter—Bai Ling delivered the buzz we needed. That’s enough!”
What Bai Ling didn’t realize was that the director’s team had already come up with reasonable excuses on her behalf.
They even planned to insert as many of her shots as possible in the next episode.
To so easily gain the resources she once desperately craved but could never obtain—
If Bai Ling knew the details, she would surely sigh in admiration.
In this world, one must have a skill to rely on, after all.
The rest of the recording was dreadfully dull, and Bai Ling had to force herself to stay alert until it was finally over.
During this time, she noticed Lin Yubai glancing at her from time to time.
Something about the way he looked at her didn’t seem quite right.
Bai Ling wasn’t worried he’d fall for her—after all, he was the fated male lead. Even if he had thoughts about other women,
he could never escape the matchmaking strings of the author of “Splendor.”
Fate would guide him.
In the end, his only possible destination was that sly little green tea, Wen Yan.
Besides, even if Bai Ling did “provoke” him, she would fight back without hesitation.
Wouldn’t smashing his dog head solve everything?
To tell the truth, Bai Ling felt a bit tempted.
If she smashed his dog head, wouldn’t she be safe once and for all?
Besides, this guy was so baby-faced and slippery, calculating against her.
Returning the favor by smashing his dog head seemed only fair.
But after thinking it over, Bai Ling ultimately decided to let it go.
Why? The consequences were too much to bear.
It might be quick and satisfying in the moment—
But when he retaliated, Bai Ling wouldn’t be able to handle it.
“Better to just keep my head down.”
“My contract with Chunqiu is only three years at most—three years, thirty million. Add in song royalties and appearance fees from various shows...”
“Wouldn’t that make me a winner in life just by lying low?”
“So why cause myself unnecessary trouble?”
Once the show wrapped, Bai Ling went backstage to change and left with Xiangzi and Miao Miao.
Just as Ge Fenfen had said, in the coming days,
all she needed to do was cooperate with the promotion for “Girl Group Rally.”
Life was easier now.
As for recording songs, there was no rush.
But just as Bai Ling was about to get in the van, the system popped up.
“Congratulations, host, on completing your first variety show recording! You’ve gained +5 to vocal quality, +20 to acting, and a choice of one classic song!”
Jackpot!
Bai Ling had scored another reward.
This time, the system’s gifts were quite generous.
In Bai Ling’s opinion, the system’s timing made sense—it probably considered the show finished only now.
What delighted her most was that, on top of enhanced vocal and acting attributes, she got to pick a classic song.
If she wasn’t mistaken, these were classic tracks—not just viral hits.
That would give her much more creative freedom.
“Looks like I won’t have to worry about surprise spot checks anymore. That feeling was truly unpleasant.”
She muttered to herself inwardly.
But then she remembered she’d still have to record songs soon, and that problem wasn’t solved yet.
“It seems I’ll have to come up with a solution when the time comes.”
Just as Bai Ling was about to leave in her van, Liang Zhen and several other mentors came out as well.
“Bai, come here. There wasn’t much chance to talk during filming.”
“Now that we’ve wrapped, let me introduce you to a few folks.”
As a senior from the same company, Liang Zhen was clearly very fond of Bai Ling.
He was all warmth and enthusiasm.
Of course, the others seemed equally eager—perhaps they, too, wanted to get to know her.
There weren’t many interesting newcomers in the industry these days.
Bai Ling smiled and said, “No need for introductions, Teacher Liang. All of you are famous—I couldn’t possibly not recognize you.”
She might not actually have known them all, but the polite words came easily.
Liang Zhen laughed. “Sweet talker!”
Teacher Wen Huaiyu suddenly stepped beside Bai Ling and said, “Bai Ling, you really opened my eyes today.”
“Sometime, come visit my home. I mentioned earlier—I know a friend who researches ancient dance. I’ll introduce you.”
Bai Ling grinned. “Of course, Teacher Wen. If you’re making the introduction, I wouldn’t dare refuse.”
System: “Host’s behavior is too perfunctory; system grants a blind box reward!”
Bai Ling: It’s no fun when you can see right through me.
Still, even if she was just being polite, she’d received a blind box reward. Not a bad deal.
She greeted the others one by one as well.
The scene was lively, everyone on their best behavior.
Though Bai Ling was playing along, she knew well enough that today’s acquaintances would make up part of her future network.
Who could say when they’d be needed?
Such lifelines—one could never have too many.
Another bit of good news: Lin Yubai, the walking misfortune, hadn’t appeared.
Most likely, he’d been swept up in fate’s vortex with Wen Yan.
She was spared the headache—how fortunate.
After some half an hour of pleasant small talk, the hour had grown late, and everyone finally boarded their own vans and left the television station.