Ning Yumei liked Ji Zhixian. Lin Xiaoman had guessed this from Ning Yumei’s previous comments that Ji Zhixian would never like her. Now, seeing Ning Yumei’s surprised expression, she was even more certain of her thoughts.
“You think you can have anything to do with him?” Ning Yumei was inwardly flustered but didn’t admit it verbally.
“I’m good-looking, and men like beautiful women. How can I not have anything to do with him?” Lin Xiaoman tilted her head and looked at her, a confident smile appearing on her exquisitely beautiful face. “Do you know why, despite your efforts to drive me away, I can still return to the ‘Creation’ stage?”
“Impossible,” Ning Yumei shook her head, desperately denying, “Ji Zhixian is not that kind of person.”
“He is,” Lin Xiaoman retorted crisply, “After all, the person who just met him in the hotel was me, not you.”
“
“How could this be?!” Ning Yumei lost control of her expression and stepped back two steps.
“How could what?” Lin Xiaoman moved closer, still wearing a smile, “How could I appear in the hotel? Or how could you be stupid enough to give Ji Zhixian’s room card to another woman?”
Ning Yumei’s face turned pale. She glared at Lin Xiaoman hatefully: “Even if it is Ji Zhixian, your relationship will always be unspeakable.”
“Sister finally got to the point,” Lin Xiaoman looked gratified. “President Ji doesn’t want anyone to know about this, but because of your generosity, some people already know. What do you think he’ll do when he finds out this is related to you?”
“Are you threatening me?” Ning Yumei wanted to tear apart the smiling face before her but knew the consequences of rash action, so she could only clench her fists.
“No, I’m just giving you some advice,” Lin Xiaoman gently lifted her chin, meeting her hateful gaze, and curved her mouth, “If you still want to survive in the entertainment industry, clean up this mess and stay away from me!”
Ning Yumei tried to break free, but whenever she met Lin Xiaoman’s gaze, she felt an overwhelming pressure that immobilized her. She glared at Lin Xiaoman angrily, her timidity impossible to hide.
Lin Xiaoman was very satisfied with her expression.
Although Ning Yumei had a bad temper, under her cunning mother’s guidance, she wasn’t stupid and knew what she should and shouldn’t do. Lin Xiaoman just needed to hint slightly to prevent her from causing trouble. After settling everything, Lin Xiaoman opened the door to leave, coincidentally meeting Zhang Jiajia who was about to enter. Zhang Jiajia frowned displeasedly when she saw her, but Lin Xiaoman left calmly.
Zhang Jiajia entered the makeup room to find Ning Yumei sitting pale on the chair, looking like she had suffered a major blow. “Yumei, what’s wrong?” Zhang Jiajia hurried to Ning Yumei’s side. She was the only trainee who knew about the relationship between Ning Yumei and Lin Xiaoman. Every time Ning Yumei talked about the matter between them, Zhang Jiajia felt Lin Xiaoman was a deep and calculating person, and Ning Yumei was too naive and often bullied.
“Did Lin Xiaoman bully you again?” Ning Yumei looked up at her, forcing a smile: “No such thing, don’t talk nonsense.” “You’re still defending her?” Zhang Jiajia was indignant, “Look at what state she’s reduced you to!” “I’m the older sister, so I should be more tolerant,” Ning Yumei lowered her eyes, looking obedient and gentle. Zhang Jiajia became even more angry. She suddenly remembered the video about Ning Yumei that had circulated online that morning and couldn’t help asking, “Was that online video also related to Lin Xiaoman?
Ning Yumei’s face turned white again, and she said nothing.
“I knew it, you’ve always had the best temper. How could you possibly do such a thing? Lin Xiaoman must have deliberately provoked you and then recorded a video to ruin your reputation.” Zhan Jiajia spoke, increasingly believing that Lin Xiaoman was malicious and truly terrifying.
“It’s not entirely her fault. I didn’t control myself well,” Ning Yumei explained softly, “You don’t need to be upset for me. I’m fine.”
“You’re too kind,” Zhan Jiajia frowned, “I can’t just watch you being bullied. I’m going to make everyone see her true colors!”
Ning Yumei opened her watery eyes, looking anxiously at her: “Jiajia, let’s forget it. She’s not someone to be trifled with…”
“I’m not afraid of her!” Zhan Jiajia said proudly, lifting her chin.
★ Chapter Eight: Revenge
“Creating Idols” always edited the trainees’ daily training into segments to boost viewership. One game they frequently played was dancing to music.
The instructor would randomly play various popular songs, and trainees familiar with the song would stand in the center and dance. If they could match the dance from the music video, they would receive a reward.
In previous game sessions, Lin Xiaoman hadn’t arrived yet, and the original protagonist had always performed unremarkably, more likely to sit quietly in the corner with no presence.
However, this time, when the music started, Lin Xiaoman began to dance. She could roughly learn a dance after watching it a few times and could recreate the music video scenes with her eyes closed.
Besides her, Wei Qinghuan, from a girl group, was the most familiar with singing and dancing. The two of them, one on the left and one on the right, seemed to be having a dance-off.
Initially, some teammates joined in, but after a few songs, everyone withdrew, leaving only Wei Qinghuan and Lin Xiaoman in the center of the classroom.
At this point, the music suddenly changed to a familiar melody, but Wei Qinghuan couldn’t recall it. After several rounds, she seemed to have exhausted her energy, her mind going blank.
The girl beside her appeared full of vitality, even better than before. After their previous competition, Wei Qinghuan had a new understanding of Lin Xiaoman’s abilities.
While she didn’t understand why Lin Xiaoman’s performance had changed so dramatically, she was certain that the person before her could easily regain audience favor and win first place if she wanted to.
Just as she was about to step down, Lin Xiaoman whispered, “Shower scrubbing routine.”
Wei Qinghuan suddenly realized, looking surprisingly at Lin Xiaoman. The girl smiled softly, her gaze frank. Wei Qinghuan’s heart stirred, and she began dancing to the music.
With an extremely strong musical rhythm, Lin Xiaoman began to dance to the beat, completely different from the previous soft and graceful dance. This time, her movements were bright and youthful – light and carefree like a fawn learning to walk and jump in the forest, and intense like surging waves during a storm. Her spirited demeanor perfectly matched the light rhythm, instantly igniting the atmosphere of the dance practice. Everyone’s bodies involuntarily began to sway.
Even the teacher switching songs nearby was swaying, only realizing it after the song ended.
Lin Xiaoman bowed to the people around her, then turned back and glanced at Xie Xueer, who was standing there in a daze.
That look was exactly the same as Tang Feifei’s.
Xie Xueer’s face turned pale, her expression terrified, and she unconsciously took a step back.
Lin Xiaoman laughed, her beautiful eyes sparkling, incomparably charming.
She hadn’t settled the score with Xie Xueer for deliberately eliminating her last time, so this scare was a small act of revenge.
“Do you think it looks similar?” Lin Xiaoman unleashed her acting skills again, pretending to look regretful, “It’s a pity I’ve only seen it in a video and have never seen my cousin perform…”
“You are you, there’s no need to imitate her,” Xie Xueer said, as if speaking to her but also seeming to convince herself, “She is already gone, and there will never be another her.”
