The last place now is undoubtedly determined, and Li Yang can be completely at ease.
But he still has a chance to compete for first place.
There was once an opportunity to be first right in front of him, but he didn’t cherish it, so he lost the chance to be first in his most proficient field... This is absolutely unacceptable.
Now the only one who could possibly outperform him is Shu Ran, and if their group scores, her score would just tie with his.
"Sister Shu Ran, Sister Guan Yu, Zhang Li, Chuchu, you all have to do your best, I’m counting on you."
Shu Ran easily saw through his thoughts: "You’re overthinking it. If all eight of your fans vote for us, then it’ll surely be your group that scores."
"That seems to make sense." Li Yang thought about it. Wouldn’t it be enough to just persuade his fans to vote for Shu Ran’s group?
There’s a chance.
"Anyway, you guys do your best. Your dance is stunning, the audience will definitely love it."
Guan Yu was disdainful of his cockiness at the moment, leaning beside Mu Qiu and pouting: "Come on, your dance is the one that’s stunning. Later, the audience will surely be shouting ’husband’ from below."
The few who might be called "husband" all awkwardly looked away.
Only Mu Qiu raised a finger and poked her away.
"I’ve said it so many times, can you stop taking advantage of me?"
lsp, he didn’t forget to touch her waist even at this time.
Guan Yu nostalgically withdrew her hand, glanced at Cheng Zhirang, and extended an invitation: "Come to my room tonight? We can sleep together~"
"..."
Shi Yuhuai timely made a vomiting sound, followed by Cheng Zhirang’s light laughter: "I’m afraid that won’t be possible, I’ve booked her time for tonight."
Guan Yu: "Oh my goodness~~"
The others also made ambiguous encouraging sounds, their eyes flitting back and forth between the two of them.
Mu Qiu remained unfazed, once again slapped away Guan Yu’s hand, and calmly said with crossed arms: "Is it strange? Haven’t been in love?"
"There are plenty of people here who haven’t been in love," Shu Ran didn’t even need to look, pointing at a few, "Not to mention others, do you think Brother Huai seems like someone who’s been in love?"
Now everyone’s gaze focused on Shi Yuhuai.
A six-foot-two tall international model, with good looks, surely lots of people would be chasing him for a relationship judging by this alone.
But if you consider his straight male quotes...
"I admit I didn’t take Brother Huai’s feelings into consideration," Mu Qiu sincerely apologized, "Sorry Brother Huai, I thought of those who are young and haven’t dated and those who have dated a lot, but didn’t consider your situation. Truly sorry."
Shi Yuhuai pulled down his pink shorts a bit, trying to cover more thigh, then said calmly, "Don’t look down on people, I’ve been in love."
Everyone: "?!"
Guan Yu: "Shocking! The well-known straight male model Shi Yuhuai actually has a romantic past!"
Shi Yuhuai rolled his eyes at her, and amid everyone’s gossiping gazes, he slowly recounted simply two sentences.
"A fan had a junior sister introduce me to someone, we broke up in two weeks. The other party said I’d rather order delivery desserts with my assistant than go shopping with her, suspected I had issues with my sexual orientation."
Thinking of this relationship makes him a bit gloomy, as he finally remembered the other’s long name, she visited and knocked over his mango sago then walked away.
If Lin Banyan and the assistant hadn’t held him back, he would’ve definitely gone to demand an explanation.
That mango sago was recommended by fans, forty-one portions!
Li Yang, hearing this, expressed extreme shock: "Fans make you date?!"
There are fans like this in the world?!
Shi Yuhuai looked up from his gloomy mood, glanced at him: "I’m not an idol, if I need to date, I date. Is there a problem?"
Li Yang: biting the cloth "wuwuwu," shedding tears of envy.
"I find Li Yang, why are you always thinking about dating? Can you focus on career development? Ask the group behind you, who among you as an idol keeps thinking about dating?" Guan Yu confronted him.
"What’s wrong with dating? It’s human nature. Besides, I didn’t say I want to date now, don’t say that!"
Shu Ran stood to the side with crossed arms, her outfit and makeup today leaning towards the big boss woman style, standing there she did indeed have the aura of a CEO holding the lifeblood of some listed company.
"You’re not in a hurry, the one most anxious these two days is Guan Yu, constantly watching those engaged in relationships, always asking Li Yang about dating."
Mu Qiu squinted: "Oh? Sister Guan Yu, you’ve got something going on lately?"
Guan Yu picked up her skirt and sat heavily on the stool, eyebrows furrowing, propping her chin, pretended to be gloomy: "To be honest, someone has been pursuing me recently."
This was explosive news, the backstage staff bustling around doing logistics couldn’t help but perk up their ears to attentively listen to this gossip.
She used a wistful tone to say: "That man is tall and mighty with rugged features, standing six-foot-two with all muscles, when he smiles he shows eight teeth, very polite, also has a car and a house, insurance, properties in the Middle East and Dubai."
"Of course, these aren’t the most attractive to me. What really draws me is that he says he likes my opulent figure, humorous yet talented temperament, kind heart, and these size ten feet. Such an appreciating perfect man, it’s hard for me not to be moved."
Backstage fell into silence.
Then Mu Qiu spoke: "Hearing about the Middle East, I knew this story wasn’t simple, but it turns out it’s so complex."
Shi Yuhuai: "Is the man on restroom cleaner prints the mighty Mr. Clean?"
"...Pfft hahahahaha!"
"Sister Guan Yu, are you that good at stories?"
"Opulent figure and size ten feet hahahahaha!"
"Mr. Clean hahahahaha!"
"I almost believed it, I’m still too simple-minded."
"I thought there really would be an explosive love reveal, it was my overthinking."
Everyone laughed and cried, finally releasing the last bit of tension.
Cheng Zhirang watched them with a smile throughout, keeping an eye on the stage progress, and upon hearing the final lottery outside ending, he called Shu Ran.
"You should get ready, good luck."
Guan Yu and the others immediately composed themselves, stood up, and headed to the stage entrance position.
The host at the front announced: "So now, the team stage showdown officially begins! Let’s welcome the first group, Shu Ran, Guan Yu, Zhang Li, Chuchu with ’Therefore I Am’!!!"
The audiences’ cheers and screams no longer felt as nerve-wracking as when they first took the stage, now these cheers provide them with encouragement and support.
The stage lights swapped to alternated black, white, gray colors, as music started, Guan Yu began singing. She changed from the playful sneaky voice earlier, now with a low hoarse voice, carrying a casual indifference, surprisingly singing the English song quite well.
When lights flashed alternated, only Shu Ran and Chuchu standing on both sides could be seen, singing lyrics feelinglessly, but physically swaying left and right along with Guan Yu and Zhang Li in the middle.
Like clockwork wind-up mechanical kiddies.
————
ps: The song reference video is from this year’s ’Creation Camp,’ a stage where Brother Jixiang, Zhang Jiayuan, Li Luxiu performed ’Therefore I Am.’ Feel free to refer to it.