CHAPTER 569: 222 GENIUS AND MEDIOCRITY_2

The two exchanged words, and Qin Xiangge keenly noticed Ling Yue glance in her direction, her brows furrowed tightly, then seemed to attempt an explanation.

The other woman said something coldly, which rendered Ling Yue speechless.

Then, the woman turned around and left backstage.

Ling Yue called over her assistant, bowed her head, and issued a few instructions. The assistant turned to look toward Qin Xiangge.

Qin Xiangge didn’t miss the astonishment in the assistant’s eyes.

Qin Xiangge pressed her lips together; her instinct told her that the assistant President Lan had sent to Ling Yue earlier was for something involving her.

Judging by Ling Yue’s expression, it wasn’t anything good.

Aside from the opening and closing, which Ling Yue and Wang Chiru would handle together, the two would alternate announcing solo segments for the rest.

Wang Chiru was sitting next to Ling Yue, and he had overheard everything the assistant had said earlier to Ling Yue.

Ling Yue gave Wang Chiru a glance, and with just one look, Wang Chiru understood.

He gave a slight nod.

Ling Yue moved toward Qin Xiangge and said, "Xiangge, I’m very sorry..."

Hearing these five words, Qin Xiangge took a sharp step back, shaking her head desperately.

"No, Senior Sister..."

Ling Yue looked helpless: "I didn’t want this either, but it’s President Lan’s decision..."

Ling Yue sighed. "Xiangge, don’t lose heart; there’ll be other opportunities in the future..."

Ling Yue was puzzled deep down. Isn’t Qin Xiangge childhood friends with Mr. Jiang? Why would President Lan ignore even that and ruthlessly cut her segment?

If this got out, Qin Xiangge would lose face.

Qin Xiangge froze on the spot as though struck by lightning.

She regained her composure and immediately tried to leave. "I’m going to find President Lan and demand an explanation."

Ling Yue stopped her. "Are you crazy? Do you know what kind of people are sitting beside President Lan? Do you think you can just barge in?"

"Senior Sister, do you know how long I’ve been preparing for tonight’s performance, how much effort I’ve put in? How could President Lan do this to me?"

Qin Xiangge screamed, her voice cracking with anguish.

At this point, it was impossible not to draw attention.

Instantly, everyone turned their gaze toward Qin Xiangge; they understood what was happening. There were scoffs from some, pity from others.

"Qin Xiangge hasn’t offended President Lan. Why is she being cornered like this? It doesn’t make sense."

"She hasn’t offended President Lan, but she has offended Shen You’an."

The girls who had performed the opening song-and-dance number were already carefree now that their part was over, and they had the liberty to gossip openly.

"Exactly. Shen You’an knows she’s no match for Qin Xiangge, so she had President Lan step in and cut Qin Xiangge’s segment. President Lan is so partial to Shen You’an; if she wanted the moon, President Lan would probably try to pull it down for her. Poor Qin Xiangge..."

"Well, Shen You’an is the class genius, after all, and she just won a gold medal at the CMO. That’s the best result Lanya High School has had at the CMO. Why did Qin Xiangge even bother offending someone like her?"

"That’s one thing, but grades are grades; in the arts, she can’t compare to Qin Xiangge. If she couldn’t compete, why did she agree in the first place? And after agreeing, pulling underhanded tricks—how despicable..."

Shen You’an...

As Qin Xiangge listened to the gossip swirling around her, she thought the same thing as everyone else: Shen You’an instantly came to her mind.

This had to be Shen You’an’s doing.

At this moment, Qin Xiangge’s teeth clenched in hatred. If Shen You’an were standing before her now, she’d probably want to tear her apart and feast on her blood.

Luuo Yunqi watched this unfold, almost bursting into laughter. The dark cloud hanging over her mood lifted swiftly.

Dog eat dog—may they tear into each other even worse.

Two more programs passed. Though they weren’t bad, they lacked innovation, failing to keep the audience’s spirits up.

Ling Yue patted Qin Xiangge’s shoulder and sighed. "Enough, you have plenty of chances in the future. Don’t fixate on this one moment..."

"Sister Yue..." The assistant rushed over, her face full of worry.

"Shen You’an’s segment is up soon, but she still hasn’t arrived."

Ling Yue frowned deeply, her tone seeping with frustration: "What’s her deal? If she can’t handle it, she shouldn’t take it on! Is she trying to make us all look bad?"

Qin Xiangge sneered. "She’s too scared to show up."

Luuo Yunqi pulled out a bar of dark chocolate from her bag, unwrapped it leisurely, and popped a piece into her mouth.

Tonight’s backstage drama sure was far more riveting than the performances on stage.

"Who’s looking bad, and who’s too scared to show up?"

A melodious female voice rose above the chaotic backstage noise, ringing out abruptly.

Qin Xiangge whipped her head around.

Everyone turned toward the direction of the voice.

Gao Yuyue swaggered in and glanced at Qin Xiangge with a grin.

Her gaze brimmed with disdain and mockery.

Qin Xiangge, already brimming with fury, felt her blood boil further under Gao Yuyue’s taunting look.

"I’m saying Shen You’an’s too scared to show up. She’s nothing but a coward! If she can’t handle President Lan cutting my segment, is she admitting defeat?"