Snow-Kissed Rose (GL) Chapter 100.2

The promotional shoot took place on July 20th and 22nd. However, not everyone was scheduled for the 22nd.

This was because on the 21st, which was tomorrow, Star of Spring would be recording its third public performance's ranking results. At that time, one last batch of trainees would be eliminated.

However, even before the results were announced, everyone was already more or less aware of who would stay and who would be eliminated. Hence, the trainees' emotions were slightly calmer than they had been on the previous two occasions.

Granted, it could also be that, after having gone through two farewells, the trainees had matured and learned to hide their anxiety and worry.

It was already past midnight by the time the trainees concluded their promotional shoot on the 20th and returned to the White Tower. After a grueling day of work, nobody had any leftover energy to make noise, going to bed as soon as they washed up.

The next morning at 7:30 AM, the loudspeakers in the various rooms began playing "Red Sun" as usual. Many trainees were still fast asleep. As they slowly regained consciousness, they heard, in their groggy state:

"The third public performance's results have been scattered across the White Tower. Please find them yourselves."

Song Yingshi was munching a hard-boiled egg in the cafeteria when the announcement came. Upon hearing it, she couldn't help but scan her surroundings.

Meanwhile, Huai Xu, sitting across from Song Yingshi, took a sip of soy milk and wondered, "Will there be any hidden here?"

"Let's look around. Aren't variety shows all about these tricks? For example, our table here is the first table by the entrance…" Song Yingshi said as she tilted her head and looked under the table. When she saw a pink-white envelope stuck under it, she reached out, took the envelope, and showed it to Huai Xu, saying as if it were a matter of course, "See what I mean?"

Huai Xu clapped cooperatively. But then she saw Song Yingshi quickly lowering her head, behaving unlike her usual self, who would've put on a proud smile by now.

Song Yingshi seemed normal at first glance, the change in her behavior being very subtle. Perhaps, even Song Yingshi herself hadn't noticed she was being evasive.

However, Huai Xu noticed it, and she couldn't help but purse her lips.

Meanwhile, the VJ behind them drew closer with his camera, getting a close-up of the envelope in Song Yingshi's hand.

Song Yingshi waved at the camera and said, "I'm opening it."

But as Song Yingshi was sliding her finger into the flap, she suddenly stopped and handed the envelope to Huai Xu, saying, "You open it."

Huai Xu: "?"

Normally, Huai Xu would've accepted the envelope without much thought. But now, she didn't feel like cooperating.

"I'll find the envelopes while you open them," Song Yingshi said with a serious puppy face. Meanwhile, in her mind, she thought, I'm not going to show the world how unlucky I am.

Huai Xu: "..."

The subtle emotions accumulating in Huai Xu's heart were no match for this version of Song Yingshi. Sighing indulgently, she accepted the envelope, pulled out the well-made card inside, glanced at it, and then handed it to Song Yingshi.

Song Yingshi kept her head lowered as she accepted the card. Then, she smiled and held up the card for the camera.

…

"Congratulations, Qinqin."

After locating Tao Qin, Song Yingshi handed her the envelope containing her card with both hands.

"What? You found my card already? You're not pranking me, are you?" Tao Qin said nervously as she accepted the envelope. Then, while muttering a silent prayer, she opened the envelope and peeked inside.

Tao Qin's Third Public Performance Rank: 6

Tao Qin immediately covered her mouth in shock when she saw the number "6," her voice sounding muffled as she exclaimed, "I'm that amazing???"

"It's very impressive that you climbed up to this rank," Huai Xu said faintly.

Tao Qin blinked her eyes in surprise. If even Huai Xu was impressed, then she really must be amazing!

Unable to contain her excitement, Tao Qin gave Song Yingshi a big hug. If she weren't shorter than Song Yingshi, she would've lifted Song Yingshi into the air. "I love you to death, Little Shi! You must be my lucky goddess!"

Song Yongshi pushed Tao Qin away in disdain, very primly drawing a clear line between herself and other women. Then, she said, "It's the result of your hard work. Also, while I was the one who found the envelope, Huai Xu was the one who opened it."

Song Yingshi's words sent Tao Qin into a second wave of ecstasy. After all, as an ardent Snow-Kissed Rose fan, what could be greater news than her two idols discovering her results together?!

Immediately, Tao Qin said, "Let's go! Let's find the others' envelopes! Yours too!"

Subsequently, the three of them went off to search for more envelopes.

After walking just 10 meters away, Tao Qin discovered an envelope behind a flower pot. As she was about to open it, Song Yingshi asked, "How's your luck?"

"Uh…" Tao Qin hesitated to answer.

Song Yingshi quickly reached her own conclusion and turned to Huai Xu, saying, "Let Instructor Huai open it."

Whenever Song Yingshi used "Instructor Huai" to address Huai Xu, her voice always carried a playful intimacy. Tao Qin, knocked senseless by the unexpected fan service, handed the envelope over to Huai Xu without a second thought.

Quan Yuanyuan's Third Public Performance Rank: 12

A little later, Song Yingshi found two more envelopes hidden in various nooks and crannies. Huai Xu opened them to reveal Hu Wan in 10th place and Bai Yuzhou in 4th place.

As they resumed their search, Tao Qin suddenly realized something was amiss, asking, "Isn't our 'drop rate' a little high?"

Only 15 out of the 40 trainees remaining could advance to the finals. Logically, the chances of opening an envelope in the top 15 should be much lower. Yet, out of the four envelopes Huai Xu had opened so far, all four were in the top 15.

Before anyone could answer Tao Qin's question, she slapped herself on the head, looked at Huai Xu in reverence, and said, "Are you the legendary RNGesus?"

As Huai Xu looked at the three envelopes in her hand, she uncharacteristically remained silent for a moment before she said, "It should just be a coincidence."

At this time, Wan Jiao, Bai Yuzhou, and two other trainees happened to pass by. When Wan Jiao saw the envelopes in Huai Xu's hand, she asked, "Do you have any of our envelopes?"

Song Yingshi waved at them and said, "We have Zhouzhou's."

Bai Yuzhou immediately walked over, her voice anxious as she asked, "What's my rank?"

Tao Qin patted Bai Yuzhou's shoulder in comfort, saying empathetically, "Don't be nervous. We've all been chosen by RNGesus."

Bai Yuzhou quickly opened her envelope. When she realized she was in fourth place, she relaxed and finally had time to respond to Tao Qin's words. "What does 'chosen by RNGesus' mean?"

Hearing this, Tao Qin and Song Yingshi turned to look at Huai Xu.

"It means…"

After hearing Tao Qin's explanation, the other trainees present all looked at Huai Xu in awe.

"Instructor Huai, let's move together! I'll give the envelopes I find for you to open!"

"My envelope, you must wait until Instructor Huai finds you!"

…

In no time, Huai Xu's reputation for good fortune spread far and wide.

Shortly after Song Yingshi's search party grew to eight people, they found two more envelopes.

Immediately, the trainees eagerly awaited RNGesus to work her magic, their behavior momentarily neutralizing Huai Xu's distant aura.

Huai Xu pursed her lips, finding she didn't dislike this situation.

"Quick, check if it's mine!" Song Yingshi urged as she stretched her head out from beside Huai Xu. "Let me bask in some of that lucky aura as well."

Perhaps carried away by the atmosphere, Song Yingshi forgot her intention to avoid Huai Xu. At this moment, her head blocked half of Huaixu's vision, her now-black long hair brushing against Huaixu's forearm, soft and fluffy.

The renewed intimacy made Huai Xu feel a little better. Keeping this mood, she opened the first of the two envelopes.

Wen Qingzi's Third Public Performance Rank: 15

Upon seeing Wen Qingzi's name and rank, Wan Jiao promptly swiped the card out of the envelope and planted two hard kisses on it. After excitedly thanking Huai "RNGesus" Xu, she said excitedly, "I'm going to deliver this to Qingzi!"

"Run slower! Be careful!" Song Yingshi called out to Wan Jiao's shrinking back.

Wan Jiao didn't look back, but she did wave to signal that she heard the reminder.

Song Yingshi smiled as she watched Wan Jiao disappear into the distance. When she turned back, Huai Xu had already opened the second envelope.

In the gentle morning light, Huai Xu stood beside the translucent glass window. Delicately keeping the envelope's flap open, she lowered her head to lightly kiss the card within.

When Huai Xu raised her gaze, she removed the card from the envelope and offered it to Song Yingshi. At this moment, her piercing eyes seemed to contain a warm, welcoming ocean.

Song Yingshi gained a general idea of the card's content through Huai Xu's gaze and actions. At the same time, her heart ached slightly for Huai Xu.

After a brief eye contact with Huai Xu, she looked away, accepted the card, and saw her own name embossed on it.

Song Yingshi's Third Public Performance Rank: 1

TL Notes:
Fyi, Wen Qingzi is one of Wan Jiao's juniors from the same entertainment company. Hence, her excitement.