Snow-Kissed Rose (GL) Chapter 62.1

After the vote appeal, it was time for the audience and mentors to cast their votes.

Meanwhile, the trainees in the backstage recording room anxiously watched the live broadcast.

"Who do you think will win?"

"I'm so nervous."

"It doesn't matter who wins; I'll still love them equally."

Amidst the tense background music, the audience and mentors finished voting, and the staff began tallying the votes.

A moment later, a staff member handed the results to Shi Shuyao. When she saw the results, she looked at the two teams in astonishment and said, "Your two teams are only…one vote apart from each other."

A one-vote difference.

Song Yingshi and Huai Xu exchanged glances.

Meanwhile, Shi Shuyao continued, "I hereby announce, that the winning team of Batch 5, by a one-vote difference, is—"

[All Ears.jpg]

[Ahhh!! It doesn't matter which team it is!]

[I dare not continue watching.]

"Team 'Unavoidable! Congratulations to Team 'Unavoidable' for winning!"

As soon as Shi Shuyao finished speaking, the electronic screen behind her showed the votes of the two teams.

Group A - Lights On - 257 votes

Group B - Unavoidable - 258 votes

The 500 audience members present each had one vote, while the four mentors each had five votes. The total number of votes available was 520.

In other words, five audience members abstained from voting, and Team "Unavoidable" won the duel in the second public performance by just one vote!

…

As the second public performance came to an end, the live audience members returned satisfied, while the trainees proceeded to record the second public performance's ranking announcement.

Because the second public performance adopted a versus setting with a penalty system, the team rankings this time wouldn't have any real impact. It only served as a comparison for the 10 teams.

The pairing of Song Yingshi's and Huai Xu's teams was a highly competitive matchup, and there was only a marginal difference in the votes they received. As a result, both teams were average in ranking, with Team "Unavoidable" coming in fifth place and Team "Lights On" coming in sixth.

The top three teams were rewarded with a sumptuous dinner with the mentors, while the others were given a holiday after completing their interviews. When Song Yingshi and the others finished their interviews, they cheered in unison.

"Time to go home!"

"Home! Home!"

Nobody was upset at being excluded from the so-called sumptuous dinner. After all, the dinner had to be eaten before the camera, so they had to eat carefully lest they want to smudge their lipsticks. They also had to pay attention to their expression management at all times.

This was akin to being forced to participate in team building on a weekend.

Wouldn't it be infinitely better to go home and eat whatever they want?

…

In one of Class A's shared living rooms, Rong Yi, whose team ranked first and was required to participate in the "team building," looked at Song Yingshi resentfully and said, "You, Jiaojiao, and Huai Xu will all be leaving tonight."

Pinching Rong Yi's cheeks, Song Yingshi smiled and said, "There's nothing here for us to do, and there just so happens to be a flight tonight."

Rong Yi rubbed her face and enviously looked at Song Yingshi, "How lucky of you. I want to leave too, but it's going to be midnight by the time the recording ends… By the way, where are your bags? Aren't you bringing anything home?"

"Mhm, I'm leaving everything here," Song Yingshi replied.

"Doesn't that mean you can leave now?" Rong Yi asked, puzzled.

"I'm waiting for Huai Xu," Song Yingshi explained.

"Are you two on the same flight?" Rong Yi asked.

"We're both going back to S City," Song Yingshi answered.

Rong Yi still had more to ask, but she was interrupted by Wan Jiao, who had just come out of her room.

"Why do you have so many questions? Why don't you pester your big sister instead?" Wan Jiao asked while hooking an arm around Rong Yi's neck.

Rong Yi tried to struggle out of Wan Jiao's hold but failed. While enduring Wan Jiao's excessive skinship, she said, "I'm asking about Little Shi and Huai Xu. I never knew they came from the same city."

On the surface, Wan Jiao might be laughing and joking with Rong Yi, but in her mind, she thought, Same city? They might even be staying under the same roof, and possibly even in the same bedroom. Oh, how wonderful it is to be an innocent child.

However, this situation also reminded Wan Jiao of something. When Rong Yi left to get some water, Wan Jiao quietly reminded Song Yingshi, "Little Shi, be more mindful of your surroundings during your holiday."

Song Yingshi raised an eyebrow in confusion.

Wan Jiao secretly clicked her tongue at this response. Pulling Song Yingshi outside of the living room camera's view, she said, "I'm talking about the CP thing. Things might be great and all now, but if you allow genuine evidence to be photographed, it might lead to unexpected troubles."

Wan Jiao felt that Song Yingshi and Huai Xu needed to be more careful about their relationship.

Song Yingshi and Huai Xu might not have debuted yet, but with the current popularity of Snow-Kissed Rose, there was no discounting the possibility of paparazzi stalking them.

Wan Jiao was always looking out for her fellow trainees, especially the younger ones. Seeing that Song Yingshi remained ignorant of the gravity of the situation, she added, "If they manage to get some dirt on you, they'll likely come to you asking for hush money. If you can't pay them, they'll publish the material on their marketing accounts, and it'll be all over for you when that happens."

Judging by Song Yingshi's beauty products and attire, Wan Jiao could tell that Song Yingshi wasn't strapped for cash. However, she had never heard of Song Yingshi having a powerful background, so she simply assumed she came from a well-off family in S City and reiterated, "Judging by your CP's current popularity, they might even ask for a couple of million yuan in hush money, so don't take this matter lightly! Also…does your family know about you and Huai Xu?"

Song Yingshi's thoughts were originally steered toward a different direction. When she heard the last sentence, she sighed helplessly, "Jiaojiao, we're not in that kind of relationship."

"Good! Don't admit your relationship to anybody! I feel much more relieved seeing you like this! Remember, you two must be careful once you leave the White Tower!" Wan Jiao said, satisfied with Song Yingshi's response.

Song Yingshi: "..."

Song Yingshi pinched her nose out of frustration. At this rate, could she even clear up this rumor in this lifetime?

"I'll meet you guys on the bus," Wan Jiao said before going downstairs in her cami top and jeans. She had to visit all her friends before she could leave without worry.

Meanwhile, Song Yingshi waited another minute or so in the living room before going into the bedroom to check on Huai Xu, "Are you still done packing?"

"Almost," Huai Xu replied.

When Song Yingshi saw Huai Xu putting the folded clothes into the suitcase, she wandered to the wardrobe and saw the Cinnamoroll hanging on her shoulder bag.

While removing the Cinnamoroll, Song Yingshi asked a random question, "Will you be staying at your home again this time?"

Huai Xu hummed in affirmation.

"The show's been airing for nearly a month now; everyone in your neighborhood must've watched it already. Did anyone ask you for an autograph the last time you went back?"

Huai Xu kept her gaze lowered as she smoothed out her clothes and replied, "I've never interacted with them. Everyone just minds their own business, and nothing has changed."

Liar.

Song Yingshi still remembered the time she went to visit Huai Xu when the other party was sick—the random middle-aged woman she had stopped for directions had many negative things to say about Huai Xu, such as Huai Xu being a bad student and arrogant.

If the woman was willing to say such things to a stranger, Song Yingshi couldn't even imagine the spicy gossip being spread in the neighborhood's inner circle, especially now that Huai Xu had gained some fame.

"Really?" Song Yingshi asked.

Huai Xu hummed in affirmation again before she grabbed her suitcase's handle and said, "Let's go."

Song Yingshi: "..."

After being given such a perfunctory response, Song Yingshi couldn't be bothered to continue prying.

Tossing the Cinnamoroll into her handbag, Song Yingshi left the room without waiting for Huai Xu. On her way out, she turned off the lights out of spite.

When Huai Xu exited the dark room, she saw Song Yingshi leaving the dormitory. When she closed the bedroom door behind her and turned to look, Song Yingshi was nowhere to be seen.

Huai Xu frowned imperceptibly, wondering what she had done wrong for Song Yingshi to behave so abnormally.

If it were anyone else making such a fuss, Huai Xu would've ignored them. But because the other party was Song Yingshi, even though she knew it was probably nothing serious, she still couldn't help but be worried. And if she couldn't find out what was wrong, the issue would likely keep grinding at her heart.

With her suitcase in tow, Huai Xu walked out of the dormitory while recalling her previous conversation with Song Yingshi.

There wasn't anybody in the corridor outside the dormitory, but when Huai Xu turned the corner, she saw that the elevator was still waiting for her.

Song Yingshi stood in the elevator, keeping it open with one hand. When she looked up and saw Huai Xu, she immediately looked away, pretending she didn't see her.

Huai Xu's heart melted at this sight, and she quickly walked into the elevator.

As the elevator descended, Huai Xu said, "I have an appointment with Fu Qi tomorrow. I'll be recording songs at the studio."

"Have you informed Big Sis Qing about it?" Song Yingshi asked.

"Not yet," Huai Xu answered.

When Song Yingshi got out of the elevator, she pulled out her phone and called Qu Qing.

As the evening breeze hit her ears, Huai Xu heard Song Yingshi saying, "...Big Sis Qing, Huai Xu's going to Fu Qi's studio tomorrow… Mhm, please watch over her for the next two days. Also, try negotiating a long-term partnership with Fu Qi when you meet him… I don't have any work scheduled, so I'll be with my family."

Huai Xu didn't know what questions Qu Qing asked. She simply watched as the wind puffed up Song Yingshi's dark green shirt.

As Song Yingshi's phone call neared an end, Huai Xu heard her saying, "We're returning to S City now. I'll call you again tomorrow morning, so go to sleep for now, Big Sis."

After the call, Huai Xu followed Song Yingshi onto the shuttle bus.

The bus carried only trainees heading for the airport. At a glance, there were about a dozen trainees on board.

It was late in the evening already, and everyone on the bus was sleepy, including Song Yingshi. She dozed off immediately after taking her seat.

Thus, the journey back to S City was silent.

…

When the plane landed at S City's airport around midnight, the words exchanged between Song Yingshi and Huai Xu remained limited.

Although Huai Xu had tried to initiate a conversation several times and gotten quick and efficient replies, she knew that Song Yingshi was still upset.

For the first time, Huai Xu found herself at a loss when dealing with Song Yingshi.

When the two left the airport terminal, they were greeted by a strong but warm wind. The sky was still dark outside, and not a hint of blue could be seen.

Shortly after Song Yingshi answered a call, her ride back home arrived.

When Huai Xu saw Song Yingshi's chauffeur, she said, "I'm going back now."

After saying so, Huai Xu turned around to leave. However, as she headed for the bus terminal, she heard Song Yingshi shouting, "Where are you going?"

Huai Xu stopped and turned to look at Song Yingshi.

"No subways or airport buses are operating at this hour," Song Yingshi said with her arms crossed around her chest.

Huai Xu paused. She had never flown at this hour before, so she wasn't aware of this detail. Subconsciously, she turned to look at the rows of taxis waiting for customers.

When Song Yingshi saw where Huai Xu was looking, she sneered, "Should I hail a cab for you?"

Song Yingshi's voice was sweet, and it sounded like she was genuinely asking for Huai Xu's opinion. However, any sane person standing here would understand that death would soon follow if Huai Xu dared to nod.

Without needing any guidance, Huai Xu obediently lowered her head and asked, "Boss, can I hitch a ride?"

Boss Song was finally satisfied, and a light snort escaped her nose as she said, "Hurry up and get in, then."

The chauffeur wanted to help Huai Xu with her luggage, but she politely declined. When Huai Xu got in the car, the chauffeur said considerately, "Young Miss, Miss Huai, it's a long way back to the city, so you two can sleep in the meantime."

Huai Xu guessed that Song Yingshi had told the chauffeur where she lived, so she didn't bother to mention her address.