Snow-Kissed Rose (GL) Chapter 81

July 11. Two more days of practice until the third public performance's rehearsal.

Team Falling Asleep was already at the point where they had begun refining their performance. Nonetheless, their practice sessions remained as intense as always.

When Song Yingshi arrived at the practice room, her teammates had already started practicing independently.

Kou Lengyu would put on a serious look whenever she danced, behaving like a completely different person. However, when she finished practicing her dance segment and saw Song Yingshi entering the room, she smiled brightly and asked, "How is our team leader doing?"

Song Yingshi responded with a smile and said, "She's in good spirits. She'll be able to resume practice tomorrow. She's a quick learner, so we shouldn't have any delays."

After hearing Song Yingshi's answer, Chen Wan asked carefully, "Does she have any cold symptoms? If she does, it's going to affect her vocal performance."

Li Taoran had initially relaxed after hearing Song Yingshi's answer. However, she immediately tensed up again at Chen Wan's question.

Huai Xu was widely known to have excellent learning capabilities, so missing a day of practice wouldn't affect her performance much. However, it was a different story if her throat's condition had deteriorated. That wasn't something she could overcome with talent.

"Huai Xu's the original singer, so the audience must want to hear her sing. Moreover…" Li Taoran muttered, hesitating to speak her mind.

"Moreover, they want to see us surpass the original," Song Yingshi said, completing the sentence Li Taoran was too embarrassed to finish.

Li Taoran laughed awkwardly. Then, she said, "Well, that's not entirely necessary… Since Huai Xu is sick, we should lower our expectations and just aim to match the original."

Upon hearing Li Taoran's words, Kou Lengyu chuckled and said, "Hey, we don't even know how Huai Xu is doing, yet you're already full of doom and gloom?"

"I'm just worried about our vocalist. Is that not okay?" Li Taoran retorted.

"I thought you were joking when you said you were waiting to get piggybacked, but you were actually serious? Aren't the four of us still fine?" Kou Lengyu said, raising an eyebrow.

"I'm talking about Huai Xu, not the four of us," Li Taoran responded.

"Oh… But Huai Xu isn't the only one who needs to sing. Have you already practiced your singing to Huai Xu's level?" Kou Lengyu asked.

Kou Lengyu was a person who would say whatever came to her mind. While normally friendly, she would occasionally explode on others. This personality of hers attracted many fans but also brought her much controversy.

As the smell of gunpowder in the air grew stronger and stronger, Li Taoran wisely chose to shut up.

Chen Wan anxiously looked at her two arguing teammates before eventually looking at Song Yingshi for help, her eyes saying: Are they going to fight? Big Sis, please say something.

Meanwhile, Song Yingshi remained calm as she said steadily, "If this situation does take place, our only option is to accept it. Huai Xu is a singer; she understands her body's condition much better than us. I'll ask about her situation at noon."

Song Yingshi swept her gaze across her three teammates, treating everyone equally. Then, she continued, "Besides Huai Xu, we must also work hard on our singing in the next two days. Of course, when I say 'we,' that includes myself."

After saying so, Song Yingshi turned to Li Taoran. When she saw the other party keeping her mouth tightly shut, she comfortingly smiled and said, "Our team leader was originally going to break down the song for us. Although she won't be able to join us for morning practice, she'll drop by in the afternoon. So, if you have any concerns, you may bring them up to her later."

Li Taoran nodded.

Then, Song Yingshi faced Kou Lengyu and said, "It's no big deal. Everyone is under a lot of pressure, so we should try to understand each other."

Kou Lengyu gladly took Song Yingshi's hint to make peace. Facing Li Taoran with a straightforward smile, she said, "Mhm, mhm. I understand. Li Taoran, you're not angry, are you? Tell me if I made you angry, and we can talk about it."

Li Taoran shook her head.

Li Taoran was clearly not herself today. Song Yingshi noticed but couldn't afford to waste all her time sorting out her teammates' emotions. Some emotions were best left for the individual to digest alone.

Li Taoran was the youngest member of their team, so Song Yingshi understood that the girl's timidity likely stemmed from an immature mindset. However, she would rather Li Taoran learn something from this incident than be coddled like a child.

Song Yingshi also noticed that Chen Wan wanted to say something to Li Taoran. However, she turned around and pretended not to see it. Facing the mirror, she clapped and said, "Come, let's start today's practice. Our team leader isn't here, so I'll be the one to monitor your movements and expressions. Pay attention to your coordination…"

…

After 40 minutes of high-intensity practice, Song Yingshi's sweat soaked her body and into her trousers. She tugged on the collar of her T-shirt for ventilation, feeling tired and refreshed after a hearty practice session.

"Take a break. We'll continue later," Song Yingshi announced.

Chen Wan and Kou Lengyu immediately went to get some water from the break area. Meanwhile, Li Taoran stepped out of the room without saying a word.

Song Yingshi's gaze followed Li Taoran's back out of the room.

Kou Lengyu also noticed Li Taoran's silent departure, and she couldn't help but wonder, "Is she still angry with me?"

Song Yingshi pondered for a moment before she said, "Probably not."

At the start of their practice session, Li Taoran still had her emotions bottled up, which caused her to have trouble keeping up with her expression management. Song Yingshi noticed and pointed it out several times.

Later, Li Taoran gradually found her rhythm, and Song Yingshi could see her slowly letting go of her emotions and concentrating on her performance.

At Song Yingshi's answer, Kou Lengyu pinched her own cheeks and stuck out her tongue, saying, "I don't think I was in the wrong, but since she's a beauty, whatever she says goes. I can apologize to her if it'll help with her pride. Little Shi, do you think I should apologize?"

Kou Lengyu subconsciously asked Song Yingshi for her opinion.

In response, Song Yingshi glanced at Kou Lengyu and said, "If you don't think you've said anything wrong, why should you apologize?"

"For the beauty, and for the team's harmony," Kou Lengyu said, smiling.

"You're also a beauty, so no need to apologize," Song Yingshi joked.

"Then…" Kou Lengyu looked at Song Yingshi for further instructions.

"I'll go and see what our fellow beauty is up to. In the meantime, you two beauties should help each other do some back stretches. Your movements just now were too stiff," Song Yingshi said analytically.

At Song Yingshi's words, Chen Wan and Kou Lengyu collapsed and wailed in unison. Neither of them liked stretching their backs.

Song Yingshi mercilessly left the room and closed the door behind her. When she turned around, she first looked at Wealth and Prosperity (the hallway cameras). Then, she turned to a nearby staff member and asked, "Did you see where Li Taoran went?"

"She went to Team Farewell Sword's practice room," the staff member replied.

Song Yingshi thanked the staff member and walked toward the practice room across the hallway. As soon as she arrived at the door, she spotted Li Taoran in the corner of the room.

Although Song Yingshi stood quite some distance from Li Taoran, she could still hear Li Taoran singing a few lines before stopping to listen to the opinion of the trainee beside her. The other trainee was a vocalist. If Song Yingshi remembered correctly, the other party was also Li Taoran's roommate.

Song Yingshi quickly realized what Li Taoran had come here to do, so she tactfully stepped away from the door to preserve the girl's self-esteem.

Besides Huai Xu, Chen Wan was also a vocalist. Logically, Li Taoran didn't have to visit another team for help. The fact that she did so meant that she had strong self-esteem.

Unfortunately, as the door to Team Farewell Sword's practice room was wide open, Song Yingshi was discovered by the team's He Xiaoye before she managed to retreat.

He Xiaoye, the third public performance's gatekeeper (last/40th place). She was known for her loud voice, as if she was born with a loudspeaker. When Song Yingshi saw the other party's gaze locking onto her, her heart sank.

"Little Shi? You're here as well?" He Xiaoye said, her voice instantly reaching the ears of everyone in the room.

Li Taoran, who was seeking advice on her singing, instantly froze and slowly turned her head to look at the door.

When Song Yingshi realized there was no way out of this situation, she breathed a helpless sigh and calmly responded to He Xiaoye. Then, she beckoned at Li Taoran and devised a suitable excuse, "Taoran, we're resuming dance practice."

The other trainees in the room gloated over Li Taoran's misery. Then, to ensure Li Taoran received Song Yingshi's message, they began reporting to her one after another:

"Pass it down; Little Shi is here to drag Taoran back to practice."

"Pass it down; Little Shi says Li Taoran needs to practice for 10 hours today."

"Pass it down; Little Shi says Li Taoran needs to practice for 25 hours today."

It was well-known that Song Yingshi's dance lessons only appeared sweet and encouraging on the surface. In reality, while her lessons were incredibly effective, they were also extremely tiring. Whenever her past teammates returned from a practice session, they often looked like they had just taken a swim. Just looking at how much sweat they were covered in was enough to make people respect them.

Hence, although Song Yingshi would occasionally appear soft and cute, everyone secretly held a sense of awe for her—

Little Shi was not only capable but also ruthless!

Li Taoran: "..." Can you people show some humanity?!

The embarrassment of being caught secretly practicing by her teammate came so suddenly that Li Taoran didn't even manage to put on her Embarrassing Queen face. Wearing a blank expression, she awkwardly walked toward Song Yingshi and said, "Let's go."

Subsequently, the two walked out of Team Farewell Sword's practice room, one with heavy steps and the other with relatively casual steps.

After thinking it over, Song Yingshi gave up on her plan to have a heart-to-heart talk in a secluded corner. That would seem too deliberate.

Although the only other person nearby was the ever-present VJ, their surroundings were not quiet. Sounds were emerging from the various practice rooms and intersecting in the hallway.

When Li Taoran saw that Song Yingshi didn't intend to ask her about the previous situation, her body gradually relaxed. Just then, she heard Song Yingshi saying, "Our journey to the third public performance has been rough and filled with unexpected situations. Just when the choreography was finalized, and we could properly practice the dance, our team leader fell ill.

"Your concerns are not unwarranted. In reality, you're the one who's most afraid of Huai Xu's condition deteriorating, right?"

Hearing this, Li Taoran said quickly, "It's not because I want to be piggybacked…"

It seems Kou Lengyu's words did hurt her feelings after all, Song Yingshi thought when she heard Li Taoran's response. Gently, she comforted, "That's not what I meant."

Li Taoran pursed her lips. The frustration of being misunderstood rushed to her chest again, but it was quickly dissipated by Song Yingshi's wide and gentle eyes.

The two stood in the middle of the hallway.

After a moment of silence, Song Yingshi brought up another matter, saying, "I watched the show during the holiday after the first public performance. In the interview after the Initial Rating Performance, out of the 100 other trainees, you stated you wanted to perform with Huai Xu the most."

At the time of watching the interview, Song Yingshi thought to herself that the trainee named Li Taoran had good taste. Moreover, it was obvious that the yearning and expectation in Li Taoran's eyes were from the heart.

Li Taoran never expected Song Yingshi to bring up something that happened so long ago, something that even she herself had nearly forgotten. After a long silence, she smiled and said, "I didn't think I would have to wait until the third public performance before I got to perform with Huai Xu. And it was even through my fans' help."

After Li Taoran heard the a cappella version of "Falling Asleep" in the Initial Rating Performance, its melody had been echoing in her mind ever since. She could even write out the lyrics from memory. She was so obsessed with the song that even her friends made fun of her, saying she wasn't listening to "Falling Asleep" but rather "Falling in Love."

Hence, when Li Taoran learned she would be performing "Falling Asleep" with Huai Xu in the third public performance, she nearly screamed on camera. Although she ultimately restrained herself, her excitement still made her palms sweat like crazy. And when she accepted the A4 paper with the lyrics printed on it from Huai Xu, she only dared to pinch the corners of it with two fingers.

Not wanting to disappoint her idol, Li Taoran's first words to Huai Xu were to declare that she would latch onto Huai Xu—a cowardly statement she promptly berated herself for in her mind.

Although the preparation process for the third public performance turned out much more arduous than the previous two, Li Taoran was so happy that she didn't feel tired at all. She only looked forward to the fruit of their efforts.

Yet, Huai Xu suddenly fell ill. Although her fever had already subsided, this news terrified Li Taoran even more than the news of their dance choreography being undecided. It was no less impactful than hearing the sky had fallen.

Li Taoran didn't know whether what she said to Kou Lengyu in the morning was her true thoughts or sporadic words blurted out in a panic.

During practice, Li Taoran gradually calmed down amidst the repetitive and focused movements. When Song Yingshi called for a break, she used the opportunity to ask for help from a friend.

Originally, Li Taoran had a slight ulterior motive, hoping to talk more with Huai Xu during the song breakdown session. But now that Huai Xu was recovering from her illness, that plan had to be thrown out of the window. After all, she wasn't so selfish or foolish to disturb a recovering patient.

However, Li Taoran couldn't say any of these to Song Yingshi. It'd be too embarrassing.

"I admit that my mentality is unstable. I'll do my best to fix it, so don't worry, Little Shi," Li Taoran stammered.

Song Yingshi gently shook her head, not to deny Li Taoran's determination but rather to indulge the girl. Then, she said, "Try to believe in Huai Xu."

At Song Yingshi's words, Li Taoran panicked, "Of course I believe in her! It's just that I—"

"You believe she can do well, but you're also worried the pressure will fall on her. Hence, you suggested we lower our goal, thereby shifting all responsibility to yourself," Song Yingshi said in a gentle voice.

Li Taoran fell silent. Song Yingshi's gaze was like a gentle breeze, penetrating her soul and seeing everything clearly.

"But Huai Xu…" Song Yingshi's expression grew firm when she mentioned Huai Xu's name. "She yearns for a perfect stage even more than you.

"We just need to do our best. As for Huai Xu, let her decide how she wants to proceed."

Rationally, Li Taoran understood what Song Yingshi was saying. But emotionally, she was confused and couldn't help but ask, "Little Shi, you have such a good relationship with Huai Xu. How can you stay so rational in this situation? Aren't you worried about the team leader?"

Song Yingshi patted Li Taoran on the head.

If Song Yingshi wasn't mistaken, Li Taoran was only 16 years old this year. Although the young men and women in the entertainment industry often looked mature, they were still children in reality, and their emotions were pure and straightforward.

Facing Li Taoran's innocence, Song Yingshi said frankly, "I'm worried, which is why we need to do better and share her burden on stage."

Li Taoran subconsciously nodded, somewhat understanding what Song Yingshi was trying to convey.

Then, Song Yingshi continued, "For example, during the double-center parts, if I danced better than her, everyone's attention would be on me. In that case, wouldn't the pressure on Huai Xu lessen? That makes sense, right?"

Li Taoran subconsciously nodded again—

Li Taoran: ?!

Aren't you just stealing my idol's spotlight?! You evil woman!

"Was this your true goal all along?! That's too much!" Li Taoran protested. Rolling up her sleeves, she walked past Song Yingshi and said, "I'm going to practice hard and steal the spotlight from you!"

"Good luck!" Song Yingshi said, waving Li Taoran off.

Li Taoran returned to Team Falling Asleep's practice room with high morale.

Song Yingshi leisurely followed Li Taorao. In reality, there was something she hadn't mentioned to Li Taoran previously.

Song Yingshi was naturally worried about Huai Xu. Her heart ached at the fact that Huai Xu wouldn't even get a full day of rest, having to check in on their progress after lying in bed for only half a day.

However, to use love as a cage would be the height of arrogance.

Since Huai Xu wanted to give it her all, Song Yingshi would support her and ensure their team went to the extremes for the third public performance. Nothing could stop her belief because this was what she and Huai Xu wanted to do.

As Song Yingshi walked down the empty corridor, her determination grew stronger and stronger.

Nothing could stop her.

...

"Hey..."

Song Yingshi called out to Huai Xu, hesitation coloring her face.

When Song Yingshi recalled the "nothing could stop me" series of thoughts she had in the morning, she bit the bullet and said, "I have something to discuss with you. It's about the third public performance."