Chapter 80: Are They Kissing?

Wen Jingxing leaned his left elbow on Song Waning’s armchair, his body drawn close to hers, even his face nearing Song Waning’s. From Jian An’an’s vantage point, it looked for all the world as if he were kissing Song Waning. Were they actually kissing?

All around her, the audience’s noisy cheers and the pounding rhythm of the music filled the air, but at that moment, Jian An’an’s mind buzzed with confusion, causing her to falter in singing her lyrics. Quickly, she recovered, picking up the lost words without hesitation. For those not listening closely, even if they heard the break, they’d think it was their imagination.

Jian An’an had believed that with her stunning appearance tonight, Wen Jingxing would at least give her a second glance. Yet, he didn’t even look her way, and instead, he was in the audience, kissing Song Waning! It was as if she didn’t exist at all!

Perhaps her expectations had been too high. When she realized Wen Jingxing hadn’t once looked at her, her enthusiasm was instantly cut in half. Still, she remembered that winning the competition would earn her a six-day reward, so she rallied herself a bit. But the effect was still less than at the start, and the audience, listening, sensed that the excitement was waning.

In the audience, as Wen Jingxing drew close to Song Waning, she leaned in as well, trying to catch what he was saying. But as soon as she was near, Wen Jingxing fell silent. She turned sharply to look at him—was he teasing her?

He smiled warmly, saying, “Do you really not trust me? We rehearsed so many times this afternoon. Did you see me slip up even once?”

“That’s not it…” Song Waning replied, then added, “I just wanted to double-check.”

“When you’re with me, you’re always checking and confirming things.”

Song Waning touched her nose, slightly embarrassed. “Am I? …Then maybe I shouldn’t ask.”

In the livestream, everyone’s attention had been on Jian An’an’s singing. However, when sharp-eyed viewers noticed Wen Jingxing and Song Waning whispering closely in the audience, the comment section instantly changed direction.

[I wish I knew what they were saying!]
[Let me join in!]
[Why do their interactions always seem so sweet?]
[Isn’t this exactly how lovers whisper to each other?]
[Look at Wen’s expression—he’s smiling at Song Waning with such affection. My goodness, Song Waning is so lucky.]
[If such a handsome man were this close and smiled at me so gently, I’d be overwhelmed.]
[Camera crew, could you please zoom in with the camera and microphone?]

Just then, Jian An’an finished her song, and the stage lights brightened. The viewers in the livestream noticed Song Waning’s cheeks were flushed, and she looked a little shy.

[That rascal Wen, did he say something to our Waning to make her blush?]
[She looks so lovely when she blushes, I adore it~]
[Adore her? She’s not yours. Song Waning is already taken.]
[Look, Wen Jingxing is touching Song Waning’s head!]
[Ah~ My girlish heart can’t handle this sweetness!]
[Since seeing them, my auntie smile hasn’t left my face.]

…

Having just finished her song, Jian An’an glanced at the audience and caught Wen Jingxing kissing Song Waning in one moment, then touching her head the next. A thousand insults about Song Waning being useless flashed through her mind.

Trash, nothing but trash—how could she ever be worthy of Wen Jingxing? How could she compare to herself? She could sing and dance, had a great figure, and so many people were enchanted by her. Song Waning, all she had was a pretty face, using it to do as she pleased, capturing Wen Jingxing’s soul, without seeing her true fox-like nature.

Song Waning’s features were indeed exquisite, her eyes especially captivating—large, round, and lively, just as Jian An’an begrudgingly admitted. It was an aura she possessed without doing anything, and when she didn’t smile, it was intimidating, as if she were angry.

Song Waning’s face was the one thing Jian An’an could never find fault with; she even found herself praising it every time. She claimed Song Waning owed everything to the beauty her mother gave her, and without it, Wen Jingxing would never have favored her.

In the audience, Wen Jingxing heard Song Waning’s words, tinged with an odd hint of grievance, and laughed again. On impulse, he reached out to touch the top of Song Waning’s head. “Are you worried we won’t win first place? Don’t worry—with me here, you’ll never lose.”

Song Waning was so distracted by his reassuring words that she ignored his affectionate gesture, asking curiously, “Really? How can you be so sure? Are you planning to pull strings?”

Wen Jingxing’s hand slid to her forehead, giving it a gentle flick. “What silly ideas fill your little head all day? How could we possibly cheat?”

“Ouch! You hit me.” Though it didn’t hurt, Song Waning theatrically covered her forehead, as if to warn him not to hit her so casually—even a gentle touch could hurt!

“Well, you should try thinking positive thoughts.”

Who was Wen Jingxing? He was someone whose profile photo alone had once stirred the entire internet. He could be said to have reached the point where everyone online was his fan. In this era where appearance reigns supreme, Wen Jingxing’s looks were a masterpiece of nature, captivating both men and women.

From the moment Song Waning teamed up with him, it was already decided—even if Song Waning played poorly, everyone would vote for them because of Wen Jingxing.

Song Waning, however, was not fully aware of how vast Wen Jingxing’s fan base was; the novel barely touched on that aspect. Still, she remembered that in her previous life, during the same competition, Wen Jingxing had won first place with a piano solo, while everyone else competed solo.

This time, two things had happened differently from the novel: first, Yun Ze and Nan Yan’s relationship hadn’t deteriorated; second, there were now two pairs of partners competing.

Song Waning wasn’t sure if these deviations from the original storyline would have any negative consequences.

The next performer was Jin Jianyi, who had chosen the guitar and was playing “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.” When the song title was revealed, everyone had laughed themselves silly. Now, witnessing it live, listening to Jin Jianyi play, they were beside themselves with laughter.

[Who would’ve thought Jin Jianyi had a talent for comedy?]
[Live at the scene, I’m dying of laughter.]
[He’s too much, choosing this song—hahaha!]

(End of chapter)