Chapter 23 Second Public Performance (Bonus Chapter with 6k Nutrient Solution) Comments...
The two performances, along with the various stage setups, took about half an hour, but it felt like it passed by in a flash.
Coldy's team has entered the game.
It was only then that Kwon Ji-yong realized he hadn't asked Jiang Tinghan who her guest performer was, nor what the song they were collaborating on was.
Lately, we've been talking about life, not anything serious. But he's not really Coldy's father; Jiang Tinghan can handle the stage affairs on his own.
Is the group performance of "Heaven"? He heard a live version of it at MAMA before.
I wonder what new interpretation this time will bring.
The main color of the stage for "Heaven" is white. "Heaven" is the Kingdom of Heaven. Behind the stage is a miniature church door, with dry ice spraying out clouds of mist, as if the Bible is about to be recited.
Lena was the first to appear, dressed in a nun's habit. A white cloth was wrapped around her head, neck, chin, and cheeks, making her look solemn and restrained. It accentuated her cold, pale skin, typical of her German-American features, and her deep, sculpted features made her seem like a nun who had truly stepped out of an oil painting.
"Wherever you are, I will be there too."
"I will follow you wherever you go."
Her voice had a velvety texture, rich yet with a gritty quality, setting a magnificent tone from the very first note, as if the church behind her was bathed in holy light.
Her non-standard, awkward Korean pronunciation made it seem as if she were reciting an ancient language that ordinary people couldn't understand. The lack of fluency added a sense of pause, as if she were reciting some solemn vow.
Coupled with these two lyrics that also have a chanting feel, it immediately gave the audience a strong feeling—"the nun is praying to God."
It's similar to the original singer, but not exactly the same; in short, it's so unique!
Song Minya's figure emerged under the lights. She wore a crown of thorns, her red lips were sharp, and a long dress with a beautiful drape that covered her entire body. Underneath the long dress were high-waisted wide-leg trousers. The layers of white clothing were like layers of white mist, making her look mysterious, sacred, and solemn. There was also a silver shoulder armor on her right shoulder, which added a touch of murderous aura.
The audience immediately recognized the look: Ah! This person must be playing a superior role!
What a cool and domineering queen!
I smile every day because of you.
"Pray for you."
"I fall asleep thinking of you."
"I call out to you the moment I open my eyes."
“Stay by my side and protect me.”
"They're there to protect me."
Her singing was tender and gentle, revealing a deep affection. Her voice, which was thinner than Lena's, surprisingly complemented Lena's, creating a harmonious blend that allowed listeners to feel the tender emotions and the unforgettable love they once shared.
However, a mocking sneer lingered on Song Yamin's lips. She seemed to be merely adopting someone else's tone, rather than telling her own story.
Judging from her expression, the audience immediately felt something was off, and even sensed a hint of sarcasm in her demeanor.
Does the Queen hate this relationship?
They were immediately intrigued. Why?
And that person appeared in the next instant. Bae Soo-min was wearing a fitted white suit, and with her neat, shoulder-length blonde hair, she looked like a prince about to attend a wedding.
She didn't face the camera, but turned to look at the vast expanse of fog, and sang in a slightly hoarse voice, heavy with sorrow:
"You are my paradise."
Amidst the clouds and mist, a slender figure slowly emerged, standing beneath a cold, white spotlight.
But when the white mist dissipated, the audience still couldn't see her face clearly, because her upper body was completely covered by a wide white veil.
The veil wasn't a thin layer; it was like an unmelting layer of snow, neatly and tightly covering her head from the chin up. It was embroidered with fine gold threads, like a golden rain falling. At one point, raindrops suddenly intertwined, forming a pattern of tattered, withered daffodils, which happened to be covering her eyes, as if another barrier was placed over the veil to obscure her vision.
The innermost layer of thick white satin edged perfectly against her jawline and cheeks, outlining an almost perfect, flawless contour, while the lower half appeared transparent, revealing glimpses of her snow-white, slender neck, adding a touch of fragility and making her seem even more forbidden and untouchable, as if she had been forcibly sealed off.
The waistline of her court-style fairy dress accentuated her slender, delicate figure, making her appear to sway and stumble with every step.
She is like a delicate and fragile glass statue, hanging above the church without any sense of incongruity.
Looking at her, one cannot help but feel greedy and blasphemous desires, like a mirror reflecting all the darkness in your heart, making you hysterically imagine what a shocking scene it would be when this pure white satin is torn apart.
The greatest temptation is to reveal nothing.
【What is this?! Is it a masked type?!】
[This veil is absolutely stunning! It made me hold my breath, afraid of disturbing the beauty!]
Even though he's bundled up all over, I can still recognize him as Coldy. Don't underestimate the bond between Coldy and me!
Seriously, the moment she appeared, it felt like it was her! Such a unique aura...
This outfit looks like a wedding dress, is she going to marry me?!
[Ahhhhhh, oh my god, she's so beautiful! She's totally my mom's level of beauty, I'm bowing down in admiration!]
[Another stunning new look! But something feels off. It's so depressing compared to Coldy's previous looks.]
[In the past, no matter what style she wore, she always gave off a feeling of powerful, explosive energy. This time, well, it's a bit like she's a puppet being manipulated by a mastermind behind the scenes; she lacks vitality.]
[Anonymous account! That's the feeling! So morbid... but I'm sorry for having such perverted thoughts... I just like sickly beauties.]
I understand you, that sickly look, always out of breath after a few steps, like you'd break at the slightest touch. Okay, I'll be honest, I'm actually Han Ma.
[Coldy is furious! Our Coldy is the number one gold medalist in SW, who dares to mess with him?]
[Just passing by, look, even Coldy's Queen Sumin is wearing a suit! These two could pack their bags and head to the wedding!]
[Who dares to secretly elevate Pei Xiumin's rank? Don't they know that faking pregnancy to gain favor is the most taboo thing in the harem? Your Majesty, I only support Xingli this month.]
[Can you become an empress with zero collaboration? The Cold Moon in the Sky has already been buried, the hottest CP right now is our Coldy and Yeon-seo! She and the heiress rose she personally nurtured~]
[Uh... please stop using Coldy to glorify the other person, thank you. If you want to ship Yanhan, ship the younger, passionate puppy and the older, gentle sister.]
Indeed, my mom may seem cold, but she's very kind inside.
[There are too many puppy sculptures. Coldy has so many that he can't even count them all. There's Kim Seo-hee, Bae Soo-min, Wolchi Anri, and Lena too!]
Actually, everyone is... including me, woof woof woof!
[On this wonderful day, if you're CP fans arguing, go outside and do it! Don't disturb my enjoyment of my sister's stunning makeup and styling!]
Coldy was already wearing long sleeves, and her hands were completely covered by a pair of white gloves. On her middle finger was a large pigeon-blood red gemstone that reflected a beautiful light.
Kwon Ji-yong, a jewelry enthusiast, could tell at a glance that it was a prop, as it was far inferior in luster compared to real gemstones.
It was like a crack or flaw on a perfect piece of porcelain; he couldn't help but feel a little regretful. Perhaps next time he had the chance, he could provide a real, sparkling gem.
But on second thought, the Venus de Milo with her missing arms is also a kind of beauty. Perhaps this fake gemstone also implies that such sacred beauty is just an illusion.
If you look closely at the ruby, you'll feel as if there's a black pupil in the center, and the small white wings on either side of the ruby are also covered with black spots, like cracked eyes.
The angel was originally a terrifying image with eyes all over its feathers, and a chilling feeling of being spied on instantly rushed up from the tailbone.
Indeed, the beauty of a woman wearing a veil is also a kind of beauty that makes people feel uncomfortable. The more glittering gold and silver jewelry she wears, the stronger that feeling of constraint becomes.
Her hands remained motionless in front of her skirt, even as she walked slowly, her arms did not sway at all, as if they were bound by invisible shackles.
Even the microphone was handed to her by Sister Lena, who raised her hand and created a gust of wind, finally allowing the audience to catch a glimpse of her pale, pointed chin and bloodless lips.
Her lips were pressed tightly together, as if she were biting her lower lip hard with her teeth. In just that one second, she revealed the torment in her heart.
She was in so much pain that her singing voice contained an astonishingly rich emotion. She had no other way to express her feelings but to sing.
"You are my only one way!"
"I only want you!"
"Thank you so much for allowing me to stay by your side!"
"You are the only one babe! "
Her lover, who was both far away and close at hand, yet untouchable, was her only spiritual solace in despair and pain.
The moment he opened his mouth, a refreshing sensation shot straight to the top of his head. His vocal range was vast, and his voice was completely open, high-pitched, loud, and full, like a waterfall cascading down, carrying vigorous vitality into everyone's heart, washing away the filth that could not be seen in the light.
She poured all her longing, gratitude, and deep love into her singing, moving every audience member who heard it.
Kwon Ji-yong even had the illusion that he was also deeply loved by Jiang Tinghan.
He clutched his chest, his heart pounding uncontrollably again.
Although Jiang Tinghan's starting point is completely different from the original singer's—remembering a lost lover and carrying on with the strength given by that lover—her singing expresses the same resilience and awe-inspiring power as the original singer.
The next line of lyrics perfectly expresses her feelings: "In this painful world, you taught me what love is."
"I am so happy to have you by my side."
In stark contrast to the lyrics of the song, the reality is that Bae Soo-min is now only a few steps away from her, yet it feels like an insurmountable chasm.
Bae Soo-min wanted to go forward, but was blocked by Song Ya-min and Lena. Her dance moves showed struggle, incorporating modern dance postures, full of aggression, as if she wanted to break through the shackles and take back her love.
But the other two guardians of order are also adept at control and suppression, using their bodies to block, their nimble spins, and their arms to seal, as if they were performing a dance to depict the intense confrontation.
This struggle, accompanied by Jiang Tinghan's singing, was like bringing a beautiful opera to the stage, a feast for both the eyes and the ears.
Her voice echoed in every corner of the venue, a series of repetitive, resentful, and bitter words about the nuns and angels of judgment preventing her from seeing her lover, yet also a desperate longing to embrace him.
"Heaven! Heaven! Heaven! Heaven! Heaven!"
"Heaven! Heaven! Heaven! Heaven! Heaven!"
Heaven! Heaven! Heaven! Heaven! Heaven!
If you are heaven, why did you steal me away for your own selfish desires! Forcing me to separate from my lover?!
Is this merely a paradise for the gods, but a hell for humankind?
The ultimate high notes and unparalleled enjoyment, every "Heaven" is heart-wrenching, like the cry of a cuckoo, taking the audience's senses on a roller coaster ride straight to the vast sky.
The fans responded even more enthusiastically, with screams echoing through the air without ever stopping.
[Holy crap! I finally understand this story! Yamin and Lena stole Sumin's wife, Coldy!]
[To forcibly abduct a woman in broad daylight—is there no justice left?!]
Mistresses who take over never end well!
[While the language is rough but the logic is sound, yours is indeed quite crude. However, this conjecture is largely correct. In Greek mythology, Zeus met Danaë as a shower of gold. Everyone who knows Zeus knows what he looks like; "meeting" is just a euphemism. When Hades abducted Persephone to the underworld to be his queen, Persephone was picking daffodils. Now, the shower of gold and daffodils are both on her veil, making it quite explicit.]
[You damn bastard, you're so despicable!]
I really love the cultural allusions in the stage details; I feel like I've learned something new, though they're not exactly positive references, haha.
[To summarize, it's about a god who, to satisfy his own desires, kidnapped Coldy and took him to Heaven, a nun aiding and abetting the evildoer, and Sumin's attempt to retrieve her lover from Heaven only to be thwarted.]
[Oh my god, this story is a bit too scary to think about. If you consider the gods as monarchs or high-ranking officials... it's terrifying to think about, and it's also terrifying to think about it superficially!]
The nun is an accomplice, representing a fully disciplined executor of power. I watched a performance and thought they were giving an analysis report, but it turns out they were just there for a lesson.
Although I don't usually watch stage performances with my brain, if you tell me about the cultural connotations behind them, I'll find it very sophisticated.
[Judging from Bae Soo-min's white suit, maybe he just appeared out of nowhere at the wedding and stole the bride away.]
[A true "divine intervention" in the real sense; who would have thought that getting married, besides having suitors for one's wife, also requires guarding against the gods above?]
[This plot is so good for Bae Soo-min's acting, I'm warning you guys, the BL (Boys' Love) stuff is way too much!]
[Another tragic ending story. Who can count how many tragic endings Coldy has performed on stage?]
[Wow, all of Coldy's stages are tragic endings! None of his love stories on stage have a happy ending lol]
[This indicates that Coldy is not suited for dating.]
Am I immune to romance? lol
That puts fans at ease.
After the last performance, Yanhan and Xihan had a great time. After today, Hanxuan and Wennuan will probably reclaim their throne as the number one couple. They're really a pair of bitter gourds.
[You Han's performance: Let's randomly pick a couple from the amazing show and promote them!]
[It doesn't feel like acting; it must be real!]
Please give me a precise answer regarding my sexual orientation!
"Forever two people, never go to be alone."
Hearing Jiang Tinghan sing such accusatory songs, but with her veil firmly covering her face and her features hidden even in the highlights, the audience, who had been laughing and joking, gradually became engrossed in the performance. They felt particularly sorry for Jiang Tinghan, while also feeling angry and resentful towards Song Yamin and Lena.
Who gave you permission to do what we most wanted to do!
Hurry up and lift the bride's veil!
"Breathing in your arms, kissing in your arms, hearing your voice, it's like a dream. I understand your eyes, I understand your love."
Another character appears, Lin Zhixia, with her brown double buns, a pale yellow feather-shaped hair clip in her bangs, a fluffy white headdress, a white camisole with puff sleeves, and fluffy over-the-knee socks, looking like a round little white bird in human form.
She was also singing other people's tragic love stories, but unlike the cold-hearted gods, she was moved by the story and decided to help Bae Soo-min.
Bae Soo-min was heartbroken; even the pre-chorus line carried a sense of despair: "You are my paradise—"
But when she saw Lin Zhixia, her eyes lit up again, as if she had seen a glimmer of hope.
The two suppressed their dislike for each other, acting out moments of emotion and gratitude. Lin Zhixia even took Pei Xiuwen's hand and used dance to break through all constraints, coming to stand in front of Jiang Tinghan.
Throughout this process, Bae Soo-min continued to sing the powerful chorus.
"You are my only one way!"
"I only want you!"
"Thank you so much for allowing me to stay by your side!"
"You are the only one babe! "
This seemed like a sincere response to Jiang Tinghan, and she was indeed on her way to save him.
Although the high notes were a bit unstable and the breathing sounds were clearly audible, the flaws did not detract from the overall merit, and the performance managed to overcome this challenge.
Her steps were hurried, and so was the drumbeat.
Jiang Tinghan, on the other side, also didn't want to sit and wait for her death. Taking advantage of Song Yamin's inattention, she lifted her skirt and slipped away.
Jiang Tinghan, who had been moving very little on the stage, finally became more flamboyant, her white skirt billowing like surging waves.
Only then did the audience notice that the inside of the long dress was embroidered with bright red roses, which shimmered and shone brightly on the smooth and delicate satin.
These roses seem to have wet, fresh blood staining their hems, as if they are about to drip down, each step she takes towards her lover is a struggle, treading on her own blood. They also seem to symbolize her restless, burning heart.
As she ran, the roses grew and bloomed amidst the swirling waves of her skirt, only to wither and fade away just as quickly. With each step she took, the cycle repeated itself, as if a sea of roses was blooming beneath her feet.
No wonder they walked so slowly before, and only moved their hands while dancing; they were hiding the surprise until now!
It was so beautiful, but also so painful.
This tragic yet beautiful scene delivered an extremely strong visual impact. The stark contrast between red and white constantly stimulated the retina, making the viewer's heart clench and their legs feel a phantom pain.
However, this tragic aesthetic of pain has an irresistible magic. You can't bear to watch it, but you can't help but watch it. It's painful, but there's also a strange sense of pleasure.
What kind of Little Mermaid reincarnation is this?!
[Oh my god, is this a scene I deserve to watch?]
[Even a beautiful vase in the eyes of the gods has its own independent thoughts and free soul; what a poignant, beautiful, and magnificent image.]
[It's so moving when he runs, even if he's covered in blood, he'll still reach the other side... That's what makes Coldy—unwilling to give up, unwilling to admit defeat, unwilling to accept fate!]
[The original theme was about power struggles, but it's taken to a whole new level. Sister, are you treating every stage performance like a graduation project?]
[I can't imagine how many amazing edits will be created next. You're more beautiful than a god, my unnie! Beautiful on the outside, beautiful on the inside!]
"Some birds cannot be caged, for every feather of theirs shines with the light of freedom"—this statement is a perfect illustration of that.
Our show is also called "Shining World," so Coldy is the contestant who best fits the show's name.
[The Cowchenk Redemption is now showing in theaters]
[Don't force me to laugh at this shocking scene, and also, Shawshank is the name of the prison.]
[Actually, this design is a bit like the final boss in a horror game, the kind that takes at least three days and three nights to beat.]
[That's actually true. If my sister were imprisoned in heaven until she died, she'd probably be so resentful that she'd become a vengeful ghost. She'd be perfect as the boss of a horror game!]
[The female ghost is pretty lewd too...hehe...hehe!]
But I still want to say, sister, could you please slow down? You haven't taken off your veil yet, I'm afraid you'll fall!
As the girl ran, her veil began to flutter up and down, sometimes clinging tightly to the contours of her face, sometimes billowing out like a white cloud stirred up by the wind.
Those eyes, which had been covered by layers of darkness, finally saw the light, like the curtain of a play being drawn back. There was no compromise in her eyes, only anger, clarity and determination, as if she would never live a life of dishonor even if she could not escape. Her eyes shone with a desperate and reckless light, like a wildfire burning on a snowfield.
These eyes appeared on the big screen and in the live broadcast without warning. The impact was indescribable. All the viewers felt as if their hearts had stopped beating for a moment.
In that instant, they finally understood why the gods had made her wear a veil and embroider daffodils directly in front of her eyes—it was both an insult and a sign of fear.
He didn't want to see those eyes either.
He gazed into those eyes, completely captivated.
Kwon Ji-yong suddenly remembered the eye contact he had with Jiang Tinghan at the beginning of the first performance, and the inextinguishable wildfire seemed to ignite his heart as well.
He saw a lot: he saw Jiang Tinghan, he saw himself, and he saw countless idols who poured all their love and effort into the stage.
That unique woman always had a knack for revealing such a tenacious and vigorous look in her eyes. Beneath her beautiful exterior lay an indomitable soul, like bamboo and stone, like strong grass.
That's how Kwon Ji-yong fell in love with Jiang Tinghan.
The four of them used their teamwork honed over many days, spinning in pairs and exchanging positions in a second. Lena and Song Yamin looked at each other in bewilderment, while Jiang Tinghan stepped forward and nimbly glided between Lena and Song Yamin, like an elegant tango dancer who had completed half a circle, before rushing into Pei Xiumin's arms, embracing her tightly, like a little bird returning to its nest, full of longing.
Bae Soo-min reached out and hugged the waist that was bound so tightly that it looked extremely thin, and patted it twice with concern.
Kwon Ji-yong, who was smitten just a second ago, fell silent the next: "..."
He looked at the hands that were tightly wrapped around Jiang Tinghan's waist, and his eyes deepened.
Tsk.
He and Jiang Tinghan had only met four times in total, the closest they ever got was when they shared an umbrella, making it seem like an underground intelligence rendezvous.
bother.
Ah, good...
This was just the beginning; there were even more scenes that irritated him.
Pei Xiumin carefully lifted the white veil, revealing a pale face that was almost entirely unadorned and lacked color, yet her smile was exceptionally bright.
Remove the veil, and you'll see her at her most innocent.
Kwon Ji-yong finally understands how fans felt when he filmed intimate scenes with the female lead in his music videos. He only felt the pain when the knife cut him.
Those hands are an eyesore, they're an eyesore when they're putting their arms around the waist, and even more of an eyesore when they're lifting the veil.
Kwon Ji-yong couldn't help but close his eyes, and after a second he opened them, just in time to see Bae Soo-min touching Jiang Ting-han's face with great affection and tenderness.
The poignant performance just now hadn't made Kwon Ji-yong's nose tingle, but this scene was the one that made him feel sour, though it was a sour feeling in his heart.
It seems like that cup of coffee was the culprit.
The nun seemed to be touched by their emotions as well, and her cold, heavy voice even carried a hint of human emotion, her eyes showing a struggle.
"Heaven belongs to me alone."
"Yes, the one who protects me."
"I don't care about sadness and pain, as long as I'm with you, I don't envy anyone else."
"Take my trembling hand, you are the reason I live."
Her voice was full of stories, as if she were telling not only other people's stories but also her own, making people wonder if the nun had once had a deeply unforgettable love.
At this moment, Lena's character suddenly became more three-dimensional. Perhaps, if Coldy had chosen to give in, he would have become her.
But after singing that bridge, her clarity turned into numbness, and the crisis was still not over during the final group dance.
Lena and Song Yamin reached out to grab Jiang Tinghan again and again. Jiang Tinghan turned and stood back to back with Pei Xiuwen, their hands clasped tightly together at their sides. Lin Zhixia occasionally joined in, buying time for the two fleeing people. The group dance was sometimes orderly and sometimes chaotic, with complex movements that dazzled the eyes. Even those who did not understand dance could see how intense and difficult it was.
This exciting dance battle is a feast for the eyes. Whoever takes the lead sings a line of the chorus, and there are also group performances by Song Yamin and Lena, Jiang Tinghan and Pei Xiuwen, or even Lin Zhixia.
After a few more sentences, Jiang Tinghan pressed his back against Pei Xiuwen's again.
The two were like affectionate swans, one singing a line and the other taking over.
"Heaven! Heaven! Heaven! Heaven! Heaven!"
This time, the singing was no longer painful; two different voices intertwined to create a beautiful duet, maximizing the sense of redemption.
"If we stay together, we will never cry, never cry!"
"Heaven! Heaven! Heaven! Heaven! Heaven!"
Heaven! Heaven! Heaven! Heaven! Heaven!
Hold the other person's hand tightly and feel your own heart; that is true paradise.
"We'll always be together, never going to be alone!"
"Oh, so alone."
Finally, Jiang Tinghan stretched out her hands, this time not to lift her skirt, but to take Pei Xiuwen and Lin Zhixia's hands and walk away.
She, the runaway bride, ran faster than the two people beside her, feeling an overwhelming desire to get off work.
Just then, the last note of the accompaniment fell, the stage lights dimmed, and the final shot panned across Lena and Song Yamin's expressions of impotent rage, freezing on the three departing, pristine white figures.
[That's it? Ahhhhhh, I feel like I haven't had enough!]
Where are you going? Are you coming back for dinner?
[I can't stop laughing! How did Coldy run so fast? He disappeared in a flash!]
I really envy the internet these days; you can post comments about anything online, even about a talking goose.
[Much faster than when I was running towards sumin]
[Back then, it was because I needed to time it perfectly with the music. It wasn't that I didn't want to run; it was that I wanted to run slowly, gently, rhythmically...]
[Moragu? So this is actually a happy ending story!]
[Who said Coldy only performs tragic roles?! Coldy sees right through your little scheme~]
[This ending is exactly what I wanted! How delightful!]
[I never imagined that Heaven could tell such a story; it's truly unexpected.]
I don't want to give all the credit to Coldy, but this story was definitely Coldy's idea. This girl can't create a stage without a story with a beginning and an end; it's like she's painting on a stage.
[Because I focus too much on logic, I have no ideas without concepts. That's just how this ETP is...]
[It's enough to enjoy watching it! Every time I watch Coldy's performance, it's completely immersive, like riding a mental rollercoaster – so thrilling!]
After watching it, I just felt that Coldy was very smart. The character of Lena was much better because of her voice, and Bridge's singing added another layer of complexity to the character.
Song Yamin's makeup and styling are arguably the best on this stage, and she has a high level of sophistication. Although it wasn't explicitly stated whether she was the one who kidnapped Coldy, there was no one else on the stage but her, so the audience definitely hated her the most, which increased her popularity.
Most viewers disliked Lin Zhixia, so they gave her a likable positive role to win back the audience's favor; as for Pei Xiumin, needless to say, the whole world must be jealous of Pei Xiumin tonight!
Coldy herself is undoubtedly the core, and each of her characters is quite distinct, but she is still the one who leaves the deepest impression on the audience! Her vocal ability is truly undeniable. Just compare the chorus she sang with the chorus sung by Bae Soo-min and you can hear the difference. One is perfect, and the other is just a completion.
Coldy, you're so awesome!
[While Coldy performed well, please don't exaggerate his abilities to the point of being all-powerful. This story was definitely conceived and developed collaboratively by everyone, and the characters were gradually perfected. Why erase other people's efforts...]
[Exactly! Our leader is Ah-min! Last time during the first performance, everyone was praising Coldy's choreography. I don't believe the other nine were just sitting around doing nothing! And this time it's even more so; Song Ah-min and Bae Soo-min are both very thoughtful contestants!]
This is the treatment you get when you're in a group with Coldy; you can't really put up with it.
[Hilarious! Why are you acting like you're the ones who are wronged? If your sister weren't in a group with Coldy, she'd be the first to object, right?]
[Let me ask you this: Have Bae Soo-min, Lim Ji-ha, Lena, and Song Ya-min ever delivered a performance of this caliber before? Kong Yeon-seo and Kim Seo-hee also performed in the previous two groups; were their stage performances this high-quality? Even controlling for variables, it's clear who carried the team.]
[Just lie still and stop complaining. You got the benefit but are now acting innocent.]
The lights came on again, and the five people were standing in the center of the stage. Pei Xiumin took out a red veil from somewhere and placed it on Jiang Tinghan's black hair.
Jiang Tinghan raised her hand and lifted the veil, the lamplight making the red color even more vibrant, truly revealing her bright eyes and white teeth.
The sensible host asked, "What is this?"
Jiang Tinghan took the microphone: "This is the bridal veil in traditional Chinese culture, which we usually call a 'red veil'."
Song Yamin continued, "We originally thought of using it in the performance because this color is quite impactful, but it would have been too out of place, so we changed it."
Screams erupted from the audience, and the live chat exploded with a tsunami of questions.
【？？？？？？】
【Aaaaaahhhhhh??? I don't mind a Western-style fake marriage, but I absolutely disagree with having a traditional Chinese wedding with Coldy, a Chinese man!】
【I disagree too! Only Coldy is wearing this red cloth, while Bae Soo-min is still in a suit, which means I'm waiting to wear traditional Chinese groom's attire, right! Coldy, wait for me, I'm going to buy it right away!】
Thankfully, it wasn't included in the official performance. I'll pretend I didn't see it this time, but don't let it happen again next time.
I can't imagine how painful it would be for me to rewatch the performance if this happened in the actual show.
No way, I'm still so envious of Sumin! How can she touch his waist, hug him, hold his hand, and lift his veil? And now she's even putting a red veil on Coldy's head! Why does she have to?!
[The wedding is here... I'm completely stunned, this should go down in history...]
[Selling this is prohibited! If you keep selling this CP (couple pairing) stuff, Mom will get angry!]
[You're not allowed to touch my goddess... (crawling in the shadows)]
It's okay, Coldy's makeup and styling are enough for me to imagine. As the wedding march plays, I take her hand, slip on the huge diamond ring, and we run towards happiness together.
If it were Coldy, I would be willing to have her.
【？？？】
Kwon Ji-yong frowned unhappily at the open comments, turned them off, and let out a disdainful "humph".
I can only imagine it; it's so pathetic.
As a qualified dream man, he has already seamlessly immersed himself in Bae Soo-min's image.
Every time he saw Coldy perform on stage, he liked her a little more.
As you watch, you get an urge to return to the stage and stand beside Jiang Tinghan.
On the screen, Jiang Tinghan is speaking eloquently: "Regarding this ending, we designed three endings. One is that I stay and push Zhixia and Sumin away; the second is that Zhixia sacrifices herself to save me and Sumin; and the third is what everyone just saw."
The host joked, "Why did you choose a happy ending in the end? Was it because you had already broken the hearts of the audience, so you wanted to salvage your image in front of them?"
Jiang Tinghan smiled and said, "Maybe it's because I also want to be happy and joyful."
She looked at the camera with her bright, dark eyes and said, "To the viewers in front of the screen, you must be happy and joyful too."
For a moment, Kwon Ji-yong thought the words were specifically meant for him, but he quickly realized that thousands of other people had heard them besides him.
He clicked on the live chat and, sure enough, it was full of screams and shouts, all expressing their crazy love for Coldy.
He couldn't resist moving his fingers and sending a comment to blend in.
【Coldy, saranghaeyo!】
Then he quickly left the live stream, fanned his face a couple of times, and then clicked back in, but his face still felt hot.
During the live stream, the other four teammates all turned into praise machines for Coldy.
Bae Soo-min: "Coldy worked very hard. She conceived the whole story, and she also imagined and gradually fleshed out the five characters. She even told us what kind of emotion we should express in each line."
Song Yamin: "Yes, just the day before we had no ideas, we were thinking that a simple choreography with a strong vocal would be enough, but Coldy felt that we didn't know if we could stay in the next performance, so we had to leave a deep impression on the audience. The next day, she came up with such a brilliant plan. As the captain, I was only responsible for supervising the training. The real soul of our team is Coldy."
Lena: "She is the best. We can't live without her."
All of Lin Zhixia's reluctance turned into willingness. The simple few lines on the draft paper were so moving when they were brought to the stage. She had never heard such enthusiastic screams and cheers before. Even during her solo part, the sound was much more enthusiastic than before.
She was already satisfied, and looked at Jiang Tinghan: "Thank you so much..."
Lin Zhixia suddenly felt an urge to cry, but she forced herself to hold it back when she saw Jiang Tinghan's gaze.
Jiang Tinghan didn't comment on the praise, nor did she seem particularly surprised; she simply deserved it.
She simply raised the microphone and said calmly, "That concludes our performance. Thank you everyone."
The applause from below erupted again and lasted for a long time.
Who says Coldy isn't all-around amazing?! Step forward! Tell me loudly, isn't she all-around amazing?!
[Let me just say, Kobe could tow an aircraft carrier by herself, right? She does everything; this isn't just towing an aircraft carrier, it's building one!]
[That's why being Coldy's teammate must be so wonderful!]
She's practically a superhero!
[Hilarious! The rational person from before is speechless now. Seriously, having Coldy is a blessing for SW and your teammates. You should be secretly happy to be able to get close to Coldy.]
[Whoever they're paired with in a CP (couple pairing) gets their popularity skyrocketing. It suddenly reminded me of a fan I've followed for many years.]
[I suspect we're supporting the same person.]
[Forget it, I won't say anymore, it's all tears TT TT]
Sorry, but starting today, we're taking the title of all-around ACE!
There was a delay of a few minutes both on-site and online. Kwon Ji-yong watched as the five people who had bowed on the screen had already left the stage, and guessed that Jiang Tinghan had probably also reached for his phone.
His guess was accurate. As soon as Jiang Tinghan got her phone, she subconsciously checked the messages. Given Quan Zhilong's current activity level, it was quite surprising that she hadn't posted a single review during her performance.
Speak of the devil and he appears; speak of Kyochong and Kyochong appears.
Kwon Ji-yong's message arrived in the next second, just peeking out at the top of the phone screen.
[Nick Fox: I'm not happy, I'm not joyful TT TT]
Nick Fox: Oh d'Or—
Jiang Tinghan raised an eyebrow. Was he dissatisfied with her performance? Probably not.
Oh...could it be...that he's jealous?
They're just jealous of people who have no connection to them.
Forget it, I give up.
[Nick Fox: ? ? ? What did you give up?]
Jiang Tinghan: [I originally wanted to find some lyrics about happiness by G-Dragon to reply to your question, but all I found were about heartbreak, so I gave up.]
Nick Fox: ...
Nick Fox: There should still be some...
[Nick Fox: Anyway, many of the lyrics are from my imagination, not all of them are based on real-life events!]
On the other side of the screen, Kwon Ji-yong emitted a silent, sharp explosion.
-----------------------
The author's note: That night, Quan Long had a dream in which he married Xiao Han in a traditional Chinese wedding. However, he was suddenly ripped out of his heart and woke up in fright.
After waking up, I started to think: "Why did they only take from me and not from others?"
...I'm not that love-struck! [Laughing]
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