Against the Light - Chapter 129
Chapter 129: Want to Marry Them All
When Gu Xinran returned to the hospital room, she immediately saw Xue Yuexian sitting on the sofa.
She glanced into the inner room and could faintly hear the voices of Yilan and Ming Zhen talking.
Isn't this person a little too clingy? Can't even leave her for a second, really?
"How do the two of them have so much to talk about?" Xue Yuexian said, puzzled.
Gu Xinran chuckled lightly, walked to the adjacent sofa, and sat down. "Isn't that what best friends are like?"
Xue Yuexian seemed a bit troubled and sighed. "How do you know who I am?" She had always kept a low profile, spent a long time abroad, and rarely made public appearances. Yet, when they first met not long ago, these two had recognized her at a glance. It was too puzzling for her.
"Well…" Gu Xinran paused. It was truly a very long story.
"Hey, what are you doing here?" Just then, Ming Zhen and Yilan came out, interrupting their conversation.
"The caregiver said they couldn't find you."
"Er…" Ming Zhen gave an awkward smile.
"So you really did sneak out?"
"Of course not, I was just taking a little stroll."
Sensing Ming Zhen's bravado suddenly deflate, Bai Yilan chuckled helplessly.
"No laughing." Ming Zhen secretly poked her.
"Alright, alright."
"Why are you out here instead of resting properly?" Xue Yuexian asked.
"Ah, today is the first live performance of Queen's Stage. I thought—no, Yilan said she wanted to watch it."
Gu Xinran suddenly remembered. She had completely forgotten about that.
"Then let's watch for a while." Gu Xinran turned, switched on the TV, connected her phone to the live streaming platform, and cast it onto the screen.
Xue Yuexian cooperatively stood up, giving the large central sofa to the two injured patients.
Gu Xinran sat on the armrest of the sofa next to Yilan, placing her hand behind her back to avoid her wound, letting her lean against it. The two exchanged a smile.
On the screen, it was just moments before the performance. On stage, Qu Qi made a stunning appearance in a wine-red evening gown, temporarily taking on the role of host.
Qu Qi usually wore more formal attire; it was rare to see her dressed so exquisitely. Paired with her gentle smile, she looked like a completely different person from her usual self. Gu Xinran couldn't help but study her closely.
"What kind of look is that?" Bai Yilan gently pinched the back of her hand, warning her in a low voice.
"Aha." Gu Xinran laughed. This woman is actually jealous.
Hearing this, Ming Zhen immediately stole a glance at Xue Yuexian, only to meet her gaze directly.
Hiss—this person, could she be thinking the same thing I am?
Ming Zhen's large eyes darted around, and a plan formed in her mind.
"Welcome, everyone, to the debut performance of Queen's Stage. I'm your half-baked host, Qu Qi." Qu Qi bowed slightly, and the live audience erupted in cheers.
"After seven days of intense rehearsals, the four teams are ready to go. I believe everyone is highly anticipating this show. The designers are already seated in the audience. Here, I'd like to make a small mention: the designer for the Fairy Group, Bai Yilan, Teacher Bai, has not yet returned for personal reasons. Therefore, she must regrettably miss this debut. We hope for your understanding."
"It's okay!"
"Teacher Bai, focus on your recovery! We'll wait for you to come back!"
An audience member shouted a response from below the stage, prompting others to chime in.
Qu Qi nodded and bowed to the audience once more.
"Additionally, there's that artist of ours who insisted on staying by Teacher Bai's side to feel at ease, and even pushed me out here to host in her place. Although she's thrown me under the bus, what can I do? I can only ask for everyone's understanding."
"No understanding!"
"Make her come back!"
"We want to see her!"
Qu Qi's obviously stunned expression made everyone roar with laughter, and the atmosphere instantly became lively.
Gu Xinran touched her forehead. "This audience is too mischievous."
"Hey, that girl the camera just panned past was so pretty. It's a real shame she's not debuting," Ming Zhen suddenly commented.
Gu Xinran was a bit baffled. She looked at Yilan, who also had a blank expression and shook her head slightly.
Xue Yuexian remained completely unmoved.
"Alright, I won't say any more nonsense. I know everyone has been waiting for a long time. I now declare the debut of Queen's Stage officially open! First up is the Starry Sky Group!"
"Awooo! Go, Qiong-Guo!"
"Go for it!"
The audience below howled, clapped, and cheered.
The stage lights dimmed, and the audience's cheers died down.
The venue was pitch black. Above, specks of starlight suddenly appeared. A sharp-eyed audience member spotted them, but before they could point it out to the person next to them, a brilliant river of stars slowly emerged, illuminating the venue and separating the scattered specks.
"Wow—" The audience gasped in unison, as if they were truly standing beneath a starry sky.
Within the river of stars, countless specks twinkled, flickering in and out of sight. Innumerable points of light slowly descended, leaving long trails behind them like meteors, before suddenly falling onto the stage. The stage was instantly bathed in a brilliant light.
The light faded, and Qin Qiong's figure slowly emerged.
Her long, deep-blue gradient dress was adorned with countless stars, as if she were wearing the night sky itself, echoing the river of stars above.
Her aura was cool and aloof, her presence commanding. Just by standing there, she made it impossible for people to look away.
"Holy crap, this stage is incredible!"
"These must be million-dollar special effects, right?"
The audience couldn't help but whisper among themselves.
"Hiss, this stage is amazing," even Ming Zhen exclaimed.
Xue Yuexian also nodded casually.
Gu Xinran felt a sense of gratification. She had put a great deal of effort into the stage design.
Actually, she hadn't originally intended to make it so complex, thinking it would just be a simple runway show. But after the program started airing, its popularity soared to unprecedented heights, making her feel that not producing it well would be a disservice to the audience's expectations. So, she had to bite the bullet, call in the planning team, and pull several all-nighters to perfect the show.
"I didn't expect Qin Qiong to be so cool and commanding. She's my type." Ming Zhen stared at Qin Qiong without blinking.
Just as Gu Xinran was about to look at her, she caught sight of Xue Yuexian out of the corner of her eye and saw her clearly raise an eyebrow.
It was a simple little gesture, but it made Gu Xinran's heart tighten for no reason, and she subconsciously hugged Yilan.
On the screen, next to Qin Qiong, another cluster of starlight scattered, revealing Lin Guo standing on the other side of the stage, gazing at her from a distance.
The two raised their hands, miming holding hands across the distance, and walked forward together. With every step, the stage beneath their feet bloomed with specks of starlight. What was most astonishing was that their gait, the size of their steps, and the swing of their arms were completely identical.
If not for recognizing their faces, some might have suspected it was a mirror effect.
"Their performance is great, and their eyes tell a story," Bai Yilan couldn't help but nod.
"Yeah, I heard they came up with a scenario to present on stage themselves. Sigh, they're actors, after all. Just walking a runway doesn't seem to be enough to satisfy their desire to perform," Gu Xinran said helplessly.
"I think it's great. After all, they aren't professional models. When audiences watch models, they're mostly looking at the clothes. When they watch these two, they're purely watching them as individuals." Ming Zhen nodded repeatedly in high praise.
On the bullet comments, the audience was also pleasantly surprised, discussing it animatedly.
You think you're just watching a runway show? You're actually watching a stage play.
Qiong-Guo are absolutely incredible! Their eyes are full of drama. They truly live up to being professional actors!
Ahhh, this is so much better than a pure runway show! I hope there are more programs like this. I want to see my idol shine on stage too!
Sob sob, why am I suddenly so moved? This group is amazing, and the concept is amazing too. Everyone is trying to be the brightest star to illuminate others. I love it so much!
This has completely subverted my understanding of runway shows. It's awesome! I'm so excited for the Fairy Group!
Before long, the Starry Sky Group finished their walk and stood in the center of the stage, receiving the audience's applause.
"Slurp." Ming Zhen's eyes gleamed as she watched the big screen, and she suddenly slurped up some drool.
Xue Yuexian interlaced her fingers and cracked her knuckles, producing a crisp "pop."
Gu Xinran weakly glanced at the two of them, then pulled Yilan a little closer.
"What's wrong?" Yilan asked, confused.
"I have a bad feeling," Gu Xinran whispered.
On the screen, amidst the audience's screams, the Fairy Group made their dazzling entrance.
"Wow, this stage is amazing! It's so ethereal! Ahhh, how can Yan Xi be so beautiful! Awooo, my Sister Qiuyan! Yilan, look, quick!"
"Mhm, I'm watching." Bai Yilan was completely focused on the TV, not noticing at all that the atmosphere in the room had grown heavy.
"Hey, when I watched their rehearsal before, Sister Wei's figure was amazing. Not an ounce of fat on her, her body is so flexible, and her aura is fantastic too. It makes one so envious. Did she start out as a dancer?"
"Yes, that's right. Yuwei's figure is impeccable," Bai Yilan also praised profusely.
With a crack, Xue Yuexian cracked her knuckles again, then picked up her water glass and took a sip.
Gu Xinran breathed a sigh of relief. When she saw her sudden movement, she thought she was about to explode, and her heart had leaped into her throat.
On the screen, the Fairy Group's stage was complemented by a hazy mist, making the performers seem as if they were amidst clouds, ethereal like fairies, and captivating the eye.
Next, the Cool Sister Group, led by Huo Jie, also earned plenty of screams and applause.
Finally, the Black & White Group, set against a dynamic stage atmosphere of passionate black and white blocks constantly colliding and exploding, brought the debut show to a perfect conclusion.
"Ahhh, I'm so here for it!"
"Alright, you. Stop shouting, your voice is getting hoarse." Bai Yilan picked up the water on the table and handed it to Ming Zhen, looking at her with a mixture of amusement and exasperation.
"So beautiful, sob." Ming Zhen was incredibly excited. "So beautiful!"
"I'm here for every single one of these ladies! I want them all! Sob, I can't take it, Yilan, I'm poisoned again!"
"Poisoned by the fairies again?" Bai Yilan glanced at Gu Xinran.
"Mhm! I want to marry them all!"
With a click, the TV was turned off.
Bai Yilan and Ming Zhen froze.
"What are you doing?" Ming Zhen looked at the remote in Xue Yuexian's hand, displeased.
The corner of Xue Yuexian's lip curled up, and she raised an eyebrow slightly. "Want. To. Marry. Them. All?" she said, enunciating each word.
Gu Xinran immediately swept Yilan up into her arms and ran into the bedroom without looking back.
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