### Chapter 23: Enjoying the Show
Down in the audience seats.
A songstress wearing a beret hid among the crowd, watching the group leader’s performance on stage with rapt attention.
“Hmm… This sort of performance is completely different from singing. I might be able to learn something.”
Even after becoming the world-renowned songstress, Qing Liao still hadn’t forgotten the importance of learning.
She felt she could still improve herself and that she wasn’t at the peak yet. She needed to keep pushing hard.
“However… Something seems off. Why do these people look so strange?”
Qing Liao had performed for countless audiences before.
Their passion, their expectations, and their love for the songstress were incredibly genuine—full of heart and infectious. Qing Liao could feel their emotions as if they were her own, and she knew how a real audience should react.
The old man on stage was certainly impressive, attracting so many viewers. For a performer, that’s already quite a feat.
But the audience seemed a bit… weird.
As Qing Liao discreetly observed the person cheering next to her, she noticed his expression looked unnatural, almost like he was being controlled by some force.
Why did she notice this?
Because, compared to anyone else, Qing Liao’s sensitivity to emotions was unmatched. The cheers lacked any genuine feeling.
That’s why everything felt so strange.
What was going on?
Qing Liao felt things were getting a bit dicey. Her instincts told her to get out of there fast before the situation turned dangerous.
“Better leave fast.”
Subconsciously taking a few steps back, Qing Liao ducked her head and blended into the crowd. No one noticed her leaving.
Just as she prepared to turn around the corner, someone walked right into her chest.
Bang!
“Ah!”
Qing Liao stumbled backward, about to fall when someone grabbed her arm and pulled her back.
“Miss, are you okay?”
“No… How can I be? You nearly gave me a heart attack!”
Quickly covering her mouth, Qing Liao turned away.
“Not like this. Sniff. Great job, Qing Liao. You should’ve said sorry…”
The black-haired man watched the girl retreat with a growingly amused smile.
“Considering your voice… Aren’t you Qing Liao, the Songstress?”
Qing Liao’s eyes widened, her heart racing.
“No way! You’ve got the wrong person!”
She never imagined anyone would spot her. She thought she had perfected her disguise.
Plus, she hadn’t even looked up to reveal her face. Could it have been by her voice?
The black-haired man, Mo Tu, scratched his chin as if something interesting occurred to him.
“Qing Liao, the world’s top songstress. I’m somewhat your fan and listen to your songs quite often. You held a concert in this city yesterday. You’re usually not seen casually around the entertainment district though, right?”
Hearing this, Qing Liao hurried to agree.
“Of course! Are you an idiot? Noticing random people and calling them Qing Liao sounds like disrespect.”
Her words caught in her throat; she didn’t want to continue.
If Mo Tu could see her face, she probably looked downcast.
“Ugh, why do I always blurt out rude things? Why can’t I stop myself? That’s so terrible…”
Mo Tu narrowed his eyes with interest.
“Speaking of which, in my memory, Qing Liao’s singing isn’t the best; there’s someone else better.”
At this Qing Liao shuddered slightly, wanting to ask who it was, but instead said, “Huh? Are you serious? Everyone knows Qing Liao’s the best. If anyone beats her, I’d like to see them reach her level.”
“What a gloomy life…”
Qing Liao felt like crying.
She was prideful and arrogant like the top songstress, yet sometimes acted immaturely, like any teenager.
Before her fame, Qing Liao, already beautiful, faced much bullying. She’d retort arrogantly, but afterwards regretted it deeply.
Even after becoming the world songstress, she still had these moments.
When others offered kindness, she’d push them away, looking aloof and arrogant.
Internally, she felt terrible and depressed over previous words.
To outsiders, she seemed like a haughty, world-class songstress.
Back on track…
Although Qing Liao was downhearted, she was intrigued by the man behind her.
He mentioned there was someone better than her.
If true, maybe she should find out.
How does one ask politely, though?
Her thoughts conflicted as the man spoke again.
“I’ll tell you who she is. Uh… I forgot.”
“You’re just looking for trouble, aren’t you?”
Qing Liao angrily turned to glare at him, showing her refined profile clearly to Mo Tu.
Mo Tu smiled faintly.
“That’s what I thought. You’re Qing Liao, the Songstress.”
“Ouch…”
Snatching off her beret, Qing Liao retreated emotionally.
The accumulated gloom plus the embarrassment of being exposed felt too much. She wanted nothing more than to disappear.
“If my fans knew I behaved so rudely, would they hate me…?”
She sank deeper into gloominess.
“Pfft,”
Mo Tu stopped toying with the playful songstress and shifted his gaze to the stage.
There, the group leader stood with eerie Star Eclipses Power, influencing everyone, even resisting the urge to watch the show.
He hadn’t come to enjoy the performance; he sought entertainment.
Now this scene was his amusement for the day.
“Dear Qing Liao, what do you think of the magician’s performance?”
“Don’t call me like that. It feels so weird.”
With her identity revealed, Qing Liao no longer tried to hide.
This fan was oddly calm, not overly excited as she’d expected.
Wouldn’t any fan freak out seeing their idol?
Yet this black-haired man seemed too cool; nothing like a dedicated fan.
So very weird.
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