Chapter 9: Hot and Flustered
The performance continues by three.
As the show reaches its climax, Qing Liao Songstress steps back from stage, leaving it open for Kong Yu Bai and Night Star Lan.
She figured she shouldn’t get involved in their romantic ballad.
Now, she feels like a third wheel.
Qing Liao sulks on the ground, drawing circles in the air with her fingertip.
“Why did Senior Kong Yu Bai invite me? It’s great that we’re performing together, but the chemistry between them is too apparent…”
Anyone could tell that the passion in Kong Yu Bai’s singing was obvious. The love in her voice was just about to burst out.
Though Qing Liao can act well as an ardent lover, the authenticity of her feelings was lacking. If only Kong Yu Bai were an amateur songstress, but she used to be one of the world’s greatest, and it’s tough not to compare them.
It kind of hurts.
But Qing Liao quickly picks herself up.
“I got it! Senior Kong Yu Bai wants me to find a partner too! But no guy has ever made a mark on my heart…”
Qing Liao has dedicated her youth to her career.
While her peers daydream about sweet romances, she’s been shining on stage, creating memories and warming the world with her songs.
In her memory, the only ones that make her heart flutter are the voices of Kong Yu Bai and Night Star Lan.
“Hmm.”
Qing Liao falls into deep thought and suddenly understands.
“Aha! Senior Kong Yu Bai is actually inviting us to join them! She was hinting at me all along? Might I also invite Night Star Lan on a date? But it feels a bit embarrassing…”
Then, behind her, someone speaks.
“Hello! Are you Qing Liao Songstress?”
“What!?”
Qing Liao jumps in surprise. Turning around, she finds six girls standing behind her, all beautiful maidens, save for the two petite loli.
Qing Liao is confused.
“Who are you?”
“Well, we’re your fans, wanting to chat with you.”
Night Sky, feeling bashful, says.
She couldn’t say why she brought along these people, maybe because seeing Qing Liao suffer onstage seemed interesting, she had to check what it felt like.
To avoid suspicion, Night Sky explains.
“Rest assured, we’re friends with Night Star, here’s our photo!”
Night Sky shows Qing Liao her picture with Night Star, thus soothing her doubts.
“What do you want to talk about?”
“We were just wondering, isn’t it cruel how Night Star and Blank Songstress use you as a light bulb?”
Qing Liao bursts into laughter.
“No worries. It seems Senior Kong Yu Bai wants to include me, so after my free time, I’ll try inviting Night Star Lan to an enjoyable date. If things go well, we’ll sing more often in the future.”
“What? What!? What!!?”
Night Sky goes into an uproar, stunned.
Is this how things work now?
Isn’t this a bit too bold?
Is bed-sharing next?
Night Sky retreats inwardly.
In the end, she’s still the clown.
That’s harsh!
Kaguya can’t help but pat Night Sky’s head.
“Don’t worry, Night Sky. We are here for you. You have lovely girls beside you.”
Night Sky mutters sullenly.
“And yet, no roll in the hay?”
The others ponder this.
“If you’d like, we wouldn’t mind playing along.”
“Get lost and let me dole out my own rewards.”
Night Sky dismisses them, but she’s not thinking much about that.
She’s envious of Night Star’s happy-go-lucky life.
On the other side…
Night Star and Kong Yu Bai’s romantic duet intensifies.
Their fans finally catch on.
Could there be a secret relationship between Blank Songstress and the Audience Performer?
Once that idea sparks, everyone starts imagining all sorts of crazy scenarios.
Soon…
The impromptu show ends.
Backstage, Night Star and Kong Yu Bai return, extremely flustered as if shy.
Even though Night Star’s social phobia is better now and she’s wearing a mask.
Being so openly pursued by Kong Yu Bai was more than she could bear.
Just imagining those people fantasizing crazily out there, Night Star feels like rolling on the floor.
Isn’t this like public humiliation?
And so, in frustration, Night Star wished for everything to be forgotten.
Once done, she feels much more relaxed.
“This is… too outrageous…”
Night Star glares at Kong Yu Bai, not knowing what else to say.
Kong Yu Bai looks remorseful.
“I’m sorry, Night Star, I didn’t think enough when suggesting this.”
Night Star sighs.
“Nah, whatever makes you happy. I enjoyed it myself.”
Then, noticing others backstage, including Night Sky.
“How did you all get here?”
Night Sky sneers.
“Heh, enticed by the sweet scene.”
Hearing this, Night Star feels guilty.
Night Sky thinks of herself as the best friend, yet here she is, acting overly confident.
A betrayal.
But Night Sky doesn’t overthink it.
“It seems you enjoy yourself. Recalling today, it brings back good memories. There was this girl who sang to me publicly despite my social anxiety.”
Night Star is intrigued.
“You had such an experience?”
“Yeah! That year, my charm wasn’t any weaker than yours!”
Night Sky surprisingly compares with Night Star.
If she wanted, she could gather plenty of female followers and become the king of harems.
Night Sky just wants out.
Only anime-style romance would satisfy her craving.
“We should leave now. Don’t want to bother you any longer. Enjoy your date.”
Night Sky and her friends wave goodbye and leave.
Qing Liao is about to depart, not wanting to intrude anymore.
“I’m heading off too. Let’s sing again next time. Thinking about what role to play the next meeting!”
Night Star tilts her head, sensing something odd.
Did Qing Liao give her a strange look before leaving?
Feels like she’s under watch now.
Her luck is getting worse.
Night Star shakes away her random thoughts and looks at Kong Yu Bai.
“Ugh, what’s next?”
“Of course, continue our date until the evening. Night Star, be prepared for surprises.”
Night Star mumbles, keeping hope alive.
If Linhua’s dates were cozy, Kong Yu Bai’s are wild.
This is way beyond Linhua.
Yet, Night Star can handle it.
Let the storm rage even harder.
—
Please note, the provided translation is a comedic adaptation and does not fully align with standard literary norms.
