The car arrived at the television station, and Lin Muci rushed to the main recording stage.
The other young girls were already seated, whispering as they watched Lin Muci arrive with Ling Qianhe.
Lin Muci had learned to ignore such gazes.
But the brains of the troublesome trio, Huang Ying, Tong Yali, and Yin Huopo.
The three of them sat in their seats and deliberately spoke in loud, sharp, and sarcastic tones.
"Oh, our little Lin family princess has arrived?
You're truly putting on quite a show!
Off to flatter the mentors again? Money really does make you something, doesn't it? Constantly bothering Qianhe-ge, you shameless little slut~"
The other girls dared not cause trouble, sitting in their seats without daring to even move their eyes.
Afraid of being targeted by them.
Instead, Yang Weiyang suddenly stood up and rushed in front of the three of them, saying indignantly.
"What nonsense are you spouting? You gossiping tongue-waggers who only chew the fat all day. Our Xiao He is the rightful first place in the public performance, and she deserves the rewards she receives.
Can you even match one-tenth of her strength?"
Yang Weiyang was quite fierce.
The three girls were not to be outdone, standing up and looking at Yang Weiyang.
"You trashy girl are trying to stand up for your mistress?
You're useless at singing and dancing. Lin Muci is merely using you as her thug. How could a young lady like her genuinely fancy you? Yet you're foolish as a pig, brainless, not thinking for yourself, and instead, Lin Muci uses you as a thug!"
Yang Weiyang trembled with anger!
"Xiao Ci isn't the kind of person you're describing! Xiao Ci is sincere towards me!"
The three girls merely sneered at Yang Weiyang!
Yang Weiyang alone found it difficult to argue against the three of them, but she was unwilling to let them continue slandering Lin Muci. She could only stand there glaring at them.
As Lin Muci herself walked into the venue, she called out to Yang Weiyang.
"Weiyang, come here."
Yang Weiyang's big eyes were filled with grievances.
"Xiao Ci, they're scolding you!"
Lin Muci said.
"Don't be afraid. They'll be eliminated in the next round. Why bother arguing with them? They're just barking dogs who are all bark and no bite."
The three girls stood up, but Lin Muci looked at them.
She smiled and opened her mouth. Though no sound was made, her lips were clearly visible from behind the camera.
"Useless!"
The three girls' blood instantly rushed to their heads. They charged forward, their faces flushed, surrounding Lin Muci. The photographers panicked, wondering what was happening. Were the girls about to get into a hair-pulling fight?
Finally, the director of the program group stepped in to stop the farce!
"Sit down! The rankings will be announced shortly!"
Lin Muci was first in the previous vote.
She had soared from outside the top fifty. Her solo performance exploded in popularity, significantly increasing the number of people voting for her.
There were many who slandered her, but Lin Muci's fans had already managed to form an anti-smear team, capable of brushing away negative comments.
Moreover, no matter how many people slandered her, they couldn't cast a dissenting vote.
Instead, it turned into fuel, directly igniting, causing more people to protect her, feel pity for her, and vote for her with all their might, sending her soaring to success.
Lin Muci sat in the frontmost seat.
She occupied the central position among the ninety-nine girls.
Ling Qianhe came on stage wearing a white suit.
The other girls behind him let out soft gasps. He looked too handsome dressed like this; he was flawless from head to toe.
The young man stepped forward with a smile in his eyes. Lin Muci watched him silently, feeling that once he was on stage, Ling Qianhe was like someone wearing an impenetrable mask.
Exquisite him.
Perfect to the point of unreality.
There would be eliminations in this ranking.
This was a fact everyone knew.
Lin Muci's eyes lowered slightly. The camera focused on her face. The young girl's appearance was as pure and clear as a plum blossom blooming coldly in winter. Looking at her face, one could almost smell its cool fragrance.
The rankings were announced one by one.
Yang Weiyang was ninth, entering the debut position.
She looked up in disbelief. It wasn't until Qianhe congratulated her that she walked onto the stage, sobbing. The little girl with fair skin and big eyes cried buckets. Her speech was sincere and touching.
"Thank you, everyone. Because I'm not good at singing or dancing, I felt like I was useless. I never thought I could reach this position, woo woo woo."
Yang Weiyang truly hadn't expected it.
"I really worked hard, woo woo woo. I finally managed to catch up to everyone's progress. I really never gave up.
And I truly thank my friend Lin Muci, Xiao Ci! She was clearly so exhausted, but she stayed up late with me, going over the moves again and again. I know the camera doesn't capture the hard work she put in, but she truly worked extremely hard, a million times harder than you see.
She's truly so kind, and she never complains when she's bullied. I thank her so much!
Everyone, please believe me, I will become stronger. I will also earnestly protect my friends! When I become stronger, I will also be a teammate fighting alongside Xiao Ci!"
The young girl finished her speech with tears in her eyes and sobs. Below the stage, Lin Muci smiled at her and mouthed "Go for it," which seemed like sunlight capable of dispelling all gloom.
Ling Qianhe asked Yang Weiyang to step down.
The positional rankings of the ninety-nine girls continued to be released.
The top nine were announced one by one.
When it came to the first place for this positional announcement, he pursed his lips and finally called out that name.
"First place, with a total of ninety-eight million six hundred and eighty thousand support points.
Congratulations, Lin Muci."
The young girl stood up straight and slowly walked onto the stage.
The girl rumored to be gloomy had eyebrows and lips curved with pride. She nodded slightly at Ling Qianhe but did not make eye contact.
Turning, she grasped the microphone in her hand.
"Thank you for believing in me and supporting me.
I know there is some controversy surrounding me.
But I will work hard to prove to everyone with my performance that your liking for me, the votes you've cast for me, are all worth it.
Thank you for voting me first.
Thank you."
She was number one.
Her speech was brief, but everyone looked at her with reverence.
Because Lin Muci had come through a gauntlet of rumors and slander. Seeing her sitting in the first position, despite her cold and distant demeanor, she exuded an aura of fierceness.
It was as if she had fought through mountains of knives and seas of blood, stepping on thorns to become the empress!
Among the ninety-nine girls, no one could be imagined to challenge her center position!
The positional announcement ended.
Huang Ying, Tong Yali, and Yin Huopo looked at Lin Muci with unwillingness. Lin Muci didn't even glance at them. She went to hug Yang Weiyang, who was still very angry.
"Xiao Ci, if you want to be teammates with them in the future, I really can't stand it!"
Lin Muci smiled and comforted her in her ear.
"Don't worry. They'll be eliminated in the next round."
Yang Weiyang was a little surprised.
"Ah? Xiao Ci, how can you be so sure?"
Lin Muci smiled and didn't elaborate.
She just knew.
They would be eliminated.