Backstage at the program recording, all members were in position.
After the host announced the rules, everyone went to the makeup room to prepare.
Rong Yu had Tian Tian sing a few lines; her vocal condition was excellent. She reminded her, "Don't drink any water. If you're absolutely parched, ask a director for a brand new, sealed bottle of water."
Tian Tian picked up her personal thermal flask: "I brought my own."
"If this flask leaves your sight for even a second, don't drink from it," Rong Yu said. "This is the final battle. It's crucial."
Their group had drawn the third performance slot, a position neither too early nor too late.
While the contestants prepared, on stage, Yan Ting and Chi Fangfei performed the opening duet. Yan Ting was both an actor and a singer, and Chi Fangfei had also debuted in a group years ago. Their intensely lyrical song provided the audience with an exceptional audio-visual feast.
"Thank you, Yan Ting and Chi Fangfei, for that brilliant performance," the host walked onto the stage. "Next, let's welcome the first group of contestants!"
Under the gaze of thousands, Lisa led her members onto the stage.
She was an overseas trainee with formidable skills. Even though she had been consistently outperformed along the way, it hadn't affected her confidence in the slightest...
After their performance, they received a score of 911.
Lisa, overcome with emotion, hugged her teammates. This was the highest score she had achieved since becoming a team leader, and she couldn't help covering her mouth as she cried.
This high score undoubtedly put immense pressure on those following.
Rong Ruoyao was the second to perform. She took a deep breath and walked onto the stage.
Rong Yu's group was already starting to put on their performance outfits.
As it was a rap genre, the costumes were hip-hop style: loose-fitting clothes with exaggerated patterns...
"Tian Tian, your outfit is here." Jiang Shuang picked up a dark red costume and handed it over. "Do you need any help?"
Tian Tian had some lingering fear of Jiang Shuang and quickly shook her head.
She was just about to take the clothes
when she heard Rong Yu speak: "I think this outfit suits Jiang Shuang better. Why don't you two swap?"
"But I'm already wearing mine..." Jiang Shuang said with a smile. "It fits me well. Is it really necessary to change?"
Rong Yu said coldly, "I'm the team leader. If I say change, then we change."
The other team members were instantly bewildered.
In their impression, Rong Yu had always been very gentle, handling everything with calm composure, rarely showing such an icy demeanor.
They realized something must have happened that they weren't aware of.
Tian Tian's expression also turned grave. She didn't even dare to touch that garment, taking several steps back.
Jiang Shuang's face darkened considerably: "Sister Yu, I've always respected you as the team leader. I do whatever you ask, you could even say I follow your lead unquestioningly. The performance costumes were arranged by the program crew; everyone's size is different. I have the right to refuse."
Rong Yu frowned.
Originally, she had only been suspicious.
But now, she was certain something was wrong with that outfit.
During the last interim evaluation, Jiang Shuang had drugged the bottled water.
This time, right before going on stage, she had thought Jiang Shuang might behave, but that didn't stop her from keeping an extra eye on her.
She had noticed Jiang Shuang staying alone in the costume room for nearly ten minutes.
She walked over and hooked the collar of the garment with her finger: "Let me guess, there should be some fast-acting powder on this outfit, right? If Tian Tian puts it on, something will probably happen to her body, making it difficult for her to go on stage. Then, the solo performance would naturally fall to you. You really are quite the schemer!"
She raised her hand and forcefully threw the costume in Jiang Shuang's face.
Jiang Shuang sneezed a dozen times in a row.
The other girls in the group all stepped back.
"Oh my god, how could Jiang Shuang be this kind of person!"
"Last time, didn't she put something in Tian Tian's water? I naively thought it was malicious speculation by netizens, but it turns out it was true."
"But we're about to go on stage. What do we do now..."
Jiang Shuang looked up.
There were no live broadcast cameras backstage for the final episode, so this scene wouldn't be aired.
And besides—
She spoke: "Do you have proof? Can you just sling mud at me without any evidence?"
The costume room was essentially a changing room; there were no surveillance cameras installed. Otherwise, she wouldn't have dared to act.
Hearing this, Rong Yu smiled: "Isn't it obvious? Do we really need proof? Wouldn't checking the payment records on your phone reveal everything?"
She made a gesture. "Staff, over here, please. Jiang Shuang has violated the program's bottom line and her cooperation with the program is terminated. Escort her out now."
Jiang Shuang's eyes widened in shock: "On what grounds? How can you terminate my cooperation over something without evidence... And, Rong Yu, you're just a team leader, not the program director, and certainly not an investor. What gives you the right to remove me, a popular debut contender?"
Her popularity indeed couldn't match Rong Yu, Rong Ruoyao, or Lisa, but she had already garnered a group of die-hard fans.
How could Rong Yu decide her fate with just a single sentence?
"You can also choose to continue performing on stage," Rong Yu said, the corner of her lip curling. "But I can't guarantee whether the host will announce your misconduct on air."
Jiang Shuang was stunned: "Why would the host listen to you?"
"You can take that gamble." Rong Yu turned and instructed the staff, "Is the replacement costume ready?"
The staff quickly brought the new performance outfit and helped Tian Tian change into it rapidly.
Jiang Shuang stood in the corner, her face ashen.
She just wanted a solo performance, that's all. She just wanted more people to like her. She just wanted to achieve a higher ranking... Why was she even denied the chance to step on stage?
What she loved most was the stage.
But if her plot against Tian Tian were exposed on stage, her entire career in the entertainment industry would be ruined.
Her lips trembling, she struggled to say, "No one can replace my part of the lyrics and dance. Without me, you won't win first place in the team competition..."
Rong Yu looked at her: "You could replace Tian Tian; someone else can likewise replace you."
She led her team members through the long corridor and stood in the stage preparation area. Speaking calmly, she said, "We'll redistribute Jiang Shuang's singing parts to Tian Tian. Any problems with that?"
No one had any issues. Tian Tian was somewhat worried: "What about the dance parts?"
For a singer, listening to a song a few more times allows you to sing it passably, but dance isn't something you can learn just by watching it a few times.
Rong Yu looked towards the bright lights ahead: "Leave it to me."
First, for a rap song, the choreography wasn't too difficult, with many repeated movements.
Second, as the team leader, to better give feedback to her members, she had also asked the instructor to teach her each member's part, so she naturally knew them.
Since she knew them, it wasn't a major problem.
The audience cheered below, the stage lights brightened, and Rong Yu led her team onto the stage with grace, as if the earlier turmoil had never happened.
