Chapter 21
Seven cameras turned around at the same time. The spherical mirror surfaces were pitch black, like a group of huge eyes, reflecting dots of light and capturing every contestant.
There were 6 contestants in Grade 7, among whom Su Xun was arranged at position C. A beam of white light shone on her, making her stand out from the rest. She smiled sweetly and adorably like a girl next door, bright and healing.
Only Yuan Luoyi knew that she was actually irritable, arrogant and proud.
Comments in the livestream increased.
"Wow, this little girl is so cute!"
"She must be a model student, pretty, excellent in study, and nice in personality!"
"I bet 5 cents that she will definitely be the champion!"
After the cameras turned to other contestants, Su Xun immediately looked provocatively at Yuan Luoyi, gloating like a cat who succeeded in stealing food.
Yuan Luoyi also knew the other 4 contestants: School hunk Sen Junxuan, Class A monitor Yu Zilong, Class B study committee member Di Aiyu, and Class C beauty He Ya. They were all famous students at Star Galaxy Middle School, trying their best to impress the audience and gain popularity.
Soon the camera was on Yuan Luoyi.
Yuan Luoyi kept doing what she did best——spacing out vacantly, with her eyes gazing into the void. But comments in the livestream exploded.
"Ahhhh! She looks so classy! Such ethereal indifferent eyes, I love her!"
"Goodness, she's as cute as a little button!"
"What do kids eat these days to grow up like this? Such beauty actually exists in real life. I wouldn't dare edit a photo to make it look like this."
Su Xun no longer smiled. She glared at Yuan Luoyi and let out a cold snort, dissatisfied and turning her face away.
Yuan Luoyi appeared on camera for only 3 seconds, but triggered a huge response. The camera had already turned to Grade 8 contestants, yet comments were still discussing Yuan Luoyi.
"Come back! I want to see that little girl again!"
"What are you all talking about? I just got into this livestream room."
"There is a girl in Grade 7 who looks super pretty! A royal princess with thousands of favors in novels should look like her!"
"A beauty for thousands of years!"
"If I could take a glance longer at her, my burning heart, blazing eyes, and the moment your tears trickled down and crossed my face, though the time is up and it’s time to say goodbye!"
"Is she really that gorgeous? The comments are even singing about her."
"As long as her temperament feels different from the other students, with a transcendent beauty that seems to see through the human world."
After all contestants appeared, Na Lan said some inspiring words, wishing the contestants all the best and hoping that the show could send positive energy and guide ordinary students to strive.
Then there were various talent shows performed by Star Galaxy Middle School students.
The School Orchestra played a grand ensemble. The performers were only eleven or twelve, holding musical instruments bigger than themselves, yet demonstrated the standard of the National Centre for the Performing Arts.
The School Arts and Sports Club danced folk dances. Every student had graceful posture, moving like a dragon and posing like a mountain. To maintain their figures, their daily food was strictly screened.
A group of international students performed rap songs in various languages, and three Russian girls danced ballet. All the shows were wonderful and comments kept praising them.
Yuan Luoyi noticed that amidst the clamor of "666", occasional dissenting voices would drift by in the comments.
"They are so excellent, their school life must be very high-pressured!"
Yuan Luoyi felt the same way. Everyone at Star Galaxy Middle School tried too hard. They were all wealthy scions, gifted in talent and fond of competing against each other.
Yuan Luoyi was definitely the only person in school who had nothing to do and was also the only fake rich girl, a "commoner" mixed in with the "aristocrats" and enjoying the resources that didn't belong to her.
The performance ended, and the host Na Lan walked onto the stage again: "The auspicious time has come. Dear friends in the audience and netizens, let us count down to the launch!"
Students who had been somewhat tired below the stage perked up again. Comments in the livestream became lively too.
"10, 9, 8, 7, 6..."
Yuan Luoyi saw staff members running to pull the ropes on both sides of the stage.
"5"
Director Zhang gestured for the sound engineers to get ready.
"4"
Lightening staff behind the scenes did final checks.
"3"
The cameras turned to the auditorium, students waving their arms in excitement.
"2"
The whole screen was densely filled with comments.
"1"
The music, lights were all in place, and drum beats intensified.
"0"
"Launch!"
Lights sparkled like stars, music roared like ancient beasts, and countless colored pieces of paper fluttered down.
Amid deafening cheers, the curtains were pulled apart to reveal a glittery gold trophy, bearing supreme glory, infinite bright future and all fiery dreams. It was what all contestants were striving for.
Looking at it, Yuan Luoyi felt it was very near yet very far. In her previous life, Su Xun who finally obtained it was still an audience member feeling depressed for being isolated by Class A classmates.
And now, Yuan Luoyi decided to win it.
The opening ceremony was hugely successful. Its influence kept rising and had reached 45 points now. 15 more points to activate the flashback function and investigate the real culprit behind the Yuan family's destruction.
Very delighted, the principal announced a school-wide afternoon off after the ceremony ended.
Students cheered.
Then the principal announced all PE classes for this week were moved to this afternoon.
Students wailed. PE teachers could get paid without working again.
Driver Xiao Feng picked Yuan Luoyi up and took her home. As soon as she entered the door, she heard Yuan's Mother's light voice. Yuan's Mother was making a phone call.
"Yes, the girl who appeared for 3 seconds at the opening ceremony is my daughter. Haha, yes, yes, she has grown up to this age! Um, I think she looks very cute too."
"Haha, no, my parenting approach has always been natural growth without making her attend any extracurricular classes. Her temperament was not intentionally cultivated."
"Sure, let's have them get to know each other if there is a chance, kids the same age can chat about a lot. Yes, alright, bye."
Yuan's Mother hung up the call, strode over to Yuan Luoyi and gave her a big hug.
She smiled and said, "Baby, I'm so proud of you! You performed so wonderfully at today's opening ceremony, extremely eye-catching. You were born to be a star!"
"So many people called me saying that you have undergone tremendous positive change and become more and more beautiful!"
"Mommy has been very busy lately and didn't have time to accompany you, so go out and have fun with brother Yuan Ao!"
Yuan Luoyi asked, "Is brother back?"
Yuan's Mother said, "He is coming back very soon. He also watched the livestream and even screen recorded it, already sending it to your other brothers. They all think you're very cute."
Yuan Luoyi recalled that her fourth brother Yuan Si was currently filming in Paris and had been very busy: "Did fourth brother watch it too?"
Yuan's Mother said, "He did! He said you're as cute as a fallen angel with broken wings, bringing light into the dark apocalypse and selflessly redeeming humanity's spirit——sacred, beautiful, admirable."
Yuan Luoyi was dumbfounded. Well, as expected from fourth brother, the man known globally for acting as prodigal playboys. He dared to say anything cheesy.
Yuan Luoyi asked, "But at the time of opening ceremony, it must have been 3 AM in Paris right? Did he really wake up?"
Familiar footsteps sounded from the door. Yuan Ao was back. He walked to Yuan Luoyi's side and put his arm over her shoulder, "Don't worry, I definitely have ways to wake him up."
Yuan Luoyi understood. Based on her childhood memory, the method was likely pressing a gun against his temple nine out of ten times——after all, fourth brother was an indolent and willful man who would never get up without a life-or-death situation.
Yuan's Mother said to Yuan Ao, "You are back at the perfect time. School gave the afternoon off, please take your sister out to have some fun!"
Yuan Ao said: "Okay, mother."
He rubbed Yuan Luoyi's head: "Then let's go."