Running Over The Head Of My Ex [Rebirth]

Chapter 14

Next, something unexpected happened for He Qingqi: Zhuo Zhiwei, the next person to draw a ball, also picked “Last.”

He Qingqi raised her eyebrows in surprise. She had never grouped with Zhuo Zhiwei before in her life. Seeing her walk over, He Qingqi immediately beamed with joy.

“Zhiwei, what a coincidence.”

Even the perpetually ice-cold face of Zhuo Zhiwei couldn’t help but show a hint of a smile. She received a warm hug from He Qingqi as she stood behind him: “Let’s crush Jinghan together this time!”

Zhuo Zhiwei stiffly endured He Qingqi’s embrace, blinking as her heartbeat became slightly irregular. Her fingers twitched awkwardly at her sides, unsure of where to place them.

Just as she was about to hug He Qingqi back, the latter had already let go and was eagerly watching the big screen, leaving Zhuo Zhiwei’s arms empty.

The nearby camera faithfully captured this series of actions, leaving many to wonder how many viewers would lose their minds when they saw this broadcast.

Eventually, five more people drew the same song: Ning Meng, ranked sixteenth; Dong Shengnan, ranked twenty-fifth; Lin Zao, ranked thirty-seventh; Liu Ningzhao, ranked thirty-eighth; and Sun Jin, ranked fifty-fifth.

Seeing the song, Liu Ningzhao excitedly ran over to He Qingqi and clung to her.

“Captain!”

“…,” He Qingqi looked disgusted.

Nearby, the ice-cold Zhuo Zhiwei watched them coolly.

Liu Ningzhao felt a chill under Zhuo Zhiwei’s gaze, finally letting go of He Qingqi but unable to hide her excitement.

“0.2 times bonus points! Here I come!”

However.

“This performance is an individual battle. After the performance, the audience will vote for the best performer, who will receive a bonus of 500,000 votes.”

Liu Ningzhao was instantly filled with despair, her heart sinking as she accepted the sympathy of the other A-group members.

In a team with these two powerhouses, how could she possibly win?

Following the announcement of the rankings, the seven gathered in the rehearsal room to distribute the lines after watching the dance.

“Last” is the most popular song by Windy Sky (W.S.), who debuted four months ago. Unlike their other fresh and light songs, this one has a sexy style. Tao Jinghan and SS’s leader, Bian Suitong, originally performed it in double center positions.

This time, it undoubtedly fell to He Qingqi and Zhuo Zhiwei. He Qingqi took Tao Jinghan’s part, while Zhuo Zhiwei took Bian Suitong’s.

This is an individual battle. Although the other members might want the center position, the difficult dance steps, and their skill ratings made it clear only He Qingqi and Zhuo Zhiwei could handle it.

Being next to these two is akin to being in the spotlight, amplifying even the smallest mistakes. Competing for the center would not only draw the ire of their fans, but it could also backfire.

Furthermore, being at the center does not guarantee winning the most votes. It’s better to play nice with these two from the start, get some camera time, and maybe get some good guidance given their high standards for the stage.

The line distribution went smoothly. After a tense day, He Qingqi and Zhuo Zhiwei decided to give the team a break, planning to study dance more back at the dorm and maybe consult Tao Jinghan.

When they opened the door, they saw the cameraman holding seven phones.

In the previous season of “Idol Era,” there was a similar segment. Without needing an explanation, everyone knew what to do.

He Qingqi and her cameraman found another classroom, sat on the floor, and stared at her contact list for a long time without speaking.

In the past, she would have undoubtedly called Fang Xuanrao. When that person heard she was ranked third, she wasn’t happy for her at all, impatiently expressing disdain for the show. He Qingqi was very disappointed.

Because of that call, He Qingqi gave up her chance to debut.

This time, she didn’t want to seek disappointment. Instead, she initiated a video call with He Dongche.

“Hello, Xiao Xi!”

He Dongche’s voice was pleasantly surprised, as if he didn’t expect his daughter to call him.

“Mom and Dad, Qingzhou, Xiao Xi’s on the phone.”

“Coming, coming, honey, hurry!”

“Right away.” Granny He quickly walked to the computer.

She happily put on a headband with “He Qingqi” flashing in lights, nearly blinding He Qingqi.

“Qing’er, Grandma is your fan now. I even joined your fan group and learned the cheer slogans. ‘White like a cloud, clear and bright like Xi,’ it’s quite nice, fitting for our Xiao Xi.”

He Qingqi’s nose tingled, her whole body trembling, tears welling up in her eyes. Her skin, already porcelain white, made her look like a wronged little bunny.

“Grandpa and Grandma, I miss you.”

Unable to control her emotions, she buried her face in her arms, biting her clothes to stifle her sobs, revealing only her red eyes.

Her grandfather had passed away five years ago, and she hadn’t seen her grandmother for half a year. She missed them dearly.

And her father and He Qingzhou…

Her poor judgment had led to such an outcome. Her grandparents had treated her so well, yet she had caused them such grief.

In this life, she wanted nothing to do with love or Fang Xuanrao. She just wanted to make her movies and stay with her family.

Seeing the usually tough He Qingqi like this, the He family became anxious: “Xiao Xi, did someone bully you?”

Grandpa He snorted, glaring at He Dongche. “Is it that Tang Yiming you found last time? How did he bully our Xiao Xi? And that last scandal! It took you forever to clear it up!”

With a frown, He Dongche rubbed his arm. “Did someone bully you again?”

Her father had always been so protective, but what had she done?

However, no one had bullied her.

“The program team starved me, didn’t give me food, and only let me eat instant noodles! We can’t use phones, and I have to listen to a song hundreds of times!”

“And him,” He Qingqi pointed at He Qingzhou, “he bullied me. I dreamed I was bullied, and He Qingzhou didn’t help me. Grandpa, you didn’t want me, and He Dongche hit me.”

He Qingqi half-jokingly complained.

Grandpa He, hearing this reason, looked bitter, unsure whether to discipline his son and grandson.

But Grandma He thought He Dongche and He Qingzhou could handle a beating: “You hit Xiao Xi in her dreams!”

“You didn’t help your sister!”

“And you!” Grandma He glared at Grandpa He, “Why didn’t you want Xiao Xi?”

Grandpa He spread his hands innocently.

As for the food…

Grandma He turned back to the camera, her wrinkled face blooming with a smile. “Xiao Xi, wait. Tomorrow, I’ll have your dad contact the show. Don’t cry; your singing is so good; don’t hurt your voice.”

He Qingqi sniffed and nodded.

“Also,” Grandma He’s eyes sparkled. “What’s going on with you and Zhuo Zhiwei?”

She regularly logged into He Qingqi’s super-topic, where she discovered the Qingwei super-topic. One look and she was hooked. That child was beautiful and seemed kind. The way she looked at her granddaughter, it was as if her eyes were filled with moonlight and stars—they were a perfect match!

He Qingqi was stunned, recalling that she and Fang Xuanrao had just gotten their marriage certificate and hadn’t had time to tell her grandparents. No wonder Grandma wanted to match her with someone else.

She sighed in relief. Her grandparents held a positive opinion of Fang Xuanrao. If they knew she married and divorced, they’d think it was her fault.

Calming herself, she said, “We’re just good friends.”

“Oh.”

In Grandma He’s eyes and He Qingqi’s hesitation showed some interest. Rather than disappointment, Grandma He was excited, her eyes gleaming.

“Bring your good friend home sometime. I really like her.”

“Okay,” He Qingqi agreed, not sensing anything unusual. Zhuo Zhiwei was beautiful; it was natural for Grandma to like her.

After some family chat, He Qingqi felt it was enough and signaled the cameraman to leave. She called out to Zhang Yufan:

“Brother, remember to edit the footage. Don’t air the parts where I… got something in my eye.”

Zhang Yufan stifled his laughter, pretending to be serious as he agreed.

Once the door closed, He Qingqi recounted the day’s events. He Dongche assured her he’d handle everything and hung up.

That night, when He Qingqi returned to the dorm, she discovered that both of her roommates had red eyes, evidently from crying. She wasn’t much better.

The three tacitly communicated through gestures while watching an iPad.

Though they hadn’t exercised much today, He Qingqi shamefully felt hungry.

Luckily, Grandma promised to resolve it tomorrow. Just one more day.

At ten, they finished their tasks. He Qingqi asked:

“Zhiwei, Jinghan, do you have any cravings?”

Tao Jinghan looked at her oddly and said, “You’re not hungry again, are you?”

He Qingqi blushed and coughed lightly, while Zhuo Zhiwei frowned and said:

“You’ve gained nearly five pounds lately. No more instant noodles.”

He Qingqi: “I wasn’t thinking of instant noodles.”

“There’s nothing else to eat,” Tao Jinghan said, confused.

“It will be tomorrow.”

“Huh?”

“Grandma might send something.”

Tao Jinghan’s eyes lit up. She hadn’t been very hungry before, but after indulging in instant noodles with He Qingqi, she couldn’t stop. Yet noodles were unhealthy and fattening.

“What?” Tao Jinghan asked.

“I don’t know; maybe they’ll just open the cafeteria at night.”

Tao Jinghan clicked her tongue: “You’re making everyone on ‘Idol Era’ gain weight.”

“I’d rather eat in the dorm,” He Qingqi grumbled. “But I can’t cook.”

“I can!” Tao Jinghan said she was packing her things. “I learned to cook most home dishes abroad, especially as a trainee when the company was strict. Later, when I debuted, I cooked for my members.”

She reminisced: “Maybe I’ll cook for you someday.”

“I’d love that,” said He Qingqi, smiling.

Curious, she asked, “Jinghan, you had a great career abroad and were about to debut. Why come back?”

Tao Jinghan froze, fiddling with a pen and smiling bitterly. “I just wanted a fresh start.”

Given Tao Jinghan’s reaction to “Last” earlier, He Qingqi sensed there was a story. But since Tao Jinghan didn’t want to share, she wouldn’t pry.

She handed her iPad to Tao Jinghan, pointing, “Jinghan, help me with this dance move.”