“There’s no big reason,” Song Chutong said casually, as if it were nothing. “I just thought a combined singing-and-dancing performance would look better, so I mentioned it to my grandpa. I didn’t expect him to arrange it so quickly—I figured you wouldn’t hear the bad news until tomorrow.”
Her tone was light, but her expression was openly smug—almost like she had “My grandpa favors me the most” written across her face.
Song Weiran gave a bitter smile.
“Was that really necessary, Chutong? I know it’s disappointing that you weren’t chosen as the lead dancer, but… that’s not my fault, is it? And what does it have to do with me that Commander Jiang doesn’t like you?”
She continued softly, her voice full of emotion:
“We’re sisters. I know you’ve always had issues with me, thinking I took Dad away from you—but the one he loves most has always been you. When you didn’t come home last night, he was so upset he couldn’t sleep.”
Her words sounded sincere and heartfelt.
For a brief moment, Song Chutong felt shaken.
Was it because I used to be too kind?
Song Weiran had said things like this more than once. Even though Song Chutong disliked her, she wasn’t someone who couldn’t listen to reason. Every time Song Weiran acted weak like this, Song Chutong would end up going easy on her.
She really had been too kind.
She could never forget—before being thrown into prison in her dream—how she had begged Song Weiran, only for the latter to pry her fingers off one by one and say that she deserved everything that happened.
Deserved it?
Song Chutong smiled faintly.
Yes—kindness really was her biggest flaw.
After all…
She was supposed to be the villainess.
She looked at Song Weiran and smiled.
“Little sister, I already told you yesterday—I don’t like Jiang Zhixing anymore. Why do you keep bringing him up? Trying to irritate me on purpose?”
“As for the lead dancer position—I didn’t get it, and I didn’t complain, did I? I know my own abilities. I didn’t fight for this performance because I thought I’d win. I just wanted to give the girls in the dance team a chance to shine.”
Then her tone shifted.
“But I do think it’s a bit unfair to take the performance slot from the singing team just for the sake of the dance team. Wouldn’t it be better if everyone participated together?”
She looked straight at Song Weiran.
“You wouldn’t be so selfish just because you’re the lead dancer… right? You’re the kindest person I know, aren’t you?”
The moment she finished speaking, a few girls nearby actually started applauding.
“Song Chutong, looks like you still have some conscience. Our singing team won’t hold this against you.”
“Alright, since she admitted it herself, that settles it. Let’s go tell everyone!”
The girls from the singing team left happily. They hadn’t just been watching the drama—they came to confirm whether the rumors were true.
After the last incident, everyone knew even the instructors didn’t have the final say—Song Chutong could get things changed with a word.
Now that she had confirmed it herself, they could finally train in peace.
Unintentionally, Song Chutong had just won them over.
She turned back to Song Weiran and continued calmly:
“I know Dad loves me the most—that’s only natural. I’m his only biological daughter. Of course he cares about me the most. Do you really need to emphasize that?”
Then she added bluntly:
“Or do you have some ulterior motive?”
She tilted her head slightly.
“What’s that phrase again? Stirring up trouble? Sowing discord?”
Song Weiran dug her nails into her palm to keep her expression from twisting.
Song Chutong had always been like this—arrogant, domineering, and sharp-tongued.
And that was exactly what Song Weiran had been trying to exploit.
She wanted to provoke Song Chutong in front of everyone—push her into lashing out and humiliating her.
So the situation would escalate… all the way to their grandfather.
Song Chutong had been provoked.
And she had humiliated Song Weiran.
But why hadn’t she lashed out like before—spitting crude, reckless insults?
These words of hers… even if they reached their grandfather’s ears, he might end up thinking Song Weiran had ulterior motives instead.
Song Weiran forced a smile and quickly changed tactics.
“Fine, maybe it was just one sentence from you—but do you know how much effort I’ve put in? Even if you don’t care about me, have you thought about how hard everyone in the dance team has worked for this performance? How can you act so impulsively?”
She was careful with her wording this time, deliberately avoiding calling Song Chutong selfish. She believed this way, Song Chutong wouldn’t be able to twist her words against her again.
Besides, earlier Song Chutong had the advantage because members of the singing team were present. Now, if she brought the entire dance team into it, could Song Chutong still stay on top?
The more people involved, the heavier the blame on Song Chutong.
Sure enough, a few couldn’t hold back and spoke up:
“Yeah, Song Chutong, how could you do this? This opportunity was given to our dance team—why should we share it?”
“Exactly! Director Liu is definitely going to scold you again.”
“Can you stop dragging your personal issues with Song Weiran into the team? That’s just selfish!”
The more Song Chutong listened, the more amused she became.
She couldn’t tell who said what—but the moment she turned her head sharply, those girls immediately fell silent.
Still, people didn’t want to get dragged into trouble. Several quietly stepped back, distancing themselves.
Three were left standing out in the open.
Two of them… were her own roommates.
The others weren’t even here.
These were people who had benefited from her countless times—yet behind her back, they had used their closeness to her as “credibility” to spread rumors and speak ill of her.
Mm. Time to clean house.
The girls quickly retreated, flustered—but not a single one thought they were in the wrong. If anything, they felt justified.
After all, Song Chutong was easy to deal with—once they got back to the dorm, they could smooth things over.
But first—deal with the “white lotus.”
Song Chutong turned back to Song Weiran and cut straight to the point:
“Stop using others as your shield. What’s the difference between being a supporting role to you and being one to the singers? The only thing that changes is who gets the spotlight.”
“In the end, you just want to stand out yourself.”
“You’re so used to stirring up trouble—first between me and my father, and now between me and my teammates.”
She gave a faint smile.
“But you miscalculated. Do you really think I care about just any random nobody?”
“Random nobody? Did you just call us nobodies?!”
Someone cried out in disbelief.
How arrogant could she be?
But Song Chutong didn’t even bother turning around. She didn’t care who it was.
She continued coolly:
“And another thing—what does your hard work have to do with me?”
“Whether you sweat, bleed, or cry—why should I care?”
“You’re working hard for your own future. What do I gain from it?”
“You say I’m targeting you—why would I bother? Everything you’re trying so hard to get… I already have.”
Then she blinked innocently.
“I just wanted to watch a singing-and-dancing performance. What’s wrong with that… my dear stepsister?”