CHAPTER 26: BABY? NO, JUST BABY’S BREATH FLOWER

[Are your legs okay?] Nine implored, since yesterday Joshua had suddenly experienced some pain in his leg. Even now, Nine couldn’t shake the worry, afraid that Joshua might collapse on stage.

Joshua closed his eyes, letting the makeup artist continue her work, and softly replied to Nine, "Don’t worry, it’ll be fine."

Of course, Nine wasn’t less worried because of Joshua’s words, and Joshua said nothing further. In truth, if he wanted, the injury on his leg could heal instantly.

But he didn’t trust Nine either—not knowing just how far Nine’s power extended...

Nine... tell me, how am I supposed to get you out of my head?

"This face really was made to be an idol, Joshua. Do you know how many people like you online?"

The makeup artist was a young, lively woman, seemingly cheerful, able to converse with anyone.

Joshua curled his lips slightly, the dimple on his cheek prompting the makeup artist to poke him lightly.

"I don’t go online much. I’m afraid it’ll affect my mood," Joshua said softly.

The makeup artist waved her hand. "In this profession, the more people like you, the more people will hate you for no reason."

Nine immediately said: [My statistics show only a tiny portion are anti-fans!]

The makeup artist continued: "But you have a lot of loyal fans too, especially ’Wolf’!"

"Wolf?" Joshua asked, a little curious.

The makeup artist nodded and chirped, "Done, Joshua. Today you’ll shine the brightest!"

Joshua smiled, and at that moment, Leonard’s teasing voice suddenly rang out: "Let’s see just how handsome you are, and if you deserve special praise from the makeup artist."

Outside, his attitude was always like this, just as it had been their first meeting.

Joshua turned to look at him and asked, "Alright, don’t worry, I’m not prettier than you."

The lights in the makeup room were exceptionally bright, so bright that Leonard felt Joshua’s hair gleam like gold, soft and delicate as silk. His ocean-blue eyes seemed like a slice of the sea at sunset, sparkling like water, the slight curve of his crescent-shaped eyes acting like a hook, capturing Leonard’s heart.

Leonard’s gaze grew a little deep, looking down at the reddish-blue powder smeared on Joshua’s cheek. He had some on his cheek too, but it didn’t stand out as it did on Joshua’s face—so glaring that he almost wanted to wipe it off immediately, unable to accept even a speck of dirt on that face.

That’s what Leonard thought, and he raised his hand—until Joshua’s questioning voice snapped him out of it.

Leonard smiled, showing no hesitation, and lightly brushed the tip of Joshua’s nose with his knuckle, teasingly saying, "Baby."

"Huh?!" The makeup artist nearly shouted from the side, making Joshua and Leonard glance over. She seemed to have just realized what happened, so embarrassed she wished she could dig a hole and crawl into it.

Leonard chuckled again. "I mean, baby’s breath—Joshua’s small, adorable look is very much like baby’s breath. Don’t think the wrong thing, okay?"

The makeup artist nodded repeatedly, apologizing over and over. Once she turned back, she immediately started typing on her phone:

[Love is X]: Who in the house understands this, who really gets it, who can feel this?! Aaaaaaa! Foby is real, love is real, love is Foby!

She had been paying attention to Joshua from the start, but it was just simple attention—she thought he was cute.

It wasn’t until Foby appeared that she knew where her heart truly belonged. She didn’t love Joshua deeply or crazy about Leonard, but she loved Foby to death!

[Love is X]: Fox said Bunny looks like baby’s breath! Fox literally called Bunny "baby" aaaaaa I can’t survive this, someone ship me an oxygen tank!!!

[Has Fox eaten Bunny today?]: I’m the one who needs this oxygen tank! Too much sweetness! Love you, big sis X!

Meanwhile, the two of them had no idea what was happening online.

Joshua asked in puzzlement, "Why don’t you think I look like a Tweedia Caerulea?"

Leonard frowned. "Why?"

"Because I like Tweedia Caerulea better," Joshua murmured.

Nine immediately hissed: [You don’t need to tell others what you like!]

Joshua: "..." What’s wrong with that?

Joshua suddenly opened his eyes wide, his gaze deep as he asked, "Nine... could it be that you’re gay?"

Nine: [... do you even know what you’re saying? Even if your whole family were gay, I wouldn’t be!]

Hearing that, Joshua nodded, his words tinged with sincerity: "It’s just... I noticed you’re a bit sensitive to same-gender interactions. Don’t worry—Luther even compares whose dick is bigger with his college friend. Just a little touching doesn’t mean love; not everyone is gay."

"Besides, you don’t need to overreact like that. Even if you were gay, what’s wrong with that? Same-sex marriage is legal everywhere now; I’m not judging you."

[I’m not gay.] For the first time, Nine felt an urge to pinch Joshua’s cheek. That mouth of his just kept moving, talking so irritatingly—he just wanted him to shut up!

Joshua said nothing further, because it was time for them to perform.

Will’s voice rang out, brimming with spirit: "All our efforts until now were for today! Everyone, victory is ours!"

The group seemed to share a strong sense of teamwork, placing their hands together and shouting in unison: "Victory!"

Nine thought these kids could yell like that without worrying about losing their voices on stage, but he stayed silent, seeing Joshua also caught up in the atmosphere and smiling so genuinely.

Whatever had brought Joshua here, it seemed he genuinely loved the stage—Nine had concluded as much.

Below the stands, the audience was packed. Attendance was limited to 500 people, but cameras around the stage streamed the event live to hundreds of millions of viewers.

This was the reputation of Shining Path, CM Broadcasting System, Atius Group, and all the trainees this season!

It was as if everything was urging them to shine brilliantly!

"It’s almost time, it’s almost time, it’s almost time! Andy, focus, I believe in you!" After five performances, it was finally Leonard’s turn!

Andy sat in his chair, next to his friend, and beside her was another girl he didn’t know.

His friend reminded him, then began hugging her friend, excitedly trying to suppress her screams.

Andy, looking sleep-deprived, tried hard not to yawn. Next to him was another girl, pushing up her glasses, her dark circles only slightly less intense than Andy’s.

Suddenly, all the lights in the hall went out! Immediately after, the male MC’s voice rang out, still high and excited: "Dear National Producers, look up at the stage and welcome our next group! Zerone, we await your performance!"

"Shh---!" A thick smoke suddenly billowed out, followed by dim lighting, making everything dreamlike.

Then, a loud alarm blared. Many audience members jumped in fright as the entire stage flashed red, warning bells ringing urgently!