Chapter 18: Chapter 18: Humiliating Her
So once again, all eyes were on Gu Qiaoqiao, but this time, their gazes held a different quality.
They were tinged with scrutiny and appraisal.
It seemed as though they had all plotted in advance, for dozens of girls spoke in unison, “Gu Qiaoqiao hasn’t sung yet.”
Ning Yuli’s eyes gleamed with a sinister light as she spoke loudly, “Do you all want to hear Gu Qiaoqiao sing?”
“We do.” Again, the response was unanimous.
To the unaware, they might even seem enthusiastic.
But Chu Chengfeng’s handsome brows slightly furrowed.
He simply watched with cold eyes.
He knew that Gu Qiaoqiao was definitely not the fool that Ning Yuli and the others claimed her to be.
“Sister-in-law, come over here,” Bai Yun beckoned warmly.
Gu Qiaoqiao did not move but politely replied, “I don’t sing very well, and besides, my throat is a bit uncomfortable today.”
“Sister-in-law, don’t be shy. Just the other day you told me that you wanted to sing a duet for everyone at the party,” Bai Yun said with a smile.
Gu Qiaoqiao’s eyes darkened, for in neither her past life nor this one had she ever said such a thing.
Bai Yun had obviously calculated that she would have no way to refute.
“A duet? Good heavens!” Ning Yuli feigned surprise, “Is that the thing where you dress up in bright colors, with a face painted like a clown, jumping and prancing on stage?”
“Haha, I’ve heard it on the tape recorder. It might only involve two people, but it’s really lively,” a girl on the sofa chimed in.
“She’s from that place, she surely knows how to perform it. Gu Qiaoqiao, do you need to put on makeup?” Ning Yuli seemed very excited, turning to Bai Yun she said, “I heard you need a fan to perform that act, I’ll go get one from Brother Hao.”
With that, she gave Bai Yun a knowing glance.
She quickly made her way out of the private room.
At that moment, Bai Yun approached Gu Qiaoqiao, took her arm without a word, and said to a few other girls on the other side, “It’s Sister-in-law’s first time at a KTV, she must be shy, let’s accompany her, shall we?”
Of course, they were agreeable.
To see Gu Qiaoqiao, who had just been speaking with confidence, make a fool of herself on stage was something they were only too happy to witness.
After all, they were out to have fun, and who wouldn’t enjoy ready-made entertainment?
Bai Yun knew Gu Qiaoqiao was the type to get stage fright and start trembling.
The nerves would make her stutter.
The embarrassment couldn’t be more pronounced.
Yet at the same time, she felt a bit uncertain in her heart.
The Gu Qiaoqiao of today was becoming more and more of a stranger to her.
Back then, she had almost refused to believe that those words had come from Gu Qiaoqiao—did she even have the courage?
But ever since New Year’s Eve, this Gu Qiaoqiao had become increasingly difficult to control.
Like now, where she was somewhat afraid to meet Gu Qiaoqiao’s eyes.
Bai Yun quelled the unease in her heart, clenched her teeth, and with renewed spirit, half coerced and half dragged, surrounded by a group of girls, she brought Gu Qiaoqiao to the small stage.
The boys below started whistling.
The girls were clamoring like ducks, belying the chaotic atmosphere of the KTV.
Only Qin Xiaoyu sat on the sofa, the sixteen-year-old girl feeling conflicted at the moment. She had never heard Gu Qiaoqiao sing. If Gu Qiaoqiao were to embarrass herself again, what should she do?
Yet for some reason, recalling Gu Qiaoqiao’s earlier remarks, she felt there might not be an issue.
The room was in an uproar, but Qin Xiaoyu thought, with Sister Bai Yun around, everything should be fine, especially since they got along quite well.
Gu Qiaoqiao did not attempt to struggle or resist, for wriggling free from around ten girls would have looked unseemly.
But internally, she scoffed.
There had been no such drama in her previous life.
Yes, because she had fought back.
The humiliation and awkwardness naturally ceased.
How could Bai Yun and Ning Yuli accept this willingly?
As she stood on the stage, Bai Yun gently spoke into another microphone, “Gu Qiaoqiao’s comedic duet is so pleasant to the ear. She can sing and dance, and today we are in for a real treat. Please, let’s welcome Gu Qiaoqiao with the warmest round of applause…”
The men and women in the private room immediately began to applaud, and several wealthy young heirs were quite intrigued by the comedic duet.
They clapped their hands and whistled.
The room was buzzing with excitement.
Qin Xiaoyu’s face turned sour.
Only now did she realize that the so-called comedic duet was not exactly a refined art form.
She stood up, stamping her foot in anger, deeply regretting having brought Gu Qiaoqiao with her.
Gu Qiaoqiao was too unsophisticated, never able to fit into this circle.
Gu Qiaoqiao didn’t move.
Her expression was calm, with a mocking smile on her lips.
She noticed that aside from Qin Xiaoyu, there was a handsome boy with starry eyes who hadn’t spoken.
It was he who had just stopped Ning Yuli’s words in time.
At this moment, he was seated arrogantly on the sofa, watching her as if ready to enjoy a good show.
Gu Qiaoqiao indifferently withdrew her gaze.
She pondered what would happen if she forcefully left the stage.
Looking at the excited girls not far away, she thought that they wouldn’t rest until they had made her look foolish.
She didn’t want to get into a tussle with them.
Bai Yun approached, a smile playing on her lips, and began to affectionately address her as “sister-in-law,” “Sister-in-law, I just found a karaoke tape. I’ll put it on for you now…”
Swiftly, she inserted the tape into the VCR and pressed play, and a vibrant sound of suona music filled the air.
The crowd was first stunned, then burst into uproarious laughter.
This was because the screen showed two people dressed in red tops and green pants, twisting on stage.
Gu Qiaoqiao also looked over.
Was this prepared in advance?
Otherwise, how could this New Year’s greeting tape appear in this KTV?
She then remembered that Bai Yun seemed to have left the room for a moment.
Maybe that was when she had found the tape.
Bai Yun was extremely pleased, yet spoke gently, “Do you see? Sister-in-law also likes dressing this way. Isn’t it beautiful? Doesn’t it look pretty?”
Her voice was loud enough to overpower the music.
“It’s so pretty, just like a clown, haha…”
“Then why didn’t she dress like that today?”
“If she had worn that while singing this… what’s that called again?”
“Right, too bad. You’re wearing a red sweater under your down jacket, right? Give us a little dance.”
The girls started chattering again.
Interspersed with the whistles of the boys.
Bai Yun, with a grin, said, “Sister-in-law, give us a twist. Look how good they look twirling around. Oh right, in a bit Yuli will bring you a fan…”
Then, those standing below started to chant, “Do a dance, do a dance…” The noise rose and fell, the excitement reaching a fever pitch.
Qin Xiaoyu’s cheeks flushed crimson as, infuriated, she ran towards the exit, only to be caught by a girl she had argued with in the past.
With malice, the girl said, “Don’t leave. We’re all waiting to see your sister-in-law perform the comedic duet for us. Look, the two on the TV, twisting and singing, just like clowns making everyone laugh.”