Chapter 3 — The Beauty Drainage System

After the physical endurance tests concluded, Qiao intercepted me in the locker room. She locked the door tightly, whirled around to face me, and her eye sockets flushed with a sudden, theatrical red.

Niem, did you discover something?

Discover what?

Don't play dumb with me!

Her voice trembled with a fragile cadence.

Recently, you have been intentionally skipping practice, deliberately consuming all that garbage. Did you already find out the truth?

I leaned back against the locker, slowly chewing the final piece of spicy snack strip in my mouth.

Find out what? I have no idea what you are talking about.

You...

She took several deep breaths, abruptly shifting her expression. Grievance and innocence washed over her features as tears began to pool in her eyes.

Niem Niem, I know your pressure has been immense lately, and my heart aches for you. But punishing your own body like this truly worries me. You are my dearest friend, and I cannot bear to watch you self-destruct.

She reached out, attempting to grab my arm. I stepped back, evading her touch entirely.

Qiao, how exactly was Vien eliminated?

Her outstretched hand froze awkwardly in midair.

Vien? She... her health was poor, and she simply could not handle the rigorous training intensity, so she withdrew voluntarily.

Really?

Of course.

The smile returned seamlessly to her face.

Niem Niem, you must not overthink things. Diligent practice is what truly matters. For the performance next week, let us work hard together, okay?

Alright.

I smiled and nodded. She let out a long breath of relief, turned around, and reached for the door handle.

Oh, that is right.

I called out to her back.

Tonight I plan to order some roasted meats, especially the fatty pork belly slices. Would you care to join me?

Her retreating figure visibly stiffened.

I... I have evening classes tonight, so I will not be eating.

After the door clicked shut, I watched the translucent comment threads stream across my vision once more: [The female lead is panicking! She realized Niem is engaging in reverse-feeding!] [System alert: The host’s emotional fluctuations are critical. Strongly advise immediately restoring the self-discipline of the beauty resource.] [Hurry up and think of something, heroine! We cannot let Niem continue to indulge like this!] I leaned back against the steel lockers, crumpled the empty snack packaging into a tight ball, and tossed it straight into the waste bin. Thinking of a way? Bring it on. I wanted to see what other methods she could possibly conjure to force my compliance.

Qiao's countermeasure arrived far sooner than I had anticipated. The following morning, a crisp new notice was pinned directly to the training camp bulletin board:

Following evaluation by the coaching panel, the following trainees have been placed on the elimination warning list due to severe drops in recent performance status: Niem, Yu, and Ky.

If the aforementioned individuals rank at the bottom during next week's public performance, they will face direct elimination.

I stared at my own name, feeling neither pain nor agitation. Yet Yu and Ky beside me were practically on the verge of tears.

Niem, what are we going to do? I do not want to be eliminated.

Yu grabbed at my sleeve.

Let us practice more, I am begging you.

Ky also stepped forward anxiously.

Indeed, the three of us can practice together and keep each other accountable. We will definitely pull through.

I looked at their panic-stricken faces. Recently, Yu had also grown increasingly sallow, the dark circles beneath her eyes heavy enough to suggest she had never slept a wink. Ky's hair was visibly thinning day by day. They were nothing more than nutritional vessels sustaining Qiao.

If you two want to practice more, go ahead. I am not going.

But Niem...

I already said, I am not going.

The two exchanged disappointed glances and trudged away dejectedly. When lunchtime arrived, Qiao carried her food tray over and sat directly across from me. Today she wore remarkably heavy makeup, managing to conceal the blemishes on her chin while failing to hide the fact that her face had rounded out significantly.

Niem, you saw the elimination warning notice, correct?

Saw it.

Aren't you worried?

No.

I picked up a large piece of braised pork belly and shoved it into my mouth, deliberately chewing with loud, exaggerated smacks. Qiao's chopsticks paused mid-air.

Niem, what on earth is wrong with you lately? In the past, you were so hardworking and disciplined, but now...

In the past, I was simply foolish.

I set down my chopsticks and met her gaze directly.

Previously, the harder I tried, the more miserably I ended up. Now that I have stopped trying, I actually feel remarkably at ease.

Qiao's pupils contracted slightly.

You are degenerating.

Think whatever you please.

I picked up my food tray and stood up, glancing back at her just before walking away.

Oh, by the way, your face appears swollen again. Has your allergy still not cleared up?

Her complexion shifted instantly. I turned and walked away, leaving behind the sound of her chopsticks slamming down onto the tabletop.

The elimination warning failed to intimidate me, so Qiao swiftly pivoted to a different strategy. That very afternoon, coach Hanh summoned me to his private office for a personal chat.

Niem, I have seen everything regarding your recent state of mind.

He sat behind his desk, fingers intertwined, wearing a grave expression.

I understand the training pressure is immense, but you cannot simply give up like this. When you first entered this camp, your baseline conditions were the absolute best, and every single instructor held high expectations for you.

Thank you for your concern, coach.

I am not offering empty pleasantries.

He leaned slightly forward.

I will grant you a single chance. For next week's performance, I will transfer you into Group A, right alongside Qiao.

I was momentarily startled.

Group A’s stage boasts the finest resources and the most screen time. As long as you recover your previous state, your performance ranking will not suffer.

Was this Qiao's idea?

Hanh's expression shifted ever so slightly.

She mentioned the two of you are close friends and that she wishes to help you.

Close friends. She wanted to reel me back into her orbit to serve as her personal beauty supply station once more.

Coach, I decline.

What?

I will not go to Group A. I am staying right where I am.

Hanh furrowed his brow.

Niem, do you even realize what you are turning down? The resources in Group A...

I know. But I am not going.

He fell silent for a few seconds before leaning back into his chair.

Have you thought this through completely?

I have.

Very well. Then if you finish in the bottom three during next week's public performance, I will be powerless to protect you.

I understand.

I stood up. As I reached the door, Hanh spoke up once more.

Niem, Qiao genuinely cares about you. Do not mistake a well-meaning person for an enemy.

I did not look back. Exiting the office, I spotted Qiao lingering against the corridor wall, waiting. The moment she caught sight of me, she hurried over.

Niem, what did the coach say? Come join Group A, and we can...

I am not going.

Her smile froze into place.

Why?

Because I do not want to.

I bypassed her and continued walking down the hall. Her voice rose in frustration behind me:

Niem! Who on earth are you trying to spite?

I did not slow my pace. Upon returning to the dormitory, I unlocked my phone and ordered two servings of braised pig trotters, extra spicy, extra oily. The streaming comment threads materialized anew: [It is over, the heroine's plan has failed! Niem refuses to return to Group A!] [Emergency system notification: Beauty resource continues to deplete, host's body fat percentage has risen by four percent, and the rate of facial collagen loss is accelerating!] [Think of another plan quickly, heroine! If this persists, the grand finale is doomed!] I bit into a rich, savory piece of trotter, grease coating my lips. The grand finale, you say? I was eagerly waiting for it.

Three days prior to the public showcase, the situation took a dramatic turn. The training camp's official account published a sudden announcement proclaiming a restructuring of the finale rules:

This season's grand finale will adopt a live-broadcast format combined with nationwide popular voting. Audiences will cast real-time votes to determine the final debut lineup. Appearance, stage performance, and public affinity—not a single element can be lacking.

The comment section erupted instantly. Everyone began frantically debating who would ultimately secure a debut spot. Qiao's name appeared with the highest frequency.

Qiao must debut! She is unequivocally the most gorgeous contestant this season!

Qiao possesses skin as white as frost and bones as clear as jade! Destined for the peak from the very start!

Qiao reposted the official announcement with her own caption:

Thank you everyone for your unwavering support, I will continue to do my best.

Within three mere minutes, the post garnered a hundred thousand shares. Meanwhile, beneath my own personal account, the freshest comment read:

Why hasn't this ugly creature been eliminated yet?

I locked my phone screen and calmly proceeded to finish my second serving of pork trotters.