Chapter 532: Chapter 406: Unexpected Accident
"Damn!"
Song Chi’s assistant suddenly exclaimed.
Zhou Yun and Song Chi looked puzzled and turned to see several people watching the live broadcast with shocked expressions on their faces.
"What happened?" Zhou Yun asked.
Zheng Xiaojue appeared shocked, opening his mouth as if to say something but unable to get the words out.
It was Song Chi’s assistant who continued, saying, "Meng Ran fell off the stage."
"Ah?" Zhou Yun exclaimed in surprise, quickly stood up, ran over, and looked at the live broadcast screen.
At this moment, the live broadcast showed a large crowd swarming around Meng Ran, completely surrounding her, so Zhou Yun couldn’t see Meng Ran’s condition at all.
About half a minute passed, and Meng Ran stood up, looking very pale, with the help of others.
"What’s going on? How did she just fall down like that? Is she hurt?" Zhou Yun asked worriedly.
"It seems there was a problem with the stage’s lift mechanism just now," Zheng Xiaojue explained. "Meng Ran was singing and dancing, and two sections of the stage descended suddenly. Meng Ran didn’t notice the change under her feet and stepped into empty space, falling down."
At this time, Zhou Yun heard the bustling noise outside the dressing room.
Everybody must have heard about the incident by now.
Zhou Yun nervously watched the live broadcast, and the site director had already come forward.
It seemed like the director was asking about Meng Ran’s condition. Meng Ran shook her hand, apparently saying something to the director, who hesitated for a moment before nodding.
The next second, a scene that shocked Zhou Yun occurred.
Meng Ran actually returned to the stage with the help of others.
"Sorry everyone, there was a slight mishap during the performance," Meng Ran said, showing strength, enduring the pain, and offering a small smile. "I wanted to perform my latest dance track live for everyone today, but my leg hurts a bit too much, and I just can’t dance, so I’ll have to switch to a different song."
The audience on site started shouting: "Cheer up! Meng Ran!"
"Thank you all for your encouragement," Meng Ran smiled again. "I’ll sing you a song a cappella from my first album, ’Chasing Light.’"
She paused, then began to sing.
Without music accompaniment or backup dancers, Meng Ran’s voice resonated clearly throughout the venue.
Because of the previous dance number, Meng Ran had put on heavy makeup and an incredibly glamorous look, but at this moment, all she could do was stand on stage under the spotlight, quietly singing this not-so-famous song.
Zhou Yun watched Meng Ran on the screen, moved.
She quietly listened as Meng Ran finished singing "Chasing Light" a cappella.
Thunderous applause and cheers erupted from the audience.
Clearly, Meng Ran’s perseverance had touched everyone present.
Meng Ran smiled gratefully, waved her hand, and said, "I wish everyone an early happy new year, and of course, please be careful—don’t get hurt like I did."
Someone came on stage to assist Meng Ran, who then left the stage with help from others.
The host came on stage to fill the gap.
Zhou Yun said to Song Chi, "I’m going to check on her."
Song Chi replied, "I’ll come with you."
"Okay."
They headed towards the stage direction, passing through the corridor, when a furious voice suddenly erupted from ahead.
"You all are so unprofessional! Such a big mistake! If anything happens to Meng Ran, you’re responsible!" A rather plump man in a suit shouted loudly at a few people wearing work badges, "What on earth were you doing with the stage control? It lowers while she’s still dancing on it! All of you, wait for me, there must be an explanation for this!"
"Brother Lang." Meng Ran’s voice resonated from the front.
Others were helping her over.
Naturally, the suited plump man was Meng Ran’s agent, Wen Tianlang.
Upon seeing Meng Ran, Wen Tianlang immediately stepped forward, steadying her and carefully inspecting, asking, "How is it? Where are you hurt? Is your leg fractured?"
Meng Ran said, "I scraped the right side of my thigh; the skin is broken. It seems like I’ve also twisted a tendon; it hurts every time I move."
The scene was in total chaos.
Zhou Yun approached, concernedly asking, "Xiao Ran, how is it, is there a fracture?"
Meng Ran, surprised to see Zhou Yun, shook her head, "No, shouldn’t be."
Seeing that Meng Ran, despite the heavy makeup, still occasionally winced in pain, Zhou Yun knew for sure it still hurt.
She turned her head about to call someone to bring a chair, when Song Chi came with a plastic stool, saying, "Sit down first."
Meng Ran, feeling privileged, uttered a "Thank you, Brother Chi."
Zhou Yun supported Meng Ran as she sat down, "I saw you in the rest area, performing and suddenly falling off the stage, it startled me. You’re really tough, falling from the stage and still insisting on singing; why didn’t you go straight to the hospital? What if it’s a fracture?"
Meng Ran’s forehead was already beaded with sweat due to the agony.
"No, no, it’s not that, I know what a fracture feels like, I’ve had one before. It’s just a twisted tendon," said Meng Ran. "This hurt a lot but it’s not serious, I’ve often been injured like this during dance practice."
Zhou Yun didn’t dare touch it, but looking at Meng Ran’s ankle, it was already swollen hugely, frightening to behold.
"Does anyone have Yunnan Baiyao spray? Is it ready?" Song Chi turned around looking, inquiring.
"Here’s the medical kit!" Someone rushed over carrying a medical kit.
They sprayed some on Meng Ran’s swollen area first.
Meng Ran inhaled sharply in pain, her eyes reddened, yet she maintained control, not letting the tears well up.
Performers due to perform next passed by behind them, saw the commotion, and also came over to express concern, but under the pressure of time, quickly went backstage.
Tonight’s performance was a live broadcast; regardless of what happened, the show had to go on.
If not for this, Meng Ran wouldn’t have insisted on singing a song after falling off the stage.
Meng Ran told Zhou Yun, "Sister Xiao Yun, Brother Chi, go get ready for your act. I’ll go to the hospital later to check it out. It should be fine, don’t let me hold you back."
"Our performance is still a way off." Zhou Yun took a tissue and wiped the sweat off Meng Ran’s forehead, "Later, make sure to get a thorough check-up, don’t decide for yourself, and get an X-ray, okay?"
Meng Ran nodded, "I know."
Wen Tianlang returned, "The car is ready, Xiao Ran, let’s get to the hospital for a check-up first."
Meng Ran nodded again.
Zhou Yun and Song Chi lingered, then Zhou Yun said, "I won’t walk you to the car. Take good care of yourself."
"Mhm, thank you, Sister Xiao Yun." Meng Ran gave Zhou Yun a purse-lipped smile.
The patient went to the hospital, and the crowd that had gathered also slowly dispersed.
Zhou Yun and Song Chi returned to the resting room, sighing softly, "This incident is such a mess, I’m left with a psychological shadow, scared to go on stage."
Song Chi offered comfort, "Our performance doesn’t involve many changes to the stage, it’s not as complex as hers, don’t be nervous."