The Deep Blue Stadium had become the liveliest and most bustling spot in A City. Fans of the ten contestants arrived under the cover of darkness, camping outside the venue to claim spots and prepare to cheer for their favorites the next day.
The plaza outside the stadium was crowded with a sea of people. Huge bags of coffee and sandwiches were being delivered, and fans pitched tents, preparing to stay overnight.
On social media, support for the finalists was in full swing.
At least four contestants had fans fervently rooting for them in the show’s discussion forums.
The loudest cheers were undoubtedly for Lin Zhen, the most popular contestant.
“Preemptively celebrating Zhen Bao’s championship! Don’t forget to vote while enjoying his singing!”
“If he wins first place, I’ll host a giveaway with pearl jewelry!”
“There’s really no suspense—Lin Zhen should already have the title locked in.”
But fans of Cheng Zerui weren’t having it.
“Who’s underestimating our Rui Baby and his army of mom-fans? We aunties may not vote as fast as the young girls, but we’re still here!”
“Exactly! Look at the stats—Zerui has the most casual fans, especially older sisters and aunties. Cute baby-faced boys are just too appealing!”
“And don’t forget, the judges’ votes count, too. Each judge’s vote equals 10,000 audience votes—four judges, that’s 40,000 votes.”
“Well… my Fu Huan won’t win first, I’ll admit that. But the ‘Zhen Fans’ beating you by 40,000 votes? Easy peasy. Are we even watching the same competition?”
“Hahaha, I thought the first-place winner was obvious. Didn’t expect the Fu Rui Fans to disagree!”
“That… well, when my family said we wanted to take first place, it was mostly just for fun. Did you Fu Rui fans actually take it seriously?”
“To be honest, I’m not commenting on skill—after all, there’s no definitive ranking in art. But this is a voting competition, and if Lin Zhen doesn’t come in first, I’d be totally confused.”
…
“Lin Zhen, come test the equipment,” the on-site director called hoarsely from offstage. Lin Zhen, dressed casually with his cap pulled low, stepped up and nimbly jumped onto the stage. He took the microphone from a staff member and walked to the center of the stage.
Even in casual clothes, the months of hard work had given him the aura of a superstar. The moment he stood on stage, he was a completely different person from the quiet, well-mannered figure he had been offstage.
Fans who had pulled strings to watch the rehearsal eagerly raised their cameras and aimed them at Lin Zhen.
Under the lights, in front of the lenses, Lin Zhen effortlessly performed the entire song. Even though it was just a test, he didn’t slack off. The fans went wild, screaming like crazy.
“Baby Zhen’s voice is so beautiful!”
“His stage presence keeps getting better and better! So quiet and well-behaved offstage, but so powerful on stage. Does he have multiple personalities or something?”
“If he performs like this tomorrow, it’ll be perfect. I was so worried when I heard from someone in the industry that Zhen Baby caught a cold!”
“Wait, hold on. Look at Zhen Baby’s neck—is that a red mark?”
“Looks like it… What’s that?”
Fans, armed with cameras worth tens of thousands of dollars, zoomed in to capture every pore. One fan, while checking their photos, accidentally noticed a faint needle mark on Lin Zhen’s neck.
Zooming in, the high-resolution image revealed the tiny needle mark to a few fans.
“I heard that many singers who get sick but still have to perform get injections in their throats to numb the pain, but it’s really bad for their health.”
“So the cold was real? Zhen Baby had an injection?”
“My heart aches for him. He’s getting thinner and thinner, and he doesn’t seem as happy as when he first joined the competition.”
“The competition schedule is probably too intense. He must be exhausted.”
….
After testing the mic, Lin Zhen returned it to the staff and quickly stepped offstage, keeping a low profile.
The on-site director watched his retreating figure and couldn’t help but sigh.
There were only 18 hours left until the finals.
Jian Fu couldn’t sleep at all. He tossed and turned under his blanket like a wriggling mudfish in the dirt.
He wanted to call Lin Zhen, to hear his voice and ask how his preparations were going.
But then he thought, What if Lin Zhen is busy? Maybe he’s discussing something important. Or in rehearsal. Or being interviewed.
So he forced himself to suppress the urge.
Although Jian Fu was confident that, with Lin Zhen’s fan base, no matter how he performed tomorrow, his votes would leave everyone else in the dust…
Still, if Lin Zhen didn’t do well, it’d be pretty embarrassing, wouldn’t it? The fans would definitely be disappointed too.
Jian Fu quickly spat three times to dismiss the thought, scolding himself for his negative thinking.
To be fair, even when he was taking his own college entrance exams, he wasn’t this nervous. All he wanted was for Lin Zhen to perform well—really, really well.
Recently, the fan club that had kicked him out some time ago even re-added him to the group.
Though he wasn’t the most reliable club leader, his history as Lin Zhen’s assistant and the fan name he had come up with gave him enough credibility to stay.
The young fans affectionately called him a “true love fan.”
Jian Fu found it funny but didn’t bother explaining the bond forged through their shared struggles. He simply played along: “Fine, fine, I’m a true love fan. Zhen Baby is amazing.”
Jian Fu noticed the fan club president’s reminder: once the voting channel opens tomorrow, everyone should take a screenshot after casting their votes so the fan club can tally the numbers.
Jian Fu thought the president was really diligent but also unnecessarily meticulous. After all, this kind of notice wouldn’t reach every fan, and the tally wouldn’t reflect all the votes cast, making it seem like a pointless effort.
Still, if he said anything, the girls in the fan club would think he wasn’t contributing. So, Jian Fu wisely kept his mouth shut.
He thought to himself, After the competition, I definitely need to vent to Lin Zhen. The fiercest girls I’ve ever met are all in his fan club.
But Lin Zhen would probably just smile helplessly and say, “They’re not fierce; they’re just worried about me.”
Yeah, Lin Zhen was like that—kind and understanding toward everyone, the perfect golden boy.
As Jian Fu thought this, his heart slowly settled, and he stopped tossing and turning in bed.
Tomorrow was bound to be a great day.
After watching an entire comedy movie, Li Rong and Cen Xiao still didn’t laugh once.
Li Rong had tried to find something funny or amusing in the film, but just as the corners of his lips started to lift, the weight of his thoughts dragged them back down.
Clearly, trying to use a movie to distract himself wasn’t working.
Plus, the way he was sitting made his back hurt.
Li Rong shifted his position, turning onto his knees on the couch and crawling forward slightly until his chest rested against Cen Xiao’s thigh.
“Give my back a massage. The finals tomorrow are going to last four hours—I’m worried I won’t be able to sit through it.”
Cen Xiao wrapped an arm around Li Rong’s waist, pulling him closer into his lap, and rested his hand on Li Rong’s tense lower back.
“Why’s your back hurting again?”
Li Rong hummed contentedly, squinting his eyes as he was massaged. “The beds in the emergency room are too hard. I couldn’t get comfortable lying there.”
Cen Xiao slid his hand under Li Rong’s shirt, gradually applying more pressure to loosen the taut muscles. His fingers lingered on Li Rong’s slim waist. “Two years and you still can’t put on weight—useless little pig.”
Li Rong sighed softly. “Being a carefree little pig doesn’t sound so bad.”
Both of them were trying to liven up the mood, to bury the heavy stones weighing on their hearts, and avoid burdening each other with their own feelings.
But they both knew that being lighthearted and happy was easier said than done.
Seventeen hours remained until the finals.
At 9 a.m., the plaza outside the stadium was already bustling with fans from various groups. Some were handing out support materials, others were taking group photos or recording videos. The atmosphere was lively and energetic.
Meanwhile, promotional posts from the show and individual contestants were flooding the internet, with introductions and updates popping up everywhere.
Everyone was eagerly awaiting the grand event that evening.
Lin Zhen ate two bites of his salad before putting down his fork and leaning back in his chair to rest.
Jian Fu had offered to join him backstage, but Lin Zhen had declined, using the excuse that there were enough staff and the backstage area was too chaotic.
In truth, he didn’t want Jian Fu to see the needle marks on his neck before he had makeup on.
He had once thought that he was the most important, that everything should revolve around him. But he later realized that wasn’t true.
For the fans who genuinely cared about him, he had to deliver the best, most perfect performance to live up to their efforts.
For the friends who trusted him wholeheartedly, he had to give everything he had to create a triumphant moment.
These were things he was willing to do. He found happiness in the happiness of those he cared about.
He gently stroked the recording device in his hands.
He had bought the best equipment—clear sound, high volume.
He had checked the audio countless times, speeding it up and condensing it into a 30-second clip.
These 30 seconds had to be precise, impactful, and explosive, leaving Song Yanyi and Suhe Biotech no time to react.
No matter what place he ended up in, Lin Zhen was determined to play this recording in front of everyone.
Just then, a voice message from Li Rong popped up on his phone:
“Lin Zhen, stay calm. This competition is important to you, but not that important. Life is long. Don’t stress—enjoy the attention and the spotlight.”
Lin Zhen replayed this voice message over and over. Strangely, it really did calm him down.
He often had the illusion that his class monitor was much older than him. Lin Zhen could always feel strength emanating from him.
Fu Huan walked over and saw Lin Zhen sitting there with his eyes closed, holding his phone as if it were a priceless treasure. Assuming Lin Zhen was listening to audio from the rehearsal, Fu Huan silently rolled his eyes and yanked out one of Lin Zhen’s earbuds.
“Hey, Cheng Zerui heard you got a shot, so he went and got a steroid injection.”
Lin Zhen let out a soft laugh but made no comment.
Fu Huan nodded knowingly. “Alright, your mentality is solid.”
After all, someone destined to win first or second place had little reason to feel rattled.
Lin Zhen closed the voice message and suddenly felt hungry again. He picked up two pieces of chicken breast, stuffed them into his mouth, and mumbled, “I actually am sick. Why does he even bother?”
Fu Huan smirked. “Stress, probably. Sure, it looks like he’s got Wajing Entertainment backing him, all the resources and fanfare, but let him try underperforming just once. Remember that night he had to entertain clients? From then on, I realized we’re nothing to them—less than dirt.”
Lin Zhen paused, his fork in mid-air, murmuring, “Oh, right. That night.”
That was the night the class monitor had gone in Lin Zhen’s place. It had even led to uncovering Zhai Ning’s connection, yielding significant results, so in Lin Zhen’s mind, it wasn’t a bad thing.
But to Fu Huan, it was pure humiliation.
Yes, humiliation.
“Lunch is at 11:30. Makeup starts at 3:00. You won’t get to eat tonight, so make sure to eat plenty now!” The coordinator yelled through a megaphone outside the doors of each dressing room.
Eight hours remained until the finals.
Ticket verification for the stadium began at 3 p.m. Fans jostled and shoved, desperate to claim the railings where banners could be hung.
The hiding places for light boards were getting increasingly creative. Security at the entrance, faces flushed with frustration, hesitated to search thoroughly, ultimately choosing to turn a blind eye and let them through.
Li Rong and his group arrived just after 4 p.m., joining the long queue. By the time they entered, it was already 5 p.m.
Lin Zhen had reserved seats for them in the front row of the friends and family section. His parents were also there.
Jian Fu plopped down next to Lin Zhen’s mom, buzzing with enthusiasm like a social butterfly. “Hi, Auntie! I’m Lin Zhen’s best buddy, Jian Fu. You’re so elegant and youthful—when the camera pans to you later, Lin Zhen is going to be so proud!”
Lin Zhen’s mother, flustered yet delighted, couldn’t stop smiling. “Oh, you’re such a sweet talker! If only Lin Zhen had half your charm, I’d be satisfied.”
She had heard Jian Fu’s name before because Lin Zhen had mentioned him.
Whenever Lin Zhen talked about others, he would shower them with praise. But when it came to Jian Fu, he always seemed a little awkward—praising him a bit, then nitpicking, then going back to praising.
Lin Zhen’s mother had even assumed their relationship wasn’t great and had advised Lin Zhen to get along with his classmates.
But now, seeing Jian Fu in person—so warm and sweet—she couldn’t imagine what flaws Lin Zhen had been talking about.
Jian Fu, ever the charmer, hooked his arm through hers. “Auntie, you’re too kind! Lin Zhen is way better than me. It’s all thanks to your excellent upbringing. Back in high school, I always saw you picking him up for professional lessons—what a lot of work!”
Jian Fu’s sharp wit and playful humor were on full display. At first, Lin Zhen’s mom was startled by how casually Jian Fu had linked arms with her, but soon she was warmly patting his hand.
Meanwhile, Li Rong, Cen Xiao, and Ji Xiaochuan also greeted Lin Zhen’s parents, though much more politely and reservedly.
Li Rong glanced at the animated Jian Fu and couldn’t help but shake his head. Nudging Cen Xiao with his elbow, he whispered, “Doesn’t Jian Fu look like he’s trying to win over his future mother-in-law?”
Cen Xiao raised an eyebrow. “Isn’t he, though?”
Even if Jian Fu himself didn’t realize it, his desire to win Mother Lin’s favor was obvious.
Leaning back against his seat, Li Rong gazed at the stage and mused, “At least I don’t have to worry about impressing a mother-in-law.”
After all, Xiao Muran’s attitude toward him was so formal at times that it was almost intimidating.
“Mother-in-law?” Cen Xiao found the term amusing and repeated it.
A sly glint flashed in Li Rong’s eyes. “Is it not?”
“Is it?” Cen Xiao narrowed his eyes.
Li Rong glanced at him, suddenly clutching his chest and coughing weakly for dramatic effect. With feigned breathlessness, he croaked, “Y-yeah… really.”
Cen Xiao: “…”
There was no point arguing over this anymore.
Li Rong chuckled lightly, draped an arm over Cen Xiao’s shoulder, and reclined comfortably in his seat, awaiting the start of the finale.
Of course, Cen Xiao knew Li Rong was teasing, but he hadn’t expected his indulgence to cement this playful term for good.
At 6 p.m., the lights in the stadium abruptly dimmed. Fans who had been noisily vying for banner spots and LED placements instantly fell silent in unison.
It had begun!
As the music swelled, the lights slowly illuminated the stage. The vast stadium, once cloaked in darkness, now resembled a serene ocean floor, penetrated by beams of light from above.
There was no emcee introduction. The voices of the four musician-judges emerged from backstage, harmonizing as they walked toward the center of the stage.
Meanwhile, 10 kilometers away at Jiajia Central Hospital, Zhai Ning glanced at the time. Her heart felt like it was weighed down by a heavy stone.
For the first time, she didn’t want her day’s work to end. She wanted to stay in the clinic—just a little longer.
Zhou Hong strode briskly out of the specialists’ offices, his expression brimming with confidence and vigor.
Hands in his pockets, he theatrically knocked on Zhai Ning’s office door. Without waiting for a response, he pushed it open and walked in.
“Hey, sis, are you done? President Zheng’s car is already waiting in the garage.”
Whenever Zhou Hong needed Zhai Ning’s favor, he’d call her “sis,” but most of the time, he referred to her as “Director Zhai.”
Tonight’s banquet placed Zhai Ning in the spotlight. She was the key figure because the Jiajia Central Hospital contract required her signature. Once signed, it would effectively deal a second blow to both Li Rong and Cen Xiao.
But so far, neither Li Rong nor Cen Xiao had proposed a viable solution. That either meant they had no way out or that it wasn’t yet time to confront Zheng Zhupan head-on.
Which left her no choice but to sign the contract.
Exhausted, Zhai Ning replied, “I still have a few cases to review. Let the driver wait a bit—it’s not urgent.”
Zhou Hong studied her for a moment and chuckled, “Alright, I’ll let him know. But don’t take too long, okay?”
His persistent urging only made her mood worse. “Got it,” she responded curtly.
Back on stage, the mentors concluded their performance and took their seats in the guest area.
Fans from every camp erupted into enthusiastic applause, and even Li Rong, swept up in the atmosphere, joined in.
He leaned toward Cen Xiao and shouted over the noise, “Lin Zhen said he’s the sixth to perform. That’s a great spot—not too early to be forgotten, not too late when the audience is tired. Seems like fate is smiling on him.”
Cen Xiao ruffled Li Rong’s hair affectionately.
In truth, he understood that when people felt powerless to influence their situation, they often placed their hopes in the idea of fate or destiny.
Li Rong needed to believe in some kind of luck or higher power because there were things even he couldn’t control.
Next came the host’s explanation of the competition and voting rules, followed by the contestants taking the stage.
Li Rong and Cen Xiao didn’t know much about pop music, nor did they understand why the girls in the audience were screaming themselves hoarse. But the atmosphere was undeniably electric. In such a charged environment, it was hard to think of anything beyond the competition. The overwhelming sound seemed to wash everything else away.
Fu Huan was the third to perform. Li Rong remembered him and listened attentively to his song.
Fu Huan chose to sing a familiar traditional-style piece, the first song that had catapulted him to fame. It was a clever choice, sure to resonate with the audience.
When Fu Huan finished, Li Rong checked the time—it was 7:10 p.m.
“When will the votes start showing?”
Fans had been voting since 6 p.m., but the stage screens were still displaying ads.
Cen Xiao replied, “They’ll reveal the numbers at 9 p.m., with voting closing at 9:55.”
Li Rong nodded, “Got it.”
Zhai Ning’s phone buzzed incessantly with messages from Zhou Hong and Zheng Zhupan. She stared at the screen for a long moment before letting out a weary sigh.
Her earlier optimism now felt misplaced.
After all, these were just kids barely in their twenties. They weren’t characters in a TV drama, capable of miraculous comebacks or rising from the ashes.
Faced with a powerful adversary, even with key evidence in hand, they were still cornered, struggling to find a way forward.
Zhai Ning picked up her bag, her face expressionless, and left the consultation room, dialing Zhou Hong’s number as she walked.
“Next up, let’s welcome our sixth contestant, a truly deserving fan favorite of this competition! His voice is delicate and warm, his singing graceful and smooth, and even his name is charming. Hazelnut Pastry fans in the audience, let me hear it—his name is…”
The host deliberately paused for dramatic effect, and the fans responded with high-pitched screams.
Jian Fu stopped chatting with Mother Lin, caught up in the excitement of the moment. He shouted at the top of his lungs, waving a small flag in Lin Zhen’s fan colors with all his might. “Lin Zhen! Lin Zhen! Lin Zhen!”
Finally, Lin Zhen took the stage!
As the top favorite, his appearance elicited an uproar from the audience, the decibel level noticeably higher than before.
Dressed in a gold-embroidered performance outfit that accentuated his slim waist and long legs, Lin Zhen stood under the spotlight, his porcelain-like face looking both exquisite and cool.
The Hazelnut Pastry fans were utterly captivated by his looks, and Jian Fu’s heart nearly jumped out of his chest.
He couldn’t quite describe the feeling—Lin Zhen seemed so distant, yet he knew how close they were.
It was a fullness… a satisfaction so overwhelming it felt like it would overflow.
But Li Rong furrowed his brow slightly, muttering to himself, “Since when did Lin Zhen get this thin?”
On screen, it wasn’t as noticeable, but seeing him live, Li Rong realized Lin Zhen was much thinner than he had been in high school.
Though celebrities are subjected to strict body management, Li Rong suspected Lin Zhen was being overly hard on himself because he cherished the stage so much.
What kind of past humiliation must he have endured to make him so unwilling to compromise, even to the point of falling out with Wajing Entertainment and being blacklisted?
The music began, the lights shifting and casting vibrant shadows over Lin Zhen.
He raised a hand to adjust his earpiece, then lifted his head and looked into the dark sea of the audience. With that, his first note resonated.
The song was a pop adaptation of a foreign folk tune, a collaborative effort between Lin Zhen and his mentor. Though the folk song was niche, its melody was captivating and easy to hum along to.
Lin Zhen’s voice was undeniably beautiful. Different from his speaking voice, his singing carried an effortless charm. As the stage lights encircled him like waves, the music spread throughout the stadium, filling every corner.
Even in a venue as large as this, where the best equipment couldn’t completely prevent distortion, Lin Zhen’s voice remained steady and clear, even brighter than during rehearsals.
He was relishing the stage, and the Hazelnut Pastry fans below were relishing him.
It was an extraordinarily blissful moment, one that any dreamer would cherish for a lifetime.
Meanwhile, Zhai Ning felt as though she had walked into a den of cybernetic wolves.
Every person here was impeccably dressed and outwardly cultured, but she knew they were predators in disguise. Beneath their refined exteriors lurked the ruthless instincts of jackals.
They knew no good or evil, no justice, no boundaries—only profit. It was profit that bound them together, their laughter concealing their bloodlust as they sucked the lifeblood out of others.
The scent of hidden carnage filled the air, making Zhai Ning nauseous. But as she turned to look at Zhou Hong beside her, she found him squinting greedily, relishing the atmosphere.
Why had she ever been foolish enough to associate herself with these people?
Zheng Zhupan placed a hand on her shoulder, his voice warm and familiar. “Director Zhai, we’ve been waiting for you.”
That hand felt like a parasitic claw, making her shudder with unease.
Onstage, the lights shifted and the dry ice cleared.
Lin Zhen finished his performance, bowed deeply, and exited the stage.
The applause from the audience was thunderous, continuing even as the next contestant stepped up.
Jian Fu immediately pulled out his phone, skillfully navigating to the show’s trending topic to check fan reactions.
Online, Hazelnut Pastry fans were screaming their hearts out:
“Ahhhh, Lin Baby’s performance was amazing!”
“This is what it means to be an exam-day performer—he sang even better than in rehearsal!”
“Incredible! I’m drunk on his voice! He was so handsome today; I’m done for!”
Seeing Lin Zhen being praised so highly, Jian Fu was over the moon. He was about to ascend into euphoria when the group leader of the fan club crashed into the trending topic like a buzzkill.
“Attention Hazelnuts Pastry: stop loitering and go vote! Have you cast your friends’ and family’s votes yet? Remember, everyone gets only one vote in the finals, and every single one counts! Make sure to take a screenshot of your vote—there’s a stats link pinned on my profile. Please, everyone, register your votes!”
Jian Fu pouted.
Everyone was enjoying the show, but the group leader insisted on organizing votes immediately. What kind of spirit was this?
The spirit of working oneself to the bone for the cause!
Yet the Hazelnut Pastry fans were very obedient. Upon seeing the group leader’s reminder, they quickly left the trending topic to pull in more votes.
Even Jian Fu reluctantly exited the topic.
Cheng Zerui was the last to perform, and his appearance also stirred up a small wave of excitement.
To be fair, his performance tonight was significantly better than before. Even his previously unstable high notes had been handled well.
Coincidentally, just as his song ended, the clock struck nine, and the screen above the stage suddenly refreshed, revealing the voting results.
Lin Zhen: 858,921 votes. Cheng Zerui: 829,231 votes.
The announcement caused a commotion in the audience.
Jian Fu was the first to celebrate. “First place! First place! We’ve got this!”
But Li Rong frowned, puzzled as he stared at the numbers. He didn’t remember the exact vote counts from the previous timeline, but he clearly recalled Lin Zhen winning by a significant margin.
A difference of fewer than 30,000 votes was completely surmountable.
Could the production team have deliberately adjusted the numbers to create suspense?
The rest of the event consisted of all the contestants coming together for a group song, followed by tear-jerking interviews with friends and family, stirring emotions both onstage and off.
As the minutes ticked by, the vote tallies fluctuated, but shockingly, instead of widening, the gap between Lin Zhen and Cheng Zerui was steadily narrowing.
The audience collectively held their breath, their eyes glued to the large screen.
“Next, we will ask the judges to vote for the contestant they believe performed the best. Each judge has 10,000 votes to distribute, and these votes might just change the rankings!”
Judge A: “I’m torn; everyone performed exceptionally well. I’ll give my vote to the contestant who moved me the most—Cheng Zerui.”
Cheng Zerui, overjoyed, gave Judge A a deep bow.
Judge B: “This finale has been the best performance I’ve ever seen. You all were amazing and gave it your all. I believe your futures will be bright. My vote goes to the youngest contestant. The pressure on him was immense, but he kept improving. Cheng Zerui, you’re incredible!”
Cheng Zerui looked as though he couldn’t believe his ears, nearly falling to the floor in disbelief.
Judge C: “Wow, everyone’s voting so quickly! I’m really torn between Lin Zhen and Cheng Zerui. But after looking at the current vote counts, I think I’ll make this competition a bit more exciting. What do you all think? Cheng Zerui! Let’s spice things up!”
Cheng Zerui covered his mouth with his hands, his eyes welling up with tears.
Lin Zhen, on the other hand, remained calm, smiling faintly without any change in expression.
Jian Fu, however, grew visibly anxious.
“What’s wrong with these judges?” Jian Fu grumbled. “Talking about improvement—shouldn’t they vote for the best singer? And what’s with making it more exciting? Exciting my *ss!”
Li Rong, watching the scene unfold, felt that the “show effect” no longer explained what was happening. The judges were unanimously giving their votes to one contestant, seemingly to even out the audience vote disparity and make Cheng Zerui’s win seem more natural.
Li Rong grabbed Jian Fu’s arm and stared at him sharply. “Which company did Lin Zhen sign with?”
Jian Fu blinked in confusion and stammered, “I—I gave him the list of companies, but he said he wanted to decide with his parents and told me not to interfere—or tell you.”
Li Rong released his arm with a frustrated sigh, closing his eyes in irritation.
He blamed himself for being too busy and too tired lately to keep track of Lin Zhen. Most likely, Lin Zhen hadn’t signed with any company, which explained why no one was backing him to secure his spot.
Meanwhile, the audience began to voice their doubts.
“Why are they all voting for Cheng Zerui? It’s like they planned this. Was Cheng Zerui’s performance really that good?”
“With these extra tens of thousands of votes, won’t he surpass Lin Zhen?”
“This doesn’t make sense. Based on Lin Zhen’s popularity, he should have way more votes than Cheng Zerui.”
“Exactly! Fans tracking the data know Lin Zhen should be at least 200,000 votes ahead of Cheng Zerui.”
…
Finally, the last judge spoke. “Since Cheng Zerui and I are from the same company, I’ll avoid any conflict of interest. My vote goes to the only contestant who performed a traditional Chinese-style song—Fu Huan!”
However, Fu Huan’s 10,000 votes made no difference. Whether he had them or not, he was solidly in seventh place. Fu Huan expressed his gratitude but didn’t seem particularly excited.
The judges had finished voting. Now, they waited for the voting channel to close before announcing the final results.
At 9:50 PM, the vote count was hidden, and the tension in the air reached its peak.
Jian Fu nervously opened the trending topics to check the reactions of Lin Zhen’s fans, wondering if they were determined to fight until the last second.
Li Rong, on the other hand, seemed to sense what was coming. He narrowed his eyes, staring at the dimming screen.
The tense atmosphere at the finale extended to the gala dinner hosted by Suhe Biotech.
Time felt like an invisible hand gripping everyone’s throat, making it hard to breathe.
At the dinner, Zheng Zhupan proudly pulled Zhai Ning over to Suhe Biotech’s senior executives, announcing, “Ladies and gentlemen, we are about to begin a collaboration between Suhe Biotech and Jiajia Central Hospital on Suyinxu! Together, I believe we will achieve great things and hit our five-year development goals ahead of schedule!”
Zhai Ning forced a smile, holding her wine glass with a frosty expression.
Although Zheng Zhupan disliked her aloof demeanor, he still needed to keep her appeased since the contract hadn’t been signed yet.
Zheng Zhupan beamed. “Dr. Zhai, Suhe Biotech isn’t like that stingy Nongan company run by Li Qingli. If Jiajia Central Hospital has any needs in the future, just let me know. We’re in the same boat here. Helping you is helping myself.”
Zhai Ning responded coolly, “You’re too kind, President Zheng. As long as it benefits the children, I’ll cooperate however necessary.”
Zheng Zhupan nodded enthusiastically. “Of course, of course! It’s all for the next generation.”
Suppressing her nausea, Zhai Ning excused herself, “I’ll just step out to the restroom.”
She walked down the hotel corridor, its mirrored walls reflecting an infinite stretch that made it feel endless.
Backstage at the finale, Lin Zhen also walked down a corridor. The next time he stepped on stage, the final results would be announced. He had changed out of his performance outfit into a casual tracksuit.
Fu Huan grabbed him, eyes wide with disbelief. “What’s going on? Cheng Zerui is about to overtake your vote count!”
Though Fu Huan had always known Cheng Zerui had backing, Lin Zhen’s calm demeanor had made him think Lin Zhen had a plan all along—just one he hadn’t shared.
But now, it seemed Lin Zhen had no plan at all.
Lin Zhen looked at him quietly, adjusting his rumpled shirt. “This isn’t something I can control.”
Fu Huan fumed. “You—!”
Although Lin Zhen had once helped him out on the show, Fu Huan had never truly considered Lin Zhen a friend.
The competition was too cutthroat for real friendships. However, Lin Zhen was less cunning than most, making him a good ally to vent to without fear of betrayal.
Moreover, Lin Zhen was more popular than Fu Huan, making betrayal unnecessary.
Lin Zhen shrugged nonchalantly. “Let’s go.”
When the contestants returned to the stage, they stood in a line as the host began yet another round of commercials, dragging out the suspense.
“And now, the most exciting moment of the evening has arrived. It’s 10 PM, and the voting channel is now closed. The results are in. The winner of this competition is…”
Li Rong wore a look of doubt. He couldn’t shake the feeling that Lin Zhen was far too calm, as though he had anticipated this result all along.
He had always been accustomed to playing the role of strategist, so much so that he often forgot that everyone on his team was capable of thinking for themselves.
He never put on a façade in front of them, which meant that his worries, dilemmas, hesitation, and helplessness were all seen clearly by Lin Zhen.
But what exactly was Lin Zhen planning?
Jian Fu clenched his fists tightly, his entire body trembling with nervousness. He wanted nothing more than to kneel on the spot and beg the heavens to let Lin Zhen win first place.
Cen Xiao, however, had already made a decision. He grabbed Jian Fu and pulled him up, dragging him outside. “Stop shaking and contact Uncle Jian right now. There’s likely going to be big news tonight, and we need to control the narrative to work in our favor.”
Jian Fu was still dazed as Cen Xiao half-dragged him into the safety corridor.
The corridor was eerily quiet, illuminated by glaringly bright lights that reflected off the marble floor, jolting Jian Fu to full alertness.
From the narrow door leading to the corridor, the distant voice from the main stage carried over faintly:
“The results are in! The big screen has revealed the winner! Our first place goes to Cheng Zerui, with 891,231 votes! Congratulations to Cheng Zerui! And our second place goes to Lin Zhen, with 887,563 votes—such a close margin!”
The entire stadium erupted in chaos.
“Is this result a joke?”
“Lin Zhen lost to Cheng Zerui? Hello???”
“Haha, this is the first time I’ve witnessed outright rigging in real time. If I ever get emotionally invested in a variety show again, I’ll be the biggest fool. Unbelievable!”
“They really think giving all the judges’ votes to Cheng Zerui would make us buy this?”
“Who are they kidding? Do they think we don’t track the data ourselves? They’re taking the audience for fools.”
“How embarrassing. I wonder if Cheng Zerui’s family even feels the shame.”
“Why would they? They’re probably off celebrating with champagne right now.”
“Speechless. For those saying the votes were rigged, do you have any proof? Or are you just upset your favorite didn’t come in first? You know the finals attract the most casual viewers—if the performance is good, of course they’ll vote.”
“Wait a moment. I’ll get you proof right now.”
…
The night was deep, and thick fog hung in the air again, making the spotlight beams look hazy, like glowing cotton.
Zhai Ning pulled her gaze away from the distant, misty darkness and back to the contract in front of her.
Zheng Zhupan chuckled, “Director Zhai, you’ve read the contract several times already. Why haven’t you signed it yet? Do you think I’d cheat you? I’m not Li Qingli or Gu Nong.”
Zhou Hong chimed in, urging her, “Sis, what are you waiting for? President Zheng has donated so much to the orphanage. Working with him is a win-win.”
Zhai Ning slowly reached for the pen, gripping it tightly in her palm.
She didn’t know why her eyes drifted toward the stadium. Maybe she was hoping that, even at the last moment, Li Rong would come up with a solution.
But she was clearly deluding herself. Li Rong had already adjusted his mindset and was enjoying the show—how could he possibly know the torment she was enduring now?
Zhai Ning’s teeth chattered as she stared at the contract.
She felt as if she no longer recognized the Chinese characters in front of her. They had transformed into gaping, monstrous maws, ready to devour her conscience.
She was filled with hatred—hatred for Zheng Zhupan and Zhou Hong’s despicable behavior, but also hatred for Li Rong.
She hated that Li Rong had revealed the whole truth to her but couldn’t pull her out of the whirlpool of despair. In the end, she still had to face Zheng Zhupan and bear the weight of moral condemnation.
Unconsciously, she began holding a child over thirty years her junior to impossible standards.
Her heart bled silently, while Cheng Zerui was on stage sobbing uncontrollably.
His baby-faced, handsome features easily crumpled into a tear-streaked mess. Clutching the microphone, his trembling hands made him look like a rookie standing on stage for the first time.
Choking up, he stumbled through his thanks—to the company, his parents, his fans. The same familiar clichés, repeated time and again on this show, moved new audiences over and over.
Fu Rui fans cheered and shouted from the audience, their support chants echoing deafeningly.
Meanwhile, Hazelnut Pastry fans gritted their teeth, their tearful eyes reddened with frustration.
Finally, it was Lin Zhen’s turn to speak. Cheng Zerui handed him the microphone, his eyes still swollen and red.
Lin Zhen took the mic without exchanging a polite hug, heading straight to the center of the stage.
He glanced at his own glowing fan signs in the audience, took a deep breath, then smiled softly, shaking his head. Gently, he said to those bright lights shining for him, “Don’t cry—I’m still here.”
The power of an idol lies in their words, capable of calming and reassuring their fans, who listen with unwavering trust.
Lin Zhen turned his gaze toward the four judges and gave a mocking smile.
He couldn’t emulate the commanding presence of the class monitor, but even his ridicule was enough to shake the lofty judges.
Lin Zhen began, “I have no obsession with being first place. I’m perfectly fine with second if it means delivering a flawless performance—that’s my greatest responsibility to my fans. But I can’t stand to see the girls who voted for me feeling wronged. I can’t betray their efforts. So, on their behalf, I’d like to ask: are these votes real?”
Hazelnut Pastry fans were stunned!
“Holy cr*p, did my fave just do that?!”
“Pinch me—I didn’t expect this at all. He’s publicly clearing his name?”
“I’m floored… my first time stanning someone who’s brave enough to call it out head-on…”
“I feel weirdly satisfied yet worried at the same time. What’s wrong with me?”
“Tremble, Fu Rui fans! Our Hazelnut Pastry idol has our back!”
…
Lin Zhen’s question left even the live-show director dumbfounded.
No artist had ever dared to openly question the show’s integrity, especially not during a live broadcast.
Lin Zhen, of course, knew it was live. That’s why he didn’t give anyone a chance to stop him.
He pointed a recording device at the microphone and pressed play. The voice of Song Yanyi came through the speakers:
“No premium commercial deals? You think you get to choose the script? Bargaining with me—what do you think you are? With your level of popularity, if I want you gone, you’re gone!”
“Let me be clear: if you don’t sign, you won’t make it to the end of this show. Do you think I’ll give you resources? What am I, a charity?”
Lin Zhen, calm and composed, replied, “I know Wajing Entertainment has resources, but there are plenty of other entertainment companies on this show, and none of them make such grand claims.”
“Check who the biggest investor is before you talk big!”
Lin Zhen’s voice remained steady. “Got it. So, Suhe Biotech is your boss.”
“We’re giving you an opportunity because we see potential. If you don’t want it, there are plenty who do. Don’t overstep!”
The recording cut off abruptly.
The audience, both at the venue and watching the livestream, was still processing the sheer amount of information when Lin Zhen quickly followed up. “I trust the judges to be fair and impartial. But I still want to ask: are today’s votes influenced by my refusal to sign with Wajing Entertainment and its backer, Suhe Biotech?”
Gasps rippled through the crowd.
“Who the h*ll said they’d destroy someone?!”
“I’m disgusted! Wajing and Suhe Biotech are absolute garbage!”
“So it’s written into the contract that you have to accept inflated commercial deals?!”
“Lin Zhen is incredible—rejecting such a contract is protecting us fans!”
“Thank goodness Zhen Baby was cautious. I’ve heard some entertainment contracts are full of traps. Newcomers have no idea how much of their rights they’re giving away. If Zhen Baby had signed blindly, they’d probably be blacklisted for refusing to go along with the capitalists’ exploitations!”
“Wait… what about Cheng Zerui? Did he sign? I’m worried about Fu Rui!”
…..
The judges were dumbfounded, gripping their microphones so tightly they nearly snapped.
None of them had ever faced a situation like this. They had no idea how to respond.
Normally, all sorts of underhanded deals were handled in private—they just followed orders and stayed out of it. Contestants never dared to call things out directly. After all, even if they stood up for themselves, they’d only invite retaliation from the powerful players.
Most artists without connections swallowed their grievances silently. The judges assumed Lin Zhen was the same.
Lin Zhen’s gaze swept across the room, pausing briefly in Li Rong’s direction before moving on. Then he continued, “Also, Suhe Biotech’s General Manager, Zheng Zhupan, demanded that contestants attend dinner parties to pour drinks during the competition. I refused to go. Could this have offended the all-powerful major investor?”
“Pour drinks? Sexual harassment?!”
“What the h*ll! Who is Zheng Zhupan? They need to be exposed!”
“I feel sick. Is Suhe Biotech running a talent show or a harem selection?”
“Gross. Shut Suhe Biotech down! And get rid of Zheng Zhupan!”
“The show needs to apologize! We need answers!”
“Were there casting couch demands? Was the voting rigged? Were contestants bullied?”
“Wajing Entertainment is disgusting. Suhe Biotech is disgusting!”
“Protect Zhen Baby! We love Zhen Baby!”
….
The show’s entire production team was petrified. The director, panicked, grabbed a microphone and shouted toward the control room, “What are you waiting for? Cut the livestream! Get Lin Zhen off the stage!”
The control room scrambled to cut the broadcast, but they knew it was futile. The explosive revelations were already spreading like wildfire across the internet.
The stadium was in complete chaos. Meanwhile, online platforms were ablaze with discussion:
Rigged votes.
Live confrontation at the finals.
Threats against contestants.
Sexual harassment by investors.
Exploitative capitalist practices.
Any one of these keywords would be a viral bombshell. Tonight, all of them converged into a single story.
Suhe Biotech, an enormous yet unfamiliar corporate juggernaut, was suddenly thrust into the public eye, tied to a mountain of scandalous accusations.
The once-mighty ship, shrouded in the deep sea’s mist, began to falter for the first time.
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