“Miss contestant…”
Although Su Niansheng had captivated everyone present, the organizers were still puzzled.
“May I ask why you sang in place of contestant Lin Yixuan?”
“It wasn’t singing in her place.”
Su Niansheng walked over to Lin Yixuan and took her hand.
Lin Yixuan glared at her almost viciously.
What was she trying to do now?
“It was a stage design.”
“Stage design? How so?”
“The tenth item in this year’s Best Singer competition guidelines emphasizes the importance of stage design. So, I incorporated the recent social media buzz about ‘impostors’ and designed this stage performance.
Additionally, all the songs previously selected and advanced through online auditions were performed by me, with Lin Yixuan appearing on camera. 010 isn’t Lin Yixuan—it’s my competition code.”
“I see.”
“That’s truly innovative, beyond everyone’s expectations!”
“Is that even allowed? What a spectacle!”
“If that’s the case, love must win the championship, championship, championship!”
The venue erupted into heated discussions again. Amid the clamor, Su Niansheng subtly moved the microphone away from her lips and whispered into Lin Yixuan’s ear, “Yixuan, there was a sudden technical issue backstage. I improvised like this—you’re not upset, are you?”
Lin Yixuan gritted her teeth, almost exploding with rage!
What was she pretending for?
She had clearly designed this deliberately, played her for a fool, snatched her ranking and spotlight, publicly trampled on her dignity, and insinuated over and over that she was an impostor.
And now she had the nerve to act like the good person!
Seeing no response from her, Su Niansheng moved the microphone back and asked publicly, “Isn’t that right, Yixuan?”
Lin Yixuan was so angry she could have torn her white dress with her fingers, yet she was forced to swallow her bitterness like a mute. If she denied it, the embarrassment would be the least of her worries—being investigated by the school for falsifying the competition and facing disciplinary action would be far worse!
“Mhm.”
After a long pause, she admitted in humiliation.
“If that’s the case…”
After some deliberation, the Best Singer organizers confirmed that this complied with the competition rules and was an outstanding stage design. The judges eagerly raised their scorecards, awarding it the highest marks.
The championship was unquestionable.
During the award ceremony, school officials, online influencers, and fellow students and fans rushed onto the stage, clamoring to take photos with Su Niansheng.
Unable to bear the humiliation, Lin Yixuan covered her face and ran off the stage. As she passed Shi Yubai, she burst into loud sobs, tears streaming down her face.
Shi Yubai glanced at her.
Watching her retreating figure, Su Niansheng curled the corner of her lips. This was far more satisfying than winning the award.
“Yubai, as a good friend, don’t blame me for not reminding you. Being pursued by a girl like Su Niansheng is like a pie falling from the sky. If you don’t cherish it properly and someone else snatches her away, you’ll regret it too late…”
Cheng Hao was still rambling on.
Shi Yubai had already left his seat.
At the same time, Shen Junxi stood up from the front row.
The two brushed past each other—one chasing after the girl outside the venue, the other striding toward the stage to congratulate his girl.
“Congratulations!”
Taking advantage of the fan photo session, Shen Junxi openly spread his arms and embraced Su Niansheng. But as he was about to let go, he found himself reluctant.
She smelled especially sweet today.
Especially near the neck, strands of fresh, sweet fragrance lingered at the tip of his nose, as if flowing from her dark, soft, and dense hair, stirring restless thoughts.
Following the graceful curve of her back downward, his gaze fell upon the delicate, almost fluttering butterfly bones, and then… his pitch-black pupils suddenly contracted.
How could a waist wrapped tightly with numerous ribbons be so slender?
So slender it seemed he could crush it with just one hand.
“Thank you!”
Su Niansheng hugged him back. Just as she was about to let go, she realized he was still holding on—one second, two seconds, three seconds… It seemed a bit too long, and she also felt something hard pressing against her beneath her skirt.
She looked down and saw a champagne-colored gift box.
“What’s this?”
“Open it and see.”
Shen Junxi reluctantly released his embrace.
“Flowers!”
Su Niansheng opened the lid, her eyes lighting up.
Waves of rich, fragrant floral scents accompanied the fresh, vibrant flowers into view, refreshing and delightful. A small card was attached, reading: Long live the little champion!
“How did you know I would win today?”
“Isn’t everything you do outstanding?”
“Consider yourself perceptive!” Su Niansheng smiled brightly. “Let’s take a photo together!”
“Just a photo?”
“What else do you want to do?”
“I want…” Shen Junxi lowered his gaze, his eyes deep and intense as he looked at her, “to ask you out tonight.”
“Sure, but what are we going to do?”
“Of course…” Shen Junxi said, suddenly raising his hand and lightly flicking her forehead, “to have you repay a favor.”
“Ouch~”
Su Niansheng covered her forehead.
He had already ambushed her twice recently!
“Stingy! I only owe you one, and you’re already so eager to get it back!”
Shen Junxi curled his lips lazily.
He truly was eager.
Su Niansheng stood on her tiptoes, wanting to retaliate, but he wrapped an arm around her shoulder. “Look at the camera, say cheese!”
Ahhh!
The girl didn’t say “cheese” but bared her teeth instead, like an angry little wildcat.
Unfair!
Even with ten-centimeter heels, she was still much shorter than him!
At night, the dormitory was empty.
Su Niansheng looked at the now-empty seats of Zhao Menghan and Xu Yue, who had just messaged her about treating her to a meal. Without even thinking, she knew they must have been dragged away by Lin Yixuan to listen to her lament her grievances.
She couldn’t be bothered to ask. After changing clothes, she went straight to meet Shen Junxi, but she regretted it as soon as she arrived…
She regretted refusing his suggestion to meet at a restaurant because she had already promised her roommates a meal. Now, she was as hungry as a pigeon, her stomach growling nonstop.
She had planned to ask Shen Junxi if he had eaten, but as soon as they met, he magically produced a cake gift box from behind.
The gift box was semi-transparent, containing butterfly pastries, Mont Blanc, mango pancakes, and some of her favorite snacks.
Just looking at it made her mouth water.
“Are all these for me?”
She looked up in surprise.
“Mhm, besides a dessert lover like you, who else would enjoy these?”
“Who says? Plenty of girls love these!”
Su Niansheng opened a small box of chestnut Mont Blanc. As she tasted the familiar soft, sticky, and dense flavor, a wave of emotion welled up in her heart.
Flowers, cake…
How long had it been since she last received such things?
In her past life, she had chased after Shi Yubai, giving and pleasing with all her heart, completely neglecting herself, to the point where she didn’t even realize her body had been drained in the end.
Now, she was finally beginning to feel her own existence and the sensation of being cherished.
There would be people who sent flowers to celebrate her success.
There would be people who remembered her preferences, buying them one by one without minding the trouble.