On the morning of the 5th, Lin Zhengran and Jiang Xueli met up and took the talent agency’s car to the competition venue together.


    Before they left, the female boss of the agency gave one final serious reminder:


    *"Listen up, everyone. This competition wasn’t supposed to be this formal—it was just a small-town event at first. But after a series of changes, the scale has grown significantly.


    If you can avoid elimination by the judges today and get your original songs onto the ranking, you might have a chance to step onto the stage of the in the future.


    This is a rare and invaluable opportunity."*


    She looked at the singers from her agency.


    Her words made the already-nervous contestants even more tense.


    On the way to the venue, the others in the car kept chatting nervously. Jiang Xueli, gripping her knees tightly, took deep breaths over and over.


    Lin Zhengran reached into his pocket and handed her a candy he’d brought from home.


    Jiang Xueli turned to look at him.


    Their eyes met.


    She was —no matter the situation, this guy never seemed to get nervous.


    Lin Zhengran smiled. "Here."


    Jiang Xueli hesitated for a moment, then took the candy. "Thanks."


    She unwrapped it and popped it into her mouth. Immediately, the tension in her chest eased by more than half.


    The Competition Venue


    The venue was a indoor stage with a wide-open space.


    At the very front, there was a large elevated platform, and below it, rows and rows of audience seats.


    From the setup, it looked like this place was originally meant for stage plays, but had been remodeled into a music competition venue.


    The moment Jiang Xueli and Lin Zhengran stepped in, they were greeted by a crowd.


    Four to five people, all squeezed together, the noise filling the air.


    At first, everyone from the talent agency assumed most of them were audience members.


    Then, after asking around, they realized—.


    Every single person here was a contestant.


    Jiang Xueli was .


    The other singers were just as shocked.


    "I thought I signed up for some kind of  festival."


    Even the agency boss felt the pressure. "Looks like a lot of contestants came from outside the province too. This competition really is massive."


    As discussions heated up, the back door opened, and from inside, two celebrity judges stepped out— and .


    And alongside them was today’s biggest investor—Jiang Jingshi.


    The two judges walked while casually chatting with Jiang Jingshi. Their conversation seemed polite and professional.


    Jiang Jingshi responded with a graceful smile, "Thank you both for your hard work over the next two days. I hope we can select contestants that even you find impressive."


    The two celebrity judges nodded in agreement.


    A Familiar Face


    In the crowd, Lin Zhengran casually glanced toward Jiang Jingshi.


    Beside him, Jiang Xueli stared curiously at the beautiful woman. ""


    The agency boss answered, "That’s Miss Jiang—the biggest investor in this competition. She may look young, but she manages a professional music team, and she’s the toughest competitor you’ll face in this competition."


    That voice…


    That face…


    Jiang Xueli frowned slightly.


    Something about this woman felt familiar.


    But she couldn’t quite figure out why.


    The boss clapped her hands. "Alright, let’s head to our seats. When the judges call your name, just go up in order. We have 20 singers from our agency, and at least 10 of you need to make it past today’s elimination."


    Everyone responded in unison, "Got it!"


    Lin Zhengran was about to follow the group to the seating area.


    But at that moment—


    From a distance, Jiang Jingshi turned her head.


    Her gaze landed on him.


    For a second, she was surprised, but then she let out a small, knowing smile.


    Her eyes shifted slightly—to the standing beside him.


    Curious.


    She started walking toward them.


    Jiang Xueli and the agency boss noticed Jiang Jingshi approaching and instinctively moved aside, assuming she was passing through.


    But to their surprise—


    Jiang Jingshi walked to Lin Zhengran and stopped in front of him.


    Her heels clicked softly against the floor.


    With a warm yet appreciative gaze, she spoke:


    The agency boss was stunned.


    Jiang Xueli was also dumbfounded.


    Lin Zhengran grinned. "Miss Jiang, we meet again."


    Jiang Jingshi lowered her gaze slightly, looking at Jiang Xueli.


    Jiang Xueli, usually confident, found herself caught off guard. But unlike He Qing, who would stay silent in such situations, Jiang Xueli took the initiative.


    Lin Zhengran leaned slightly toward her and whispered, "She’s Jiang Qian’s older sister."


    That’s why she looked familiar!


    Jiang Xueli''s eyes widened in realization.


    No wonder.


    Jiang Jingshi smiled gently. ""


    Jiang Xueli let out a small laugh. She didn’t think of herself as a —she was just giving it her all.


    But Jiang Jingshi wasn’t just being polite.


    She —if Lin Zhengran was personally guiding this girl, that meant she had enough talent to take seriously.


    The of losing to him in last week''s Taekwondo competition was still fresh in her mind.


    She wasn’t going to underestimate him .


    Jiang Jingshi turned back to Lin Zhengran.


    Then, in a , more personal tone, she added:


    Lin Zhengran nodded. "Thanks for the warning, Miss Jiang."


    Jiang Jingshi glanced at him meaningfully before turning and walking away with her group.


    Jealousy Incoming


    Jiang Xueli blinked.


    She stared at Jiang Jingshi.


    Then at Lin Zhengran.


    Then back at Jiang Jingshi.


    Then back at Lin Zhengran.


    she whispered urgently.


    Lin Zhengran tilted his head. "What?"


    way too to you?"*


    Lin Zhengran scratched his head. ""


    This situation felt too familiar.


    Didn’t He Qing ask him the exact thing before?


    Sure enough, moments later—


    Jiang Xueli, now thoroughly jealous, sat down beside him and demanded an explanation.


    So, Lin Zhengran casually recounted how he met Jiang Jingshi, throwing in the details about last week''s Taekwondo competition.


    Jiang Xueli’s jaw dropped.


    "Yeah. That’s probably why she came to talk to me just now. Anyway, you should stay sharp."


    Jiang Xueli clenched her fists.


    Lin Zhengran smiled and gently squeezed her hand. "Do your best."


    Jiang Xueli immediately froze.


    Her heart pounded wildly.


    she stammered.


    Then, Lin Zhengran casually let go.


    Jiang Xueli pouted at her now hand.


    " S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    She puffed up her cheeks in frustration.


    The microphone crackled as a judge spoke:


    As Lin Zhengran glanced at Jiang Jingshi standing confidently on stage, he had to admit—


    This woman was one of the strongest players in their generation.