Chapter 124: The Wrong Choice

Liu Shao stood on the stage, shouting excitedly: “The competition has reached this point—I’m sure everyone already has a very clear idea of the outcome!”

“In this match, the quarterfinal showdown between Zheng Huayu’s mentor team and Yan Mi’s mentor team, the four players who advance are fourth-place Wang Luoluo, third-place Hu Hao, second-place Meng Xiaotian, and… first place Su Chen!”

Liu Shao’s voice cracked with every word until he reached Su Chen’s name, nearly breaking entirely.

“Su Chen started from the 100-to-64 elimination rounds and fought his way through every obstacle. Against all expectations, he broke through Zheng Huayu’s layers of encirclement and became Yan Mi’s team’s only remaining hope!”

“More than that, he claimed the championship of this very match with a record-breaking score!”

Liu Shao drew a quick breath and kept hosting with effortless charm.

“No matter how far Su Chen goes from here, at this moment on this stage he is unquestionably the star of the show—the brightest light in the arena!”

“Now I hope you’ll give our Su Chen the warmest applause he deserves!”

Before Liu Shao could finish, the audience erupted into thunderous applause and cheers that rolled over the venue like a tidal wave.

“Su Chen!!! Awesome!!!”

“Oh oh oh!!! Su Chen, you’re my god!!!”

“I love you to death, Su Chen!!!”

“Keep going!!! Charge on, Su Chen!!!”

…

Amid the roar of praise, Yan Mi finally leaped from the mentor’s chair, vaulted onto the stage, and pulled Su Chen into a fierce hug.

If the two cushions beneath them hadn’t been so sturdy, Su Chen was certain he would have been launched into orbit.

Watching Yan Mi greet him, Zhou Zhijun and Han Hong also stepped up onto the stage, offering warm blessings and smiles.

Though this was only a quarterfinal duel between two teams, the joy and cheers at this instant made Su Chen feel as though he had already won the championship.

Everyone was grinning—except the three members of Zheng Huayu’s team, whose faces were long and sour.

They had advanced as well. Why was no one coming to congratulate them?

And where was their mentor? Zheng Huayu had vanished somewhere hours ago, leaving the three of them completely abandoned.

Of the three, Meng Xiaotian’s expression was the worst; bewilderment and confusion were written across his face.

Meanwhile, the lively moment on the “Tomorrow’s Star” stage was being broadcast live in real time. Feng Shixiang and Lin Yanran, who were having dinner on the Bund in Shanghai, watched it on their phones.

“Tsk tsk… Su Chen really is something.”

Feng Shixiang sighed with admiration. “Even when he was supposedly dead in the water he flipped the script. After this, Zheng Huayu probably won’t be able to keep working in the industry.”

“A newcomer wiping out a second-tier star in one go? People wouldn’t believe it if it weren’t true. What an incredible young talent!”

“Give him a little more time and he’ll be top-tier in no time.”

Feng Shixiang took a sip of red wine, smacked his lips, and gazed at Su Chen on the screen with open appreciation.

Yet Feng Shixiang never noticed the dazed look on Lin Yanran’s face beside him.

Even Zheng Huayu had been defeated by Su Chen… Had Su Chen become this powerful?

On this very day, Lin Yanran had been dreaming of someone with Zheng Huayu’s popularity. Now, right in front of her, the ex-boyfriend she had discarded had just taken down that very Zheng Huayu.

It was too surreal.

No one wants their ex to end up well, but when it happens to you, you feel the envy, jealousy, and resentment all at once.

She envied Su Chen’s talent, resented his meteoric rise, and hated him for never being this brilliant while they were together.

If… if I had known you would be like this, why did I ever break up?

Lin Yanran sat in her seat, mind swirling with the thought as though she were still dreaming.

Suddenly Feng Shixiang seemed to recall something. He turned to her and asked, “…Speaking of which, I heard Su Chen once had some bad blood with your company Fanxing Interactive?”

“Something about a female artist using him then dumping him… Yanran, do you know anything about that?”

“I don’t know which girl was so foolish—Su Chen was a rising star; he could have been discarded whenever she wanted. Tsk tsk…”

Feng Shixiang spoke lightly, but he noticed Lin Yanran’s face grow even paler.

He had no idea the “foolish girl” he described was sitting right beside him.

“…Yanran? What’s wrong?”

Lin Yanran forced down the turmoil in her chest and answered with a strained smile, “I… I don’t know either… I rarely pay attention to company gossip anyway.”

Feng Shixiang nodded, understanding. “It’s a good thing you’re like that—sensible, no drama, no ulterior motives. Much better than those girls who only chase status.”

Lin Yanran stayed silent, offered a bitter little smile, and nodded.

“The show is over. Shall we—”

Halfway through her sentence, Feng Shixiang’s phone rang.

He glanced at Lin Yanran with an apologetic look and answered. “Hello? Manager Chen? It’s so late—what’s up?”

Manager Chen’s voice sounded irritated. “Where are you, Little Feng? Young Master Wang already posted in the company group chat—everyone is rushing back to work overtime and steer public opinion toward Su Chen. Where the hell are you?!”

Listening to the sharp tone, Feng Shixiang gave a sheepish laugh, turned his head, and whispered to Lin Yanran, “I’m still closing a deal for the company. I’ll be there in a minute.”

“Move it! Young Master Wang is in a bad mood—you won’t have any good results left if he gets angry!”

“Uh…”

Feng Shixiang hung up and asked, “Yanran, what were you saying earlier?”

“I…” Lin Yanran had just started to speak when Feng Shixiang continued, “Our company suddenly has an urgent matter—I have to head back right away. The single I bought here is yours to keep; enjoy it slowly.”

“So sorry about this!”

He stood without waiting for her reply and left the private room.

Lin Yanran stared at the empty table, gave a hollow laugh, and felt like the biggest fool in the world.

If it had been Su Chen, he definitely wouldn’t have left her here alone…

No. He would never have.

Yanran, your choice… seems to have been wrong.