Chapter 160: Smooth Sailing

As Master Liu’s voice faded, the three mentors walked onto the stage together from the wings.

After greeting the audience, Zhou Zhiqian, Han Hong, and Yan Mi took their seats at the judges' panel. Naturally, they exchanged friendly handshakes and greetings with Cai Xukun. Throughout the pleasantries, Cai Xukun maintained a humble demeanor, which left a positive impression on the three mentors. In the eyes of Zhou, Han, and Yan, they could accept anyone as a colleague as long as they were not as repulsive as Zheng Huayu.

While they were settling in, Master Liu did not remain idle. He picked up his microphone and continued, "Alright, now that our four mentors have been introduced, the 'Tomorrow's Star' quarter-finals are about to begin!"

"However, before we start, I have one more piece of information to share with everyone."

"This news concerns the rules of the competition... Yes, you heard that right. We are once again upgrading the competition format to introduce more uncertainty and ensure a fairer outcome!"

Upon hearing Master Liu's announcement, the audience was filled with shock and suspicion. This was the penultimate episode of *Tomorrow's Star*; were the producers insane to change the rules at such a late stage?

Compared to the composed live audience, the viewers in the Mango Video livestream were far less restrained. On the internet, human flaws are easily magnified. After hearing the news, they flooded the chat with question marks, an overwhelming wave sweeping from the left side of the screen to the right. Beyond the symbols, there were plenty of comments:

"What the hell? Changing the rules in the second-to-last episode? Is the production team looking for trouble?"

"Exactly! The established format is already so popular, why change it now? If they ruin it, it’ll be like a TV show with a botched ending!"

"Honestly, if they ruin *Tomorrow's Star*, I’m going to the official website to tank their rating!"

"Count me in! This director is playing with fire!"

...

Aside from these emotionally charged remarks, there were also some analytical takes:

"I think this rule change is purely targeted at Su Chen. With his current popularity, the other contestants don't stand a chance."

"I agree. If it's to balance the results for the sake of fairness, I can understand it, but I worry that Su Chen won't. He was practically guaranteed a win!"

"Fairness is always relative. If it's fair for the other contestants, it's definitely unfair to Su Chen!"

"Targeting Su Chen is a given. I just wonder what exactly they’re changing. I hope the production team shows some common sense!"

...

The chatter in the livestream grew increasingly intense, all of which was monitored by Director Wu Tong in the control room. As the person who most wanted *Tomorrow's Star* to be a massive success and who valued stability, he was actually the person least in favor of such unpredictable rule changes. Especially since the show was already a hit and was reaching its conclusion, he had no desire to tamper with the format.

But he had no choice. As a producer, he had to answer to the investors. If the investors demanded a rule change, he had to comply—especially since those investors had the backing of the Hunan Provincial Television station.

"What on earth is the major shareholder of Fengshang Media thinking? A capitalist telling me to change the rules in the name of 'fairness'?"

"Is this even how a capitalist behaves?" Wu Tong grumbled to himself, but he knew that was as far as he could go. He was currently dependent on the paychecks from Fengshang Media and the provincial station; he wasn't about to sabotage his own livelihood. At least, not yet.

He had no choice but to follow orders, though he was left with a lingering suspicion. "Wasn't Su Chen recommended by Fengshang Interactive? Why would the company want to stab him in the back?"

"Could it be... that the major shareholder who was supposedly 'pulling strings' for Su Chen has grown bored of him?" Wu Tong muttered. The thought made him shift uncomfortably in his seat. "Forget it. That's not my concern. I just hope the show doesn't suffer from this turmoil... surely it will be fine. It's the penultimate episode, after all..."

Wu Tong tried to comfort himself, unaware that, in a top-floor office in Shanghai, President Chen—the shareholder who had issued the order—was setting aside her documents and rubbing her temples.

A knock sounded at the door. President Chen leaned back, eyes half-closed, and said, "Come in."

The door opened, and Xiao Jia entered carrying an iced Americano. "President Chen, your coffee."

"Mm." Chen did not rise. She acknowledged the gesture with a hum, and Xiao Jia placed the coffee on the desk before standing quietly to the side.

After about five minutes, Chen straightened up and asked, "How is the situation over at *Tomorrow's Star*?"

Xiao Jia replied, "The show is underway. Master Liu has informed the audience about the rule change. The reaction, both on-site and in the livestream, is intense, but the sentiment is unclear."

"Good. Then we wait. No need to rush." Chen spoke calmly, then looked up at Xiao Jia, who maintained her signature faint smile. "Are you confused as to why I’m doing this?"

Xiao Jia answered, "Not at all. I do whatever you say, President Chen. Your orders don't require me to use my brain."

Chen was momentarily stunned, then chuckled. "You... honestly, my reasoning is simple."

"My daughter, whom I’ve raised for over twenty years, has suddenly started speaking to me with such politeness all because of him. I find it baffling."

"Jiang Xue’s sudden obedience is, in fact, her most rebellious act. I simply want to see what kind of charm this Su Chen possesses to have bewitched my daughter like this in such a short time."

"So, I’m changing the rules to add some difficulty. For a young man, a life without obstacles is not conducive to growth."

Xiao Jia glanced up, seeing the mischievous glint in Chen's eyes, and felt a sense of helplessness. The President was just like her daughter—even at her age, she remained incredibly calculating. To challenge a "piglet" who had set his sights on her "cabbage," she was willing to gamble with a smash-hit variety show—what a grand gesture!

And yet... the President seemed to overlook one thing: Su Chen’s journey so far had been anything but smooth sailing.