Chapter 89 The Thugs Grew Even More Excited

After the intense PK between Yan Mi’s team and Zheng Huayu’s team ended in haste, Liu Shao quickly guided the audience’s attention to the upcoming PK between Han Hong’s team and Zhou Zhiqian’s team.

Yet, the match between these two teams was nothing like the bloody and brutal face-off between Yan Mi and Zheng Huayu. On the contrary, it felt more like a friendly exhibition than a fierce competition.

By the end of the match, the eight spots in the next round were evenly divided between the two teams, each securing four. The words “friendship and harmony” were displayed to their fullest.

This inevitably led to all the debate and discussion of the episode centering solely on the clash between Yan Mi and Zheng Huayu. As a result, Zheng Huayu’s performance on “Tomorrow’s Star” quickly dominated the trending topics on Weibo, rivalling Su Chen’s song, “Guest.”

Elsewhere, under the dazzling night lights of the Magic City, the top floor of a skyscraper in the city center was suddenly filled with the ringing of a telephone in a spacious office.

A woman, exuding an aura of powerful authority and elegance with every gesture—a true female CEO—answered the phone unhurriedly.

“Xiao Jia, go ahead.”

“Director Chen, the results are out. Su Chen turned the tables against all odds and won the competition.”

“I’ve already had several of the company’s music reviewers give me their assessments of the song ‘Guest’ that he performed. Their evaluations are in your inbox.”

“They watched everything unfold and speak very highly of ‘Guest,’ all believing its popularity and chart performance will rival that of ‘Queen.’”

“They also think that, barring any surprises, Su Chen is set to become one of the hottest singers in the music scene in the next couple of years.”

Director Chen listened quietly to the report, her fingers tapping lightly on the desk.

“So, according to you, that Han Jiangxue girl really does have a good eye?”

But Xiao Jia disagreed, replying, “Given Miss’s background, anyone who gets involved with her is reaching above their station. As for Su Chen... let’s just say he’s not as bad as people think.”

The woman let out a soft laugh and continued, “And what about that matter I had you investigate for that girl?”

“It’s all been thoroughly checked out. Su Chen is an orphan, grew up in the orphanage.”

“He was college classmates with his ex-girlfriend, now the leading singer at Star Entertainment, Lin Yanran.”

“They met and fell in love in college, and their relationship remained strong through graduation. To this day, their story is still spoken of fondly on campus.”

“But after graduation, Lin Yanran was drawn to material things and set her sights on becoming a superstar. Su Chen supported her ambitions, even writing several of her signature songs.”

“As Lin Yanran soared to fame, their relationship became an obstacle on her path to stardom, and she ultimately chose to break up with him.”

“Her manager, Xu Fangyuan, always worried Su Chen would expose their relationship and use it for his own publicity, so she’s been working behind the scenes to make sure he never gets his moment in the spotlight.”

“That includes both Zheng Huayu and Meng Xiaotian—they’re connected to her as well. This sums up Su Chen’s recent years. I’ve compiled a detailed report and sent it to your inbox.”

The woman replied with a faint hum, then instructed Xiao Jia, “Also, have Fashion Media prepare to take over Zheng Huayu’s film and luxury endorsement resources at any time.”

“Giving them to that fool is just a waste.”

“...Understood.”

With that, the woman hung up. She picked up the red wine glass from her desk and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, gazing out at the neon cityscape while taking a slow sip.

“Interesting... but not quite enough yet.”

Meanwhile, after a night of filming, Su Chen finally returned to his hotel room. At last, he had a moment to check his phone to see if anyone had been trying to reach him.

The moment he unlocked it, he was met with a barrage of WeChat messages.

There were congratulatory notes from Wang Bingling, Zhang Fuyu, and Yan Mi—three of his big sisters—celebrating his advancement. There were also a slew of messages from Han Jiangxue.

Wait... why did Han Jiangxue send me so many messages?

Curious, Su Chen tapped open their chat.

Inside, he found a string of messages Han Jiangxue had sent since the start of his match.

Han Jiangxue: Go, go, go!!!

Han Jiangxue: The show just changed the rules out of nowhere, they’re clearly targeting you!

Han Jiangxue: Oh my god! Sister Mi drew the sad ballad genre, you’re actually pretty lucky!

Han Jiangxue: Zheng Huayu must have cheated! How could it be a wedding-themed challenge by coincidence?

Han Jiangxue: It’s okay, don’t feel pressured. The enemy is just too despicable!

These were from before Su Chen went on stage to sing. The next ones came after he performed “Guest.”

Han Jiangxue: You actually wrote that? You can write a song like this?

Han Jiangxue: Wuwuwu, this song is way too sad! You owe me tissues! They’re expensive!

Han Jiangxue: Tell me, are you still hung up on your first love? Otherwise, how could you write a song like that?

Han Jiangxue: Remember, you promised me—a wise man doesn’t go back to old flames!

Su Chen was touched but also puzzled.

What is this girl rambling about now?

Meanwhile, up in the presidential suite of the hotel, Han Jiangxue was rolling back and forth on her bed, clutching her phone and staring at her chat with Su Chen.

“What should I do? What if Su Chen still likes his ex? What am I supposed to do then?!”

“No, no, it’s not like there’s anything between us anyway. Why am I thinking ‘what am I supposed to do’... ugh, this is so annoying!”

Han Jiangxue’s mind was a mess as she gripped her phone.

Just then, there was a sudden knock on her door.

“Who is it? Wait a second!”

She quickly composed herself, tidied her clothes, slipped on her cartoon slippers, and half-jogged to the door.

She opened it just a crack and peeked out cautiously, only to see Su Chen standing there, looking utterly resigned.

“What are you up to?”

The moment Han Jiangxue saw him, her face flushed bright red and she stammered, “I... I was guarding against bad people!”

Su Chen: “...”

“With that silly look on your face, you’d only make a thief more excited.”

He didn’t step inside, just stood at the door and said, “The show’s been going on since this afternoon. You, silly girl, probably haven’t eaten, have you?”

“I wasn’t watching you the whole time! I... I already had dinner, okay!”

But as soon as she said it, her stomach betrayed her with a loud rumble.

Han Jiangxue immediately hung her head in embarrassment, cursing her uncooperative stomach.

Su Chen couldn’t help but laugh and said, “Boss Han, if you’re free, would you care to join me for a late-night snack?”