1 year and 2 months since Yining left her family
đź’Ľ A New Judge Arrives
The atmosphere in the rehearsal hall was stifling. Everyone was waiting.
Cameras were being mounted on cranes, mics were being adjusted, and stylists flitted around fixing last-minute looks. It was the start of a new phase in the show — and the trainees had just received the news:
> "A new supervisor has joined the competition — and he's not someone to take lightly."
Every trainee buzzed with guesses.
"Is it some veteran idol?"
"Maybe a choreographer?"
"I heard he's from overseas…"
Then the doors swung open.
A tall man entered, dressed in a perfectly pressed black coat, his steps crisp like the beat of a metronome. His features were sharp, clean, almost intimidating in their precision. His gaze swept over the room like a cold scan.
Ace Luo — the once world-renowned producer and idol-turned-mentor. Known for his brutal honesty, sharp tongue, and zero tolerance for shortcuts or scandal.
No one clapped.
No one dared.
He didn't smile.
"Stand straight," he said, his voice cold. "If this is how you want the world to see you, then don't complain when it forgets you."
Dozens of shoulders straightened instantly.
Ace scanned their faces, stopping for a second on Yining, then Bai Zhiqi, then Gu Feizhou. He said nothing. But his presence alone made several hearts race.
He finally walked to the center of the stage and spoke.
---
Harsh Words, Harsh Standards
"I don't care if you have fans. I don't care if your company is powerful," he began. "I've seen dozens like you come and go. Pretty, spoiled, full of empty talent."
A few trainees visibly shrank back.
Ace's tone never wavered. "If you want praise, go to your fans. If you want truth, listen to me. I'm not here to coddle children. I'm here to break weak performers and polish the ones who survive."
The entire room was silent.
> He's not like the others, Yining thought. He doesn't care who we are. Only what we do.
---
Off to the side, Bai Zhiqi tilted her head, feigning innocence. Her long lashes fluttered.
"He's… intense," she murmured to the girl beside her.
But inwardly, she was analyzing him with sharp calculation.
> This one won't fall for sweet smiles. That makes things… complicated.
Zhiqi was used to charm and whispers — but Ace Luo didn't glance at her twice.
---
After a grueling round of initial evaluations, Ace Luo was given the task of selecting a group of trainees to mentor directly. His choices would determine who got the most screen time and performance opportunity.
He stood again before the group.
"These are the ones who did just enough to stay," he said, reading off names.
Names were called. Tension rose. When he reached the final spot, he paused.
"Lin Yining," he said flatly.
A few gasps. Even Yining blinked in surprise.
He continued, his tone biting. "You're raw. Not polished. But you listen. And you don't hide behind gimmicks. That's the only reason you're here."
She bowed, suppressing her emotion. "Thank you, mentor."
His eyes narrowed. "Don't thank me. Prove me right."
---
After the selection, trainees were split into groups.
Yining was placed with Gu Feizhou, Xie Yan, and two others for a group stage under Ace Luo's direction.
As they rehearsed, Ace watched every movement with a critical eye.
"Gu Feizhou," he snapped. "You're performing like you're posing for a fashion shoot. If you want to model, go walk a runway."
Feizhou stiffened.
"Xie Yan — your voice is fine. But your breath control is trash. Fix it or leave."
"Yining."
She turned immediately.
Ace stared directly at her. "Why do you sing like you're scared of yourself?"
Her breath caught.
"You have a voice. Use it. Don't mumble like you're asking for permission. Own the space. Or someone else will."
"Yes, sir."
His eyes narrowed further. "Don't 'sir' me. Say yes to yourself."
---
The next morning, the headlines exploded with a suspicious story:
> "Controversial Contestant Lin Yining Previously Linked to Backstage Scandal?"
An old photo from a charity gala — before she cut ties with her family — had resurfaced, with vague captions implying she had "connections" or "help behind the scenes."
Ace was handed the article.
He read it once, then dropped it on the table.
"Don't care," he told the producers. "If she sings off-pitch, then talk to me. If not, shut it down."
"You're… not worried about the backlash?"
"I don't do image politics. I do music."
Behind him, Yining had been standing quietly.
She bowed. "Thank you for not believing the rumors."
He didn't look at her. "I don't believe in anyone until they prove me right or wrong. You've got five days to show me which."
She left that room with her jaw clenched and fists tight.
But her spine was straight.
---
Even with Ace Luo's cold presence hanging over the practice hall like a cloud, Bai Zhiqi kept her signature soft smile. It was the same smile that won over fans, teachers, and even senior idols.
But she could feel it — the threat.
> Lin Yining had been selected by Ace Luo.
That meant something.
Something dangerous.
In the shadows of her dressing area, Zhiqi leaned close to her assistant.
"Tell Chen Lan to file a quiet complaint," she whispered. "No direct accusations. Just enough to raise suspicion. Let the others do the rest."
Her assistant hesitated. "Won't that be risky?"
Zhiqi's eyes didn't flinch. "No one will believe she's innocent after the news article. And we'll never be blamed."
She looked up at herself in the mirror, fixing her lip gloss with a soft hum.
> "Let them think she's scandalous. The audience loves a tragic downfall."
---
Ace stood behind the glass wall of the top-floor observation room, arms crossed.
His gaze never strayed.
Yining was rehearsing again, this time solo, trying to interpret a slower emotional piece. Her movements were precise, her vocals improving—but he saw it instantly.
> Hesitation. Doubt. She's still worried what others think.
He turned slightly to speak to Shen Yuyan, who had joined him silently.
"She doesn't trust her own strength yet."
Shen Yuyan chuckled faintly, sipping his black tea. "You saw that in five minutes?"
"I saw it before she opened her mouth," Ace replied. "She's used to fighting, not standing."
"And what will you do about that?"
Ace's eyes narrowed. "Push her until she either breaks—or wakes up."
---
Backstage, Chen Lan, another trainee, started to tear up during lunch.
"She—she was near the tech board. I saw her. Yining switched something before rehearsal," she sniffled to a group of concerned girls.
> "Really? But she looked so focused."
"Maybe that's just acting."
"She has been in the news a lot lately…"
"And Ace picked her. That alone makes people jealous."
Within an hour, the rumor that Yining sabotaged rehearsal lights spread like wildfire.
---
Ace was handed the formal complaint on his way to the evening run-through. He barely looked at the printed sheet.
Instead, he spoke lowly to the coordinator, "Who else had access to the panel that day?"
"…Bai Zhiqi's assistant. Also Chen Lan's. Why?"
"Security footage."
Ace didn't raise his voice, but everyone nearby instinctively stood straighter.
---
That night, Ace called Yining forward during rehearsal.
The lights dimmed, and everyone turned.
"You're performing this solo. No backup. No music," he announced.
Yining blinked. "Now?"
"Now."
"But the routine isn't—"
"No more excuses." His voice was iron. "Stand there. Sing it. Make me believe you."
The silence was deafening.
Yining took center stage. Alone. The studio light harsh on her face. Eyes watching, doubting. Judging.
She exhaled and began.
> "I walked through the crowd, faceless and hollow…"
Her voice cracked slightly at first. But then — something steadied inside her. Not pride. Not vengeance.
Resolve.
By the end, there was no music. No echo. Only her raw voice and her breath in the silence.
Ace's face didn't shift, but he finally spoke.
"…That's the first time I believed you existed."
---
Shen Yuyan reviewed the security footage privately later that night.
Sure enough — it was Chen Lan who had fumbled with the tech panel. Right after Bai Zhiqi had spoken to her in the corridor.
Yuyan didn't react. He didn't tell Ace. Didn't tell the producers.
He only made one phone call.
To a private investigator.
> "Start gathering records on Bai Zhiqi's company affiliations and backstage handlers. Quietly. I want leverage by the time finals begin."