"Miss Su..." While Su Niansheng had captivated the entire audience, the organizers were still puzzled. "May we ask why you were ghost-singing for contestant Lin Yixuan?"
"It wasn't ghost-singing." Su Niansheng walked over to Lin Yixuan and took her hand.
Lin Yixuan glared at her with near-murderous intensity.
What is she plotting now?
"It was a stage concept."
"A stage concept? How so?"
"Section Ten of this year's 'Best Singer' guidelines emphasizes the importance of stage design. I incorporated the recent social discourse on 'counterfeit goods' into this performance concept. Additionally, all the songs used in the online preliminaries and previous rounds featured Lin Yixuan on camera, with me providing the vocals. Contestant 010 wasn't Lin Yixuan; it was my competition designation."
"I see!"
"That's indeed innovative and unexpected!"
"Seriously? That's some showmanship!"
"Then for love, she must be champion! Champion! CHAMPION!"
The venue buzzed with renewed fervor. Amidst the noise, Su Niansheng subtly tilted her mic away, leaning close to whisper in Lin Yixuan's ear, "Yixuan, there was a sudden glitch backstage. You're not upset I had to improvise like this, are you?"
Lin Yixuan gritted her teeth, nearly exploding with rage!
What is she playing at?!
This was clearly a deliberate setup, a trick to humiliate her, steal her ranking and spotlight, trample her dignity publicly with all those 'counterfeit goods' jabs... and now she has the gall to pretend to be the good guy?!
Su Niansheng, seeing no response, moved her mic back and addressed the crowd directly. "Yixuan, isn't that right?"
Lin Yixuan's fingers dug into her white dress, almost tearing the fabric. She felt like she'd swallowed bitter herbs but couldn't spit them out. Denying it meant more than just humiliation – it risked official censure from the university for competition fraud!
"Mmhmm." After a long moment, she choked out the humiliating affirmation.
"In that case..." After deliberation, the organizers confirmed it fit the competition rules and was a brilliant concept. The judges eagerly raised their scorecards, awarding it the highest marks.
The championship was undeniable.
During the award ceremony, university officials, online influencers, students, and fans surged onto the stage, jostling for photos with Su Niansheng.
Unable to bear the disgrace, Lin Yixuan covered her face and fled the stage. Passing Shi Yubai, she burst into loud, dramatic sobs, tears streaming.
Shi Yubai's gaze followed her.
Watching her rival's hasty retreat, a faint, satisfied curve touched Su Niansheng's lips. This feels even better than winning the award.
"Yubai, as a friend, don't say I didn't warn you. Being pursued by a girl like Su Niansheng is like winning the lottery. If you don't cherish it and someone else snatches her up, you'll regret it too late..." Cheng Hao was still rambling.
Shi Yubai had already left his seat.
Simultaneously, Shen Junxi rose from the front row.
The two men passed each other – one chasing toward the exit, the other striding toward the stage, ready to congratulate his girl.
"Congratulations!"
Seizing the moment during the fan photos, Shen Junxi openly spread his arms and embraced Su Niansheng. But when it was time to let go... he hesitated.
She smelled especially wonderful today. A fresh, sweet fragrance, particularly near her neck, seemed to drift from her glossy dark hair, clouding his thoughts.
His gaze traced the elegant curve of her back down to the delicate wings of her shoulder blades, then... his dark pupils abruptly constricted.
Her waist, cinched tightly by all those laces... how could it be so slender?
Slender enough that it seemed he could crush it in his palm.
"Thank you!" Su Niansheng hugged him back. As she started to pull away, she realized he was still holding on. One second, two seconds, three seconds... This is lasting a bit long. And... she felt something hard pressing against her through her dress.
She looked down and saw a champagne-gold gift box.
"What's this?"
"Open it."
Shen Junxi reluctantly released her.
"Flowers!" Su Niansheng lifted the lid, her eyes lighting up. A wave of rich, intoxicating fragrance greeted her, along with a stunning bouquet of fresh blooms. A small card was attached: Long Live the Little Champion!
"How did you know I'd win today?"
"Aren't you exceptional at everything you do?"
"Flatterer!" Su Niansheng beamed. "Let's take a photo together!"
"Just a photo?" Shen Junxi raised an eyebrow.
"What else do you want?"
"I want..." Shen Junxi lowered his gaze, his eyes deep pools fixed on her. "...to ask you out tonight."
"Okay! But what for?"
"Of course..." Shen Junxi's hand lifted, flicking her forehead lightly. "...to collect on that debt."
"Ow!" Su Niansheng rubbed her forehead. Twice he's sneak-attacked me lately!
"Cheapskate! Just one little favor owed, and you can't wait to cash it in!"
A lazy smirk played on Shen Junxi's lips. He truly couldn't wait.
Su Niansheng rose on her toes, aiming to retaliate, but he smoothly hooked an arm around her shoulders. "Look at the camera! Say cheese!"
"Aaaaah!" The girl didn't say "cheese." Instead, she bared her teeth like a furious little wildcat. Unfair! Even in her ten-centimeter heels, she was still so much shorter than him!
That evening, the dorm was empty.
Su Niansheng looked at Zhao Menghan and Xu Yue's empty chairs. Just moments ago, they'd messaged about treating her to dinner. No need to guess; Lin Yixuan must have dragged them off to cry about my 'crimes.'
She couldn't be bothered. Changing clothes, she headed out to meet Shen Junxi. But arriving at the location, she instantly regretted it.
She regretted refusing his initial suggestion of a restaurant because she'd vaguely agreed to her roommates' dinner plan. Now, she was starving, her stomach growling like a disgruntled pigeon.
She was about to ask if Shen Junxi had eaten when, like magic, he produced a cake box from behind his back. The semi-transparent box held palmiers, Mont Blancs, mango pancakes, and some of her favorite little treats.
Just looking at it made her mouth water.
"All this... for me?" She looked up, surprised.
"Mhm. Besides my little sugar fiend, who else loves this stuff?"
"Hey! Lots of girls love sweets!" Su Niansheng opened a small box of chestnut Mont Blanc. The familiar taste of soft, sweet chestnut cream spread across her tongue, stirring a wave of warmth inside.
Flowers. Cake...
How long had it been since she'd received anything like this?
In her past life, pouring all her energy into pleasing Shi Yubai, she'd completely neglected herself, draining her body and spirit without even realizing it.
Only now was she beginning to feel her own presence again... and the warmth of being cherished.
Someone celebrated her success with flowers.
Someone remembered her preferences, taking the trouble to gather them all.