Chapter 113: Giving It Your All, Leaving No Regrets

"How is she here?"

Could it be?

Is Ke Min a judge on the official Starlight Road program?

Logically speaking, given Ke Min's status, she shouldn't qualify.

But Chen Fang didn't dare to be certain.

After all, the company behind Ke Min is Creative Entertainment—one of the three major powerhouses in the country's entertainment industry.

Chen Fang couldn't understand it.

In his view, Ke Min held little value; besides, she had caused so much trouble before that shelving her would have been the best course of action.

Xi Yuanyuan shook her head: "When I was talking to the production staff, I saw her come out of a dressing room, laughing and chatting with a man."

Coming out of a dressing room?

That likely means she isn't a judge.

Judges avoid conflicts of interest.

So, before the show starts, judges absolutely do not appear in the backstage area of the production team, nor would they be in the contestants' dressing rooms.

"Forget about her,"

"She’s just a minor figure."

Xi Yuanyuan didn’t want this to affect Chen Fang’s mindset.

Chen Fang smiled indifferently: "You're right, no need to bother with her."

Ke Min.

Just a minor figure.

Wang Situ, who had also fought her way through the auditions, naturally knew about the grudge between Chen Fang and Ke Min: "Ke Min must be regretting it now. If she knew Brother Chen would make it this far, she’d be currying favor with him in no time."

Would someone like Ke Min ever regret anything?

Chen Fang didn’t believe it.

A person so extremely arrogant and selfish could never feel remorse...

Meanwhile, in another dressing room, there were only three people.

Ke Min, Qiao Yue-zhu, and a middle-aged man.

"King Zheng, we’re counting on your performance tonight."

Ke Min smiled ingratiatingly.

The middle-aged man was Zheng Wenyan, the rising star of Creative Entertainment.

However, both the rising stars and the reigning queens of the company shared one annoyance—they disliked being called “rising star” or “queen” with the diminutive "little" in front, as it felt insulting to them.

Zheng Wenyan smiled gently and naturally took Qiao Yue-zhu’s slender, soft hand, stroking it in his palm: "Tonight’s first place is mine and Yue-zhu’s."

Qiao Yue-zhu blushed slightly but didn’t resist.

By age, Zheng Wenyan could be her father.

Ke Min’s eyes flickered with understanding.

No wonder he’s the rising star!

He’s already coaxed the young girl so quickly!

Rumor had it that Qiao Yue-zhu was quite lively in bed, serving Zheng Wenyan well, so before the official Starlight Road program even started, she had already signed with Creative Entertainment. There were even whispers that she was now living in Zheng Wenyan’s villa, spending her days in idleness.

Ke Min glanced at the slightly shy Qiao Yue-zhu.

Tsk tsk tsk!

The young girl was not old but had many tricks up her sleeve.

Perhaps men liked this kind of seemingly innocent and shy facade paired with wild abandon behind closed doors.

Ke Min sighed inwardly.

What a pity she was old.

If she were ten or so years younger, there would be no way Qiao Yue-zhu would be the one preening and posing.

Ke Min hesitated for a moment, then feigned casualness: "Still, be careful of that Chen Fang. That kid isn’t simple."

Upon hearing this, Zheng Wenyan scoffed.

A rookie who hadn’t even found his footing yet—how could he compare?

Zheng Wenyan was a rising star.

Not a dead weight like Cheng Jie!

"If it weren’t for Yue-zhu, I wouldn’t even bother coming to this program tonight. So just winning first place is enough; I don’t care about anyone else." Zheng Wenyan’s eyes burned with intensity as Qiao Yue-zhu’s small hand traced circles on his palm, restless. If they weren’t backstage, he might have already lost control.

These days,

That little demon clung to him so much he was nearly exhausted.

But that feeling, deep to the bone, made it impossible to quit.

Women!

Truly damaging to one’s health!

But how many men are not fond of women?

Zheng Wenyan was already quite restrained—at least for now, Qiao Yue-zhu was his only lover, whereas other rising stars in the company had a new woman in their beds every night.

Perhaps in Qiao Yue-zhu, he found the passion of young love again, so he would agree to any request she made.

Of course,

Except marriage.

Zheng Wenyan had a family and was seen by all fans as the model celebrity husband.

That was his public image.

It could never be tarnished!

Ke Min didn’t argue with Zheng Wenyan but was still somewhat worried. Chen Fang wasn’t an ordinary newcomer; his recent dominance in the music world was practically unprecedented. Even An Tinghan back in the day had never given her the impression of a truly unique artist.

"Yue-zhu, perform well,"

Ke Min turned to admonish Qiao Yue-zhu.

Qiao Yue-zhu nodded obediently: "I will definitely work hard."

Indeed, working hard!

Hard enough to be in Zheng Wenyan’s bed.

Ke Min didn’t care how wildly Qiao Yue-zhu played behind the scenes, even if it was with multiple partners—as long as her public demeanor was normal.

To become Qiao Yue-zhu’s manager, Ke Min had begged and bribed within the company, finally clawing her way out of semi-shelving.

Now, she was counting on Qiao Yue-zhu.

Ke Min wanted to say more, but her eyes caught Zheng Wenyan and Qiao Yue-zhu making small moves in front of her, and her face turned awkward.

She felt she shouldn’t be here.

Soon after, Ke Min found an excuse and left the dressing room.

As she stepped out, a shy moan came from inside.

"Such a shameless wench!"

Ke Min sighed helplessly.

This was the production team’s backstage, not your bedroom.

Ke Min stayed right outside the dressing room door.

After a long while, the sounds inside quieted down.

Ke Min’s heart stirred—Zheng Wenyan’s stamina was impressive.

...

"Rest up, don’t overdo it."

Chen Fang handed Wang Situ a bottle of water.

Originally, Chen Fang didn’t recommend Wang Situ keep practicing.

It would be better to use the afternoon to rest and adjust, preparing fully for the evening’s performance.

But Wang Situ said singing was the best way to relieve her nerves, so Chen Fang let her be.

Unexpectedly, the girl sang for two or three hours straight without stopping.

Xi Yuanyuan’s expression was stern as she forced Wang Situ to stop and rest.

At six in the evening, the audience began to enter.

The official Starlight Road program was held at the Century Metropolis in Kyoto.

There were 53,000 seats.

Including standing room, the venue could hold over 80,000 people at once.

Notably, the venue supported holographic projection and 3D rendering, allowing even the farthest audience members to clearly see the main stage as if the performers were projected in real life, floating right before their eyes.

"Let’s do our best!"

Xi Yuanyuan stretched out her palm.

Chen Fang placed his palm on the back of hers: "Let’s do our best!"

Wang Situ smiled brightly. Tonight, as long as she gave her all, even if she didn’t take first place, she would be satisfied.

"Let’s do our best!"

The three palms stacked together.

...