Rong Yu naturally knew that Rong Ruoyao wouldn’t receive an invitation.
But she deliberately asked anyway, just to make Rong Yu aware of the gap between them.
Though both were addressed as "Miss Rong," one was in the heavens, the other in the dirt. Recognizing the truth early would save her from becoming a laughingstock.
Rong Yu replied calmly, "I received it."
"It’s fine if you didn’t. It’s just a variety show. In the future—" Rong Ruoyao paused mid-sentence, stunned. "You passed the audition?"
Shen Lin’s fingers stilled.
The moment she heard Rong Yu’s voice that day, she knew there was a high chance she’d pass. But since Rong Yu had recorded on her phone, the background noise was overwhelming. Shen Lin assumed the selection committee might dismiss it without even listening.
Who knew luck would be on her side?
Shen Lin spoke up, "Since you passed too, we can go to the venue together later… But your outfit isn’t quite suitable. Do you want to change?"
Rong Ruoyao pressed her lips together.
She had underestimated this sister of hers.
Still, the audition standards weren’t strict. The real challenge was the preliminary round—only those who cleared it could officially join the program.
"Does Sister have performance attire?" she asked. "I have a few unworn dresses in my closet. Would you like to try one?"
Rong Yu glanced down at herself.
She wore a short-sleeved top with jeans and sneakers—nothing wrong with that.
"No need. This is fine."
Shen Lin didn’t push further.
They set out, the driver at the wheel while Rong Yu took the passenger seat. Shen Lin and Rong Ruoyao sat in the back, chatting nonstop.
After forty minutes, the car stopped at the entrance of Ji's Entertainment.
The moment Shen Lin stepped out, she ran into an old acquaintance from the industry. She introduced Rong Ruoyao, saying, "This is my daughter, a high school senior. She’s released a few songs and has some experience. I’d appreciate your guidance…"
She considered introducing Rong Yu too, but when she looked up, Rong Yu had already walked ahead, backpack slung over her shoulder.
Her plain outfit made her blend into the crowd in seconds.
Rong Yu entered the building, followed the signs to check in, and received her number—she was assigned to the third vocal room, sixteenth in line.
The wait dragged on. She sat in the audience area, flipping through a math magazine.
Nearly an hour later, her turn finally came. She closed the book, walked in, shut the door, set down her bag, and stepped onto the stage. "Good day, judges. My name is Rong Yu…"
Four judges sat in the room.
The moment she entered, they were taken aback.
Most girls who came for the preliminaries wore performance outfits and full makeup. Yet this girl showed up in a T-shirt, jeans, and a bare face.
Her features were striking—memorable even without makeup. More importantly, she carried an effortless ease, showing no trace of nerves in what should have been a tense setting.
"Please sing a song of your choice, a cappella, from start to finish."
Rong Yu sifted through her memory.
She wasn’t familiar with contemporary songs, so she had to pick from her own era.
She made her decision quickly.
After clearing her throat, she began.
A classically styled melody flowed from her voice—subtle, poetic, brimming with Eastern aestheticism.
The judges exchanged stunned looks.
It was hard to believe an eighteen-year-old could sing like this.
"She must be the one who auditioned via phone recording."
"Even with all that background noise, her voice cut through. Hearing it live is even more impressive—her vocal quality is exceptional."
"But both songs she sang were from the Republic era. Can she handle pop music?"
"If she has the foundation, she can sing anything…"
All four green lights lit up simultaneously.
Rong Yu thanked them, picked up her bag, and walked out.
In the hallway, she saw a group of girls surrounding Rong Ruoyao.
"You’re Yao Yao, right? The one who often plays daughters in dramas?"
"I remember—you’ve sung a few English nursery rhymes. Your voice is so sweet."
"Can we take a photo together?"
Rong Ruoyao smiled sweetly, posing for pictures with the contestants.
When she noticed Rong Yu, she excused herself and approached. "Sister, how did it go?"
Shen Lin answered with a complicated expression, "Xiao Yu passed the preliminaries."
As someone in the music industry, she knew a few judges. The moment Rong Yu’s name appeared on the list, she saw it.
This stepdaughter of hers actually clearing the preliminaries was beyond her expectations.
Rong Ruoyao froze.
The auditions sent invites to anyone with decent vocal skills.
But the preliminaries strictly limited participants to eighty-eight.
Four judges. Four red lights meant instant elimination. Three or two red lights put you on the waiting list. Only all green lights meant an on-the-spot pass.
She had gotten four greens because she was genuinely talented—and because her mother had pulled strings.
What was Rong Yu’s excuse?
"Both sisters passing is good news," Shen Lin said, quickly regaining her composure. "I’ve prepared a celebration dinner with relatives. Let’s go together."
Rong Yu checked the time. "No, I have something else to do."
She still had to return to Hibiscus Manor to be with her son.
Without another word, she left.
Rong Ruoyao muttered, "Mom, did the judges give her a pass because they knew she’s the eldest daughter of the Rong family?"
Shen Lin frowned. "Maybe your father pulled some strings. But it doesn’t matter. Her voice might be decent, but she’s nowhere near your level. You’re already famous with a fanbase. Don’t waste energy on someone insignificant."
Rong Ruoyao nodded. "I understand."
The weekend passed in a blink.
Early Monday morning, at the school gate, Rong Yu saw a crowd of students surrounding Rong Ruoyao.
"She’s amazing. I heard she passed the preliminaries for that talent show Ji's Entertainment is heavily promoting. If she makes it to the end, she’ll debut in a group!"
"Top grades, stunning looks, and soon a superstar. So jealous."
"And she has that ridiculously handsome fiancé—Song Huai! One’s the humanities top scorer, the other leads in sciences. A power couple."
"Plus, both the Rong and Song families are loaded. Life’s so unfair…"
Amid the praise, Rong Ruoyao maintained her sweet smile.
Rong Yu walked past them, frowning.
Her mind was racing through a set of calculations, but the results weren’t adding up…
As she reached her classroom, a cup of milk tea appeared before her.
"For the princess," Ji Zhouye said with a gentlemanly gesture.
Rong Yu: "…"
