Rong Yu glanced at the document.
Since it was a confidential project, the cover revealed little, only indicating it was related to the aerospace field.
Noticing her gaze, Song Huai immediately flipped to the first page: "Our task is to collect and analyze data. This is your forte, so it should be excellent practice for you... Don’t misunderstand—I’m not trying to exploit your skills for credit. I just hope Professor Liu will notice you. Perhaps he could even write you a recommendation letter for admission to Huaqing University..."
Rong Yu saw the data collection requirements and smiled.
These were the foundational guidelines she had personally drafted for the further implementation of the "Eagle Eye" project.
After all this time, the task had somehow landed in Song Huai’s hands.
Fortunately, while tedious, it wasn’t overly difficult. If Song Huai put in the effort, he should manage fine.
She spoke up, "Do your best. Don’t let Professor Liu down."
Then she turned and left with Ji Zhouye.
Song Huai’s fingers tightened around the file.
Zhang Haoyu had repeatedly asked to join the project after learning about it, but he had refused.
Yet when he presented it to Rong Yu, she dismissed it without a second thought?
If not for owing her a favor, why would he have gone out of his way to offer it...
He closed the file and walked away.
Back at Hibiscus Manor, late at night under the garden lights, Rong Yu saw Ji Jingchuan watering the plants.
The Ji family employed several landscapers who stood nearby assisting him, but he didn’t mind the dirt, carefully cupping soil with his bare hands into the flowerpots.
Hearing the car engine, he washed his hands and greeted them warmly, "Great-grandma, Ah Ye, you’re back."
Rong Yu noticed his condition had improved significantly. He was gradually settling into life with the Ji family, requiring less of her concern.
Before bed, she heard Ji Jingchuan reciting English from his balcony next door.
The boy had been forced to drop out after high school at seventeen. Now nearly twenty-one, he’d missed four crucial years of education. Thankfully, he was still young—there was time to catch up.
She called out, "Ah Chuan, you mispronounced that word..."
Ji Jingchuan immediately corrected himself.
From another balcony, Duoduo played the piano, the melody soft and soothing.
Upstairs, Ji Zhouye, who had just pulled out his phone for a quick game to unwind, sighed silently. At school, there was Chen Nian’s relentless studying; at home, his fourth brother was now joining the grind. Life was unbearable. Despite his frustration, he tucked his phone under his pillow, put on headphones, and pulled out a math worksheet.
Only Old Master Ji had gone to bed early.
The next day was Saturday—the eighth episode of the talent show’s recording, and the second-to-last round.
Since its premiere, the show had topped the variety charts, breaking viewership records and sparking a nationwide craze for talent competitions.
Even lower-ranked contestants had gained substantial followings.
This round, only thirty-six contestants remained.
From the original eighty-eight, less than half were left. The empty recording hall left many feeling somber.
The final episode would select just nine debut members from these thirty-six—meaning most were merely running a futile race...
"This round is team-based again," Su Tian slung an arm around Rong Yu’s neck. "I really don’t want to be team leader anymore."
Last time, though her team performed decently, they weren’t entirely safe—three members had been eliminated. The loss had been gut-wrenching...
Jiang Shuang smiled. "I heard teams are locked for the finale. Su Tian, you’ll probably stay as leader."
Last round, she’d performed a half-minute drum solo alongside Rong Yu, skyrocketing her popularity to eighth place—now within debut range. She was determined to cling to Rong Yu’s coattails. She had to debut...
Rong Ruoyao kept her eyes downcast.
She’d fallen from first to second place, with Lisa hot on her heels. The pressure was unbearable.
"Welcome to Episode 8," the host announced. "This round’s mission: form teams, pick members, and select songs. The top three teams from last round keep their lineup. The rest will choose leaders and teammates based on individual popularity."
Jiang Shuang brightened.
She was still on Rong Yu’s team.
Su Tian sighed.
As leader, she’d gotten more screen time, boosting her popularity to fifth place. She’d remain a leader.
"Don’t dwell on last round," Rong Yu patted her shoulder. "Eliminations are normal in competitions. Getting cut doesn’t mean life is over—it’s just an early start to new opportunities. If you stay stuck, you’ll drag your team down. The next performance is critical. I want to see you shine."
Su Tian’s eyes reddened.
She hugged Rong Yu. "Thank you, Sis Yu. I feel better now."
The six teams were quickly finalized.
Next was song selection.
Rong Yu’s team, ranking first in all aspects, had first pick.
Two dance tracks, two ballads, one rap, and one traditional folk tune.
"Pick dance," Jiang Shuang suggested. "Historical data proves dance tracks always perform well on stage."
Rong Yu scanned her teammates. "Every one of us has danced at least once here. Won’t the audience get bored? Don’t you want to challenge yourselves?"
Tian Tian scribbled on her notepad. "Ballads are out too—we’ve done those. That leaves rap or folk."
Jiang Shuang preferred dance.
But she’d already danced three times. Staying in her comfort zone would draw criticism.
"Let’s vote," Rong Yu delegated the choice. "Anonymous. Majority wins."
They wrote their picks and handed them to Rong Yu. Rap won.
Rong Yu had some experience with folk music—she’d learned it as a teen.
But rap? She was completely out of her depth.
Still, wasn’t the point of joining this show to expand her horizons? The harder the challenge, the more she’d push forward.
She requested a rap coach from the production team.
The coach sat down. "First, everyone writes lyrics—a verse about your attitude toward youth."
Rong Yu froze.
Writing reports was hard. Essays were hard. Lyrics? A nightmare.
But with everyone else scribbling away, she couldn’t just stand there. She doodled equations on her notepad.
The livestream chat erupted.
"The coach asked for lyrics about youth, but look at Rong Yu—she’s drawing parabolas and writing equations!"
"LMAO, flexing her academic skills even on a variety show. She’s committed to the ‘genius’ persona."
"Tsk, Rong Yu has always been a top student—no need to 'put on an act.' Someone’s just jealous."
"Gotta admit, those parabolas Rong Yu drew really hit different for a math major like me…"
"..."
