Aerospace Research Institute.
The director looked helpless. "Are you satisfied now?"
Yun Xiaoyuan adjusted her glasses. "This kid has done your institute such a huge favor. Is one measly Weibo post really too much to ask? Or should I kneel and kowtow to you instead?"
Min Shenyan pursed his lips.
This old woman—how dare she speak to the director so disrespectfully?
"A genius like her should contribute to the nation sooner rather than later," the director said. "The entertainment industry is meaningless—just a waste of time... I suggest we fast-track her into the institute through special channels."
Yun Xiaoyuan chuckled. "She's only eighteen. Her life has just begun. She'll have decades ahead of her stuck in this godforsaken place crunching data—why trap her so soon? The entertainment industry is what she wants to do right now. Let her experience it, live a little. Only then will she settle down for research later. Isn't that right?"
Min Shenyan, who also valued talent, agreed. "Besides, she's still just a high school student. If she joins the institute directly, her lack of formal education could become a weakness others exploit... She should attend the best university, learn from the best mentors, and have access to top-tier resources to fully unleash her genius potential... I have considerable experience mentoring students. Professor Yun, why not... let her go?"
Yun Xiaoyuan smirked. "The best mentor? You? Where do you get the nerve?"
Min Shenyan: "..."
The director quietly began scheming.
A mathematical prodigy like this was a hot commodity, fiercely contested by every major research institution. He needed to act fast.
The live audition show was nearing its end.
Just as the seventh group's performance was wrapping up, Rong Yu finally appeared at the entrance of Ji's Entertainment headquarters.
The assistant director hurriedly ushered her into the makeup room. Three makeup artists worked simultaneously, finishing in five minutes flat. After changing into her performance outfit, she was led to the waiting area.
"Yu-jie, you're finally here!" Su Tian rushed over to greet her. "We're up next—good thing you made it."
He Qiqi pressed her rosy lips together. "Rong Yu, did something happen at home? Why are you so late?"
Since all contestants had their phones confiscated during filming, she had no idea Rong Yu's whereabouts had already been exposed online.
"Nothing happened at home," Rong Yu replied, glancing at the large screen. "How long until we go on?"
"Stage setup will take about thirty minutes," Su Tian answered. "Yu-jie, you should rest and get into the right headspace..."
She noticed the dark circles under Rong Yu's eyes—she clearly hadn't slept well last night.
Rong Yu waved her off. "I'm in perfect condition. Since we have thirty minutes, let's run through the routine a few times. Come on, let's find some space over there!"
At her words, Su Tian, Li Ying'er, and the rest of the girls immediately followed her. Only He Qiqi stayed put, watching them with wide eyes.
He Qiqi bit her lower lip hard.
She was the team leader.
Why did everyone listen to Rong Yu?
Why did she have to listen too?
Her lips turned white from the pressure. She exhaled softly. "Right before the performance, I think we should stay calm. Practicing now might backfire."
Rong Yu didn't even look at her. "Then sit there and stay calm."
She walked to the stairwell, pulled out her phone, turned on the music, and led the team through their routine.
They had been practicing daily, posting a hundred repetitions in their group chat. Later, Rong Yu even brought in a professional dance instructor to give them one-on-one corrections.
Every move had been drilled hundreds of times, ingrained into muscle memory. The moment the music started, their bodies moved instinctively.
Rong Ruoyao smirked faintly.
For the past week, Rong Yu had been roasted online for usurping the team leader's role. And now, right before the performance, she was rallying the girls to exclude He Qiqi? Clearly, the backlash hadn't been harsh enough.
Last time, Rong Yu's popularity ranking was in the seventies. After this stunt, it would definitely drop further.
Sixteen contestants would be eliminated this round—Rong Yu was probably already on the chopping block.
Inside, He Qiqi listened to the synchronized footsteps outside and curled her lips in disdain.
Cramming at the last minute—what a bunch of amateurs.
Being stuck with these losers was the worst luck.
She wiped the smirk off her face, lifted her head, and let her eyes slowly redden, misting over as if she were on the verge of tears.
"Why does He Qiqi keep crying all the time?"
"If you're the leader, shouldn't you focus on uniting the team to score high? All she does is sit there crying—is she even fit to lead?"
"Before, I criticized Rong Yu for taking over the leader's role. But now I see—without Rong Yu pulling the team together, this group would be a complete mess, guaranteed to rank last!"
"The leader's useless, so Rong Yu had to step up."
"No wonder Rong Yu's a top student. Even with a terrible hand, she fights to the end."
"Well, she did get into the Fourth Aerospace Research Institute. Gotta have some grit for that."
"I don't care—I'm voting for Rong Yu this time."
"..."
"Group Eight, prepare to take the stage!"
At the director's shout, the team assembled and followed him to the wings, where the roar of the live audience was deafening.
"He Qiqi!"
"Rong Yu!"
"Rong Yu!"
The chants for Rong Yu drowned out He Qiqi's name.
He Qiqi froze.
What was going on?
Hadn't Rong Yu been getting dragged online all week? How could so many people in the audience be cheering for her?
Had something happened that she didn't know about?
Before she could process it, the director ushered them onstage.
In total darkness, they took their positions. The music started, and all ten moved in perfect sync.
It was a fast-paced English song.
The opening line went to Rong Yu. Her warm, steady voice was like sunlight breaking through cracks in stone, slowly illuminating the stage.
"This is such a surprise—Rong Yu's voice is so clear, it gave me chills."
"During the first round, I noticed her vocals were really stable, but it was a group performance, so it didn't stand out. I thought I imagined it."
"Not just her singing—her dancing is just as good as He Qiqi's, and He Qiqi's a professional!"
"Does anyone else feel like He Qiqi doesn't fit with the other nine? Like she was photoshopped in?"
"She dances well, but it feels like a solo act. The other nine move as one—so synchronized, so cohesive. It's a visual feast."
"This is a girl group audition, not a solo show. What is He Qiqi even doing?"
Onstage, Rong Yu poured her heart into the performance, sweat glistening as she flawlessly executed every move they'd drilled all week.
She never backed down from a challenge.
She always faced difficulties head-on.
Even something as unfamiliar as dance—she could conquer it.
And she loved every second of it.
As the final note faded, the stage lights brightened. In the front row of the audience, Old Master Ji and Duoduo waved glow sticks, shouting her name at the top of their lungs.
The crowd followed suit, chanting in unison.
"Rong Yu!"
"Rong Yu!"
"Thank you to He Qiqi's team for that incredible performance," the host stepped onto the stage, proceeding with the usual post-performance interview. "As everyone knows, this is the most challenging vocal and dance piece in the history of talent competitions. Your group was considered relatively weaker in terms of skill, and your individual popularity rankings were lower too. Netizens joked that you were destined to come in last. Facing such public opinion, what would your team like to say in response?"
