In a competition like this, except for the initial audition phase, every other stage ends with an “exciting announcement of who advances.” Even though the judges already know who’s moving on, they still have to debate fiercely in front of the audience, then call all the contestants back on stage to announce the results publicly.
Qiu Qiu was hiding in the restroom, chatting with Fu Ruien. They were having such a great time that he almost lost track of time. It was only when Fu Ruien reminded him that he remembered.
He hurriedly ended the call and rushed back backstage. All the other contestants were already there, listening to the coordinator explain the upcoming procedures. The order of going on stage was the same as the competition order. Hua Xiang stood behind Qiu Qiu, arms crossed and visibly annoyed, looking everywhere but at him.
Feeling a bit guilty, Qiu Qiu took the initiative to apologize. “Sorry, I really wanted to listen to your song, but I had an important call I had to take.”
Hua Xiang, who had been pampered since childhood, snapped back like a bull: “Who was so important? Your dad?”
“Hmm, my godfather.”
“...That ‘Aston Martin’?” Hua Xiang’s temper flared up quickly but just as fast died down. He thought of that luxury car that made him drool—the first time he’d seen one in real life outside a car show, and it actually looked like it could shoot flames!
Qiu Qiu corrected him seriously, “You’re wrong to do that. You can’t give someone a nickname just because of one of their traits. Imagine if someone called you ‘That Mop Head’—wouldn’t you be upset?”
Hua Xiang was both shocked and hurt, clutching his head.
Qiu Qiu added, “Besides, my godfather owns more than just that one car.”
“...” Hua Xiang was speechless.
Because Qiu Qiu had long prepared himself mentally for advancing, he was the calmest among all the contestants when it was his turn to perform. When the name “Qiu Qiu” appeared on the big screen, the audience erupted in cheers. Only then did Qiu Qiu feel a bit surprised—besides the fan group led by Little Li, almost everyone applauding him were strangers.
He felt... genuinely happy.
This happiness was different from when he first published his “tofu block” (short essay) in a magazine, different from when he received a scholarship from the principal, different from watching his godfather finish every bite of the dinner he cooked... It was a completely unfamiliar joy, mixed with pride, confidence, and a bit of unexpected gratitude.
Maybe this is what it feels like to be loved by fans.
Qiu Qiu’s two friends, Qi Qiqi and Hua Xiang, also advanced. Qiu Qiu had listened to Qi Qiqi’s singing, and before Qi Qiqi even started, he never would have guessed such a small frame could hold so much power. Qi’s parents were religious and had sent him to a choir from a young age. When Qi Qiqi sang, his ethereal, otherworldly voice seemed to truly summon angels.
Qiu Qiu secretly hoped the three of them could make it to the end, but this was a singing competition, not a marathon. It wasn’t endurance that would win the day.
…
After the competition ended, Little Li and her “butt-slapping” crew surrounded Qiu Qiu, teasing him to give a victory speech and asking if he’d been nervous waiting for the results.
Qiu Qiu thought for a moment and honestly said, “Actually, I was pretty nervous during the competition... I kept worrying my wig might fall off.”
Everyone: “……”
The contest started at seven and wrapped up around nine-thirty. By the time everyone dispersed, it was already past ten. Their dorm at A University had no curfew—no matter how late you got back, you just swiped your card to get in. These college kids were all night owls; ten o’clock was just the beginning of their nightlife. Everyone was buzzing with energy, chatting excitedly as they tried to figure out where to celebrate properly.
They’d all come out to the studio to cheer for him, which was both a reward and a bit of a hassle. Plus, a lot of them had only nibbled on a piece of bread before the show. Young people got hungry fast, and Qiu Qiu could already hear several stomachs growling—loudest of all was his own.
Patting his belly, his dimples sinking into his cheeks, he said, “Let’s go for hotpot. It’s on me!”
To cheer him on, over fifty people from the Chinese department had gathered. At about two hundred yuan per person, that added up to more than ten thousand yuan. Qiu Qiu wasn’t worried about money—he’d just received a 50,000-yuan prize, so his wallet was comfortably full. But he’d promised over the phone to pay Fu Ruien back with the winnings first. Now, he had no choice but to break that promise.
On the way to the hotpot restaurant, feeling a little guilty, he pulled out his phone and texted his godfather.
Qiu Qiu: “Godfather, are you asleep?”
Godfather: “No, what’s up?”
Qiu Qiu: “Can I pay you back 40,000 yuan first? ><”
Godfather: “What’s wrong? Short on living expenses?”
Qiu Qiu: “No, a bunch of classmates came to cheer me on today, and I want to treat them to a meal. It’s probably going to cost over ten thousand... so I can only pay you back 40,000 for now ><”
Godfather: “……”
Then the godfather transferred 20,000 yuan to Qiu Qiu.
Qiu Qiu: “???”
Godfather: “Qiu Qiu, a man’s word is his bond.”
Godfather: “Take this 20,000 to treat your classmates. As for the 50,000 you won, every cent of that still belongs to me.”
Qiu Qiu: “>//////<”
