Translator: _Min
âTrue enough,â Pei Mengzhi nodded in agreement. âIf he really came from a presitgious family, he wouldnât need to participate in a talent show. Take the one from the Xiang family, for instance; they have all the resources to support him.â
Yu Yao, however, was lost in thought.
He had never seen Xie Yu before, but he felt that Xie Yu was likely not simple, perhaps even a scion of a martial family.
In the era of the Great Xia dynasty, the distribution of power was strict, especially under the rule of Emperor Yin, who had overseen the Three Aristocratic Families and the Four Alliances.
The status of the Three Aristocratic Families was so lofty that even the Yu family found them difficult to approach.
However, apart from the fabled Miracle Doctor Alliance, the other three alliances were quite active in public view.
Yu Yao had only visited the Thousand Army Alliance.
The Thousand Army Alliance was a place for weapon forging and martial training.
Although Yu Yao had not trained there long, he was surprised that he had been noticed by Xie Yu.
Perhaps it was just a coincidence.
âLet me ask you this,â Pei Mengzhi continued. âNow that you see Si Fuqing isnât some ugly hag and isnât as incompetent as before, donât you feel anything? Even if you dislike her, you canât find that face repulsive, can you?â
Yu Yao remained indifferent. âNo, stop asking.â
âAlright, alright, youâre a man of focus,â Pei Mengzhi shrugged. âI think sheâs really impressive and talented.â
Yu Yao remained unresponsive. âHer lack of formal education is also a fact.â
âWhoâs perfect in this world?â Pei Mengzhi didnât seem to mind. âFor women, looking good is enough. Being too smart is actually a disadvantage.â Yu Yaoâs voice was devoid of warmth. âIâm not interested in a mere pretty vase.â
âI get it, I get it, you have your little childhood sweetheart,â Pei Mengzhi chuckled, draping his arm over Yu Yaoâs shoulder. âWhat kind of family is the Ji family? Even the Zuo family canât compare.â
Among the affluent families in Sijiu, the Ji family could easily rank in the top five.
Could the young lady of the Ji family be reduced to being compared with a celebrity?
Putting their names together would be blasphemous to Ji Qingwei.
âBut I have to say, Si Fuqingâs singing is truly exceptional,â Pei Mengzhi clicked his tongue in admiration. âIt adds another layer of interest for me. Iâll go introduce myself later.â
Yu Yao twisted open a bottle of water. âSuit yourself.â
The first public performance came to a successful conclusion.
Xie Yu and his team of six advanced to the next round.
No one paid attention to Lu Yan anymore, much less Mu Ye.
Backstage, the trainees gathered. Some were crying, holding their heads in their hands, while others wore faces of relief.
Forty-six trainees were eliminated after the first performance, making the remaining ones jittery.
With only nine spots available for debut, it was clear that more than forty would be mere placeholders.
âTeacher Si!â Xu Xiyun immediately sought to take credit. âI got three hundred votes!â
âMhmm, not a vote less,â Si Fuqing replied, draping an overcoat around herself. âNext time, aim for five hundred. Work hard.â
Xu Xiyunâs enthusiasm deflated at once.
Lu Yan approached, his eyes cold and piercing. âSi Fuqing, what was the meaning of today?â
There were no cameras here; he wasnât afraid of being recorded.
Both being from Tianle Media, it was clear whom the company would protect.
âToday?â Si Fuqing turned, a lazy smile gracing her lips. âIâm the type who protects my own. If anyone thinks they can bully or suppress my people, they better have the capability to back it up.â
Lu Yanâs face changed, his teeth almost grinding. âSi Fuqing, youââ
Si Fuqing didnât bother to entertain him further. She turned and clapped her hands. âAlright, everyone did well today. Get some good rest tonight; weâll have a feast at noon tomorrow.â Xu Xiyun cheered.
He was craving fried chicken.
âSomeone is picking me up, so Iâll leave first,â Si Fuqing glanced at her phone.
âIf anyone bothers you while Iâm not around, bother them back. Iâve got your
backs. â
Xie Yu stood up, âTake care, Teacher Si.â
Outside the venue, many fans were still waiting.
Si Fuqing opted for the back exit to slip away.
Her eyes instantly found Yu Tang.
âQingqing, over here!â Yu Tang waved, âNo one is around; Iâve checked!â
Si Fuqing pulled on a baseball cap, donned sunglasses and a mask, and looked around. Yu Xiheng was nowhere to be seen. âWhereâs the boss?â
âOh, Uncle Nine?â Yu Tang boasted, âHe was picking on me earlier, so I ditched him to come get you. Let him learn his lesson!â
âTangtang, how could you do that?â Si Fuqingâs expression immediately turned serious. âYou can ditch anyone but not your Uncle Nine. Letâs go find him right now; we canât let him feel abandoned.â
That was money she was talking about.
The food for her pet Pixiu at home.
How could they manage without it?
Yu Tang: n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
What was going on? Why was she getting hurt from both sides?
Meanwhile.
Feng San was pushing the wheelchair, and Shen Xingjun was following Yu Xiheng.
He looked at the frenzied fans with awe, âYoung people have so much energy. Iâm already tired.â
Yu Xiheng rested his head on his hand, a slight smile in his eyes, âLiving peacefully and working happily is quite good.â
âYou really are an old-fashioned soul,â Shen Xingjun shook his head, âIâd feel uncomfortable if I didnât hear you say a few idioms each day. Whereâs your niece?â
âMiss Yu Tang went to pick up Miss Si,â Feng San promptly answered. âThere were too many fans of Miss Si here, so they left through the back door and will meet up outside in a moment.â
Shen Xingjun nodded, indicating he understood.
He thought these crazed fans looked like they could eat someone alive.
On the other side.
Yu Yao and Pei Mengzhi had also come out.
The screams of the fans were annoying Yu Yao.
He quickened his pace, just wanting to leave this place as soon as possible.
Pei Mengzhi was keenly scanning the surroundings to see if there were any worthy âtargets.â
But he didnât spot many beauties that piqued his interest. Instead, he saw someone in a wheelchair moving with the crowd toward the exit. It was a foggy night and hard to see clearly from a distance.
Pei Mengzhi couldnât see clearly.
But the person seemed to have trouble walking.
âThatâs interesting; even disabled people come to concerts,â Pei Mengzhi chuckled. âSi Fuqingâs charm is truly extraordinary. Yu Yao, do you think this disabled person came for Si Fuqing?â
âI see itâs a man; he probably canât run away from Si Fuqingâs allure.â Someone responded.
âWhat disabled person?â Yu Yao turned his head, showing a hint of impatience.
âOver there,â Pei Mengzhi pointed to a spot. âHey, heâs not coming this way because he heard me, is he? Letâs just hurry up and leave.â
The word âdisabledâ had always been a sensitive point for Yu Yao.
Narrowing his eyes, he looked over and saw the wheelchair moving forward.
As the distance closed and the fog dispersed, his features became clearer.
Yu Yao paused, âUncle Nine?â