Chapter 69: A Ruthless Blow to Wang Min's Pride

Mo Qi shifted her gaze to Shen Yijue, and the audience followed suit, all eyes turning in his direction.

Shen Yijue, in truth, had stood up almost reflexively, without any intention of speaking. For a fleeting moment, as he watched Mo Qi standing upon the stage, he felt an inexplicable urge to hide her away from the world.

The thought struck him abruptly, without reason or logic.

Looking at Mo Qi, her face still adorned with the makeup of an aging woman, Shen Yijue finally understood that Guan Min’s words might not have been without foundation.

He had never denied his own powerful possessiveness.

“Very good.” Shen Yijue’s silence lasted no more than a second or two.

The audience wondered if their eyes were deceiving them, especially his own fans.

His Majesty! His Majesty is smiling! The man who, except when acting, never shows a smile, is smiling now!

Good heavens! That smile is enough to mesmerize anyone!

Mo Qi was momentarily stunned as well. Ever since she had met Shen Yijue, she had never seen him smile. Now, with just one smile, it felt as though the winter snow had melted, spring had returned, and all life was reborn—a breathtaking transformation.

Only three short words, yet they crisply and decisively affirmed his recognition of Mo Qi.

Mo Qi quickly collected herself, bowed deeply, and smiled as well. “Thank you, Teacher Shen.”

Shen Yijue sat back down, lighting the green light to signal her advancement.

Zhang Fan shrugged and pressed the green light too. “I have absolutely no reason to withhold my approval. And, I have a request. Mo Qi, would you consider collaborating with me on the music video for my upcoming single?”

A direct invitation!

The audience erupted in astonishment.

Though Zhang Fan’s status in the industry did not quite match Shen Yijue’s, in the music world his word carried significant weight. Such a direct invitation left no doubt as to his admiration for Mo Qi.

Mo Qi’s eyes sparkled with delight. She thanked him sincerely, “Teacher Zhang Fan, truly? Is it really possible?”

“Of course!”

“Thank you, Teacher Zhang Fan! I will do my utmost!” This was the very first opportunity she had earned for herself, and Mo Qi was genuinely overjoyed.

Shen Yijue’s brow furrowed slightly, and he cast a faint, sidelong glance at Zhang Fan.

Zhang Fan nodded, and the cameras shifted to Wu Jin.

Seizing the moment, Zhang Fan scribbled a line in his notebook and passed it to Shen Yijue: “I genuinely admire Mo Qi. There’s no need for you to act so guarded and dismissive.”

Shen Yijue glanced at the note and replied, “Overkill.”

Zhang Fan nearly choked with irritation. He was a king of the music industry, after all—how could having Mo Qi star in his music video be considered overkill?

“Petty man, I won’t stoop to your level,” Zhang Fan muttered, tearing off the note and tucking it into his pocket.

Wu Jin, meanwhile, was inwardly fuming, but he had to maintain a look of profound emotion for the cameras. “At any moment, it’s only love that can overcome all obstacles. Mo Qi, you were truly outstanding. You have my vote.”

Wu Jin must be about to explode! Mo Qi laughed coldly to herself, though her expression remained one of respect. “Thank you, Teacher Wu Jin.”

Finally, it was Su Xiao’s turn. “Mo Qi, as I said before, I want to act with you, and now more than ever. Congratulations on becoming the first contestant to advance to the national top ten!”

Su Xiao pressed the green light!

“Wow!” Mo Qi’s fans erupted in cheers, and the rest of the audience applauded in heartfelt congratulations.

Wang Min’s performance had been wonderful and moving, but as Su Xiao noted, she hadn’t invested true emotion, so the momentary touch she offered couldn’t linger in the heart.

Mo Qi’s performance, on the other hand, was calm yet profound, and her subtle, layered emotions seeped in drop by drop. Before the audience realized it, feelings had quietly accumulated until, in the end, they surged forth in a wave that could not be easily stilled.

“Thank you! Thank you, everyone!” Mo Qi bowed in gratitude, and amid applause and cheers, she became the first to take her seat among the national top ten.

From here on, she did not need to perform again; she could simply stand atop the platform, savoring her victory and watching the remaining contestants duel.

Su Xiao drew a heavy circle around Mo Qi’s name on her notes. Such a newcomer, yet she understood the art of survival in the entertainment world, always seizing opportunities to create a buzz for herself. More than that, she possessed a talent others could only envy. With time and experience, her potential for growth was limitless.

If they couldn’t become friends, she would surely be the greatest rival!

Su Xiao cast a fleeting glance at Wu Jin, her heart cold with amusement. How naïve, she thought, for some people to treat Mo Qi as just another newcomer, scheming to control her. In the end, they might not even realize when they’ve been outmaneuvered.

Mo Qi had advanced successfully, while Wang Min failed and was sent to the pending zone, awaiting the second round of duels. The competition continued.

Lin Zheng and Xie An, perhaps inspired by Mo Qi’s performance, both gave it their all and also advanced directly to the national top ten in the first round.

During the intermission, Mo Qi went backstage to change her makeup.

Wang Min was already waiting in the corridor. As soon as she saw Mo Qi, she stormed over, full of aggression.

Lin Zheng immediately stepped forward to block Mo Qi. “Wang Min, a loss is a loss. Don’t be such a sore loser!”

Wang Min, face livid, glared at Mo Qi, ignoring Lin Zheng entirely. “You knew all along, didn’t you? You did it on purpose, humiliating me on stage!”

Mo Qi glanced at the staff members peeking over to watch the drama and looked at Wang Min with guileless innocence. “What do you mean? I don’t understand.”

“You don’t understand? How could you not? You must have known I stole your script, so—” Wang Min, agitated and furious, blurted out her accusation without thinking. She stopped herself abruptly, realizing what she had just admitted, and glanced nervously around.

The staff, sensing trouble, quickly withdrew, pretending they had seen and heard nothing.

But Lin Zheng wasn’t about to let Wang Min off the hook. “So it’s true, Wang Min! You really plagiarized Mo Qi’s script! Have you no shame?”

“So what if I did?” Wang Min finally threw caution to the wind. “If I’m shameless, is Mo Qi such a paragon? She clings to King Shen and enjoys special treatment in this competition. So what if she just fools around on stage? She’ll still make it to the top three, won’t she?!”

“Just because you’re crazy doesn’t mean everyone else has to join you,” Mo Qi replied coolly. “I have only fifteen minutes to change. Please move aside.”

“Mo Qi, don’t get cocky!” Wang Min suddenly lowered her voice. “Even if you manage to get into Shen Yijue’s bed, you’ll never marry him. Give up!”

Mo Qi, so furious she actually laughed, responded in a matching undertone, “I seem to recall warning you not to provoke me. But you just don’t listen. Fine, I’ll oblige you.”

“What are you planning?” Wang Min remembered Mo Qi still had those incriminating photos of her with Deputy Director Hu Zhong.

“You’ll find out soon enough.” With that, Mo Qi brushed past Wang Min and entered the dressing room with Lin Zheng.

Wang Min knew full well this was the worst possible time to pick a fight with Mo Qi, but she couldn’t help herself. She had been certain she could bring Mo Qi down this time, only to be caught in her own trap and humiliated instead. If she could swallow this defeat, she wouldn’t be Wang Min.

Mo Qi finished changing, and the break was over; the competition resumed.

Lin Zheng was clearly holding something back, wanting to ask Mo Qi about dealing with Wang Min, but in the end, she said nothing.

Mo Qi knew what she wanted and, since it couldn’t be shared, pretended not to notice.

The contest continued from five in the afternoon until nine-thirty at night. Claiming exhaustion, Mo Qi declined Lin Zheng and Xie An’s invitation, choosing instead to go handle her own affairs alone.