Cough cough. “Sis Lin, is it really worth getting so angry? The truth will out, and lies will fade!” Qin Lang said with feigned nonchalance.
Lin Ruo took a deep breath, visibly annoyed. “But the way they’re twisting the truth and slandering you and President Yun is just too much. They have no idea—”
At this, Qin Lang’s ears perked up. He was on the verge of uncovering something crucial from Sis Lin.
But just then, she exhaled and shook her head. “Never mind. You’re right, Xuanxuan. The truth will out. Overexplaining just makes it seem like we’re guilty.”
Qin Lang’s lips twitched. Why stop right at the important part?
Glancing at the driver ahead, he seemed to understand—Sis Lin didn’t want outsiders knowing about his connection to Yun Sihai.
So, what exactly is my relationship with Yun Sihai?
“A fallen comrade’s widow? Or maybe my family did him some great favor?” Qin Lang mused. “Not impossible.”
“But for this to break at this exact moment…” Sis Lin’s eyes narrowed. “This doesn’t feel like a coincidence.”
…..
Half an hour later, Qin Lang arrived at the TV station’s entrance—just as Liu Qingcheng’s van pulled up.
The paparazzi lurking outside immediately buzzed with excitement.
Liu Qingcheng and Qin Yunxuan showing up at the same time? This is huge!
Their past grudges were bound to ignite today. And now, running into each other at the entrance? Did that mean the battle was starting early?
Their professional instincts kicked in—this was definitely going to be headline material. Cameras were raised, eagerly awaiting the clash between the two stars.
“Liu Qingcheng is here too?” Sis Lin’s face darkened with anger. “Royal Sky Entertainment has truly lost their minds.”
Qin Lang blinked, unsure why she was so worked up.
“They’re just using you to boost Liu Qingcheng’s popularity. She’s been leeching off your fame this whole time!”
Qin Lang frowned. He wasn’t fully aware of the details, but after yesterday’s encounter with Liu Qingcheng, Sis Lin’s words made sense.
“Ever since your debut last year, your popularity skyrocketed. To ride that wave, Royal Sky immediately pushed Liu Qingcheng as their own rising star.”
“From day one, they’ve been positioning her against you—using you as a stepping stone to make her look better.”
“Her fans were furious about this ‘praise one, bury the other’ tactic. But in the end, your online support crushed hers, and you took home the Best New Artist award.”
“And that just gave Royal Sky more reason to cling to your coattails. Over the past year, Liu Qingcheng’s growth has been entirely fueled by your fame!”
“Now, right before your face-off, this scandal breaks, and you ‘coincidentally’ meet at the station? This reeks of Royal Sky’s usual scheming.”
Qin Lang raised an eyebrow. He’d initially felt a little guilty about “stealing” Liu Qingcheng’s Best New Artist title—but he hadn’t known the full story.
Talk about playing dirty.
“Xuanxuan, mark my words—if you don’t step out first, neither will she. But the second you show your face, she’ll make her move.”
Sis Lin’s eyes hardened. “I know you’re easygoing, but this time—you can’t let her get away with it.”
Qin Lang took a deep breath. “Don’t worry, Sis Lin. I know what to do.”
With that, he opened the door and stepped out.
Just as predicted—the moment he did, Liu Qingcheng’s door swung open, and she emerged.
The paparazzi went wild.
“They’re both out! Zoom in—get every expression!”
“This is like a meteor hitting the earth! We can’t miss this historic moment!”
“I can’t wait to see how this plays out!”
…..
Everyone was on edge, certain that Qin Yunxuan and Liu Qingcheng were about to clash.
Qin Lang watched as Liu Qingcheng approached. At this pace, they’d meet right at the entrance.
Looks like the first round starts now.
Though Qin Lang disliked drama, he wasn’t the type to take a hit lying down.
If they wanted to smear him and play games—fine. He’d play along.
Step. Step. Step.
The distance between them shrank. Qin Lang could even see the smug smile on Liu Qingcheng’s face.
To the onlookers, those few meters felt like an eternity.
“Push the shot in—focus on their faces!”
“They’re about to meet!”
Finally, under the paparazzi’s eager gaze, Qin Lang and Liu Qingcheng stood face-to-face at the entrance.
“Qin Yunxuan!” Liu Qingcheng stopped abruptly, her voice low and sharp. “Today, on that stage, I’ll prove with my skills who the real singer is—who’s truly the best!”
But to her shock, Qin Yunxuan didn’t even acknowledge her.
She just… walked right past her.
No glance. No reaction.
Was this… sheer dismissal?
With all these cameras here?
Wasn’t she supposed to retaliate? Say something?
How could she just ignore me like this?!
Liu Qingcheng’s face burned with humiliation.
This kind of disregard—this arrogance—was the one thing she couldn’t tolerate.
“Qin Yunxuan!”
As Qin Lang walked away, Liu Qingcheng whirled around and shouted after him.
Qin Lang turned back, feigning realization. “Oh? Who’s this? If it isn’t Liu Qingcheng—runner-up for Best New Artist. Did you need something?”
Liu Qingcheng’s face flushed as if she’d been slapped.
Best New Artist.
Her greatest humiliation.
“Qin Yunxuan, you’re too full of yourself! Today, I’ll crush you!” she hissed.
Qin Lang nodded mildly. “Sure, I accept your challenge. And while we’re at it, I’ll remind you just how wide the gap between us is.”
“Oh, and a little heads-up—I’ll be debuting a new song this round. In fact, every episode, I’ll perform a new original. So unless you’ve got enough quality material… maybe don’t embarrass yourself.”
