The Almighty Martial Arts System - Chapter 152

The media’s questions grew increasingly direct, increasingly… brazen.

Listening to them, Jiang Fei felt his face grow hot, unsure how to respond. He was afraid of saying something he shouldn’t—something that might cause trouble for Qiao Yiyi.

How the hell did I end up being labeled as Qiao Yiyi’s boyfriend?

As the crowd of reporters closed in, security guards on both sides hurriedly cleared a path for Jiang Fei. Qiao Yiyi, flustered out of concern, stopped in her tracks and grabbed his hand, pulling him alongside her as they made a quick escape.

Whoosh!

Like cats catching the scent of fish, the reporters went wild. This was no longer just a whiff of gossip—it was a full-blown spectacle! They were now utterly convinced that Qiao Yiyi and this handsome stranger were hiding some scandalous secret.

Otherwise, why would she be so concerned about him, dragging him away like this?

You can’t fake that kind of worry.

In over a year, they’d never seen Qiao Yiyi act this way toward any man.

It was like she was protecting her territory!

Such was the reality of the entertainment industry—romances had no privacy. Once exposed, they brought endless trouble. The relentless media harassment often doomed these relationships before they even had a chance. That’s why most celebrities kept their love lives tightly under wraps, denying everything even when caught red-handed.

And Qiao Yiyi? She was at the peak of her career, the nation’s sweetheart. If news of her dating broke, countless hearts would shatter.

But the more explosive the secret, the more the reporters salivated over it.

Jiang Fei and Qiao Yiyi swiftly disappeared into the stadium, leaving the journalists fuming outside. Auntie Mei, drenched in sweat, cursed under her breath. If this rumor took hold, things would spiral out of control.

Instead of following the pair inside, she stayed behind to face the press.

“Everyone, please don’t jump to conclusions,” she said firmly. “That man and Yiyi are just ordinary friends.”

The reporters scoffed.

Yeah, right.

Every time a scandal broke, didn’t celebrities always claim they were “just friends”?

One reporter immediately fired back, “Then what’s his name? Why is he here today?”

“We can’t disclose his name,” Auntie Mei replied, doubling down. “But I assure you, they are merely friends. He’s actually a music expert, a true master in his field. He’s here as a guest performer for Yiyi’s concert tomorrow. He’ll be one of the special guests, and trust me—it’ll be an unforgettable show for the fans.”

With the situation escalating, Auntie Mei had no choice but to reveal Jiang Fei’s role upfront. Only this could quell the reporters’ frenzy—for now.

“A guest performer? In music? Then why have we never seen him before? If he’s such a master, he should’ve been in the public eye by now!”

The journalists weren’t buying it.

Auntie Mei’s expression darkened. Normally unshakable, she now struggled for words. “He’s not from the entertainment industry. That’s why he’s unknown to the public. Yiyi went to great lengths to invite him—all for the sake of giving the fans an extraordinary experience tomorrow.”

She was a pro at steering conversations. What started as an interrogation about Jiang Fei’s relationship with Qiao Yiyi somehow morphed into hype for the concert.

But these reporters were sharks.

“If he’s not from the entertainment industry, then is he a classical musician? A pianist? A vocalist? Even then, someone of his caliber should be recognizable!”

Auntie Mei faltered. Finally, she snapped, “You’ll find out everything at tomorrow’s concert. That’s all for today!”

With that, she turned and marched inside, leaving the frustrated media behind.

…

Not far from the chaos, a red Ferrari sat silently.

Inside, a pale-faced young man glared at the scene, his eyes burning with venom.

This was Li Jirong, the spoiled heir of Huaying Entertainment—the largest entertainment company in the country.

Just as Ye Yuanyuan had predicted, he hadn’t let go of his grudge.

That bitch slapped me. I’ll make her regret it.

With a snarl, he pulled out his phone and dialed a number.

“Did you get in touch with those people? Good. Also, contact a few media outlets. I’ve got some juicy news about Qiao Yiyi to spread. Doesn’t matter if it’s true—just make sure it blows up!”

Inside the stadium,

The stage was set, the equipment ready.

Jiang Fei’s rehearsal was brief—only three songs with Qiao Yiyi, including their previous duet, Like You, from the mangoTV gala.

There was no way he’d accompany her for the entire three-hour concert. Even with his superhuman stamina, that would’ve drained him dry.

But at Qiao Yiyi’s insistence, he’d also perform a solo piano piece—a twelve-minute masterpiece, later joined by an orchestra for a full symphonic finale.

Was this a concert or a philharmonic performance?

Onstage, the lights dimmed into warm hues.

Gone was Qiao Yiyi’s usual high-energy, hip-shaking pop idol persona. Dressed in a simple white blouse and jeans—just like during her week at Jiang Fei’s villa—she sat on a stool beside the piano, singing softly as Jiang Fei played.

Their eyes met occasionally, the chemistry undeniable.

Was she still in character?

Jiang Fei cleared his throat. “You sure about my solo tomorrow? What if I steal your spotlight?”

It had happened before—his piano skills overshadowed even her stunning vocals.

Qiao Yiyi just laughed. “I don’t care. A great guest elevates the whole show!”

“Fair enough.”

“By the way,” she added, “the other guest stars won’t rehearse today. They’re busy—they’ll just show up tomorrow.”

Typical. Established stars didn’t need practice for a guest slot.

But Jiang Fei? This was his first time performing for tens of thousands.

By the end, the rehearsal was flawless. Qiao Yiyi’s voice held strong through thirty songs—no cracks, no strain.

Everything was ready.

Tomorrow’s concert would be a sensation.