The Almighty Martial Arts System - Chapter 154

“Do you think Qiao Yiyi’s boyfriend is real this time?” A stunning young girl in a fitted pink T-shirt—her figure enviably curvaceous—remarked casually.

“Probably not. These tabloids have no integrity. They love making up celebrity gossip. How many ‘boyfriends’ has Yiyi been linked to this past year alone? Every time, the rumors fade away, and it turns out to be nothing. Either that, or some guy’s just using her for clout.” A bespectacled girl with faint freckles across her nose shook her head indignantly. Clearly a die-hard fan, she seemed personally offended on Yiyi’s behalf.

“I hope you’re right. Personally, I think the best match for our Yiyi is the leader of ‘Big Bang,’ Asia’s rap king! They’d be perfect—both all-around performers, incredible singers and dancers. But… this rumor feels different. It might actually be true.”

Both girls held copies of Hong Kong Entertainment Daily.

Qiao Yiyi wasn’t just a household name in mainland China—her influence spanned across Asia and even non-Chinese regions. So when mainland media broke the news that morning, Hong Kong’s gossip columns quickly followed suit.

“Who even is this Jiang Fei guy? Never heard of him before. How’d he suddenly end up with Yiyi?”

Bai Ruoxi, sitting nearby, had initially paid no attention to their hushed chatter. Exhausted from overworking to wrap up projects before returning home, she’d been about to slip on an eye mask and rest.

But the name Jiang Fei made her freeze.

Logically, she knew these girls were discussing a celebrity—not her Jiang Fei. Yet curiosity prickled at her.

Sleep now forgotten, she subtly tuned back into their conversation.

“The paper says he’s some official’s son from Jincheng. Yiyi’s one of the few artists who genuinely cares about her craft. She wouldn’t fall for a privileged brat, right?”

“Well, this Jiang Fei is kinda hot. Look at him in those sunglasses—he’s got star quality. At a glance, they do look good together.”

“Whatever. We’ll find out tonight at the concert. With this huge scandal breaking, Yiyi’s bound to address it. We’ll get our answers then.”

Bai Ruoxi’s expression flickered—brows knitting, then relaxing.

This Jiang Fei was also from Jincheng? But if he was some official’s kid tangled up with a superstar… surely not her Jiang Fei.

Yet an uneasy feeling lingered. Call it women’s intuition or paranoia, but she couldn’t ignore it.

Leaning over with a polite smile, she asked, “Excuse me, I couldn’t help overhearing about Qiao Yiyi’s news. Mind if I take a look at your paper?”

If they’d mentioned Jiang Fei’s appearance, there had to be a photo. One glance would settle this.

“Wow, you’re so pretty!” The pink-T-shirt girl gasped, then beamed. “Sure! Are you a fan too?”

“Not really. Just curious.” Bai Ruoxi accepted the paper with a thanks.

“No problem!” The girl giggled. “Has anyone told you you look like Korean actress Han Ga-in? Especially that cute mole on your nose!”

Bai Ruoxi nodded.

Oh, she’d heard it before—countless times, courtesy of Jiang Fei.

Still smiling, she unfolded the paper—

And her face went rigid.

The photo showed Jiang Fei and Qiao Yiyi outside the stadium yesterday. He wore oversized shades, but after years together, did they really think a pair of glasses could fool her?

Her breath hitched. Eyes widening in disbelief.

“That bastard’s new woman… is the hottest star in Asia?”

“How—how is this possible?!”

…

Jincheng Stadium Entrance

The crowd outside surged—thousands of fans, journalists, and security personnel buzzing with anticipation.

Qiao Yiyi’s comeback concert was already monumental, but that morning’s bombshell had cranked the hype to unbearable levels.

Ironically, the leak meant to smear her had backfired spectacularly, fueling record-breaking interest. Whether this would help or harm Yiyi long-term, however, remained to be seen.

By 7 PM, lines stretched endlessly as gates opened. Fans flooded in, eager for the show—and answers. Would Yiyi deny the rumors? Or… confirm them?

Most prayed for the former.

At 8 PM sharp, the stadium plunged into darkness. A sea of glow sticks and phone lights shimmered like stars—

Then, screams erupted as a single spotlight hit the stage.

“YIYI! YIYI! YIYI!”

Descending from the rafters in a dazzling ensemble, Qiao Yiyi launched into her hit “Chameleon Queen,” backed by a troupe of dancers. The crowd instantly exploded, singing along at full volume.

Front-row VIP seats housed an eclectic group: Mango, Ye Yuanyuan, Lin Moli, Xia Xiaozhi, Xu Jing, and others.

Ye Yuanyuan, usually indifferent to concerts, had only come under duress (and Mango’s relentless pestering). Between her grandfather’s poisoning case and Jincheng’s political turmoil, music was the last thing on her mind.

But while Bai Mangguo, Xia Xiaozhi, and the others screamed along, Ye Yuanyuan and Lin Moli waited patiently—

Their real interest wasn’t Yiyi.

It was Jiang Fei’s upcoming performance.

Backstage, Jiang Fei watched the monitors, mildly awed by the spectacle.

He wasn’t nervous. Just… intrigued.

What’ll it feel like to command forty thousand people’s attention?

After today’s headlines, he’d seen the online vitriol—99% of comments insisting he wasn’t good enough for Yiyi.

Well. Let’s see if his piano skills changed their minds.

Grinning, he cracked his knuckles.

His slot wasn’t for another two hours. Per Yiyi’s words: “You’re tonight’s secret weapon—the grand finale.”