Chapter 11

"...No, it's not that I don't want to advance in the first round. It's that I... I can't do it." After a brief pause, the boy's voice rang out again. He seemed to have adjusted his emotions; there was much less choking in his voice, and it had become clearer.

Ye Zexi frowned slightly. The voice sounded familiar.

"Yes, Ye Zexi and Jiang Ran are both in my group. I ranked twenty-second last week."

Ye Zexi immediately understood.

He was one of their group members. If Ye Zexi remembered correctly, this boy was called Yu Yan.

He had fair, clean-cut features, and his baby face was very cute.

Unfortunately, he liked girls.

Yu Yan was on the phone, and he continued, "I understand what you mean. I definitely won't give up on myself. But facts are facts. I have to admit that Ye Zexi and Jiang Ran are both better than me. When it comes to the in-group PK, I'll definitely lose to them."

"Mm, okay. I've calmed down now. I was just anxious for a moment. I'll go back and keep training in a little while."

"Give up on what? I've already come this far, how could I possibly give up... Anyway, don't worry about me. Mom, take good care of yourself and Dad. As long as I make it into the top ten this time, we'll have enough for Dad's surgery..."

Ye Zexi did not listen any longer. He took another route and decided to get some air. He probably would not be able to go back and sleep anytime soon.

The early summer night breeze brushed against his face, carrying its unique heat. Yet compared to the unchanging air-conditioning indoors, it held an extra touch of life.

Ye Zexi propped his head up with his left hand and leaned halfway against the window. There were not many people in the corridor, and now and then, unfamiliar or familiar music could be heard.

At midnight, the music still had not stopped.

Natural selection. Survival of the fittest.

Only those who had experienced it would understand that the phrase did not refer solely to evolution.

Some people simply needed an opportunity.

Just like himself back then, struggling upward through the mud.

Before returning to his room, Ye Zexi took a detour to the training room.

The door was not fully closed, allowing the music to spill out. In the spacious room, Yu Yan was the only one there, facing the mirror and practicing unfamiliar dance movements over and over again.

Ye Zexi did not linger. He soon turned around and returned to his room.

*

On the day of the second live performance, the contestants got up early to do their makeup and prepare for the evening's stage.

During breaks, contestants could be seen everywhere squeezing in practice for their performances.

Even Jiang Ran hummed as he practiced his movements in front of the dressing-room mirror.

Ye Zexi could not help glancing over twice.

Jiang Ran noticed Ye Zexi's gaze, and his expression changed slightly as he immediately straightened his back.

This time, he had prepared modern dance, the style he was best at. He absolutely would not lose to Ye Zexi!

Yet as though he had not noticed the fighting spirit in Jiang Ran's eyes, Ye Zexi quickly looked away.

Jiang Ran's expression changed again, and he became even more determined. Tonight, he could only win—he could not lose!

At seven that evening, the livestream began on schedule.

The number of viewers watching this livestream far surpassed that of the previous live performance. Even the venue, which could hold several thousand people, was packed to capacity.

The instant the stage lights came on, the venue erupted in waves of applause. Amid the dazzling lights, the colorful support signs in the audience were especially eye-catching.

As the camera swept past, the most distinctive one was a photo of Ye Zexi—the pink-haired man's lips curled upward, the tiny beauty mark at the corner of his eye was vivid and striking, and the handsome curve of his profile made it impossible to look away.

But the most eye-catching part was not Ye Zexi's face, but the five large words beneath the photo: "Living off a rich second-generation heir."

Sharp-eyed viewers naturally caught the fleeting shot, and the livestream comments instantly erupted with laughter.

"What did I just see?!"

"Hahahaha, Ye Zexi's fans are way too good at this!"

"Hahahaha, worthy of being us Zexi fans! So amazing!"

"I can't take it anymore, I'm dying of laughter! Sisters, you weren't lying to me! But why is there only one meme? Where's the other one? (Hint hint.)"

The next second, the camera turned again and cut straight to Ye Zexi backstage.

A trace of confusion appeared in Ye Zexi's eyes at first. Then he saw himself on the big screen, along with his meme in the split screen.

A burst of screams immediately rose from the venue.

Ye Zexi's thin lips curved slightly into a faint smile. His lips moved as he slowly spoke two words to the camera: "Naughty."

"Ahhhhhhh—" The screams at the venue grew even louder.

The comments refused to be outdone. The endless stream of "ahhhhh" was so loud it practically hurt the other viewers' ears.

"Wuwuwu, Zexi is too cute!"

"Young master, I'm available!"

"He smiled at us!"

"Ahhhhh, he's so handsome!"

The opening atmosphere had come alive. The venue lights dimmed, and the three mentors entered at that moment.

The screams from below rose one after another.

"They're here, they're here!"

"It's starting!"

"Whale is here!"

"Xiao Xiao is so beautiful today too!"

"Strict Teacher Shan!"

After the mentors briefly introduced the rules for this round, the second live performance officially began!

"Here it comes, here it comes! My heart is racing and my hands are shaking!"

"I've waited a whole week. I can finally watch the livestream!"

"Go, Tang Tang! Tang Tang is the best!"

"Go, Cui Yi!"

With the good reputation and promotion from the first week, Era Idol's livestream viewership hit another record high in the second week.

Halfway through the performance, the atmosphere at the venue grew even more heated. Some viewers even commented that it felt less like they were watching an idol competition show and more like they were watching a concert.

Of course, it was not just the audience. The contestants present were also enjoying the stage immensely.