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After all, this was an elimination round. No one could guarantee they would still be able to perform on this stage next time, so the contestants cherished the opportunity.

Ye Zexi's group was the finale. When it was their turn to take the stage, the cheers from the audience rose like waves, each louder than the last.

Xi Shu could not help but laugh. "Let me hear whose name you're shouting!"

The fans answered in perfect unison, "Ye Zexi!"

Xi Shu smiled. "Very good. Now, please welcome Ye Zexi's group as they bring us 'No Money No Talk'!"

The moment he finished speaking, the lights went out.

After a brief two seconds, a beam of light poured down from above as the four contestants appeared one after another.

Once the camera finally landed on Ye Zexi, the accompaniment began as well—

"It's here! The performance I've been looking forward to most tonight!"

"Go, Ye Zexi!"

As the rhythmic melody began, the four voices rang out clearly from the darkness in harmony:

"Hey greedy, don't be afraid

What you see is what you get

You name it, I have it

What you see is what you get."①

"Left, left, left, left—lean left and use your left hand. Then you won't have to overthink life."

The stage lights came fully on. Dressed in a pink denim jacket, Ye Zexi's low, magnetic voice instantly drew the entire audience's attention.

The livestream comments fell silent for a moment before exploding the next second:

"I can't take this! That voice is seriously enough to get your ears pregnant!"

"It's live! No pitch correction, and they're all singing live!"

"Ye Zexi!!! Forever the GOAT!"

The fans at the venue were equally stunned. This was their first time hearing Ye Zexi live, and he was unbelievably steady!

It was practically like attending a concert. It was such a treat!

Qu Xiao, seated below the stage, nodded in satisfaction. Ye Zexi had performed even better tonight than he had during yesterday's rehearsal.

Shan Zeyu was flawless as well. Lowering his voice, he said to He Jinyun, "He was born to belong on this stage. Trying to trick him into filming with you would be such a waste of talent."

He Jinyun kept his gaze fixed ahead.

The stage glittered with Starlight, and Ye Zexi could always make people lock their eyes on him at first glance.

The current Ye Zexi no longer had the laziness he showed in the practice room. His face held only enjoyment, as though he had been born for this very moment—to bloom onstage with his own charm.

He Jinyun curved his lips into a smile and gently shook his head, refuting Shan Zeyu's words. "Not necessarily."

Ye Zexi was suited for a bigger screen.

He firmly believed that.

The lights shifted, becoming even more dazzling. The accompaniment deepened, and the spotlight gathered on Ye Zexi as his magnetic voice flowed out slowly: "My thoughts aren't that complicated, there's only so much time to take your seat, please—"

Don't go knocking everywhere.

Trends need some picking apart.

One careless move, and there's nothing left to pick.

Put your strength into buckling everywhere.

Spend all your little bits and pieces.

Money can't buy unique skills.②

This exhilarating performance completely immersed both the audience and the contestants.

It was not until the accompaniment ended that the audience realized this auditory feast had ended so quickly, leaving them wanting more.

The fans in the livestream comments were even more dissatisfied:

"Why do I feel like Ye Zexi had so few lines today? I only heard him sing solo a few times!"

"It's not just you! I think so too!"

"I want to hear Ye Zexi sing it alone one more time!"

"More, more!"

"It's okay! The PK round is coming up soon, so we'll get to hear him again! The voting session starts after the second performance, so sisters, make sure to vote for Ye Zexi!"

"Right, right, right! He's number one! Please! As long as you vote for Ye Zexi too, you're my good sister!"

The lights dimmed for the curtain call, signaling the end of Ye Zexi's group's performance. Immediately afterward, Cui Yi's group brought the audience a different rendition of "No Money No Talk."

Once both groups had performed, the tense voting segment finally arrived.

Xi Shu took the stage again and announced that the voting channel was officially open. The thousand audience members present had to choose their two favorite contestants and one team from the two groups to vote for.

"Thirty seconds remaining! Please cast your votes quickly!"

"Counting down five seconds. Three, two, one—the voting channel is closed!"

As Xi Shu's voice fell, the results of this group PK were revealed as well.

Before the results were announced, there was still a mentor commentary segment.

Qu Xiao was the first to pick up her microphone, and her opening words were praise. "Ye Zexi, you were in incredible form today!"

Ye Zexi's eyes curved as he smiled and asked, "Then did Teacher Qu like it?"

Qu Xiao froze for a moment, then understood that Ye Zexi was referring to her previous critique. She laughed. "What, you still can't let that joke go?"

Ye Zexi blinked but said nothing.

The viewers online and the audience, however, burst into laughter.

Even Qu Xiao's fans were delighted:

"Hahahaha, I'm dying. That Ye Zexi—I clearly saw Xiaoxiao freeze for a second just now, hahahahaha."

"He's so mischievous! He actually flirted with our Xiaoxiao! But why do I inexplicably find it funny? Hahahaha."

"Hahahaha, it's obvious Xiaoxiao really appreciates Ye Zexi, but this guy is seriously mischievous! Xiaoxiao, please be harsher on him!"

Once the joking around ended, the mentors gave their choices.

Whether it was the live response or their familiarity with the song, Ye Zexi's group had undoubtedly won. In the end, they claimed victory in the group PK without any suspense.

Cheers and applause erupted throughout the venue once more.

The members of Cui Yi's group were not surprised by the result, but they still could not hide their disappointment.

The losing group was automatically placed in the losing bracket to await the upcoming elimination round.

After Cui Yi's group members left the stage, Xi Shu announced the top four contestants from Ye Zexi's group.