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Ye Zexi explained, "I was a little slow at learning. Yesterday, I was still learning the song and couldn't quite keep up with my teammates' progress. I didn't expect the production team to edit that footage into the teaser. Thankfully, I didn't hold everyone back today."

As soon as he said that, several members of Ye Zexi's group wore complicated expressions.

Ye Zexi had merely been unfamiliar with the song before?

They had sung this song ninety-nine times, if not a hundred, in one day. They now seriously suspected Ye Zexi had deliberately pretended not to know it!

He had really hidden his abilities well!

But the viewers didn't know about Ye Zexi's previous training, so the bullet comments became especially lively.

"So he really was lip-syncing?"

"This guy is way too honest. He actually admitted it?"

"What's wrong with admitting it? Yesterday's teaser really didn't show him in a good light."

"I actually think Ye Zexi is genuinely sincere. He's handsome and sings well too. I kind of want to become a fan!"

"Count me in, sis!"

"So he still fake-sang, right? Is this supposed to clear his name?"

"No need to be so nitpicky. At least he's singing live today."

"Anyway, I don't like people who lip-sync."

Ye Zexi was very cooperative, which relaxed Xi Shu considerably. His next question came more naturally. "I see. Then there's one more question. Since you saw the trending topic too, what do you think about netizens saying you joined Era Idol to pursue Tang Jing?"

The moment that question came out, the entire venue erupted. Tang Jing's expression changed as well.

Even He Jinyun below the stage frowned slightly and looked toward Li Changjian.

Wasn't that question a little too sharp?

"Holy shit! What's going on? The host asked that kind of question directly?"

"Say what you want, Ye Zexi sings well and he wasn't lip-syncing, but I really am curious about what happened with last night's trending topic."

"Curious too."

"So how will Ye Zexi answer?"

At that moment, Ye Zexi, standing onstage, was even calmer than everyone had imagined.

He had answered questions a hundred times sharper than this one before. How could he possibly fail to answer this?

Ye Zexi curved his lips, suddenly stepped forward, and gave Tang Jing beside him a deep bow.

Tang Jing's expression abruptly changed. He quickly reached out, wanting to help him up. "What are you—"

Ye Zexi straightened up and gave Tang Jing an apologetic smile. "I should apologize to you. If it weren't for me, you wouldn't have been troubled by this for so long."

The moment Ye Zexi said that, the bullet comments flew by even faster, while cries of surprise rang out across the venue.

"Th-this... is he admitting it???"

"So he really joined Era Idol to pursue Tang Jing?"

"So that video from yesterday was real too?"

"Holy shit, should I start shipping them right away, or praise Ye Zexi for his courage?"

"Ye Zexi is so bold!"

"Coming out before debuting—this is wild!"

Tang Jing stared at Ye Zexi in equal shock, his lips trembling.

He had never expected Ye Zexi to admit it outright in front of so many people watching the livestream.

After all, Ye Zexi had previously...

Tang Jing bit his lip.

Ye Zexi winked at him and continued, "My previous rudeness caused Tang Jing trouble, and I'm sorry for that. But after this, I hope we can become friends. I also hope everyone won't disturb Tang Jing over this anymore. He's a very good person."

"Damn! Ye Zexi is a real man! He owns up to what he does!"

"Pah! You still have the nerve to apologize to Tangtang? You don't deserve to!"

"There aren't many celebrities left who would directly admit to a scandal! Ye Zexi is really bold!"

The audience thought Ye Zexi was bold, and Xi Shu felt the same way.

When the director told him to ask that question, he had even prepared himself for Ye Zexi to refuse to answer so he could smooth things over.

But Xi Shu had not expected Ye Zexi to admit it directly.

Xi Shu's mind worked quickly, and he immediately picked up the thread. "I see. So you've given up now?"

Ye Zexi had wanted to smile and nod, but before the corners of his lips could rise, his eyes suddenly reddened. The smile on his beautiful face became forced, and after a long while, he hoarsely answered, "Mm."

"Ye Zexi's expression is kind of heartbreaking."

"I don't know why, but when he said that, my nose suddenly stung."

"That expression proves it was true love!"

"I just saw Ye Zexi look like he wanted to smile, but for some reason, he couldn't..."

Ye Zexi himself was startled. Just as he had wanted to smile, an overwhelming wave of sorrow surged up from his heart and forcibly suppressed the smile on his lips.

The next instant, Ye Zexi understood—

Even though the original owner had been an arrogant rich young master, he had been sincere about his feelings for Tang Jing.

Ye Zexi lowered his head and gently stroked his chest.

It's okay, it's okay. Although I can't make you and Tang Jing become lovers, I'll do my best to become friends with Tang Jing.

The brief interview ended, and the first group's stage came to an end as well.

Ye Zexi was very satisfied with his performance today. Although he had not given it his all, it had still been decent enough.

For the money, he still couldn't be eliminated.

Heaven knew how little he wanted to compete with these handsome younger guys for a debut spot.

Yet what Ye Zexi considered merely decent sent him onto the trending searches again that day—#Ye Zexi Admits He Pursued Tang Jing#.

A related question even appeared on the topic page of a well-known Q&A platform: "What does everyone think of Ye Zexi admitting that he pursued Tang Jing?"

Top reply: Well, who doesn't have a past?