Chapter 17: Get Out With Your Negative Score

The order of appearance this time was decided by a draw.

Both Deng Yufei and Shi Jin were quite lucky, drawing the eleventh and twelfth positions, respectively.

The two of them put on their masks and waited backstage together.

The other contestants took the stage one after another.

...

Backstage of the program.

The manager was accompanying Chu Ling, who was getting his hair and makeup done, saying with a smile, "Chu Ling, you look exceptionally handsome in this outfit tonight. Some people might actually start drooling when they see you."

Chu Ling gave a faint smile. "In public, she will restrain herself."

Even if Shi Jin dared to disregard the agreement with the production team and insisted on doing something to him, Chu Ling wasn't afraid of causing a scene, given the company and manager backing him.

He and Shi Jin were long finished; there was no longer any possibility between them.

Besides, the marriage between the Chu and Shi families back then was merely a whim of their elders.

No matter how much he argued, the only engagement he was obligated to uphold was with the Shi family's true heiress, Shi Xuexin.

The fake heiress?

A mocking smile surfaced on the corners of Chu Ling's lips. If Shi Jin had been more capable, perhaps he wouldn't have changed his heart so quickly.

However, in this world, there are no "ifs."

...

Qianwan Villa.

Fu Xiuyuan's study.

At this moment, the high-definition large screen had already selected the channel broadcasting *National Singer-Songwriter*.

Since other contestants were performing, the sound was temporarily muted.

Fu Xiuyuan was buried in his work, processing a mountain of documents before him.

Song Fan stood to the side, not daring to even breathe loudly, silently glancing at the screen out of the corner of his eye.

Butler Chen brought in some tea and left without making a single sound.

Seeing two maids sneakily turning on the entertainment channel, Butler Chen's eyes widened, and the two quickly turned it off in fright.

Song Fan occasionally glanced at the large screen.

Shi Jin had not yet taken the stage.

However, her name was already everywhere in the bullet comments.

Naturally, they were all filled with doubt and insults.

"What kind of thing is Little Stone? She actually dares to clout-chase our brother?"

"Exactly, as expected of a stinking stone from a latrine!"

"It's a pity we can only vote for contestants and not manipulate scores, otherwise I'd let Little Stone know what it means to get kicked out with negative points!"

"Little Raindrop is on stage! I'm casting all my votes for Little Raindrop!"

"Little Raindrop" was Deng Yufei; by relentlessly stepping on Shi Jin and riding on Chu Ling's popularity, her vote count had once reached the top.

Finally, it was Shi Jin's turn to go on stage.

Song Fan wished he didn't have eyes or ears.

But he couldn't do that right now.

Fu Xiuyuan glanced up at him, and he tremblingly picked up the remote to turn up the volume.

...

As Shi Jin took the stage, Deng Yufei gave her an "OK" gesture, signaling her not to be nervous.

Shi Jin, of course, was not nervous.

She picked up the microphone and walked toward the stage.

At this moment, the audience members couldn't help but pout.

Yu Guannan watched the stage with great interest.

The other two mentors shrugged their shoulders, clearly also feeling that Shi Jin might seize the opportunity to use her lyrics to confess her love to Chu Ling.

Chu Ling wore a gentle, calm, and tender smile.

Since the entire company and the program did not oppose Shi Jin doing this, it was clear they were happy to see her used to stir up initial hype for the show and to consolidate Chu Ling's popularity.

Little Stone, Little Stone—she truly was a stone that everyone could step on.

As the music began, a spotlight fell upon Shi Jin in the center of the stage.

Wearing a gentle and beautiful long dress, her first impression was that she was about to sing a lyrical ballad.

However, in the next second, the music shifted, and intense drumbeats erupted.

(End of Chapter)