With the evidence undeniable, Liu Dongdong's face turned pale, his plea weak, "I... I..."
The director, after watching the video, became enraged, "Liu Dongdong!"
Song Xi stared at Liu Dongdong expressionlessly, her delicate features sharpening with a hint of severity, "At this point, do you intend to bear all of this alone?"
The director exclaimed in shock, "Do you have accomplices?!"
Liu Dongdong glared at Song Xi, utterly unable to comprehend when she had discovered this.
A smile played on Song Xi's lips as she leaned in, whispering in a voice only they could hear, "I know you don't care about this competition, but have you considered that after this show, he has a backer, but do you?"
Liu Dongdong hesitated, unable to speak.
He couldn't say anything! Qin Feng had promised to protect him, even if things were exposed, as long as he kept quiet!
Seeing his expression, Song Xi understood; Qin Feng must have offered him something.
The director asked again, "Liu Dongdong, do you have accomplices or not!"
Liu Dongdong bit his lip, shaking his head palely, "…No."
Liu Dongdong was disqualified and left the dormitory that very night.
The production team discussed and decided to release an announcement online in a few days.
When Qin Feng learned of this, the stone in his heart finally dropped.
It seemed Liu Dongdong hadn't betrayed him.
[Don't forget what you promised me.]
After receiving Liu Dongdong's text message, Qin Feng made a call to his sugar daddy.
It wasn't that he was being honorable, but rather he was worried Liu Dongdong might betray him.
On the other end of the line, the woman looked at the trending topic the company had bought for Qin Feng and then clicked on the fan-taken photos.
He had been training diligently recently, and at the end of his routine, he had deliberately struck a pose, revealing his abs.
The sugar daddy raised an eyebrow, as if rekindling his interest.
"Alright," she conceded.
Qin Feng was ecstatic, but the next second he heard the woman say, "I happen to be in A City. Come over tonight."
"...Okay."
Song Xi's performance as a supporting act had concluded, and she was very happy with the result.
Before parting, she and her teammates took a photo in the snow.
Ye Tian was reluctant to say goodbye.
Song Xi comforted him, "Keep going, I believe in you!"
Then she turned to Tao Qingyu, "I'll leave Xiao Tian in your care from now on."
Tao Qingyu nodded, "Thank you, Teacher Song!"
Song Xi left through the back door, where fans were gathered.
She was bundled up tightly, and as she looked up, a man stood by a car in the heavy snowfall.
Song Xi paused for a moment, and the next second, a young girl skipped over.
"Little brother! We meet again! Given our fate, how about we exchange WeChat?"
Song Xi heard the voice and stopped.
Seeing the man remain silent, the girl didn't get discouraged and continued, "Who are you waiting for out here in such heavy snow?"
Catching a glimpse of the beige figure in his peripheral vision, Lou Yumming stepped forward, "My girlfriend."
The girl suddenly deflated, "Ah, you already have a girlfriend…"
Song Xi watched dumbfounded as the man walked up to her. She was a little dazed, especially hearing the words "girlfriend," she couldn't move her feet.
"You're wearing so little."
His tone was reproachful, yet he removed his scarf and wrapped it around her neck.
Song Xi snapped back to reality and pushed him away, but he unexpectedly grasped her hand and lowered his voice, "If you're bundled up like this, no one would recognize you."
*Am I a ghost then?*
Lou Yumming shielded Song Xi and led her into the car.
The girl beside them felt her heart shatter, but she still couldn't resist secretly taking a photo of the two of them from behind and posting it on Douban.
That night, the post garnered hundreds of replies.
Xiao Chenzi: Ahhhhhhh I'm so sad, I went to see my baby's performance today, but I unexpectedly encountered my ideal type. That guy was so handsome and tall! I met him twice, and guess what! He has a girlfriend!! I'm so envious, he even gave his girlfriend a scarf, ahhhhhh I'm so heartbroken, please comfort me, sisters! [Heartbreak]
[OMG, looking at his back, he's really handsome. Hugs, sister, maybe fate just isn't there yet.]
[[Face with tears of joy][Face with tears of joy]srds, it looks so sweet!! (So wicked)]
[Is it just me, or does his girlfriend's back look a little familiar?]
[A bit, I wonder if anyone can figure it out.]
[It's so blurry, what can you tell?]
[Heartbroken for the OP!]
...
Three days after returning to B City, the official Weibo account of "The Next Idol" posted an announcement.
It didn't state the reason, only that Liu Dongdong had voluntarily withdrawn from the show, giving him ample face.
Song Xi was a little angry, instinctively feeling that Qin Feng must have been helping him behind the scenes.
Lou Yumming, seeing her dejected, took her phone and glanced at it, saying calmly, "What's going on?"
Song Xi replied, "It's nothing."
Lou Yumming didn't push further and called Yao Yifan, "Go investigate this Liu Dongdong."
Song Xi was surprised, "What are you doing?"
Lou Yumming replied composedly, "If you won't say, I'll have someone investigate. Is there a problem?"
*When did he become so interested in my affairs?*
"I'll tell you, I'll tell you." Song Xi reluctantly conceded.
Lou Yumming waved Yao Yifan away.
Song Xi recounted the entire incident from beginning to end.
After she finished, Lou Yumming's expression darkened, "Yao—"
Song Xi immediately covered his mouth, "Why are you calling Assistant Yao in again?"
Lou Yumming looked at her, his eyes seeming to ask, *What do you think?*
Song Xi said, "No need. Let's just let this go for now. After all, with Qin Feng's strength, he can't possibly make it into the final group."
Lou Yumming: "There could be foul play."
"The finals are live broadcast. I've observed that among the remaining contestants, several are skilled and have a fan base. With Qin Feng's current abilities, he simply can't squeeze in! If there's foul play, the show will face backlash. These fans nowadays are formidable; they can't afford to offend them!"
Lou Yumming didn't understand fan culture, but she spoke with such conviction that he seemed to have thought everything through.
He relaxed and pinched her cheek, "Then why are you still upset?"
Song Xi turned her head, "That's my business!"
"You've gotten bold?"
He leaned over and pinned her to the sofa, his dark eyes glinting with a hint of amusement.
Song Xi pursed her lips, wanting to ask what he meant by "girlfriend" last time, when suddenly a phone ringtone shattered the air.