Chapter Fourteen: The Hypocritical King Ao! The Fiery Child of the Future!

Meanwhile.

In a milk tea shop outside, Wang Ao was sitting comfortably, cradling a cup of milk tea with a broad, cheerful grin plastered on his face. His eyes were glued to his phone, scrolling through the endless stream of notifications. He was closely monitoring the ripples caused by the group photo he had just posted in the high school alumni group—the way opinions were fermenting and rumors spreading.

At this moment, Wang Ao had already finished his on-site audition with the program team. He felt his performance had been solid—his original song might not have been extraordinary, but his guitar skills and vocal ability were steady and reliable. His confidence was at an all-time high.

After leaving the audition, he had made a calculated decision: he uploaded their group photo to the high school’s main chat group. He wanted this event to be talked about, to go viral among their old classmates, drawing all eyes to the upcoming live broadcast.

During those three years in high school, Wang Ao’s grades had always been overshadowed by Jiang Yi’s. He had long grown weary of being perpetually second-best, but there was nothing he could do about it. In the eyes of their peers, Wang Ao seemed destined to play the loser—always a step behind Jiang Yi, forever the underdog.

Although, in truth, not that many classmates paid such close attention to their rivalry, Wang Ao’s pride was too great; he always felt as if everyone was watching, comparing him to Jiang Yi in secret. He imagined them whispering behind his back, certain that Wang Ao was simply inferior.

So, with this new opportunity, Wang Ao was determined to pull all their classmates into the audience for the live broadcast—he wanted them to see Jiang Yi trampled under his feet, to watch Wang Ao advance and Jiang Yi be eliminated.

There was a practical reason for this as well. Wang Ao suspected that Jiang Yi, by choosing to compete in the Solo Path instead of the Looks Path, might not even make it past the first round. The Solo Path cared nothing for appearances—it was all about talent, originality, and musical foundation. Wang Ao believed Jiang Yi would be swiftly eliminated. And those who were eliminated early rarely made it into the main cut of the show; at best, they’d appear for a few seconds.

If their classmates didn’t tune in live, they might miss Jiang Yi’s moment of disgrace altogether.

Thus, Wang Ao’s only way to attract a large audience of former classmates was to orchestrate this spectacle—let them watch him rise and Jiang Yi fall, live and unfiltered.

Only then, Wang Ao believed, could he truly wipe away his former humiliation. Everyone would know he was the stronger man. From then on, whenever their high school days were remembered, it would be Wang Ao who stood above Jiang Yi.

Watching the discussion in the group chat surge and take on a life of its own, Wang Ao felt deeply satisfied. He nodded to himself, slung his guitar over his back, and left the milk tea shop. On the way, he rubbed his face and flashed a bright, approachable smile before heading back to the dorm.

As soon as Wang Ao returned, Jiang Yi’s eyes immediately found him. But Wang Ao, all smiles and false warmth, said, “Jiang Yi, what’s wrong? Aren’t you going to rest? Here, I brought you some milk tea.”

Jiang Yi, looking at Wang Ao’s painted-on friendliness, couldn’t help but sense the hypocrisy. Wang Ao was skilled at maintaining appearances—a true student council veteran. But Jiang Yi had no patience for pretense.

He asked directly, “Wang Ao, what’s going on? Why did you post our photo in the high school group? Why did you announce that we’re both in the competition, both in the Solo Path? Now everyone in the high school community knows. What are you up to?”

Wang Ao was momentarily taken aback by Jiang Yi’s bluntness, but quickly recovered, smiling as he replied, “Jiang Yi, have you misunderstood something? I just wanted to share my happiness! I never expected to run into you here at the competition. And to think we’re roommates too—what a coincidence! There’s nothing sinister behind it.”

“I just wanted to share the moment. Who would have guessed it would spread so quickly? Look, on my way back I even bought you milk tea! I really want to be friends with you.”

Jiang Yi, seeing Wang Ao’s shamelessness, could only respond, “No wonder you were in the student council. I’m impressed, Wang Ao. But you can keep your milk tea. I don’t feel like drinking it.”

Wang Ao shook his head, sighing, “You know, Jiang Yi, you might have good grades, but your mind is a bit too dark. I really only wanted to share my happiness—there’s no conspiracy here. Anyway, if you don’t want the milk tea, that’s fine.”

He set the milk tea down by his own bed. Jiang Yi saw no point in arguing further. They both understood what was really going on—there was no need to make a scene. Everything would be decided on the stage tomorrow.

Wang Ao, in truth, wanted to ask Jiang Yi whether he’d change his competition path. Deep down, Wang Ao desperately hoped Jiang Yi wouldn’t switch. Earlier, when Wang Ao had feigned concern and advised Jiang Yi to change, it was just to give himself a little ego boost by pretending to be magnanimous.

But now, Wang Ao didn’t want Jiang Yi to switch at all. He wanted to defeat Jiang Yi face-to-face, in the same category. No matter whether they met directly or not, as long as they were in the same path, if Wang Ao advanced and Jiang Yi was eliminated, the result would be clear—Wang Ao would have proven himself superior.

Noticing that Jiang Yi looked a bit unwell, Wang Ao hesitated. He worried that pressing the issue might provoke Jiang Yi into changing his path, which would ruin Wang Ao’s plan. In the end, he kept his curiosity to himself.

That night, they each lay in their own beds. Jiang Yi browsed the internet, seeing “The Son of Tomorrow” trending on Weibo, Tenggo Video, and a dozen other platforms. Discussions about the show were everywhere. The buzz was partly due to the three star mentors, all current chart-topping singers and actors. Another reason was that this show marked the first collaboration between the legendary talent show team of Long Dandan and Ma Xiaohan, since leaving television for Tenggo Video.

People were speculating: would “The Son of Tomorrow” produce the next big star and change the landscape of the entertainment industry?

The three mentors had arrived in the capital just yesterday, though they hadn’t participated in the initial auditions; they were busy preparing for the live taping.

Jiang Yi browsed through news about the three star mentors and noted their overwhelming popularity—even their airport arrivals were mobbed by crowds. After watching for a bit, he drifted off to sleep.

The next morning, Jiang Yi was brushing his teeth in the restroom when Wang Ao, already washed and dressed, practiced guitar by his bed.

At that moment, Liu Xiaoyu, wearing her staff badge, arrived.

“Good morning, you two! Glad to see you’re both up,” she called as she knocked and entered.

Jiang Yi recognized her and greeted, “Sister Xiaoyu, you again?”

Liu Xiaoyu’s cheeks flushed slightly at Jiang Yi’s clean, handsome face, but she quickly composed herself and smiled, “Yes, it’s me. I’m here on official business—just checking in. Since I’m new, all these little errands fall to me.”

Jiang Yi nodded, “I see.”

Liu Xiaoyu grew serious, “Jiang Yi, you need to confirm your competition path now. Please tell me your decision—have you made up your mind?”

Hearing this, Wang Ao immediately pricked up his ears, his gaze fixed anxiously on Jiang Yi, silently praying that he wouldn’t change his path.