It’s hard to say whether it was for her dreams, her pride, or an intense desire to win that drove Xu Mei to sign her name on the contract.
Indeed, the artist management company tied to the organisers, demanding signatures before the finals, was taking advantage of the situation.
The commission rates were high, and the penalty for breaking the contract was steep—this deal was excessively harsh.
But contracts for newcomers in other entertainment companies wouldn’t be much better than the one presented to Xu Mei and the others.
A newcomer trying to negotiate terms with a company? If you don’t know your place, there are plenty of ambitious talents who do.
Xu Mei knew full well: if she signed the contract, she still had a shot at winning. If she didn’t, she had no chance at all!
Xu Mei’s surrender deeply shook the other contestants’ resolve. Before the live finals began, three of the five finalists chose to sign. Only Li Mengjiao and another contestant who had returned from the U.S. didn’t. Li Mengjiao was too young, and her parents opposed her entering the entertainment industry now. The U.S. contestant was participating for fun and wouldn’t sell her freedom to the company just to win.
Or rather, she wasn’t willing to sell herself cheaply, feeling the company’s offer wasn’t worth it.
“It’s not some big, famous company. The competition has four divisions, and they’re signing all the top five from each. With so many contestants signed at once, do they even have the resources to make stars?”
This female contestant thought more clearly than Xu Mei.
As for Xu Mei, perhaps it wasn’t that she didn’t understand, but compared to the contestant who refused to sign, she lacked the confidence to say no.
Xu Mei wanted to win this competition too badly!
Qin Yi couldn’t persuade her and could only watch as Xu Mei signed.
Soon, it was time for the opening performance, with the five finalists taking the stage together. Because of the contract issue, Qin Yi’s expectations for Xu Mei’s victory were greatly diminished.
Fu Jing, seeing Qin Yi’s low spirits, bit her lip:
“Qin Yi, don’t blame Xu Mei. You didn’t want her to sign because you were looking out for her, and she knows that. But Xu Mei has her own considerations. She wants success so badly. We, her classmates, can all see how much she likes you. You two are dating because she pursued you. You’re popular at school, so she’s always under pressure. Coming to Rongcheng, she learned how well-off your family is. To be with you, she has to work harder. If she’s not outstanding enough, your family probably won’t accept her, right?”
How does a sophomore prove her worth?
Xu Mei had no interest or talent in business, so she couldn’t prove herself through “entrepreneurship.”
Winning a few scholarships at school likely wouldn’t impress the Qin family.
Finding a good job after graduation?
Though she attended a prestigious university in Modu, Xu Mei’s idea of a good job was one with a starting salary of a few thousand yuan—hardly significant in the eyes of the Qin family.
Besides, following the conventional path of studying and job-hunting would take years to show results. Now, a shortcut was before her, and of course, Xu Mei was tempted.
Becoming a celebrity meant fame and fortune.
Two years ago, a famous actress was arrested for evading millions in taxes, revealing to the public just how lucrative a star’s income could be!
Fu Jing’s words stunned Qin Yi.
He and Xu Mei had only been dating for a short while. He was happy to introduce her to his family, but Xu Mei felt embarrassed and asked him to keep their relationship a secret, which he did.
Though he hadn’t openly admitted it, his parents weren’t fools. They had likely figured out he and Xu Mei were a couple long ago. Even if they didn’t at first, his constant support during her Super Girl journey would have made it obvious.
Though more mature than his peers, Qin Yi hadn’t considered “marriage” until Fu Jing laid it bare.
It wasn’t that he was irresponsible or a playboy. Precisely because he was responsible for himself and Xu Mei, he hadn’t thought about “marriage” yet. Attraction is a feeling that turns people into lovers, but to go from lovers to spouses, attraction alone isn’t enough. Dating allows you to learn if your values align and if you can build a life together.
“If you treat life carelessly, life will treat you carelessly.”
This was what Qin Xianming told Qin Yi before he filled out his college entrance exam preferences.
“Life” isn’t just about which university to attend or what major to study, nor is it solely about relationships. Those two simple words encompass so much, and marriage is a crucial part of it.
Whether to marry.
At what age to marry.
Who to marry.
These choices ultimately aim to build a lasting, stable, intimate relationship. Few people enter marriage intending to divorce.
Marriage wasn’t something he’d considered, but as for his family accepting Xu Mei, Qin Yi wasn’t worried at all.
At the very least, his parents would respect his choices.
“You’re all overthinking it. It’s not that complicated.”
He hadn’t expected Xu Mei to sign the contract and aspire to be a star for such reasons.
Fu Jing tried to gauge Qin Yi’s thoughts from his expression, confirming that he hadn’t thought about a long-term future with Xu Mei. She couldn’t help but criticise him:
“It’s not that we’re thinking too much—it’s that you’re thinking too little! But it’s too late to say this now. Xu Mei has signed the contract, and the penalty for breaking it is so high. She has no way out. As her boyfriend, even if you can’t fully support her, can you at least not hold her back?”
Fu Jing was right. The contract Xu Mei signed had a seven-figure penalty. Qin Yi didn’t have that kind of money, unless he asked his family… He could ask, and his parents would give it, but he felt too embarrassed to do so.
Besides, Xu Mei signed the contract to prove herself to the Qin family. How could she let them pay the penalty?
Qin Yi now felt a heavy pressure.
Fu Jing’s words held some truth. As a man, he couldn’t push all the pressure onto Xu Mei. Her signing was an impulsive decision, but he couldn’t just let it slide—he had to find a way to handle the aftermath.
On stage, Xu Mei held the microphone, radiating confidence.
Li Mengjiao didn’t sign, but Xu Mei did. The organisers would surely favour the obedient contestant. Xu Mei’s palms were sweaty as she gripped the microphone. She would become the champion of the Rongcheng division and go to Hunan for the annual national finals!
The contract with the company was harsh, but as long as she ranked high in the competition, there was no reason they wouldn’t prioritise resources to promote her!
In the audience, Wen Ying and Xie Qian had already anticipated a bad outcome for the night’s results. When the Rongcheng division champion was announced, they weren’t too surprised—absurd, yet all too real.
Wang Shuang, however, couldn’t accept it:
“How is this possible?”
“Didn’t you see? Li Mengjiao’s votes were way ahead just moments ago, and then they suddenly stopped rising!”
Tang Yifeng and Geng Xiao leaned forward, as if trying to see the vote count on the screen more clearly.
Qin Jiao’s brows furrowed slightly: What happened to cause Xu Mei’s votes to not only catch up but surpass Mengjiao’s?
On the judges’ panel, Professor Fang opened his mouth but ultimately said nothing.
When the host announced that Xu Mei was the 2004 Super Girl Rongcheng division champion, Wen Ying feared Li Mengjiao might cry. But the naive Li Mengjiao, perhaps too thick-skinned, stood tall on stage, smiling as if she had won. In stark contrast, Xu Mei, sobbing uncontrollably beside her, was the disheveled champion, while Li Mengjiao was the honourable runner-up.
Wen Ying chuckled.
She had underestimated Li Mengjiao.
Truly, this was the same Li Mengjiao from her past life—the only one in school bold enough to publicly confess to Xie Qian, fighting on despite repeated rejections, growing braver with each setback!
