Li Mengjiao secretly rolled her eyes.
Qin Yi’s classmate came to Chengdu for a trip, and Qin Yi, as the perfect host, was so attentive that even Wen Ying and Qin Jiao could see it. Li Mengjiao wasn’t blind; she naturally noticed the relationship between Xu Mei and Qin Yi.
Qin Yi hadn’t formally introduced Xu Mei as his girlfriend to his parents, but he hadn’t hidden it from anyone else.
As for Xu Mei, Li Mengjiao didn’t quite like her. She felt Xu Mei’s outgoing nature was fake, not truly straightforward.
Of course, Qin Yi wasn’t her real brother. Even Qin Jiao hadn’t commented, so it wasn’t Li Mengjiao’s place to judge.
Shopping was just shopping, and Li Mengjiao didn’t say anything.
Wen Ying shared some news with Li Mengjiao that piqued her interest, but before she could decide whether to join, Xu Mei’s friend jumped in to steal the spotlight.
Annoying!
Xu Mei wasn’t even from Chengdu, so why would she join a Chengdu talent show?
From what Wen Ying said, the competition was a series of eliminations, with advancing contestants continuing through a long timeline. If Xu Mei made it, wouldn’t she have to stay in Chengdu the whole time?
Li Mengjiao held back her opinion. Xu Mei shook her head, “We’re leaving in a couple days. What competition? You’re joking again.”
The girl shook Xu Mei’s arm, “Just try it! What if you get picked? It’s summer break anyway, I can stay with you in Chengdu.”
Xu Mei’s refusal softened.
Seeing her waver, Li Mengjiao grinned, “Sister Xu Mei, join it! We’ll sign up together.”
Xu Mei thought it over, saying she’d ask Qin Yi’s opinion.
Qin Jiao, ever the straightforward one, didn’t get it.
In a relationship, did she lose the right to decide for herself?
If she wanted to join, she should just join. It wasn’t a big deal!
If Xu Mei asked her big brother, he’d definitely agree.
Qin Jiao guessed right. To Qin Yi, this was no issue. His girlfriend wanting to join a singing contest? He’d fully support and encourage her.
When Li Mengjiao told her parents, her dad asked a few questions, but her mom brushed it off.
Li Mengjiao had joined countless competitions growing up. A singing contest? If the kid wanted to go, let her go.
At that moment, neither of her parents realized this singing contest was anything but ordinary.
Wen Ying wasn’t surprised Li Mengjiao was joining this year’s Super Girl contest, nor was she shocked that Qin Yi’s girlfriend Xu Mei was signing up. During Super Girl’s auditions, most contestants went to compete seriously, while others joined for fun, tagging along with friends to fill out forms, or just passing by, saw the crowd, and gave it a shot.
In her past life, Wen Ying didn’t know Qin Yi or Xu Mei, so whether they’d joined Super Girl wasn’t her concern.
What surprised Wen Ying was Professor Fang. She’d clearly rejected Director Yan’s invitation and ignored Wen Ying’s persuasion, yet there she was, sitting on the judging panel at the auditions.
Li Mengjiao didn’t just have her mom with her the whole time; she also dragged her friends to cheer her on.
At the TV station, only contestants could enter, leaving Wen Ying and the others outside in the sun. After about half an hour, Li Mengjiao’s mom returned with drinks for everyone and handed out parasols, warning Wen Ying and the rest not to get sunburned.
Wen Ying liked Li Mengjiao’s mom instantly, even feeling a twinge of envy.
Such mother-daughter warmth could never exist between her and Chen Ru.
Wen Ying thought if she told her parents she was joining a talent show, they’d think she’d lost her mind!
If she got called in for “puppy love,” Chen Ru wouldn’t raise her allowance as “dating funds” just because her boyfriend was hot. Different families, different upbringing. Wen Ying knew Li Mengjiao’s carefree growth came from her family’s wealth, while her own small-town, average family meant any misstep would cost her dearly to restart.
She understood the logic, but the envy was real.
At 31, Wen Ying grasped this; at 16, she wouldn’t have. What she’d lacked as a teen couldn’t be reclaimed as an adult, making closeness with her parents near impossible.
Li Mengjiao’s mom took great care of Wen Ying and the others. Chatting together, time flew by. Soon, Li Mengjiao ran out beaming with the audition results:
“It’s just singing a song a cappella to test pitch and voice. Super easy.”
“A judge named Fang gave me two tips, pretty spot-on. I’ll practice them.”
Since she advanced smoothly, Li Mengjiao found the audition simple. While waiting outside, she’d heard some contestants wail like banshees.
The contestants were amateurs, but the judges were pros.
The one Li Mengjiao praised was Professor Fang.
Wen Ying thought, a music college professor coaching amateurs? Piece of cake.
“Sister Xu Mei was a few spots behind me, she should be out soon.”
Originally here to tour Chengdu, Xu Mei signed up for the contest just before leaving. Qin Yi brought classmates to cheer her on.
Xu Mei’s singing was undeniably good. At a New Year’s gala, she’d soloed Cai Qin’s classic “Your Eyes,” her melancholy vibe a stark contrast to her usual cheer. Qin Yi later recalled that her singing deepened his impression of her.
Hearing Li Mengjiao, Qin Yi instinctively defended Xu Mei:
“Xu Mei will definitely advance.”
His classmates chimed in agreement.
Xu Mei’s voice was great. She’d focused on studies before, with no time for contests. Now in college, she could pursue her hobby.
As they spoke, Xu Mei emerged.
Holding the same pass as Li Mengjiao, all her negativity from the trip vanished. Her family couldn’t match Qin Yi’s, but she matched him personally. Both university classmates, he had a knack for business, she had a gift for singing. She was worthy of his love!
Xu Mei sped up, jogging into Qin Yi’s arms.
“I’m staying in Chengdu for the contest!”
Seeing his radiant girlfriend, Qin Yi’s smile widened, “Great, stay and compete. I’ll be your support.”
Xu Mei tiptoed, kissed his cheek, and their classmates laughed.
The laughter was contagious; Wen Ying couldn’t help but smile.
Whether others liked Xu Mei didn’t matter—Qin Yi’s feelings did. In the summer of 2004, Xu Mei and Qin Yi truly loved each other.
Genuine emotion moved people most. Watching the couple embrace, Wen Ying finally understood why her manuscript was rejected. *Aige*’s editor wasn’t pushing her to date early. Writers chronicled life with their pens, not always their own. Material was everywhere if you observed—requiring sharp eyes for life’s details and a heart easily touched by its joys and sorrows.
