The signed contestants were far from pleased.
Under this strain, Xu Mei, for the first time, quarreled with Qin Yi.
Since they started dating, they’d never fought. Even when Xu Mei signed a contract behind Qin Yi’s back, he focused on damage control rather than blaming her.
The spark for their argument wasn’t Li Mengjiao’s attention-grabbing interview but Qin Xianming’s plan to take Qin Yi to Macau for exposure. When Qin Xianming informed him, Qin Yi wanted to bring Xu Mei along.
With the competition’s intensity easing and the National Day holiday following the event, it seemed a good time to relax.
Taking Xu Mei to Macau was also a way to formally introduce her to his parents. Though Qin’s mother advised caution about their relationship, Qin Yi wasn’t ready to give up on his first love.
Away from the competition’s pressure and Fu Jing’s influence, Qin Yi thought he and Xu Mei could have a heartfelt talk.
But Xu Mei said her company had scheduled performances for the holiday.
“Qin Yi, I have to follow the company’s arrangements. It’s work. We can go to Macau another time,” she said, her tone tinged with impatience under the mounting pressure.
Qin Yi was at a loss for words.
Macau could be visited anytime, sure.
But this trip was different.
Qin Yi knew that signing a contract meant Xu Mei was no longer a “free agent.” From now on, he’d have to adjust to her schedule. During the entire competition, he’d sidelined his own activities, even pausing the “Shrimp King” franchise expansion. The thought of his life revolving around Xu Mei’s career made him fall silent.
Choosing between supporting his girlfriend’s performances or joining his father and sister in Macau, Qin Yi hesitated for less than a minute before deciding: Macau.
Xu Mei was incredulous. “You’re leaving me alone?”
“Isn’t Fu Jing with you?” Qin Yi replied.
That set Xu Mei off.
“Fu Jing isn’t my boyfriend! Fine, go to Macau. Let’s break up. Your family never liked me anyway.”
A flood of grievances surged within Xu Mei.
Qin Jiao supported Li Mengjiao.
Qin Xianming never attended her performances.
Qin’s mother treated her with distant politeness.
She’d overlooked these slights for Qin Yi’s sake, but his family still didn’t accept her. Xu Mei even suspected Qin Xianming deliberately chose the holiday for Macau—couldn’t he pick another time? She’d have happily joined them otherwise.
Qin Yi’s anger flared.
Early in their relationship, they’d agreed that arguments were inevitable, a way to air grievances. Whoever was wrong would make amends, and they’d compromise and accommodate each other.
But one rule was sacred: no mentioning “breakup” during fights.
Campus romances were immature, and many couples used “breakup” as a threat to force concessions. It wasn’t communication—it was coercion, the greatest harm to a relationship. One mention of breakup hurt more than ten arguments.
Xu Mei had agreed to this, knowing it was Qin Yi’s line in the sand. Yet, in the heat of the moment, she’d thrown out “breakup” to pressure him.
Was Qin Yi the type to bend under threats?
He stormed out, slamming the door.
Xu Mei, a proud person, wasn’t the only one with a temper. Accommodating his girlfriend was Qin Yi’s gentlemanly choice, born of affection. Everything he did for Xu Mei, he did willingly.
But that accommodation had limits.
Deep down, Qin Yi was proud. With a well-off family and his own merits, he wasn’t spineless.
Tears welled in Xu Mei’s eyes. She called Qin Yi, but he didn’t answer. Unable to hold back, she collapsed at the table, sobbing.
She regretted her words, knowing she’d broken their agreement.
But couldn’t Qin Yi, as the guy, cut her some slack?
Li Mengjiao’s overwhelming popularity terrified Xu Mei.
She feared Li Mengjiao would dominate the finals, her fanbase overpowering even the organizers’ unspoken rules.
If an unsigned contestant like Li Mengjiao won, it would prove Xu Mei’s choice to sign was wrong. What would Qin Yi think of her then?
That she was shortsighted, chasing quick gains?
That she deserved it?
After crying for who knows how long, a hand gently patted her shoulder, offering a tissue.
Xu Mei looked up, hoping for Qin Yi, but it was Fu Jing.
Her disappointment deepened.
Fu Jing waited for her tears to subside before cautiously asking, “Did you and Qin Yi fight? I saw him leave the hotel. What’s going on? The finals are coming—can’t this wait until after?”
Xu Mei recounted the argument. Fu Jing hesitated.
“What’s on your mind?” Xu Mei asked.
“Don’t get mad, but I think you like Qin Yi too much, putting yourself beneath him. Qin Yi’s great, but you’re not the same person anymore. You have tons of fans, some traveling miles to Hunan just to see you, spending big money for a glimpse, and you reject them without a second thought. You’re so popular—doesn’t Qin Yi feel any pressure?”
Fu Jing spoke the truth.
Though Li Mengjiao had higher overall popularity, Xu Mei’s male fans were older and wealthier.
This trend, noticeable in Chengdu, grew stronger in Hunan.
As Fu Jing said, some male fans traveled far to support her, spending lavishly. Even local Hunan second-generation elites sent word through the organizers, wanting to “make friends” with Xu Mei.
Xu Mei still loved Qin Yi, but Fu Jing’s words planted a spark. Without Qin Yi, she could find another well-off suitor. Yet, as the thought flickered, she doused it—those men, no matter their status, weren’t Qin Yi. She’d fallen for him before knowing his family’s wealth, loving the person, not his background. No one else, however impressive, could replace him.
Wiping her tears, Xu Mei said, “Fu Jing, thanks for supporting me, but don’t say that again. Those fans love the ‘Xu Mei’ on stage. Qin Yi loves the real me. Without the applause and flowers, fans would leave. Qin Yi wouldn’t.”
She stood, heading to the bathroom to wash her face.
“I’m going to apologize to Qin Yi.”
Fu Jing lingered, then followed.
“I wasn’t trying to stir trouble, I swear. I’m bad at explaining—just let me come with you to find Qin Yi. I’ll feel better once you two make up.”
Xu Mei nodded absently.
Qin Yi hadn’t left the hotel. Running was for cowards. Irritated, he’d gone to the hotel bar, ordered a drink, and watched the band perform, letting his frustration dissipate. Checking his phone, he saw several missed calls from Xu Mei. As he moved to call back, someone sat beside him.
“Drinking alone? Fight with your girlfriend?”
Qin Yi turned to see Professor Fang’s assistant.
