Chapter 122: Melodies of Rivalry

Another talented student with high potential, and they’re not training with the team but have a private teacher?

It’s the same as that Taekwondo case last time..

Exactly the same.

Though Jiang Jingshi found it unlikely—after all, even if her brother Zheng Ran was incredibly versatile, could he really be this all-around?

Training one girl might be for fun or interest, but two?

And both so connected to him.

Jiang Jingshi turned to the team leader: “What’s that boy’s name? Do you have any info on him?”

“Well.. I don’t know, Boss Jiang. I just heard about it. But I have heard Lily sing, and she’s got real talent.”

The leader added here:

“Oh, right, Boss Jiang. Besides Lily, since you hired some famous singers as judges this time, it seems the province caught wind and a competing team called New Star showed up. They’re pretty mysterious with a strong background and skills.”

“New Star?” Jiang Jingshi wasn’t interested; her focus was solely on Lin Zheng Ran now, her curiosity wrapped up in him.

Her sister losing to him was one thing—she was younger—but as the older sibling, though she didn’t care much about winning or losing, she’d invested so much money. If she kept losing, it just didn’t sit right.

“Got it. Anyway, give it your all in the five and six matches. Use every bit of your strength and don’t get complacent. There are two themes: one ethereal feeling, the other free original. Each person prepares two songs. Got that?”

The team members all nodded: “Yes, Boss Jiang.”

Jiang Jingshi checked the time on her phone, then stood and left the large office: “Meeting’s over.”

The sound of her high heels echoed, making everyone a bit uneasy. As she walked out, they all breathed a sigh of relief.

After all, Jiang Jingshi might speak softly and gently, but her actions were the complete opposite—sharp and uncompromising.

Whether in business deals or training students, she was serious, said what she meant, and punished mistakes without mercy.

That mix of gentleness and fierce edge was Jiang Jingshi’s most distinctive trait.

And though she had the powerful Jiang Group behind her, as an adult she could have taken over the family business or lived carefree.

Instead, with her unique business talent and sharp instincts, she’d made a fortune in other fields over the years and brought in plenty of investments for the company.

So in the Jiang Group, this heiress was quite renowned.

But then Lin Zheng Ran appeared out of nowhere, and lately, it had cut into her money-making focus.

Back in the Rolls Royce outside.

The driver sat in the front, waiting silently since Jiang Jingshi hadn’t spoken.

The woman in the back seat crossed her legs, the perfect curve of her calves and ankles in black stockings smooth and alluring.

She found someone’s WeChat and added them with a secondary account.

Her lips, tinted with light lipstick, curved into a smile.

In the friend request, she noted: Your fiancée

Meanwhile, in his bedroom, Lin Zheng Ran was searching online when he saw the friend request.

He often got requests from classmates and seniors, so his phone pinged now and then, but he usually ignored them.

It was only because Grandfather mentioned that thing earlier that he checked the message today. Seeing ‘fiancée,’ he paused.

He stared a bit.

“Fiancée?”

Fiancée? Whatever that meant—baby betrothals and terms like fiancé weren’t the same anyway—and his betrothal was to Jiang Qian, right?

Would she use that note?

Lin Zheng Ran accepted the request.

In the car, Jiang Jingshi bit her lip, acting like a teasing older sister, and typed seriously:

“Hello, you’re Grandfather Lin’s grandson, right? I’m your fiancée. My last name is Jiang. No need to tell me your name. Let’s keep a little mystery.”

On the other end, Lin Zheng Ran looked puzzled.

“Hello. I’m free on the evenings of the second, third, and fourth. On the fifth, I might be busy, so not sure. Sixth and seventh are out completely. You pick the time.” Lin Zheng Ran kept it straightforward.

Jiang Jingshi thought he chatted so simply, then replied: “Why rush to set a date? Since it’s like a blind meet, we should at least get to know each other first?”

Lin Zheng Ran: “It’s not really a date, just a meet-up. I figure that’s what you think too? Meet and that’s it.”

Jiang Jingshi replied:

“Who said I want to meet and end it? Truth is, I do want a boyfriend. My family has been pushing me to meet guys I don’t like—mostly business heirs. I don’t go for that type. I want someone I truly like and admire.”

After a minute, Lin Zheng Ran replied: “.”

Lin Zheng Ran: “6”

Jiang Jingshi found even his dots amusing, and that ‘6’ made her chuckle in the car.

But pushing further might give her away—he’d probably guess it was her. Tease him a bit today; the real fun would be at the meet.

“Okay, let’s talk about meeting. Why only evenings for your times? Aren’t we dating for the day?”

Lin Zheng Ran: “We’ll meet in the evening and see. Plus, I’ve got stuff during this holiday, so daytime’s out.”

Seeing ‘busy daytime,’ Jiang Jingshi figured her hunch was right—the teacher behind Lily had to be Lin Zheng Ran.

So.. she was guiding members in the same direction? What a strange twist of fate.

“Fine, let’s say the fifth evening. I’ll come find you then.”

“The fifth? I really might not have time that evening.”

“You will. We’ll definitely meet. That’s it for now—I have things to do. I’m looking forward to it.”

“?”

On the bed, Lin Zheng Ran’s suspended worry finally died down.

He picked up the photo Grandfather had given him of Jiang Qian, glanced at it, then at the chat logs.

It all felt so abstract.

“Is this Jiang Qian? But I don’t get it,” Lin Zheng Ran said, sweating a bit, staring at the photo. Now even he was confused about who his betrothed really was.

Oh well, it didn’t matter. Whoever it was, he was just meeting for the quest reward anyway.

The next morning, Lin Zheng Ran got up and headed to Lily’s home as usual.

The studio had sent a new notice about the five and six matches.

Lin Zheng Ran sat on Lily’s bed, phone in hand, while she sat cross-legged beside him, curiously peering at the screen.

Lin Zheng Ran: “New competition notice, and it’s a long one.”

Lily read aloud:

“New notice: The October fifth to sixth competition has some changes. It’s no longer an elimination round with one imitation song per person. Instead, it’s a voting system with the Little New Star list and professional judges.

Each contestant must create two original songs. The top ten will get prizes and a mysterious bonus award.”

Lily exclaimed in surprise: “Two original songs?! And this Little New Star list.. is it what I think? Wait, it has an extra ‘little’..”

Lin Zheng Ran: “The New Star list? You mean the one for music nominees?”

Lily nodded:

“Yeah, probably. It’s that big event in the capital where getting in the top hundred lets you join the music nominee program. Anyone on that show almost always gets famous—it’s just a matter of how big!”

This music nominee program was something Lin Zheng Ran had looked up before; it was like a talent show from his past life.

Definitely a top music stage.

Lily: “But this one’s called Little New Star. Is it different?”

Lin Zheng Ran: “Let’s keep reading.”

Lily, still shocked, nodded and continued: “For the music judges, we’ve invited famous stars Shi Di and Lun Jie. Ah?! They’re huge!”

Lin Zheng Ran knew these two were top-tier music stars in this world.

Worth millions.

He hadn’t expected such big names for a town competition.

Stars like them usually showed up at high-end events, yet here they were.

Lily excitedly read on:

“For the two original songs, one must have an ethereal feel, the other can be free. Judges will eliminate, and survivors go on the Little New Star list.

Then viewers vote for the final song champ. Prizes now range from ten thousand to seventy thousand yuan. That’s all the changes. Please take it seriously.”

After excitedly finishing, Lily couldn’t hold back:

“This was supposed to be just a small event! How did it blow up like this? With the Little New Star list, star judges, and prizes jumping from ten thousand max to seventy thousand!”

Lin Zheng Ran checked the competition details again.

He saw Jiang Jingshi’s name among the investors.

He silently let out a breath.

Clearly, this was Jiang Jingshi paving the way for her music team.

Though she had money, it wasn’t enough to scale it this big. It must be her investment sparked others to join in.

Lin Zheng Ran opened the studio group chat.

As expected, it was buzzing.

The singers were discussing:

“Whoa, check the new notice? Shi Di and Lun Jie are judging! They’re my idols!”

“I saw. Didn’t think this town thing would get so huge. Wasn’t it just small-scale?”

“Apparently, lots of investments poured in over the last half-year, and teams from outside provinces joined.”

“How do we win with all these pros?”

“Mainly, there’s the New Star list. Wasn’t that only once a year for music nominees? How are we getting in?”

“Didn’t you read? It’s the Little New Star list, made just for this. But I heard the top ten mystery prize is entry to the music nominee program! Even if you get eliminated early, you’d be on TV!”

Even in the digital age, people still obsessed over TV appearances.

Lin Zheng Ran skimmed the chat and closed his phone, thinking. Lily, though, couldn’t stay calm.

She sat there panicking, eyes wide, then grabbed his arm and shook it hard.

“This is huge! What do I do, Zheng Ran? Can I still win?”

Lin Zheng Ran saw her freaking out: “Why panic? The competition’s bigger than we thought, but your music skills are solid. I’ve coached you for so long; even with new teams, few newcomers could beat you.”

“Really? Really?!” She shook his arm more, eyes shut tight:

“But I’m so nervous! And two original songs—how do I create them with the competition just days away? My old ones don’t feel right for a stage this serious!”

Lin Zheng Ran sighed and tapped her head with his knuckles: “Calm down!”

The knock worked; Lily yelped and clutched her head, settling down.

“Why’d you hit me again?!”

Lin Zheng Ran knew she was young and got overwhelmed when things escalated:

“No need to freak. Sure, it’s bigger, but the format’s simpler now—no eliminations, just sing your two songs, weed out the weak, and let viewers rate on the Little New Star list.”

Lily, still holding her head: “I know, but.. it’s my first big competition. I’m tense!”

She waved her small fists.

Lin Zheng Ran tapped her head again; she yelped and calmed.

Always getting hit.

Lin Zheng Ran said seriously: “Just believe in yourself. For the original lyrics, I’ll help you write them over the next couple days.”

Hearing Lin Zheng Ran would help, Lily’s confidence surged: “Really? You’ll write with me? Then I’m not as nervous!”

“Well, more like I’ll edit and give suggestions.”

“That’s enough! Let’s start now—today’s the second, and the fifth is the competition. Not much time!”

“Alright, let’s go find paper and pens.”

“Okay!”

Lily jumped off the bed, grabbed a notebook and pen, then climbed back, placing the notebook on Lin Zheng Ran’s lap and bending over it.

She sat cross-legged, thinking hard on how to start.

Then, after half an hour.

Lily hadn’t written a word.

She turned with a sheepish grin: “Zheng Ran, any ideas? How do I make something with an ethereal feel? My mind’s blank.”

Lin Zheng Ran: “.”

Lily rarely acted coy, but now she pouted, batting her big eyes at him.

Looking utterly helpless.

Lin Zheng Ran sighed: “Let me explain how to create it.”

So for the next three days, Lin Zheng Ran mostly stayed in Lily’s room.

With his All Things Affinity mastery, the word ‘ethereal’ sparked ideas right away. He sat on the bed and outlined the key points to Lily.

She listened, suddenly understanding, her little tiger teeth showing as she talked, her eyes full of energy.

“Got it! So for ethereal, we set the theme in the sea?”

“Could be. Deep sea, forests, or even a quiet city can create that ethereal immersion.” Lin Zheng Ran explained.

“Then deep sea it is! I have ideas!” Lily scribbled on the paper, adding Lin Zheng Ran’s suggestions and tweaks. After three days of back-and-forth fun,

They finished a song called ‘The Whale,’ themed around ethereal feelings.

The other original was a quick edit of Lily’s earlier ‘You Are My Star.’

In the end, they decided on these two for the fifth and sixth competitions!

“Done!” On the fourth afternoon, she held the freshly polished songs high on the bed: “With these, I’ll definitely make the top ten.”

Lin Zheng Ran smiled from the bed: “Not first?”

Lily looked at him, grinning: “Keep goals small at first, but mine’s first—for the date with you.”

As she tried to sit up, her legs were numb from sitting cross-legged so long, and she tipped forward.

Lin Zheng Ran caught her.

Lily yelped: “My legs are numb!” Looking up, her face was against his shoulder.

Gazing at the close, caring Lin Zheng Ran, the girl’s face flushed and her heart raced.

Lin Zheng Ran: “Since it’s done, take a break.”

Lily stared at him, then bit her lip, her words tsundere but voice soft: “Just so you know, I didn’t mean to hug—it’s just.. I couldn’t help it. Not trying to be bold!”

“Hmm?”

Lily suddenly wrapped her arms around his tightly, her red face against his shoulder.

Her spoiled act was full force.

“Thanks for sticking with me these days.” Once calm, her voice softened, her whole face red.

“No big deal. I’ve always been around before, right?” he replied.

“It’s different. These past years with you, I had so many worries. I still do—your girlfriend isn’t just me—but lately, I’ve felt really happy because you’re mine now.”

Lin Zheng Ran reached out, but instead of her head, he gently held her twin tails in his hand.

Lily felt him touching her hair, shy at first, but then her mind wandered to that online thing.

Recalling that line—twin tails let boyfriends hold them.

Overwhelmed, Lily pulled away, hugging her twin tails to her chest, stammering shyly:

“Zheng Ran, it’s too soon for that. At least.. let’s do things step by step first.”

Lin Zheng Ran blinked in confusion.

Lily looked away, embarrassed: “I mean, we haven’t even held hands yet. How can we jump to.. that? Start with holding hands, hugs, and so on.”

Lin Zheng Ran blinked again.

He thought she was straightforward, but what had he done? Oh, right—the twin tails.

So he teasingly reached for them again.

But it made Lily hide under the covers: “No! No! No! Too early!”

Lin Zheng Ran watched her buried in the blankets and chuckled.

Teasing her was fun.

The next day, the music competition finally began.

The next day, the music competition finally began.