She wore an expression that reminded Xiao Yanjin of the first time she laid eyes on her, so much so that even her demeanor resembled their initial meeting during the blind date.

Xiao Yanjin couldn’t help but wonder if she owed her money.

“You should see the level of the people who came to audition. I just got lucky,” Xiao Yanjin mused, debating whether to tell her.

Ji Yunnuo fell silent, her observations from the audition already made.

“Wait!” Xiao Yanjin called out as she left.

“What is it?” Ji Yunnuo turned back.

“When you change clothes, be careful,” Xiao Yanjin decided it was best to inform her, feeling unsettled by the prospect of her being bullied.

Ji Yunnuo tilted her head slightly, revealing her smooth profile.

In a cool tone, she uttered, “You’re not cut out for talent shows.”

Xiao Yanjin had intended to offer a friendly reminder, but instead found herself diverted and vaguely insulted.

“Why?” she inquired.

“People like you are better off staying low-key. Not everyone can handle public scrutiny and ridicule,” Ji Yunnuo explained.

Xiao Yanjin was momentarily taken aback. Was Ji Yunnuo worried that she, with her previous persona as a scumbag alpha, would face ridicule and criticism once the show aired?

Indeed, public opinion could drive one to despair. Not everyone could withstand it; some would sink into depression, while others would fade away.

But why should she worry about herself?

Ridiculous.

“Well, I’ll leave if you wish, but the problem is—” Xiao Yanjin responded frankly, “I don’t have the money to pay the breach of contract fee!”

Ji Yunnuo glanced at her before silently walking away.

Returning to her seat, Xiao Yanjin found that He Rou and Shi Zhengyi had already completed their performances.

Ji Mian announced, “Among you, two have received an A grade.”

Everyone held their breath, knowing that He Rou and Shi Zhengyi were the strongest contenders, but they wondered who Ji Mian would designate as the first A.

With a smile, Ji Mian declared, “Congratulations, He Rou, you’ve earned an A!”

Zeng Heshi exclaimed, “I knew it! He Rou must be the first A!”

Shi Zhengyi’s breath caught as she stared at He Rou’s triumphant smile, her eyes flickering with a hint of fire.

He Rou showed no signs of avoiding Shi Zhengyi’s gaze, her demeanor becoming even more enchanting as she approached her. With an air of nonchalance, she spoke colloquially.

Shi Zhengyi could discern her words and immediately felt a surge of anger. She thought, how dare this rotten alpha give me attitude? Watch how I put her in her place!!

In the following performances, Lan Yuanning, an Omega with a melodious voice, and Chu Luo, a handsome and talented rap artist, stole the spotlight, garnering considerable popularity and, as expected, received A grades.

As Lan Yuanning took the stage, she captivated the alphas in the audience effortlessly. It was easy to see why everyone adored this gentle sister figure.

“I’ve finished singing. Thank you, teachers and fellow students, for listening,” Lan Yuanning concluded her performance of her own song.

Lan Zi lightly chuckled, “Your voice is lovely, and your lyrics are well-written.”

Ji Mian chimed in, “Clearly a seasoned performer.”

“Thank you,” Lan Yuanning responded with a soft smile, appearing shy but graciously accepting the praise from both her peers and teachers.

Dressed in a flowing white dress, she resembled a jasmine flower drifting gracefully on the breeze, her voice clear and gentle, like a spring rain falling on jasmine blossoms.

Jiang Nan couldn’t take her eyes off her, eagerly grabbing Xiao Yanjin’s hand. “She’s so beautiful, isn’t she? If only I could talk to her, training together would be such a joy.”

Xiao Yanjin pursed her lips. Yes, she was beautiful, but… her gaze shifted to Ji Yunnuo, who, in contrast, exuded no warmth.

After Chu Luo’s performance, he pointed at the contestants below while his eyes were fixed on Ji Yunnuo’s cold expression.

With a dazzling smile, he declared, “I’ll make sure you remember me.”

“Ah! I’m obsessed!” Zeng Heshi exclaimed, her face flushed. “Chu Luo is so handsome!”

Xiao Yanjin squinted. He was just another oily alpha.

“Next up, we have the trainees from Singing and Dancing Entertainment Company and Chang Feng Film and Television Company waiting to take the stage.”

It was finally Xiao Yanjin’s turn. As she descended the stage with her teammates, dozens of eyes bore down on her.

“So, she’s Xiao Yanjin?” someone whispered from the crowd.

“Oh my God, she’s actually participating in the talent show.”

“She looks quite pretty.”

“Pretty? She may look nice, but judging from her talent, she’s just here to play.”

“The Xiao family is bankrupt now. She’s probably here to sell herself to pay off debts.”

Even those who hadn’t seen Xiao Yanjin before were familiar with her reputation: a scumbag alpha, a spendthrift, bankrupt and in debt.

Every gaze was unabashedly assessing her.

Xiao Yanjin knew they weren’t judging her for her reputation, but for her abilities.

Because reputation was of the spendthrift heiress variety, not one known for talent.

But Xiao Yanjin reserved those unpleasant words for her original self. She had her own path now, one that didn’t fit that mold. Sink or swim, she was going to do it her way!

Ji Yunnuo glanced at Xiao Yanjin, then quietly averted her gaze.

To participate with a reputation tarnished with scandals was truly embarrassing!

The two contestants from Chang Feng were just as expected—average. Their performance was unremarkable, lacking both flaws and highlights.

“Now, it’s time for the trainees from Singing and Dancing Entertainment Company to take the stage,” Ji Mian announced.

The contestants erupted in applause, clearly excited to see how Xiao Yanjin would captivate the judges and her peers.

“Xiao Yanjin, you can do it!” a clear voice cheered for her from the crowd.

Xiao Yanjin glanced towards Ji Yunnuo, who remained composed, as cold as ice.

Xiao Yanjin breathed a sigh of relief. The cheering voice wasn’t hers, but He Rou’s.

“Hello, everyone. We are the trainees from Singing and Dancing Entertainment Company!” Xiao Yanjin, being the tallest, stood in the middle.

“Hello, teachers and fellow contestants. My name is Jiang Nan, from the water town of Yecheng. My special skill is doing twenty somersaults,” Jiang Nan introduced herself simply.

Xiao Yanjin raised an eyebrow. Twenty somersaults??

“Hello, teachers and fellow contestants. My name is Xiao Yanjin…” Before she could finish, murmurs erupted from the audience once again.

Ji Mian chuckled, remembering what her wife had said about this alpha who had once gone on a blind date with her younger cousin. She was indeed a scumbag alpha, shunned by the Ji family for a long time. Now, seeing her looking somewhat guileless was almost amusing.

“Please begin your performance,” Ji Mian instructed.

Before their performance, Xiao Yanjin and her teammates discussed how to impress the judges.

Jiang Nan was unsure, leaving the decision-making to the others.

Zeng Heshi wanted a unique song that would leave a lasting impression.

In the end, they chose a popular tune loved by the masses.

Xiao Yanjin thought it would surely please the audience.

It was “Good Luck Comes!”

“Good luck comes, wishing you good luck. Good luck brings joy and love. Good luck comes, may good fortune follow, welcoming prosperity and success. Folding a thousand paper cranes and tying a red ribbon…”

Sure enough, after their performance, smiles lit up the faces of the audience members.

Shi Zhengyi nodded in satisfaction, applauding heavily. “The folk dance was performed excellently.”

“We’re done. Please give us your feedback, teachers,” they said, and Xiao Yanjin couldn’t help but smile. Despite her hesitance to perform as part of a group, she couldn’t bring herself to half-heartedly participate. But with her teammates’ average abilities, she knew their rating wouldn’t be high.

Ji Mian asked, “Do you have any individual talents to showcase?”

This segment allowed contestants to display their individual talents, earning extra points and giving each participant a chance to shine.

After Jiang Nan and Zeng Heshi’s performances, it was Xiao Yanjin’s turn.

At that moment, dance instructor Wei Ge spoke up sternly, “I’m actually very dissatisfied with your performance.”

Xiao Yanjin raised an eyebrow. Why was he critiquing her individual talent performance?

“What’s wrong, teacher?” Jiang Nan asked timidly.

“Why did you come to audition? To show off some circus tricks and get some recognition?” Wei Ge’s tone was cold, and after hours of non-stop recording, everyone’s exhaustion was evident. They had hoped the spectacular displays on stage would invigorate them, but since the last A rating, the atmosphere had grown increasingly dull and perfunctory.

“Especially you, Xiao Yanjin.” Wei Ge’s gaze turned to her, his tone becoming even more severe.

Xiao Yanjin’s heart skipped a beat. She was being criticized, but why didn’t she feel any guilt?