CHAPTER 28

“It’s true, I almost ruined your performance, but Miss Jiang, there’s no need to humiliate me like this…”

In front of Zhao Qiuying, Han Jin still tried to maintain his dignity.

Jiang Su didn’t even bother listening. She simply walked past him and said to Zhao Qiuying, “Let’s go.”

Zhao Qiuying responded and immediately turned to follow her. From the way it looked, it almost seemed like he was her personal attendant.

Han Jin stood frozen for a moment. Then, when he turned his head, he met Yu Xinyan’s gaze.

Her expression was hard to describe—she looked pleased, yet there was also mockery and disdain in her eyes.

It was obvious that her happiness wasn’t for him, but the mockery and disdain definitely were.

A surge of frustration and anger welled up inside Han Jin.

Who was she to look at him like that?

But he didn’t let it show. Instead, he smiled at her, took a few quick steps forward, and said, “Yu Xinyan, long time no see… Jiang Su seems to have misunderstood our relationship. Why don’t we clear things up?”

Wu Qingqing suddenly spoke up, “Ah, isn’t the third public vote starting tonight? Shouldn’t we head back and check the internet connection?”

Yu Xinyan immediately agreed, “Right!”

The two of them ignored Han Jin completely and turned away.

As they walked, Yu Xinyan whispered, “Do you think Su Su was standing up for me?”

Wu Qingqing asked back, “What do you think?”

Yu Xinyan nodded firmly. “I think she said she wasn’t, but in reality, she was. She was deliberately making Han Jin mad, wasn’t she?”

After all, nothing could be more infuriating than being deemed so worthless that one wasn’t even worthy of revenge.

“Or maybe it’s just her personality…” Wu Qingqing murmured.

“Hm?”

“She’s not the type to openly express her kindness or affection.”

“But if you do something good, shouldn’t you say it out loud?” Yu Xinyan paused for a moment before continuing, “But even if Jiang Su doesn’t say it, I know. If she won’t say it, I will.”

The two of them kept whispering as they walked away, leaving Han Jin standing there.

He turned to look at his reflection in the dressing room mirror—

His fists were clenched tightly, sweat still visible on his forehead, and his jaw was locked.

Even though he was doing his best to suppress his emotions, there was still an undeniable trace of rage on his face.

Han Jin was startled by his own reflection. Then, lowering his head, he quickly left.

Jiang Su had actually pushed him to this point?!

No, it was just because I was too angry for a moment… that’s all.

But Han Jin’s humiliation was far worse than he imagined.

Someone took screenshots of his performance that day and turned them into memes, adding captions like “Weak and helpless.jpg”

If he had been a delicate-looking pretty boy, such an image might have actually attracted sympathy from casual viewers, turning them into fans.

But unfortunately, Han Jin had long established himself as the “athletic young man” type. His steady and reliable demeanor had even earned him the nickname “Old Artist” among trainees, meaning he was seen as someone who could carry the team.

And now?

His entire persona had crumbled overnight.

All the fandoms that had previously clashed with his supporters immediately pounced, seizing the opportunity to attack.

When Han Jin returned, his manager pulled him aside for a harsh scolding.

“It was Jiang Su! She set me up on purpose,” Han Jin gritted his teeth and insisted.

His manager, however, looked at him like he was an idiot. “She’s just a delicate little girl. How could she possibly ‘set you up’?”

“Did you forget how she performed in that commercial? She’s not weak!” Han Jin argued.

His manager snapped, “Oh, so what you’re saying is—she’s beautiful, she’s an incredible performer, she excels in commercials, she’s also deeply manipulative, has an IQ of 200, and when she decides to target someone, she succeeds flawlessly? What is she, a demon? Do people like that even exist?!”

“Enough with the nonsense. And by the way, did you think I wouldn’t find out? You’ve been secretly meeting up with fans, haven’t you? Keep this up, and you’re going to bring everyone down with you! You can screw up your own career all you want, but don’t drag your teammates into it! You think your dad paying the company five million will fix things? Hell, even ten million won’t save you if this continues!”

After ranting furiously, the manager turned and slammed the door shut.

Han Jin trembled with anger, but he couldn’t say a word.

He had already told the truth, yet no one believed him!

Just as Jiang Su had said— even if he posted the recording online, the only outcome would be getting torn apart by her fans… She wasn’t Yu Xinyan. She had influence, she had just gathered a massive fanbase…

Han Jin’s face darkened, and he kicked the table hard in frustration.

He had walked along the river for too long— and now, his shoes were finally soaked.

—

Jiang Su didn’t like wasting time on unnecessary matters. She followed Zhao Qiuying to his private dressing room.

Inside was a full set of high-end makeup removers and skincare products.

Beside them stood a shelf, stocked with snacks and water. Without even checking the brands, just one glance at the packaging was enough to tell they were expensive.

Zhao Qiuying handed her a bottle of makeup remover, and Jiang Su took it, immediately rubbing at her eyes with practiced speed.

Zhao Qiuying quickly stopped her, “Don’t rub like that… Don’t your makeup artists help you remove it?”

“There are so many people. If they had to do both makeup and removal, wouldn’t they be exhausted?” Jiang Su asked in return.

Only then did Zhao Qiuying realize— what he took for granted was a privilege only he enjoyed.

For Jiang Su and the others, who hadn’t officially debuted yet, how could such treatment be possible?

Zhao Qiuying pursed his lips. “Close your eyes. I’ll do it for you.”

Jiang Su: ?

Jiang Su: “Do you even know how?”

Her question made Zhao Qiuying tighten his grip on the cotton pad, answering firmly, “Of course!”

His touch was definitely gentler than hers.

Besides, stage makeup was a regular thing in the entertainment industry. He had been in this field for three years— he definitely knew more than she did!

“Oh, alright then. Go ahead.” Jiang Su closed her eyes, tilted her head back, and casually rested her hand on the chair beside her— like a relaxed old man rather than a delicate girl.

Zhao Qiuying was both amused and speechless, but he stayed quiet and focused on carefully wiping away her makeup.

The girl, now quiet and still, had features that remained just as captivating.

It almost gave the illusion that she was peacefully sleeping beside him.

Her eyelashes were long and slightly curled, as if she had gotten a semi-permanent treatment. Her lips were slightly pursed, naturally rosy, making her fair skin appear even more striking…

Unconsciously, Zhao Qiuying held his breath, his touch growing even lighter.

Jiang Su, after a while, couldn’t help but urge, “Can you hurry up?”

Zhao Qiuying asked in a low voice, “In a rush for what?”

At this moment, he exuded a rare sense of maturity.

Jiang Su: “Training.”

And she meant real training.

Running, backbends, horse stance, practicing punches… Apart from running, she did most of it in the bathroom. The full-length mirror there allowed her to correct her movements in real-time.

The audience watching through the cameras had no clue what she spent so much time in the bathroom doing. They simply assumed girls enjoyed long showers.

Zhao Qiuying had thought she was rushing to meet someone for a meal.

Hearing this, he suddenly felt that eating would’ve been the better option.

She was still so young, yet she already carried such a heavy burden.

Others only saw how incredible she was… but he couldn’t help but wonder— how much effort did she put in for this? How much joy had she sacrificed?

Zhao Qiuying had been hailed as a “prodigy” his entire life. No one understood the hardship of maintaining brilliance better than he did. Even for a genius, staying at the top meant enduring what ordinary people couldn’t.

Zhao Qiuying blurted out, “Let me treat you to a meal.”

Jiang Su: “Not eating.”

Zhao Qiuying was about to give up, but then something came to mind. In a low voice, he asked, “…Would you eat if it’s Qiuting Yue? My treat, no bill for you.”

Jiang Su paused.

Like a little rabbit lured in by a carrot.

The corners of Zhao Qiuying’s lips twitched upward.

Jiang Su then asked, “Is that place expensive? How much per dish?”

Zhao Qiuying: “Not expensive. A full table’s worth is only a few thousand. And we wouldn’t order alcohol— the drinks are the priciest part.”

Jiang Su: “No.”

Zhao Qiuying’s expression stiffened. “Why not?”

Jiang Su cracked open one eye. Her long lashes trembled slightly, making her look as though she were on the verge of tears— yet the words that came out were cold and sharp: “Anything that comes with a clear price tag must be exchanged for something even more valuable. I don’t want it.”

This was the lesson she had learned most deeply growing up.

Zhao Qiuying’s chest tightened, just slightly.

Her words sounded like someone who had suffered a loss before…

If he had known, he wouldn’t have mentioned the price.

Zhao Qiuying hesitated, then said, “Then… maybe next time.”

“No need,” Jiang Su replied. Then, impatiently, she urged again, “Are you done yet?”

Just then, Zhao Qiuying’s manager knocked and entered, only to be greeted with this scene. He was so shocked that his wig nearly flew off.

Oh my god!

W-star himself standing by, tending to someone like a little assistant?

Zhao Qiuying finally pulled back his hand. “It’s done. Your face is clean— wash it with warm water.”

Jiang Su thanked him, got up, and walked out, completely unfazed by the manager’s stunned expression.

Zhao Qiuying offered to give her the makeup remover, but she refused.

As soon as Jiang Su left, the manager couldn’t hold back anymore and was about to start lecturing.

Zhao Qiuying casually placed the makeup remover on the table, then looked up and said lightly, “How about you personally drive me home today?”

The manager hesitated for a moment, then instinctively agreed.

Zhao Qiuying turned and walked ahead.

The manager had no choice but to follow, swallowing his words for the time being— deciding to bring them up once they were in the car.

When they reached downstairs, Zhao Qiuying had already dismissed his driver.

The manager got into the driver’s seat, buckled up, and just as he opened his mouth— “Qiu—”

“Keep your eyes on the road and stop talking,” Zhao Qiuying cut him off.

The manager immediately fell silent.

After all, the person sitting in the back seat was a walking goldmine. If he got distracted and something happened—a bump, a crash—it would be the end of him.

The silence lasted all the way to the villa gates.

Zhao Qiuying lifted his eyelids slightly and said, “Not here. I’ll direct you, just drive.”

The manager was slightly surprised but followed the instructions.

Zhao Qiuying’s words were much fewer than before, each one concise. A strange feeling rose in the manager’s heart, as if he were watching a once-docile herbivore slowly reveal its fangs and claws—there was a sudden whiff of blood in the air.

Zhao Qiuying didn’t seem like Zhao Qiuying anymore.

And that eerie feeling peaked when Zhao Qiuying finally said, “Here.” The manager slammed the brakes and stared carefully at the grand entrance in front of them.

The people who lived here… had practically become untouchable legends in Beijing.

That famous Mr. Cheng had property inside these gates.

Zhao Qiuying opened the car door and said in a low voice, “You need to understand, the only reason Dong Jiayu attended my birthday party was to curry favor with me.”

“Come pick me up tomorrow.” With that, Zhao Qiuying got out and walked away.

Though his words were subtle, the manager understood everything.

Wasn’t Zhao Qiuying’s older brother supposed to be just an ordinary businessman?

So Dong Jiayu was trying to please him? And yet she still put on that arrogant front? If he had known earlier, he would have told Zhao Qiuying right away!

The manager’s mind roared before sinking into dead silence.

He knew the real issue wasn’t Dong Jiayu.

This was W sending a clear message—he was no longer qualified to meddle in W’s affairs.

It was a signal.

A signal that W had truly set his sights on Jiang Su.

The manager clutched his head in despair.

Knowing W’s true background… was that something to be happy about or to fear?

Jiang Su knew nothing of this.

After finishing her practice, she took a shower and started preparing for the fourth public performance.

The so-called “Fourth Public Performance” was actually the final round—commonly known as “Debut Night.” This night would determine the ten contestants who would officially debut.