Chapter 30: She may be old, but her attack power is seriously strong!

A staff member walked up to Lin Qingqing and said with a smile, “Granny, congratulations, you’ve advanced! You can stay and participate in the next round of the competition!”

Lin Qingqing’s lips curved slightly. “Thank you.”

Then she looked up toward Chen Zhonglun, who was seated in the audience.

Her eyes crinkled into a smile, the slightly loose skin around the corners folding into gentle wrinkles. Though she appeared aged, the elegance and composure in her expression made it obvious that she wasn’t an ordinary elderly woman.

In fact, if one looked closely, ignoring the age spots and wrinkles, with her fair skin and tighter features, one could imagine that she must’ve been a truly beautiful girl in her youth.

But nobody would bother to closely observe an old lady. Especially since she had a head of dazzlingly colorful hair that was so eye-catching, it completely distracted from her facial features.

Chen Zhonglun was feeling smug, thinking everything was under his control, when he heard the staff member’s announcement—and he froze for a moment.

He quickly turned his head to check the signs held up by the other three judges—every single one said “Pass”!

But what made him feel even worse was this: among the four judges, he was the only one who voted “No.”

This made him look like the villain.

The other three came off as kind-hearted people, while he alone looked like some evil man bullying an old lady. The contrast was painfully obvious.

Being singled out like this made Young Master Chen feel even more humiliated.

Glaring at the other judges, Chen Zhonglun’s temples twitched with fury. “You… you guys!!”

The other three judges didn’t respond. After all, they were still being recorded. It wasn’t a live broadcast, but if someone caught any inappropriate footage, it could seriously affect their careers.

They weren’t going to be foolish like Chen Zhonglun, spouting nonsense before knowing the full story and attacking an elderly woman without reason.

Once the episode aired, netizens would surely tear him apart!

In fact, what Chen Zhonglun did practically bordered on elder abuse. Who knows if he could even survive the public backlash after this!

As for why the other three judges ignored the staff’s earlier instructions and gave the old lady a passing grade—it was because they genuinely admired people who chased dreams. And to see someone at such an old age still pursuing her dream with talent and grace—that deserved deep respect.

Oh, and one more key detail: they didn’t know that Chen Zhonglun was the young master of the Chen family. If they had known, perhaps they would’ve acted differently.

Because when it comes to dreams, self-preservation still comes first.

Chen Zhonglun gritted his teeth, eyes reddening with fury!

Before he could gather his emotions, the old lady’s voice reached his ears.

Her tone carried a hint of mischief and ambiguity: “Come on, child, hurry up and apologize to Granny. Don’t waste everyone’s time—there are still other contestants waiting.”

Inside, Chen Zhonglun roared: Who’s a child?! Who’s the damn child?!

So damn annoying!

And worst of all, he still had to acknowledge this old woman as his teacher! Even if she hadn’t brought it up yet, judging by how unforgiving she looked, she’d surely mention it soon.

He was a well-known singer and dancer, and the young master of the Chen family. If word got out that his dance teacher was a granny, people would laugh themselves to death!

They’d probably say: “What can you possibly learn from an old lady? Prepping for square dancing forty years early?”

Chen Zhonglun stayed silent for a long moment, his face thunderous, while his brain raced to figure out a perfect solution to make this old woman behave and stop pushing his buttons.

But before he could come up with a plan, the old lady spoke again:
“As for being your teacher… forget it. ‘Once a teacher, always a parent.’ I don’t want a disrespectful brat like you as my child—it’s too embarrassing. Even if you were my grandson, I’d be ashamed.”

This old lady might be up there in age, but her verbal attacks packed a punch!

Everyone around them struggled to hold back their laughter.

At that moment, the usually handsome face of Young Master Chen seemed to metaphorically smack onto the floor, kicked by the old lady straight into a trash can as she scolded, “What kind of filthy thing is this?”

Yes—exactly like that. That’s exactly how Chen Zhonglun felt at this moment!

Utterly humiliated!

He had never experienced this level of humiliation in his life!

He would never forget this painful day!

Chen Zhonglun closed his eyes. When he opened them again, his expression was fierce, as if he wanted to bite someone:
“Old lady, I didn’t even say anything that bad. You’re crossing the line here. I was just trying to be polite since you’re about the same age as my grandmother. Don’t push your luck!”

Lin Qingqing didn’t want to waste time arguing. She simply said two words: “Apologize.”

Chen Zhonglun clenched his jaw, repeatedly trying to convince himself. It was just an apology. Even though the old lady’s words were harsh, at least the whole “teacher” issue was now off the table. He wouldn’t have to see this grumpy and not-so-pretty old woman every day.

Fine—he’d take a step back.

Looking at the smug expression on her face, he reluctantly said, “Sorry.”

But Lin Qingqing, unimpressed with his slouched posture and crossed legs, said, “Stand up. Call me Granny. Say it again.”

The staff nearby broke into a cold sweat at the intense atmosphere between the two.

One was elderly—what if the show’s judge angered her and something bad happened? They wouldn’t be able to explain it. The other was powerful and well-connected—someone they absolutely couldn’t offend.

They were stuck between a rock and a hard place.

A staff member quickly approached Lin Qingqing, trying to mediate:
“Granny, I’ll apologize on his behalf. Can we just let this go? You see, he didn’t really mean it personally. He just didn’t expect you to be so skilled and spoke hastily—no ill intent.”

But Lin Qingqing was unmoved. “No. If his parents never taught him how to respect elders, then it falls to me, as an elder, to teach him properly.”

The staff’s brows furrowed anxiously. He leaned in and whispered,
“You can’t afford to offend his family. At your age, I’m sure you understand how social hierarchy works, so I won’t say more. Let’s just let it go…”

Social hierarchy?

Sorry, but her family was at the top.

Just as she’d gathered 100 “surprise points,” she received new information about her background.

Not only was her family the richest in Huaguo, but they also owned a cutting-edge brain-chip development project—something even the country’s top leaders prioritized and respected.

How was that not top-tier?

Chen Zhonglun clicked his tongue impatiently, just about ready to throw a tantrum. Then he suddenly remembered—he was an idol. His manager had told him he could act however he liked in private, but in public, he must keep the young master temper in check, or he’d risk getting permanently blacklisted.

Fine, blacklist him. He could always go home and inherit the family business.

But being forced to leave the industry wasn’t the same as choosing to leave on his own terms.

He didn’t want to be laughed at.

So he clenched his teeth and stood up: “Granny, I’m sorry!”

Lin Qingqing nodded, taking on the tone of a stern elder. “Now that’s more like it. Learn some manners next time we meet.”

With that, she turned and walked off gracefully.

Chen Zhonglun clenched his fists in rage, veins bulging on the backs of his hands. He turned to the staff, gritting his teeth as he said, “Get me that old lady’s information.”