Chapter Seventy-One: Eliminated

Two days later, all the performances for the freshman welcome party were finalized, and sure enough, Su Tong’s act was eliminated. Instead, the school’s arts department director’s boyfriend was selected to perform “I Believe.” Su Tong wasn’t surprised in the slightest. With Ding Wei and the other boys, their votes against him were practically guaranteed. The director would naturally support her boyfriend, and among her close friends, even if not all were on her side, it would only take one to tip the vote and push Su Tong out.

“Sixth, the school must be blind, kicking your act out like that,” said the tall one. After over twenty days since the semester began, everyone in the dorm had heard Su Tong sing, and they all thought his performance would be a shoo-in. Yet, tonight’s rehearsal didn’t include him.

“I don’t think they’re blind, just deaf,” First Brother Pang Chong sneered, then went back to his computer game on the bed.

“Ah, what a shame for Sixth. The freshmen just finished military training this afternoon; I saw so many beautiful girls getting off the buses,” Third Brother gloated.

Su Tong replied indifferently, “It’s just as well. I have plans tomorrow night. My appearance fee is expensive, at least eighty or a hundred thousand.”

Just one broadcast of “Nian Nu Jiao” would indeed fetch that price.

“Selling yourself again, are you?” Third Brother said sarcastically.

Su Tong frowned slightly but said nothing, continuing to change clothes, preparing to head to the library to study in the system space.

“Third, you couldn’t sell yourself even if you wanted to. Jealous, aren’t you?” The tall one knew Third Brother wasn’t on good terms with Su Tong, but since they lived together, he joked on Su Tong’s behalf.

Third Brother snorted and focused on his phone, saying no more.

In the home of Song Dan, a member of the university party committee and vice president.

A sharp scream came from one of the rooms, followed by a girl’s voice, “Mom! Mom! Come quickly!”

In the living room, a dignified middle-aged woman frowned, her face showing reproach. “This child, already in her second year of high school, still so unruly.” She stood and walked toward her daughter’s room.

“Why all the shouting? Doesn’t act like a young lady,” Song Dan scolded.

A girl of sixteen or seventeen, wearing shorts, pointed excitedly at her computer. “Mom, Mom, I’ve discovered a new world!”

“What new world? You’re crazy all day long,” Song Dan tapped her daughter’s forehead.

Shi Jiaqin, full of excitement, said, “Mom, did you know? Nian Nu Jiao is at your school! Nian Nu Jiao is at your school!”

Song Dan was puzzled. Nian Nu Jiao? She’d never heard of it. “Who’s Nian Nu Jiao?” she asked, a little annoyed. Maybe some new celebrity?

Her daughter was at an age for idol worship, so it was normal to like celebrities. Song Dan thought about it. The university had been founded for decades, and aside from the music college, they’d only had one student who could be called a major star twenty years ago—none since. Given her daughter’s age, she’d probably be into youthful idols.

“Mom, you don’t know. Nian Nu Jiao was originally a group. The brother was so handsome—the most handsome boy I’ve ever seen.” Shi Jiaqin’s face flushed, her words tumbling over each other.

“Oh? What’s the story?” Song Dan was close with her daughter, often having heart-to-heart talks, as close as sisters. She pulled up a chair and sat at the computer.

Shi Jiaqin was thrilled, eager to explain, “Mom, Nian Nu Jiao was originally three siblings: an older brother and two sisters. But two months ago, only the brother was left. He didn’t want his sisters to suffer, so he went on stage alone. He’s so talented—he writes books, tells stories, composes and sings songs. He has an incredible voice; our fans did the math and he can play twenty-two different characters. Remember the song ‘Catching Mudfish’ I often sing? He wrote that. You’re not familiar with it, but you must know ‘I Believe,’ right? It’s played everywhere…”

Shi Jiaqin praised Su Tong to the skies, making him sound like a god among men, flawless and matchless—someone who could only exist in heaven.

That’s a fan—a true devotee, worshipping their idol like a believer.

“Is he really as amazing as you say?” After listening to her daughter gush, Song Dan sat at the computer herself. A mother couldn’t let her daughter idolize a scandal-ridden celebrity.

Some stars are a bad influence, and that’s toxic for their fans.

Most fans are teenagers, still forming their views and values; if their idol has problems, it affects them invisibly.

“I’ve read all the books he wrote. ‘The Immortal Executioner’ is fantastic, ‘The Monkey Legend’ is great, and ‘Coiling Dragon’ is good too… He’s super talented. I only got to know him because my desk mate introduced me. It’s such a shame I didn’t find him sooner. His live broadcasts are amazing…”

Song Dan searched for information about Nian Nu Jiao herself, while Shi Jiaqin kept singing Su Tong’s praises.

“So this inspirational song was written and sung by him. Not bad, this young man,” Song Dan found the song Su Tong wrote and, reading the lyrics, could tell his character.

“Mom, his best talent is storytelling. I only discovered him this month, but I went back and watched his two months of broadcasts—so good! When he told the story of Bi Yao dying under the Immortal Executioner sword, I cried… I really want to marry him,” Shi Jiaqin giggled.

Song Dan laughed, “You’re still so young and already talking about marriage. If you don’t study hard, no one will want a wild girl like you.”

After spending half an hour researching Nian Nu Jiao with her daughter, Song Dan was in high spirits.

Because Su Tong was at their university, and he was definitely a talented student, exceptionally handsome, even someone her age would be impressed upon seeing him.

“Mom, what do you think of him?” Shi Jiaqin asked anxiously, worried her mother might disapprove—something that would hurt their relationship.

Song Dan laughed and patted her daughter’s head. “Qin Qin, you’ve done a great job.”

Every university works hard to attract new students, hoping more applicants will enroll.

Their university was no exception, but in terms of faculty, talent cultivation, scientific research, and social influence, it ranked around eightieth among all universities in Great Qin.

Tsinghua and Peking University often accept Olympic champions from the sports world, all to boost their reputation and influence.

By doing so, they attract more applicants. If the four goddesses of the entertainment world were all at their university, next year’s applicants would break records—ten times more would be considered little.

“Mom, can I meet him?” Shi Jiaqin giggled.

Song Dan smiled, “You think I can just summon him whenever you want?”

“No, Mom, I just want to meet him and get his autograph,” Shi Jiaqin pleaded, shaking her mother’s arm.

Song Dan paused, then chuckled, “Tomorrow night is the freshman welcome party. Nian Nu Jiao should be performing. I’ll make an exception and take you to meet him. Haha, when you take your college entrance exam, you must encourage your classmates to apply to our university.”

“Heehee, Mom, you’re the best!” Shi Jiaqin kissed her mother. “I’ve decided—when I take the college entrance exam in two years, I’ll apply to your school too.”