Chapter 165: The Third Round...

After the meal, they headed to the dressing room together. Xu Mengbai was the first to bring up the dating reality show.

"Have you all planned when you're going?"

There was only one week left until the dating show resumed filming. The schedule was perfectly aligned, as the current season of the talent competition would conclude just in time. While there would be a day or two of downtime between the end of the competition and the start of the dating show, the contestants were expected to gather at the filming location beforehand, depending on how each agency managed their artists.

Xu Mengbai’s question wasn’t without reason. She exchanged glances with Si Shaozhe and Wang Fei, all of them recalling the surprise they had prepared in the villa. Had things gone according to plan, Lin Yu and Ji Ya, who were out on a date, would have already received the show’s elaborate arrangement.

The three of them waited with anticipation for Lin Yu’s response.

"I’m not in a hurry. It depends on what my boss says."

He had only promised Ji Ya last night that he would accompany her shopping, so he left the scheduling to her. Ji Ya didn’t give a direct answer; she planned to take Lin Yu shopping somewhere other than the capital. Seeing her non-committal response, the others didn’t press further, each secretly plotting to get the truth out of Lin Yu after the competition ended.

The remaining contestants were now in place. Beyond a few familiar names, there were Han Yunxi, Lin Jinxia, and Lin Guang—all of whom possessed considerable talent. Anyone who had made it this far in the competition clearly had something to offer.

The competition began shortly after. Once the judges took their seats, the contestants were introduced by the host and took the stage one by one. Just before Lin Yu went up, Ji Ya approached him. "A-Yu, remember our agreement, okay?"

There was no need to remind him about the competition itself. As someone she had personally signed, she trusted his ability. While she couldn't guarantee exactly what rank he would place, she was confident he would have no trouble advancing this round. Lin Yu smiled at her words. He certainly wouldn't forget an invitation from his beautiful CEO. When the host called his name, he hurried onto the stage.

Once the contestants were seated, the director signaled the backstage crew, the stage lift rose, and the judges took their places. The two hosts went through the usual opening remarks, thanking the sponsors and explaining the rules.

"Two contestants will be eliminated today. Seven contestants will perform in sequence. Each judge holds one elimination vote and one advancement vote. After each round, if a contestant receives more than half the votes for elimination, they are out; if they receive more than half for advancement, they move on."

"Judges, please cherish your votes! Once a choice is made, there is no room for regret. Please consider your decisions carefully!"

"Next, let us invite our contestants to the stage to draw for the performance order!"

The host gestured, and staff brought out the props for the draw—the same old routine as always. The staff moved from contestant to contestant with the box, and the participants drew balls marked with numbers representing their turn.

With everything prepared, the host announced the order. Lin Yu drew the middle spot, performing fourth. Xu Mengbai took the lead, and Si Shaozhe was the final performer. After another round of sponsor advertisements, the competition officially began.

Xu Mengbai took the stage in traditional attire, looking elegant and ethereal in a flowing green robe. Her makeup was softer this time, giving her the aura of a refined young lady from a historical drama. Although this was her first attempt at a traditional-style song, she carried herself with grace. She knew that compared to the other contestants, she was the youngest and the newest to the industry. Only by working tirelessly behind the scenes could she showcase her true potential and advance her career.

Her performance was accompanied by the guzheng. The music began crisp and melodic, like a babbling brook, before gradually building in intensity. It was as if a scene unfolded before everyone’s eyes: beneath a massive waterfall, a woman stood with a sword, her back to the audience. With a sudden flourish, she drew her blade, dancing in time with the roaring water. Her movements were nimble and sharp, embodying the spirit of a true swordswoman.

As the passionate guzheng melody swelled, Xu Mengbai began to sing. Her voice was vibrant and spirited, instantly igniting the atmosphere. The judges were stunned by her heroic presence—a level of poise and grace that could usually only be described in novels. This newcomer was truly a revelation.

The audience watched in silence, while the other contestants felt the pressure mount. Xu Mengbai was displaying a level of skill they hadn't seen before; her previous performances seemed plain in comparison. It made people wonder if she had been intentionally holding back, waiting for this moment to reveal her hand.

Backstage, her manager smiled with satisfaction and reported to the boss over the phone: "If nothing goes wrong and she maintains this state, she should have no trouble advancing." Her agency had high hopes for her, having invested two and a half years of training into the singer-dancer. The boss was pleased she hadn't disappointed.

"If she takes a top spot, give her access to more resources."

"Understood."

Xu Mengbai’s performance continued. The melody shifted from the heroic spirit of a wandering knight to something more atmospheric. The music mirrored the woman hiding in a maple forest, waiting with resolve to ambush her enemies, creating a sense of suffocating tension. As the wind blew through the bamboo, leaves fell, and in a flash, the swordswoman struck. She vanished back into the forest, leaving her enemies trembling in fear, unable to track their assailant.

Xu Mengbai ended her performance with a sharp, sudden note, bowed, and exited. As the staff cleared the guzheng, the next contestant stepped up. When she passed the second contestant, Lin Jinxia, the latter felt a crushing pressure that made it hard to breathe. Awkwardly, both of them were performing traditional-style numbers, turning the competition into a direct clash. Lin Jinxia felt a sinking suspicion that she was about to be eliminated.

However, as a seasoned veteran who had built her career in the traditional music scene, Lin Jinxia was not easily shaken. She began her performance, taking up the erhu. The moment the first note rang out, she captivated the entire room.