After being dumped by the diva, I was picked up by her arch-enemy.

Jiang Yichen finished speaking and didn't pause for a moment.

He knew that he was not qualified to forgive Lin Qinghe on behalf of the original owner of this body.

He carried a black backpack on one shoulder, took long strides, and walked straight past Lin Qinghe.

The incandescent light in the corridor elongated his shadow.

His steps were steady; he didn't look back, nor did he show any lingering attachment.

Lin Qinghe stood frozen in place.

The person you've wronged is him from the past.

These ten words ruthlessly tore open the truth she had never dared to face.

The one who had her in his heart and eyes is long dead.

He died from three years of emotional abuse from her.

He died because of her condescending disdain.

The Jiang Yichen of today is radiant and talented, but he no longer belongs to her.

Lin Qinghe leaned against the cold wall, her body slowly sliding down.

She squatted on the ground, hugged her knees with both hands, and buried her face in her arms.

Tears streamed down her face, soaking her expensive black dress.

Suppressed sobs echoed in the empty corridor.

This was the first time since her debut that she had cried so unceremoniously.

It was also the first time in her life that she truly experienced what it meant to be filled with deep regret.

……

Late at night, in the heart of Shanghai, in a luxury apartment.

Lin Qinghe pushed open the door, forgetting even to change her shoes, and walked barefoot, listlessly, onto the soft wool carpet.

The huge living room was pitch black, with only the neon lights of the city that never sleeps outside the floor-to-ceiling windows outlining her lonely and desolate figure.

She slumped heavily onto the sofa and curled up into a ball.

In his mind, the look in Jiang Yichen's eyes when he sang "Puppet Show" kept replaying, and the indifferent posture he had when he turned and left.

She took out her phone, and the moment the screen lit up, it stung her eyes.

I subconsciously opened Weibo.

On the trending topics list, three out of the top ten items contained Jiang Yichen's name.

#Jiang Yichen eliminated#

#Is there a conspiracy behind The Voice of China?#

#The Peking Opera-style vocals in "Puppet Show" are going crazy#

Lin Qinghe's fingertips trembled as she clicked into Jiang Yichen's super topic community.

Inside, it was already a scene of deafening roar.

Countless casual fans and music lovers who were amazed by "Puppet Show" have made this their new battleground.

"Damn it! I'm so angry! A phenomenal performance that got unanimous approval from the judges was ruined by vote rigging by fans with internet traffic? Isn't this bullying honest people?!"

"Brothers, stop just cursing! The revival round opens tomorrow! All in! We have to get Jiang Shen back!"

"Yes! We can't let those who truly make music feel disheartened! Let's go!"

Lin Qinghe scrolled through the screen, watching these complete strangers, filled with righteous indignation over Jiang Yichen's elimination.

Her heart felt like a jumbled mess of emotions, a mixture of sourness and bitterness.

Just then, the title of a featured and pinned post caught her eye—

[Jiang Yichen's official fan club is established! Brothers and sisters, assemble!]

Whether you became a fan after watching "Red Dress" or were hooked on "Puppet Show," if you love Jiang Yichen's music, please join us! The revival channel opens tomorrow, let's organize a unified vote and revive Jiang Shen!

Below the post, a QQ group number was attached.

Lin Qinghe stared at the string of numbers, and as if possessed, switched to a long-forgotten alternate account, its nickname consisting of only one character—

clear.

Search and apply to join the group.

It was approved almost instantly.

As soon as I joined the group, messages flooded the screen like a waterfall.

"Welcome to the newcomer! Family members, hurry up and get ready, battle starts promptly at 8 AM tomorrow!"

"I've already prepared the phone numbers of all my distant relatives; I'll vote for them one by one tomorrow!"

"If we don't protect a treasure like the River God, who will?"

The atmosphere in the group was both enthusiastic and genuine.

Lin Qinghe's eyes welled up as she looked at the messages of support for him, and she typed a line in the input box.

Qing: "I will."

send.

This insignificant message was instantly drowned out by the torrent of chat messages, without causing a ripple.

Lin Qinghe put down her phone, leaned back on the sofa, and closed her eyes.

A tear silently slid down from the corner of her eye and disappeared into the hair at her temple.

...........

A small Western-style building in the western suburbs of Shanghai.

Jiang Yichen pushed open the door, changed into slippers, and walked into the living room.

Gu Ruanxing was sprawled on the sofa, completely unconcerned about her image, engrossed in watching something on a tablet.

Hearing the noise, Gu Ruanxing peeked out from behind the screen.

She looked Jiang Yichen up and down.

"Oh, our great talent is back?"

"How does it feel to be eliminated? Pretty bittersweet, right?"

Gu Ruanxing's tone was tinged with a hint of mockery and schadenfreude.

Jiang Yichen walked to the single sofa and sat down, casually tossing his backpack aside.

He picked up the kettle from the coffee table and poured himself a glass of water.

"Not bad." Jiang Yichen took a sip of water, raised an eyebrow, and looked at Gu Ruanxing. "What? Are you happy to see me eliminated?"

"Now that you've achieved your goal of getting revenge on Lin Qinghe, are you planning to discard me after you've served your purpose and kick me out the door tomorrow morning?"

Upon hearing this, Gu Ruanxing immediately jumped up from the sofa.

She crossed her legs, put her hands on her hips, and glared at Jiang Yichen: "Jiang Yichen! What do you take me for?!"

"Am I, Gu Ruanxing, the kind of person who starts something and then abandons it... Pshaw! The kind of person who kicks someone when they're down?!"

She raised her chin and gave a haughty snort.

"Besides, your song 'Puppet Show' is actually not bad."

"I have always valued talent."

"Just stay here and rest easy. We'll talk about it again once your share of the profits from the song is settled."

Jiang Yichen immediately feigned surprise and gratitude: "Thank you so much for taking me in, Miss Gu!"

Seeing his nonchalant attitude, Gu Ruanxing was furious.

She tossed the tablet aside and grabbed her phone.

"Stop talking nonsense!"

"Since we've been eliminated, let's log in quickly!"

"I must reach the King rank with 20 stars tonight!"

Jiang Yichen reluctantly put down his water glass and took out his phone.

"You internet-addicted girl, you'll die of a sudden death in the Rift sooner or later."

"Mind your own business!!"