Let go, gave up, released, abandoned all hope.

This sharp and capable-looking woman really was the director. When Bai Haonan stood up to introduce himself, he actually claimed that Qiao Yingna was his niece, then smoothly sat down beside Sister Mai. Although there was no intimate behavior, he made it clear that he had drawn a line between himself and Qiao Yingna, acting more like a guardian than a boyfriend.

Sister Mai looked at Qiao Yingna with mild surprise. “Why didn’t I see you in the registration line?”

Qiao Yingna could only try her best to sound like a little girl. “Well... Uncle Hao asked another classmate to help me queue. He said I should save my energy.”

Sister Mai was a bit thin, and her sleek bob haircut couldn’t quite conceal the traces of time. She must have been quite a character in her youth, and her dress and makeup were still impeccable. “Generally, we do pre-select some promising candidates and sign different agreements in advance to focus our efforts. We can’t be publicizing and promoting someone, only to have them suddenly back out at the top ten or the national finals. What then? A lot of material needs to be prepared and planned beforehand, so I usually stand outside to observe and pick out good prospects for a chat. But somehow, you, such a talented candidate, slipped through the cracks. Clearly, I need to adjust my methods...”

While it wasn’t as dark and sordid as Bai Haonan had described, it was obvious that having connections made things easier, just like anywhere else.

Even if Qiao Yingna had been lucky enough to be noticed by Sister Mai among the thousands in the registration plaza, she wouldn’t have had the chance to sit down for such a face-to-face conversation. “What’s your selling point? What makes you stand out? Singing well isn’t enough—this is a talent show, a show, understand? It’s a performance, a spectacle for the audience, not just about the singing. That’s only the foundation. You need something that sets you apart. Your uncle says you’re an outstanding medical student at a top hospital, supposedly the largest in the world? Now that’s a selling point. You could have a bright future as a doctor, but you choose to sing. I think that’s a great angle...”

Bai Haonan chimed in, “Exactly! Her parents forbade her to sing, so she begged me, her second uncle, to secretly accompany her...”

Sister Mai laughed, patting Second Uncle Bai on the arm. “Looks like kids really like you. How old is your own child?”

The former duck shop’s star employee leaned back, draping his arm over the back of Sister Mai’s chair in a languid pose. “Ha, why don’t you guess?”

Qiao Yingna was so embarrassed she broke out in goosebumps, but she had to admit Bai Haonan was paving a path for her.

At that moment, she was struck by a sudden realization. Was this man she’d met at this turning point in her twenty-third year truly the one who would change her life so dramatically?

But this absurd way of doing things made her want to stand up and walk away more than once!

Especially when Bai Haonan, to prove that theatrical talent ran in the family, got up and did a belly dance with a delicate wrist pose—Qiao Yingna was on the verge of exploding. How could a man act so shamelessly?

In the minds of most normal people, aren’t men supposed to be strong and reliable, giving women a sense of security and maturity? How could he be so frivolous and undignified?

Yet it was clear that Sister Mai wasn’t the only one laughing uncontrollably. Even the few waitresses and the lady boss in the café snuck glances at their table, grinning and whispering to each other. Bai Haonan shamelessly called out, “Boss, how about giving us a discount for my performance? Free meal?” and even threw a playful wink.

The whole place erupted in laughter, chairs nearly tipping over.

Sister Mai was pounding the table as she laughed, constantly turning to complain to Qiao Yingna. “Is your second uncle this funny at home too?”

Qiao Yingna replied expressionlessly, “The whole family thinks he’s crazy.”

Sister Mai struggled to stop laughing, wiping away tears, nearly out of breath. “But... he just wants to help you. Or maybe he just brings joy to those around him. Young lady, you may not know what a responsible man looks like. Not bad, not bad at all! Second uncle, sit down—I can’t bear for others to see your seductive moves!”

Bai Haonan, still unsatisfied, struck a flamboyant S-shaped pose, hands on hips and head, while the lady boss struggled to speak through her laughter, “Big brother... at least give us half off, ha ha ha...”

Only then did the former duck shop star employee sit down contentedly, propping his chin in his palm and gazing at Sister Mai with soulful eyes.

Sister Mai leaned over to whisper to Qiao Yingna, “See? Some men are obsessed with saving face, dragging their wives and children down with them, insisting a man’s dignity is worth gold. But most responsible men are out there kneeling, working themselves to the bone for their families. Treasure this kind of man, young lady—they’re rare.”

Qiao Yingna was startled and flustered!

Sure enough, when she returned for the second audition that afternoon, the first thing she had to do was sign a pile of forms and agreements. Normally she would have carefully scrutinized every clause and even brought her parents to review them, but before they went in, Bai Haonan had just said, “Just sign. If you’ve made it this far, you’re already meat on the cutting board. All the terms are set by others; you either quit or sign—no right to negotiate. I never read contracts. As long as it’s not a slave contract and I know how much I’ll get in the end, that’s enough for me.”

Even so, all those agreements—mainly emphasizing the rights and obligations during the show—took a lot of time. By the time she was finally called for her actual audition, she only got to sing a short piece in front of the judges before being told to go home and wait for news. As she left, she saw several pretty, bright contestants being interviewed by the media, their faces radiant and proud under the cameras and reflectors.

If she hadn’t spent over an hour at lunch listening to the director’s instructions about the show’s arrangements, any talented contestant would have felt crushed at that moment.

It was Sister Mai who told her not to accept any interviews. Bai Haonan, waiting in the car, saw things more clearly than she did: “Sister Mai said all the contestants getting media exposure now are cannon fodder. They may look pretty and sing well, but they’re all the same. Your special academic background will only come out later. And trust me—based on my brief experience as a footballer, these damn media people are the worst at twisting your words. Interviews are just for show; they’ll say whatever they want. Those guys interviewing contestants are just using their little bit of power to get favors. Only when you’re really famous can you step on these lackeys.”

Qiao Yingna listened quietly for a long while before finally speaking. “Thank you, Lao Nan.”

Bai Haonan paused for a second, then rubbed his hands together with a sly grin. “How about paying me in kind?”

Qiao Yingna could already see through his tricks. “I’ve loved singing since I was a child, but I only ever reached the level my music teachers taught me. Though I performed often, I was always an amateur relying on talent, and my grades were even better. My parents really don’t want me to sing. In their minds, if you do well academically, you should go to a good university and get a good job. That’s why I went to medical school. But after I discovered I could perform and sing in the bar district, I couldn’t stop. My ex broke up with me because he thought I’d fallen so far as to become a bar singer. But I was only enjoying singing—I never thought about competing or becoming famous. This time, though, I wanted to give it a try. No matter the outcome, it would fulfill a wish. If I could stand in the brightest, highest spot and sing, I’d sing. If not, then I’d give up, focus on my internship, and become an excellent pediatrician. Lao Nan, I never expected to make a name for myself—I just wanted to find closure. You don’t have to... I know this might sound ungrateful, but I don’t want you to help me in such a humiliating way.”

Bai Haonan refused to acknowledge such heavy talk. “You’re a pediatrician? Not in clinical medicine?”

Qiao Yingna nodded. “I’m studying clinical medicine, but there are more than ten subfields, like pediatrics, gynecology, and so on. My focus is pediatrics.”

Bai Haonan voiced his confusion. “I often hear doctors and nurses talk about anatomy class. Do you bring your own cadaver or does the school provide them?”

Qiao Yingna was momentarily stunned, all her previous emotions vanishing as she burst out laughing, tears coming to her eyes. She turned to see Bai Haonan playing the fool, “What’s so funny? We had to bring our own soccer shoes for football, didn’t we? It’s just equipment...” He tossed her a pillow and a little blanket, “Alright, take a nap and we’ll head home. I was going to invite Sister Mai out tonight, but I’ll find another chance. That woman’s got some serious skills.”

Qiao Yingna finally couldn’t hold back. “Could you stop being so good to me? If I really fall in love with you, it’ll be such a bitter thing.”

Bai Haonan dashed her hopes without a second thought. “Don’t worry. You know why there’s a buckwheat pillow in the car? You think I’d curl up to sleep in here at my height? It’s just handy for when I hook up with some girls, makes things more comfortable...”

Infuriated, Qiao Yingna seized the moment to regain her composure and return to her parents’ home. “Alright, enough, I don’t want to hear your nonsense. There are still four or five days before the next round, and nothing much to do. I’ll just go home and wait for news. Drop me off at the long-distance bus station.”

So Bai Haonan really did drop her at the university town’s long-distance bus station, didn’t even ask where her hometown was, and drove off without a backward glance. Whatever thoughts Qiao Yingna might have had, she could only swallow them with resentment.

If it’s just for a one-night stand, don’t get emotionally involved!

What a bastard!