60. Warming Up That Gently Heated Bento

Qiao Yingna is the brightest star tonight.

This news, perhaps only Sister Mai sensed beforehand, came as a complete surprise: almost all the judges unanimously chose the medical university’s intern doctor as the champion of the Rongdu regional top ten competition. Some people are always trying to decipher what makes a star popular and profitable, hoping to discover a formula and produce celebrities on an assembly line. Reality often proves their theories correct, with hype, packaging, and even data manipulation as evidence.

Yet performing arts, or indeed any public artistic endeavor, always retain a certain mysterious uncertainty. Perhaps Qiao Yingna has not yet reached the point where every song she sings can deeply move her audience, but tonight, for those few minutes at every critical stage, she managed it. She left a profound impression on every audience member present, as well as those watching on television and live streams. Privately, Sister Mai confided to Bai Haonan that, at that moment, she received a call from the station, instructing her to suppress Qiao Yingna’s score and make her runner-up, as this would generate more drama for the grand finals. Topics like backstage manipulation could be shamelessly exploited—anything for attention. The organizers would stop at nothing.

But Sister Mai’s own inclinations, perhaps influenced by the atmosphere, made her feign that the numbers couldn’t be controlled. It would have been too blatant to crown anyone else, so she let Qiao Yingna win, going with the flow. Of course, the truth of her words is debatable, but her real intention in telling Bai Haonan was to urge him to have Qiao Yingna sign immediately with her private company, promising her a dedicated team and maximum benefit.

Bai Haonan was indifferent. His mind wandered to where he might take the table tennis girl for some fun; surely he couldn’t indulge in a car rendezvous under the gaze of eight other girls. “She has her own ideas. Why tell me this?” he replied.

Sister Mai was in a hurry. “Talk to her. When it comes to contracts, she insists on hearing your opinion. I’m extremely busy—there’s a thank-you party, then I have to handle follow-up work overnight, and a whole series of tasks back at the station. I can’t openly resign; I have to let someone else negotiate with Qiao. I want to ensure she doesn’t take the wrong path. Winning a talent show is only the first step; if you leave chaos behind, it means nothing. I’ve mentored two batches of contestants, but this time I really want to try managing someone myself.”

Bai Haonan could only tell the Nine Planets—well, the nine curious girls—to join him at the thank-you banquet and leave together afterward, while he went to speak with Qiao Yingna.

The girls were even more excited than he was, thrilled to witness someone they knew win. It was said that the two medical university girls livestreamed the whole event, and many students and teachers from their university attended. Tomorrow would surely be explosive news; Hao would definitely be summoned by the principal.

Bai Haonan stroked his beard, feeling little emotion. For a seasoned veteran who had seen the world and played in national leagues for over a decade, a famous singer was nothing unusual—there are hundreds across the country, hardly better than a substitute in a top league. He shot Chen Sufen a glance, signaling her to look after the girls and keep them from being harassed.

Chen Sufen, almost wordless in her understanding, nodded and led the charge into the sophisticated social scene, full of toasts and mingling. In such a setting, anyone who could make connections had real skill.

Qiao Yingna sat dazed in front of the dressing table, constantly congratulated by other contestants. Bai Haonan lingered outside the temporary white tent, watching. When Qiao Yingna finally rose as if waking from a dream, he quietly followed her. After a rush of congratulatory encounters, she entered the sports hall’s restroom. Bai Haonan slipped inside just as she opened a stall, suddenly pushing her in and closing the door.

The new champion nearly screamed, but seeing Bai Haonan’s face, she hit his shoulder and face with all her strength. He deftly caught her hands and pressed them against the partition. Qiao Yingna protested, “Dirty!”

Bai Haonan, grinning mischievously, whispered in her ear, “How about a little excitement? Your status is different now—feels thrilling, doesn’t it?”

Qiao Yingna rolled her eyes, coming back to herself after her earlier confusion, and lowered her voice, “Can’t you ever be normal?” She grabbed his hand, stopping it from sliding into her costume, and pinched him hard.

With his experience, Bai Haonan could distinguish between playful resistance and real protest. He immediately withdrew, raising his hands in surrender, just about to speak when Qiao Yingna gestured left and right, then to her ear, and proceeded to lift her skirt, squatting on the toilet to relieve herself. Bai Haonan rolled his eyes, frustrated by her refusal to let him touch her, despite her lack of real defenses. He leaned toward her ear, “Forget it if you’re not willing. I just came to tell you: if you want to keep singing, you can sign with Sister Mai, but be careful—she’s not looking out for you. Pay attention to the contract details and don’t let yourself be swindled. You don’t need my guidance for that.”

The sound of water echoed loudly, indicating she’d held it in for some time. As the noise faded, she finally spoke, head lowered, “I’m like this, and you still can’t decide to come see those...scenes with me?”

Bai Haonan was confused, “What scenes?”

Qiao Yingna tidied up and stood, now taller than him, resting her hands on his shoulders, forehead to forehead, whispering, “That moment, I sang for you. I loved that feeling. I want to sing on bigger stages, to see more beautiful scenery…”

Suddenly understanding, Bai Haonan, who was uncultured, grumbled, “There’s only more darkness and filth, honestly. I think Sister Mai will look out for you, or you could get Chen Sufen to be your bodyguard if you want. As long as you’re happy.” He checked the outside, pulled the door open, and slipped away.

Qiao Yingna didn’t try to persuade this man, whose worldview was so different from her own. She stood on the somewhat dirty toilet in the public restroom, like a piece of performance art, dazed for several minutes. When staff came searching for her, she collected herself and agreed to go. The next time anyone saw her, it was at the banquet.

Since the prettiest group of girls had come with him, Bai Haonan surveyed all the female contestants at the party and felt no interest—even the hostesses weren’t as good as the two aspiring flight attendants. He was even less inclined to stay.

But the women were clearly more excited than he was. In the banquet hall, converted from the sports arena’s press room, they danced, drank, feasted, and mingled with people they’d never met before. The crowded, Western-style party scene thrilled most girls, who had never attended such high-profile events.

Women are drawn to such material splendor, Bai Haonan thought, a barely perceptible sneer on his face.

Then he heard a sharp voice nearby: “I don’t care! I must make it to the finals—you promised I’d be in the top ten!”

Who could speak with such arrogance?

Even Sister Mai, the director sent by the station, wouldn’t dare say that.