[Is it true? Who got eliminated first?]

[The first one was eliminated.]

[The first one? I thought the finals used a scoring system, with no specific order for elimination?]

[Ah! I remembered wrong. I meant the one with the lowest score.]

The two bantered back and forth, one pretending to be disheartened, the other feigning ignorance. The small chat app had nearly turned into a Broadway stage, with just two drama queens trying to outdo each other's performances.

[That's too bad. But no worries, I've booked a restaurant. We'll have a big dinner tonight to soothe your wounded soul. Would I have the honor?]

[Really? Great! Where is it?]

Chu Tian chuckled lightly, sent the address, and couldn't resist pulling up their chat history to snap a quick screenshot.

"Sir? Sir? Do you have any other instructions?"

"Ah? Oh, no, that's all for now. We'll see when they arrive."

Prompted by the waiter, he finally snapped back to reality, completely unaware of his earlier absentmindedness or the smile that hadn't left his face.

「...」

"Yiyi, how much longer?"

"Almost done. My hair got a bit flattened. Sister Qiu, are you in a hurry?"

"Chu Tian booked a restaurant to console me. We need to hurry."

"Really? Did you actually trick him into thinking you were eliminated?"

"Yes, just make sure you don't spill the beans. I plan to surprise him. It's too bad I didn't win King of Songs."

"King of Songs? Sister Qiu, aren't you being a tad greedy? Did you hear who your competitors were? Lin Jiadong, He Zhengnan, He Yike, Lu Youyou, Jiang Yueying, Su Minghui!"

"Who else was there? Right, Yuan Lu and Wu Qingshan. You even competed with Wu Qingshan in The Sound of Nature before; you used to call him Senior back then."

"And now you've beaten all of them, yet you still say you didn't win King of Songs? That was Zheng Qiuming you were up against! Are you even giving anyone else a chance?"

Listening to Yiyi tick off the names on her fingers, Xu Qingqiu couldn't help but smile.

She thought of what Chu Tian had taught her just a few days ago and the hellish training she had endured during that period, suddenly realizing it was all worth it. You don't know until you try. It was only by participating in this program that she realized, unknowingly, she had come so far. Just a few months ago, veteran singers like Wu Qingshan, who were significantly better and had consistently outshone her on the show, were now left in her dust. Though her own hard work was a factor, it couldn't overshadow Chu Tian's incredible ability. Honestly, she still felt as if she were in a dream.

"How does Chu Tian know so much? Especially the training methods he taught me—they're simply incredible! I never imagined I'd achieve this, let alone so quickly."

Yiyi chose to remain silent on this point. She always felt like Sister Qiu was just showing off, but she had no proof.

After quickly getting ready, the two of them hurried to the address Chu Tian had sent.

He was already waiting downstairs and stood up from the sofa in the lounge area as soon as he received their message.

"Chu Tian! We're here!"

"You don't look like someone who just failed. Tell me the truth, are you trying to trick me?"

The exuberant Xu Qingqiu was momentarily stunned by his direct question.

"Ah? I... I'm not! I'm just happy to see you. Does being eliminated mean I have to be crying?"

"Alright, you're right. Let's head upstairs first. I've already ordered some dishes. Take a look and see if there's anything you'd like to add."

It was only then that Xu Qingqiu noticed how large the restaurant was. Seeing the traditional, elegant decor and the solid wood sofas in the lounge area, she knew it wasn't cheap. If this solid wood was mahogany, it would be even more expensive. The level of luxury in the decor clearly meant the meal wouldn't be cheap either.

But since Chu Tian had booked it, she didn't say much, though she was already making her own plans.

"It's fine, I'm not picky. I'll eat whatever you ordered."

Once they were seated upstairs and had added two more dishes to their order, they waited for the server to leave before removing their masks and hats to chat comfortably.

"Were you really eliminated?"

"Yeah. You don't believe me?"

"I believe you. If you say you were eliminated, then you were. Let's channel our sorrow into our appetite and eat more later."

Watching Chu Tian's concerned expression, Xu Qingqiu felt a small thrill, but also a pang of guilt for deceiving him.

So she suddenly said, "Ah, I was just kidding earlier. I wasn't eliminated, but I didn't win King of Songs either. I was just a little short."

As she said this, she pouted slightly with a hint of regret. Honestly, she was still a bit disappointed, but there was nothing she could do; the competition had just been too strong.

However, Xu Qingqiu, engrossed in fiddling with her teacup, didn't notice the playful smile on Chu Tian's face across from her.

"What? You lied to me? Do you know how worried I was? I even specifically booked this restaurant to comfort you!"

"Sorry! I just wanted to surprise you. So, are you surprised?"

Seeing her lean forward with an expectant look in her eyes, Chu Tian couldn't help but chuckle before saying, "I am definitely surprised. Now, it's my turn to give you a surprise."

"Huh? What do you mean?"

Chu Tian looked at her endearingly clueless expression, reached behind him, and suddenly pulled a string.

"TA-DA!"

As he spoke, several confetti poppers burst from the ceiling, startling both women.

But the surprises weren't over. Two banners suddenly unfurled beside Chu Tian:

'Congratulations to President Xu for Clinching King of Songs!'

'Dominating the Stage with Talent!'

Xu Qingqiu, startled by the confetti, turned to see the banners and was utterly dumbfounded.

"Oh no, take them down! It's so embarrassing!"

She had never expected Chu Tian to pull such a stunt. This was mortifying!

Xu Qingqiu hurriedly stood up and flusteredly took the banners down.

However, she couldn't bring herself to toss them on the floor. Instead, she clutched them tightly, glancing around cautiously, afraid someone might see.

Fortunately, they were in a private room; otherwise, it would have been a huge embarrassment.

Chu Tian neither helped nor interfered, just watched with an amused smile. He had only meant to liven things up and playfully tease her, and his goal was certainly achieved.

"When did you prepare this? How am I the King of Songs? I only got second place..."

"So what if it's second place? That's still runner-up! After beating so many people, how are you not a King of Songs in your own right?"

The three of them didn't dwell on this issue, as the food arrived, and having been hungry all day, they were busy sating their hunger.

The atmosphere, however, grew even more harmonious.

"By the way, Chu Tian, we're moving tomorrow. Can you help me?"

"Moving? You're moving too?"

"Yes, now that I've made a comeback, that old neighborhood isn't really suitable anymore. Yiyi even saw some paparazzi there before.

"And that place is really too small, and it lacks privacy and security. Sister Hua has already rented a new place for us.

"Actually, we should have moved much earlier, but I've been so busy recording the show recently that I really haven't had time. Now that the show is over, it's the perfect time to move."

Helping with a move was no issue for Chu Tian, so he readily agreed, "Sure, I'll come over tomorrow then."

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