Backstage at the Modu Stadium, the staff were busy cleaning up the venue.

Gu Xingyi and the other three stood to the side with Ren Chao, watching the scene before them with a touch of melancholy.

A perfectly good show had ended just like that. The dazzling excitement of the past few days was still vivid in their minds, and none of them had expected things to end this way.

Especially Ren Chao—he already looked a bit defeated. This program had been his labor of love, and now it was gone just like that. Chances were, there would never be another season as thrilling as this one.

At that moment, the four mentors had also finished packing up and walked over. Xue Xiaoqian seemed to be fairly close to Ren Chao. Seeing him so dejected, he gave Ren Chao a pat on the shoulder.

“Director Ren! Don’t let it get to you. What’s done is done. Just be more careful in the future and tighten up the rules—that’s all you can do!”

Ren Chao gave a bitter smile and shook his head.

“It’s not that simple. Because I forcibly ended the competition, the breach penalty wiped out all of this season’s profits. Whether I can even keep my job as director is still up in the air.”

“Huh? That serious?”

Xue Xiaoqian was stunned. He clearly hadn’t realized just how bad things had gotten.

Ren Chao waved his hand, not wanting to dwell on it. Even though he might lose his entire livelihood over this, he didn’t regret the decision he made.

Everyone present exchanged awkward glances. No one knew what to say.

Gu Xingyi was still holding Xia Xiyao’s hand. Looking at the middle-aged Ren Chao, he couldn’t help but admire his courage and integrity even more. Most people would never be able to make a decision like that.

Ren Chao also noticed the awkward atmosphere that had formed because of him. He quickly smiled and said,

“Ah, you guys go ahead and chat. Don’t mind me. It’s not like anything’s been finalized yet.”

Hearing him say that, the others finally relaxed. The older Liu Tianwang was the first to break the ice. He looked at Gu Xingyi and smiled. “You were the biggest surprise of this whole thing for me! I can already see it—in the future, the peak of the Chinese music scene will absolutely have a seat reserved for Gu Xingyi!”

Liu Tianwang’s gaze was full of admiration, making Gu Xingyi feel a bit embarrassed. He didn’t think he had done anything that amazing. All the credit belonged to the seniors from his original world!

Before Gu Xingyi could say anything, Xue Xiaoqian chimed in.

“Exactly! I totally agree with Liu Tianwang! Gu Xingyi, you’re incredible. I wonder if I’ll have the honor of asking you for a song in the future?”

Everyone's eyes lit up at Xue Xiaoqian's words, turning to Gu Xingyi with great interest.

As seasoned singers, they didn’t lack songs—but they did lack masterpieces.

And they all knew just how exceptional Gu Xingyi was. Almost every song he wrote was a gem!

Seeing the way they were all looking at him like hungry wolves, Gu Xingyi quickly waved his hands.

“You’re all seniors, please don’t flatter me! If the opportunity comes up in the future, I’d be happy to give it a try!”

“Then it’s settled! Little sister Xia Xiyao better not get jealous!”

Only then did Gu Xingyi realize that Xue Xiaoqian was one of those super friendly types who acted like they’d known you forever. No sooner had he finished speaking than he smiled and pulled Xia Xiyao into the conversation too, shortening the distance between them.

Xia Xiyao’s face flushed slightly. Her hand was still in Gu Xingyi’s, and hearing Xue Xiaoqian’s teasing, she quickly shook her head.

“Not at all! Gu Xingyi has always had his own ideas when it comes to songwriting.”

Xue Xiaoqian had only been joking, but seeing how seriously Xia Xiyao responded, he froze for a moment—then everyone burst into laughter.

No one would have expected that the radiant, dazzling Xia Xiyao on stage would, in real life, be such a gentle and adorable woman.

The group chatted and laughed together for a while longer, and before parting ways, several of the mentors—including Ren Chao, and even Liu Tianwang—added Gu Xingyi on WeChat.

As for Miao Anyun, she didn’t add Gu Xingyi, but she was now friends with Xia Xiyao. After going through two rounds of competition, the two of them had grown quite familiar with each other.

Once everyone exited the stadium, they went their separate ways. Normally, according to tradition, after a season wrapped up, everyone would gather for a celebratory party to toast the successful completion of the show.

But this time, due to the unexpected ending, the celebration was naturally canceled.

As Miao Anyun got into her company’s van, she happened to catch a glimpse of Xia Xiyao and Gu Xingyi talking to each other as they boarded their car. Their vehicle drove out of the parking lot ahead of hers.

Staring at the car that had already disappeared through the exit, Miao Anyun’s gaze flickered. Truthfully, she was a little envious of Xia Xiyao. She thought Xia Xiyao not only had talent, but also a great personality, and she was beautiful too.

Most importantly, she had a good husband. Just now, during their conversation, even with so many veteran singers and a Tianwang present, the topic of discussion had always revolved around Gu Xingyi!

She and Xia Xiyao were both contestants in the same competition, but it was obvious their value was now worlds apart. The reason was simple: Xia Xiyao had Gu Xingyi. And she herself? She only had a company that focused mainly on film and TV.

Everyone had their own hardships. She was no different. With the sudden end of StarSong Gathering, she’d have to return and continue struggling as a third-tier singer.

Now that the competition was over, things were getting busy again for Xia Xiyao. As soon as the two returned to their apartment, Yun-jie came over carrying a pile of documents. Inside were all sorts of tasks: album production, appearances, album promotion, fan meetings… a mountain of responsibilities.

Leisurely days felt further and further away. Just seeing that thick stack of papers made Gu Xingyi instinctively rub his temples for her.

Xia Xiyao and Yun-jie sat on the sofa quietly flipping through everything. Gu Xingyi didn’t interrupt. He simply turned around and walked into the kitchen. This was her career—if she was happy, that was all that mattered.

“Yun-jie, decline these ad offers for me. As for the other two, I can accept them, but we need to confirm the authenticity of the products! And filming has to be scheduled for after the album release.”

Xia Xiyao frowned slightly as she flipped through the paperwork, pulling out a few ad proposals. Any ad with even a hint of a flaw, she set aside.

Yun-jie picked them up from the table and examined them closely, her expression tinged with concern.

“Reject all of them? Two of these advertisers are major partners with the company. If we turn them down, I’m worried some people inside will have complaints.”

“Yun-jie, don’t overthink it. Just reject them! It’s all clearly written in the contract. Besides, don’t forget—the album rights have to remain in our hands. Just follow the contract. YinHai won’t take a loss.”

Before Xia Xiyao could respond, Gu Xingyi had already walked out from the kitchen holding a spatula, leaning against the doorframe as he spoke.

His relationship with YinHai Entertainment was a partnership, not some kind of indentured servitude. Why should they care so much about what the company thought?

Hearing this, both Yun-jie and Xia Xiyao looked up at the same time. Seeing Gu Xingyi’s confident expression, Yun-jie nodded. Since both of them were firm on refusing, she had no reason to object.

Xia Xiyao, meanwhile, felt a warm glow in her heart. As long as Gu Xingyi was by her side, what did she have to be afraid of?