At the Modu Stadium, even though Feng Xiaoxiao and Yi Shuihan had already left the stage, the audience remained enthusiastic, still eagerly anticipating what kind of song Xingyao Entertainment would bring in the next round.

With just one performance of Floating Northward, everyone had witnessed the triumphant return of Xingyao Entertainment.

Online viewers also flooded into this competition’s livestream room. In past seasons of Hua Country's Strongest Voice, all three competition lanes had roughly equal viewership. But now, the stages hosted by Shengshi Entertainment and Yinhai Entertainment were almost completely deserted.

It was as if the entire program had become a special concert just for Xingyao Entertainment.

Unfortunately, despite the audience waiting and waiting, no second challenger appeared. It was as if all the entertainment companies had completely gone silent at this moment.

Time ticked by. The other two stages were still in the heat of competition, but on the stage where Xingyao Entertainment stood, only the autumn wind circled overhead.

Until the end of this episode of Hua Country’s Strongest Voice was officially announced—still, no one stepped up to challenge!

This completely infuriated the audience who had been patiently waiting. They had waited so long only to see this? Furious, they started tagging all the major entertainment companies, sparing no sarcasm:

   "Yo! Is the entertainment industry out of people? Can you do it or not? I already took my pants off! And this is what I get?"

   "Man, this felt like a bucket of cold water dumped on me in the middle of winter! I stayed up all night just to be told it's over?"

   "Ugh! The moment Gu Xingyi appeared, there wasn’t a single worthy opponent left in the music world! My songs! I wanted to hear a few more good ones!"

   "@Tianmei Entertainment: So you're giving up? If that's the case, let me go up! We’ll lose either way—I might as well be the one losing!"

   "Forget it, forget it! This is clearly a surrender! I hereby declare: Xingyao Entertainment has become one of the new Big Three! The Tianmei era is over!"

Netizens were doing everything they could to mock and provoke the entertainment companies into responding. All they wanted was to hear good music—why was that so hard?

Thanks to the “support” of these netizens, eventually, the major entertainment companies, represented by Tianmei Entertainment, couldn’t stay silent any longer and finally responded.

   "Only the one who laughs last is the true winner. Let’s wait and see."

The statement was brief, but it carried a different tone.

The netizens—who lived to stir the pot—saw the announcement and suddenly found hope again. As long as the entertainment companies hadn't given up, that was enough! Even if it took a little longer, all they cared about was getting to hear more great music!

Encouraged, netizens flooded the comments of these announcements to cheer them on.

At that moment, the Xingyao Entertainment team was already on their way back to the company. Not many people had gone to the stadium—just Xia Xiyao, Tao Lele, Miao Anyun, Feng Xiaoxiao, and Yi Shuihan.

A company van was enough to carry all of them, driven by a driver hired specifically by the company.

The others, including Gu Xingyi, hadn’t gone to the venue. They had stayed at the company to watch the live broadcast in real time.

“I really didn’t expect that even Xiyao-jie and Yunyun-jie didn’t get to perform before the others admitted defeat!”

Tao Lele pouted slightly, feeling a bit disappointed. Although she didn’t know what song Gu Xingyi had prepared for Miao Anyun, she did know Xia Xiyao’s—it was a bombshell too!

“Feng-ge and Yi-ge just sang too well. Totally blew the place up!”

“Hehe! It's all thanks to President Gu’s amazing songs! After all these years, this was the first time we felt such passion on stage!”

Feng Xiaoxiao chuckled, his face full of admiration just thinking about Gu Xingyi.

“They haven’t given up. They’re just holding back their ultimate move. The next rounds are going to be even fiercer!”

At that moment, Miao Anyun picked up her phone and held it out for the others to see.

Everyone looked at the screen and saw the statements from Tianmei Entertainment and the other companies, which had already climbed to the top of the trending list!

Currently, the number one trending topic was the song Floating Northward, followed by the wave of statements from the entertainment companies!

“I only trust President Gu anyway! These people won’t be able to jump around for long!”

Yi Shuihan took just one glance and scoffed. The others chuckled knowingly. That’s right—as long as Gu Xingyi was here, they had nothing to worry about!

The car continued down the road as the group chatted about the competition, when Feng Xiaoxiao received a phone call. He had been all smiles, but after the call, his expression turned serious and his brows furrowed.

“What’s wrong?”

Yi Shuihan asked quietly when he saw his reaction. They had just achieved a big victory—this was supposed to be a joyful moment. But Feng Xiaoxiao’s face clearly showed that something troubling had happened.

The others in the car also noticed and turned their eyes toward him.

Feng Xiaoxiao felt a little awkward, thinking he had ruined the good mood.

“It’s... it’s nothing. Xiaoyi, you stay with Xiyao-jie and the others and head back to the company. I can handle it myself! Xiyao-jie, could you drop me off near Jiangcheng Yida Plaza?”

He clutched his phone tightly, looking more and more uncomfortable. Stirring up drama at a time like this made him feel bad—but he had no choice but to go.

“Of course. If it’s something important, go take care of it right away.”

Xia Xiyao nodded. This was clearly a personal matter for Feng Xiaoxiao, so she didn’t press further.

The car arrived at Jiangcheng Yida Plaza, and Feng Xiaoxiao hurriedly got out. Watching him walk away, Yi Shuihan suddenly spoke.

“Xiyao-jie, I’m a bit worried about Xiao-ge. How about we follow him and see what’s going on?”

Everyone in the car looked at each other. Xia Xiyao hesitated and said to Yi Shuihan with concern.

“This is a private matter. Wouldn’t it be inappropriate for us to follow?”

“Xiyao-jie! It’s fine! Xiao-ge and I have been bros for years. Plus, if I’m right, I probably know the person he’s going to meet! He only left me behind because he felt bad!”

“Then... Xiyao-jie, how about we go take a look?”

Hearing Yi Shuihan's words, Tao Lele and Miao Anyun both looked tempted. A woman’s natural gossiping instinct was fully revealed at that moment.

Xia Xiyao thought for a moment and solemnly asked Yi Shuihan again.

"Are you sure it’s okay?"

"Xiyao-jie! Really, it’s no problem!"

Yi Shuihan patted his chest and guaranteed it.

Only then did Xia Xiyao nod. So the group put on masks and sneaked out of the car like thieves, leaving only the driver to park the car in a nearby parking lot.

Along the way, it was as if Yi Shuihan knew exactly where Feng Xiaoxiao was heading. They didn’t waste time anywhere; Yi Shuihan led the way straight into a small bar nearby.

The bar wasn’t very big, but it was decorated warmly, making people feel as if they were coming home.

Inside, the place was already packed, but the small stage at the center was full of noise. When they looked over, they happened to see Feng Xiaoxiao arguing with a group of people.

Behind Feng Xiaoxiao stood two girls with aggrieved expressions; one of them was even holding a guitar.

Upon seeing this scene, Yi Shuihan’s eyes widened instantly, and he rushed forward without hesitation.

Xia Xiyao, Miao Anyun, and Tao Lele exchanged worried glances, fearing that the two might cause too big of a scene, making it difficult to clean up afterward.

Fortunately, after charging in, Yi Shuihan didn’t start arguing with the group. Instead, he protected the two girls and asked them.

"Xinyi, Peiling, are you two okay?"