Chapter 287

"It was clearly me who was beaten, yet you cried as if the sky had collapsed... At that moment, I was actually a bit afraid, afraid that I had truly caused your sky to collapse."

When Mu Wei held her and said these words with a light laugh, she no longer dwelled on the question of "what exactly attracted him to her."

He would hold her so tenderly, cherish her, and protect her; why should she continue to look for trouble?

"Wei..."

"Hmm?"

She didn't speak again, instead snuggling into his embrace and closing her eyes in peace. Their existence made her feel... she must have saved the entire universe in her past life.

As He Lele’s long, steady breaths hit his chest, Mu Wei opened his deep brown eyes and kissed her black hair. Yes, he was afraid; even now, he was still afraid—afraid that one day the filth and evil in his bones would fully awaken, that he would foully torment her and hurt her in the name of love! Therefore... she needed enough strong protection, and those powers that protected her were the cage for his evil desires.

On January 22nd, after several changes, the competition schedule following the gathering of the Top Ten was finally set: two rounds of Top Ten matches, with the top three selected based on the total score of both rounds for the final showdown.

There is only one Queen!

When these six words appeared at the top of the schedule description, it was undeniable that even He Lele, who didn't consider herself overly competitive, felt a surge of excitement.

Who doesn't hope for their abilities to be publicly recognized? Who doesn't crave more and better opportunities? Since they came to compete, who is truly indifferent to the results?

January 25th is the first Top Ten battle, February 2nd is the second, and immediately after, on February 6th, the Peak Battle! Logically, the final should have the most preparation time to maximize ratings, but because it was close to the Spring Festival, the television station and production companies were short on staff and resources. If the final were held after the Spring Festival, they worried the audience would be distracted by holiday activities, and even with great effort in promotion, they might not recover the ratings, so they simply scheduled it before New Year's Eve.

This arrangement required all contestants to prepare content for three matches, because for the final Peak Battle, the Top Ten contestants who didn't make the top three, as well as previously eliminated contestants with high popularity, would be invited as guest performers.

Time was tight, and the first Top Ten battle was imminent. Although the outcome would be decided by the total score of two rounds, the result of the first battle would directly determine the pressure for the second, so its importance went without saying.

And the first battle was a group match.

"Lele, how about... we stay as a group?" Pan Enli moved to the empty seat beside He Lele with a flattering smile and said.

The two rows of contestants swept glances at the pair, their expressions varied.

After the last competition, they had learned from Pan Enli that He Lele had a team behind her with extremely strong planning and directing capabilities. As competitors, they were naturally envious and jealous, but if there was a chance to use that for themselves...

Many contestants began to hesitate, and a few were even itching to act.

"Xiao Ya, any interest in being in a group with me?" Qiao Yiyi asked with considerable confidence.

As soon as Qiao Yiyi spoke, everyone realized they had almost forgotten about someone like Cui Ya. In terms of family background, physical appearance, and reputation, how could He Lele compare to Cui Ya? Although He Lele had a team behind her, that was likely just the strength of her company, including that lawyer, who anyone could guess was hired by the company for PR. As for that Mr. Mu, they had inquired—just a playboy with eclectic tastes; although famous in the fashion circle, how could a photographer compare to the child of an official? Cui Ya had connections, money, and a good reputation; being in a group with her was definitely much safer!

For a moment, even Pan Enli wanted to change her mind, but thinking that she had no friendship with Cui Ya and likely couldn't compete with Qiao Yiyi in terms of strength, she decided it was safer to stick with He Lele.

"I think that idea we passed on last time was a pity, and we’ve already rehearsed it and are familiar with it. Why don't we modify that idea and use it for the first battle?"

"..." He Lele smiled faintly. For some reason, facing everyone now, even facing Cui Ya, she felt incredibly calm—and not the kind of calm that comes from deliberate ignoring, but a clear, sweet, and refreshing calm, like a gentle breeze. "Sorry, let me ask someone first."

Ask? Ask who? Pan Enli was suddenly flustered.

"Li Jing, can you be in a group with me?"

"Okay." Li Jing agreed readily and walked to Pan Enli's side. "Excuse me, please move."

Pan Enli’s face turned ashen as she moved aside, and upon turning her head, she caught the gloating eyes of several contestants.

"The first battle allows inviting artists to help; the organizers will handle the contact. Do you have any candidates in mind?" Li Jing asked, pointing to a line in the first battle arrangements.

Artist assistance... would it be too much like bullying if she asked Ruan Lin or Zhixiu to help?

He Lele lowered her eyes to think, and when she looked up, she happened to catch Cui Ya’s cold gaze and her instantly blooming, elegant smile.

Hmm... how, it seems, a little, it appears she wants to bully someone.

☆, Chapter 319: The True Goddess

Although there were only two and a half days of preparation time, the Top Ten contestants basically all had company backgrounds, and many segments had backup plans in advance. It was just that this artist assistance was an item added temporarily by the organizers and partners, so the companies didn't have time to invite artists in advance. Whether they could invite someone suitable and available largely depended on luck.

Of course, connections worked too.

"Auntie Liu, it's Xiao Ya. Do you still like the bag I brought you last time? Haha... I'm glad you like it. As soon as I saw that bag, I felt it matched your temperament so well, so I rushed to send it back to the country for you. My mom also told me to send you her regards. Hmm, haha, you know about it too? Hmm, I thought it was fun so I joined to see, who knew I’d accidentally make it into the Top Ten. Yes, I'm preparing for the Top Ten matches now, and I need to find an artist to help. Candidates? Haven't decided yet, afraid those big stars won't have time. No, no, how could I trouble Uncle Zheng with such a small matter? It's really not that important, I'm just here for fun. I'll come visit you after the competition. Hmm, thank you, Auntie Liu." Hanging up the phone, Cui Ya lowered her eyes and glanced at the invitation list confirmation in her hand, sneering contemptuously. So what if they are movie queens? Aren't they all playthings for the powerful? Not all officials with great power are as stubborn as her father.

On one side, Cui Ya used the wives of high-ranking officials to throw a curveball and pressure the two movie queens she wanted to invite, while on the other side...

"Lele, are we... really inviting them?" Li Jing looked at the list in her hand, her usually steady expression showing some wavering.

"Hmm." He Lele nodded firmly.

"...Not to mention whether the organizers can invite them, just for this combination of two men and one woman, how are we supposed to match them?"

He Lele looked at the confused Li Jing and smiled without a word.

January 25th, the stars shone brightly, and familiar faces took the stage one after another, making the atmosphere of the first Top Ten battle explosive from the very beginning. The tight schedule meant the media didn't even have time to dig up which stars had been invited, so every group was full of suspense before taking the stage. Even during commercial breaks, the audience didn't dare leave the television, afraid of missing the moment the mystery was revealed!

The fourth group, the "Jingsi Changle" group.