Chapter Thirteen: The Lively Class Group! Zhang Ji’s Triumph!

At this moment, the class group chat was buzzing with activity.

Class monitor Lin Muchun spoke up directly: “I think Wang Ao is doing this on purpose. Everyone knows that over the past three years of high school, Wang Ao’s grades have always been second best, while Jiang Yi has consistently held the top spot. Wang Ao’s been unhappy about that for a long time.”

“But no matter how hard he tried, he could never surpass Jiang Yi. So he always made excuses, claiming he was focusing his energy elsewhere—on developing himself in all areas, not just academics.”

“And now, Jiang Yi and Wang Ao are on the same show, and even announced they’ll pick the same competition track. Wang Ao must have intentionally spread this news, wanting all their high school classmates to hear about it.”

“Otherwise, some classmates who don’t even watch talent shows might never have known. Wang Ao is clearly out for revenge. I never imagined Wang Ao could be so scheming.”

“Look at the group photo—Jiang Yi is smiling so happily. Obviously, he’s been duped by Wang Ao.”

Other classmates chimed in: “Exactly! Wang Ao deliberately posted the photo and all this info in the high school group chat, just to make sure everyone knows, so the news spreads!”

“He definitely has bad intentions.”

“Wang Ao doesn’t look like a good person at all. If you ask me, Jiang Yi, just switch tracks!”

“Since Wang Ao is playing dirty, you should avoid direct confrontation.”

“Yeah, pick a different track and throw a wrench in his plans!”

“But what other track can Jiang Yi choose? He can’t dance, and he’s not a music major! His singing is just average, right? Could he really join the Magic Voice track?”

“Why can’t he join the Face Value track?”

“Yeah, Jiang Yi, your looks should be enough for the Face Value track. That way, you’d avoid a head-to-head with Wang Ao, and even if you get eliminated, it has nothing to do with Wang Ao. You wouldn’t have lost to him. He wouldn’t get the satisfaction.”

“But then what? If Wang Ao advances in the Solo Talent track, but Jiang Yi fails in the Face Value track, wouldn’t Jiang Yi still come up short? Wouldn’t Wang Ao get to gloat anyway?”

The chat was filled with opinions.

Seeing so many classmates urging Jiang Yi to change tracks and join the Face Value segment, Zhang Ji grew anxious. He immediately spoke up: “What are you all talking about? What kind of person do you take Jiang Yi for? Now that Wang Ao has personally heard Jiang Yi say he’ll join the Solo Talent track—and he’s already spread the news!”

“By now, probably all the high school classmates know. If Jiang Yi switches to the Face Value track now, wouldn’t it look like he’s afraid of Wang Ao?”

“Wouldn’t that make Jiang Yi look like a coward? Just a weakling? A spineless fool? What kind of person do you take him for?”

“Jiang Yi could never be that kind of person. The Jiang Yi I know would never back down so easily. Jiang Yi, am I right?”

With that, Zhang Ji even tagged Jiang Yi directly.

He was clearly putting Jiang Yi on the spot, forcing him into the spotlight, making it impossible for him to back down.

He didn’t want Jiang Yi to switch tracks, because Zhang Ji wanted to see Jiang Yi embarrassed!

Zhang Ji himself had applied to join “The Next Star,” but didn’t make the cut.

Jiang Yi, on the other hand, had passed the audition.

Zhang Ji’s college entrance exam scores had never beaten Jiang Yi’s, and he’d been bitter about it for a long time.

Now, seeing Wang Ao go up against Jiang Yi, Zhang Ji certainly didn’t want the opportunity for spectacle to slip away.

Class monitor Lin Muchun jumped in: “Zhang Ji, what are you doing? You’ve gone too far! No matter what, Jiang Yi is our classmate. Don’t set him up! Wang Ao’s not even from our class! Why are you taking his side? Jiang Yi, ignore him! You should just switch tracks! Wang Ao’s face isn’t even good enough for the Face Value track.”

At this, Zhang Ji got heated as well: “What are you talking about, Lin Muchun? Just because you’re class monitor doesn’t mean you can say whatever you want. Jiang Yi and I grew up together—we’re neighbors! We played together as kids. What do you know?”

“If I were a girl, Jiang Yi and I would be childhood sweethearts. How could I possibly set him up? I’m just telling it like it is. Do you really think Jiang Yi is the kind of coward who’d switch tracks out of fear of Wang Ao? I don’t believe it! I don’t believe Jiang Yi is that weak or timid!”

Watching the argument erupt in the group chat over his situation, Jiang Yi could only feel exasperated.

But at this point, he had no choice but to speak up: “Alright, that’s enough—no need to argue over me. There’s no need for this. As for the competition track, I’ve already made up my mind. I won’t change it because of anyone else! Since I chose the Solo Talent track, I’m sticking with it. That’s settled. I need to rest now—there’s a competition tomorrow and I need to be in top form. Everyone, please calm down.”

With that, Jiang Yi stopped responding.

Meanwhile, in front of his screen, Zhang Ji was grinning ear to ear: “Heh heh, just a few words from me and Jiang Yi’s trapped.”

He sneered: “Fine. Tomorrow, I’ll be glued to the livestream! I want to see it with my own eyes—see how Jiang Yi embarrasses himself!”

Zhang Ji was determined not to miss the broadcast.

Only the livestream would be truly unfiltered. He figured if he missed it, or didn’t record it, Jiang Yi’s embarrassment might never make the final cut.

After all, those who got eliminated would never make it into the main episode—at most, just a few seconds.

So Zhang Ji made up his mind to be ready to record—he absolutely had to capture Jiang Yi’s moment of humiliation.

Then he’d have something to mock him with for ages.

The more he thought about it, the more Zhang Ji chuckled in anticipation, as if he could already see Jiang Yi’s spectacular downfall.

Back in the class group, Lin Muchun sighed: “Oh, Jiang Yi, you really… Why… Don’t listen to Zhang Ji’s nonsense.”

Jiang Yi could tell Lin Muchun genuinely meant well.

He sent a sticker and replied: “Thank you, Class Monitor. And thanks to everyone for your concern. But don’t worry about me—the track is already decided. I won’t change it for anyone else. I really need to rest now. Logging off, bye.”

At last, Jiang Yi went offline.

He stopped looking at the group chat and muted the notifications.

Putting down his phone, Jiang Yi glanced over at the bed next to his—Wang Ao’s bed.

He couldn’t help but frown and mutter, “I really didn’t expect Wang Ao to be this kind of person. I’m honestly at a loss.”

Of course, despite everything, he had no choice but to stick with the Solo Talent track! At his current singing level, he wasn’t qualified for the Magic Voice track.

Even though he was good-looking, in the world he’d crossed over from, Yang Xiaomi—who dominated the standards for the Face Value track—was notoriously capricious in choosing contestants.

Jiang Yi had little confidence that his on-stage presence or songwriting would win Yang Xiaomi’s favor.

Compared to her, Xue Zhi’s side was a much safer bet.