Only after suffering losses does one learn to turn back.

Jifanxing feigned surprise and asked, “Why are you apologizing to me for your partner’s mistake? By the way, that heavy pollen—did it affect you at all?”

By mentioning the pollen, she subtly indicated she understood the real reason behind Song Qing’s blunder, but made clear she had no wish to discuss it further. Chu Hao caught the sly glint in Jifanxing’s eyes and knew she was not interested in talking about Song Qing anymore. “I wasn’t affected…” he started to say, only to be assailed by the lingering floral scent, which made him sneeze.

Chu Hao fell silent, turning his face away with a cold expression. Jifanxing watched the proud man in front of her, stifling a laugh behind her hand. She suddenly found that the usually stoic, handsome Chu Hao was rather amusing when his composure faltered.

The rest of the competition went smoothly, and once again, Jifanxing took the championship. Her performance of “Sea of Flowers” with Hailan swept across major platforms, setting off a wave of pink-hued romance online, with Yiniu joining in the surge.

By the time the show ended, it was already ten o’clock at night. Jifanxing sat in her chair as the makeup artist helped her remove her makeup, idly scrolling through her phone. She deleted a long string of unfamiliar numbers from her anti-harassment block list; because of Song Qing’s fabricated video, both she and Ning Ze had been viciously attacked online, and their personal information leaked. In her previous life, she had been bombarded by harassing calls until she was forced to block all unknown numbers. Now, she kept that habit, planning to change her number once she left Robin Island.

“Ms. Ji, are you busy?” Producer Liu Qi arrived in Jifanxing’s dressing room, visibly eager to please. With her current achievements, wherever she went, she was addressed respectfully as “teacher.” It was hard to believe that just a month ago, she had been a nobody everyone avoided; just four competitions, and she had proved herself time and again.

With only two rounds left, major talent agencies were already circling, eager to sign her. If Liu Qi hadn’t blocked them at every turn, and if her phone hadn’t been so hard to reach, she might have been signed already. After today’s “Sea of Flowers” performance, the boss finally contacted him again, ordering him to secure Jifanxing’s contract.

The success of “King of Song” had allowed Liu Qi’s boss to gain considerable capital in the family power struggle, including a stake in a publicly listed record company, Golden Tiger Leopard. Not only was it a venerable music production company in the Dragon Nation, it was the only one among the four top entertainment companies focused primarily on song production.

Now it was one of the boss’s assets in the entertainment industry. As a trusted aide, Liu Qi knew that if his boss succeeded, he would soar alongside him. This made him look at Jifanxing with even greater longing.

Jifanxing felt uneasy under his gaze and couldn’t help but ask, “Producer Liu, is there something you need?”

Realizing his expression was inappropriate, Liu Qi cleared his throat and explained his purpose.

“Golden Tiger Leopard?” Jifanxing raised an eyebrow. In her last life, after the final episode of “King of Song” was marred by scandal, it became a nationwide joke, and the production team soon disbanded, vanishing without a trace. She hadn’t expected the show to be backed by Golden Tiger Leopard; no wonder they could invite Ren Feichang and Xie Huai as mentors.

“Yes, Ms. Ji. We’re prepared to offer you an S-level contract. Aside from profit sharing on your works, we’ll pay you an additional five million a year.”

Liu Qi confidently handed her the contract, the most generous in the entire Dragon Nation entertainment industry. Even compared to Ren Feichang and Xie Huai, it was hardly inferior. He was certain that, as a newcomer, Jifanxing would not be able to resist.

He watched as she skimmed through the contract almost at a glance, the sound of flipping pages the only evidence she was reading. Before long, she handed the contract back to Liu Qi.

He felt bewildered—five million, and she finished reading so quickly? Were young people so impatient now?

Turning the thought over in his mind, he reasoned: with such favorable terms, what was there to hesitate about? He would have signed without a second thought. He couldn’t help but admire his boss for his generosity.

Thinking she was about to become one of their own, his words became more casual. “Little Ji, our company has deep partnerships with major film studios, plenty of OST resources. There are fixed spots for recommended artists at gala events on local satellite TV stations. Joining us is the right move…”

He didn’t expect Jifanxing to show not the slightest sign of being dazzled, her voice calm. “Producer Liu, I don’t intend to sign.”

“How can that be! Our terms are the best!” Liu Qi exclaimed in surprise.

“They’re quite good, but there are some issues to discuss.” Jifanxing took a sip of water and continued, “Page five, clause ten: the profit split between your company and me is sixty-forty. Right now, any random song of mine gets tens of millions of downloads. Isn’t your share a bit high?”

Liu Qi leafed through the contract, taking a while to find the sixty-forty clause. “Silly girl! With our company’s operations and promotion, download numbers could easily double!”

Jifanxing didn’t respond to his words, instead pointing out the most crucial detail. “Also, the second-to-last page, the addendum: your company promises five million a year, but only if every song I release matches the standard and market response of ‘Little Love Song.’ Otherwise, the difference is deducted from that five million.”

Her voice turned a little cold. “If my creative output can’t keep up, wouldn’t I actually lose money to your company?”

This addendum turned an ordinary contract into a gambling agreement. Liu Qi had not expected this clause and, under Jifanxing’s scrutiny, broke out in a cold sweat. In his mind, he cursed whoever wrote the contract eight hundred times, explaining hastily:

“That addendum isn’t important; if you object, it can be deleted. As for the profit ratio… it’s standard for artists who haven’t debuted yet. But given your talent, we can negotiate…”

“No need.” Jifanxing cut him off, refusing again.

Liu Qi was a hands-on man, not suited for negotiation, and never had much patience. Being repeatedly rejected by a young woman, the frustration he’d been suppressing boiled over, and his tone turned less friendly.

“Jifanxing, think carefully. Your success is thanks to the ‘King of Song’ platform. Without it, no matter how good your songs are, nobody would hear them.” The threat was implicit.

Jifanxing was not one to accept such tactics. Hearing this, she no longer bothered with politeness. She sipped her water, her gaze deep as a frozen lake, and spoke slowly.

“Producer Liu, it’s true that ‘King of Song’ helped my music reach more people. But tell me, why has the show come this far?”

Liu Qi was stunned. Without Jifanxing, “King of Song” would have been nothing more than a barely surviving talent show.

“I think you’re mistaken. I never intended to sign with any company from the start. There’s no need to dwell on this.”

Liu Qi felt as though he’d been struck on the head. He finally recalled how much the show had lost last time they offended Jifanxing.

Having survived so long, he knew when to yield. He quickly apologized, “I’m sorry, Miss Ji. My words were out of line.”

Though he knew it was hopeless, his boss’s orders made him try once more. “Just… if you could reconsider…”

After saying this, Liu Qi knew better than to disturb her further. He closed the door and left.

Outside Jifanxing’s dressing room, Liu Qi slapped himself twice in frustration. What was going on—he couldn’t even handle a young woman anymore! He’d meant to control Jifanxing, but instead, she’d controlled him.

Liu Qi could never have guessed that beneath the surface of this “little girl” was a seasoned veteran, whose tricks were more numerous than the meals he’d eaten. Of course he was no match.

“Boss…” In a corner, Liu Qi reported every detail of the encounter to his boss over the phone.

The voice on the other end was low and magnetic: “She isn’t our priority right now. Set this aside for now. The most important thing is ensuring the show runs smoothly.”

“Yes, yes, understood.”

On Robin Island, Song Qing, eliminated at rank twenty-three, sat on her bed among her chaotic luggage. Tomorrow morning she would leave the island and the show for good.

Her fingers unconsciously caressed an angel pendant, a flicker of stubbornness and madness flashing in her eyes.

She had finally gotten an opportunity—how could she leave so easily, especially when she hadn’t released her new work yet?

Thinking of this, Song Qing’s eyes lit up. “I still have a chance.” She wasn’t off the island yet and could still release a song under the name of a “King of Song” contestant.

Song Qing uploaded the draft of “Angel’s Wings” online.

But reality cruelly reminded her: the public never lacks jokes or ridicule; the truth is rarely what they seek—especially when you’ve become one of the jokes yourself.

There were only two episodes of “King of Song” left to record, and advertisers flocked in, especially desperate for naming rights to the finals. Capital demanded Jifanxing star in commercials.

“Commercials?” Jifanxing looked at Liu Qi in surprise. In her last life, “King of Song” had never seen such fanfare.

“Yes!” Liu Qi was excited. “The investors are very optimistic about you!”

Jifanxing smiled ambiguously, “What if I’m eliminated before the finals?”

Liu Qi’s joy froze, remembering his earlier underhanded dealings. “No… that won’t happen…”

“I’m joking, of course it won’t.”

“But as for the advertising contract…”

Liu Qi was quick on the uptake, handing her the contract. “All shares are set according to standard market rates—you won’t be shortchanged!”

Jifanxing took the contract, quickly flipped through it. “Yes, it’s fine. Let’s do it.”

“You’re finished already?” Liu Qi was surprised. Most people read contracts page by page, carefully. Wasn’t she afraid this casualness would let him sell her out?

Thinking of the boss’s plans, Liu Qi probed, “I hear you don’t have an agency yet? Would you consider…?”

“Not considering,” Jifanxing replied. She had already charted her own course.