Chapter Thirty-Three: May Each of You Find Your Own New Chapter

Seven days later, Chen Nian unsurprisingly clinched the championship of the calligraphy competition.

He Wei, who had originally hoped to use this opportunity to thoroughly humiliate Chen Nian, only managed to secure a consolation prize. He stormed out of the venue even before the award ceremony began, unable to contain his anger.

“This competition is just the beginning, a way for you to make your mark in the calligraphy world. Give me a bit more time—I'll make sure you become the foremost master of contemporary calligraphy!” In the backstage area of the award ceremony, Yu Wenqing gazed at Chen Nian with excitement shining in his eyes as he spoke.

In three rounds, Chen Nian produced three works that were enough to astonish the entire Chinese calligraphy community.

Yu Wenqing was certain: if Chen Nian were to die on the spot, he would instantly become a living legend.

“All right, Teacher Yu, Uncle Luo, you can handle it as you see fit. Just let me know if you need anything from me.” Chen Nian showed little interest in the matter.

As he always said, in this lifetime, he only wanted to be a laid-back, idle fish. Becoming a calligraphy master was merely a matter of convenience.

“Who did you study under?” Just as Yu Wenqing and Luo Youdao were smiling and enjoying the moment, Wei Xi spoke up again.

This was perhaps the umpteenth time she had asked this question in the past week.

Ever since witnessing Chen Nian personally write the “Self-Narrative Scroll,” Wei Xi had been convinced there must be someone behind him.

“Xi, haven’t I told you already? Chen Nian’s teacher is me—”

“Impossible.” Before Yu Wenqing could finish, Wei Xi cut him off.

“Teacher Yu, I admit your skills are unparalleled, but compared to what Chen Nian has shown, there’s still a certain spirit you lack.”

“I truly have no master!” Chen Nian cried out in exasperation, clutching his head.

After being pestered for an entire week, he was at a loss when faced with this obsessive girl.

“You’re lying! With your age, even if you started practicing calligraphy at birth, you could never reach this level. There must be someone guiding you!” Wei Xi stared at Chen Nian intently, her gaze sharp and penetrating.

“Aaah!” Chen Nian could only rage helplessly.

“Teacher Yu, Uncle Luo, if there’s nothing else, I’ll head home. I have something to take care of tonight.”

“All right, go ahead. Leave the rest to us.” Yu Wenqing nodded, reassuring Chen Nian as he left.

Watching Chen Nian’s departing figure, Wei Xi gritted her teeth and quietly followed after him.

“Hey, hey! Where are you going? Old Wei told you to return to the capital immediately after the competition!” Yu Wenqing called out urgently.

“Teacher Yu, please tell my master I’ll be staying in Rong City for a while. I’ll return to the capital in a few days!”

Yu Wenqing slapped his forehead, his expression written with helplessness.

From the sidelines, Luo Youdao chuckled softly, “Young people are like this nowadays—they do whatever comes to mind. My own daughter is the same. Ever since her mother passed, I’ve lost all control over her.”

When Luo Xiaoyi entered the entertainment industry years ago, Luo Youdao had strongly opposed it.

But after her mother died, Luo Xiaoyi became an untamed horse—no one could rein her in.

“Master, turn on the TV, there’s a surprise!” As soon as Chen Nian arrived home, Xing Fei’s message popped up.

Chen Nian smiled.

She was getting more comfortable calling him “Master” with each passing day.

He turned on the TV just as “Who Is the Singer” was airing.

The mentor groups had already been decided in the previous episode, and tonight’s show was another classic team battle.

The rules were straightforward: four teams paired off for head-to-head matches, best-of-five, with the losing team eliminating two members. The winners would advance to the ultimate showdown, where the losing side would eliminate one more.

The first PK round went to the team with the highest votes from last episode—Zhang Jie’s team, which included Xing Fei.

“Pick Niu Huan! His team is the weakest, highest chance to win!”

“That’s right, pick Niu Huan! Lin Xinrou and Zhang Han’s teams are too strong. Besides Xing Fei, Zhang Jie’s team doesn’t stand a chance!”

The comment barrage scrolled wildly.

The contestants generally understood that “Who Is the Singer” was produced by Heart Trace Entertainment, so the strongest singers naturally chose Heart Trace artists as mentors.

As expected, Zhang Jie knew his team had little chance in a best-of-five against Lin Xinrou and Zhang Han. He chose Niu Huan’s team for the PK.

The round was won easily—Xing Fei didn’t even need to perform, and they advanced to the ultimate showdown.

“For the ultimate PK, Zhang Jie’s team will definitely send out Xing Fei. Do you have the confidence to beat her?” In Lin Xinrou’s team’s lounge, she looked at her team member Wang Shuo.

Wang Shuo nodded confidently, “No problem. She’s got backing, sure—but who doesn’t have a mentor these days?”

To defeat Xing Fei, Wang Shuo had enlisted a senior from his company to help him rearrange a classic hit, aiming to crush Xing Fei tonight.

After last week’s broadcast, Xing Fei went viral, gaining over two million new followers on social media.

Wang Shuo believed that if he could defeat Xing Fei tonight, he’d be the next big star.

“For the next ultimate PK, I plan to send Xing Fei. Any objections?” Zhang Jie asked after a brief pause.

Everyone shook their heads.

They’d seen Xing Fei’s strength on the show. Aside from her, none of the team members felt capable of beating Lin Xinrou’s team.

“Xing Fei, are you ready?”

“Don’t worry, Teacher. As soon as I perform this song, there’s no way we’ll lose!” Xing Fei clenched her fists and stood tall, brimming with confidence.

“All right! Go on stage!”

“No one from our team will be eliminated tonight!”

“Yes!” the group responded.

Because Lin Xinrou’s team had the most votes in the previous round, they performed first this time.

Wang Shuo stepped onto the stage, struck a few poses, and the accompaniment began.

“Damn! It’s ‘Magnolia’—Wang Shuo actually managed to get Xu Wei’s ‘Magnolia’!”

“That’s got to be against the rules, right? With this song, how can any newcomer compete?”

“Just from the intro, Zhang Jie’s team has already lost.”

Watching the audience’s reactions, Lin Xinrou smirked, satisfied.

Meanwhile, in front of his TV, Chen Nian smiled, “Magnolia, Blue Lotus, whatever—on June 10th, as long as I bring out this song, even Death Lily would have to step aside!”

The song ended, and thunderous applause erupted!

With this classic hit, Wang Shuo scored an impressive 467 points.

“It’s over.” Even before Xing Fei had sung, her teammates were already discouraged.

“Four hundred seventy points, the highest so far. We’re done for.”

“Xing Fei, just do your best. With ‘Magnolia’ on their side, winning or losing doesn’t matter anymore.” Zhang Jie patted Xing Fei’s shoulder, smiling to comfort her.

“Teacher Zhang, I won’t lose!” Despite her mentor’s doubts, Xing Fei remained resolute.

Zhang Jie paused, then smiled, “Good, go for it. I believe in you!”

“Mm!”

Amid skeptical murmurs from the crowd, Xing Fei, dressed in a flowing white dress, slowly stepped onto the stage.

“Hello everyone, today is the most important day for high school students—the college entrance exam.”

“I wish all the candidates success and hope you all get into your dream university. May you open a new chapter that belongs to you. Here’s an original song, ‘Chapter,’ dedicated to all the students. I hope you like it.”