He was in college, but his songs were at the Grammys.

Ye Wenzhou stopped in his tracks.

He turned his head and looked at He Jun.

That look in his eyes, which started out calm, gradually turned into confusion.

"What did you say?"

He Jun opened his mouth, wanting to explain.

But Ye Wenzhou didn't give him a chance.

"I'm not as good as him?" Ye Wenzhou's voice wasn't loud, but every word was like a nail driven into the air. "I'm not afraid to fight you, so why would I be worse than him?"

He stared at He Jun, his eyes filled with a long-suppressed emotion:

"I'm willing to admit second place among individual competitors because I consider you a friend, and I respect you."

"The reason I didn't participate in another variety show before was because you didn't get a spot. I was waiting for you, otherwise I would have debuted long ago."

His voice rose slightly:

"You're afraid, but I'm not. You don't want to defeat him, but I do."

After saying that, he turned around and strode towards the stage.

He Jun stood there, watching his back, and slowly closed his eyes.

he knows.

It's unstoppable.

The moment Ye Wenzhou stepped onto the stage, his gaze swept over the crowd and landed on that golden seat.

It fell on that person.

Chen Ming.

Chen Ming met his gaze and raised an eyebrow slightly.

The contestants in the audience keenly noticed this look.

"Damn, why is that guy looking at Chen Ming?"

"Could he... be thinking of challenging Chen Ming?"

"Are you crazy? That's Chen Ming!"

"It's not impossible. Look at the way he looked at you, it was so targeted."

Discussions arose.

Ye Wenzhou withdrew his gaze and stood in the center of the stage.

The music is ringing.

It is an R&B song with a complex melody and frequent vocal transitions.

The moment he opened his mouth, Chen Ming's eyes lit up slightly.

That transition is quite interesting.

He easily mastered the high notes.

He handled the bass part with ease.

Throughout the song, it sounded like he was playing around, rather than singing.

They're really capable!

Chen Ming dares to say that this is definitely the top tier among all the contestants!

You could even say he's second only to one person!

When the music ended, the entire venue was silent for a second.

Then, thunderous applause erupted.

The five mentors raised their flags simultaneously.

Five sides.

S-class.

Wang Weizhou picked up the microphone, his face showing undisguised admiration:

"Ye Wenzhou, right? Your vocal transitions are among the strongest I've ever seen on this stage. That natural flow isn't something you can practice; it's innate."

"Next! Please choose the opponent you wish to challenge."

Ye Wenzhou took the microphone.

He didn't speak immediately, but turned around and slowly scanned the five golden seats.

No, there are only four left now.

Su Qian, Shen Yuewan, Mu Ze, Chen Ming.

His gaze swept across Su Qian's face.

Su Qian's expression tightened slightly, but she quickly regained her composure.

Passing by Shen Yuewan.

Shen Yuewan paused in her breathing and subconsciously sat up straight.

It swept across the marshland.

Mu Ze's brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.

Finally, it fell on Chen Ming.

The entire room fell silent.

Everyone held their breath.

He Jun sat in Zhou Zihan's original seat.

He could clearly see Chen Ming's expression.

There was no tension, no seriousness, and not even any extraneous emotion on that face.

It was just calm.

A kind of indifferent calm.

It was as if he wasn't the one being challenged.

He Jun's heart sank to the bottom.

He knows Ye Wenzhou too well.

He knew that his friend would definitely choose Chen Ming.

But he knew even better what Chen Ming's expression meant.

That's the expression only someone who truly stands at the top would have.

It's not arrogance, it's not contempt.

Instead, it's a simple "You come, I'll take over."

Ye Wenzhou looked at Chen Ming and smiled.

That smile contained provocation, fighting spirit, and a hint of excitement at meeting a worthy opponent.

He picked up the microphone, his voice clear and strong: "Chen Ming."

The entire audience erupted in uproar.

"Holy crap! He's actually challenging Chen Ming!"

"Are you crazy?! This is suicide!"

"No, that takes real courage!"

Cheers and gasps mingled together in the stands.

On the mentors' panel, the five mentors looked at each other, all showing expressions of surprise.

Xu Huaimin propped his head up with one hand, a hint of interest in his eyes.

Wang Weizhou's lips curled up, and he let out a soft "whoosh".

The players' seats erupted in chaos.

"Challenging Chen Ming?! Is he out of his mind?"

"If he fails to challenge the existing contestants, he'll be eliminated immediately! Does he dare?"

"Is this the backbone of an individual athlete? I admire you!"

Fu Yun's mouth gaped open, and he couldn't close it for a long time:

"Holy crap, this guy... this guy's got guts?"

Xia Die was also stunned, but soon she turned to look at Chen Ming.

She wanted to see how Chen Ming would react.

Chen Ming sat in the golden seat, listening to the boiling discussion in the audience, and looking at the young man on the stage with burning eyes.

He was slightly surprised.

Then he smiled slightly, full of appreciation.

Yes, I appreciate it.

On this stage where most people regarded him as an "invincible opponent," and at a time when most S-class players were praying not to be challenged, someone actually stepped forward and challenged him by name.

This courage deserves respect.

He slowly stood up.

The movements were slow and deliberate.

Just like standing up in the classroom to answer the teacher's questions.

But the entire venue fell silent instantly.

All eyes were on him.

He raised his hand and gently unbuttoned the first button of his shirt.

That button was a little tight before, but it feels much more comfortable now that it's loosened.

This action couldn't be simpler.

But at this moment, on this stage where everyone is watching, this gesture inexplicably exudes a kind of composure.

A kind of composure that allows one to handle anything with ease.

Shen Yuewan watched from the side, her heart skipping a beat for no apparent reason.

She quickly looked away and silently recited in her mind:

Calm down, calm down, calm down. He's an opponent, an enemy, he's...

She couldn't help but glance at it again halfway through her recitation.

Depend on!

He's so handsome!

Chen Ming had already started walking towards the stage.

His pace was neither fast nor slow, just like when he strolled around campus as usual.

The lights followed his ear, illuminating his path onto the stage.

He originally thought he wouldn't have any scenes to film today, but he didn't expect this to happen!

Since the other party dares to challenge me!

Then I will give him the utmost respect!

Give him a grand exit!

After all, if a challenger fails to win, they will be eliminated immediately!

There is no second chance!

The audience was silent.

Only Chen Ming's footsteps, one after another, clearly resonated in everyone's hearts.

Looking at that figure, He Jun suddenly understood something.

He understood why Ye Wenzhou was so determined to challenge Chen Ming.

It's not because of arrogance.

It's because only by defeating such a person can one be called a "winner".

He watched Chen Ming walk onto the stage, watched him and Ye Wenzhou stand facing each other, and watched the two exchange a glance.

Then, he slowly closed his eyes.

My best friend chose the strongest opponent.

But he knew that Ye Wenzhou would not regret it.

On the stage, Chen Ming and Ye Wenzhou stood facing each other.

Looking at the young man in front of him who was only a year or two younger than himself, Ye Wenzhou suddenly felt a little dazed.

This is Chen Ming.

This is the person who wrote "Big City, Small Love," the person who wrote "Ode to Young China," and the person who won the first S-level award with the song "Salvation."

Right now, he was standing right in front of me.

So close.

So peaceful.

Ye Wenzhou took a deep breath, suppressing the strange feeling in his heart.

He spoke, his voice steady: "Chen Ming, everyone says you are the strongest contestant on this show."

Chen Ming didn't speak, he just looked at him.

Ye Wenzhou continued, "I think we can't jump to conclusions like this. We'll have to compete to find out who's stronger."

His voice rose slightly: "I challenge you, I'm going to kick your place!!"

The entire room fell silent once again.

Chen Ming looked at him, at this young man with burning eyes.

Then he nodded.

The movement was very light and subtle.

But everyone understood it.

That is acceptance.

That was a response.

Chen Ming spoke, his voice calm: "Okay."