They don't actually think I like them, do they?

Just then, Tang Yutang, the director of the Tianyin Association who had been silent all along, spoke up:

“I recommended Orange Jam, and I know very well that he couldn’t possibly have any shady dealings with the association.”

"So someone is deliberately stirring up trouble?"

"Not necessarily," Tang Yutang said.

"But now that someone has reported us, and the higher-ups are watching us, we should be even more cautious about our rating of Miss Su Ruxue this time."

Upon hearing this, everyone nodded in agreement.

They say it's "caution," but everyone knows the truth in their hearts.

Their judgment on whether Su Ruxue had any shady dealings is not important; what matters is how the outside world perceives it.

Public opinion is a powerful force; if others believe you've rigged things, nothing you say can change their minds.

In that case, for the sake of the overall interests of the association.

seem,

We have no choice but to sacrifice Miss Su Ruxue.

......

"Hello, may I ask where Ms. Su Ruxue gets her makeup done?"

In the theater's main corridor, Lin Han stopped a staff member.

When the clerk saw that the person who came in was Orange Marmalade, she was immediately terrified and turned pale.

"In...in the second lounge on the left ahead...Brother Orange, can I...can I take a picture with you?!"

"Of course," Lin Han said with a smile.

The young woman quickly pulled out her phone, turned on selfie mode, and took two blurry photos with trembling hands.

The young woman was so anxious she cried. At that moment, Lin Han took the phone.

"Let me do it."

As Lin Han spoke, he raised his phone, pointed it at the two of them, and pressed the shutter button.

A photo of the two of them was taken.

　"Thank you, thank you, Brother Orange!!"

The saleswoman looked at the photo in her hand and bowed repeatedly to Lin Han with great excitement.

Lin Han smiled and nodded, then turned and left.

Watching Lin Han's retreating figure, the young woman was so moved she almost cried.

The legendary Orange Brother is so gentle and kind!

Just like a prince on a white horse.

He's simply an angel!!　

.......

Lin Han walked along the road, muttering to himself as he went.

"Damn it, that damned brat tricked me!"

"Just wait until I deliver a deliberate, powerful punch that will make your amniotic fluid come out!"

Lin Han cursed under his breath, as if only in this way could he vent his dissatisfaction.

Su Ruxue's shout just now directly led to Lin Han being surrounded by a large group of fans and interviewed by a bunch of media for an hour.

When Lin Han pushed open the door to the lounge, he was met by Su Ruxue, who was already dressed up and rehearsing her moves in front of the mirror.

At that moment, Lin Han was stunned.

The young woman wore a white cheongsam with ceramic patterns. Her slender figure and delicate curves were accentuated by the cheongsam, exuding a silent elegance and poise.

Her skin was as white as snow, delicate and smooth as silk, like a sculpted work of art. Her white hair covered her temples, the silvery strands reflecting the light of time and showcasing the magnificent journey of her life.

A pair of delicate gray eyes, clear and bright, with distinct gray and white, captivating the eye like a deep lake.

In a daze, Lin Han seemed to feel the same amazement he had felt when he first met Su Ruxue.

Su Ruxue stood in front of the mirror, gently mimicking the movements of playing the cello. Her skirt swayed softly, dancing to the light rhythm of the music in her mind. The delicate patterns and embroidery on her cheongsam outlined her pale skin, and a faint floral fragrance lingered in the air.

At this moment, Lin Han's mind was filled with that song—"Hair Like Snow".

Su Ruxue turned her head, and after seeing Lin Han, the girl's lips curled up slightly.

"So long? Looks like you've been through quite a bit."

Just as Lin Han was about to lash out, Su Ruxue stepped forward and gently stroked Lin Han's face.

With that one touch, Lin Han's heroic spirit value instantly dropped to zero.

"Stop joking around. I'm sorry for what happened earlier."

Su Ruxue's face flushed slightly as she spoke softly and gently.

“But you shouldn’t always be like this, never taking the initiative, yet never rejecting anyone.”

"......"

Knowing he was in the wrong, Lin Han remained silent; Su Ruxue had struck at his greatest weakness.

"Listen to me, Teacher Lin Han."

Su Ruxue pressed her face close to Lin Han's and looked intently into his eyes.

"I am not qualified to teach Teacher Lin Han how to do things. At other times, you can do whatever you want. But on the Longqin Cup stage, even if it's just this once, I hope that you only have eyes for me."

After saying that, Su Ruxue kissed Lin Han on the neck, leaving a small strawberry mark.

075. Lottery Ceremony

"Distinguished guests, dear audience members, good afternoon!"

"Welcome everyone to the highly anticipated Longqin Cup Grand Final. I am your host for today, and it is a great honor to share this wonderful moment of musical feast with you all!"

Inside the magnificent, solemn, and captivating theater, the flags of music associations from various provinces waved in vibrant colors.

As the host, dressed in a red gown, delivered her opening remarks on stage, the atmosphere reached its peak.

The stands were already packed, and the air was filled with a solemn yet exciting atmosphere. Everyone had been waiting for this moment for a long time!

"On this special occasion, let us welcome the judges for this competition. They are—"

"Mr. Qiu Jianning, member of the Presidium of the Chinese Musicians Association and Deputy Secretary of the Party Group of the Chinese Cellors Association."

"Mr. Tang Yutang, Director of the Orchestral Department of the China Musicians Association, Member of the Presidium of the Beijing Musicians Association, and Director of the Orchestral Department of the China Conservatory of Music."

"Mr. Li Xuhua, Director of the Chinese Musicians Association".

"Mr. Hu Yuning, Director of the Chinese Cello Association".

"Mr. Su Qimo, Director of the Chinese Cello Association".

In the first row, several senior professors bowed to the audience behind them. Each professor was in excellent spirits, and the audience erupted in prolonged applause.

Finally, the host paused and said:

"And let us welcome our special guest for this Longqin Cup – musician Mr. Lin Han."

Upon hearing this, the audience was momentarily stunned.

Who is the musician Lin Han?

"Lin Han? That name sounds familiar!"

"What the hell? They don't even have a title and they dare to call themselves musicians?"

.....

When Lin Han reluctantly stood up from his chair and bowed to the audience behind him.

The whole place was boiling.

"Holy crap! Orange God!!"

"Damn it, I was wondering when this guy named Lin Han appeared. Turns out he's the Orange God!"

At this moment, Lin Han felt like a million curses were running through his mind.

Wait, how do I pronounce your real name?!

This is too social!

It's as humiliating as having a real-life friend call you by your online name to your face, or having online friends call you by your real name in a group chat!

Besides, there are so many people watching!

It had only just begun, and Lin Han already regretted coming to be a "special guest." He hadn't expected that his real name would leave such a deep impression on others in such a suffocating way.

In fact, the organizers cannot be entirely blamed.

In such a formal and solemn occasion, the people who read out the names were all long, impressive titles and prestigious names such as "Member of the Music Association" and "Department Head of a Prestigious University," but when it came to you, it suddenly became "Orange Jam."

Doesn't this lower the overall quality of the Longqin Cup?

What kind of class are you? You're sitting in the first row with us?!

The only one to blame is Lin Han, who deliberately chose a controversial and mischievous name when he was initially brainstorming stage names.

The host then began to introduce the contestants, the competition format, and the scoring mechanism.

The Longqin Cup finals featured 16 contestants, all of whom were among the top 16 in the preliminary rounds.

Among them, 12 contestants were participants in the previous Longqin Cup, and 6 of them had reached the finals more than once. This means that over the past three years, the people who have dominated the music scene have mostly been the same group of people.

However, it is worth noting that the format of this competition is different from that of the past.

In the past, the competition format usually adopted a knockout stage, with two players competing against each other in three rounds: the quarterfinals, the semifinals, and the final. Each player had to play at least three matches to determine the final champion.

This year, a completely new competition format has been adopted.

Sixteen contestants are competing against each other simultaneously!

Only one topic, one performance!

Furthermore, all performances are scored in real-time; the score is given immediately after the contestant finishes performing!

This means that this competition will be more brutal, violent, and fast-paced.

Because the performance only happens once, if you make a mistake, you lose everything!

The real-time scoring mechanism made the competition even more intense and exciting, a true test of nerves.

The order in which the contestants appear is determined by random selection.

The person responsible for drawing lots is neither the contestant nor the host.

But...

"Please welcome our guest, Mr. Lin Han!"

Amidst applause, Lin Han walked onto the stage looking completely bewildered.

What the hell?

Isn't this something only mascots do?

Lin Han originally came to the Longqin Cup to cheer on Su Ruxue, but unexpectedly he suddenly became a worker for the Longqin Cup.

"The first contestant to be drawn is number one, who is the first contestant to appear."

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Lin Han reached into the glass ball and took out a small blue ball.

Remove the blue ball; inside is a name tag with the player's name on it.

"Wang Le, number one."

The host announced loudly.

Lin Han continued drawing lots, and this time the name tag read "Fujiko Ken".