Chapter 135: Did Chen Fang Refuse?

Wang Situ’s heartfelt and touching speech moved many in the audience and among the online viewers. Most people knew nothing of her family situation, but those who were curious could easily find out, as she had never made a secret of her background. The power of the internet is indeed formidable; within seconds, someone had discovered that Wang Situ’s father was Wang Jiawei. Even more shocking to the netizens was the revelation that, over twenty years ago, Wang Jiawei had been a minor pop idol.

"Wang Situ’s dad is Wang Jiawei, the minor idol from two decades ago!"
"Holy crap! My parents still listen to his songs even now!"
"You don't mean the Wang Jiawei who sang 'The Red Rising Sun,' do you?"
"That's the one!"
"If her dad is a former idol, why does she need to compete in a show like this? Wouldn't it be easier to just use his connections?"
"You're clearly out of the loop. He was a star back then, but he faded from the music scene after announcing his marriage. There were rumors of a comeback later, but he was never the same."
"I looked it up. Wang Jiawei fell off a stage during a performance, resulting in complete paralysis. He’s been bedridden in a hospital ward ever since."
"His life is a tale of two extremes—infinite glory in his youth, followed by a tragic existence in his later years."
"So that’s why her story is so heartbreaking. Her mother passed away early, and her father is stuck in a hospital bed..."

People are emotional creatures, and compassion is a fundamental trait for most. As the details of her life surfaced, the public naturally viewed Wang Situ through a lens of sympathy, and their favor toward her grew unconsciously. Of course, this was an unexpected windfall; Wang Situ had spoken from the heart, never considering the consequences.

Thunderous applause erupted, lingering for a long time before finally fading away. Wang Situ, having regained her composure, wore a smile through her tears of joy. Mu Xin took the stage again. "This journey hasn't been easy for Chen Fang or Wang Situ. I believe Wang Situ’s father has been watching the entire show from his room. I also believe many of you at home have watched this episode of *Starry Path* from start to finish. Thank you all for your company. We’ll see you next time!"

With that, Mu Xin raised her hand and waved. Chen Fang and Wang Situ followed suit. Amidst a spectacular display of fireworks, the latest episode of *Starry Path* came to a grand conclusion. Cheers filled the venue as Chen Fang and Wang Situ waved to the crowd and made their way off the stage.

In the live chat, the words "Finale Celebration" scrolled by incessantly. This episode had been incredibly satisfying. For one, the rules had changed significantly. While these changes were unfriendly to the contestants—increasing the pressure by mandating original compositions—they were a treat for the audience. A classic song, no matter how well-covered, remains a classic; but original music brings new melodies and lyrics, offering a level of freshness that is truly engaging. Moreover, the contestants had performed exceptionally well; there wasn't a single poor song among the originals—they were all of high quality.

The show concluded in grand fashion. It was no surprise that Chen Fang’s incredible talent for original composition had carried Wang Situ to the championship.

Backstage, just as Wang Situ reached out to give Chen Fang a big hug, her hand was pulled back. She looked over to see Xi Yuanyuan standing there with a calm expression. Wang Situ gave an awkward smile. *How annoying!* She had been so close to hugging him. If only Xi Yuanyuan hadn't been standing there.

Chen Fang glanced at the time. It was already past nine in the evening. He needed to leave quickly; otherwise, Ji Mei would be waiting impatiently at home. Or rather, *he* was the one who was impatient. He hadn't spent the night at Ji Mei’s place in days. Truth be told, he was brimming with energy. Plus, he still had half a bottle of the body-strengthening serum; he wanted to see what changes it might bring to Ji Mei. Would her curves become more pronounced? Would her legs become firmer and stronger? Of course, he was only thinking of her health, certainly not his own experience in the bedroom.

As he mused, he felt a surge of... excitement. He looked up at Xi Yuanyuan. "If there’s nothing else, I’ll be heading out."

Xi Yuanyuan paused. "I have nothing left on my end. Is there an emergency? You seem to be in a hurry."

"Just some things to take care of at home."

Chen Fang didn't elaborate. Wang Situ had wanted to leave with him, but Chen Fang didn't acknowledge her, leaving her feeling dejected. With nothing left to do, he went to the dressing room to grab his things.

Just then, Mu Xin caught up with him. "Chen Fang, don't rush off just yet."

Mu Xin smiled, but suddenly felt a chill in the air. Looking toward the source of the cold, she saw Xi Yuanyuan and Wang Situ staring at her with dangerous glares. *Are these two women... crazy?* she wondered, startled. *They look like they want to eat me alive.* She hadn't seen looks like that since she was with her wealthy benefactor at a hotel.

Ignoring the tension, she turned back to Chen Fang with a smile. "On behalf of the production team, I’d like to invite you to a dinner. Aside from the staff, the four judges will be there, and they’re very keen to talk to you."

Chen Fang was torn. He wanted to leave, but this was a rare opportunity. He knew very few people in the entertainment industry—only An Tinghan. This dinner was a golden chance to expand his network. Yet, he didn't want to keep Ji Mei waiting.

"Is it a difficult decision?" Mu Xin asked. Most people would have agreed instantly, but Chen Fang looked genuinely conflicted. His hesitation only piqued her interest further. *What a unique man. What could he possibly be hesitating about? This is a chance most people would kill for!*

"I really do have something to attend to," Chen Fang said. He chose Ji Mei. Physical needs aside, he genuinely missed her, and he felt a desperate, arrow-like urge to return home.

He had refused? Mu Xin was stunned. He had actually turned down an opportunity to dine with the judges...