"I never expected she’d be this strong!" Ning Caiwei muttered in the lounge, biting her finger.

Truly worthy of being the School Beauty who stood out from a thousand girls. Even without professional training, her skills surpass any opponent I faced in auditions! Recalling Ouyang Qianxue’s stunning performance, fear crept into Ning Caiwei’s heart.

Why would someone like her settle for being an ordinary student? With such rare beauty and exceptional talent... If she’d joined that audition back then, I might not be an idol today.

No, forget others. Haven’t I, Ning Caiwei, reached this point through my own strength? Even if my opponent isn’t ordinary, I am a current idol! I’ve faced countless tough spots like this. Each time, I crushed the failures and won. So why fear adversity? Especially when the next round is singing—my specialty!

Ning Caiwei, a current idol, had superb stress resistance and mental control. Soon, she regained her confidence.

“Since both sides are ready, let’s begin the second round,” Bai Yuxuan announced. With his words, the match resumed.

Learning from last time, Ning Caiwei dared no carelessness. She immediately chose her signature song, determined to unleash her full power against Ouyang Qianxue.

As soon as Ning Caiwei began singing, her voice made the judges’ eyes light up. This was the song that won her the championship in that audition finale years ago.

Celebrating youth and struggle, its passionate emotions stirred the heart.

As she sang, Ning Caiwei glanced at Ouyang Qianxue in the audience.

(How about that, Ouyang Qianxue? Do you know why this song is my pride? It’s written with the sweat and tears I’ve shed on my idol path. It holds every hardship I’ve faced. No exaggeration—this song is my everything!)

Tears welled in Ning Caiwei’s eyes as she poured all her emotions into the song. Though she seemed just to be singing, she was showing the audience her entire self.

(Do you think you understand my effort? Singing until my throat was raw every day, dancing before dawn! Someone like you could never grasp an idol’s hardships!) Reaching the chorus, her passion completely captivated the students below.

“What an inspiring song! After a full day of classes, I was exhausted. But hearing this, I feel full of fighting spirit!”

“Amazing! The rhythm and emotion are perfectly balanced. Just listening, I recall my own youth struggles.” Even the Music Club teacher on the panel was moved.

After finishing, Ning Caiwei bowed to the audience. Sweat covered her face, her heart pounding. This song inspired not just them, but herself too. Whenever she sang it, she felt nothing could defeat her.

“An idol is an idol—they surpass themselves on stage. Though Ouyang Qianxue surprised me last round, facing a true idol like this, she’ll struggle.” After Ning Caiwei’s performance, Bai Yuxuan had already anticipated Ouyang Qianxue’s defeat.

After all, Ning Caiwei had gained things through years as an idol that her peers could never learn.

But when Ouyang Qianxue’s turn came, Bai Yuxuan was shocked to see no fear on her face as she walked onstage.

To stay so calm after that performance... Could it be...!

When Ouyang Qianxue announced her song choice, the entire hall fell silent in shock.

This song was Wang Shimin’s signature piece—the queen of pop. With its fast tempo, tight melody, and high notes prone to cracking, few dared cover it. Only Wang Shimin herself had ever mastered it perfectly.

“Is Ouyang Qianxue serious? Does she know how hard this is? Even I, a professional singer, wouldn’t dare cover it lightly!” Bai Yuxuan blurted out.

Meanwhile, at Shimin Entertainment, the elegant lady handled documents.

“Boss, I’m worried,” her secretary said beside her.

“Worried about what?”

“About Ouyang Qianxue. She’s competing against popular idol Ning Caiwei now. Aren’t you worried she might lose? Her opponent is a current idol, after all.”

The elegant lady smiled silently and lit a cigar.

“Twenty-five years since then,” she murmured, gazing at a yellowed poster on the wall. It showed a young girl singing passionately. The title read: “Genius Singer Wang Shimin’s Album Tops National Sales, Crowned New Queen of Pop.” The girl’s face bore an uncanny resemblance to her own.

Indeed, this elegant lady was none other than Wang Shimin, the former queen of pop.

“Do you know why I’ve focused on training Ouyang Qianxue?” Wang Shimin asked her secretary.

“Because of her looks? Being mixed-race, her stunning beauty and golden hair are rare.”

“That was only why I brought her back. I’ve trained her because she’s the only one since I founded this company who can master my song.”

Back at Cherry Blossom Academy’s gym, all judges froze in disbelief.

“Unbelievable!” Bai Yuxuan trembled. Wang Shimin was her idol; as a child, hearing Wang’s songs sparked her dream to sing. To her, Wang Shimin was like a mentor. She knew everything about her, including this signature song.

“The rhythm, the emotion—it’s identical to Wang Shimin’s. If I close my eyes, I’d swear it’s her singing!”

After hearing Ouyang Qianxue, Ning Caiwei collapsed onto the floor.

“Why... why? How can an ordinary student sing at this level!”