CHAPTER 597: 231 GENE LOTTERY_3

It was his first time facing thousands of spectators. The audience seating stretched infinitely, a vast sea of human heads cloaked in darkness.

He could hear the steady breathing of his teammates walking behind him; everyone was nervous.

Except for him.

What difference did it make between hundreds of spectators and thousands? Someday, perhaps, he would face tens of thousands.

The only thing he cared about...

Rong Xianning’s gaze seemingly fell unintentionally in the direction of the front-row seats, his eyes brushing lightly like a passing feather.

The audience area was steeped in darkness, nothing visible.

Was she there?

The thought of this possibility caused his heartbeat to quicken slightly.

The cameraman, well-versed in what the audience liked to see, aimed the lens at Rong Xianning’s face. As a result, the massive LED screen at the side of the stage lit up with the image of a young boy.

The camera zoomed in closely, allowing the audience to see the faintly lowered eyelashes, thick and long, casting shadows beneath his lids. He radiated a gentle innocence, untouched by the world’s stains, appearing both obedient and serene.

Among the ten boys, he wasn’t the tallest, and he even preferred to quietly stay in the corners, yet he was always the focal point of everyone’s gaze. Like the moon in the sky, eternally fixed above, he drew all eyes toward his unfading glow.

A wave of screams and cheers erupted once again from the crowd.

The boy who drew the first lot looked at the name, and his face instantly fell.

Why was his luck so rotten?

The host asked him whom he’d drawn.

The boy couldn’t suppress the dejection in his tone: "Forty-Eight, Rong Xianning."

The crowd broke into gasps of astonishment.

The boy’s expression darkened.

In the cacophony of audience voices, most were filled with praise for Rong Xianning and pity mixed with ridicule toward him.

They laughed at his misfortune, at his folly for thinking he stood a chance.

To draw Rong Xianning right off the bat—what kind of luck was this?

If it had been someone else, maybe he could put up a fight. But against Rong Xianning, it was better to give up quietly.

The host smiled and announced, "Contestant No. 67, Kang Xu, will face contestant No. 48, Rong Xianning. Next, let’s have Kang Xu choose his performance piece."

After drawing Rong Xianning as his PK opponent, Kang Xu felt utterly defeated. He knew the upcoming performance was merely procedural – his loss was a foregone conclusion. But since this was also the place where his dreams had once begun, he didn’t want to leave any regrets. He decided to give it his all regardless.

Rong Xianning chose a classic ballad.

The moment the song selection was revealed, Kang Xu knew he was doomed. Rong Xianning’s personal style was distinctive, especially when it came to soulful ballads. His empathy as a performer was outstanding, allowing him to convey the song’s emotions to their fullest extent. Though his technical skills might not yet be perfect, his sincerity touched people most deeply. It was this authenticity that made Rong Xianning so special.

The host, having received a cue from the director, smiled and asked, "And why did you choose this particular song, Rong? Does it hold a special story for you?"

The boy offered a soft smile, his gaze drifting toward the audience, as if searching for someone among the sea of faces.

That gentle look could almost drown someone within it.

"This is a song I dedicate to my fans. Thank you for your selfless support and encouragement over the past three months. For the next journey, let’s keep striving together."

The roaring cheers from the audience seemed to shake the roof.

The echoes of the boy’s voice gradually faded into the background.

Shen You’an stepped out of the studio. As the door shut behind her, all the sounds vanished in an instant.

Without hesitation, she exited the TV station and hailed a cab to the airport.

Twenty minutes later, she arrived at the airport, where announcements echoed over the speakers. The flight to Jingzhou was preparing to close its check-in gates, urging passengers yet to board to hurry.

Shen You’an passed through check-in and boarded the plane.

The direct flights from Qingzhou to Jingzhou were mostly scheduled for the morning. At other times, she would have had to transfer at Chunzhou Airport.

She had promised Rong Xianning that she would attend in person, and she wouldn’t break her word.

Luckily, there was still enough time.

Just as she settled into her seat, two young girls across the aisle were quietly and excitedly chattering while live-streaming on their phones.

"He’s just so handsome! It’s a shame I couldn’t snag a ticket. I wish I could see him live," one said with regret.

"My mom made me go home for New Year’s Eve, so I have to settle for the livestream too. I’m so jealous of the people who get to watch him in person. Xiao Rong’s face is absolutely flawless. I can’t even imagine what kind of parents could produce such perfection," the other sighed.

"I’m telling you, most celebrities in the entertainment industry hit the genetic lottery. Their parents are pretty normal-looking. Even those second-generation stars aren’t all that exceptional compared to their kids..."

The flight attendant approached the two girls and gently reminded them to disconnect from the internet as the plane was about to take off.

Embarrassed, the two girls fell silent and turned off their livestreams.

As one of them, seated by the aisle, casually turned her head, her gaze fell on the girl in the neighboring row. She stared for a moment, nudged her companion, and whispered excitedly, "She looks just like Qiao Wan! Could we have actually run into a big star?"