Chapter 122: The Shift in Wang Lin's Attitude

As Niyi Zhou and Dingdang each embarked on their own journeys, Su Bai also set off heading south.

Just a day earlier, he had received a notification to perform the song "Lone Warrior" live at the King’s Challenge event against the reigning champion, Wang Lin.

Wang Lin’s attitude this time left Su Bai somewhat puzzled.

Previously, Wang Lin had always been cold and distant toward him.

But this time, when she called, her tone was unusually warm, carrying a subtle and indescribable undertone.

This all traced back to a recent online revelation involving an interview with Yang Mengke.

A few days ago, CCTV announced the new hosting lineup for the program "The Scroll" and conducted brief interviews with the two hosts.

The footage was also released publicly.

During the interview, reporters addressed the hottest topic circulating online by asking Yang Mengke, “Miss Yang, what is your relationship with the popular singer Su Bai? Why has he performed ‘Fairy Girl’ for you multiple times?”

The cameras immediately focused on Yang Mengke.

Since she had chosen no longer to hide the truth, she candidly replied, “Su Bai is my brother!”

Her words caused an uproar among the reporters—no one had anticipated such an answer.

Previously, there had been speculation: perhaps they were lovers, friends, or that he was courting her—but never that Su Bai was her brother.

Reporters were momentarily at a loss for how to proceed, as none of their prepared questions accounted for this possibility.

One reporter pressed on, “Miss Yang, can you tell us if you and Su Bai share a particularly close relationship? The way he looks at you while singing seems full of affection, making many of us think you are a couple.”

Yang Mengke, who had been composed before, now smiled radiantly with happiness and pride.

“My brother has always been very doting toward me.”

“I am proud and honored to have such a brother.”

Envy filled the room—what kind of fairy tale sibling relationship was this?

Su Bai was currently one of the hottest stars in the music world, and his sister had just been chosen as a CCTV host. How many would envy such a pair?

“Miss Yang, what do you make of the recent rumors online linking your brother Su Bai to Miss Yang Xiaomi? Are they romantically involved?” a reporter asked pointedly.

Yang Mengke frowned, displeased by the sharp question.

“I prefer not to answer too many personal questions about my brother. You can ask him directly at his press conference.”

“But since this question has been asked, I will answer once more. And I hope this will be the last question about him.”

“As far as I know, my brother and Miss Yang Xiaomi are just good friends.”

With that, Yang Mengke declined to discuss Su Bai any further.

The other reporters, sensing the delicate nature of the event—a CCTV press conference—showed tact and refrained from pressing further, mindful of maintaining the network’s dignity.

When the interview video went viral online, it caused a sensation.

“Oh my goodness, I never expected that!”

“I thought they might be a couple—never guessed they were siblings!”

“No wonder Su Bai is so handsome; having such a stunning sister must rub off on him a bit, right?”

“Are you complimenting or criticizing Su Bai? He’s the most handsome, okay?”

“They’re both so outstanding!”

“I always thought Yang Mengke was just an angel-faced beauty, but she’s also incredibly talented. It’s said that CCTV hosts are all gifted individuals!”

Su Bai himself had long been trending, but now both he and Yang Mengke appeared together on the hot list.

Wang Lin, scrolling through Douyin, naturally came across the video.

Suddenly, she felt deeply ashamed.

Previously, she had assumed Su Bai liked Yang Mengke and was trying to provoke her, so Wang Lin had dismissed him as a scoundrel.

When rumors about Yang Xiaomi surfaced, Wang Lin’s suspicion only solidified.

Now, learning that Su Bai and Yang Mengke were siblings, Wang Lin blushed, recalling her prior attitude toward him.

She realized that the whole matter with Yang Xiaomi must have been a misunderstanding.

That explained why, when she spoke to Su Bai on the phone today, she had been unusually warm.

She wanted to apologize but didn’t know how to start.

She couldn’t just say, “I thought you were a scoundrel and felt annoyed when you flirted with me, so that’s why I treated you that way.”

If Su Bai replied, “I wasn’t flirting with you,” that would be even more awkward.

At this moment, Wang Lin’s fondness for Su Bai surged dramatically.

Thinking of how gentle and composed he remained despite her coldness only made him more charming.

So talented, so handsome, with a refined and elegant demeanor—he was truly captivating.

If Su Bai knew Wang Lin described him as refined and gentle, one wonders how he would react.

Even Su Bai himself was unsure of his own nature now.

Previously, he could be called refined and calm, confident from his past life experiences, steady in crises.

But ever since Yang Mengke’s incident, he felt he had changed.

Whenever Yang Mengke was involved, Su Bai grew fierce, wishing he could eliminate anyone who bullied her.

Now, facing his enemies, there was a hint of violence in him.

Because through Yang Mengke’s ordeal, Su Bai learned a truth:

When dealing with unreasonable people, you must meet force with force.

If you reason with them but they sneak attack you, only you end up hurt.

Lately, Wang Lin’s mind often pictured Su Bai’s faint smile.

Sometimes, even in dreams, she found herself lost in that smile.

Wang Lin, at twenty-eight, dubbed an “old woman” by herself, could hardly believe she was experiencing a renewal of youthful feelings.

This kind of emotion hadn’t surfaced in years—only back in school, during her first love.

Usually decisive and brisk, Wang Lin had now become noticeably softer.

This baffled the staff at King’s Challenge.

They could clearly sense that since arranging Su Bai’s upcoming performance, their boss Wang Lin had taken on this gentler demeanor.