Chapter 91: Yang Mengke's Promotion Match

The first time he saw Zhang Mingke, he heard him complaining.
“Didn’t you say you’d be here yesterday? Why are you only arriving now?”
“I was hoping to have a drink with you, brother!”
Su Bai could only smile helplessly and patiently explained, “Someone beat me to the punch!”
“I had to fill in at the last minute and shoot a promo.”
Zhang Mingke didn’t press further on the matter.
“Come on, let’s go discuss the details for the promotional shoot together!”
After Su Bai left, Yang Xiaomi hesitated for a moment but eventually dialed the director of “Tomorrow’s Light.”
“Director Tian, about staying on as a mentor for ‘Tomorrow’s Light,’ I’ll accept.”
On the other end of the line, Tian Ye sounded delighted.
“That’s wonderful, Miss Yang! Our show needs a versatile mentor like you to offer more possibilities to our contestants.”
Yang Xiaomi smiled faintly, saying nothing more.
How could she not know that what attracted them was her influence in the entertainment industry, her sway over the national audience?
After all, many TV viewers watched “Tomorrow’s Light” precisely because of her, Yang Xiaomi.
In a sense, her participation guaranteed ratings.
Having only singers as mentors might be professional, but it lacked buzz.
For a variety show, only with enough topics of conversation could it secure high viewership.
To their production team, Yang Xiaomi was the generator of those topics.
She kept “Tomorrow’s Light” constantly in the spotlight, the focus of nationwide commentary, ensuring the show’s continued exposure and existence in the public eye.
That was also why many variety shows persisted with certain criticized elements: the director calculated that controversy meant visibility.
But Yang Xiaomi, for her part, hoped to use “Just Once” to change people’s perceptions of her.
She didn’t expect to be recognized as a musical genius; she only wished that when people thought of her, there would be less ridicule.
“Oh, by the way, Director Tian, one of these days I’ll introduce you to a newcomer with tremendous potential.”
“Really? That would be wonderful. Thank you, Miss Yang!”
Hearing Tian Ye’s perfunctory tone, Yang Xiaomi knew he was just being polite.

But Yang Xiaomi had no intention of explaining further.
When the show started filming, it would be much more satisfying to make a stunning impression right then!
At the live audition for “Scroll,” the host competition, Yang Mengke had just finished her performance, and the audience erupted in thunderous applause.
Long Ling’er gave Yang Mengke a big thumbs-up.
“Mengke, I’m out of the running, but your advancement is practically guaranteed!”
Just then, the host announced,
“In this round of the female host competition, advancing are Yang Mengke and Xu Xiaolu!”
“Let’s give them a round of applause!”
“You both have the fundamental qualities of a presenter!”
“Especially Yang Mengke, whose progress has been remarkable—from stumbling over words at first to now handling everything with poise. Everyone can see how hard you’ve worked!”
“But, to become an excellent presenter for the national broadcaster, you must be multi-talented!”
“In the final stage, the judges would like you both to showcase your talents.”
“You may sing, recite, dance, play an instrument—anything! As long as you can move the judges and everyone present.”
“If you do, you’ll successfully advance and officially become the female host of ‘Scroll’!”
As soon as the host finished, Xu Xiaolu’s face betrayed her excitement.
She was confident in her singing ability.
Although the host had just said dancing or recitation was also allowed, anyone who chose those would be a fool.
When have you ever seen a national broadcaster’s host put down the microphone to dance on stage?
And recitation? That’s a basic skill for a host!
If you can’t even recite, how could you be a host?
Xu Xiaolu didn’t know what Yang Mengke would choose as her talent, but she was sure that in singing, she had the upper hand.
After all, Yang Mengke had never showcased any singing ability.
She had always focused on diligently learning the essential skills of hosting.
Xu Xiaolu sneered inwardly: Did you really think my twenty years of training were for nothing? If you believe you can become a host for the national broadcaster through looks and presence alone, that would be a colossal joke.
In the audience, Yu Lan and Yang Liuqing both frowned slightly.
They didn’t know if Yang Mengke could sing.
And they knew singing was the most advantageous option.
Although Yang Mengke’s brother was musically gifted, the odds of two prodigies in one family were slim.

If Yang Mengke chose recitation again for the talent portion, she might be at a disadvantage…
After all, they couldn’t influence how the judges would vote!
The two of them were only invited as guest commentators, and while they had votes, it was only two—not enough to determine the outcome.
What’s more, if the gap was too obvious, any partiality would hurt their own reputations.
The host didn’t specify who should go first, leaving the choice to the two contestants.
Xu Xiaolu stepped forward with a gentle smile and asked, “Yang Mengke, would you like to go first, or shall I?”
“I’m fine with either. If you’re not ready, I can start,” she continued.
“You can use this time to think carefully about your talent!”
“And perhaps take my performance as inspiration!”
Even before she finished, Yang Mengke’s face remained expressionless, but Long Ling’er was already indignant.
“What kind of talk is that?”
“Ever since she started clinging to Zhao Hongbing, she’s become insufferable!”
“But Mengke, do you feel confident?”
“With your poise, a dance performance would definitely earn you points.”
“After all, our show is ‘Scroll’—it’s not just a typical hosting program!”
“There will definitely be dancing segments.”
“So your dance should be more than good enough.”
“Give her a lesson and put her in her place!”
Yang Mengke kept smiling, as if Xu Xiaolu’s provocation didn’t even register.
She simply said quietly to Long Ling’er, “Don’t worry, I’m fine.”
Meanwhile, Xu Xiaolu was starting to lose composure.
She’d spoken to Yang Mengke in front of everyone, but received no reply.
Instead, Yang Mengke whispered privately with Long Ling’er, as though she didn’t exist.
Xu Xiaolu scoffed to herself: Go ahead and pretend. I’ll see how you handle yourself after my performance.
Just wait until you’re eliminated—you won’t be able to keep up appearances then…