The competition inside the stadium was still in full swing.
After Feng Qi and her team finished performing, they went down to wait.
"I think you did great. Even without me pulling any strings, you might have made it into the top three."
"You’re exaggerating."
The layman sees the fun, the expert sees the craft.
Feng Qi was well aware of the other teams’ skill levels.
’With this performance, we’ll probably get fourth. It’s impossible to get into the top three.’
’But since Zhou Sui can pull some strings, it probably won’t be a problem.’
"Old Zhou!"
Feng Qi was number 16. There were two more teams after her.
Just as they were waiting for the competition to end, a voice came from behind.
"Old Bai is here."
Walking toward them was a young, stylishly dressed man wearing sunglasses.
The man’s name was Bai Zuoyi, a good friend of Zhou Sui.
"Thanks for all your help with this. I’ll treat you to a nice dinner tonight to thank you properly."
"Don’t. Let me treat you instead."
"You helped me out so much, how could I let you treat? I’ll do it."
"The thing is, I wasn’t actually able to help," Bai Zuoyi said helplessly.
"This event is being spearheaded by the city. They’re insisting on it being fair and impartial to set a good example, so..."
"That strict?"
Zhou Sui frowned, his expression turning sour.
He had already bragged in front of Feng Qi, and now this had happened. He was losing face.
"It’s okay. What matters is taking part. As long as we don’t rank too low, I’ll be content."
Feng Qi was calm about it. Although she was a bit disappointed, her attitude was still good.
"I’m sorry, this is my fault," Bai Zuoyi said apologetically. "I’ll treat you to dinner tonight."
"It was nice of you to even try to help. Even if it didn’t work out, it’s not your fault. There’s no reason for you to treat us," Feng Qi said with a smile.
"Brother Zhou, I’ll get going then. Wait for my call tonight."
"Okay."
Bai Zuoyi left, and Zhou Sui looked helplessly at Feng Qi.
"A city-level competition really is different. Old Bai’s connections are so strong, but even they were useless."
"It’s an officially organized event, after all, so it’s normal for it to be strict. As long as I can get into the top five, it’ll still hold some weight."
Feng Qi was very composed.
Just as she said, this was an official competition. It was impossible to manipulate behind the scenes.
Unless one had an immense amount of influence.
"Getting into the top five is still a good result. It’s worth celebrating."
Feng Qi nodded lightly. She no longer held any expectations and was just staying to hear the results.
Soon, the last two teams also finished their performances.
The host came on stage, said a few transitional words, and then announced a ten-minute break for the judges to tally the results.
Once the results were tallied, all 18 teams were invited onto the stage.
What followed was the announcement of the scores.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the results for our 18 competing teams are now in my hands. I will now announce them."
The host’s voice was rhythmic and full of professional flair.
"The third-place winner of the Second Zhonghai City Jazz Dance Competition is team number four, the Blue Forest Dance Troupe!"
After the third-place winner was announced, the audience erupted in thunderous applause.
Feng Qi was a little surprised and looked over at the members of the Blue Forest Dance Troupe.
’Based on my own assessment, their performance should have earned them first place.’
’Second at the very worst. Third place seems a little low.’
Then, the head judge came on stage to present the award to the third-place winner.
After that, the host picked up the small card and continued to announce the results.
"The second-place winner of the Second Zhonghai City Jazz Dance Competition is... number 16, the Dark Matter Dance Troupe!"
Feng Qi: ???
’My dance troupe got second place?’
Not only was Feng Qi shocked, but her team members were as well.
Although they had performed flawlessly today, they expected third place at best. Second place was truly unexpected.
"Captain, stop spacing out. They’re coming to give us the award."
"Oh, oh..."
Feng Qi composed herself, ready to receive the award.
"Now, let’s welcome Mr. Kong Fansheng, Marketing Director of Shuge Industrial Co., Ltd., to present the award for second place."
Feng Qi and her team members tilted their heads slightly, looking to their right.
They were stunned to see that the person coming to present the award was the same man who had been chatting and laughing with Brother Jiang earlier!
’This can’t be possible, can it?’
Just then, Kong Fansheng walked over.
"Congratulations. Keep up the good work."
"Thank you."
After handing the trophy and certificate to Feng Qi, Kong Fansheng left the stage.
But Feng Qi’s mind was racing with suspicion.
She knew perfectly well that with her team’s skill level, it would have been very difficult to get second place.
’And that man, Kong Fansheng, knows Brother Jiang. Could it be that he gave us second place as a favor to him?’
’When we went on stage earlier, Brother Jiang also wished me second place, and I actually got second place.’
’Could it really be such a coincidence?’
Just then, the host’s voice rang out again.
"And now, for the most exciting moment! Who will be the champion of this competition...?"
The host drew out his words, deliberately building the suspense.
Feng Qi eagerly awaited the result.
She already had a guess in mind. If the first-place winner was who she thought it was, then it must have been Brother Jiang’s doing!
"I now declare that the first-place winner of the Second Zhonghai City Jazz Dance Competition is... number 9, the Super Fun Dance Team!"
’Just as I thought!’
’It really is them!’
On the other side, Chen Che, Wang Jiayang, and Yu Wenyi all stared wide-eyed, unable to believe the results.
They had already given up hope, never expecting to win first place!
"Now, let’s welcome the leader from the Propaganda Department to present the award for first place."
Soon, after the award was presented, the host briefly announced the rankings from 4th to 18th place, gave some closing remarks, and with that, the competition came to a successful conclusion.
The 18 teams left the stage one after another. Chen Che and the other two, holding their first-place award, went straight to Qiu Yunong.
"Sister Qiu, we got first place!"
"That’s amazing! I’ll treat you to dinner tonight."
Even though she had known the results all along, Qiu Yunong still acted very happy, not wanting to dampen their enthusiasm or discount their hard work.
Meanwhile, an excited Zhou Sui rushed up to Feng Qi.
"Qiqi, you’re incredible! You actually got second place!"
You could tell Zhou Sui was genuinely happy.
This result had far exceeded his expectations.
"Qiqi, why don’t you look happy at all?"
"I’m not, I am happy."
"Then what are you looking around for?"
"I’m looking for someone."
As she spoke, Feng Qi was still standing on her tiptoes, searching.
As she was leaving the stage, Feng Qi had figured it all out.
Kong Fansheng was the sponsor of this event; she’d heard he had donated a lot of money.
Therefore, his words definitely carried a lot of weight. It shouldn’t have been a problem for him to manipulate things a little.
Otherwise, there was no way she and the Super Fun Dance Team could have swept first and second place.
"Who are you looking for?"
"Brother Jiang."
"What are you looking for him for?" Zhou Sui said, his face darkening.
"I didn’t get second place because of my skill. It was all thanks to Brother Jiang’s help."
"How is that possible? You won this award with your own strength. What does it have to do with him?"
"Because with my skill, I couldn’t have possibly gotten second place."
Feng Qi scanned the area but couldn’t find any sign of Lin Jiang. He wasn’t with the Super Fun Dance Team.
Just then, Feng Qi saw a figure flash past the doorway—it was Kong Fansheng!
"I’m going to step out for a second."
Saying that, Feng Qi jogged over toward Kong Fansheng.
Confused, Zhou Sui followed her.
"Director Kong."
Kong Fansheng, who was about to get into his car and leave, turned to see Feng Qi. A smile appeared on his face. He was holding a black gift box.
"You danced very well. Keep working hard in the future."
"Thank you, Director Kong, but there’s something I’d like to ask."
"Okay, go ahead."
"Do you know Brother Jiang?"
"Brother Jiang? Are you referring to President Lin?"
"Yes, that’s him."
"He’s a friend of our young lady. So you could say we know each other."
"Then my result this time..."
Kong Fansheng smiled. "The process isn’t important; the result is. Don’t you agree?"
With him putting it so bluntly, Feng Qi would have to be an idiot not to understand what he meant.
"Thank you, Director Kong," Feng Qi said, bowing.
"Go thank President Lin. Work hard in the future. You can do it."
"Yes, yes."
Kong Fansheng drove away.
Feng Qi stood there, feeling elated.
She felt Kong Fansheng was right. The process didn’t matter, only the result!
With this achievement, she could go back and brag. It gave her some serious bragging rights online, too.
"Aren’t you overthinking it? This probably has nothing to do with him," Zhou Sui said reluctantly.
"If you think it has nothing to do with him, then it has nothing to do with him."
Feng Qi didn’t want to argue with Zhou Sui. As long as he was happy and willing to spend money on her, that was enough.
Gazing in the direction Kong Fansheng had driven off, an image of Lin Jiang appeared in Feng Qi’s mind.
’It’s not that a competition like this can’t be fixed. It’s just that Zhou Sui doesn’t have enough influence. He’s nothing compared to Brother Jiang.’
’If the Super Fun Dance Team hadn’t been in this competition, given my connection with Brother Jiang, I probably would have gotten first place.’
He drove to the high-speed rail station. His phone buzzed; it was a message from Qin Youyou.
Qin Youyou: "Brother Jiang! Brother Jiang! Paging Brother Jiang!"
Lin Jiang: "What’s up?"
Qin Youyou: "I forgot to tell you something! My sister is coming back today, she’s about to arrive at the high-speed rail station. I have something to do and can’t go, so can you pick her up for me?"
Lin Jiang: "I can pick her up for you, but what’s in it for me?"
Qin Youyou: "Come on, what do you want from me, Brother Jiang?"
Lin Jiang: "I don’t know. You figure it out. If you can satisfy me, I’ll go."
Qin Youyou: "I know just the thing to satisfy you, Brother Jiang."
Qin Youyou: Selfie.JPG.
Qin Youyou: "This is my new workout outfit. Do I look good, Brother Jiang?"
Lin Jiang: "Very nice!"
Qin Youyou: "I know you like my legs, so I took a picture just for you."
Lin Jiang: "When did you know?"
Qin Youyou: "It was that day we worked out together. You said my legs were nice and that they felt good to touch."
Qin Youyou: "Do you also like stockings, Brother Jiang? I can buy some when I have time. What color do you like?"
Lin Jiang: "Anything but white."
Qin Youyou: "Got it! I’ll buy a few pairs when I have time."
Qin Youyou: "I’ll leave picking up my sister to you then, Brother Jiang."
Lin Jiang: "No problem."
Qin Youyou: "Hehe, KissyFace.JPG."
After chatting with Qin Youyou, Lin Jiang took the flowers and went into the high-speed rail station.
He checked the time. He was a little early, with more than twenty minutes to spare.
Just then, a game notification appeared.
[Task Complete (Funneling! Funneling!): Heart Sound Card x1, Decibel Card x1, 20 EXP]
[Heart Sound Card successfully used: 167:59:59...]

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