Blue Lotus

"Next, I'll dedicate this song 'Blue Lotus' to everyone—toasting to ourselves, to individuality."

After Zhou Yi uttered these words, the crowd below fell silent, their gazes fixed intently on him.

[Nothing can hold you back]

[From your yearning for freedom]

......

[The free world in your heart]

[So pure and boundless]

[Where the undying]

[Blue Lotus blooms]

......

While Zhou Yi sang, the livestream of the internet celebrity's channel had already erupted into chaos.

[The rock scene is about to be shaken up, huh? Can't wait for new talent to rise.]

[Not just the rock scene—the entire music industry.]

[He could debut right here and now.]

[This song is so well-written, and his performance is incredible. Did anyone record it? I need it on loop.]

[He’s so handsome—his singing is downright mesmerizing.]

[Come on, this is Zhou Yi we're talking about. He trended for his looks before.]

[Mark my words, this guy’s about to blow up. See you all on the hot search list.]

Beyond the livestream, clips of Zhou Yi’s performance were already being shared on Weibo.

Gong Zi stared at Zhou Yi with infatuation, and Song Wei could tell from her expression that she’d already fallen for him.

"Stop staring, or you’ll start drooling."

"Brother Wei, he’s just so... I’ve never heard a live performance this amazing before."

"I know he’s impressive. What I’m saying is, don’t get too deep into this. Someone like him isn’t the type you should mess with."

Only then did Gong Zi remember why she’d approached Zhou Yi in the first place.

Yet in just a few days, she’d become utterly smitten.

With a sigh, she muttered gloomily,

"I know. I didn’t expect him to be so... my type. If I’d known, I wouldn’t have gotten close to him... Well, maybe not. Even if I hadn’t had any thoughts about him before, seeing him sing today would’ve done me in anyway. Same outcome—I’m doomed."

Chin resting in her hands, Gong Zi looked like an adoring fangirl. From today onward, she’d officially become one of Zhou Yi’s first fans!

She turned to the person beside her and asked,

"Hey, did you guys record the captain’s performance?"

"Yeah, I’ll post it in the group chat."

"Perfect."

After saving the video, Gong Zi shared it on Weibo and her Moments.

Her WeChat was filled with contacts from the rock scene.

Within minutes, she received countless likes, with some even asking if Zhou Yi was a newly debuted artist.

As the video spread across Weibo and Moments—especially after a big name in the rock scene reposted Gong Zi’s Weibo—Zhou Yi’s performance once again surged onto the hot search list.

By the time Zhou Yi finished singing "Blue Lotus," he was swarmed by people—so many that even Gong Zi and the others couldn’t pull him free.

Some wanted photos, others asked for his contact info, and there were even talent scouts from entertainment companies.

Realizing the night was effectively over, Zhou Yi barely managed to escape after a struggle.

"Captain, you’re trending again!"

"No way—seriously? At this rate, you’ll be trending as often as a celebrity."

Zhou Yi pulled out his phone and scrolled through the comments.

Most were praising him, though a few negative remarks stood out.

[Zhou Yi’s supposed to be competing in a math modeling contest, yet he’s out partying at a bar? Hilarious. No way he’s getting good results.]

[Exactly. So what if he can sing a couple of songs? He’s neglecting his actual responsibilities.]

[Did he even write that song himself? No way he’s that talented.]

[If he’s so amazing, why didn’t he go to a music conservatory?]

[Probably hired a ghostwriter. Why not prove it by composing a song live on Singers’ Challenge?]

Some criticized him for going to a bar during a competition, while others doubted the song was his own work.

Zhou Yi skimmed the comments before closing the app.

A few bitter remarks wouldn’t change anything.

After trending, his "Heartbeat Points" and wealth skyrocketed once again.

He pulled up his stats panel to check the updates.

[Name: Zhou Yi]

[Level: Lv33 (Platinum)]

[Wealth: 267,789,000 yuan (Almost a Billionaire)]

[Appearance: 100 (Unmatched)]

[Combat: 100 (Unrivaled)]

[IQ: 200 (Genius-Level)]

[Reputation: 88 (Well-Known Figure)]

[Attribute Points: 2,754,000]

Mission Progress Panel:

[Xia Qiuzhi’s Regret Value: 89]

[Chu Han’s Regret Value: 100]

[Su Ning’s Regret Value: 85]

[Comeback Progress: 90]

[Heartbeat Points Earned: 3,892,000]

[Admirers: 1 (B-Tier Character: You Man)]

[Achievement Unlocked: Against All Odds]

[Acquired Skills/Items: Photographic Memory / Basic Medical Skills / Star of Arts & Entertainment]

[Current Ranking: 19,900]

[System Store: Unlocked]

Seeing the improvements across the board, Zhou Yi smiled in satisfaction.

"Still, why did Xia Qiuzhi and Su Ning’s regret values increase?"

The system explained, "No idea what they’ve been imagining, but it’s been a gradual buildup. Since the points were added incrementally, I didn’t notify you each time."

Zhou Yi nodded. He opened WeChat and saw messages from all three women.

Xia Qiuzhi told him she’d broken up with Wang Xuan, spilling regrets and pleas for forgiveness while asking him to visit their childhood park together over the weekend.

Su Ning wished him good luck in the competition, saying she had something to tell him when he returned.

Chu Han shared that she’d found a decent part-time job, sending photos of her workplace alongside nostalgic remarks.

Zhou Yi ignored them all.

Back at the hotel, he reminded the group,

"Rest well tonight. The exam’s tomorrow afternoon—let’s give it our all."

"Got it, Captain!"

"We’ll crush it with you leading us!"

As everyone dispersed to their rooms, Zhou Yi called out to Kong Xiaohe.

"Xiaohe, come to my room. I’ll do the acupuncture."

Kong Xiaohe turned back and followed him inside.

Gong Zi, who’d been hoping to hang out with Zhou Yi, had no choice but to wait until Kong Xiaohe left.

"Just lie face down here."

"Okay."

Kong Xiaohe settled onto Zhou Yi’s bed, watching as he pulled out a set of acupuncture tools from who-knows-where.

Bringing these on a trip was odd, but he didn’t dare ask. Instead, he closed his eyes and waited for the needles.

Drowsiness soon overtook him, and he drifted off to sleep.

Using his basic medical skills, Zhou Yi treated Kong Xiaohe before jotting down a list of herbs on a slip of paper—each with precise measurements.

The system had calculated this formula to benefit Kong Xiaohe’s health without side effects.

"Xiaohe, wake up."

Kong Xiaohe had no idea how long he’d slept, but Zhou Yi’s voice roused him.

Immediately, he noticed a difference—his usually sluggish body now felt energized, even stronger.

"How do you feel?"

"Like... I’ve got more strength? Captain, is acupuncture really this miraculous?"