The PK is Over! (Please Add to Favorites)

Tan Zhigao believed that as long as he revealed their intentions, Su Yunjin would agree.

As their purpose was laid bare, the audience began to murmur among themselves.

The camera focused on Su Yunjin, who remained poised, her smile gentle as she spoke calmly, “That won’t be necessary. This ancient chime has already been catalogued in the National Antiquities Collection Museum; it merely remains in my personal care for now.”

Her words were clear—no matter what price was offered, the chime was not for sale.

Tan Zhigao and his companions wanted to press further, but at that moment, the host on stage interjected, “Teachers Tan, Zhang, and Gao, perhaps we should discuss the song first.”

The host’s timely intervention silenced the three, who had been eager to pursue the matter.

The discussion returned to musical critique, though there was little left to say. Even to those without a musician’s ear, the difference was obvious—the outcome already decided.

With a regretful expression, Gao Linlin shared her views.

“For a folk singer, this contestant, Tan Linfang, and her group are already quite good. But in the temple of music, ‘quite good’ is still only that. I believe many here have heard the difference. You must realize that there is a vast gulf between ‘the best’ and ‘quite good’, and throughout your performance, you did not fully grasp the essence of the song. Simply singing with force may showcase your voice, but it adds nothing else of value.”

With the disparity so clear, Gao Linlin’s critique flowed with ease.

Onstage, the usually proud “Iron Ladies” girl group, led by Tan Linfang, stood with their heads bowed, silent as if struck down by frost.

Though their pride was great, they were not fools.

During the earlier duel, Su Yunjin’s singing had utterly overwhelmed them. Against her voice, they had no power to respond—a situation they had never faced before.

The gap between themselves and Su Yunjin felt as heavy as a mountain.

Stunned, Tan Linfang bit her lip, trying to let the pain suppress the bitterness in her heart, yet no matter how she tried, tears welled up, coming and going in her eyes.

The other two members of the “Iron Ladies” rushed to comfort Tan Linfang.

Yet their own expressions were grim; the three of them huddled together, hands clasped for warmth, but there was little comfort or strength left to share—even less to offer anyone else.

The atmosphere on stage was oppressively heavy. After Gao Linlin’s merciless comments, Zhang Yingcai took the floor, this time critiquing from the perspective of instrumentation.

Earlier, Tan Linfang’s group had used three waist drums, which looked lively, but the problems were numerous. Their rhythm was off, their playing stiff and lifeless, and as the performance went on, things deteriorated until the end was simply unbearable.

Last up was Tan Zhigao.

With the previous critiques in mind, Tan Zhigao offered a few words of comfort.

But, sadly, his comfort was of little use—more like sympathy than encouragement.

After the consolation, the judging began. Unsurprisingly, Su Yunjin was the winner, and Tan Linfang’s “Iron Ladies” girl group was sent to the revival round.

There was not the slightest suspense in this result.

Everyone present, as well as those watching the livestream, agreed wholeheartedly.

So, when the outcome was announced, the response was calm. Even in the livestream chat, most of the discussion revolved around Su Yunjin’s ancient chime rather than the result itself.

Compared to the predictable outcome, it was the allure of Su Yunjin’s chime that truly captivated the crowd.

With the duel concluded, the primary selection for the center position in the girl group officially began!

Su Yunjin returned to the judges’ table, but after such a dramatic opening, the rest of the competition felt rather bland and tedious by comparison.

The livestream continued until ten o’clock that night without further surprises. Thanks to the presence of Gao Linlin and the others, Luo Zizhen did not attempt to steal the spotlight again.

As a result, when the show ended, the center-position girl group’s livestream had only just over eight million viewers, most of whom had tuned in during Su Yunjin and Tan Linfang’s duel.

After the broadcast ended, the lights in the studio blazed to life.

As the audience departed, Su Yunjin and the other judges stood to watch as the venerable music masters—Gao Linlin, Tan Zhigao, and Zhang Yingcai—took their leave.

As they exited, the three turned in unison to glance back at Su Yunjin.

From their eyes, Su Yunjin could discern what was left unsaid—their longing for the ancient chime in her possession.

But it was clear that was impossible, so Su Yunjin returned their gaze with warmth and respect, then offered a slight bow.

Seeing this, Tan Zhigao and the others said nothing more. Supported by the staff, the three elders left, leaning on one another.

“Congratulations, Teacher Su.”

With the three towering figures gone, the atmosphere among the remaining judges relaxed noticeably.

Wang Tao approached Su Yunjin, grinning as he finally voiced what he had been holding back.

After all, on stage just now, as the center-position mentor, Su Yunjin could not afford to lose when facing a contestant. Offering congratulations then would have seemed insincere or even mocking.

Now that it was all over and everyone was packing up, Wang Tao could finally say it.

“Teacher Wang, have you lost your mind? Teacher Su is the center-position mentor—congratulating her for winning is a bit much, isn’t it?” Shao Xinghui interjected before Su Yunjin could reply.

“We were too hasty before. If not, today’s trouble could have been avoided,” Liang Feiyue added.

She had seen clearly from the audience that Su Yunjin truly sang beautifully—the kind of performance where the difference was obvious from the very first note. Remembering how adamantly Su Yunjin had opposed Tan Linfang’s advancement, Liang Feiyue felt a pang of guilt.

If not for her and Wang Tao, perhaps Tan Linfang would have gone straight to the revival round or been eliminated at that point.

“Don’t say that, Feiyue. You made your decisions based on your perspective, just as I acted to defend fairness. Our motives were different, but all for the good of this stage. The current result is, I think, the best possible one.”

With a gentle smile, Su Yunjin patted Liang Feiyue’s shoulder in comfort.

Gratitude filled Liang Feiyue’s eyes. The three chatted for a while before heading backstage. Luo Zizhen had already left before they did.

That woman was not welcome, and she knew it herself.

Su Yunjin and the others paid her no mind. The three returned backstage, quickly changed their clothes, and left together.

“Teacher Su.”

Just as Su Yunjin stepped out of the building, a man’s voice called from behind her.