Pei Mingxuan quickly stepped forward and grabbed Yu Rouyin’s hand. “It’s almost impossible to find someone to help save your stage. The director and producer said that if you can’t find anyone, your group’s performance will be canceled. Why not join our side? There’s no rule against having a PK opponent assist.”

As she thought aloud, Pei Mingxuan added, “And since you’re willing to find someone to step in last minute, it shows you have confidence in your ability to adapt. Performing in our stage play should be possible, right?”

The more Pei Mingxuan spoke, the more convinced she became. Suddenly, she shot a suspicious glance at Ji Fei.

Strange—was this all a coincidence?

Ji Fei avoided her gaze with a guilty smile. “Pei-jie is right, Teacher Yu. Do you have the confidence? This is your chance to prove yourself!”

Yu Rouyin, initially in a daze, felt her eyes light up at the phrase “prove yourself.”

Hadn’t she been fighting so hard, unwilling to give up, just for a chance to prove herself?

Zong Chun had robbed her of that chance, but now, out of nowhere, one was being offered to her.

What’s so scary about an impromptu performance? What’s truly terrifying is not being able to perform at all!

Although the idea seemed outrageous, seeing the Top Flow Group create miracles tonight filled Yu Rouyin with an unstoppable surge of determination.

Ambition swelled in her heart, and her eyes grew brighter as she looked at Ji Fei. “Really? I can really perform in your place? You’re giving me this chance?”

“All you need to do is answer if you can do it,” Pei Mingxuan said with a smile.

Yu Rouyin nodded eagerly, afraid that hesitating would mean losing the opportunity. She was someone who grabbed any chance she could.

Without another word, Pei Mingxuan handed her the script for the final five acts. The remaining time was just enough for Yu Rouyin to skim through it.

Everyone backstage looked at them as if they were crazy.

What kind of nerve-wracking, forced improvisation was this?

At that moment, Qin Zhao couldn’t hold back anymore. “Hey.”

Everyone turned to look at him.

He wore an expression of discomfort and was just about to speak.

“I trust you!” Ji Fei said firmly. “If it goes badly, blame me!”

“Teacher Qin is a professional!” Pei Mingxuan finally remembered that there was another main actor. “Just adapt. The earlier acts were already impressive; even if the later ones aren’t as good, it’s fine.”

The Qin family exchanged looks. They seemed more interested in seeing what would happen next, especially the reaction of the netizens. This was a huge story, and they were ahead of the curve. As for Qin Zhao’s mood…

“Good luck!”

Qin Zhao: … Damn it!

Yu Rouyin, script in hand, was oblivious to the external chaos. She stood there, fully focused on reading, until Pei Mingxuan dragged her to the makeup station and ordered their makeup artist to make quick adjustments.

Yu Rouyin sat like a puppet, letting them work on her while her eyes stayed glued to the script as if nailed to it.

She didn’t even ask if Pei Mingxuan intended to sign her. She was entirely absorbed in interpreting the script, surprising the Top Flow Group with her seriousness.

After all, the final five acts were loosely based on accusations once made against her by the powerful wives’ circle.

Yu Rouyin, however, seemed too engrossed to realize this, as if the world had narrowed down to just her and the script.

She couldn’t let anyone down—this was her way of seizing her opportunity.

Ten minutes flew by.

Zong Siqi, who had been wandering backstage, got wind of the news and rushed to inform Zong Chun.

Zong Chun, who had been leisurely sipping tea, waiting for Yu Rouyin’s eventual surrender, was stunned when he heard the news. He immediately rushed to find the director and producer. This ridiculous situation couldn’t possibly be allowed.

By then, the director and producer were resigned.

After all, what storms hadn’t they weathered?

Switching performers? Letting a competitor step in? No problem!

At this point, nothing could surprise them anymore.

They were already mentally prepared to move on to other shows after this. This might as well be their magnum opus, so they didn’t care how chaotic it became.

Still, as they looked at the person about to go on stage…

They couldn’t help but feel anxious. Just watching Yu Rouyin’s state made it clear she was utterly unprepared.

This meant Yu Rouyin had to rely on a brief summary of the plot and adapt to the lines and cues Qin Zhao provided for her.

And all of this, live on the premiere…

“If she fails, the whole performance will collapse here, and everyone will blame her. She’ll carry a burden she shouldn’t have to bear. No sane person would accept such a risky invitation,” said the director.

The producer added, “But if she pulls it off… she’ll create a legendary moment in entertainment. No one will ever question her professionalism again, and people will see beyond her looks. And considering Zong Chun doesn’t want her to succeed, this is her only lifeline, no matter how difficult it is.”

Just then, Zong Chun arrived.

The two exchanged glances and showed no goodwill to someone who had caused problems for their show. “Teacher Zong, if you’re still unable to perform, we’ll extend the program with other content and cut your stage.”

“But she…” Zong Chun started but saw the director already giving instructions to the staff.

“Let’s all work together and ensure this ‘all-or-nothing’ attempt goes off without a hitch.”

Zong Chun’s face shifted multiple times, realizing their stance. He sulked over to the side of the stage, trying to stop Yu Rouyin. This was a competition, after all—how could she help the rival group? Was she out of her mind?

When he arrived, he saw Yu Rouyin and Qin Zhao standing at the stairs, ready to step on stage.

“Follow the script, and I’ll guide you as much as I can,” Yu Rouyin said, her voice tense.

Qin Zhao glanced at her before replying, “This is a collaborative performance. You’re not carrying the pressure alone. Don’t worry.”

Yu Rouyin froze for a moment, eyes glistening. Since starting her career, she had rarely received such respect and trust as an actor.

“Thank you. I won’t let you down.”

She looked around and spotted those who wanted to drag her down.

With a defiant smile, she seemed to silently declare: You won’t destroy me.

Zong Chun and Zong Siqi stared at her, stunned.

The host announced the next performance.

For a moment, the live chat was blank with shock. Then, it erupted, flooding the broadcast with comments until it nearly crashed.

“What?! Did I hear that right? Yu Rouyin is stepping in for Fei-jie?”

“Yu Rouyin? So the change in the lineup wasn’t because she was too scared to perform, but because Teacher Zong had issues?”

“Wait, aren’t they competitors? Why did the ‘Entertainment Judge’ pick her of all people to help?”

“This is the weirdest thing I’ve seen. Never in my life did I expect this twist.”

“Could it be that they’re using this chance to humiliate her? Maybe it’s the ‘Entertainment Judge’s’ way of judging the wicked.”

“Right, we’ll probably see her embarrass herself, acting out how she seduced people, hahaha!”

“Trolls, leave the broadcast! Anyone who actually watched the previous performances wouldn’t jump to the conclusion that Yu Rouyin is the villain. We need more evidence!”

“Exactly. If you really paid attention to the supporting actresses, you’d see what the Top Flow Group is aiming for.”

“Guys, those of us who get up early are already digging through old gossip! I bet the Top Flow Group knows the real story behind some of these accusations!”

“Am I the only one worried about how this play will turn out? Fei-jie’s injury was an accident, and Yu Rouyin stepping in last minute hasn’t seen the script. How will this work?”

“How? She’ll have to wing it. Qin Zhao knows all the lines and the plot.”

“Sure, if they had an old-school, highly skilled actor, it might work. But her? Yes, she’s talented, but she’s not classically trained. She’s mostly been in dramas. I can’t even imagine how this will play out.”

“No, think about it this way! If Yu Rouyin manages to pull this off… wouldn’t that just prove that all those accusations against her were questionable from the start?”