Chapter 30: The Online Love Rival Becomes a Charmer (30)

Chapter 30: From Web Romance Side Character to Crowd-Pleaser (30)

"Next, let’s welcome our challenger—Tang Qing. Everyone, please give her a round of applause." Finally, it was Tang Qing's turn. Emerging from a swirl of smoke, she walked out with poised grace.

This time, Tang Qing's outfit was completely different from her previous public appearances. The daring, show-stopping crimson bodycon dress didn’t look out of place on her at all, perfectly accentuating her curves. The fishtail hem rippled with hypnotic sway as she moved.

To match the red dress, Tang Qing’s hair was styled into sultry, cascading curls that draped just above her chestline, partially covering her fair skin while leaving just enough to tease the imagination—exuding an irresistibly alluring charm.

"I take back what I said earlier. Cuteness stands *no chance* against sexiness!"

"Goddess, you’re killing me! Tang Qing looks drop-dead gorgeous today! Those legs, that figure—I’m in love!"

"Compared to this, what’s Jiang Yiyi? I’ll take an elegant femme fatale any day."

Amid the murmurs, Tang Qing, well aware of the audience’s tastes, casually flipped her hair, tilting her head slightly to reveal the elegant curve of her swan-like neck. She winked at the camera—alluring and hypnotic.

"Hello everyone, I’m challenger No. 6, Tang Qing."

The online audience exploded:

"Ahhh, Goddess, you’re murdering me with your beauty!"

"Was that my wife just now? My wife winked at me! Wife, you’re coming home with me tonight!"

"Tang Qing in that red dress is next-level perfection. I’m dead—only a kiss from my wife can revive me..."

...

Tang Qing did this on purpose.

Jiang Yiyi was now firmly typecast as the "campus goddess," and today’s outfit was predictably preppy. So Tang Qing deliberately chose a dress that was the polar opposite of Jiang Yiyi’s style. Pretty girls are always liked, but a stunning beauty with a killer figure is obviously even more captivating.

Turning toward Jiang Yiyi’s direction, Tang Qing flashed a radiant smile—a simple greeting between old acquaintances.

"It seems everyone is quite taken with our new challenger. Miss Tang caused quite a stir on Weibo not too long ago—no wonder so many admirers are smitten. Even I’m a little tempted."

As soon as the host finished speaking, Tang Qing knew he was deliberately taking digs at her… "Admirers"? Anyone who followed the Weibo drama knew they were just the castoffs from her harem—a bunch of pathetic leftovers still demanding repayment from Tang Qing.

"You two know each other, right?" The host maintained his smile, but every word he spoke was a calculated jab at Tang Qing’s sore spots.

Of course they were acquainted—hadn’t Jiang Yiyi publicly apologized not long ago for stealing photos?

"Yes, we know each other. High school classmates." Tang Qing sidestepped with finesse, her expression unchanging. "So, did I stumble into a reunion?* Is this not a challenge arena but a high school reunion?"

The host awkwardly chuckled at the polite brush-off. "I had no idea you and Miss Jiang shared such history. What kind of surprises will these two old classmates bring us today? Stay tuned!"

A row of numbers appeared on the big screen, each corresponding to a question set.

Tang Qing chose question set 6, while Jiang Yiyi picked question set 4.

Just as the host was about to announce the start of the challenge, Tang Qing suddenly raised her hand. "Can I switch to a different question set?"

"Of course." Without much thought, the host agreed. "The remaining options are eight numbers. Miss Tang, what’s your choice?"

"Question set 4."

The moment the words left her lips, Jiang Yiyi’s jaw dropped. What? She wanted question set 4 too?

No way... The answers for that set were the ones she had prepped beforehand—she had them down pat.

"No, I don't agree." Jiang Yiyi, usually gentle and sweet, suddenly changed her expression. "Tang Qing, switching questions mid-competition isn't in the rules, is it?"

Tang Qing raised an eyebrow, flashing a flawless, coy smile. "Oh? I don't see that rule written anywhere."

"We haven’t started answering yet, so why can’t I switch?"

Jiang Yiyi struggled to keep her cool, but her words came out stiff and unconvincing. "I just don’t agree. Why should I go along with you?"

"You're acting awfully defensive. Why are you so insistent on question 4? Could it be... you already know the answers?" The pointed question made Jiang Yiyi’s face instantly pale. Under the cameras, such a reaction wouldn’t escape the audience’s notice.

"Wait, what’s going on? That was weird. The school beauty looked really upset just now..."

"Yeah, why is Jiang Yiyi so against switching? Something’s up."

"Did you hear how sharp Jiang Yiyi sounded? Totally different from before."

...

As whispers rippled through the crowd, Jiang Yiyi was losing her composure but still insisted, "Just because you want to switch, do I have to go along? No."

"Fine, how about this—we both answer question 4 and see who gets more right? What do you think?" Tang Qing’s eyes gleamed like a cat’s as she proposed a compromise.

With no way out and the audience watching closely, Jiang Yiyi reluctantly conceded. "Fine. We’ll both take question 4."

Once the two contestants reached an agreement, they took their positions.

Seeing the familiar questions before her, Jiang Yiyi let out a quiet sigh of relief. Thank goodness she hadn’t allowed Tang Qing to switch. Since getting the answers, she hadn’t prepared at all—just had to recite them. If they had changed questions, she could only imagine the disaster...

Collecting herself, Jiang Yiyi quickly marked her answers.

To her surprise, Tang Qing—who she’d always dismissed—was blazing through just as quickly! Was she just guessing? How could she be this fast?

Stunned, Jiang Yiyi and Tang Qing finished simultaneously!

The crowd burst into applause. Until now, Jiang Yiyi had always been miles ahead, yet Tang Qing had matched her speed! The audience was floored.

"Incredible! Looks like both players are equally skilled!" The host took over. "Now, the big moment—let’s check their scores!"

"First question: In which Chinese province did Tieguanyin tea originate?"

"Answer: A! Congratulations, both correct!"

"Second question: For whom was the Potala Palace in Tibet originally built by Songtsen Gampo?"

"Answer: B, correct again!"

"Third question: Correct!"

"Fourth..."

The more Jiang Yiyi’s face fell, the clearer it became that Tang Qing hadn’t made a single mistake! Impossible! She must’ve gotten the answers somehow...

If she didn’t slip up now, they’d end in a tie!

"Both players are truly formidable—currently tied! It all comes down to this final question!" As the host spoke, all eyes were glued to the screen...