Chapter 100: The Finals

The next evening.

Due to some last-minute issues at Yuanfang, Li Dong arrived at the auditorium a bit later than planned.

He initially thought that with the auditorium's capacity of five to six thousand people, he could easily find a place to sit.

However, when Li Dong arrived, he was shocked to see that the auditorium was packed to capacity!

Li Dong was stunned. Could the entire School of Management really fill the place?

He turned to a student council member nearby and asked, "Wasn't it supposed to be restricted to people from the School of Management? Why are there so many people from other departments here?"

The student, irritated, shot Li Dong a look and replied, "Who knows? With so many people, do you expect us to check each one? Just find a place to sit. Who cares if they're from the School of Management or not."

Li Dong was displeased with his attitude. 

What kind of attitude is that? Just because you're from the student council doesn't make you special!

Not wanting to argue, Li Dong asked again, "Where is the seat for Class 1 of the 2004 International Trade?"

"I don't know. Just find an empty seat and sit wherever you can."

"Damn it!"

Li Dong cursed and, without waiting for a response, squeezed into the crowd and disappeared.

The student who was cursed at glanced around, unable to spot Li Dong in the dimly lit auditorium, and gave up on finding trouble with him.

---

Li Dong squeezed through the crowd for quite a while. Not only were there no seats, but even standing spots were packed, which left him speechless.

After some time, Li Dong finally spotted a familiar face.

Fang Qingfei was also there helping to manage the crowd. Li Dong hurried over and asked, "Old Fang, are there any seats available?"

Hearing Li Dong's question, Fang Qingfei's face darkened. "Old Fang" indeed!

Not wanting to engage with Li Dong, Fang Qingfei pretended not to hear and continued to announce, "Students in the front rows, please be quiet. The competition is about to start!"

"Hey, Old Fang, did you hear me?" Li Dong repeated.

Fang Qingfei could no longer keep up the pretense and turned around to snap, "Li Dong, do you know what respect for your elders means?"

Li Dong shrugged, nonchalant, "It's just a title. You can call me Old Li if you want. I don't mind."

Fang Qingfei was defeated by his thick skin and said helplessly, "There aren't any seats left. Find a place to stand!"

"Hey, I'm someone of importance too. You expect me to stand and watch?"

Fang Qingfei rolled her eyes at him and retorted, "Everyone here is important. If you're not, that's weird!"

Li Dong was taken aback. Is that the explanation for being important?

Seeing that Fang Qingfei was finally relieved, she smiled and said, "If you want to sit, wait here for a moment, and I'll arrange a seat for you."

Since Li Dong was curious about the evening's performance, he had no choice but to wait patiently.

After about three or four minutes, Fang Qingfei came over and said, "Follow me!"

Li Dong didn't ask where she was taking him but figured it was probably backstage. He had expected that the teachers would have some special arrangements.

---

However, as they exited the auditorium, Li Dong felt something was off.

"Old Fang, where are you taking me?"

"You wanted a seat, right? I'm taking you to find one."

Li Dong's face turned dark as he gritted his teeth, "I wanted to watch the performance. Are you taking me to find a seat?"

Seeing that she had teased him enough and that Li Dong might lose his temper, Fang Qingfei laughed, "Just follow me. I'll make sure you don't miss the performance."

Li Dong suppressed his doubts and continued to follow Fang Qingfei.

They took a few turns along the way. Li Dong, who was already somewhat directionally challenged in the evening, was completely confused.

After walking for about seven or eight minutes, Fang Qingfei finally pushed open a metal door.

Li Dong walked in and was stunned. "There's a second level in the auditorium?"

He had been to the auditorium before but always thought it only had one level. He didn't expect Fang Qingfei to have brought him up to a second level!

It wasn't really a second level per se, but rather a surrounding railing.

Li Dong had noticed the railing-like area before, but he had thought it was just part of the decoration. He didn't realize it was actually an elevated area.

Fang Qingfei, looking quite proud, said, "I've been at Jiangda for eight years. There's no place here I don't know well!"

"Is staying at the school for eight years something to be proud of?"

Li Dong couldn't stand her smug expression and couldn't help but criticize.

Fang Qingfei was instantly enraged, "At least it shows I'm well-educated and cultured, unlike you with your crude ways!"

"Don't talk nonsense. If you're so cultured, then you shouldn't take a salary. Talking about money is so vulgar."

Fang Qingfei was about to retort when cheers erupted from below.

Then the host's voice boomed, "Next, let's welcome Li Qian to perform 'Red Bean' for us!"

"Li Qian, I love you!"

"Qian Qian, I'll always be your fan!"

"..."

The auditorium was noisy. Li Dong leaned over the railing and took a glance, then snorted but didn't say anything.

Fang Qingfei taunted, "Only you would dare to bully Li Qian. I bet she'll become a nationwide sensation in a few years. Just wait and see how she deals with you."

Li Dong rolled his eyes at her and scoffed, "Do you think she's as foolish as you? Believe it or not, even if she becomes famous, she wouldn't dare cause trouble for me."

"Who are you calling foolish?"

Fang Qingfei was so focused on the previous comment that she didn't notice the confidence in Li Dong's tone.

Li Dong couldn't be bothered with her. Regardless of whether Li Qian becomes famous or not, by the time she does, he'll already be worth billions.

Would a billionaire be afraid of a celebrity? 

Don't make me laugh. If anything, Li Dong would be especially lenient if he didn't deal with her, let alone if Li Qian dared to retaliate.

As the two of them bickered, Li Qian had already started her performance.

"Not yet fully appreciated, when the snowflakes bloom…"

Li Qian's rendition of Wang Fei's "Red Bean" was so tender and moving that the audience was captivated.

Li Dong frowned slightly and asked, "Why is Li Qian singing Wang Fei's song?"

Fang Qingfei, puzzled, asked, "Why can't she sing her song?"

Li Dong waved his hand, explaining, "It's not that she can't, but it's different from what I imagined. I thought she would sing something more passionate and fiery."

"Hmph! Underestimating people!"

After that, Li Dong and Fang Qingfei mostly remained silent, listening to Li Qian finish her song.

Then the finalists took the stage. The contrast between them was quite evident.

Li Dong wasn't interested in listening further and instead focused on observing the atmosphere.

Fortunately, the audience was still very enthusiastic. The finalists hadn't performed poorly, and the cheers continued.

Moreover, between each performance, there were Yuanfang advertisements, which Li Dong was quite pleased with.

This was the result of spending a little money to make a big impact. Even if just one-tenth of the attendees decided to shop, Yuanfang would make a significant profit.

Fang Qingfei, who knew Li Qian wasn't being paid, saw Li Dong's pleased expression and couldn't help but criticize, "You're taking advantage of others' hard work. Cold-blooded capitalist!"

Li Dong ignored her and continued to enjoy the show.

Fang Qingfei, talking to herself, eventually became bored, and both of them leaned over the railing in silence.