Confession Balloon

“Now! Which contestant wants to be the first to challenge?”
In the center of the secondary stage stood a large gong and drum. Brother Du pointed to it as he continued explaining the rules:
“In the next thirty seconds, any contestant who strikes the gong will earn the chance to challenge the king. If no one strikes it within the thirty seconds, then the king remains safe this round!”
“The right to challenge goes to whoever acts first! The countdown starts now!”
With Brother Du’s words, the giant screen on the main stage began its countdown, each tick punctuated by a sharp beep.
The audience’s hearts raced along, inexplicably tense.
Everyone wondered who would be the first to step forward.
Standing high above, Ji Fanxing swept her gaze across the contestants below, intrigued, guessing who might have the courage.
The contestants exchanged glances, whispered among themselves, hesitant to step up.
Ji Fanxing’s talent was simply too extraordinary. Even though her singing this round was gentle, her initial performance had revealed a voice beyond human, making the others shrink back.
As the seconds passed, just when the audience thought no one would challenge, a few contestants stirred.
“Clang—!!”
Sitting in the front row, Song Qing seized her advantage in proximity and struck the gong.
“Good!” Ren Feichang stood up first, applauding her. With his encouragement, the whole audience applauded Song Qing.
Song Qing, full of pride, bowed to Ren Feichang, who accepted it with pleasure.
Brother Du, seeing their blatant interaction, skillfully invited Song Qing onto the main stage and said:
“Our Song Qing is truly remarkable! It takes real courage to be the first challenger. I wonder, have you prepared any secret weapon this time?”
Though he addressed Song Qing, his eyes turned to Ren Feichang.
“Yes, I’m very grateful for Teacher Ren’s guidance this time. He helped me improve my piece and gave me the courage to challenge.”
“Thank you, Teacher.” Song Qing bowed again to Ren Feichang.
Ren Feichang, all smiles, replied modestly, “It’s also because Song herself is outstanding. I have high hopes for you this time!”
Ji Fanxing watched their exchange and felt her teeth ache—was this an award speech? All this gratitude, who were they trying to belittle?
Even Brother Du felt awkward for them, wishing he’d never started this topic knowing their style.
“Well then, Song Qing, what song have you prepared for your challenge?”
Song Qing announced her program with pride:
“I’ll be singing ‘Confession Envelope: Edited Version’.”
...
Ji Fanxing leaned back in her throne and tapped her fingers. She should never have expected anything from these two.
“Next, please welcome Song Qing to perform ‘Confession Envelope: Edited Version’!”
[They’re playing a very new kind of PK battle.]
[Someone finally recognizes Qing Qing’s excellence! Thanks to Teacher Ren! Can’t wait for their new version of ‘Confession Envelope’!]
The introduction began, noticeably catchier than the original stage version. Ji Fanxing narrowed her eyes—had they re-arranged it?
Song Qing on stage was both excited and nervous.
Not only was this her comeback battle, but she knew Xu Mo would be watching the live broadcast today.
Finally, she could sing her heartfelt feelings directly to him.
“Holding this letter, I don’t know what to do~”
Just one line shattered the interest Ji Fanxing had felt—her gaze dropped, she no longer spared the stage a second glance.
Trash remains trash; no matter how pretty the wrapping, it can’t mask the reality.
Worse, this new wrapping was like ill-fitting clothes—nice to look at, but utterly unsuited to the song, ruining its only highlight: the bittersweet ache of secret love.
“I keep reminding myself, you’re not mine~”
“But I regret nothing, falling for you~~~”
The final “you” was drawn out with an elaborate vocal run, making many involuntarily rub at the goosebumps on their arms.

Such an oily secret crush.

Song Qing finished with tears glimmering in her eyes. Ren Feichang stood up again, applauding from the mentors’ seats, but their “deeply bonded teacher-student” act moved no one.

[My goodness~ That’s terrifying, what kind of creepy, crawling crush is this?]
[I thought it sounded pretty good last time, why does it seem so twisted now…]
[Do you even know how to appreciate? This is called sophistication!]
[How much oil do you eat per meal, upstairs? The deeper the love, the greasier, the more sophisticated, right.]
Applause was scattered and sparse, but Song Qing, lost in her own world, didn’t notice.
There was no scoring in this PK battle; after both contestants finished, the audience voted on whether the king should stay.
Ji Fanxing took the stage again.
Brother Du, as if seeing a savior, skipped over “Are you confident to defeat her?” and went straight to:
“Ji Fanxing, what song have you prepared for this challenge?”
“‘Confession Balloon’”
Just four words, and the room stirred once more.
Song Qing shot up from her seat, pointed at Ji Fanxing, but couldn’t get a word out.
Brother Du’s eyes widened as he cautiously asked, “Is it related to Song Qing’s song?”
“How could it be? Just a coincidence.” Ji Fanxing scoffed. She had no idea Song Qing would try a second round; bad luck, that’s all.
Everyone, seeing the title, instinctively linked it to the greasy ‘Confession Envelope’, assuming both songs might be of the same ilk—or perhaps worse.

“I told you! Ji Fanxing has no talent!”
Li Ming shouted in the live chat, unsure if he was disappointed or pleased.
In a speeding business van, Xu Mo, lightly dozing, opened his eyes. The pale amber irises made him look distant and hard to approach.
He asked his assistant,
“Has Axue performed yet?”
On the side, the assistant’s tablet was broadcasting ‘All-Around Singer’ live.
“Miss Ji hasn’t performed yet,”
the assistant replied, turning up the volume and handing Xu Mo the tablet.
On screen, Brother Du was introducing, “Now, let’s welcome Ji Fanxing to perform ‘Confession Balloon’!”
“Fanxing?” Xu Mo frowned instinctively at the name, pushing the tablet away, unwilling to watch:
“Mute it. Call me when Axue’s up.”
“Okay… sure…”
At the venue, gentle piano chords transported the audience into a romantic scene.
Just a few seconds of introduction convinced everyone that Ji Fanxing’s claim—that the name overlap was coincidence—was true.
The two songs weren’t even in the same league.

If anything could compare, it might only be her previous ‘Little Love Song’.
Once again, the melody was light, the lyrics simple, but she sang with a completely different flair.
Full of R&B flavor, it captured the thrill of falling in love.

“I hold a cup, tasting your beauty~”
...
“You say I’m hard to chase, want me to give up~”
“No need for the most expensive gifts, just the leaves from Champs-Élysées~”
...
After the lively verses, the chorus arrived.

“Darling, falling for you~ since that day~ sweetness comes so easily.”
...

The audience’s smiles rose, fully immersed in the song’s atmosphere.
During the chorus’s interlude, Ji Fanxing raised her hand, inviting everyone to sway along.
Soon, the audience couldn’t help but lift their hands, waving as if holding glow sticks, the whole venue swept up in romance.

“Your eyes say, I’m willing~”
...

“Beautiful! Fanxing, you’re amazing!!”
The performance ended, and Brother Du rushed on stage to shower Ji Fanxing with praise, then called Song Qing back:

“Audience here and those watching the live stream!”
“Was the challenge successful?! Please start voting!”
The big screen showed the vote tallies. The red bar for Ji Fanxing quickly dominated the blue bar for Song Qing.
By the end, the red bar soared, while the blue was reduced to a pitiful sliver. Checking the side ratio, it was a heartbreaking 0.005—almost nothing.

Both songs addressed secret love, but Song Qing’s “edited version” sounded like a lovesick puppy’s pointless whining.
‘Confession Balloon’, on the other hand, brimmed with the flutter and sweetness of a pending confession to one’s crush.

Even on style alone, ‘Confession Balloon’ was unique, catchy, growing more pleasant the more one listened, impossible not to love.

“No… impossible…” Song Qing stared at the vote ratio, stepped back, muttering:
“This song is just riding my popularity! How can it score so high?!”
Brother Du overheard, and fearing a meltdown, quickly signaled the staff to mute Song Qing’s mic remotely.
Luckily, the staff acted fast; moments later, Song Qing looked to Ren Feichang for help.
Ren Feichang’s face darkened. He thought the production team was too careless not to edit the numbers! Looking at Song Qing on stage, he felt not a shred of appreciation—she was far too impatient, making him lose face.

Brother Du hurriedly changed the subject: “Fanxing, I see online fans are clamoring for more—they can’t get enough. What do you think?”
“Thank you all for your support. If you haven’t had enough, please check out the online replay of ‘All-Around Singer, Season One’.”
Ji Fanxing skillfully promoted the show.

The producer beamed, finding her more and more agreeable. Those online rumors were clearly false.
Li Ming, satisfied, saved the recording of ‘Confession Balloon’ to his favorites, relieved he’d kept his wits this time.
Otherwise, he’d regret it as much as he did with ‘Little Love Song’.

[Doesn’t matter, I’m definitely a fan of this girl!]
[I seem to see hope for the entertainment industry…]
[I don’t know how you can love someone so easily. Aside from character, is there any difference between Ji Fanxing’s two songs? Same style! So awful!]
[Too shallow, no depth at all. Only you youngsters would like this.]
[Honestly, hearing two songs in a row, I’m a bit disappointed. The songs are refreshing but too flat—far inferior to her first stage.]
[If you’re so talented, why don’t you perform?!]
[Our Fanxing’s voice is the best in the world! Prove me wrong if you dare!]
Guo Xiaoyue, who instinctively typed this in the chat, stared in horror at her own hand.

“What have I just done… I’m supposed to be a fan of Chu Hao!”
Looking up, the screen switched to a close-up of Ji Fanxing.
She was radiant, every step exuding an unmatched aura; facing the camera, her beautiful eyes lifted, dazzling, searing Guo Xiaoyue’s heart.

She seemed bewitched, infused with new energy, all her hesitation and guilt swept away.

[Fanxing! Fanxing! Forever in my heart!!]