About half an hour after the show, the audience streamed out of the park. Performers lingered only to remove makeup and change into street clothes before departing.
"I've never seen that performance before…" Yuan He paused, searching for praise. If not for Chu Zhi, the Throat Monster would have overshadowed everyone.
But familiarity kept him cautious—besides, old rivalries still simmered. He couldn't bring himself to say the words.
"Captain Yuan arranged everything perfectly," Chu Zhi broke in. "It was a flawless end. He's treating us to celebratory dinner tonight."
"A celebration? Of course!" Yuan He said quickly. "I know Rongcheng well—leave the bookings to me."
"Qi-ge, Third Brother—are you guys coming?" Chu Zhi asked.
"Absolutely. Even before results drop, that performance makes Little Jiu deserve first place," Qi Dake said bluntly.
Gu Peng agreed. He didn't enjoy gatherings, but he cared deeply for his friends—and this dinner felt important.
"Well, Captain Yuan will be treating tonight," Chu Zhi said with a grin.
"It's the least I can do," Yuan He replied, pleased Chu Zhi gave him an easy out. He thought: If someone doubted me after that stage, I'd want to show them who's boss. But Chu Zhi seemed unfazed—just as he had brushed off the earlier cold shoulder from Wang Dong.
He's calm because he doesn't care about weak critics, Yuan He realized. And onstage—his talent changed his name to "Teacher Chu" overnight.
Their mood lightened the team's atmosphere as they headed to the P2 parking area.
Qiu-ge had the car idling with A/C on, per Chu Zhi's instructions—he even checked twice to ensure they could adjust climate as needed. Attention to detail, Chu Zhi mused.
A few meters away, the car door opened. Inside were assistants Xiao Zhuzi, Lao Qian, Ma Weihao, and the driver Qiu-ge.
"Chu-ge, you were amazing tonight," Xiao Zhuzi offered a water bottle.
Lao Qian added: "One Jiu equals five regular drivers. Everyone else carries two, he carries five!"
Chu Zhi chuckled at that analogy. Maybe Lao Qian had been telling a story behind his back.
"Couldn't hear a thing from inside?" he asked curiously.
"Nothing—soundproof car," Xiao Zhuzi confirmed.
"Performance was great, but it'll really shine when CCTV airs it in a week," Chu Zhi teased.
"Dinner tonight won't include me, Driver Qiu-ge, or Xiao Zhuzi," he continued, explaining why he didn't invite his staff. Still, he liked making them feel valued.
After a short rest and a relaxing massage from Ma Weihao, Chu Zhi left by 5 p.m. to meet Yuan He at a private restaurant.
Inside the car, conversation turned serious again.
"You're not meant to be a yes-man, be a king of resolve," Lao Qian chided Ma Weihao.
Ma Weihao's face fell. "I'm not a simp. I just want her to be happy."
"I set you up with so many matches, but you kept chasing that sea-witch," Lao Qian continued. "Love's not love if you let her be happy with someone else."
"I love her. I want her happiness—even if that's not with me," Ma Weihao insisted.
"That's not love!" Lao Qian barked. "Love means mutual happiness when you're together—get that?"
Ma Weihao replied softly: "Love is fulfillment—her joy is mine too."
Lao Qian shook his head. "Whatever mistakes you make, just do better next time." Then he gave up, waving off futility.
Chu Zhi arrived at a small, upscale private restaurant—what locals call "home-cooked fine dining." He chose "Brother Two's Private Kitchen" in Rongcheng, with a single-person set priced at 2,988 yuan. Budget-conscious but thoughtful—just like the rest of his evening.
Two days later, parties turned to numbers.
Designer Jing Yong asked stage director Da Yu politely: "The vote count—no discrepancies?"
Results showed:
Chu Zhi – 13,253 votes
Kubo Todoren– 1,547 votes
Byeon Jaejung – 1,256 votes
Chu Zhi's tally alone was nine times higher than the runner-up.
Jing Yong shook his head in amazement. Two ten-thousand-seat shows, dozens of tickets held as souvenirs—roughly 6,000 votes left for others. Even split, each singer wouldn't reach 500. Yet Chu Zhi blew them all away.
Da Yu explained thoroughly: multiple counts and independent teams confirmed the total. They reviewed cameras during voting bin transport—no tampering found. They called 300 random ticket-buyers; over 70% confirmed they voted for Chu Zhi, citing either fandom, song power, or sheer stage presence.
The day before broadcasting, results were emailed to the Korean Cultural Foundation and Japan's Ministry of Culture. Reactions came fast:
Korea's board labeled it "disgraceful cheating"—how could one singer outweigh 14 others?
Japan's culture minister Inoue said diplomatically: "Such cross-cultural friendship events deserve transparency. We request full disclosure."
Low TV ratings in past festivals—barely 0.8%. But this year? With Chu Zhi's participation and voting controversy, it spiked attention in all three countries.
Internet discourse split into two camps:
Fans proclaimed: "Is this surprising? Little Jiu delivered 'Opera 2.' Of course he won big."
Cynics countered: "72% voting for one guy? Doesn't that skew fairness? Korea's top throat monster lost by tenfold?"
Amidst the uproar, CCTV and the tourism ministry sites finally posted full vote data along with nationality breakdown—silencing critics and proving Chu Zhi's victory was genuine.