38: Chapter 38: Fast Track to the Finals

The Host panicked: "This... this doesn't follow the competition rules, right?"

Tao Min burst into laughter, took the microphone, and introduced himself to everyone: "Hello everyone, I am Tao Min, the CEO of Chengwen Company."

"I was nearly an hour late due to a private matter. Here, I first want to apologize to everyone, and at the same time, I also want to apologize to the organizers—I am sorry."

The contestants and audience members below gasped when they heard he was the CEO of Chengwen Company.

Chengwen Company was a famous angel investment firm in the industry.

If they could gain his appreciation, their future would be secured!

Thinking of this, they all shouted out to Tao Min.

"It's fine!"

"It's good that you're here!"

"Yeah, CEO Tao, remember to watch me carefully later!"

Hearing what everyone said, Tao Min smiled: "Alright, thank you all for your understanding."

"Since everyone has forgiven my behavior, I would like to ask this contestant to give his speech again. I trust no one will mind, right?"

The contestants and audience members below immediately voiced their opinions.

"We don't mind!"

"It's okay!"

Tao Min nodded and waved at Shen Yan, signaling him to come up and give his speech again.

Shen Yan knew that Tao Min's action was to fight for another chance for him.

He didn't want to disappoint Tao Min's good intentions.

So, he walked onto the stage and re-delivered his speech.

"Clap, clap, clap!"

After the speech, Tao Min gave Shen Yan a very warm round of applause.

"You spoke very well! The project has very innovative points! And its feasibility is very high—it's not just wild fantasy!"

After praising him, he asked the other judges:

"What do you all think?"

The other judges said awkwardly: "Our thoughts remain the same as before. This project lacks innovation..."

Their voices grew quieter and quieter.

Tao Min narrowed his eyes, sensing their guilt.

"So that's how it is..."

"It seems our judgment is not unified. I wish to pass this contestant."

Chen Ling let out a 'Hmph' sound and laughed.

"The rule of our competition is that a contestant only passes if two or more judges vote 'pass'."

"CEO Tao wouldn't have forgotten that, would you?"

Chen Guangke gritted his teeth below the stage, staring intently at Chen Ling.

"She's doing this on purpose!"

"She just doesn't want Old Shen to shine by passing this competition! Damn woman!"

Wu Ya pursed her lips, her eyes filled with worry and nervousness.

On stage, Tao Min blinked and replied: "Of course I haven't forgotten."

"The rule is that a contestant passes only if two or more judges vote 'pass', but besides that, judges have a special right."

"If I truly encounter a project I deeply favor, I can grant the special right to let the contestant pass the preliminary round directly into the finals."

As soon as these words came out, everyone's mouths dropped open in surprise.

"There's such a right?"

"Holy crap! Then I need to work hard later and see if any judge particularly likes my project so they can give me an express pass!"

"Give it up. With your project, wanting an express pass is good enough if a judge even likes it!"

Seeing that the crowd below had started discussing, Chen Ling gritted her teeth in anger: "Each judge only has one chance. Are you sure you want to use that chance right now?!"

Tao Min nodded without hesitation. He countered Chen Ling: "CEO Chen, is there something about this contestant that displeases you? I notice you don't seem very willing to see me use this chance..."

Chen Ling replied with a forced smile: "CEO Tao is mistaken. I am only thinking for you. This project isn't as good as you imagine."

CEO Tao shrugged, replying calmly and lightly: "I still have great faith in my judgment of people."

"After all, if I couldn't judge people correctly, there's no way I could have grown the investment company this large, don't you agree, CEO Chen?"

Chen Ling stiffened her neck and said nothing.

The atmosphere grew increasingly strange. The Host sensed something was off and quickly took the microphone to address everyone: "Alright, let's congratulate contestant Shen Yan! Our CEO Tao has used his one-time special right in the competition to send Shen Yan directly into the finals!"

Upon hearing this, the people below sent congratulatory applause for Shen Yan.

The result was settled.

Shen Yan no longer lingered on stage and turned back to the audience area.

"Oh my god! That was so dangerous just now! Luckily we had CEO Tao to help you, otherwise, we really would have had to go home!"

As soon as he returned to his seat, Chen Guangke started shouting at him.

Shen Yan patted Chen Guangke's head and said: "Calm down. We can talk about anything after the competition ends."

Chen Guangke nodded and sat down with Shen Yan to wait for the competition to end.

After the competition concluded, the three of them found a small eatery for dinner.

From the moment they sat down, Chen Guangke kept muttering about Chen Ling being shameless.

"How could she do that? It's one thing for her to dislike you and use her position to vote against you, but she even roped others in to vote against you!"

"If it weren't for that CEO Tao being so magnanimous and using his special right, the three of us would be finished!"

Wu Ya nodded in agreement.

"To be honest, in that situation, I also thought there was no hope..."

Seeing their expressions of narrowly escaping disaster, Shen Yan was caught between laughter and tears: "It seems I must tell you all the truth first."

Wu Ya and Chen Guangke exchanged a look and asked Shen Yan in unison: "What truth do you need to tell us?"

Shen Yan told them about how he knew Tao Min.

"What? You actually know that CEO Tao?"

Shen Yan nodded and also told them about Tao Tiantian.

After hearing this, their faces showed expressions of sympathy.

"That child is quite pitiful, having to undergo so many surgeries at such a young age..."

Shen Yan served them both a bowl of rice.

"Yeah, after we go back, I'll take both of you to see him."

"Let's get back to the main topic. Today was truly thanks to CEO Tao that we weren't sent home by Chen Ling."

"This incident is a reminder; we must take precautions against Chen Ling."

Wu Ya looked confused.

"Take precautions against what?"

Chen Guangke glanced disdainfully at Wu Ya.

"It means guarding against Chen Ling continuing to play dirty tricks in the competition!"

"What if she tries something similar in the finals? There won't be a second special right then."

Wu Ya bit her lower lip and stomped hard on Chen Guangke's foot.

"You say what you need to say, but what's with the eye-roll?!"

Chen Guangke cried out in pain, rubbing his foot while pointing at Wu Ya's nose.

"See! Everyone was right! Only women and petty people are hard to deal with. I kindly explained it to you, and you actually stepped on me!"