The new registration rule did not lessen the capital's interest in the competition.
If anything, it made people even more curious.
Families who had submitted the names of their sons without asking them were suddenly forced to confront the young men themselves.
Some willingly confirmed.
Some withdrew.
Others argued with their families for hours before finally making a decision.
By the third day of registration, the list had shortened considerably.
But several new names had also appeared.
Song Jia stood in front of the announcement board at Tranquility Conservatory, quietly reading through them.
"That's a lot of people." Shao Mei muttered.
"Not really." Fang Cheng replied. "There were almost twice as many yesterday."
Dai Bao crossed his arms.
"Still too many."
Tang Fu glanced at him.
"Why are you acting like you're the one who has to marry the winner?"
"I care about Sis Jia."
"That wasn't my question."
Dai Bao ignored him.
Song Jia's gaze continued down the list.
