Chapter 23: Liu Ruyun Makes Her Formal Entrance

This competition boasts numerous highlights: for instance, Li Ruyun from Red Queen Entertainment and an aspiring superstar, two singers from Golden Splendor Entertainment who were last year's winners of the Annual Golden Song Chart, and Wang Tianqi, who also draws attention. Yet, most of the audience seems to expect Wang Tianqi to make a fool of himself.

“To be honest, I’m not confident,” Liu Sheng said, sitting beside Shen Xian. “Everyone here today is exceptionally strong. Li Ruyun is currently riding a wave of popularity, topping the new song chart, the rising chart, and the hot song chart. Su Ying and Tan Jie from Golden Splendor were last year’s champion and runner-up on the Annual Golden Song Chart. Then there’s Zhang Cheng’an, who’s almost a superstar now—one more album and he’ll probably make it this year.”

“But I’m happy to have this chance to show my face,” Liu Sheng continued. “Aside from President Ning, no one else would dare take me on.”

Shen Xian replied, “Let things take their course. These matters can’t be forced.”

“President Ning took a big risk signing me. After I appear today, she might start feeling the pressure,” Liu Sheng said.

Years ago, he offended a major figure in the entertainment industry—someone untouchable by the giants of the business. Only Ning Caitou had the guts to sign him.

Liu Sheng, despite his talent, had very little popularity and couldn’t find suitable songs. Now, he could only occasionally do live streams or participate in small offline performances. He had truly fallen from grace.

“President Ning’s family background must be decent, right?” Shen Xian asked.

Liu Sheng shook his head. “I’m not sure, but it must be alright. Otherwise, she wouldn’t dare sign me, or you…”

Shen Xian laughed, “You’re better off than me. I’ve already been dubbed the troublemaker of the industry.”

After chatting with Liu Sheng, Shen Xian discovered that Liu Sheng’s mindset was steady, with hardly any emotional fluctuations. Perhaps, after twenty years of suppression, his passionate blood had cooled.

Truth be told, Liu Sheng admired Shen Xian somewhat. He always felt Shen Xian was calm and cheerful, not with the sly smile of a fox, but a genuine, heartfelt smile that put others at ease.

Liu Sheng thought Shen Xian treated everyone kindly—never distinguishing based on status, appearance, or wealth. Even the cleaning ladies in the company would receive a hot cup of milk tea from Shen Xian in the winter.

Take Wu Fan, for example: full of pride, walking with his head held high, never giving others face when he spoke. Only Ning Cai could handle him; another boss wouldn’t dare bother with his attitude.

“I heard about your history with Li Ruyun. Do you still hate her?” Liu Sheng asked.

Shen Xian smiled, “Of course I do. I’m no saint; when someone hurts me, I can’t treat them with indifference. If I get a chance to rise and slap her in the face, I’ll do it without hesitation. I enjoy seeing her full of regret—it must be a beautiful sight. You might think I’m petty, but that’s just the emotional value I like.”

“Isn’t life, for everyone, just a process of seeking emotional value?”

To be loved by those you love, to be envied by those who dislike you, to be admired by your enemies, to make your parents proud, to be met with awe in others’ gaze…

All of these are emotional values. Everyone loves them.

Liu Sheng felt Shen Xian was the most genuine—flesh and blood, never pretentious.

Soon, the first singer finished performing. The judges began their critique and scoring, and the audience started voting. In truth, the judges’ comments could greatly influence the audience’s votes.

The judges’ feedback was fair—no smearing, no stepping on toes.

“Now, please cast your votes!” announced host Wang Ling. Every audience member had a voting device; a simple press signified approval.

As voting concluded, the screen displayed the singer’s tally.

565 votes!

That meant just over half supported him.

Regret showed on the singer’s face. With such a score, elimination was almost certain.

Normally, votes should exceed 700.

Next came a web-famous singer from Dragon Entertainment, who started by singing online and made several covers popular.

The final tally appeared, and the host announced, “Zhang Qi, 660 votes!”

“President Shen, how many votes do you think I’d get?” Wang Tianqi asked nervously.

Shen Xian replied, “At least nine hundred.”

Wang Tianqi forced a smile. Though Shen Xian’s song was excellent, the judges were sharp-tongued. With deliberate guidance and Shen Xian’s notorious reputation, he might just get eliminated in the first round.

Liu Sheng patted Wang Tianqi’s shoulder. “Keep a calm mind.”

Wang Tianqi nodded firmly.

Soon it was Wu Fan’s turn. Dressed in hip-hop style, he strode to center stage, holding the microphone in one hand and pointing skyward with the other. “Hello, everyone! I’m Wu Fan—unparalleled and unwilling to be ordinary!”

The judges smiled and applauded, and fans in the audience screamed, “Unparalleled, unwilling to be ordinary, Wu Fan, I love you!”

Soon, the big screen showed Wu Fan’s song—“Instant Noodles in a Small Bowl.”

This was a rap hit from last year, tinged with hip-hop style.

“Look at these noodles, so curly and fine, just like my love for you, delicate and refined…” Wu Fan jumped and danced through his performance.

“Where’s the scream?” After finishing, he struck his signature pose—right hand holding the mic, left finger pointing skyward.

“Wu Fan, I love you!”

“Ahhh!”

“Wu Fan is so handsome!”

The audience erupted in shrieks.

Shen Xian’s face remained expressionless. This was, frankly, garbage.

“Wu Fan’s popularity is truly high. Now, please vote!” Wang Ling laughed.

Instantly, the screen showed the numbers—734 votes!

Liu Sheng smiled and shook his head. “I don’t understand young people’s aesthetics these days. If I were a judge, I’d give this zero. Is this even a song?”

The judges wanted to complain, too. But they couldn’t give low scores—Wu Fan’s popularity was so high, low marks would earn them the wrath of his rabid fans.

They were all older now; self-preservation mattered most.

The director watched the backstage data, delighted.

“Ratings are up three percent!”

“Three million live viewers, and still climbing!”

“Wu Fan’s popularity is still top-notch.”

The director was very pleased.

Wu Fan, satisfied with his score, walked off the stage and glanced at Ning Cai with pride and smugness. To his surprise, Ning Cai didn’t even look at him, leaving him feeling as if he’d punched a pillow.

“Please welcome the next singer—Li Ruyun from Red Queen Entertainment!” Wang Ling announced.

The livestream numbers soared, bullet comments flooding the screen: “Yunyun’s finally on stage!”

“This is the moment I’ve been waiting for!”

“Yunyun is the most beautiful!”

Li Ruyun was about to take the stage.