Chapter Twenty: On the Verge of Explosion

A few days later, Heartmark Entertainment’s grand talent show, “Who Is the Singer,” began recording its sixth season’s first episode. “Who Is the Singer” was already a well-established program, yet each broadcast still managed to spark lively debate and widespread attention. The show was a constant source of conversation, with the potential to become a national sensation.

Xing Fei arrived backstage, brimming with confidence, carrying the song that Chen Nian had written for her. Among the contestants, apart from Xing Fei and a few unknown faces, nearly all were trainees from Heartmark Entertainment. It was clear: without signing with Heartmark, the outsiders stood little chance of making it to the end.

Initially, Xing Fei held no illusions; participating was merely an opportunity to show her face as an amateur, not her true debut. But after Chen Nian gave her that song, her outlook changed. This time, whether she signed with Heartmark or not, she was here to win.

As was tradition, the first episode was the mentor selection round. To capitalize on Lin Xinyou’s recent surge in popularity, Heartmark even replaced the previously confirmed mentor with her. The replaced mentor was dissatisfied, but there was nothing to be done—after all, he couldn’t compete with Lin Xinyou’s fame.

One by one, the contestants took the stage, and the mentors offered their critiques after each performance. Chen Nian had originally planned to nap at home, but Luo Xiaoyi’s persistent cajoling had brought him to the studio.

A good-looking young man finished his song, and three out of four mentors turned their chairs, provoking deafening screams from the audience. Luo Xiaoyi explained to Chen Nian that this young man was Heartmark’s latest pet project, and, unsurprisingly, the three mentors who turned were all Heartmark artists.

After seven or eight performances, there was a break. From his seat among the invited audience, Chen Nian could see Xing Fei waiting backstage. Xing Fei looked nervous, standing in a corner, practicing the song Chen Nian had written for her over and over. Given such a wonderful gift from Chen Nian, she couldn’t bear to let him down.

Beep beep!

Just then, her phone vibrated in her pocket. It was a message from Chen Nian.

“Don’t be nervous. Those who sang before you weren’t impressive, yet they all passed. With your skills, you’ve got nothing to worry about.”

Xing Fei’s cheeks flushed—Chen Nian had actually come to watch her? She immediately turned, scanning the audience for his figure, but after a moment, she looked down, a little disappointed. Even though she didn’t spot him, his encouragement gave her a newfound sense of confidence.

“That’s quite a song to give to Xing Fei,” Luo Xiaoyi remarked, casting a smiling glance at Chen Nian.

“Songs like these mean little to me now. If I wanted, I could write thousands more—like ‘Sunny Day’ or ‘Elopement’—at any time,” Chen Nian replied indifferently. Joking aside, with forty years of Chinese pop music to draw from, what kind of song couldn’t he write?

“So, when will you write one for me?” Luo Xiaoyi asked, her cheeks tinged with red, her voice thick with expectation.

Chen Nian thought for a moment. “For you, you’ll have to wait a bit longer.”

“Why?” Luo Xiaoyi frowned, visibly displeased.

“Except for ‘Love That Never Loses Connection,’ I want to write your song myself,” Chen Nian answered, turning to her, his gaze resolute.

“Oh, fine then. I suppose I’ll just have to wait,” Luo Xiaoyi said, her face flushing as she turned her attention to the stage.

“And now, let’s welcome our eighth contestant, Xing Fei!”

After more than an hour’s wait, the host finally called Xing Fei’s name.

“Hello, everyone. My name is Xing Fei. I’m nineteen years old and a student at Rongcheng University.”

The moment Xing Fei walked onstage with the microphone, the audience erupted.

“My god, she’s stunning!”

“She’s really beautiful.”

“Damn, this girl is breaking the rules—how can anyone be this pretty?”

“Guys, I have a feeling something big is about to happen!”

Just how beautiful was Xing Fei? Even Lin Xinyou, celebrated as a goddess, couldn’t help but furrow her brow when Xing Fei appeared.

“Your Xing Fei is quite popular,” Luo Xiaoyi remarked offhandedly, not lifting her head.

“All the people I choose are exceptional,” Chen Nian replied smugly, oblivious to the deeper meaning in Luo Xiaoyi’s words.

“Pfft,” Luo Xiaoyi scoffed, saying nothing more.

“Xing Fei, what kind of song will you be performing for us today?” the bespectacled host asked.

“I’ll be performing an original song, ‘Period’,” Xing Fei replied.

To be honest, Xing Fei’s looks and figure were truly remarkable. Even the audience members who’d been drafted in by the production team couldn’t help but put down their phones and focus on her.

“Everyone else is doing covers, but she’s performing an original? She’s not just beautiful—she’s talented too?”

“You’re amazing, sister! I love you!”

“No matter how she sings, you mentors had better all turn your chairs!”

Upon hearing she would sing an original song, the mentors had low expectations. After all, how good could a song written by a nineteen-year-old amateur really be?

Of course, that recently famous young man was an exception.

The intro began. The host left the stage, spotlighting Xing Fei alone. She slowly raised the microphone, her gaze steady and unwavering.

“Wow, even the intro is amazing. I’m so hyped!”

After eight bars, Xing Fei began to sing.

“It’s a pity we’ve finally reached a full stop.”

“Hummingbirds outside the window, unwilling to fly, are mourning too.”

“The city will never again hear our quarrels.”

“Will you have fewer worries now…”

“Holy—! She had me at the first note!”

“My god, this is so beautiful—heavenly voices can’t compare!”

“My ears are in love! Sister, you have to take responsibility!”

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Without a moment’s hesitation, all four mentors turned their chairs.

“Back to twelve years ago, memories unfolding before my eyes.”

“You wore a hat, and I was shy with my look.”

“Even at our first meeting, you said you had foresight.”

“My innate talents have been trained—I can have my own sky…”

The atmosphere reached an unprecedented climax. Four mentors turned—an achievement even Heartmark’s chosen ones had failed to reach until now.

“This show is about to explode—this year’s ‘Who Is the Singer’ is going to blow up!” Backstage, the show’s director looked at the live feed, barely able to contain his excitement.

“Make sure to feature her more in the promo—she’s bound to become a sensation overnight!”

“This song—damn, it’s incredible!”