Chapter Twenty-One: Mentors Scramble for Her

After finishing her song, Xing Feifei’s cheeks were flushed. Although she was already a trainee about to debut, she still felt nervous.

The judges in the audience were a little dazed.

They stared in a trance at Xing Feifei on stage.

Were all the new talents these days so gifted?

Just a few days ago, Chen Nian had taken the world by storm, and two of her songs still ranked in the top ten on the music charts. Now here came another newcomer, Xing Feifei, performing her own original song?

What was going on? Was the music industry truly determined to leave these so-called veterans with nothing to eat?

Lin Xinrou, in particular, glared at Xing Feifei on stage, the jealousy in her eyes practically overflowing from the screen.

It was only when the host, applauding, walked back on stage that the judges finally snapped out of their stupor.

“That was beautiful, truly heavenly,” the host exclaimed.

“I can hardly believe this song is your own original work.”

“Thank you,” Xing Feifei nodded shyly at the host.

“Your name is Xing Feifei, right? Incredible—this song is bound to become a hit,” one of the folk singer judges finally managed to say after holding back for a long time.

“Absolutely! It’s amazing. In all my years since debuting, I’ve never seen a newcomer write lyrics so flawless!”

“Xing Feifei, join my team. I guarantee you’ll be the champion this year!”

Without a doubt, with the debut of Xing Feifei’s song “Period,” the first episode of “Who Is the Singer” left all the other contestants mere companions on her victory lap.

“Is this song really your original work?” While everyone was praising Xing Feifei, Lin Xinrou abruptly asked.

She simply couldn’t believe it, and was even more consumed by jealousy—a newcomer who hadn’t even graduated college, and yet could write such moving lyrics?

No wonder she was the protagonist mired in a plagiarism scandal. Lin Xinrou’s question made the venue fall silent, and all eyes turned to Xing Feifei in anticipation.

Besides Lin Xinrou, everyone else was curious too—was this song truly Xing Feifei’s original work?

“It’s an original song, but I didn’t write it,” Xing Feifei replied after a moment’s thought.

At these words, the venue erupted in an uproar!

A cold laugh escaped Lin Xinrou’s lips when she heard the answer she was hoping for.

Just as she’d suspected. How could an unknown newcomer like Xing Feifei possibly write lyrics of this caliber?

“So, you plagiarized this song?” Lin Xinrou pressed on relentlessly, determined to crush this girl in the cradle.

“No, not at all,” Xing Feifei hurriedly waved her hands in denial.

This song had been written for her by Chen Nian; she had not plagiarized.

How terrified was Lin Xinrou that someone might take her place?

Watching Lin Xinrou’s ugly expression, Chen Nian couldn’t help but curl her lips in amusement.

“I did not plagiarize. Plagiarism is shameful. We should protect original works and resist plagiarism,” Xing Feifei said, meeting Lin Xinrou’s eyes in the mentor’s seat, enunciating every word.

Lin Xinrou’s brow furrowed at that, immediately understanding that Xing Feifei was mocking her for plagiarism. Her mouth twitched uncontrollably.

“This song was…” Xing Feifei paused, then, after thinking up a suitable identity for Chen Nian, continued, “Knowing I was going to participate in the show, my teacher wrote this song especially for me.”

“He’s incredible—the most talented man I’ve ever met!” she added, her eyes filled with admiration for Chen Nian.

“May I ask, who is your teacher?” The judges and host were all curious—after all, there were few producers in the music industry capable of writing such a song.

“That’s a secret,” Xing Feifei replied sweetly after a moment’s thought, smiling.

She knew Chen Nian was at the heart of Lin Xinrou’s plagiarism scandal and that Xinji Entertainment had already blacklisted Chen Nian. She was not foolish enough to mention his name at a time like this.

But Xing Feifei firmly believed that one day, Chen Nian would take the entire country by storm.

Securing a connection with Chen Nian was securing her own future.

So before Chen Nian became truly famous, Xing Feifei selfishly decided to bind herself to him as his apprentice.

If Chen Nian ended up angry about it, she’d simply apologize to him later.

After Xing Feifei finished speaking, the mentors present were all convinced that the “teacher” she mentioned must be a heavyweight in the music industry, simply unwilling to reveal his identity.

To have such a connection, Xing Feifei’s own background must be far from ordinary.

With that realization, the mentors’ attitude toward her softened considerably.

“Well then, let’s move on. Xing Feifei, which mentor would you like to join—whose team will you choose?” the host asked at just the right moment.

“Join my team, Xing Feifei! Trust me, with our combined abilities, I will lead you to win the season’s championship!” roared Niu Huan, a veteran mentor on “Who Is the Singer,” exuding authority.

“With Xing Feifei’s talent, does she even need your help to win?” retorted Zhang Jie, a fellow rookie mentor like Lin Xinrou, with a sneer.

“Xing Feifei, come to my team! When the show ends, I’ll sign you to Zhang Jie Entertainment. Every resource in our company will be at your disposal!”

“Are you kidding? Is Xinji Entertainment inferior to Zhang Jie Media? Xing Feifei, just join our team, and I promise Xinji Entertainment will make you the next queen of pop!”

“Give me a break! Xinji Entertainment should sort out its own internal problems first!”

These prominent figures in the music world were tearing off all pretenses to compete for her, not just because of Xing Feifei’s talent.

More importantly, they were gambling—gambling on the heavyweight behind her.

If Xing Feifei joined their team, it would mean they might have a chance to connect with that mysterious figure.

After a fierce battle, Xing Feifei chose to join Zhang Jie’s team.

Seeing that she had successfully joined a mentor’s team, Chen Nian and Luo Xiaoyi quietly left the venue.

With “Who Is the Singer” wrapped up, next came “The New Voice,” the music competition show produced by Tianxing Entertainment.

Chen Nian paid it no mind; what others considered a golden opportunity meant nothing to him.

Back at his rented apartment, he simply ate and slept as usual, giving the matter no further thought.

After the recording of “Who Is the Singer” concluded, Lin Xinrou immediately sought out Brother Wei and insisted he find out who the powerhouse behind Xing Feifei was, no matter what.

Now, Lin Xinrou dreamed day and night of having a song like “Period”—a song worthy of music history—as her signature work.

Brother Wei hadn’t been at the recording, so he had no idea what had transpired, but he gave a half-hearted promise anyway.

A week later, the first episode of “Who Is the Singer” officially aired.

At the same time, Tianxing Entertainment’s new music competition show began filming.