Chapter Thirty-Nine: Boundless Horizons!

"What the hell! What is this? Making money off the Chinese audience and then insulting us right to our faces? Is there any sense of professional ethics left?"

"Who did the production team invite this time? Besides Zhou Lu, not a single decent one in the bunch!"

"Who is this special guest? Does anyone know?"

"No clue, there’s not a word about them online. Could it be some big shot?"

"Keep dreaming. 'New Voice' posted singer invitations on their official account for a whole week, and the show reached out to plenty of singers, but they all turned it down, saying they didn't have time. My guess is this special guest is someone Tianxing Entertainment pulled in last minute to save the day."

"Ha, what a joke. Maybe they just didn’t dare?"

"It’s not about courage. Honestly, looking around the current Chinese music scene, there isn’t a single one who can put up a real fight!"

"In this great nation, with nearly a hundred years of musical heritage, and now two foreigners are trampling all over us, while no one dares to stand up. It’s beyond laughable!"

"Who says there’s no one? My idol is still here!"

As soon as this was said, the livestream chat froze for a moment.

"That’s right—there’s still Chen Nian. But what a shame, the only one who could have faced them was eliminated by the show’s own internal politics."

Faced with the overwhelmingly negative comments and the plummeting ratings, the entire production crew of "Who is the Singer" burst into laughter. Wang Tao, the boss of Hearttrace Entertainment, offered his sharp assessment: "You reap what you sow. Even a celestial sage would struggle to save 'New Voice' now!"

After the interviews, the official recording began. As usual, the host started with the opening routine.

Then came the introduction of the special challenger.

"Our next guest is no ordinary competitor. Since his debut just two months ago, he has already composed dozens of widely popular songs."

"More importantly, he is the very first returning guest in the history of 'New Voice'!"

"It’s him! It has to be him! My idol is back!"

"Exactly, the only guest to return—this has to be Chen Nian. Only he has the talent and the guts to come back at a time like this!"

"Don’t say there’s no one left for China! My idol is stepping up for the challenge!"

By now, most loyal fans of "New Voice" had already guessed the special guest’s identity.

Seeing this, the host decided not to keep them in suspense any longer. With a smile, he announced, "Let’s welcome our special guest, the first ballot king of 'New Voice'—Chen Nian!"

As the answer was revealed, the studio erupted in a thunderous wave of cheers.

Under the expectant gaze of the crowd, Chen Nian emerged from backstage.

"Miss Chantimo, this Chen Nian might not be easy to deal with," her manager warned, sensing the challenger’s intent.

"Chen Nian? Oh, the online singer who was kicked off the show? I remember him," Chantimo responded. The first time she had seen Chen Nian perform, she had been deeply impressed.

"Don’t worry. He sings well, but compared to us, he’s no match. As you Chinese say, beating him will be a piece of cake!"

Since this was a live broadcast, the production team projected their conversation onto the big screen for the audience to see.

The atmosphere in the auditorium, already tense toward the two foreign guests, instantly turned fiery at their words.

"I can’t take this anymore!"

"Fine, we admit you sing well, but your attitude is just too much!"

"How arrogant! Please put her in her place, Chen Nian!"

"But to be fair, Chantimo isn’t wrong. Chen Nian’s songs are great, but he and Chantimo are in completely different leagues. It’ll be really hard for him to win."

"Hey, are you even Chinese? Are you sure?"

"On stage, I only listen to the music."

The production team, eager to stoke the flames, relayed the audience’s reactions straight to Chantimo’s waiting room.

"Heh," Chantimo chuckled, hearing the uproar. "In our country, strength is everything. If you lack it, you don’t deserve to speak."

At this, Chen Nian, standing on stage, couldn’t help but laugh.

"Mr. Chen Nian, please choose your performance format," the host quickly interjected, hoping to prevent things from escalating.

The challenger could choose between two formats: ranking—if their vote tally placed them in the top three, they would advance; or the duel—choose an opponent, and the winner advances while the loser is eliminated.

Before going on stage, Mo Fan had repeatedly urged Chen Nian to choose the ranking format and avoid challenging the two foreign contestants head-on.

This showed that even Mo Fan, who had always considered Chen Nian a rare genius, didn’t believe he could beat the foreign guests.

But faced with Chantimo’s provocation, how could Chen Nian back down?

After stretching a little, Chen Nian raised his microphone and looked straight into the camera.

"I choose to challenge Chantimo!"

The studio exploded with thunderous excitement.

"Go, Chen Nian! You’re representing all of us now!"

"You must defeat that arrogant woman and make us proud!"

"Let her see just what a Chinese singer can do!"

In less than thirty seconds—even before Chen Nian began his performance—the show’s ratings soared past 3.0!

Seeing this, Chantimo smiled confidently and gracefully walked to the waiting area.

After learning who her challenger was, Chantimo had listened to all of Chen Nian’s songs. She had to admit, in terms of technique, emotion, and production, he was an extraordinary talent.

But still, their styles were worlds apart. For Chen Nian to defeat her across such a divide—she believed it utterly impossible.

On stage, the lights dimmed. Chen Nian bowed to the audience.

"Next, I’ll perform an original song of mine, 'Boundless Seas and Skies.' I hope you like it."

Another original. Those familiar with Chen Nian weren’t surprised—every appearance, a new original song.

All eyes were trained on him, waiting.

Chen Nian slowly closed his eyes, calming his nerves. The music began.

"Today, as snow drifts past in the cold night,
Carrying a heart grown cold, I wander afar.
The sky and the sea, you and I—will we change?
Who hasn’t changed…"

His voice was low and gentle, instantly capturing everyone’s attention.

"What’s this? Is it a Cantonese song?"

"I never knew he could sing in Cantonese! It sounds amazing!"

"My idol, you’re a legend!"

Most of the audience was simply enjoying the performance, but in just those first two lines, Chantimo’s eyes filled with astonishment.

She couldn’t understand the lyrics, but she could feel it—

This song was truly extraordinary.