Chapter 86: Everyone Wants Him

"I've heard 'Dignity' too! Teacher Lin, after listening to it, I cried for days. Boohoo, Teacher Lin, could you sing some love songs next time? I want to fall in love~"
"Your songs are full of emotion; they completely overshadow all those shallow tunes these days~"
The makeup artist said these words without noticing that Si Shaozhe, standing nearby, had turned grim-faced.
What did that mean?
A little hater?!
After 'Dignity' was released, the most liked comment in the review section was exactly what the sweet makeup artist had said.
Undeniably, Lin Yu's songs, both in lyrics and melody, brim with emotion. After listening to 'Dignity,' netizens said they wanted to cry, felt distressed, and were reminded of many painful memories from the past.
But that is the emotional experience a song should evoke. If a song cannot resonate with its listeners, no matter how you look at it, it isn't a successful work.
Among those present, Wang Fei, the Prince of Love Songs, also had this effect with his ballads; after listening, many said they believed in love again.
"I heard 'Dignity' was written after your breakup. What is your ex even doing? Such a good guy, and she still thought about cheating and betrayal?!"
"If I could be by your side, I wouldn't even want to go to work anymore! Let me show you what it means to be satisfied just by being together~"
"Come on, Yu belongs to all of us, don't even think about keeping him to yourself!"
"Hmph! Who wouldn't want such an outstanding man as Yu?"
The two women bantered back and forth until Xu Mengbai was dragged away by her own makeup artist, thus ending this 'debate match.'
'Talent Show' officially began. The spotlight focused on the beautiful hostess, who seemed to glow. The audience was packed with fans from all sides, holding signs for their idols. Before anyone even stepped on stage, their names resounded throughout the recording venue.
Naturally, the show was also broadcast live online. Even before it began, the audience count had reached the thousands, with bullet comments flooding in, so lively that they obscured the host’s face and drew complaints from a few viewers.
For such a massive show, the hosts invited were top-notch, and some viewers tuned in just for them.
The male host introduced the rules and welcomed everyone, then thanked the sponsors, before introducing the judges.
"Thank you to the four titans from various industries for joining us as judges! They're all familiar faces, so no need for lengthy introductions!"
He cracked a joke, and the judges’ fans on the bullet screen were already chanting their names.
"King Jiu Jielun, I love you!"
"Queen Xu Xin, the most beautiful! The best!"

"Entertainment prince Ji Ping Ye!!"
"Film queen Lin Tingting is amazing!"
After the four judges greeted the audience and took their seats, the atmosphere in the venue and live stream reached a fever pitch, especially the bullet screen, which had gone 'crazy.'
"Help! I can't believe I saw Tingting!! Ahhh! Queen, I love you!"
"Damn, 'Talent Show' never disappoints, every guest is top tier. Who doesn't love this show? No wonder it's so popular, no wonder it keeps filming new seasons!"
"Ahhh! Can the production team urge Jiu Jielun to release a song?! Being obsessed with milk tea all day isn’t good! He’s got a double chin now!!"
"From now on, we can listen to Yu’s songs~ (wink)"
"Boohoo, that's wild. So that's why the promo didn’t include the judges’ names—they secretly invited such a formidable lineup!!"
"If I'd known, I would have sold everything I own for a ticket! The judges this season are out of this world!!"
"Huh? That woman just now looks like my girlfriend... Damn, why is there a guy next to her?"
"LOL, the cuck lost out to the fat pig wearing a million-dollar watch, so tragic!"
"Don’t panic, brother, I’m a professional appraiser—that watch is obviously fake!"
...
The pre-show background music began to play, still the familiar opening theme: 'Family of Love.'
Originally a Spring Festival Gala song, it was unclear why they chose it for a talent show. Perhaps it was to remind the guests—or rather, to mislead the audience—into believing... hmm... that there were no hidden agendas, and the participants were truly supportive of each other.
But anyone with eyes could tell it was just a smokescreen.
With the judges’ star power, the audience in the venue and watching online all sang along.
The atmosphere instantly reached a boil, and after the song ended, the judges returned to their seats.
The beautiful hostess Liu Qianqian smiled charmingly as always, and sweetly addressed the camera.
"Thank you to our judges for their heartfelt performance! Next, let’s welcome our guests on stage!"
The center stage platform descended and rose again, and twelve guests made a dazzling entrance.
"This competition features twelve contestants."

"From left to right, the first is a familiar face, the powerhouse vocalist Lin Guang! Next to him is the Prince of Love Songs, Wang Fei!"
"Top rapper Si Shaozhe, the world’s greatest booming bass!"
"Songwriter Lin Weizhi! And folk singer Sun Zhi'ao!"
The male host introduced the guests on the right, "First on the right is the little princess of dance and song, Xu Mengbai!"
"All-round top artist Bai Yichu! As well as Han Yunxi, Yuan Jinxia, Qu Chan'er, and newcomer singer, Lu Bu the Invincible Lin Yu!"
The cheers erupted across the venue. Seeing their idols on stage, the fans ignored their strained voices and shouted their idols’ names to fill the hall!
"LOL, Yu’s introduction was the most unique, right? Suddenly reminds me of that saying, broom with dung, Lu Bu the Invincible! Haha!"
"No one survives a showdown with Yu! Mm!"
"What is Lin Yu anyway? Isn't he just a street thug? All he knows is fighting!"
"Huh? You say he's a street thug? You must have had your head slammed in a door, your brain’s shriveled, right?"
"Write a book, teach me how to roast people!!"
"Heh, even a thug hyped up by gossip accounts can debut, I could do it too!"
"Classic, the brainless are here to show their lack of standards again. If you're going to lie, at least prepare a draft, show some evidence, or you'll get a lawyer’s letter warning!"
"A bunch of brainless trolls, how much did you get paid? Nine ninety! Shut your mouths!!"
"..."
...
After introducing the contestants, the host joked with each of them. The guests cooperated within reason, and the playful banter elevated the atmosphere once more.
Then, before the competition officially began, it was time for the drawing of lots.
Lin Yu’s first opponent was folk singer Sun Zhi'ao.
The other contestants were also matched up. The production team brought up the pre-arranged chairs—a semicircular white bench—and everyone picked their seats. Before the contest began, it served as a viewing gallery.