Chapter 26: The Second Round of Performances
The next day, at Kyoto Television.
When Xu Ze walked backstage, many contestants and staff members cast him strange looks.
They had all seen yesterday’s Weibo.
Most of the contestants were gloating—serves him right for showing off, now he’s run into a brick wall.
Many of the staff, however, felt sorry for Xu Ze. What he’d done had seriously damaged his public image. For a musician who hadn’t even debuted yet, this could be fatal; many companies might now hesitate to sign him.
It was practically self-sabotage—Xu Ze was still so young.
“Hello, Xu Ze. I’m Zhu Zhengting. I really like your ‘Wind from the East’,”
A boy with an innocent, harmless look extended his right hand in greeting.
Xu Ze was about to shake his hand when a young man in ripped jeans strode over, sneering,
“He’s probably not in the best shape right now, Zhu Zhengting. Careful, or he’ll pass his bad luck on to you.”
“Huang Minghao, what’s your problem?” Zhu Zhengting sounded a little annoyed.
Contestants nearby started murmuring when they saw the three together.
“Do they know each other? That one looks like he’s mocking Xu Ze.”
“Isn’t that Huang Minghao from Imperial Star Entertainment, and Zhu Zhengting from Tidal Entertainment? Both of them got double A grades in the last round!”
“Contestants from big companies really are something. Unlike us—we didn’t even get a single A.”
“But isn’t Xu Ze even better? I heard he doesn’t have a company at all, but he got the only triple A.”
“What’s the point of a triple A? Without a company to back him, he has to stir up controversy himself, and now look where it’s gotten him. Rough luck.”
“So that’s why Huang Minghao doesn’t like Xu Ze?”
“Probably. But mocking him to his face is a bit much, isn’t it?”
Xu Ze shook hands with Zhu Zhengting and replied with a nod, “Hello.”
Then, as if Huang Minghao were invisible, he walked right past him without so much as a glance.
Huang Minghao’s face flushed with rage at being completely ignored.
He raised his voice, jeering, “Genius, can’t even say hello? Scared someone else will put you in your place again?”
Xu Ze arched an eyebrow, paused, and turned to Zhu Zhengting with an air of curiosity. “What was the song he sang last round?”
Zhu Zhengting hesitated, not quite sure where Xu Ze was going with this, but quickly answered, “Huang Minghao sang a song called ‘ONE’ last round.”
“Oh?” Xu Ze feigned confusion. “Is that so? I didn’t see it anywhere on the new releases chart.”
He shook his head and walked away.
Zhu Zhengting realized Xu Ze was mocking Huang Minghao—his song hadn’t even made it to the front of the new releases.
“Xu Ze!” Huang Minghao’s face turned red with anger, but he couldn’t find a retort.
He had made the chart, but only at number thirty—nowhere near Xu Ze’s number two spot.
“Arrogant for nothing—you’re still not better than my senior,” Huang Minghao grumbled as he stomped off to the lounge.
Zhu Zhengting wasn’t bothered by Huang Minghao’s remark. After all, Wang Yihan, whose song ‘Simply Because She’s So Beautiful’ topped the chart, had Imperial Star’s full promotional backing even before release, and he already had a solid fanbase.
Xu Ze, on the other hand, was an unsigned newcomer, not even officially debuted, and his song had rocketed to number two in such a short time. That was already remarkable.
In fact, Zhu Zhengting had a hunch Xu Ze’s potential was far greater than this.
But the idea was so wild, he could hardly imagine it.
In the control room—
Director Yang Yin was swamped. Dressed in a black suit dress, her perfectly shaped hips stretched the fabric taut, leaving not a trace of flatness; with every step, her curves undulated, making the skirt rise and fall in rhythm.
Just then, the assistant director hurried over, asking in confusion, “Director Yang, should we let Xu Ze change his song?”
“Of course,” Yang Yin replied without looking up as she sorted through her papers. “Whatever Xu Ze wants, we accommodate.”
The assistant director wanted to say more, but Yang Yin looked up and snapped, “What are you still standing here for? Get to work—today’s a live broadcast, pull yourself together!”
“Yes, right away!” he replied, nodding hastily before turning to leave.
He was puzzled. Director Yang had actually agreed to Xu Ze changing his song.
She was known for her strictness. On another show, when a contestant wanted to change songs last-minute, she’d berated him so harshly he was moved to tears on the spot—and still didn’t get to switch.
Today’s recording was a full live broadcast on both PenguinTV and MangoTV, with a post-edited replay later.
Live broadcasts were far more demanding, every step had to be strictly followed.
And yet, at such a critical moment, Yang Yin had agreed to Xu Ze’s request. Unbelievable.
…
The show was about to begin.
Already, the live rooms on PenguinTV and MangoTV were packed with viewers.
“Ah, can’t wait for Huang Minghao’s new song!”
“Zhu Zhengting! Zhu Zhengting!”
“Wang Yihan’s ‘Simply Because She’s So Beautiful’ is amazing—have you heard it?”
“Ahhh, I get to see Zhang Yingjing again—my goddess!”
“I’m here for Xu Ze! (I want to see how the mentors critique his adaptation of ‘Dreamlike Verse’!)”
“Honestly, me too!”
“+1”
“+1”
…
Finally, the show officially began.
After the host finished the opening and sponsor announcements, the four mentors took their seats to a wave of cheers.
Wang Yihan led the way, putting on a show for the audience and cameras, eliciting delighted screams from several girls.
Behind him was Wei Ping, a seasoned middle-aged singer.
Next was Jiang Yiyan from the girl group New Era. She wore an ultra-short JK skirt, her long, pale legs drawing every eye.
Last to appear was the top star Zhang Yingjing, radiating a poised, sultry aura tonight.
Her sheer white blouse was formal yet airy, the contrasting buttons adding a touch of playful sexiness to her cool elegance. Her straight, slender legs were wrapped in creamy wide-leg trousers, finished with black heels with red soles and sheer stockings—setting the crowd alight.
The live stream exploded with messages about Zhang Yingjing, a testament to her superstar status.
“My goddess! She’s killing me!”
“Zhang Yingjing is stunning!”
“She’s getting sexier by the day!”
“Her looks alone make her a diva!”
“To me, she already is one!”