“Next, let me invite the last singer out. Everyone, let’s try guessing who she is.” At the backstage, Yin Jia walked while she turned around to speak.
“Who is it? Who is the substitute singer?”
“I’m looking forward to which teacher it is.”
“If the program committee can invite a queen or a king on stage, I’ll be impressed.”
“It definitely won’t be a legend. Their appearance fees are really expensive.”
“Not really, the appearance fees are calculated by the number of times. They could invite a legend up and eliminate him next. It won’t cost too much.”
“Are you stupid? Once the legend goes on stage, he would definitely sweep everyone off their feet. Why would there be any competitors? Besides, if this was the set-up, why would a legend come? It would harm their reputation. Do you even have brains?”
The live comments were very noisy. Even though the program was already broadcast on television, not everyone would wait by the television and watch it. Now, everyone preferred to use their phones and computers to watch programs and would not even touch their televisions.
Yin Jia knocked on the door.
A young woman with permed long hair opened the door. She smiled and waved at them. “Hi!”
“Hello, Teacher Xue Mei.”
“Hello, Yin Jia.”
The two women shook hands enthusiastically.
Xue Mei could only be considered as a third-grade female star and was not very famous, but Yin Jia was still very enthusiastic towards her because Xue Mei’s husband—Li Xuegang—was a big shot in the music world and one of the pioneers of the rock-and-roll world. In terms of popularity, he was even more popular than Huang Yuteng. Xue Mei was twenty-eight years old, and Li Xuegang was approaching his forties; both of them were almost ten years apart, but it was common to see an old husband and a young wife in the entertainment world. There were even couples who were more than twenty years apart.
Xue Mei was a model in the beginning, and after she married Li Xuegang, she used his husband’s connections in the entertainment industry and debuted as a singer. Then, she changed to the entertainment industry and forcefully became a third-grade singer.
“Teacher Xue Mei is so calm and isn’t nervous at all,” Yin Jia laughed and said.
“I’m okay, but if the newbie on your program isn’t nervous, what is there for me to be nervous about?” Xue Mei shrugged her shoulders relaxingly.
Uh… I have no idea how to continue after what you just said. Yin Jia could only smile.
Live comments: “Wow, she talks so arrogantly.”
“The newbie isn’t nervous so you’re not nervous? Okay, there’s nothing wrong with that.”
“At least Qin Baobao sings well, and her songs are out of this world. Xue Mei, where did you get your courage from?”
“I’m disappointed. Even though Xue Mei is pretty, she could not be compared to Qin Baobao. Her cheeks lost, and her figure lost. Can a woman without 36D still be considered as one?”
“Pfft…”
“Heck, I am a woman, but I don’t have 36D. What’s the problem?”
“China women: are you crazy? If you have 36D, are you still a person? You’re milk.”
Of course, quite a few people were supporting Xue Mei; and only the minority was insulting her. As she was a third-grade star, Qin Baobao definitely could not compete with her fan base.
Yin Jia purposely acted curious and asked, “I heard Teacher Xue Mei came prepared. Can you reveal a bit about the special weapon you have in store for us?”
“Of course.” Xue Mei nodded and was filled with confidence. “My husband wrote me a few songs. Coincidentally, my schedule is pretty free so I came on the show to challenge myself.”
“Wah, Teacher Xuegang’s new song? Rock-and-roll?” Yin Jia said in surprise.
“No, I can’t sing rock-and-roll. It’s a love song.” Xue Mei said with a face full of happiness. “It’s a love song that my husband wrote for me. I plan to release an album at the end of the year, and the songs are all written by him. As everyone knows, my husband sings rock-and-roll; and love songs aren’t his forte so I want to try it out on the ‘I am a Singer’ stage.”
Yin Jia smiled and said, “We’ll wait excitedly.”
The live comments exploded. “I’m so looking forward to Li Xuegang’s new song.”
“My idol’s product must be good.”
“The show is full of highlights. Compared to Qin Baobao’s original song, I’m more looking forward to Teacher Li’s love song.”
“Rock-and-roll love song?”
“Don’t be funny. Rock-and-roll and love songs are completely different. Do you groove to rock-and-roll passionately while singing a moving love song?”
“Exactly. It’s scary to be uncultured. Rock-and-roll and love songs are completely different, okay?”
“Li Xuegang pampers his wife too much. I’m so envious.”
“Amazing!”
“Hurry, hurry, I want to hear Li Xuegang’s new song.”
‘The rock-and-roll master would be attacking the love song arena. Princes of Love Songs, hurry and tremble.”
“Li Xuegang is famous for composing and singing his own songs. His rock-and-roll songs are popular throughout the country, but love songs are still different from rock-and-roll so I don’t harbor much hope.”
In front of the computer, Qin Ze watched the screen, and his lips curved up.
Who said rock-and-roll and love songs were completely different? Yes, before he previewed the songs on Points Mall, he thought the same; but the system had expanded his world view. There were tons of songs in the music bank, which were from different universes; there were quite a few rock-and-roll love songs.
Qin Baobao sneered. “This woman is asking for trouble, and I don’t really like her. I KO-ed her in the first round.”
Qin Ze rolled his eyes and said, “Hey, you’re spoiling the show. How do we continue watching it? Sister Zijin, let’s go back to the room and sleep.”
“Okay.” Wang Zijin was pretty cooperative and stood up to walk into the room.
Actually, both of them did not really want to watch as they were very tired and unwilling to stay up.
Qin Baobao was anxious. With her butt, she pushed Wang Zijin against the couch; and she fell and pressed right onto Qin Ze, riding him below her. “Don’t go. Don’t go. Accompany me to watch it. The part where I show off isn’t here yet. Wang Zijin, if you don’t watch it, I’ll break ties with you.”
Qin Ze raised his hand and said, “I don’t mind you breaking ties with me. Please let me go back and sleep.”
Qin Baobao stooped down beside his ear and said a sentence.
Qin Ze immediately admitted defeat and said, “Even if I watch until the end of time with my sister, I will only smile.”
Qin Baobao softly said, “I will tell Zijin that you secretly took my undergarments and did weird things with it.”
Qin Ze, who was caught red-handed, angrily stared at his sister’s deep, white gully to take revenge. Qin Baobao was very sharp and immediately noticed it. She slapped her brother’s forehead and stood up with a red face.
In the program, the singers started to pick lots.
Hong Jingyao was the senior so everyone recommended him to pick first. He shrugged his shoulders helplessly as he picked number three.
Huang Yuteng was the second to pick: number two.
Chen Xiaotong, “Number three.”
When it was Li Rongxing’s turn, he was especially nervous; but he was abandoned by the goddess of luck today. He picked number two.
“No, why am I number two? I don’t want to battle with Brother Huang.” Li Rongxing hugged his head and kept yelling ‘no’.
The few singers were all tickled.
Yin Jia blinked. “Now there’s only two ‘number one’s in the box. There’s no need for the two of you to pick, right?”
Xue Mei glanced at Qin Baobao from the corner of her eye. “Yes, there’s no need to.”
Qin Baobao maintained her smile.
Yin Jia said, “The picking this time is very interesting. Both parties came with original songs. Last week, we witnessed the quality of Qin Baobao’s song bank; and there is also a master behind Teacher Xue Mei. Who would be better? I can’t wait to start the competition straight away.”
Xue Mei said confidently and nonchalantly, “I believe in my husband’s talent and my own capabilities.”
The cameraman purposely pointed towards Qin Baobao; appropriate debates were a huge selling point in variety shows.
Qin Baobao smiled sweetly, “I also believe in my brother’s talent and my own capabilities.”
Xue Mei sneered.
The live comments, “Oh my god, these two women are meeting head-to-head.”
“This is going to be interesting.”
” ‘I am a Singer’ is a pretty realistic show. It’s not like other variety shows where they’re completely scripted and filled with set-ups. ‘I am a Singer’ has some set-ups, but most of its details are original. They never tried to purposely create conflict, couples, or touching moments whatsoever.”
“Based on appearance, I’m leaning towards Qin Baobao; but based on abilities, I’m leaning towards Xue Mei. What kind of joke is this? Her husband is Li Xuegang.”
“I love watching women cut at each other’s throats. Honestly, there isn’t much hope left for Qin Baobao. Even though the two songs she sang were hits, incredible songs are not all over the streets. If she did not bring up her previous two songs—without Teacher Xue Mei defeating her, her popularity would slide all the way down. The audience won’t accept this big difference.”
“That makes sense. Qin Baobao is a newbie and doesn’t have a fan base, unlike other singers. If they messed up, people could understand, empathize, and recognize their standards.”
“There’s nothing to compete. Qin Baobao is going to be ousted. What a pity. It’s a pity for a beauty with a big behind to be eliminated. I haven’t masturbated enough.”
“Even if she’s pretty and has a good figure—if she can’t sing, she will be eliminated.”
“Honestly, Qin Baobao has singing skills, especially that voice of hers. Aiyo, I turn stiff from listening to her. However, everyone present is professional singers so their singing skills are decent. It’s disadvantageous for a newbie like her.”
“It’s enough. It’s rare for a newcomer like her to receive so much attention. After this elimination, the company would definitely package her well; and she can become famous.”
On stage, Yin Jia said, “Let’s welcome the first singer—Xue Mei.”
The crowd erupted in applause, and everyone was very excited. They had seen the backstage recordings clearly through the big screen so they knew that Xue Mei came with Li Xuegang’s new song, and they were very excited.
With a professional and flirtatious model style, Xue Mei walked up on stage. She was a model at the start and a familiar wife at the age of twenty-seven. The audience screamed, and some men even whistled.
The music started playing.
The song name ‘Fairytale’ rolled across the screen behind.
Xue Mei’s voice sounded along with the melody. “I’ll softly tell you the secret to the fairytale.
“It’s a pitiful love; it’s a beautiful love.
“The prince loved the princess; the frog loved the princess.
“The puppet loved the princess; the frog loved the princess.
“You, you’re my princess.
“My princess, my love…
“A fairytale’s love…
“My princess, my princess, your prince is me…”
Xue Mei’s voice was sweet and moving. This ‘Fairytale’ was slightly faster and coquettish so it was very suitable for her to sing it. Lightly, the crowd moved their hands along with the music; no one screamed loudly, and all of them just listened to the relaxing song.
The camera cut to the backstage, and Huang Yuteng was impressed. “The song is fast-paced and catchy.”
Hong Jingyao’s comments were neutral. “Compared to incredible songs, it’s lacking somewhere, but the song is very nice. It’s about a sweet and happy love story. It’s worth listening to.”
Chen Xiaotong suddenly said, “Aiyo, don’t be influenced by Xiao Qin, okay? We compete in our singing skills and voices in this show, not who has more incredible songs.”
Hong Jingyao and Huang Yuteng shook their heads and lost their smiles. They were indeed influenced by her. Once they heard that it was an original, they instinctively compared it to Qin Baobao’s two songs—but battling on this stage, the song is only one component; the main component was still singing.
In music-related variety shows, there would be a smaller chance of incredible songs showing up, but unpopular songs were very popular. The reason being it was hard to overtake classics so there was no meaning to remake them. If they did not sing it well, they would just be shooting themselves in the foot.
In the live comments, the netizens kept commenting.
“It’s a fresh love song. Not bad, not bad.”
“Why is this song in a man’s perspective?”
“If not? This song is written by Teacher Xuegang for Teacher Xue Mei. Of course, it’s from a man’s perspective.”
“They’re the model couple in the entertainment industry. I’m so touched; I also want a husband like that.”
“This song is not bad.”
“Why do I feel that it isn’t as good as the two songs Qin Baobao sang?”
“Nonsense, do you think incredible songs just drop from the sky? Incredible songs are songs that can definitely enter the top ten in the leaderboard and would not be eliminated in the next few years to a decade. The so-called classics would then not fade away, no matter how many years have passed and would always stay fresh and welcomed.”
“You’re very right. I give this song full marks. Teacher Xuegang created this song for his wife, and it’s filled with love.”
“Is Teacher Xuegang showing off his love? So mean, but I like it.”
“My brother is awesome. He can sing rock-and-roll and write such a nice love song.”
“Xue Mei: Husband, you’re the best. I love you to death.”
“Mm, the next is Qin Baobao, right? Why do I feel that she would be trashed?”
“Hahaha, definitely.”
“Unless she produces another incredible song, but is that possible? Is that possible?”
“Compared to her ‘Miracle’, I like Teacher Xue Mei’s ‘Fairytale’ more. It’s catchier, and I got into the rhythm in no time.”
In the program, the few singers were still discussing. ‘Fairytale’ received good comments, and they all had hopes for Xue Mei.
Li Rongxing looked at this and then looked at that. After holding it in for half a day, he could not help but open his mouth. “Uh… did you not listen to Qin Baobao’s rehearsal?”
“Ah?”
“I was rehearsing so I didn’t go.”
“I had something on that day so I left after my rehearsal.”
The singers all looked at Li Rongxing respectively.