RAAS # Chapter 18: Temporary Substitution
# Chapter 18: Temporary Substitution
The arrival of the diva, Leng Ling, caused a great deal of excitement among the live audience for this episode of "Music Star."
During the PK singing duel between contestant No. 01 Zhou Ding and contestant No. 06 Xu Song, the audience frequently glanced at the stunning figure seated beside the four judges.
This reaction greatly pleased Director Zhang. During the recording, he specifically instructed the camera crew to focus more on Leng Ling. Whatever the audience loved to see, he wanted to make sure it appeared on screen.
Director Zhang was also thrilled that the station chief managed to invite the diva, Leng Ling, to the live show. It was evident that the station chief was very concerned about the ratings for this episode. Therefore, Director Zhang did his best in recording and post-editing, striving to boost the ratings to 20%.
Contestant No. 01 Zhou Ding, the oldest among the six contestants at over thirty, had a relatively pleasing appearance. On TV screens, he would be considered a handsome type, making him popular among middle-aged and older women. He had quite a bit of buzz on "Music Star."
However, compared to contestant No. 06 Xu Song, whose voice was delicate, singing style unique, and slightly effeminate, Zhou Ding was somewhat inferior.
To Li Qing, Xu Song was almost identical to Xu Song from his previous life in terms of voice and singing style, although their appearances differed. Xu Song was a contestant with a very distinctive personal style.
In the end, Xu Song, with his impressive singing style and unique voice, sang a classical song "Xie Hongzhuang" in a male-to-female voice, showcasing his talent and winning the advancement card to successfully move forward.
"Xu Song is a singer-songwriter with a unique singing style. He transformed a classical song 'Xie Hongzhuang' by mixing it with modern music, turning it into a completely different song. This visible talent is proof of his strength, not a fluke victory," commented judge Han Wenya seriously while waiting for the next group of contestants.
"Are you saying that Xu Song is a strong contender for the championship?" laughed another judge, the powerful singer Zhou Guoping.
Han Wenya smiled and shook her head, "I can't guarantee that, but among all the contestants who have advanced so far, Xu Song is definitely one of the most promising."
Her words caused quite a stir among the audience. They had found Xu Song's rendition fresh and unconventional, but didn't expect the well-known young diva Han Wenya to hold him in such high regard.
Everyone subconsciously reminisced about Xu Song's song and indeed, it had a special charm.
Xu Wensheng, another judge, smiled and asked Leng Ling, "What does the diva think?"
"Please don't call me a diva, it gives me chills," Leng Ling smiled slightly, "I think it's great. Contestant No. 06 is very talented, and his advancement is well-deserved."
If the diva said so, then it must be true!
The audience burst into applause.
Next in line to perform were contestants No. 02 Liu Xiaoqiang and No. 05 Xie Sijie.
Liu Xiaoqiang, very thin and small in stature, looked like a monkey with glasses. He appeared a bit nervous holding the microphone on stage. After greeting the band teachers, he began to sing.
"Looking back, seeing the paths we've walked, memories suddenly flood back..."
The audience remained quiet as usual, only the faint sounds of the pipa and wind chimes could be heard. The song and lyrics were beautiful, but as soon as Liu Xiaoqiang started singing, though he was in tune, both the judges and the audience noticed the trembling in his voice.
There were faint murmurs among the audience.
Despite his good skills, his performance was too unstable.
Seeing Liu Xiaoqiang's trembling hand holding the microphone, the judges frowned, except for Leng Ling, who remained elegantly composed, smiling but giving nothing away.
"Looking back, today you are more beautiful than that day..."
With the audience's murmuring, Liu Xiaoqiang's voice trembled even more.
Backstage, Li Qing and the others were also worried for Liu Xiaoqiang.
Feng Jing murmured enviously and dejectedly, "His group mate is really lucky..."
Xie Sijie, who had been quietly observing, turned and glanced at Feng Jing.
Feng Jing, feeling somewhat defeated, retorted, "What? Am I wrong? You’re lucky to be in Liu Xiaoqiang's group. Try being in a group with Li Qing..."
Xie Sijie paused, frowned slightly, then said, "Mental strength is also an important measure of a singer's ability. Regardless of your thoughts, I believe that someone with insufficient strength leaving is only a matter of time, whether sooner or later. You don’t need to feel unbalanced; everyone is in the same environment."
"I'm not feeling unbalanced..."
Feng Jing was taken aback and, noticing Li Qing and the others looking at them curiously, blushed and stopped arguing.
In fact, she shared Xie Sijie's viewpoint. It was just that she hadn't encountered someone with poor mental strength like Liu Xiaoqiang, which made her feel a bit unlucky.
She felt a slight pang in her heart. It seemed that besides mental strength, luck was also an important measure of a singer's ability...
"What's wrong?" Li Qing, carrying his guitar, walked over curiously.
"Nothing, just feeling sorry for Liu Xiaoqiang," Xie Sijie glanced at Li Qing with a peculiar look, "He actually has good skills and high pitch accuracy. Although he can't handle the three high notes, he could perform better and achieve a higher rank on this stage..."
"Oh, really?" Li Qing scratched his head, "Isn't that good? It means you have less pressure."
"Do I seem very stressed?" Xie Sijie's peculiar look deepened, and she smiled noncommittally, "I'm going to the restroom."
Li Qing was puzzled by Xie Sijie's look.
This woman seemed to have a special interest in him, both privately and openly.
Peeking at him in the lounge was one thing, but now looking at him so openly with such a strange gaze?
Hey, if you like me, you don't have to be so obvious about it!
After she left, Han Han quickly walked over with a thermos, "Qing, drink some water to soothe your throat. Make sure to perform well and crush your opponent."
She looked at Xie Sijie's departing figure, "Are you close with her?"
"No, this is only the second time we've met," Li Qing took a sip from the cup.
Han Han sighed in relief, "That's good."
Li Qing patted Han Han's head, "What are you thinking? You look so fierce."
He was surprised by the tenderness in his voice.
When did I become so cheesy?
Han Han didn't notice the difference in Li Qing's voice, only feeling a bit embarrassed by his description of her. She then seriously asked, "Do you know who Xie Sijie's agent is?"
"Who?" Li Qing became curious seeing Han Han's seriousness.
"Music Star" was a talent show, but being the first of its kind in the mainland, it selected contestants through both open applications and direct invitations. All the advancing contestants were under contracts, so Li Qing wasn't surprised that Xie Sijie had an agent.
What piqued his curiosity was why Han Han was so serious about Xie Sijie's agent. Could it be someone as famous as Ma Xujian?
"It's Chen Mei," Han Han said, seeing Li Qing's confusion, she added, "Chen Mei from Yuan Zheng Media."
Li Qing's eyes twitched, feeling the name was familiar.
When Han Han finished, a flash of memory hit him.
Chen Mei was his agent when he debuted at Yuan Zheng Media!
No wonder Xie Sijie's gaze was peculiar; she was his junior colleague.
Just as Li Qing was about to say something, the host's voice echoed in the studio: "She is multi-talented and well-educated, a junior in the music department of the Beijing Music Academy. She is generous and cute, proficient in various instruments, capable of handling various musical styles such as folk, sad love songs, jazz, and blues. An academic, she has showcased her talent on the stage of 'Music Star.' This time, she will prove her musical talent and defend the academic style once again..."
"Let's welcome contestant No. 03 Feng Jing, performing her competition song 'Star'!"
No. 03?
Feng Jing on stage?
That's not right!
Li Qing and Han Han looked at each other in surprise.
Wasn't contestant No. 05 Xie Sijie supposed to be in the same group as contestant No. 01 Liu Xiaoqiang?