RAAS Chapter 21: A Difficult Choice
Chapter 21: A Difficult Choice
No noise, no clamor, the audience quietly listened to Xie Sijie's singing. The melody and lyrics exuded a subtle beauty, mysterious and profound, resonating deeply within the listeners.
People were mesmerized.
Just like the expression in "Fly Higher," this was also a song about the singer's personal ideals, filled with humanistic sentiment. It might not garner as much widespread popularity as "Fly Higher," but within the artistic community, "The Song of Dreams" was undoubtedly a masterpiece, far surpassing the rustic flavor of "Fly Higher," especially in terms of its lyrics.
Strictly speaking, "The Song of Dreams" was essentially a beautiful poem.
For the artistically inclined audience, the beauty of the melody, the lyrics, and the singer's captivating performance were enough to deem this song a success.
But when comparing this song to "Fly Higher," there's room for debate.
In terms of audience reach, "Fly Higher" definitely attracted more listeners.
However, in terms of artistic conception, "The Song of Dreams" was clearly superior, likely appealing more to the upper echelons of society. If placed in ancient times, those self-proclaimed elegant scholars and young ladies from wealthy families would undoubtedly hold "The Song of Dreams" in high regard.
But in the modern setting of the "Music Star" studio, how should these songs be compared?
Director Zhang was so excited he was almost incoherent, his lips trembling, unable to speak.
Even without a deep understanding of music, he could sense the extraordinary nature of this song.
The lyrics alone were beyond the ability of an ordinary person to write.
Compared to "Fly Higher," this was a song of the same caliber and quality.
But if the public were to choose, "Fly Higher" would undoubtedly receive more votes because of its greater impact and catchiness.
However, for intellectuals, the poetic quality of "The Song of Dreams" was more moving.
Its beauty and artistic conception were indeed unmatched by the straightforward and slightly rustic "Fly Higher."
More importantly, and to Director Zhang's delight, both songs premiered on "Music Star"!
This meant that with a little promotion, higher viewership ratings were just around the corner.
Director Zhang licked his lips excitedly, envisioning a viewership rating breaking 20, even reaching 25.
...
Moments later, the song ended, and sparse applause filled the studio.
The audience's reaction was somewhat subdued. No one spoke, no one discussed; they quietly watched Xie Sijie bow in thanks and then turned their gaze to the judges' panel.
Although most people felt that "Fly Higher" brought them more shock and excitement and really liked the song, it was undeniable, even to laypeople, that the artistic conception of "The Song of Dreams" was far superior.
Xu Wensheng and others looked stunned, clearly surprised by the result. They glanced at each other, opened their mouths, but didn't know what to say.
Should they praise her?
Of course, because the song was indeed exceptional.
But thinking of the program director's previous warning, the judges who were already mentally prepared for the result didn't dare to overpraise.
After all, between Li Qing and Xie Sijie, one would eventually win the PK, and according to the program rules, the loser would leave the "Music Star" stage forever.
Damn, who put these two in the same group?
This was like being forced to make an impossible choice!
As Xu Wensheng and Han Wenya frowned, Zhao Wendi remained unmoved, sitting quietly but constantly casting appreciative glances at Xie Sijie on stage.
Leng Ling kept her faint smile. Seeing that the judges were silent, she was the first to break the silence: "A very good song, very moving, especially to me, because for singers, this is truly a song of dreams, a song every singer wants to pursue."
"Indeed," Zhou Guoping, an elder singer, agreed with Leng Ling's view: "The artistic conception of this song is truly beautiful, especially its lyrics, vividly appearing in my mind, very beautiful."
Xu Wensheng, no longer remaining silent, echoed the sentiment: "The person who composed such a song is either a genius or an extraordinary talent."
Zhao Wendi smiled and added, "I want to give the words I said to my junior to you as well, Xie Sijie, you have refreshed my understanding of you. You are beautiful, and your song is even more beautiful."
Han Wenya pretended to be troubled, saying, "This makes it difficult, two genius-level singers. This makes it hard for us to choose. No matter who leaves this stage, it will be heartbreaking, and it will be the greatest loss for the show..."
This sentence was like a bolt of lightning, instantly striking the audience.
The audience suddenly realized, yes, this was a PK system. In the end, one of Li Qing and Xie Sijie would have to leave the stage.
Thinking of this, many audience members started shouting the names "Li Qing" and "Xie Sijie."
Xie Sijie's die-hard fans raised their prepared banners again, waving them even more vigorously.
"Four Sisters Must Win! Justice Must Prevail!"
"I Love You, Xie Sijie!"
"Go Xie Sijie!"
"Xie Sijie Crushes the Opponent!"
The chaotic shouts from the audience were like a flash of lightning, pulling Director Zhang, who was fantasizing about leveraging the rivalry between Xie Sijie and Li Qing to boost the show's popularity, back to reality.
He was stunned and then angrily called the stage manager: "What's going on? Why are they in the same group?"
"I don't know, I don't know! Director, the program entry list clearly stated that Li Qing and Feng Jing were in one group, and Xie Sijie and Liu Xiaoqiang were in another!"
The stage manager was sweating nervously, ignoring it and said in fear, "Could it be that Brother Sun announced it wrong?"
"Sun Peng?"
Director Zhang was furious: "Find him for me, quickly!"
The stage manager, trembling with fear, ran off to find the host Sun Peng.
In less than a minute, Sun Peng, wearing glasses, put down his work and rushed over from backstage, also looking nervous: "Director, what's going on?"
"What's going on? Your good work!"
Director Zhang wanted to slap this four-eyed host to death, but considering it was a live recording, he couldn't cause a commotion. He took a deep breath, suppressed his anger, and asked in a low voice, "What's going on? Why are Li Qing and Xie Sijie in the same group? Who gave you the authority to change the contestants' groups?"
Sun Peng looked bewildered and stammered, "Director, wasn't it you who told Sister Mu to tell me?"
"Sister Mu? Which Sister Mu?" Director Zhang was taken aback.
"Mu Guiying! The vice president of Yuanzheng Media, Leng Ling's agent!"
Sun Peng realized something, his face filled with terror: "You didn't say that?"
"Nonsense, when did I say that?"
Director Zhang was furious. He looked towards the corner of the studio where a middle-aged woman with a strong presence stood. She was watching with a smile, making a "please" gesture with one hand.
Seeing this, Director Zhang instantly understood.
Her meaning was clear.
"Go ahead, I'll take responsibility."
Damn it!
Director Zhang cursed inwardly, but honestly, he didn't dare confront her.
That was Mu Guiying!
The vice president of one of the three major media companies in Beijing, a high-ranking executive at Yuanzheng Media, and worlds apart from Zhao Wendi in status.
Dealing with Zhao Wendi required caution, but confronting Mu Guiying? Unless Director Zheng explicitly supported him, the retaliation he would face would be catastrophic.
Director Zhang took a deep breath, feeling a deep sense of resentment, but finally gritted his teeth and waved the stage manager and Sun Peng away.
He then returned to his seat, watching the monitors silently.
He had conceded.
Zhao Wendi, sitting on the judges' panel, quietly exhaled, feeling a lot of the pent-up anger dissipate, his eyes narrowing slightly.
If Li Qing no longer had the "Music Star" platform to boost his popularity, what qualifications would he have to speak to me?
The studio was filled with shouts of "Li Qing" and "Xie Sijie" from the audience.
Because the supporters were divided, the scene was chaotic, and the judges' panel fell silent, seemingly at an impasse due to differing opinions.
On stage, Xie Sijie returned backstage to rest, waiting for the judges' decision.
"In any case, a winner must be decided, or it would break the rules of 'Music Star,'" Zhao Wendi whispered to the other three judges, "Li Qing and Xie Sijie are undoubtedly both excellent musicians and contestants. It's hard to choose between them, so why not consider the Queen's opinion?"
This woke the other judges from their dilemma!
The other three judges, previously conflicted, now looked at today's guest, Queen Leng Ling!
Moreover, Leng Ling was a leading artist at Yuanzheng Media, and the judges had been warned by the director because of Zhao Wendi, who was also an artist at Yuanzheng. Now, facing two contestants, Li Qing and Xie Sijie, it seemed they were also artists at Yuanzheng.
After some thought, the judges realized that this was essentially an internal matter!
"Zhao Wendi is right. In this regard, the Queen is the most convincing. Her albums sell exceptionally well, with high market recognition and undeniable strength. She's the most professional. I'll follow the Queen's lead!" Xu Wensheng was the first to express his
opinion.
Hearing this, Zhou Guoping and Han Wenya frowned.
Xu Wensheng was an actor, so he could say that, but Zhou Guoping and Han Wenya, both singers, couldn't say the same. If the judges weren't convincing, what was the point of being judges?
Zhou Guoping and Han Wenya looked embarrassed. Though not as popular as Leng Ling, they were still prominent figures. Was it appropriate to belittle them and elevate Leng Ling so directly?
"This won't do."
Zhao Wendi noticed the issue and silently cursed Xu Wensheng for being a fool, then laughed, "The Queen's opinion is just a reference. The final decision is, of course, still made by us four judges."
Xu Wensheng realized his blunder and quickly corrected, "Hehe, that's what I meant."
Zhou Guoping's expression softened, and he nodded.
"Alright then," Han Wenya agreed.
The audience watched the four judges whispering to each other while Queen Leng Ling smiled quietly, becoming anxious.
What's going on? Why do they need to discuss our opinions?
The audience began murmuring.
Moments later, Li Qing and Xie Sijie stood on stage again. Beside them, the embarrassed host Sun Peng, who had been scolded by the director, forced a smile and said, "This is indeed a difficult choice!"
"It certainly is a difficult choice."
After a brief silence, Leng Ling spoke. Her voice, amplified by the microphone, echoed throughout the studio as she looked at Li Qing and Xie Sijie on stage. "The judges have differing opinions. They hope I can provide some guidance. I don't think dragging this out is a good idea. The moon waxes and wanes, and perhaps the remaining regret will become the ultimate beauty. In this matter, my opinion... Hmm, from my personal feelings, I favor 'The Song of Dreams.'"