Chapter 19

When Su Xingyao arrived at the waiting area, Contestant 77 had already been given a “yes” by three mentors.

Contestant 77 was cute in appearance, dressed in a cute way, and had a refreshing and charming singing style.

His singing skills weren’t top-notch, but his unique style and adorable looks made him someone the audience would undoubtedly like.

As soon as Contestant 77 finished his performance, the mentors couldn’t help but interact with him, each of them praising him.

Seeing this, the contestants still waiting to perform in the audience area began discussing amongst themselves.

Everyone agreed that Contestant 77 was very likely to be the first contestant today to get four yes cards and advance.

After all, he was the 77th contestant, so it seemed like it was time for someone to successfully pass.

Moreover, Contestant 77 had indeed performed quite well.

As everyone thought this, they saw the mentors finish their interactions and start handing out the pass cards.

Su Xingyao, being at the very bottom of the stage, couldn’t see the mentors handing out the cards but could only judge the situation based on the audience’s reactions.

Soon, a wave of cheers erupted from the crowd.

Hearing this, Su Xingyao immediately felt happy for Contestant 77.

It seemed like he had received the pass cards.

Just as Su Xingyao was about to clap to celebrate for him, the cheers suddenly stopped.

“Just open it when you go up.”

At the same time, the staff handed him the adjusted microphone, reminding him how to use it later.

This distraction caused Su Xingyao to politely thank the staff. When he turned back, he heard Fu Qingyan speak regretfully.

“It’s a pity, Contestant 77 only received three pass cards in the end.”

“Please proceed to the waiting area and rest for a while before the next round of mentor selection.”

Hearing this news, Su Xingyao was a bit surprised.

Meanwhile, in the contestant seating area, Contestant 77’s waiting status caused many people’s mentality to collapse.

Contestant 77 wasn’t top-tier in any specific area, but his overall strength was quite good. He managed to combine singing skills, personal style, and audience appeal, making him a rare all-around contestant.

In the past, contestants like him would typically advance easily in the first round.

Yet these mentors, who had just been praising Contestant 77 endlessly, still withheld one pass card, not letting him advance.

This move by the mentors not only affected Contestant 77’s mentality but also made many other contestants’ confidence crumble.

After all, if even such a well-rounded contestant couldn’t smoothly advance, how much harder would it be for the others?

The program had already been recording continuously for four hours by this point.

After being in such a harsh competition for four hours, it was a mental and physical torment for every contestant who had yet to perform.

Especially with the mentors’ actions getting more and more unpredictable…

Many contestants, still waiting to go on stage, were eager to perform as soon as possible, thinking that it would be better to ^[1]“die early and be reborn” is a metaphorical expression. It means facing something challenging or unpleasant as soon as possible to get it over with, rather than prolonging the anxiety or … Continue reading“die early and be reborn” and get it over with.

However, the production team had no intention of letting them off so easily.

As if they still thought the contestants’ mentality wasn’t broken enough, after Contestant 77 left the stage, the assistant director took the microphone and walked onto the stage.

“We’ll take a short break. Sir, please take a rest, and we’ll resume recording in twenty minutes.”

The previously steady rhythm was suddenly disrupted, and everyone froze for a moment.

The twenty minutes were meant for the mentors to rest.

But for the contestants who had yet to perform, it meant another twenty minutes of torment.

The worst off was Su Xingyao, who had been ready to perform.

Contestant 79, watching him walk off the stage, felt a mix of sympathy and a bit gloating.

Just as he was about to perform, everything had been prepared, but then the rhythm was suddenly interrupted.

He gave a slightly dark smile.

In such a tense atmosphere, having a carefully prepared performance disrupted like this meant that a twenty-minute break wouldn’t help, it would only add to the personal mental burden.

He took a sly glance at Su Xingyao, curious whether he would be unable to perform due to the disruption.

The staff came backstage, handing out water and fruit to help the contestants replenish their energy.

Su Xingyao received a bottle but didn’t drink it.

He ignored Contestant 79’s dark look and found a quiet corner in the waiting area, closing his eyes to rest.

Su Xingyao’s mood wasn’t affected, but the contestants in the audience below couldn’t help but discuss.

“What kind of genius can be the first to get a pass card…”

“Looking at this situation, are they not going to give out any pass cards today?”

“I feel like the production team is doing this on purpose, to build suspense for the show.”

“Yeah, it doesn’t seem to matter how good the singing is. A few big names performed really well, and they still didn’t get through.”

After speculating on the production team’s intentions, some contestants couldn’t help but ask again.

“So, is anyone really going to get through today?”

“With this kind of messed-up pass rate, it seems difficult.”

“There are still more than twenty people left, right? What if something weird happens?”

While a few people were joking around, someone suddenly thought of Su Xingyao.

“Hey, that guy in the costume with the voice changer hasn’t gone yet, right? Do you think he might make it?”

Another person sneered, “Don’t joke around, real big shots don’t mess with gimmicks like that. He probably won’t even make it on stage.”

The twenty minutes felt long to some, and short to others.

The contestants below the stage were exchanging words, and it wasn’t long before the assistant director’s voice was heard, instructing everyone to sit back down.

On stage, Shen Huaixi and Fu Qingyan were harmonizing with each other.

Shen Huaixi turned around to glance at the contestants in the waiting area and said half-jokingly, “I know everyone is anxious, but actually, I’m even more anxious than you.”

He then raised the pass card in his hand. “I really want to give this card out right now.”

Fu Qingyan, who was very familiar with him, took the cue and continued, “It seems that Mr. Shen can’t wait to witness the first contestant to advance today.”

After a two-second pause, he shifted the conversation back to the competition.

“Now, let’s all look forward to the next contestant’s performance.”

“Next… please welcome Contestant 78 to the stage.”

After Fu Qingyan’s deep voice announced the next contestant’s number, the stage lights dimmed.

In the moment the lights went dark, Su Xingyao saw Xiao Li, not far away, wave at him and silently mouth words.

“Good luck, Mr. Xiao Su!!”

Su Xingyao smiled and waved back at her.

In just a moment, all the lights at the bottom of the stage were extinguished.

A spotlight suddenly shone on Su Xingyao.

The audience couldn’t see who was singing, so they all focused their attention on the center of the stage.

After a few seconds of silence in the dark, the low and rich sound of a cello began to play a melancholic melody.

The sound of the cello was gentle, yet seemed to carry the sorrow of countless farewells.

As the song’s prelude began, the audience fell silent.

As the increasingly familiar melody echoed in the studio, the contestants below the stage had disbelief flashing in their eyes.

Someone couldn’t help but speak up.

【Damn, it’s “Goodbye Yesterday”!!!!】

【No doubt about it, it’s definitely “Goodbye Yesterday”】

【Oh my God, that big shot is so impressive, they dared to choose this song for their first stage performance】

“Goodbye Yesterday.”

A song famously known for sounding simple but being extremely difficult to sing.

Even the original singer had said that they couldn’t perfectly replicate the song live.

Upon hearing the name of the song, many contestants gasped and stared at the stage without blinking, wondering who had the guts to challenge this difficult song.

On the mentors’ bench, Wen Yun and Xu Beizhou were also drawn to the choice of song.

One of them had their head down, not looking at anything, focusing solely on listening. The others kept their eyes fixed on the stage, seemingly trying to catch a glimpse of something through the lift platform.

The soothing prelude made the surroundings fall silent.

In the stillness, an ethereal voice emerged from the microphone.

【Hey, yesterday we said goodbye here】

The clean and transparent voice was like a gentle April breeze, subtly brushing past everyone’s ears.

The tender low singing was like celestial music falling from the heavens—graceful and winding, immediately capturing everyone’s attention.

Each person in the audience couldn’t help but be drawn to this cold yet mysterious voice.

The performer seemed like a sad poet, breathing life into every note, slowly and melodiously using their song to express their sorrow.

The gentle song, the gentle voice.

As soon as Su Xingyao sang the first line, all the professional and non-professional listeners in the room were deeply amazed.

No one expected that after a brief twenty-minute break, the first contestant to resume would possess such a beautiful voice.

The mentors, who had previously been uninterested, immediately sat up straight, resting one hand on their chin, their eyes sparkling with anticipation, their gaze fixed firmly on the lift stage.

After a brief moment of surprise, the contestants below the stage became instantly excited.

Just one line, and they could tell this person’s strength.

【Damn, the real big shot is here】

【Finally, we’ve waited for this! The first spot for advancement today is definitely going to happen!】

【As soon as they opened their mouths, I wanted to kneel. This is just so stable】

【I’m about to cry. This really brings pride to all of us contestants】

The contestants should have viewed each other as rivals.

But in the face of such undeniable strength, many chose to surrender to the beautiful voice.

Many contestants, due to the mentors’ harsh elimination rate, felt a sense of pride in this outstanding performer and wished that the powerful 78th contestant could immediately secure four pass cards to boost everyone’s morale.

The contestants’ seats started to stir.

The mentors’ emotions also instantly became excited.

However, Su Xingyao, standing on stage, couldn’t see any of this.

Like a spirit immersed in their own world, he held the microphone with both hands, eyes closed, deeply engrossed in performing his song.

【Love has no expiration date

Separation is always regretful】

The delicate and tender voice carried a hint of fragility and solitude.

Softly, faintly, he sang, as if weeping and telling a story, his voice lingering on endlessly.

His performance didn’t deliberately use strong emotions to exaggerate the atmosphere.

But the sincerity that shone through his singing touched every listener.

Everyone was drawn into his emotions, following his voice into the carefully crafted ambiance, quietly listening.

The two minutes seemed to pass in the blink of an eye.

【I pass by your window

The first beam of light in the morning

So warm】

The final line, with its lingering and beautiful tone, was delivered gently…

After a pause, it left a sense of poetry and distant healing.

Below the stage, the contestants who had been holding their breath were now exhilarated.

Even their heartbeats quickened with the interlude that followed the pause.

This was the best performance of all the singers so far.

A truly powerful performer with an overwhelming presence.

Completely conquered by the voice, the contestants stood up, clapping their hands energetically to express their respect and admiration for contestant number 78.

【Damn, damn】

【This voice is so beautiful】

【Kneeling to the big shot, this has already surpassed the original singer】

【The technique is a level I’ll never reach in my lifetime, and the tone is something I’ll always envy in this life. This 78 is really incredible】

Amid the rising applause, some couldn’t wait to see the true face of contestant number 78.

After all, such a beautiful voice always makes people yearn to see the person behind it.

But since the contestant was still below the stage, everyone could only imagine their appearance in their minds.

What kind of person would have such a beautiful voice?

Many people quickly racked their brains, trying to recall who had been sitting in this section, desperately searching for any clues about this big shot.

But with the intense competition, everyone was already on edge. In addition, the contestants had been moving around so much that many of them couldn’t remember who number 78 was.

【Number 78!! Who is it, come out!!】

【That… could it be the one in the mascot costume? I remember they were sitting next to number 77 earlier?】

One contestant tried to voice their guess but was immediately refuted.

【I remember they were in the 80s, weren’t they?】

【No way… The mascot costume couldn’t possibly produce such a voice, aren’t they using a voice changer?】

【How could someone with such a pure voice dress so flamboyantly?】

Just as everyone debated fiercely, the countdown began to appear on the stage.

Each contestant has two minutes to perform.

If a contestant isn’t eliminated by the mentors during this time, they can continue singing until the full two minutes are up.

However, if no mentor lights up for the contestant within the two minutes, that contestant is automatically eliminated.

At this moment, the mentors on stage were so engrossed in the performance that they forgot to light up for Su Xingyao.

Seeing the ten-second countdown on the screen, the contestants below the stage were nearly frantic.

Ten

Nine

Eight

Seven

A commotion broke out again in the contestant seats.

Countless contestants stood up and shouted towards the mentor seats, “Damn it, light up, light up!!”

“Mentor Wen, wake up!! Stop enjoying with your eyes closed, light up!!”

“Sheng Yan!! Hubby!!! If you don’t light up, number 78 will be eliminated!!!”

“Xu Beizhou!! What are you still writing?! Press it, press it!!!”

Even though the performance wasn’t theirs, the contestants in the seats were all extremely nervous.

But no matter how much they shouted, the mentors on the mentor seats seemed deaf and didn’t respond.

So they could only watch helplessly as the countdown went from ten to seven.

Then from seven to four…

Three

Two

Everyone’s heart was in their throat.

Followed by anger from the nervousness.

Damn, what are these mentors doing!!!

One

—

The countdown on the screen stopped at the final number.

With the sound of lights flashing, the LED background wall displayed the words “Congratulations on taking the stage.”

The entire venue fell silent, and the contestants in the seats felt like their hearts had nearly stopped at that moment.

Someone breathed a sigh of relief, “Thank goodness it was pressed…”

But soon everyone realized that only three mentors had lit up.

At this moment, the only mentor who hadn’t lit up was Wen Yun, who was lowering his head, looking confused, and pressing the button in front of him with all his might.

“My light isn’t working? I pressed it clearly… Why isn’t it lighting up?”

On stage, Fu Qingyan chuckled and answered him, “Mentor Wen, you might have pressed it a bit too slowly.”

Wen Yun immediately scratched his head and gave an embarrassed smile, “I’m getting old, I’m getting old. We agreed to light up together at the last second, and I ended up holding everyone back.”

After hearing Wen Yun’s explanation, the contestants below the stage finally came to their senses.

So, these mentors weren’t lost in the performance, they had planned it all along…

【So you all secretly planned this? I almost had a heart attack earlier…】

【I knew it! With such an amazing singer, how could you bear to eliminate them?】

【If they had been eliminated, they’d have been crucified once the broadcast aired.】

【Please, mentors, can you stop scaring us with your program effects? My heart was about to stop just now.】

【Wait… Is the stage platform broken too? Why is the light on, but the person hasn’t come up yet?】

【Yeah, why hasn’t number 78 come up yet??】

It seemed that Fu Qingyan on stage heard the complaints and made a “calm down” gesture toward the contestants’ seats.

“Now, I’m sure everyone is eager to see number 78 perform.”

As soon as he finished speaking, the contestants below answered in unison, “Of course!!”

However, Fu Qingyan responded, “But just now, the mentors lit up at the last second, and there was a malfunction with the equipment that delayed it.”

??????

The contestants were a bit confused.

【What??】

【It got stuck??】

The contestants felt like their hearts were about to stop again.

They were furious.

【I just want to see who number 78 is… How can it be so complicated?】

【I’m losing my mind, who understands this!!!】

On stage, Fu Qingyan, seeing that the program effect had worked, smiled and spoke, “Just kidding.”

This whole thing had been planned by the director to create suspense.

After all, this program would be edited and aired later.

The director wouldn’t miss any chance to spark the audience’s curiosity.

Realizing they had been played by the production team, the contestants took a deep breath and gave a thumbs up to the camera, signaling their appreciation for the director.

Nice, very nice, the director nailed it with this one.

The atmosphere had reached its peak, and Fu Qingyan resumed controlling the scene.

“Alright, everyone, now let’s welcome contestant number 78 to the stage.”

His words successfully quieted the entire venue.

Accompanied by the program’s rhythmic drum effects, everyone’s gaze turned to the center of the stage where the rising platform was positioned.

The platform was only four meters high, and the elevator ride took just a few seconds.

But those few seconds felt incredibly long for everyone in the studio.

They had waited so long, and the production team had created so much suspense.

Now, they were finally going to see the person in real life!!

Those who had already fallen for contestant 78’s voice couldn’t take their eyes off the stage, their hearts racing nonstop.

They silently counted down in their minds.

Soon, the lift platform drew closer to the stage, and the head of number 78 began to slowly emerge.

Just as everyone was about to get a clear view, the malicious lighting technician dimmed all the surrounding lights.

The spotlights originally focused on 78 began to flicker around.

The spotlights circled several times, and after building the suspense, they finally gathered together and shone directly on number 78.

At last, everyone could clearly see.

The person rising from the center of the stage as number 78…

Was actually the one everyone thought was the least likely…

The one wearing a cat costume headpiece!!!!!!