Chapter 47: Preparing for the Battle Song

“Something big has happened!” Guo Keda burst anxiously into the dormitory, shut the door behind him, and declared, “I’ve figured out what Wu Junchen is up to this time. He’s dug a trap for us, just waiting for us to walk right in.”

Lu Ming shrank his neck, hastily asking, “What’s happened?”

Guo Keda grabbed the water cup on the table, gulped down half of it, and said indignantly, “Yesterday, the Korean production team hired by Chaoyin Entertainment came into the training camp.

“So it turns out Chaoyin Entertainment brought in Korean producers to create a new single for Wu Junchen and Liu Yichen.

“They originally planned to release it after the group’s debut, but now they’re going to give its first performance on the show’s stage.

“The five trainees from Chaoyin Entertainment started rehearsing the new song’s choreography the day before yesterday.

“This is clearly a scheme—they must have guessed the team leader would choose the custom option, so they set this trap for us.

“And I suspect the production team is in on it with them.

“Even the theme for the next performance fits Wu Junchen’s new single perfectly; it’s all part of their plot.”

Lu Ming grew anxious. “With a production team crafting their stage, the advantage is just too great—it’s not fair.”

Talent show competitions have never been fair.

It’s not just about the stage; the battle is fought offstage as well.

Fans crowdfunding to boost rankings—fair or not?

But that’s what the rules allow.

In the age of popularity-driven entertainment, popularity is everything.

Similarly, when entertainment companies hire production teams to create singles and dazzling performances for contestants, it only makes the show more exciting.

The production crew would never say no to that.

“Captain, what do we do? Our opponents are topping the popularity charts and have brought in a foreign production team for their single. Do we still stand a chance?” Like a deflated balloon, Lu Ming’s spirits sagged.

Fang Xing, however, wore a look of seriousness. “That’s what makes it interesting. At last, we have a worthy opponent instead of just playing in a pond of mediocrity. Isn’t that something to be happy about?”

“Are you really that confident, Captain?”

The group exchanged knowing glances, then asked in perfect unison, “Captain, do you happen to have something prepared for the ‘Youth’ theme?”

Fang Xing closed his notebook, leaned back in his chair, stretched, and said, “The demo’s already on your phones—get familiar with it first.

“As usual, listen to the song a hundred times or more. Then try singing it yourselves—if you get stuck, ask Shao Yu.”

The four team members immediately reached for their phones, put on their headphones, and started listening.

With their tasks arranged, Fang Xing picked up his laptop and headed out. “Shao Yu, I still need the computer, so I’m taking it.”

Shao Yu waved cheerfully. “Go ahead, it’s not the first time.”

“Captain, where are you going?” Lu Ming took off his headphones to ask.

“Haven’t decided on the PK song yet—going somewhere green to find inspiration.”

Fang Xing had just received a WeChat contact from the director, and added Tong Fei, the executive director.

Tong Fei sent a message, asking him to visit her office.

So, after leaving the trainees’ dormitory, Fang Xing made his way straight to Tong Fei’s office.

The glass door was open, so Fang Xing knocked and entered.

Tong Fei was on the landline, and when she saw him, she gestured to the chair in front and continued her call.

The person on the other end was probably an advertiser. This season of “Star of Tomorrow” had exploded in popularity, producing four hit songs that swept the internet, attracting plenty of sponsors.

“Making money again?” Fang Xing waited for her to finish before offering his congratulations.

“Thanks to you,” Tong Fei replied, fingers interlaced under her chin and her face warm with genuine gratitude.

She wasn’t just being polite.

So far, all four breakout songs from this season of “Star of Tomorrow” had been Fang Xing’s.

Tong Fei regarded him with open curiosity, making Fang Xing a bit uncomfortable, before finally saying, “You must’ve heard some inside information about facing Wu Junchen as your opponent in the next performance.”

Though called “inside information,” it wasn’t really a secret within the production team.

This time, it wasn’t just a matter of facing Wu Junchen—it was Chaoyin Entertainment as a rival.

Wu Junchen had assembled all five Chaoyin Entertainment trainees when picking his team.

In other words, four of the top ten on the popularity chart were now on his side.

That meant half the popularity ranking had formed a single team.

The strength they commanded was obvious.

Fang Xing remained composed. “So this is Chaoyin Entertainment deliberately stirring up trouble?”

Tong Fei didn’t hide the truth. “To be blunt, you’d better bring your best to the next performance. As an investor, Chaoyin Entertainment can’t intervene in the show’s production, but they do have oversight authority.

“That means if you lose the next show and get eliminated according to the rules, I won’t step in to protect you.

“So, you’d best win—or else, even if you’re not eliminated, at least three in your group will be.

“Of course, I guarantee there’s no funny business in the judges’ or mentors’ scores. If your team’s performance is better, you won’t be deliberately made to lose.

“But I should remind you: Chaoyin Entertainment is a big company, and many professional judges have worked with them.

“If your performance is only on par with theirs, you know what the result will be.”

A big company’s influence over the judges is unavoidable—it’s a fact even the Oscars can’t escape.

In other words, to win, they would need to win decisively—to crush the opposition, leaving the professional judges with nothing to argue.

“Youth unburdened, living up to our prime—was this theme set by Chaoyin Entertainment too?” Fang Xing looked at Tong Fei with a half-smile.

Under the intensity of his gaze, Tong Fei felt a little uneasy. She cleared her throat. “It was their suggestion, and after discussion the director’s team decided on it. You understand, as producers, we can’t refuse an excellent stage.”

Chaoyin Entertainment had brought in a Korean production team to craft an explosive stage for Wu Junchen’s group—naturally, the producers wouldn’t turn down such a partnership.

Fang Xing responded with a faint smile. “That is indeed a perfectly valid reason.”

Tong Fei changed the subject. “Have you got the PK song ready?”

Fang Xing nodded. “I was still hesitating between a few, but now I’ve decided. However, I’ll need some help from the production crew for this PK song.”

“What kind of help?” Tong Fei asked.

“I want to include children’s voices in the chorus, so I’ll need a children’s choir,” Fang Xing explained directly.

“That… we’re not really prepared for that,” Tong Fei admitted, a little troubled. Boy group competitions almost always featured K-pop style tracks—when had they ever used children’s choirs?

But she quickly found a solution. “Go talk to Liang Yusong. His studio has recorded children’s songs before, so he should be able to help find the right people. He’s here today for interviews with the crew—I’ll have someone take you over.”