Chapter 53: Powerful Mixed Voice C5 (Please Vote)

The lights dimmed, and Fang Xing and his four companions took their positions. The prelude to "The Wind Rises" began, and as the stage lights came up again, Shao Yu sang the opening line with his deep, resonant voice:

“Walking and pausing along the way, following the traces left behind by youth.
Stepping out of the station, I found myself hesitating…”

Then, Guo Keda and Wang Huajun picked up the melody, continuing the verse.

Soon, it was time for the chorus.

Fang Xing sang with a magnetic voice, his powerful mixed vocals soaring to a High C:

“I was once lost in the vastness of the world, indulging in dreams within.
Unable to tell true from false, not struggling, unafraid of ridicule.
I once turned youth into her, played out summers at my fingertips.
Whatever moves the heart, let it follow fate.
Walking against the light, letting wind and rain beat upon me…”

The melody and timbre were so entrancing, listeners sat with their mouths agape, absorbing every note.

On the mentors’ dais, all four judges wore expressions of astonishment.

Zhang Huiying’s face was full of adoration for the song—she nearly rushed onto the stage to sing along.

Liang Yusong’s eyes shone even brighter.

Songstone Records had already sent Fang Xing a contract template. Though no reply yet, the chance of signing him was high.

So far, every song Fang Xing performed brought Liang Yusong fresh surprise.

With “The Wind Rises,” it was now five songs—each a treasure.

The more Liang Yusong listened, the stronger his impulse grew: he wished he could press Fang Xing’s hand to sign the contract right away.

Chen Chaonan’s expression was more complex. First came delight, then a slight frown, mixed with evident worry.

The twenty-eight professional jurors on site were utterly stunned.

This chorus featured consecutive A4 and B4 notes, sometimes reaching C5—his technique was astonishing.

They all remembered Chen Chaonan saying, just two weeks prior, that Fang Xing needed to practice more around High C.

Tonight, Fang Xing delivered continuous articulation near High C, with rich resonance, leaving them wondering if this was still a boy group talent show.

Many jurors had the same thought:

“Who let this guy into a boy group competition? How are the other trainees supposed to compete?”

And yet, this was only the first chorus; the song was halfway through.

No one knew what arrangements would follow.

After the chorus, the interlude began, then the second verse.

When the second chorus arrived, the melody soared two keys higher.

Lu Ming took over, singing five lines of a super high-pitched chorus:

“The evening breeze stirs the silver in your hair, smoothing the scars memory left behind.
In your eyes, light and shadow mingle, a smile blooming like a flower.
Twilight hides your faltering steps, as you walk toward the painting tucked beside the bed.
In the painting, you bow your head and speak…”

Then Fang Xing joined as the second harmony voice:

“In the end, I return youth to her, along with the summer played out at my fingertips.
Moved by the heart, just follow the wind.
In the name of love, are you still willing?”

The harmony between the two voices was breathtakingly beautiful.

Such celestial singing seemed destined for the heavens.

The audience was spellbound, mouths open in fear of missing a single note.

They opened their mouths because sound travels from the oral cavity to the cochlea, so widening the mouth increases the volume perceived by the ears.

Thus, when people want to hear clearly, they unconsciously open their mouths.

The tranquil atmosphere on site stood in stark contrast to the energetic song and dance of “Youth Unbound” just moments before.

When the music ended, the room stayed silent for three seconds.

Liang Yusong rose first, applauding vigorously and exclaiming, “Wonderful!”

Zhang Huiying cheered excitedly, “Fang Xing, why are all your songs so lovely? I really want to request a song from you. Don’t you think some of them would be perfect for me?”

“The Wind Rises” carried youthful energy, more suited to the young.

Zhang Huiying’s favorite was still “Lovers Under Heaven,” but as a diva, she couldn’t easily cover another’s song.

That status was both privilege and burden.

If she were to cover someone else, she’d have to surpass the original—by a wide margin, so the audience could instantly hear the difference.

Otherwise, listeners might think even the diva couldn’t sing it well.

Not only divas, but even top-tier singers were cautious when covering others.

So, if Zhang Huiying wanted to sing Fang Xing’s songs, her company would only commission a new song for collaboration.

…

The song’s final note faded.

Thunderous applause filled the hall, proof that “The Wind Rises” had moved many hearts.

He Hao hadn’t yet stepped on stage to introduce the next segment, but the mentors all gestured to speak.

The director signaled He Hao to guide the process and invite the mentors’ feedback.

He Hao walked to center stage, jubilant:

“It looks like our four mentors have much to say. Who shall go first?”

Zhang Huiying pointed at herself, declaring, “Let me speak first.”

Without waiting for He Hao to prompt her, she said, “Fang Xing, really, I want to request a song from you. Write me a song, and all my votes tonight will go to you.”

He Hao joked, “Ms. Huiying, that’s not appropriate—we’re taping a show. You can’t give all your votes to Fang Xing just because you want a song.”

Zhang Huiying, always forthright, retorted, “He Hao, do you think ‘The Wind Rises’ isn’t worthy of my vote?”

He Hao, taken aback, hurriedly replied, “Not at all, but we need to be professional.”

Zhang Huiying pointed both hands at Fang Xing and declared loudly, “I am very professional. The lyrics, melody, and singing of this piece are flawless. Fang Xing, you are a miracle on the stage of ‘Tomorrow’s Star.’”

Fang Xing nodded in thanks: “Thank you. About the song request, I’ll have to wait until this season wraps up.”

Zhang Huiying slapped the table, cheerful: “Really? Then I’ll take that as a promise.”

He Hao quickly raised his hands to calm things: “Alright, let’s not talk about song requests further. If we keep going, the editing team will have a headache. Let’s hear Mr. Yusong’s comments.”

“Ahem… The old man stirs with youthful passion!”

Liang Yusong couldn’t help but sigh. Over sixty, his hair was already silver, but excitement brought a flush to his cheeks:

“No wonder Ms. Huiying is so moved—this song is truly exceptional. There’s nothing to be done!
Furthermore, Fang Xing’s powerful mixed voice on High C has once again refreshed my expectations.
With eyes closed, you’d think you were listening to a seasoned mid-generation powerhouse.
Consecutive A4 and B4 articulation—without decades of skill, you can’t achieve this.”

He Hao took the opportunity to ask, “Mr. Yusong, just to clarify—aren’t A4 and B4 lower than C5? If he can sing C5, shouldn’t A4 and B4 be much easier?”

Liang Yusong laughed, “Whether it’s hard depends on how you sing. On the same high note, humming and singing lyrics are not equally difficult.
Take ‘Lovers Under Heaven’ last time: Lu Ming’s G5 humming was already sky-high—tough even for female vocalists, let alone ordinary male voices.
But Lu Ming could only hum at G5, not sing lyrics.
In a passage, one high note and consecutive high notes are not the same. Consecutive high notes with clear articulation are much harder.
So, Fang Xing singing lyrics at A4 and B4 is much more difficult than hitting a single High C.”

He Hao adopted a respectful expression: “I see, I’ve learned something new. Thank you, Mr. Yusong, for the lesson.”

…

…

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