Chapter 56: When the Youth Are Wise, the Nation Is Wise

Faced with this choice, Wu Junchen was filled with indignation. He simply couldn’t accept losing to Fang Xing on the public performance stage.

What’s more, just moments ago backstage, the five members of Chao Yin Boys had been scolded harshly by Liu Rongxuan. The Hanfang production team had come in person to craft the public performance, and the money had come directly out of Chao Yin Culture’s own pocket. To lose despite all that wasn’t in their plans.

Chao Yin Culture had intended to use this opportunity to defeat Fang Xing, to pressure him into signing a contract obediently. Yet after pouring in so much effort, they still lost. Liu Rongxuan could easily imagine how dark their boss He Hongtu’s expression must be right now.

So backstage, he had pointed at Wu Junchen and the others, unleashing a storm of curses on them.

Now, Wu Junchen’s frustration had nowhere to go. He pointed a finger at Fang Xing in the upper group and declared, “I choose Fang Xing.”

“Are you sure? Do you really want to challenge Fang Xing’s group again?” He Hao pressed him once more.

“Yes. Wherever I fall, that’s where I’ll get back up,” Wu Junchen replied with a powerful voice, as if he were bent on revenge.

He Hao turned to the upper group and asked, “Fang Xing, Junchen wants to challenge your group again. Do you have any words of advice for him?”

Fang Xing smiled and replied, “I suggest he not pick me, or else he’ll fall again right where he did the first time.”

The audience burst into an uproar.

Such arrogance! The variety show effect was at its peak. Wu Junchen’s fans in the audience immediately started booing, some even shouting abuse.

He Hao quickly tried to smooth things over: “Captain Fang Xing is as confident as ever. Captain Junchen, which member from your team will compete?”

At that moment, someone stood up from the lower group area and raised his hand. “Me.”

Everyone turned to look—it was Liu Yichen.

The room exploded again. Especially Liu Yichen’s fans, who shouted anxiously, “Yichen, don’t! If you lose, you’ll be eliminated!”

He Hao confirmed once more, “Yichen, are you sure you want to go on stage? The team member who loses the PK round will have to leave ‘Star of Tomorrow.’”

Liu Yichen nodded. “Yes, I’m sure.”

Then He Hao turned toward Fang Xing’s team. “And what about Captain Fang Xing? Who will you send?”

Fang Xing answered directly, “Shao Yu.”

“Fang Xing and Shao Yu, please wait a moment. The stage now belongs to Wu Junchen and Liu Yichen…”

He Hao invited Liu Yichen to the stage and asked, “First, tell the live audience the song you’ll be performing for the PK.”

Wu Junchen and Liu Yichen exchanged a glance and answered together, “It’s our new duet single, also a debut performance, called ‘Here We Come.’”

“The rap lyrics in the song were written by Yichen and me. We hope everyone will enjoy it.”

He Hao’s voice was full of anticipation. “You’re making us look forward to it even more. Let’s not waste words—now, the stage belongs to Wu Junchen and Liu Yichen.”

The fans cheered wildly.

This was the first true collaboration between Wu Junchen and Liu Yichen. Certain CP fans were so excited they nearly left their bodies.

The stage lights dimmed, and the intro to ‘Here We Come’ began. As the music started, the left side of the stage lit up, illuminating Wu Junchen. Under the spotlight, he danced to the beat. Halfway through, the left side went dark, and the right side lit up, spotlighting Liu Yichen.

It was Liu Yichen’s turn to dance along with the drums.

When the intro ended, the two stepped into the light together, alternating lines in the verse and chorus.

After the chorus, the instrumental break surged in intensity.

Wu Junchen, facing the close-up camera, began a rapid-fire rap:

“I stand on this stage, declaring to the world that my time has come.
A new legend begins here; every moment must shine.
Hear this music soar beyond the clouds—don’t hesitate, come join us, hey! Hey! Hey…”

Then Liu Yichen switched places with him, rapping to the camera:

“So much mockery, so many cold stares—I don’t care.
You are my strength and support; with your love, I’ll never give up.
With you by my side, we walk out of the fog, and at last we’ll see the sunrise…”

This rap’s internal rhymes and energy were outstanding.

Listening from the preparation area, Fang Xing couldn’t help but reveal a faint smile.

At last, his opponents were showing some real promise.

Judging from the quality of these rap lyrics, they were much better than Hashim’s. At least these lyrics were inspirational and positive—unlike Hashim’s, which were all self-aggrandizement or dissing others.

Before the performance, Wu Junchen had said on stage that he and Yichen wrote these rap lyrics themselves. If that was true, it was certainly worth some attention.

Still, the lyrics here were quite different from their previous work, so Wu Junchen’s claim was probably exaggerated.

…

After Wu Junchen and Liu Yichen finished performing, He Hao returned to the stage.

“Thank you, Wu Junchen and Liu Yichen, for such a great song. It truly is your era now.”

“It’s everyone’s era, everyone’s era,” Wu Junchen and Liu Yichen bowed deeply.

He Hao continued, “Next, it’s time for Fang Xing and Shao Yu’s PK song. Please come up. Junchen and Yichen, please take a rest offstage.”

Once Fang Xing and Shao Yu were on stage, He Hao began his questions:

“After hearing ‘Here We Come’ from Wu Junchen and Liu Yichen, are you nervous?”

Shao Yu nodded. “A little.”

“And you, Fang Xing?”

“I’m fine.”

He Hao smiled, “It seems Captain Fang Xing is as confident as ever.

“This PK round also follows tonight’s theme. Do you remember what it is?

“That’s right, ‘In my youth, I live up to my time.’ Captain Fang Xing, what kind of song have you prepared for this?

“First, tell everyone: how difficult is this song? Is it hard to sing?”

Fang Xing thought for a moment. “It’s okay—the highest note is B4, but the challenge isn’t in the pitch.”

He Hao pressed on, “Then what is the challenge?”

Fang Xing considered his words and replied, “Heart.”

He Hao raised his brows, “How should we understand that?”

“Just listen to the song. The answer’s in there.”

Fang Xing didn’t want to explain further—what he wanted to express was in the music; there was no need for more words.

He Hao continued, “I heard a rumor from the production team—yesterday in the prep interview, you were so confident in this song that you said anyone who didn’t vote for you would be a hero.”

Fang Xing smiled, “You’ll understand after you hear the song.”

“Alright then, tell the audience the title.”

“It’s called ‘On Youthful China.’”

“Wait, that title sounds familiar.”

“Yes, some lyrics are taken from Mr. Liang Qichao’s essay ‘On Youthful China,’” Fang Xing nodded.

“I see—let’s give the stage to Fang Xing and Shao Yu.” With that, He Hao turned and left the stage.