Chapter 66: The Third Performance Is Broadcast

Time quickly slipped by, and soon it was half past seven in the evening.

After feeding Qiqi, Ni Hongdan handed off the task of washing bottles to the stay-at-home dad, then opened her livestream.

Tonight’s stream was titled “Watching ‘Tomorrow’s Star’ Together with Everyone.”

Barely had the stream begun when viewers started pouring in and sending comments:

“We’re not here for ‘Tomorrow’s Star,’ we’re here to see Qiqi.”

Ni Hongdan lifted her daughter onto her lap, holding the little one’s hand and greeting everyone, “Qiqi, your big brothers and sisters are here to see you.”

Immediately, someone brought up what had surfaced on Weibo earlier that day:

“Qiqi’s mom, weren’t you on set for today’s recording? Is it true Fang Xing got caught up in a scandal?”

Ni Hongdan replied to the chat, “I’m not sure about that. But didn’t Turquoise Records already release a statement clarifying things? My advice is, just enjoy the drama. As for the truth, let’s wait for the police to make an official statement.”

“So who won the performance tonight? Did Fang Xing win, or did Wu Junchen?”

“Well…”

Ni Hongdan thought for a moment before responding, “When you participate in recording the show, you have to sign a confidentiality agreement. I can’t reveal any details before the episode airs. But I can promise you, tonight’s show is absolutely worth watching.”

“Qiqi’s mom, you’re making me even more excited! I can’t wait for it to be eight o’clock.”

“Penguin Video is so annoying. Why do they have to wait until eight? Can’t they broadcast it earlier?”

…

Time crept towards eight o’clock.

The sixth episode of “Tomorrow’s Star,” Part One, went online.

Because of the afternoon’s online uproar, many viewers skipped the other groups’ stages and went straight to Wu Junchen and Fang Xing.

Ni Hongdan kept the viewers company as they watched, “A lot of people want to see Fang Xing and Wu Junchen, so let’s skip straight to their part. At 28 minutes and 12 seconds, Wu Junchen’s stage begins. Everyone got it? Let’s watch together.”

Her stream wasn’t allowed to broadcast “Tomorrow’s Star” directly; at most she could show it in a tiny window.

But her broadcast was all about watching “Tomorrow’s Star” alongside her viewers, so everyone opened the episode in the dedicated area and watched together, sharing comments afterward.

On screen, Wu Junchen’s group started their performance of “Reckless Youth.”

The stage was ablaze with music and dance, a whirlwind of K-pop style sweeping through the crowd.

“Youthful and reckless, I stubbornly refuse to say it’s not our fault, but that’s why we missed our chance…”

At the climax, Wu Junchen tore his T-shirt to reveal his abs.

Fans screamed nonstop in the audience.

After it ended, Ni Hongdan commented, “This song, ‘Reckless Youth,’ is a polished K-pop dance track. Seeing it live, the effect was explosive, the whole audience fired up.”

Viewers began to ask:

“Doesn’t that mean Fang Xing is in trouble?”

“I think so too—it’ll be hard for Fang Xing to win. The competition is too strong, especially with a top Korean production team and the Tidal Sound Five performing together. It feels like the show wants Fang Xing to lose.”

From the start of this season, Ni Hongdan had been supporting Fang Xing, even daring to voice her support when it was unpopular.

So most of those following her stream were also fans of Fang Xing’s singing—cheeky, irreverent viewers.

Ni Hongdan didn’t spoil the outcome, but continued, “Next, let’s listen to Fang Xing’s group. The song is called ‘The Wind Rises.’ I recommend listening in a quiet space, or with your best headphones.”

“My Sennheisers are finally going to shine!”

“Time to bring out my Audio-Technica.”

“Qiqi’s mom, the way you said that, something tells me this is going to be special.”

…

The opening notes of “The Wind Rises” sounded on the screen.

Shao Yu’s deep voice sang the first line:

“Along this road, I wander and pause, following the traces of youth adrift.
Stepping out of the station, just before the turn, a moment’s hesitation…”

And then, the chorus.

Fang Xing soared up to a powerful High C with his mixed voice:

“I once felt lost in the vastness of the world, entranced by dreams whispered within.
No need to question truth, no struggle, unafraid of laughter.
I once transformed my youth for her, once flicked a vibrant summer from my fingertips.
Whatever moves the heart, let it drift with fate.
Walking against the light, braving wind and rain…”

The comment feed on Penguin Video exploded:

“Beautiful!”

“My lack of vocabulary is to blame—one expletive says it all.”

“A vocal performance worthy of art.”

“My Sennheisers are finally useful.”

“Definitely not in the same league as the previous stage.”

“My eyes, traumatized by hip thrusts and ripped shirts, are healed at last.”

“My ears have been purified.”

And yet, this was not even the song’s climax.

During the instrumental break, Ni Hongdan couldn’t help but remind her viewers, “Don’t lose focus during the second chorus.”

The chat was flooded:

“Warning: incoming awesomeness!”

“Brace yourselves, everyone—headphones on, get ready for the impact.”

On the show—

“The Wind Rises” entered the second chorus, the melody suddenly rising two keys, soaring to the heavens.

Lu Ming’s ethereal, five-register high notes burst forth:

“The evening breeze lifts silver strands at your temples, soothing scars left by memory.
In your eyes, light and shadow entwine, a smile blooming like a flower.
Twilight veils your faltering steps, as you walk toward the painting hidden by the bed.
There you are in the painting, head bowed, speaking softly…”

Fang Xing joined in with a second harmony line:

“In the end, I returned my youth to her, and with it, the vibrant summer from my fingertips.
Whatever moves the heart, let it go with the wind.
In the name of love—will you still say yes?”

The two harmonies intertwined, their timbres breathtakingly beautiful.

The comment section for “Tomorrow’s Star” on Penguin Video erupted:

“That harmony—unmatched!”

“Two keys higher, and the high notes are flawless.”

“Perfection! (gesture)”

“I declare this the best performance of the night.”

“Is it too soon to declare? There’s still the second half tomorrow.”

“I’ll say it too: the Tidal Sound Five have lost. If the results say otherwise, it’s a fix, and I won’t accept any arguments.”

“Fang Xing, you should just quit the show. It’s no longer suited for you.”

“Lu Ming, you too. If you two keep harmonizing like this, what’s the point for the other groups?”

“Why don’t you all chip in and pay their penalty fees, so they can withdraw?”

“I think Tidal Sound’s management would be happy to pay it!”

“Great idea! Pay Fang Xing’s penalty, and Wu Junchen’s championship is secure.”

“Quick, tell Wu Junchen’s fans to start a crowdfunding campaign for the penalty fees and send Fang Xing home.”

“Unbelievable! Even to quit, the rival has to pay your penalty.”

“The crazy part is, the rivals might actually do it!”

Once both stages ended, the show moved to the judges’ comments.

Diva Zhang Huiying started asking Fang Xing for a song, even saying that if he wrote her one, she’d give all her votes to him.

This segment was hilarious and made it into the final cut.

Zhang Huiying’s elderly fans couldn’t help commenting:

“Diva, show a little restraint, please.”

“We can’t vote just for a song. If we must, at least… make it two songs.”

“Honestly, the song ‘Lovers Under Heaven’ really would suit Zhang Huiying.”