Chapter 7 Let Him Play

After Fang Xing finished singing, many people in the audience were still in a daze. Especially the director’s team—Fang Xing’s performance was completely beyond their expectations.

At first, the favored contestants for advancement were Hashim and Shao Yu; Fang Xing wasn’t even in the director’s plans. Yet, as soon as Fang Xing opened his mouth, even those without a musical background could tell his skill was not low. More importantly, none of the mentors or music critics present had ever heard this song before. This meant it was likely an original piece.

The venue fell silent for three seconds.

Host He Hao asked, “Fang Xing has finished his performance. Can he advance to the next round? Mentors, please reveal your boards.”

Mentors Chen Zhaonan, Liang Yusong, and Zhang Huiying exchanged glances, each seeing the same thought in the others’ eyes. The advancement spots had been planned in advance by the production team. But now, something unexpected had happened.

Chen Zhaonan was the first to comment: “Your guitar playing was excellent—entirely at a professional level. If I had to nitpick, you hesitated a bit with the first few chords, but it got better and better as you went on.

“And the song itself—both lyrics and composition—are outstanding. Your singing foundation is incredibly solid, even better than the songs from the previous public performances.

“If I were to give any advice, it would be to keep up your vocal training. Don’t let this talent go to waste.

“At this level, if you were in my professional class, I’d give you an A.

“So, I can’t speak for the others, but I must do right by my profession.”

With that, Chen Zhaonan revealed his advancement board.

“One vote for advancement. Next… Sister Ying?” the host passed the topic to the second mentor.

Zhang Huiying gave a thumbs up and praised, “In a word, great! In two words, very good! In three words, extremely good! This song could easily be released as a single. Since Director Chen said he must do right by his profession, and I’m a professional too, I must do the same. So…”

She also revealed her advancement board.

“That’s two. What about you, Mr. Yusong?” the host continued.

Liang Yusong was about to speak when Shen Xiyin looked at him pleadingly, “Mr. Yusong, could I go first?”

She was in a real bind. With two mentors already voting for advancement, and knowing full well the lyrics, music, and performance of “Wild Bird” were all excellent, if the program team insisted on limiting advancements, one of the four mentors would have to vote against. It would most likely be her. Not wanting to bear that responsibility, she could only ask to go first.

Liang Yusong didn’t mind—he was a music producer, working behind the scenes, and didn’t fear being the “bad guy.”

With his agreement, Shen Xiyin immediately revealed her advancement board: “Compared to the other mentors, I’m not so professional. But this song is wonderful, I loved it. If it’s released as a single, I’d be the first to buy it and play it on repeat for days. So, I vote for advancement.”

“That’s three. Mr. Yusong, your turn?” the host prompted Liang Yusong once again.

“All the good things have been said, and you’ve left the hard part to me,” Liang Yusong smiled, then continued, “This song… is very polished. The lyrics, the music, the singing—all are first-rate. You could take this into a studio exactly as it is.

“I take back what I said before; your voice is rich, your range is wide, and you use resonance masterfully.

“Your passaggio is at G4, isn’t it? It’s been honed beautifully, and you’ve achieved a unified tone across four registers. If I hadn’t spent over twenty years in the studio, I might not have heard the transition.

“As Director Chen said, your fundamentals are very strong. If you ever want to make an album, come talk to me.

“Nothing more to say. I have to do right by my profession, too. So… advancement.”

Host He Hao’s voice grew excited: “Four votes for advancement. Again, all four! But we only have two advancement slots. Now, three contestants have received four votes. According to the rules announced at the start, it’s time for a battle.”

Whenever the show reached this stage, the atmosphere would heat up. The stronger the rivalry, the more the audience loved it.

He Hao gestured to the right side of the stage: “Fang Xing, look over there. The advancement seats are already taken.

“Now, you must choose one of the two to battle. The winner stays; the loser must temporarily leave the stage of ‘Tomorrow’s Star.’

“Will you choose our musical prodigy Hashim, or Senior Shao Yu from Dongyin University? Fang Xing, please make your choice.”

Who would he choose?

Everyone in the auditorium wondered the same thing. Earlier, Hashim had offered to lend his instrument to Fang Xing, but Fang Xing hadn’t even looked at him. Clearly, something was going on.

Shen Xiyin knew a little about the situation. She’d been wandering around Hashim’s practice room at noon and happened to see Fang Xing asking to borrow an instrument. Hashim had refused and even mocked him behind his back. That was why she’d wanted to help Fang Xing record a backing track, though she’d gotten busy and couldn’t.

So, Shen Xiyin knew there was animosity between Fang Xing and Hashim. Especially since, on stage, Hashim had then offered to lend his instrument—this two-faced act made her uncomfortable. But as a mentor, she couldn’t show her dislike.

Knowing this much, Shen Xiyin guessed Fang Xing would likely choose Hashim. However, between Shao Yu and Hashim, the latter was clearly the stronger opponent. If advancement was the priority, choosing Shao Yu would be the safer bet.

Shao Yu was extremely nervous. After hearing Fang Xing’s performance of “Wild Bird,” he had no confidence in the battle at all. He was terrified Fang Xing would call his name; his heart was pounding.

But Fang Xing was clearly set on Hashim—he didn’t hesitate and said the name directly: “Hashim.”

When Hashim heard Fang Xing call his name, a trace of disdain flashed in his eyes. He wasn’t afraid of a battle at all; he could play his instrument all night if needed. The five-minute PK performance earlier was just a warm-up.

Host He Hao announced in an excited tone, “Fang Xing has chosen Hashim for the battle. Hashim, please come to the stage. According to the rules, you each have time for one song. When rivals meet, the brave will triumph. Let’s see who stands to the end.”

The stage lights dimmed as the staff rolled Hashim’s MIDI equipment back onstage. Since Fang Xing had ignored Hashim’s offer earlier, Hashim was annoyed and determined to declare war through his song.

“This song is called ‘Yield to Me.’ I’m going to blow the roof off—get out!” Hashim shot Fang Xing a provocative look, then tapped his drum pad, sending waves of nightclub-style electronic music across the hall.

When people heard the song title, many exchanged knowing glances—it was clear the air was charged with tension. After all, “Yield to Me” meant exactly that: submit to me.

Fang Xing understood perfectly but only smiled, remaining calm.

Hashim played the drum pad for a full minute before launching into rapid-fire English rap, igniting the stage and getting the audience buzzing once again.

When Hashim finished, the host stepped up: “Hashim, please rest to the side. Now it’s Fang Xing’s turn. Will you be playing guitar again?”

Fang Xing took the microphone, glanced toward the band, and asked, “If possible, I’d like to play the piano. Would the band’s pianist mind if I borrowed it?”

A collective gasp rose from the audience. Fang Xing had just played guitar, so everyone assumed his second song would also be on guitar. No one expected him to request the piano—he wasn’t following the script at all.

“Why the sudden switch to piano?” Host He Hao, anticipating the director’s curiosity, asked on their behalf.

“If my opponent is rapping, it wouldn’t be fitting for me to do something completely different and win that way. If it’s a rap battle, piano accompaniment suits it better.” Fang Xing’s tone was calm, though his words were pointed.

Listening from the side, Hashim curled his lips in a sneer.

He Hao turned to the band: “Band leader, is Fang Xing allowed to borrow the piano?”

If Fang Xing hadn’t already played the guitar, he might have been refused outright. But after his guitar performance, the band—being experts—could tell he was highly skilled, and assumed he’d be no slouch on piano either.

The director’s team in the wings held up a sheet of paper with three words on it: “Let him play.”

For the production team, the more impressive the show, the better. One contestant playing both guitar and piano in the same performance would instantly take the program up several notches.

The music director stood from the piano, gestured invitingly to Fang Xing, and then left the stage.