Chapter 93: Thanks to Fang Xing for Making It Possible

“Where are you going, Caiwei?”

The host, He Hao, walked onto the stage. First he called after Li Caiwei, who had just descended from the platform, then turned to the audience and said:

“Have you all noticed? The one dancing on this stage the entire time was the guest singer for tonight, Li Caiwei.”

The audience shouted back at once, “We noticed ages ago!”

As though he had not heard, He Hao cupped a hand to his ear and asked again, “You recognized her?”

The crowd answered in unison, “Yes!”

“All of you recognized her?”

He Hao laughed heartily and went on. “Caiwei was in Kunqu opera makeup just now, and the makeup was very heavy, so she went down to take it off. She’ll be back onstage in a moment to greet everyone.”

He smiled and said, “Speak of the devil, and she appears. Now, let us welcome our guest singer for tonight, Li Caiwei.”

As he spoke, he led the applause.

The audience, still dazzled by the sleeve dance and operatic singing they had just witnessed, burst into thunderous cheers and applause.

Li Caiwei had removed the Kunqu opera makeup from her face and changed into a formal evening gown. She returned to the stage, waving to the audience.

“Hello, everyone. I’m Li Caiwei, a singer. Thank you to Fang Xing for inviting me to join him. It has been a long time since I last sang on such a brilliant stage.”

He Hao then asked, “Caiwei, you’ve been through a lot these past few years, haven’t you?”

Li Caiwei did not avoid the topic. She nodded and admitted, “Yes, I have been through quite a lot. Perhaps that is how life ought to be. Those experiences have also given me more strength.”

He Hao pressed on. “You’re also a mother now, right?”

“Yes. My daughter is called Sprout, and she’s three years old. She’s given me a great deal of strength too, so that no matter what situation I face, I’m no longer afraid.” Li Caiwei clenched her fist slightly and answered with quiet resolve.

At that moment, the big screen began playing a video clip of a video call between Li Caiwei and her daughter, Sprout.

In the video, little Sprout puckered her lips and gave the screen a kiss.

“How adorable,” He Hao said enviously.

“Thank you,” Li Caiwei hurriedly replied.

He Hao went on, “How do you feel about coming here as Fang Xing’s guest singer?”

Li Caiwei drew a deep breath and answered solemnly, “When Fang Xing invited a guest singer, there were actually better choices than me. But he chose me in the end, and I’m very grateful.

“In fact, I haven’t had much work these past two years, so I’m truly thankful for this opportunity to stand on such a radiant stage and sing such an outstanding song.

“When I heard the demo of this song, I loved it immediately. I told myself then that I wanted to sing it, no matter how much effort it would take.

“And the sleeve dance on the opera stage was also choreographed by Fang Xing together with the dance teacher. These past three days, aside from eating and sleeping, I did nothing but rehearse that section.

“The final result proves that all the effort was worth it.

“I don’t know what words I should use to express my gratitude. I only want to say this: whatever stage it is in the future, as long as Fang Xing needs me, I’ll come whenever he calls.”

By the time Li Caiwei finished speaking, tears were about to spill from her eyes. She quickly tipped her head back and covered her nose with her hand. “I’m sorry…”

He Hao immediately took a handkerchief from the breast pocket of his suit and handed it to her.

Li Caiwei turned away to wipe her tears, then turned back and said, “I’m sorry. I’m just too emotional. I haven’t sung on such a big stage for five years. I’m sorry…”

After this exchange aired, the livestream barrage once again flooded the screen:

Caiwei, don’t cry!

She really has been through so much these past few years.

What is this? Even a ten-year veteran fan like me is about to cry.

A former Li Caiwei fan reporting in. Thank you, Fang Xing, for making this happen! Nothing else to say, I’m covering a hundred popularity votes.

Thank you, Fang Xing, for making this happen. Caiwei’s life has been far too hard these past few years.

Thank you, Fang Xing, for making this happen, plus one.

Thank you, Fang Xing, for making this happen, plus two.

An old fan in tears here. I don’t have much money, but I can still afford a VIP vote.

Li Caiwei had once been a near top-tier singer, the kind who could contend with Yao Liying for the title of top female artist at Turquoise Stone Records, and she had quite a few fans in those days.

But fans then were not nearly as frenzied as they are now.

In the past, buying an album counted as support. Nothing like the fans of today, who had to pool money for rankings.

Besides, most of Li Caiwei’s former fans had already married, built lives of their own, and kept silent online most of the time.

Now, seeing the singer they once loved standing again upon the stage, and delivering such a stunning performance, the feelings they had long kept buried surged up at once.

Countless fans of Li Caiwei began pouring into the Tomorrow’s Star section on Penguin Video, throwing all their popularity votes at Fang Xing.

Ordinary accounts got one vote, VIP members got ten.

They were free votes, but the sheer size of the casual audience was overwhelming.

Fang Xing’s popularity score began to soar, rapidly closing the gap with Wu Junchen.

Seeing Fang Xing’s votes surging, Wu Junchen’s fans panicked and began frantically recruiting others to vote and campaign.

As Fang Xing’s popularity votes climbed by a margin, Wu Junchen’s fans immediately spent money to widen the gap.

The competition between the two sides was fierce.

Less than half an hour after Red Spirit Bell Singer aired, it shot straight to the trending list.

And not just with one topic—it also brought Li Caiwei along with it.

Red Spirit Bell Singer: From humble station, yet never dared forget the worries of the nation.

Li Caiwei, the hidden gem singer, returns to public view with a classical-operatic rendition of Red Spirit Bell Singer.

Fang Xing has brought back a once-forgotten treasure of a singer.

Just how breathtaking can the fusion of opera vocals and pop music be? Red Spirit Bell Singer gives you the answer.

Li Caiwei had no signature hit before. Now she does.

The trending topics drove the show’s popularity to a new high. The number of livestream viewers surpassed 35 million and kept climbing.

The program continued live.

He Hao went on to steer the conversation. “Tonight’s format is brutal. Although each team has prepared two songs, not every team will get the chance to sing the second one.

“The fate of all the contestants is decided by the viewers in front of their televisions, and whether they get to perform the second song depends on the number of popularity votes they receive.

“Some viewers may ask: if a contestant is already near the bottom of the popularity rankings, does that mean they have no chance at all?

“That’s not the case. The overall popularity ranking only decides who ultimately debuts as a group.

“What determines whether they can sing a second song tonight is the voting for tonight’s stage.

“That’s right—each team has its own popularity vote total for tonight. Even contestants ranked lower overall still have a chance to perform a second song if they shine tonight and win enough popularity votes.”

He Hao turned back to Li Caiwei and asked, “Tonight’s competition is fierce. Would you like to help Fang Xing rally some votes?”

Li Caiwei thought for a moment, then said, “During rehearsals, I heard Fang Xing’s group perform their second song. It was truly, truly, truly beautiful. If they don’t get the chance to perform it tonight, it will be tonight’s regret.”

He Hao gave a mysterious smile and said, “Now you’ve even made me want to vote, because I also saw the rehearsal of the second song. If the viewers at home want to see it too, cast your votes for Fang Xing.”