novelraw Chapter 234 - 227: Rap Performance
Chapter 234 - 227: Rap Performance
Yuwei turned around, resting her drumsticks on her shoulders like nunchucks, and began rapping:
Young women must venture out boldly.
The voices of parents fade into memories.
I will only be my fearless self.
...
Yuwei’s voice carried a defiant strength, along with the courage to push forward in adversity. Rap doesn’t require the best voice, but it must showcase unique personality.
Wei Xin began her verse:
If you don’t understand me, don’t make noise.
I’ll prove my rightness to you.
...
The other five joined in with backing harmonies.
This time, Wei Xin performed exceptionally well; her voice didn’t crack like it did in the first round.
"Listen to me carefully!" Lu Bingbing gestured for the audience to pay attention.
"I want you all on your feet, screaming for me!" Wang Na shouted with commanding energy.
Yuwei, following the intense electronic beats, began her second verse:
The vast world
The greatest teacher
Endure the pain
To master unparalleled skills
Who can rival me?
...
These lyrics were essentially about her own story.
Orphaned at a young age, wandering the world, struggling to survive, pushing forward with determination, and ignoring the judgments of others.
These lines radiated Yuwei’s sense of seeing through worldly illusions yet refusing to bow to fate.
The group began choreographed movements, but Yuwei remained at the highest point on stage. Below her, except for Yang Ni, everyone was crouching halfway.
From the moment I left my hometown
I never looked back
Even if no one believed in me,
I still cared so much.
Yang Ni’s verse felt like a cry straight from her soul.
It reflected the overwhelming online hate she had faced and the subtle sabotage and alienation from some within the base.
Yang Ni ran down from the high platform, her body swaying rhythmically with the beat.
This stage is my hope.
I won’t be scared away by phantoms and monsters.
I’m like you, no different, genuine inside and out.
...
Yang Ni’s fans in the audience were screaming hysterically, cheering for their idol.
They understood exactly what she was singing about. During the darkest days of online hatred against her, they had supported her, often crying as they cast their votes.
Even a single word of defense for her online would invite floods of insults and condemnation.
But they didn’t care; they only wanted to see the one they loved shine brightest on stage.
This lengthy verse had been allotted to Yang Ni by Yuwei against all opposition, even at the cost of reducing her own part, making Yang Ni deeply grateful to her.
In truth, Yuwei felt some indignation over what Yang Ni had been through.
Yang Ni, after all, was a kind person, always willing to help anyone in need. Yet, some people would forsake all decency just to gain fame.
Next came Lu Bingbing’s solo part, which posed no difficulty for her.
However, her voice was too soft and delicate, not entirely suitable for such a powerful and dynamic song.
Fate placed me on the battlefield.
I fight only for myself.
I have my goals; everything is within me.
The evening glow is my armor.
Watch me strike swiftly at you.
...
Even though Lu Bingbing’s fans cheered themselves hoarse, they were far fewer in number, lacking the tidal wave-like momentum of Yuwei’s supporters.
The group advanced to the edge of the stage, yet there were still no substantive girl-group choreography or formation changes.
Donning a navy battle dress and sporting flowing, shoulder-length hair, the uniquely beautiful Ge Xiaohui stepped forward:
I won’t wait in the boudoir.
Because I’m skilled in both arts and combat.
I travel over mountains and seas,
Winning the world’s admiration.
...
Compared to the others, her lyrics were much better, at least incorporating rhyme and avoiding plain, mundane phrasing.
Ge Xiaohui continued her verse:
At eighteen, I launched my campaign.
At twenty, I wielded my blade.
Right and wrong reside in the heart; I speak with childlike candor.
Alone, I stand tall under the heavens.
...
Today, the talented lyricist seemed to have finally found her direction. She genuinely calmed down enough to write a song that suited her, albeit a bit late.
The group began a chorus:
Don’t argue with me.
Don’t roar at me.
Pack it up tightly.
Listen to me carefully.
...
Yuwei and Yang Ni shared a close interaction, causing a group of "overly imaginative" fans to scream.
Xiao Du’s heart tightened as he watched; he personally disapproved of such behavior.
In his mind, an idol should maintain distance from others—even teammates. Especially now, with Yang Ni’s reputation being so poor.
Wasn’t this just leeching off Yuwei?
Wang Na stepped forward with an alluringly fierce expression. Her voice, still powerful and penetrating, cut through the stage:
Stride after stride, I hold up the sky.
I won’t submit to being a homemaker.
And don’t point your finger at me.
At this point, Wang Na fiercely pointed at Yuwei—an unscripted move absent from rehearsals.
...
Hu Binbin and the others sitting in the audience found this odd.
"Wang Na seems especially wild tonight!"
Yuwei’s heart burned with anger. Wang Na was blatantly disregarding the sanctity of the stage.
The other members also felt a mix of confusion and displeasure.
However, the younger idols present didn’t detect anything amiss. They assumed it was all part of the routine.
The show’s cameras perfectly captured the moment.
This lyric and gesture were actually part of the program’s marketing plan for Wang Na.
The line "I won’t submit to being a homemaker" targeted a feminist discourse, while "hold up the sky" resonated with themes of independent women.
In short, it encapsulated the program’s intended messaging.
Li Ke, sitting in the audience, heard a strange shrieking from a nearby group. The sound made his skin crawl.
"These people are so weird!" Li Ke thought, trying to endure it.
The performance continued. As per stage design, the group encircled Wang Na.
Look at my red high heels.
This is my confidence.
The cold light reflects my iron will.
My life is firmly in my own hands.
...
At this moment, Wang Na seemed to revel in a sense of triumph. After narrowly escaping elimination twice, she had miraculously returned to the competition.
Now, she finally sang the words she had long wanted to express.
"What do these little girls think they are? I’m the best!"
The stage performance was nearing its end.
From start to finish, this group hadn’t danced or executed meaningful choreography changes.
For her final solo verse, Yuwei began:
Time passes like a fleeting horse.
Treasure every second and moment.
Step by step, I pave my path.
I carve out my own road.
...
The group joined for the final chorus:
Tie up your hair.
Begin refining yourself.
Who dares to challenge us?
...
The pounding drum beats nearly drowned out the entire venue. This rapid-paced segment, infused with electric guitar and bass harmonies, was electrifying and stirred a sense of adrenaline and urgency.
Ge Xiaohui, employing a pop-style singing technique, reprised her first verse, raising the pitch by an octave, which sounded commanding.
For once, she demonstrated the qualities of a professional vocalist.
Wei Xin, who had the fewest lines earlier, delivered the performance’s closing. In her hand was a small folding fan.
Opening the fan to obscure her face, she slowly revealed it while adopting an operatic pitch that echoed across the stage:
I shed my battle dust.
Returning to the deep chambers of my past.
Moonlight filters through the window lattice, illuminating a changed visage, dreams of bygone seas.
Reflected in my eyes is the gleaming yellow flower at my temple.
...
While the lyrics flowed smoothly, the song as a whole failed to convey a cohesive ancient aesthetic.
Furthermore, 98% of the song was rap. The absence of choreography changes and dance made it more of a static "stand-and-deliver" performance.
Nevertheless, the melody was engaging, and since it was rap, there was no risk of going off-key or offbeat. The one regret was that Wei Xin’s voice cracked on the final line.
Her capabilities ended there.
To secure this standout lyric, she had sacrificed an earlier verse, which should have been sung by Ge Xiaohui.
Even so, the performance redeemed Ge Xiaohui, showcasing her creativity in composition and highlighting that she could deliver solid vocals when the difficulty wasn’t too high.
Compared to the previous group’s performance, it was hard to judge a clear winner. One emphasized singing; the other, dancing. In terms of stage impact, this group was more explosive, more fiery.
Yuwei performed steadily. Yang Ni and Lu Bingbing delivered their usual standards.