novelraw Chapter 35 It's my turn to step in.
Chapter 35 It's my turn to step in.
"If they have any complaints, let them come to me!" Director Zhang Guanhai waved his hand. "Let me tell you, this kid's performance in today's rehearsal excited me more than all seven of the initial singers combined! I have a feeling this episode is going to be a hit!"
Let's go back to the recording studio.
Backstage at the studio, the seven initial singers had already finished their makeup. Their dressing room was spacious and bright, with plenty of fruits and snacks, and their assistants and managers were gathered around them.
Chen Bo's dressing room, located at the end of the corridor, is only half the size of the other rooms, but it is clean and tidy, with water and fruit thoughtfully prepared by the production team on the table.
"Ms. Chen, please rest first. The recording will start at 1 p.m.," the staff member said politely, then gently closed the door.
Chen Bo sat on the sofa and took out his phone.
My WeChat is overflowing with messages.
Zhou Lingyan: "Teacher Chen, don't be nervous. It's okay if you mess up the song. Anyway, you're already my tool. I won't mind."
Bei Weiwei: "Chen Bo, I've arrived at the TV station and am getting my work pass. I'll be able to go in soon! I brought you some throat lozenges and honey water!"
Zhao Lulu: "The sisterhood is all assembled. We're watching your performance tonight. But seriously, if you sing so well that Yueqing cries, remember to compensate me for emotional distress. It's exhausting to comfort her."
Li Man: "Yueqing is next to me. She was too shy to send a message, so she asked me to tell you to keep it up. Also, if Weiwei and Lingyan get into a fight, remember to call me. I'm good at breaking up fights."
Xu Yueqing... did not send a message.
Chen Bo smiled and replied to each one.
I had just put down my phone when there was a knock on the door.
"Please come in."
The door opened, and Bei Weiwei poked her head in, a bright smile on her face: "Chen Bo!"
She was wearing a light blue dress today, with her long hair flowing down her shoulders. She looked fresh and lovely, carrying a small bag in her hand as she walked in quickly.
"You... you can get in here?" Chen Bo was a little surprised.
"My work pass!" Bei Weiwei shook the tag hanging around her neck. "I told them I was your temporary assistant, and the production team let me in. Here, throat lozenges, and this..."
She took a thermos out of the bag: "I made rock sugar pear soup this morning, it's good for your lungs, have some."
Chen Bo accepted the thermos: "Thank you."
"Don't mention it." Bei Weiwei sat down next to him, her eyes sparkling as she looked at him. "Nervous?"
"A little," Chen Bo said with a smile, "mainly because the audience is a bit special."
Bei Weiwei knew he meant her five best friends would be coming, and her face flushed slightly: "Don't worry about us, just focus on singing. Chen Bo, I believe in you, you'll definitely amaze everyone!"
As the two were talking, the door was pushed open again.
Zhou Lingyan walked in, wearing a red dress that was as vibrant as a flame.
Upon seeing Bei Weiwei, she raised an eyebrow: "Oh, Assistant Bei, you're here early."
Bei Weiwei retorted, "The audience members here aren't late either. The audience seats are at the front, and backstage is off-limits to unauthorized personnel."
"I'm here to offer some warmth." Zhou Lingyan waved the paper bag in her hand. "Teacher Chen, I've prepared a stage outfit for you, which is definitely better than the ones the production team provides."
She took a suit out of the bag—a well-tailored dark blue suit with a delicate sheen under the light, paired with a simple white shirt and a dark tie.
Chen Bo took it, and the feel of it was indeed much better than those prepared by the production team.
"Thank you, Boss Zhou," Chen Bo said with a smile. "But isn't this investment a bit too big? What if I'm eliminated in the first round? Wouldn't this suit be a waste?"
"One-round exit?" Zhou Lingyan chuckled. "Chen Bo, although I only took you back to spite Xu Yueqing, my judgment is never wrong. If you don't shock those seven old hands in the audience today, I'll change my mind!"
Bei Weiwei muttered to herself, "The character 'Zhou' written backwards is still 'Zhou'..."
Zhou Lingyan glared at her.
At 1 p.m., the audience began to enter the studio.
Because it's not a live broadcast, but a pre-recorded one, the audience consists of professional viewers carefully selected by the production team, who know when to applaud, when to cheer, and when to shed tears.
But today, there were five special audience members in the front row of the audience.
Xu Yueqing, wearing sunglasses and a mask, sat next to Li Man, trying to keep a low profile, but her temperament and figure still attracted a lot of attention.
"Yueqing, relax," Li Man said softly. "Your hands are shaking."
Xu Yueqing said, "I wasn't shaking."
"Then let go of my hand, you're squeezing too hard."
Xu Yueqing then realized that she had been holding Li Man's hand tightly and quickly let go.
Li Man smiled and looked diagonally across from her.
Over there, Zhou Lingyan, Bei Weiwei, and Zhao Lulu sat in a row.
Zhou Lingyan and Bei Weiwei were separated by Zhao Lulu, but the two still glared at each other from time to time.
Caught in the middle, Zhao Lulu looked utterly dejected: "Hey, you two sisters, we're here to cheer on Chen Bo, not to participate in a staring contest. Can't we be a little more united?"
"Who's not on her side?" Zhou Lingyan sneered. "I'm just observing the enemy's situation."
"Me too," Bei Weiwei replied gently. "Look at some people dressed so red today, are they planning to go up and present flowers to Chen Bo after he finishes singing?"
"If anyone should offer something, it should be me first. I'm just his girlfriend in name only."
"Nothing in name can compare to the sincerity of a real suitor?"
Zhao Lulu facepalmed: "Help..."
The audience seats filled up quickly, the lights dimmed, the host came on stage, and the recording officially began.
The first three singers' performances were decent, all featuring hit songs, and the audience cheered and applauded respectfully, but they lacked a bit of excitement.
The fourth performer was Wang Han, who sang a classic love song. His voice was still gentle and affectionate, evoking memories for many and raising the atmosphere in the audience.
The fifth person was Bai Linlin, who chose a very difficult ballad and handled several high notes quite beautifully, winning a standing ovation.
The sixth person was Zhang Zhenhan. As soon as the rock music started, the entire studio went wild. He was singing and dancing on stage with an electric guitar, and the atmosphere reached its peak.
The seventh was Victoria Song, who wore a cheongsam and sang a newly arranged classic folk song. Her ethereal voice paired with the modern arrangement created a unique charm.
After the seven singers finished their performances, the audience erupted in applause.
The host returned to the stage, beaming: "Thank you to the seven teachers for their wonderful performances. Next up is the most exciting part of the evening—the challenge match!"
The audience below responded with expectant sounds.
"Tonight's challenger is a newcomer, but he's bringing an original piece." The host, looking at his cue cards, announced, "Let's welcome—Chen Bo!"
Applause broke out, but it was noticeably less enthusiastic than the applause for the previous seven singers.
In the audience, the five best friends sat up straight at the same time.
Xu Yueqing took off her sunglasses and stared intently at the stage entrance.
Zhou Lingyan clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms.
Bevy put her hands together in front of her chest and prayed softly.
Zhao Lulu and Li Man also held their breath.
The stage lights dimmed, and a spotlight shone on the high stool in the center of the stage.
Chen Bo, wearing the dark blue suit prepared by Zhou Lingyan and holding a guitar, walked out of the darkness and stood in the light.
He didn't look at the audience; he just lowered his head and tuned the guitar strings.
Then, he raised his head and looked ahead.
His eyes were calm, yet they possessed a power that could penetrate the heart.
As the music begins, the piano sounds fall like drops of water into a lake of the heart.
In that instant, the previously noisy audience fell completely silent.