All-rounder Artist

Chapter 134 - 129 Suan-cai Yu (Pickled Cabbage Fish)_i



On the same day.

In the city center of Sun City, Qin Continent.

The huge Grand Stadium was brightly lit at the moment, a long red carpet extended from the entrance to the steps above, security personnel filled every corner, and countless reporters arrived at the scene—

Talent show Grand Finale!

It was being broadcast live here!

Inside the Grand Stadium, it was incredibly noisy and frenzied. Halfway through the contest, the audience’s cheers rose higher and higher, almost blowing the roof off the Grand Stadium. The event lived up to its reputation as the top talent show in Qin Continent.

Ladies and gentlemen!

The male host’s voice was extremely loud: “After several rounds of brutal and fierce competition tonight, the two contestants who have advanced to the final round of this season’s Bloom have been determined, and they are…”

Tang Yue! Tang Yue!”

Xia Fan! Xia Fan!

The audience responded enthusiastically.

The female host’s voice was somewhat crisp: “Our on-site audience has just announced the names of the two contestants, and I believe the viewers in front of the television sets are as excited as they are. However, um we may have to take a short rest for a few minutes, allowing these two excellent contestants to prepare for the next song. The performance of these two contestants will ultimately determine who will win this season’s competition!”

Backstage at the competition.

Xia Fan was anxiously waiting when a voice suddenly came from behind her: “Just keep your mood in check, your opponent is also nervous right now. If you perform consistently, you have a great chance of advancing.”

Xia Fan stood up: “Ms. Zhao!

The speaker was Zhao Jue who had come from Starlight. Xia Fan was surprised to see Zhao Jue herself at the scene. The two had met only once before when Xia Fan signed a pre-contract with Starlight, so their relationship was not too unfamiliar.

You’re doing well.

Zhao Jue began with a smile.

Her personal appearance at the Bloom event wasn’t just because Xia Fan was Lin Yuan’s friend, it was mainly because Xia Fan had surprisingly advanced to the top four and even secured a precious spot in the final, only a step away from becoming the champion!

This excited Zhao Jue.

When she originally agreed to sign a contract with Xia Fan, it was completely out of respect for Lin Yuan. Back then, Zhao Jue had no idea how strong Xia Fan was, she was simply doing Lin Yuan a favor.

But to her surprise, Xia Fan’s performance in the Bloom competition was stunning, repeatedly bringing surprise to Zhao Jue!

It turned out that Zhao Jue didn’t do Lin Yuan a favor, but rather Lin Yuan did her a favor. With such a strong talent as Xia Fan, there were no concerns about signing contracts with companies.

I need to use the washroom.

Xia Fan said with a bit of embarrassment.

Zhao Jue nodded with a smile, and casually comforted: “You have already proved that you are very good by breaking into the finals. You don’t need to put too much pressure on yourself. I will keep an eye on things here for you.”

Xia Fan nodded.

Zhao Jue watched Xia Fan’s receding figure, pursing her lips.

Although she was comforting Xia Fan, Zhao Jue wanted more than anything else for Xia Fan to win the championship!

Xia Fan had already pre-signed a contract with Starlight, and if she won the championship, it would mean that the champions of two consecutive Blooms joined Starlight!

This would be a massive boost to Starlight’s reputation!

Starlight would surely surpass Sand Sea and Dazzling Silver Glow in popularity!

If Xia Fan ended up as the runner-up, the result would, of course, be good, but compared to the significance of the championship, it would be a lot less.

Just then.

Zhao Jue glanced backstage and suddenly noticed a somewhat familiar figure.

Why was she here?

Zhao Jue couldn’t help but frown slightly, could it be…

Ten minutes later.

Xia Fan returned.

She noticed that something was off about Zhao Jue’s expression and asked: “Ms. Zhao, is there something wrong?”

Actually, there is.

Zhao Jue began, “I just saw Xi Mei. You may not know who she is, but she’s the chief agent of Dazzling Silver Glow.”

Xia Fan was taken aback.

Zhao Jue narrowed her eyes, “If I’m not wrong, Xi Mei is probably here for Tang Yue. Quick to act indeed.”

Xia Fan was a bit worried, “Can she manipulate the results of the competition?

Zhao Jue chuckled, “Xi Mei does not have that ability. Furthermore, I’m here so even if she wanted to cheat, she wouldn’t get a chance. However…”

Concerned, Xia Fan asked, “However what?

Zhao Jue shook her head, “Let’s watch the competition. It’s almost Tang Yue’s turn to go on stage. Let’s hope my suspicions are unwarranted.”

On stage, the host was mindful of the time while maintaining the interaction rhythm with the audience. When the director’s cue came through his earpiece, the male host started to laugh, “Thank you all for waiting. Now, let’s welcome contestant Tang Yue to bring us her final song of the night!”

If

Tang Yue!”

Tang Yue!”

Tang Yue!”

The audience cheered again. And while the elevator stage was on par with the main stage, Tang Yue finally made her appearance. Accompanying her was a rather unfamiliar accompaniment: “Peach blossoms were in full bloom that year, your figure still appears, shaking the ocean of blossoms…”

A new song?”

The four program judges, all of whom had a great reputation in the industry, looked at each other, all seeing the surprise in each other’s eyes.

They had never heard this song before.

It was clearly an unreleased new song.

Tang Yue’s final song was a new one!

Was she that confident?

Singing a new song on a talent show stage is not a safe proposition.

Since a new song needs a period for the audience to accept it.

On the other hand, familiar old songs can immediately evoke familiarity and intimacy from the audience.

So, most of the contestants choose to sing old songs that have already been released—

Unless the contestant’s new song is so good it is refreshing at first listen!

Otherwise, choosing an old song is always the safest option.

However, as they listened, the judges gradually revealed satisfied expressions.

This new song was outstanding!

No wonder, Tang Yue had been prepared!

This new song seemed tailor-made for her!

From the melody to the lyrics, it perfectly complements Tang Yue’s voice and temperament!

No wonder she dares to bring out a new song during the finals—

This was her secret weapon!

She must have been hiding this for a long time!

The staff in charge of rehearsals also had a wry smile upon hearing Tang Yue’s song.

She changed the song?

This wasn’t the song they had prepared beforehand!

The contestants this time had deep strategies.

Backstage.

Zhao Jue’s face changed: “The very thing I was worried about happened. No wonder Xi Mei was here. This song must be from one of the ace composers from Dazzling Silver Glow. It is tailor-made for Tang Yue…”

She looked at Xia Fan and said earnestly, “My preparation was inadequate. I should have helped you prepare a song ahead of time.”

Xia Fan wanted to say that he needed to use the restroom,

But a voice came from behind: “I did not expect to meet you at the ‘Bloom’ backstage. Did you also sign contracts in advance with the candidates?”

Without turning around, Zhao Jue knew who it was.

Xi Mei from Dazzling Silver Glow.

Her long-time rival!

She turned to Xi Mei with a faint smile: “Didn’t you also sign a contract with Tang Yue in advance? Even painstakingly wrote such a song for her.”

Not bad, right?

Xi Mei shrugged: “Wait until our Tang Yue wins the championship. I will be the first to announce the contract details to the reporters. You can’t always be the one from Starlight to sign with the winner.”

Zhao Jue sneered: “You think you’ve won?”

Xi Mei glanced at Xia Fan, whose nervousness made him stiff, and chuckled ambiguously: “Or else?”

Yes.

Xi Mei already knew what the last song Xia Fan chose was. Bloom had rehearsals every day, so it was impossible to hide it.

Just a very safe old song.

Similarly, Tang Yue’s rehearsal song could not be kept secret.

However, this was Xi Mei’s cleverness. To hide Tang Yue’s last song, she deliberately threw a smoke bomb, let Tang Yue practice a safe old song publicly but arranged Tang Yue to practice a new song in secret.

Zhao Jue didn’t look too good.

On stage, Tang Yue had finished singing.

The atmosphere at the scene was unprecedented, and everyone was shouting “Tang Yue’s” name!

The four judges also took turns commenting on Tang Yue’s song, giving high praises in their words!

Zhao Jue.

Xi Mei was extremely pleased and seemed to be enjoying Zhao Jue’s expression. “Can you bring out that fish now to save the show? Or let’s have a meal later. There’s a pickled fish restaurant in Sun City. It tastes amazing!”

Xia Fan suddenly looked up.

She suddenly smiled, but her eyes were icy as she stared at Xi Mei: “Not necessarily, Auntie.”

Auntie?

Xi Mei was upset.

Am I that old?

Then, Xi Mei was surprised. Xia Fan was so nervous just now that she couldn’t speak. How did she suddenly change like a different person?

Yes, like a different person!

This feeling was so strange!

Xia Fan turned to look at the stage and said lightly, “I didn’t want to do this originally because I thought it was a bit unfair. I wanted to win the championship on my own skills, but if you guys started, it wouldn’t be unfair, especially since you’ve mentioned him…”

Xi Mei was blank, “What?

A few staff members came over and reminded Xi Mei, “Please don’t disturb the contestant. The contestant needs to prepare to go on stage.”

Hmm.

Xi Mei glared at Xia Fan, then turned and left, her eight-centimeter heels click-clacking on the floor.

Well done!

Zhao Jue gave Xia Fan a thumbs up: “I didn’t expect you to talk to Xi Mei like that. What’s that saying again? Better to lose in performance than in spirit. From now on, Ms. Zhao’s got your back! If we lose this competition, we lose. We at Starlight, don’t care!”

No, Ms. Zhao, today, I won’t lose in performance or in spirit!

Xia Fan’s eyes suddenly became unprecedentedly serious. This was the first time she had been so serious during the competition: “I have to win this competition!”

Zhao Jue was astonished.

As she was pondering on how to comfort Xia Fan, the next moment, something happened that left Zhao Jue dumbfounded:

Thud!

Xia Fan abruptly tore off the fancy decorations she was wearing and let these luxurious decorations fall to the ground: “Otherwise… I, Xia Fan… would disappoint my friend.”

Are you crazy!”

Zhao Jue wanted to stop her, but it was too late. With decorations scattered all over the ground and pearls rolling everywhere, Xia Fan was left in her simplest clothes—

How can she compete like this?

Zhao Jue felt a splitting headache and said helplessly, “You think Xi Mei came here to show off, but it’s not that. She’s not that childish. How could the chief agent of Dazzling Silver Glow be so short-sighted? She just wanted to mess with your mentality. She’s afraid of losing too. If you really lose your composure because of this, you will be doing her a favor!”

I know.

Xia Fan looked towards the stage, her eyes sparkling like brilliant fireworks and a sky full of stars, “Just this once, I don’t want to lose. Please inform backstage, Ms. Zhao, I want to…”

Change the song!”


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