Zhao Jiaqiang couldn’t help but feel anxious. Cantonese songs were once mainstream, but now mainstream music has abandoned Cantonese songs.
As an old-school singer who loves Cantonese songs, swallowing his pride to join this hit variety show and wave the flag for Cantonese music is the last thing he can do.
But clearly, people outside don’t see it that way. In their eyes, Zhao Jiaqiang joining a singing competition show like this is just him lowering himself.
However, the show team wants exactly this kind of controversial topic, and Zhao Jiaqiang needs the buzz too, so both sides hit it off and got what they needed.
Although Zhao Jiaqiang isn’t very popular online, he’s definitely a former idol in the hearts of most middle-aged men and women.
So as soon as the live singing broadcast began, the TV station’s ratings kept climbing!
“The singing hasn’t even started yet, and the ratings have already broken 2!” The data monitor’s voice carried a hint of excitement.
Although the singing show is already a hit, its popularity is mostly online—its TV ratings have never reached the top!
This has to do with the type of show. After all… people who like watching this kind of program are all young people, so naturally they prefer the online livestream format!
As for watching on TV… that’s something only middle-aged and older people like to do.
And the singing show inviting Zhao Jiaqiang this time was also out of consideration for this aspect!
Using Zhao Jiaqiang’s appeal among middle-aged audiences to lock their channels onto the singing show.
From the current situation, Director Chen’s plan is going very smoothly.
Next it’s up to the singers. As long as they bring out their corresponding strength, they can attract another big wave of middle-aged viewers, and then the show’s position will truly be secure.
The live performance began.
The program started according to the previous rules, and the singers performing earlier all gave it their all.
They knew very well that the stars of this stage weren’t them—it was Qin Yunxuan, Chen Qiyun, and Zhao Jiaqiang!
But they also didn’t want to be supporting acts and foils anymore.
As long as they could perform beyond their usual level, they could also fight for a place.
And… even if they couldn’t beat them, as long as they shone on stage, it would be very helpful for their future careers.
After all, with their strength and status, they had no way of participating in a hit variety show!
And the singing show was their best chance to turn things around!
“Huh? These young singers are all pretty good, their strength is actually quite strong!”
“Yeah, even though I can’t name them, they’re all quite capable one by one. I used to look down on today’s singers, but I think… I was a bit too hasty!”
“Isn’t this the star my daughter likes most? I’ve always been against it, but now… she’s actually pretty good. This could be a chance to connect with my daughter!”
Online, quite a few netizens were also surprised.
It seemed that ever since the singing show became a hit, these singers’ strength had been improving at a visible rate. Many of them had undergone earth-shaking changes from the first episode to now.
“Chen Xuan’s voice is getting steadier and steadier. In the first episode there were some off-key moments, but now he’s as steady as a rock!”
“Zhang Luan is also very strong. What a pity he’s not an original singer. But then again, this is a singing stage, not an original stage—who started this unhealthy trend?”
“Hahaha, who else but Qin Yunxuan? But… I’m really looking forward to the second showdown between Qin Yunxuan and Chen Qiyun this episode! I believe Chen Qiyun will definitely bring out her big move this time!”
“That’s right, Chen Qiyun will definitely surprise us this time, and she’ll definitely defeat Qin Yunxuan!”
“Um… doesn’t anyone care about Zhao Jiaqiang? He was once a king of pop too…”
…
Compared to the real world, the online community pays more attention to Qin Yunxuan and Chen Qiyun. Even Liu Qingcheng gets more attention than Zhao Jiaqiang.
After all, in the fast-paced online world, no one would specifically remember a king of pop from twenty years ago!
Because of Qin Yunxuan and Chen Qiyun, the singing show’s online buzz has remained high.
The first few singers finished performing, and soon it would be everyone’s anticipated Chen Qiyun’s turn.
The showdown between Qin Yunxuan and Chen Qiyun was also an important highlight of this episode!
Could Chen Qiyun, the strongest original singer of the younger generation, finally wipe away her shame and trample Qin Yunxuan underfoot to prove her strength?
The answer would soon be revealed.
“Next, please welcome Chen Qiyun, who will bring you an original song, ‘Ode to the Cloud Palace’!”
Everyone was a bit confused. Ode to the Cloud Palace—what was that? Why did it sound so much like an ancient poem?
“‘Ode to the Cloud Palace’ was written by an empress eight hundred years ago. It tells of her being confined in the Cloud Palace, missing the emperor, and writing it out of heartfelt emotion! But what does that have to do with Chen Qiyun’s song?”
Some people who had studied history immediately connected it to the “Ode to the Cloud Palace” from eight hundred years ago!
“Whoa, I thought it sounded so familiar—it’s that ‘Ode to the Cloud Palace’ from middle school extracurricular reading! Could this song have something to do with ‘Ode to the Cloud Palace’?”
“I don’t know. She’s not going to recite the poem on stage, is she? That would be interesting!”
Not to mention the fans, even the professionals following the show were all bewildered about what Chen Qiyun was going to do.
But soon, Chen Qiyun appeared before everyone, dressed in an elegant and luxurious palace gown with a phoenix crown and rosy cape, an air of noble grandeur rushing toward them.
“Amazing, is this Chen Qiyun? This look… even as a girl, I’m in love!”
“I only knew Chen Qiyun’s original songs were impressive, but I never expected her to be this beautiful too!”
“I think I’m starting to understand…”
Chen Qiyun’s entrance was truly stunning. Combined with the stage, lighting, and accompaniment, it further brought out her grandeur and splendor at this moment.
The sound of a guzheng came through, mixed with the sounds of pipa, xun, and other instruments, instantly transporting everyone into a secluded palace courtyard.
Accompanied by the classical music, Chen Qiyun slowly began to sing.
Her voice was melodious and graceful—wistful with a hint of longing, cool and clear with a touch of sorrow!
“Beautiful, truly too beautiful!”
“My mom asked why I’m kneeling while watching the livestream—this is literally kneel-worthy from the first note!”
“This is my first time hearing someone set an ancient poem to music. Chen Qiyun is truly amazing!”
“Forget the rest—put ‘amazing’ all over the screen!”
…
This novel form of music not only stunned the fans but also shocked music industry professionals!
Rearranging an ancient poem into a song could have such a great effect. Chen Qiyun truly deserved to be called a genius. Who else but her could come up with such a wild and imaginative idea?
To some extent, Chen Qiyun had even created a new music genre—this wasn’t an achievement just anyone could reach!
“Qin Yunxuan… is really in danger this time!” This thought appeared in countless people’s minds.
