Chapter 38: 038: Orange Isle Head, Visitors from Beijing
“The moon is so curved tonight…”
“I wonder if it’s over inside? Liangying should be the champion!”
Shen Qing exhaled a puff of smoke and stomped out the cigarette butt with his foot.
“Uncle, thanks for the cigarette, I’ll bring you a pack of Hongtashan tomorrow.”
After speaking, Shen Qing nodded to the security guard uncle watching the venue and turned into the studio.
He had just come out for some fresh air and happened to see the uncle smoking, and the moon was very curved, so Shen Qing, in a good mood, couldn’t help but ask for one.
Just smoking for fun.
It shouldn’t affect his throat.
…
On stage.
Zhang Liangying wiped away a tear from the corner of her right eye, and the director gave a close-up shot.
This scene was seen by everyone across the country watching the live broadcast.
Some people who didn’t understand were muttering: Who is she looking for? Someone so important to Zhang Liangying?
And some Liangfen who knew Shen Qing were cursing: Shen Qing, where are you? Liangying is crying, why aren’t you going up to comfort her!!!
…
Seeing this, Wang Han could only continue to host, “Liangying, keep going. The person you’re looking for is definitely waiting for you in some unexpected place. Now, reveal your last digit…”
Zhang Liangying nodded her head, “Mm, okay.”
She reached out her small hand and uncovered the last cover, revealing the full number. In an instant, the audience and those in front of the television fell silent.
It wasn’t one number, but two numbers!
This…
Wang Han’s microphone fell to his lips, but he couldn’t utter a word.
You Weiwei was also extremely shocked.
The three judges were even more surprised.
Ji Minjia and Ye Yiqian turned their heads to look, completely stunned.
No, is this number wrong?
Everyone had this doubt.
Wang Han: “Heavens, am I seeing this correctly? Zhang Liangying’s vote count is actually 473,677 votes… Oh my god, is it really 470,000 votes?”
You Weiwei: “Unbelievable, let’s ask the notary to verify it again.”
The notary took the microphone handed by the stage manager and said, “The data is correct. Zhang Liangying indeed received 473,677 votes.”
Boom…
The venue exploded.
The fans of Ye Yiqian and Ji Minjia were completely dumbfounded. The two of them combined didn’t even have a fraction of Zhang Liangying’s votes!
Is this scientific?
This isn’t awesome, is it?
However, when they thought about it again, it seemed to make some sense.
Zhang Liangying had sung three complete original songs in several rounds of competition, and all of them were on the top ten charts of Kugou Music.
Two of these songs even made it into the top 50 of the annual ringtone download charts.
Who could compare to Ji Minjia and Ye Yiqian?
In addition, Li Yuchun and other Super Girls who advanced to the finals had complex feelings. This vote count was difficult for them to accept for a moment, “How could it be so many?”
…
Wang Han applauded, excitedly saying, “Let’s give Zhang Liangying, the well-deserved Division Champion, our warmest applause!”
Clap, clap, clap…
Ye Yiqian and Ji Minjia also applauded.
At this moment, the two of them had no trace of jealousy.
After all, the gap in strength was evident.
Jealousy would only make them seem petty and narrow-minded; grabbing onto a strong supporter was the right way!
If Zhang Liangying became famous in the future, with the status of a fellow contestant from the Hangzhou Division, they might be able to get some scraps.
At the same time.
Confetti rained down from the ceiling of the studio. All the other Top Ten contestants who had been eliminated took the stage and stood behind Zhang Liangying and the others.
And at this moment, Shen Qing happened to witness this scene.
He stood at the very back of the studio, hands in his pockets, smiling as he looked at Zhang Liangying, who was standing in the Center Position on stage.
This woman did not disappoint.
Shen Qing was very satisfied: “Very spirited. We can go to Changsha tomorrow.”
…
Inside the studio.
The song “Sing If You Want To” was already playing. Whenever it played in a division, it meant the competition was about to end.
Fans in the audience hugged and cheered.
Contestants on stage congratulated each other.
However, although Zhang Liangying won the championship, she didn’t seem overly happy, as if she were just forcing a smile.
But at this moment, Zhang Liangying saw Shen Qing—standing in the very last row, a nonchalant guy.
Zhang Liangying ran over, pouting.
…
The live broadcast ended.
On stage, the contestants ranked second to tenth were celebrating.
Wang Han and You Weiwei were at a loss whether to laugh or cry.
Wang Han turned off his microphone and said softly, “Liangying, this girl doesn’t pay attention to her status. She’s going to debut, and she’s exposing her romantic life…”
You Weiwei smiled and said, “You men just don’t understand women… If I met a guy like Shen Qing, I would do the same.”
An hour later, the Top Ten contestants, hosts, judges, executive director, and others gathered to celebrate the end of the Hangzhou Division.
As the Division Champion, Zhang Liangying treated them to this meal.
Of course, Shen Qing also attended.
…
The next day.
Tieba, forums, and other places were discussing Zhang Liangying’s text message vote count issue.
Some anti-fans didn’t believe it was real and were spreading rumors of vote manipulation everywhere.
The Liangfen were not to be outdone and fought back everywhere.
The Super Girl Bar was once again in chaos.
Television news, online media, and newspapers all reported on last night’s live broadcast, and the news of Zhang Liangying winning the Hangzhou Division championship spread across the country in a single day.
Office workers, students, and retirees—almost every group was discussing it.
But before Zhang Liangying could enjoy her joy, she received a notice—the first elimination round would begin on July 15, 2005.
That is, next Friday.
Less than a week away.
That afternoon, all the contestants took a train directly to Changsha, eight hundred kilometers away, arriving at midnight.
Upon arriving in Changsha, Zhang Liangying and the others checked into the hotel provided by the program team.
Zhang Liangying and Ye Yiqian were assigned to the same room.
After washing up, Ye Yiqian bid Zhang Liangying goodnight. Tomorrow, Ye Yiqian would go to Mango TV for a meeting to understand the rules for the next two elimination rounds.
As the Division Champion, Zhang Liangying could directly advance to the Top Ten.
She did not need to participate in the first two elimination rounds and only needed to participate in the Top 8 Finals on July 29th.
The other four contestants who directly advanced to the Top Ten were: Zhou Bichang from Guangzhou, Zhao Jingyi from Changsha, Li Yuchun from Chengdu, and Zhu Yan from Zhengzhou.
Around eleven o’clock the next morning, Shen Qing, who was staying at a hotel at his own expense, and Zhang Liangying had a meal of Changsha specialty stir-fries outside and then took a bus to Orange Isle.
One could skip the night market in Changsha, but Orange Isle was a must-visit.
However, there was no statue of the great man in his youth at the head of Orange Isle at that time, so Shen Qing and Zhang Liangying just strolled around the isle and enjoyed the scenery along the Xiang River.
Ring ring ring~
The phone suddenly rang.
An unfamiliar number…
Shen Qing: “Hello, who is this?”
A middle-aged man’s voice came from the other end of the line, “Hello, I am Yuan Tao from Huayi Records. May I ask if you are Shen Qing, Zhang Liangying’s manager?”
