Chapter 16: 016: Top 10 to Top 7 Elimination Round
“Who’s afraid of a woman becoming an ambitious person?”
“Go dream, go chase, go ask a question.”
“What’s the difference between a gentleman and me?”
“Confine my body, holding a plaque and telling me to bow to the dust.”
“Restrain my soul, with rules and regulations telling me to endure and swallow.”
“Laughing at my future, unable to step out of the house.”
“…”
Zhang Liangying sang “Ambitious Person” over and over again, and each time, she was like a little girl waiting for her teacher’s critique, waiting for Shen Qing’s evaluation.
When Shen Qing praised her, she was exceptionally happy and smiled so joyfully.
When Shen Qing pointed out her problems, she would squat by Shen Qing’s leg, tilting her head with a wronged expression, giving Shen Qing the feeling of disciplining a young girl.
Damn it!
She was too good at it.
The satisfaction of this kind of discipline and progress made both of them unable to stop. For two consecutive days, they were disciplining… no, practicing “Ambitious Person.”
The effect was very obvious.
Zhang Liangying could sing it very well. From Shen Qing’s professional standpoint, she could easily defeat other contestants in the Hangzhou Division.
However.
Practicing just one song was not enough.
Because this 10-to-7 competition required at least two to three rounds.
In the first round, each contestant would sing for thirty seconds in a relay, and then the three judges would select the weakest person, who would then be pitted against the person with the lowest text message votes for a PK.
The loser would be directly eliminated.
In the second round, each contestant would sing a complete song, and then the judges and text message votes would select the two worst performers for a PK.
In the third round, each person would perform an acapella, with the same elimination method as before.
Therefore.
Every round was crucial.
Shen Qing: “Liangying, I’ve thought of half a song these past two days. You can sing it acapella in the third round.”
Zhang Liangying: “Huh? Half a song?”
Shen Qing: “Yes, because the whole song is a duet, so you can only sing the female part, which is essentially half a song, right?”
Zhang Liangying: “Hehe, okay. Can we sing duets in the future?”
Regarding Shen Qing’s songwriting talent, Comrade Zhang had gradually accepted it. She would only be extremely surprised if Shen Qing produced an entire album for her!
As everyone knows, acapella is a great test of skill.
Therefore.
The song chosen must be able to highlight the singer’s strengths.
For example, if she has strong high notes, choose a high-note song; if she has strong weak mixes, choose a song with many weak mixes; if her emotional delivery is on point, choose a song with strong emotions.
Zhang Liangying was too versatile.
Her low notes, high notes, strong mixes, weak mixes, breathy tones, head voice, and emotions – almost every aspect was flawless, completely surpassing other Super Girl contestants.
The previously created “Ambitious Person” was already enough to showcase the above characteristics.
So, what song should be chosen for the acapella?
Shen Qing’s answer was emotion – “Daughter Country.”
Because “Ambitious Person” had already stirred the audience’s emotions, fans and passersby knew that beneath Zhang Liangying’s delicate exterior lay a strong heart.
At this moment, a little more fuel was needed.
But this fire didn’t need to be too intense.
A gentle one would suffice.
It would allow fans and passersby to see another side of Zhang Liangying – she wasn’t just a strong girl; she also had a soft side within her heart.
This, was a truly living Super Girl.
After the 10-to-7 competition ended a few days later, fans would discover that Shen Qing had given Zhang Liangying four vivid labels.
First, born into poverty yet still pursuing her dream of singing;
Second, “Thing” showcased her lively and cute girlish side;
Third, “Ambitious Person” emphasized her inner strength;
Fourth, “Daughter Country” embodied her tender affection.
Who wouldn’t love such a contestant!
Shen Qing felt happy thinking about how future new fans would cry buckets after learning Zhang Liangying’s story.
Look, all of this was created by me!
…
When Zhang Liangying saw the lyrics and music score, and after hearing Shen Qing sing “Daughter Country” again, she was completely smitten, her eyes sparkling.
“Qing, you’re amazing! How did you come up with such a beautiful song?”
“Talent!”
“Ahhh… I wish I had your talent too, even just a tenth of it!”
“Talent is either there or it isn’t; there’s no such thing as a tenth. Besides, you have me, so what else do you need talent for?”
“Hehe, that’s true.”
…
June 16th.
The Top Ten contestants began to enter the program group for dance training and to discuss their performance songs.
When Zhang Liangying revealed two original songs again, the other nine contestants and the entire production team were in an uproar, “No way, is this endless?”
Hosts Wang Han and You Weiwei, along with judges Hei Nan, Zhang Lu, and Zhang Man, were all incredibly surprised.
“You’re saying, in less than a week, Shen Qing created two original songs for you?”
“My goodness!”
“How is Shen Qing so fast?”
“Liangying, can you sing it acapella?”
“…”
After Zhang Liangying sang a few lines, Hei Nan nodded heavily, “I believe it now. That kid Shen Qing is definitely a musical genius.”
Zhang Lu laughed heartily, “I didn’t expect him to actually create two songs. We at Taihe Rye Music must sign this great talent.”
Although Taihe Rye Music couldn’t directly interfere with Super Girl’s signings, there was no rule preventing Shen Qing from signing, right?
But Wang Han poured cold water on him, “President Zhang, I think it’s quite uncertain. That kid Shen Qing doesn’t seem like someone who’s easily signed…”
You Weiwei also smiled, “Indeed. He… seems quite unrestrained…”
Zhang Liangying smiled and said nothing.
But she was also certain that Shen Qing would absolutely not sign with Taihe Rye Music.
Zhang Lu didn’t give up and planned to find Shen Qing for drinks and a chat in the next couple of days. If he could sign him, it would be a great boost for Taihe Rye Music.
Meanwhile.
The other nine Super Girls had their own thoughts.
“Sigh, Zhang Liangying is so lucky…”
“I envy her for having Shen Qing. Where is my Shen Qing?”
“…”
Ye Yiqian touched her phone, suddenly wanting to send Shen Qing a text message, but she didn’t know what to say. After much deliberation, she put down her phone.
“It would be great if Shen Qing could write a song for me.”
“I wonder if he’d be willing…”
She thought silently.
…
June 19th.
The 2005 Super Girl Hangzhou Division 10-to-7 competition arrived as scheduled, with viewership expected to triple compared to previous episodes.
Zhang Liangying contributed at least half of the viewership.
Many people came specifically for her.
This time, Shen Qing didn’t even need to recruit passersby to act as fans; over a hundred of Zhang Liangying’s ‘Liangfen’ had spontaneously formed groups to cheer her on inside and outside the venue.
The number of fans was more than all the other nine contestants combined.
Judging solely by this, Zhang Liangying’s audience vote count would not be low, and there might be a significant lead.
Shen Qing finished applying makeup for Zhang Liangying backstage, and Ye Yiqian also looked at Shen Qing expectantly, asking him to help her with her makeup.
To be honest.
This girl was quite cute, belonging to the lady-like type.
However, her makeup didn’t highlight this characteristic. Shen Qing felt a bit of an itch to try, so he applied makeup that accentuated her ladylike features.
Zhang Liangying: “Wow, Yiqian, you look so beautiful now.”
Ji Minjia and others nearby were stunned.
No way!
It’s just makeup, how can you change so much?
Ye Yiqian was overjoyed and kept thanking Shen Qing. If it weren’t for the program staff urging her, she would have invited Shen Qing to dinner on the spot.
【Ding】
【Reward Prompt: Ye Yiqian is very satisfied with your makeup. Her appearance and temperament have been enhanced by 100%, and her heart is as sweet as honey】
【Favorability +200】
Shen Qing: “Damn, that much favorability?”
…
Meanwhile.
Hosts Wang Han and You Weiwei had already taken the stage, and Shen Qing also walked to the audience seats, sitting quietly and waiting for the live broadcast to begin.
