Chapter 135: Playing Against The Ordinary
Busy, all busy.
Being a bit busy is good…
Ever since returning to the company, Zhang Lingye was almost bored to death. He wanted to call Yu Wei and Qi Yuan to go out for a couple of meals, but they were even busier than each other.
Both were busy practicing singing to prepare for the upcoming performance, but Yu Wei was also updating his novel daily while practicing, which was truly impressive.
He even heard that Yu Wei was writing two books at the same time, but that sounded impossible. Yu Wei didn’t have that kind of time.
Fortunately, Zhang Lingye’s boredom didn’t last too long, because he pulled some strings to get tickets for the offline performance of the sixth episode of Music Blind Box.
Although it cost three thousand bucks, he felt it was worth it, because he knew this performance would definitely be spectacular.
With Chen Ping’s posthumous work making its debut, plus Yu Wei going full power, this episode would absolutely become an unavoidable monument in the Chinese Music Scene.
For this, he had to watch the performance on-site, appreciating this battle of the century from all angles without any blind spots.
However, Zhang Lingye didn’t want to draw too much attention either. After all, he didn’t want to affect his two good brothers’ performance. Watching stealthily from the audience seats would do.
Wearing a black hoodie and mask, he stood out sharply in the crowd. Everyone didn’t know he was a star and just thought he was a conspicuous person.
Put it this way: when lining up for ticket checks, others kept a full body length away from him, making him feel like one of those people who mutter to themselves while walking, don’t use an umbrella in the rain, and suddenly strike a pose…
Zhang Lingye didn’t mind this at all. After all, he was really popular now, and showing his face made it easy to be recognized.
Thanks to Yu Wei, he was no longer a national server corpse, but an international server corpse.
Because Sound Mixer received a Luwen Award nomination, the short film stirred up heat once again, and many who hadn’t watched it before now did.
Plus, the movie had quite a few frontal close-ups of his face. Now, going out on the street, it was hard not to be recognized. Even kids would probably yell upon seeing him, “Mom, he’s alive.”
Zhang Lingye originally thought he was the only odd one out, but as his gaze swept over the line, he immediately noticed two similarly sneaky girls at the end of the queue.
One had poised demeanor, the other wore a cowboy jacket with a horse-face skirt. Standing together, they were completely from different dimensions, but they seemed to have a very harmonious relationship.
Live long enough, and you see everything. These days, people still dress like that?
Before Zhang Lingye could react, a resentful “tch tch” came from the glasses girl lining up behind him. Unbeknownst to him, the line had reached him.
“Sorry.”
He quickly stepped forward for the ticket check and soon put the earlier sighting behind him.
The one at the end of the line with the weird outfit was naturally Qi Luo An. Since Yu Wei and her brother were battling, she definitely had to come take a look. As for Shen Yutong, she was dragged here by Qi Luo An.
“Will there really be an immortal fight?”
Shen Yutong usually stayed at home and rarely appeared in such settings. This time, Qi Luo An had tricked her into coming.
Hearing there was an immortal fight in the music field, no matter how unwilling she was, she had to come. Seeing immortal techniques was a win.
Actually, it couldn’t be called tricking. Although Yu Wei didn’t say it explicitly, Qi Luo An keenly sensed that this matter was probably related to Old Deng.
Plus Qi Yuan’s so-called special training, she felt her brother was well-prepared, and it was very likely dog riding human power…
Pfft!
After getting a confirmed answer, Shen Yutong still had some doubts. After all, she’d known Qi Luo An since childhood, and she rarely spoke the truth.
Although the two entered last, their seats were quite front-row. After all, their tickets were directly obtained from the program team without spending a dime.
Tickets for this kind of program recording on-site were often given as favors. Public figures coming to support would definitely be arranged by the program team, since getting caught on camera could ride the popularity wave.
No way there are really stars who come to watch the program and have to buy tickets with money, right?
Shen Yutong aside, due to the second explosion of Sound Mixer, Qi Luo An’s popularity was also very high now. Yesterday afternoon in class, she almost got stopped for a photo, but luckily she ran ahead…
Fortunately, she hadn’t entered the industry and didn’t even have her own account, so she still had no fame. Strangers seeing her would just go “hey hey hey, you’re that one,” but couldn’t name her.
This was truly the play red but person not red. After all, she wasn’t even an artist.
The program recording hadn’t started yet, but the four guests were already all there. Yu Wei was chatting idly with Teacher Meng, and Su Xinnan was playing on her mobile phone nearby.
Only Qi Yuan was lying on a chair with eyes closed in concentration, seemingly doing deep breathing.
“Looks like your brother is quite nervous.”
“Being nervous now is too late. What was he doing earlier?”
Shen Yutong smiled but said nothing. An An had been like this since childhood, not very fond of her own brother.
But honestly, she’d met Qi Yuan a few times and also felt he was strange… Seemingly naturally sunny, but actually hollow inside, resisting maturity.
He wasn’t truly carefree; he was a fugitive. He wasn’t incapable; he was unwilling to bear the cost. This wasn’t a personality issue, but his dark side at work.
Qi Luo An, hearing her analysis, exclaimed divine doctor. People really need to read more books.
“By the way, what have you been busy with lately? We chat less now.”
When Shen Yutong was busy before, Qi Luo An messaged her all day to harass. Now that she was free, the other ignored her. Sigh, the emotion had faded.
“Nothing much…”
If writing web novels was known by a cultured person like Yutong, she’d definitely be laughed at. Qi Luo An decided to guard this secret to the death.
“If you don’t want to say, forget it.” Shen Yutong didn’t pry, but when she looked toward the stage, she was slightly surprised. “Looks like Yu Wei is quite nervous too.”
Unbeknownst to them, Qi Yuan had started chatting with Teacher Meng, while Yu Wei began lying there with eyes closed resting, looking very serene.
“Just adjusting state, normal.”
Shen Yutong couldn’t help laughing. Clearly the same action, but An An was too partial. Was her own brother still no match for her romantic brother?
Yu Wei certainly wasn’t nervous; he was simply sleepy…
He hadn’t slept well on the road a few days ago, his schedule disrupted and not yet adjusted back. Sitting down made him drowsy.
If he slept through to the end of the program, that would become a masterpiece.
“This psychologist is pretty good. You should go see her when you have time, to relieve some pressure.”
Meng Han very skillfully pulled a business card from his pocket and handed it to Qi Yuan. He could tell: it was hard to say for Yu Wei, but this Qi family kid might really have some mental issues…
Ever since arriving at the broadcast hall, he’d been saying weird things. He really needed to get checked, or it was quite scary.
“Teacher Su, do you want one?”
Meng Han specially brought an extra one this time, in case Su Xinnan caused trouble again. Last time he didn’t give her one, it was quite awkward.
“Why would I want this? My mental state is fine.”
“…”
Yu Wei silently got up, feeling he hadn’t rested solidly, like someone was peeping at him, a prickling sensation on his back.
And it seemed like more than one…
“I thought you had fainted from fear.”
Qi Yuan chuckled, finally squeezing out a somewhat tough line.
Already at the trash-talking stage?
Looks like with the inheritance in hand, this kid was indeed fearless. Yu Wei didn’t say much, just revealing a bit of his creation progress.
“Actually, I’ve already thought out the novel’s plot for tomorrow, planning to write about your competition with Zhang Lingye.”
Qi Yuan paused upon hearing this. Previously, he and Yu Wei had agreed: if he lost today, Yu Wei could arrange his role in the novel however he wanted.
This statement seemed casual, but brimmed with confidence. Yu Wei had already planned the follow-up plot, meaning he was fully confident of winning today.
Qi Yuan remained outwardly calm, but inside waves surged uncontrollably. He knew it was Chen Ping’s song and was still this confident?
Could he really produce something better in such a short time…
Yu Wei wasn’t that arrogant. This is what he thought: if he won, of course he’d write it—that was the prior agreement.
But if he lost, he’d still write it. You’ve beaten me, so help out a bit, what’s wrong with that?
Mainly, in the novel’s plot, Zhang Lingye had no other suitable opponent. No one fit this spot better than Qi Yuan.
Of course, Yu Wei still had some confidence. This time, both he and Qi Yuan were kinda cheating, using others’ songs, but his strength lay in perfect mastery.
No matter how hard Qi Yuan trained, human singing skill had limits, but he was no longer human…
Just before the program recording started, Yu Wei instinctively glanced at the audience seats to see if they were full, and immediately spotted the mismatched sunglasses girl in the front row.
Although her face was well-covered, that style—it had to be Qi Luo An.
“We’ve been spotted.”
Qi Luo An just nodded in acknowledgment, with no extra movements.
See, same guests, but her brother hadn’t noticed her. This was the gap between people, so she couldn’t be blamed for being partial.
Zhang Lingye in the back row was startled by Yu Wei’s glance. Close call—he thought his buddy had spotted him.
The program recording officially began. This episode, Qi Yuan was first for the interview. He had truly farmed for two and a half days, finally understanding what “hoeing at noon when the sun is high” meant…
Farmer Uncle gave him high evaluation. Although a bit clumsy, he worked quite diligently—a good child.
When it came to Yu Wei, he didn’t beat around the bush either. This ride-along taught him a lot and let him truly experience what The Ordinary Road was.
That’s right, he ultimately chose The Ordinary Road as his performance song. It was more suitable, and his understanding of it was deeper.
It was as if the program team had heard the news in advance; this time, they specially arranged Qi Yuan and Yu Wei as the last two.
As the first group on stage, Su Xinnan surprisingly chose a youth sweet song. Ever since getting older, she’d positioned herself as the big sister in the entertainment industry, known for her mature way of handling things.
This cutesy sweet song coming from her mouth was truly unbelievable. Even her acquaintance Shen Yutong had never seen her like this.
Of course, her cuteness had no greasiness, and she sang it very well, seeming completely let loose.
This song actually fit the milk tea image well. Don’t look down on Su Xinnan for not being in music; since joining the program, she’d been very dedicated every episode.
“My turn, my turn.”
Before going on stage, Meng Han was even a bit eager. Yu Wei looked closely: on stage were actually iron buckets and stainless steel.
This time, he was really planning some heavy metal rock…
The repairman in oil-stained work pants raised a wrench high and struck the metal plate. The impromptu percussion instantly ignited the whole audience, directly pushing the on-site atmosphere to a climax.
Teacher Meng was still that Teacher Meng—his adaptation and innovation abilities were his most terrifying strengths…
“Are you planning to sing The Hills or The Ordinary Road today?”
Amid the metallic roar background, Qi Yuan couldn’t hold back and asked this. Before going on stage, he wanted to know Yu Wei’s choice.
Although the novel had more plot about the latter, Yu Wei’s actions were too unpredictable; he didn’t dare conclude.
“The Ordinary Road.”
Qi Yuan was going on stage soon, so Yu Wei had no need to hide it from him.
“That’s good.” Qi Yuan breathed a sigh of relief, seeming somewhat relieved. “My song is also themed around the ordinary.”
“Great, we can compete again with the same theme.”
Last time, in the contest about the ordinary, Qi Yuan was utterly defeated. This time with the same theme, he would definitely do better.
Starting with the ordinary, ending with the ordinary.
This was what he yearned for—his destined battle!
Daily update check-in day seven.
A bit late today; daily updates are still too exhausting. I’ll try to keep going!
