Chapter 196: The True Masked Singer
Good news, the program’s recording has ended;
Bad news, the real ordeal has just begun.
It wasn’t until the third day of practice singing that Yu Wei realized Tian Jun had come with a mission; he couldn’t sing at all…
Still underestimated the extent of this school’s showmanship; when they registered, they weren’t thinking of music enthusiasts, but advanced workers.
They specifically registered several outstanding teachers for the program, treating it like an awards ceremony for commendations.
What does singing music mean for the school?
What they need is to showcase the campus atmosphere and educational style, using the channel to reflect the school’s spirit; that’s called appearing on the program, that’s called being a representative!
When the school selects a frontman, they definitely pick someone great at teaching; what’s the use of picking someone great at singing.
Tian Jun has no way around it either; he’s just a worker, whether he goes or not isn’t up to him, and obeying does benefit him…
This opportunity, if he doesn’t go, plenty of others will.
Saying the school doesn’t respect the program isn’t entirely accurate; Music Blind Box’s concept is “hear every voice”—doesn’t mean someone who can’t sing isn’t human?
It can only be said that they maximized their “face project” KPI within the rules allowed; that’s called seize every opportunity.
And they didn’t go overboard; at least the “music teacher” that Chi Leying drew really can sing—it’s handled properly.
This fits many schools’ selection strategies perfectly: well-deserved talents are needed, but connections must be stuffed in too…
Tian Jun isn’t exactly connections, but he’s totally mismatched with music variety shows—tone-deaf, ugly voice, even poor rhythm sense; among passersby, he’s bottom-tier level.
Partnering with him is solidly hell-level difficulty.
Yu Wei is great at providing support, but that depends on the person; if they’re just a bit weak, he can carry them to fly, even if they can’t play he can try, but a game black hole is truly no way.
Tian Jun can’t read music and can only learn line by line following Yu Wei; after practicing half a day, not a single word was on pitch.
The sheet music couldn’t restrict him at all anymore…
At this level, randomly grabbing a reader from the book review section would be stronger than him.
“Teacher Yu, really sorry.”
“No problem.”
Yu Wei truly had no intention of blaming Tian Jun; after all, he had no choice either—who wants to be just a brick in someone else’s hands if they can help it?
Singing poorly isn’t a big deal; this program isn’t a competition, and Yu Wei isn’t competitive anyway—just treat it as an entertainment match.
Thinking positively, though practice singing wasn’t ideal, his novel’s data isn’t great either.
This redemption of Tomorrow Will Be Better still requires protagonist popularity value; 150,000 popularity value is just enough.
Character popularity value is absolutely the data Yu Wei lacks most right now; more readers mean subscriptions and interactions rise with the tide, and monthly tickets won’t be short.
Only this popularity value, everyone rarely clicks it specifically, so progress is quite slow.
But he’s not in a hurry; there are many honest ways to farm this thing, and worst case he can start a new book from scratch to exchange songs—rules are dead, people are alive; can a living person be choked to death by urine?
“It’s come to this; better write first.”
Yesterday’s native character battle had a good response; ever since Yu Wei added AI in the competition, readers now see original characters as sharp-featured and handsome.
After all, per the competition process, each of these native characters has a chance to appear in the future, seen and heard by everyone.
This impression is different from other novels; characters can step out of the book to sing, even beat real stars—immersion is unbeatable.
Though “Stars'” song hasn’t appeared yet, readers have spontaneously treated it as top-tier combat power, a huge favorite to win the competition.
It’s like there’s someone called “Protagonist Team”—just the name sounds unbeatable.
Before Stars, all stars are equal; if he wins the championship, no one would be surprised; if he loses, netizens would instead cry black curtain.
How could this conceptual god lose unless plot-killed…
Cyber cockfighting never goes out of style; though netizens are discussing hotly, Yu Wei can’t keep writing natives forever—time to arrange a new competition today.
[“Why is Zhou Mumu’s guest singer wearing a mask?”
Soft stage lights cast down, on-site audience naturally aren’t strangers to Zhou Mumu, but who’s the one beside her with the bronze mask?
The mysterious guest singer’s entrance immediately caused a stir among the guessing panel and audience below; many whispered, starting to guess who he is.
Why is the guest singer hiding his face?
No time for deep thought; The Answer’s serene piano intro slowly flows out, and as contestant Zhou Mumu opens first, her clear sweet voice quickly dispels the audience’s doubts.
Whatever, listen to the song first.
Immediately after, the mysterious male singer’s steady voice joins; his timbre warm and inclusive, captivating everyone again from the first note.
Effortless control clearly marks a talented singer of no small skill; audience lean in to listen, trying to catch any familiar vibrato.
Who on earth is this?]
Finally reached Yu Wei’s favorite Masked Singer segment—entertainment novel’s essential model play; one mask hides all traces to avoid detection, that’s the heavenly treasure.
As everyone knows, Masked Singer is an acting skills variety show.
Audience might not guess it, but it’s unlikely they can’t in reality—pure nonsense, everyone’s not blind; but in novels, no problem.
Yu Wei isn’t really holding a competition; he’s writing a novel—doesn’t it perfectly round it off?
Though Blue Star has no Masked Singer, it has similar programs, no hindrance to readers understanding this plot.
Program formats are just those few repeated; similars appearing is perfectly normal.
New chapter out just minutes and comment section turns into a mess; not only netizens baffled, even Zhou Mumu fans coming to hold the fort are confused.
What kind of development is this from Yu Wei?
The plot for Zhou Mumu’s song was just days ago; everyone was waiting for this song to debut—who expected a guest singer to suddenly pop up.
Guest singer is one thing, but not revealing identity afterward—just make them guess?
If not for a reason, Yu Wei wouldn’t go to extra trouble; looks like Zhou Mumu really invited a guest singer and doesn’t plan to appear…
“Hurry and release the song; no song, how to guess.”
“So this is a duet track; super excited, I’m just here for the song, don’t care who it is.”
“Haha, actually it’s me; no more acting, it’s me and Mu Mu singing together—didn’t expect Yu Wei to discover this.”
“I guess it’s Yu Wei himself; organizer embarrassed to compete, so mask and no face reveal.”
Novel plot has too little info, and text might lie too; who the mysterious masked man is still needs hearing the song to know.
Life isn’t a novel; as long as he appears in the video, forget mask—even censored, everyone can dig details; idle netizens can do anything.
How do they know Fei Hong didn’t appear on camera at all…
Yu Wei was guarding against netizens’ move, so only voice no person; it’s a fake competition, no need for stars on stage—video shoot however wanted.
Person not appearing—that’s the true masked singer.
Though unknown who the guest singer specifically is, in the novel plot he seems quite skilled.
With guest singer, Zhou Mumu only gets stronger; plus Yu Wei’s work, this song is pure dimensional strike.
The Answer not out yet but has netizens hooked; lately it’s either AI or discarded drafts, then tortured by “giegie”—everyone’s starving.
Music, they need real music.
New song fires before release; happiest are definitely Zhou Mumu fans, but first alarmed are Qi Luo An and Shen Yutong.
What, Peach Blossom Promise in double danger again?
Yu Wei’s new song plus Zhou Mumu’s singing, plus mysterious guest singer—this match can’t lose.
Already third time; another roadblock on their song path—if not tricked twice before, they’d really believe it.
Yu Wei must be confident knowing Zhou Mumu won’t pick Peach Blossom Promise, right? This routine they’re too familiar with—deliberately whet appetite…
“I don’t know.”
This time Yu Wei really doesn’t know; Tong Yulu was due to disbandment issue, but Zhou Mumu has no special situation.
Objective analysis: if opportunity arises, Zhou Mumu probably would pick it; she’s an actor herself, matches TV theme song perfectly.
Singing theme song can gain fans, drama fans at that—fits her path, expands base.
“Trash film god song” might affect singer reputation, but for her it’s fine; she doesn’t rely on singing.
Max benefit, min impact; compared to other contestants, she’s absolutely most suited to pick Peach Blossom Promise for cooperation.
“Really don’t know?”
Shen Yutong instantly panics a bit; Yu Wei doesn’t seem to be lying—he really doesn’t know if Zhou Mumu will pick this song.
She can think of the pros too; big chance Zhou Mumu picks it…
Bad, really in danger this time!
Qi Luo An thinks of another layer.
She’s heard Zhou Mumu’s company controls her strictly; even if she doesn’t want to pick, her company won’t miss this golden opportunity.
This lineup beats AI for sure; with company intervention, Zhou Mumu picking Peach Blossom Promise is nailed.
Shen Yutong’s heart cools half; is this fate—no time, no forcing?
Anxious so many times, she’s tired too; likes the song, but it’s come to this—what’s the use of thinking more.
“Let Zhou Mumu treat it well…”
Qi Luo An doesn’t even know how to comfort her; this is true grief greater than heartbreak—entered “greatest love is letting go” phase?
“Peach Blossom Promise won’t be picked; don’t worry.”
Yu Wei’s reply stuns the somewhat dejected duo; didn’t he say Zhou Mumu probably would pick it? Now says it won’t be picked.
Left brain right brain fighting?
“Mu Mu would probably pick it if she could, but I didn’t say she has the opportunity.”
Just ask if she’ll pick—Yu Wei really doesn’t know; he’s not a worm in her belly. If opportunity, Zhou Mumu probably wouldn’t pass.
Problem is Yu Wei doesn’t plan to give her the chance to pick.
Only win AI to pick song—who said this round Zhou Mumu’s opponent is AI.
Top Streamer Enthusiastic Praise isn’t just native characters; for Zhou Mumu’s match, Yu Wei planned real person PK from the start.
Her opponent is Huang Chuyang who was forced to advance then, the buddy who actively surrendered to be his inside man…
His wish is glamorous elimination; losing to AI too embarrassing, losing to talented person is dignified— this match is glamorous enough.
Lose to Zhou Mumu plus Fei Hong, plus his new song—that’s truly not embarrassing.
“You kid, playing us huh.”
“You didn’t ask…”
What gave them the illusion that winning means picking song.
Reason for this arrangement: Yu Wei already gave Zhou Mumu The Answer as representative work—enough.
If she uses his song to beat AI then picks another, too partial; other contestants won’t say but feel unbalanced.
Has one and wants another—all benefits to her.
Custom winner huh?
Let her advance with his song but no reward—everyone accepts; in a sense, it’s pre-spending the reward.
Others win match get song; she gets song wins match—no more.
“I hold competitions for three things: fairness, fairness, or f*cking fairness.”
