Chapter 234: I Need To Become Stronger
51 professional judges lit up 49 lights for Pei Ningle—this score left the four mentors somewhat shocked.
In the previous quarterfinals, such as Liang Kun and Liu Jiang’s main selection rounds, the highest score was only 45 to 48 points, and most people scored in the thirties. 49 points was already the highest score record so far!
But before they could sigh a few words, it was the next contestant’s turn to take the stage.
Perhaps Pei Ningle’s high score really affected those who came after, as the second contestant finished singing and only got 16 points, a stark contrast.
Then the third one, 27 points.
Not just the professional judges, the audience on site also seemed somewhat disinterested. Compared to Pei Ningle’s first song, the cheers and applause for the second and third were much weaker, even seeming a bit cold.
When the fourth contestant took the stage, the downturn was finally reversed. Rap singer Xie Hong’s song 《I Ain’t Going to Work》, with its strong drum beat rhythm and catchy lyrics, livened up the atmosphere again.
“I ain’t going to work tomorrow, I’ll laze however I want,
I ain’t going to work tomorrow, no need to grovel for clients,
No work tomorrow, I can live a bit real…”
The lyrics, full of details and real feeling, were rapped out by him at an extremely fast speed, like a machine gun da-da-da sweeping the audience. Compared to Pei Ningle’s quiet style, this ‘heat’ seemed more suited to today’s stage.
Even the four mentors, especially Peng Xiaoya herself, excitedly stood up from their seats.
“Better than the first time!” Peng Xiaoya praised, “Your sense of rhythm today is too strong. The Chinese music scene needs fresh blood like you with a brand new style!”
But from the professional judges, it was still only 42 points, behind Pei Ningle.
The fifth and sixth contestants to take the stage were both rock, scoring 37 and 40 respectively, neither seeming able to threaten Pei Ningle.
Then came the seventh song.
The seventh contestant to take the stage was named Zeng Ze. He looked like an ordinary man, not old, but his slightly vicissitudinous features didn’t look young either. But when he opened his mouth, the melody was stunning—even though everyone had heard it once already, hearing it again still tugged at the heartstrings.
“When you are old and gray and full of sleep,
When you are old and unable to walk,
Nodding by the fire, dreaming of youth…”
This poem by the famous Irish poet was given an especially lyrical melody by him, deeply moving.
When the song ended, the four judges were momentarily at a loss for words.
Finally, Peng Xiaoya said, “My advice on your adaptation… no, you did better than I imagined, much better!”
Then came the professional judges’ scoring segment.
The 51 judges gave a super high score of 50 points!
“This competition is really exciting,” clearly from the mentor seats, Chu Tianjian sighed like a penguin, “Each one more impressive than the last.”
Liang Kun looked at Peng Xiaoya and laughed, “Now you’re in a pickle, see how you choose. Eliminating either would be a pity!”
————
The eight contestants stood in a row on the stage again.
“The eight contestants have finished singing, and the professional judges have given their scores. So far, the highest score is Zeng Ze’s 《When You Are Old》 with 50 votes; second is Pei Ningle’s 《Dawn》 with 49 votes; third is Xie Hong’s 《I Ain’t Going to Work》 with 42 votes…” The host said this, looking toward the mentor seats, “The next power is handed to our star mentors. Except for Mentor Peng Xiaoya, each of the three has five votes in hand. Who do you plan to give them to?”
The first to speak was Liang Kun: “No beating around the bush, my votes go to Pei Ningle! Let me tell you, little girl, even though you didn’t choose me, I’ve always thought highly of you.”
Pei Ningle quickly bowed and said, “Thank you, mentor! Thank you, Teacher Liang Kun!”
Liang Kun smiled and nodded—anyway, he had given his votes, so no matter how things developed afterward, that old friend of his probably wouldn’t cause trouble anymore, right?
Besides, with Pei Ningle’s vote count and stage performance, Liang Kun really didn’t believe she couldn’t advance. It was just that in his view, to compete for the final grand finals champion, this little girl’s skill was still not quite enough.
The second to speak was Chu Tianjian: “My votes go to Zeng Ze; his song moved me too much.”
The host announced, “Alright, then Zeng Ze is now first with 55 votes, Pei Ningle close behind with 54. Teacher Liu Jiang, your choice is crucial. Who will you give your five votes to?”
Liu Jiang held the microphone, his gaze swaying back and forth between Zeng Ze and Pei Ningle for a good while, his face full of hesitation.
Liang Kun beside him cheered, “It’s not even your student, why are you hesitating?”
“But they both performed so well, really, extremely well…” Liu Jiang pondered for a moment and finally made his decision, “I choose Zeng Ze.”
Host: “Congratulations to Zeng Ze, advancing directly to the grand finals with a high score of 60 votes, becoming the first featured song on Mentor Peng Xiaoya’s original album!”
Shy Zeng Ze scratched his head and, following the host’s guidance, walked off the stage—for him, everything was settled, and the night ended perfectly.
But Pei Ningle was still standing on the stage, looking at the four mentors, listening to the clamor from the audience seats, her palms sweating.
At this moment, right beside the young girl, an older sister half a head taller suddenly said softly, “Are you very nervous right now?”
Pei Ningle turned her head at the voice and saw the other staring at her, subconsciously nodding. She recalled and remembered the other’s name—Cen Rou, who sang pop love songs.
Cen Rou said with self-deprecation, “I’m not nervous, only 16 votes, haha…”
Though she considered her emotional intelligence not high, Pei Ningle knew what to say at a time like this.
She said, “16 votes still has hope. The second finals quota is mentor direct selection. As long as Mentor Peng Xiaoya picks you, even a low score is fine.”
Cen Rou shook her head: “I know better; there’s no way she’ll pick me. Compared to yours, honestly, I’m already happy to be standing here today…”
At this time, the host announced again, “The moment to reveal the final suspense has arrived. Mentor Peng Xiaoya, what is your choice? Which contestant will get the second grand finals seat?”
Peng Xiaoya’s gaze shifted back and forth among the seven contestants on stage.
When her gaze met Pei Ningle’s, though separated by some distance, the young girl saw a trace of apology in her eyes.
Cold sweat immediately beaded on Pei Ningle’s forehead, two drops.
First on stage, holding almost the entire lead, if eliminated now, how could anyone accept it willingly?
The next moment, Peng Xiaoya solemnly announced, “My choice is… 《I Ain’t Going to Work》, Xie Hong!”
Rap singer Xie Hong was still standing there, somewhat dazed, clearly not expecting to be the one advancing in the end.
While Pei Ningle nearby blinked her big eyes, barely holding back tears. Suddenly, she felt one of her hands being held.
Cen Rou said softly, “It’s okay, everyone already remembers you.”
————
The on-site recording ended. Wang Heng and Han Yixuan didn’t wait long backstage before Pei Ningle arrived.
The young girl who had barely suppressed her emotions on stage finally couldn’t hold back anymore at this point and threw herself into Wang Heng’s arms, crying out “wah.”
“I was just one vote short, just one vote!” The young girl’s small face buried in his chest as she cried, “They just bullied me!”
Han Yixuan watching from the side felt a bit jealous, but with her so uncomfortable now, it really wasn’t right to pull her away forcibly.
Wang Heng stroked her head, like soothing a small animal, and said gently, “They all bullied you, it’s all their fault…”
After hugging him and calming down for a while, Pei Ningle finally lifted her head.
“No, no one bullied me; everyone was awesome. Their songs weren’t worse than mine; either could have advanced…” Pei Ningle said through gritted teeth, “So, I need to become even stronger!”
Wang Heng smiled and lightly patted her head: “That’s the right mentality! Future you will definitely be stronger than them; you can definitely write better songs.”
However, Han Yixuan, who had been silently watching from the side, had a somewhat subtle mentality.
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