Chapter 161: Floral Pants Dude, Electric Boy, Electric Boy’s Dad
《Singer》 live backstage.
“What do you mean?” Second Hand Brother reacted, looking at Hua Yichen: “You really want to team up with me?”
He gestured: “First off, you can’t wear a suit!”
Hua Yichen was dumbfounded: “If not a suit, then what should I wear?”
“Women’s clothing.”
Hua Yichen: “…”
He waved his hands repeatedly: “Forget it, forget it… I was joking.”
He really didn’t dare to team up; Second Hand Brother was indeed at the grandmaster level in this industry.
In one sentence, in the field of funeral style, Second Hand Brother was a master who had already entered the gate, but Lao Hua was still fumbling around, in a half-baked state. If the two competed in skills, he definitely couldn’t beat Second Hand Brother right now.
How could a mage beat a second-turn elemental archmage?
Not scientific.
“I know Chi Ye.” Second Hand Brother shook his head: “His 《Bridge of Fate》 is very powerful, a strong opponent.”
“I don’t know who he can challenge.”
…
Meanwhile.
Lounge corridor.
“Aren’t you a bit short on time? They’re live broadcasting right now. When are you going to challenge?”
Sister Qianzi “happened to meet” Chi Ye, then casually probed.
Chi Ye glanced at her, curious: “I’m here to challenge. You’re a substitute singer who isn’t performing today. What are you here for?”
“…What do you mean? Don’t I need to prepare a new song?”
Shi Jinwei was inexplicably dissatisfied with Chi Ye’s attitude and asked again: “Who do you think you can challenge?”
Chi Ye was very sincere: “I hope to challenge you.”
Shi Jinwei: “…”
Unable to communicate, incomprehensible!
She turned and left angrily: “Chi Ye, just this once. If I hadn’t taken a little advantage of you last time, do you think I would come find you on my own?”
Chi Ye eyed her sideways, thought for a moment, and still reminded: “Sheng Ning is the guest lecturer next period. You should be mentally prepared.”
“!!”
Sister Qianzi’s body stiffened, she gritted her teeth, and quickly left.
“Sister Shi, why didn’t you ask Brother Chi… Teacher Chi what song he’s singing this time?”
The little assistant nearby was anxious: “He’s been saying he’s releasing an album, but there’s no news yet… Didn’t you want to ask before you came?”
“Ask what? Who said I wanted to ask?”
Shi Jinwei instinctively refuted, then said irritably: “Who knows what he’s singing, but with such short notice, it should be an old song from before… most likely 《Bridge of Fate》.”
She paused, sneering: “Without me, let’s see how he sings it!”
Little assistant: “…Why couldn’t it be a song from the new album?”
Shi Jinwei shook her head: “No way… It depends on who his challenge opponent is this time. If they’re too strong, he might not have a suitable work.”
“《Bridge of Fate》 is different.”
《Bridge of Fate》 is indeed different.
In terms of live performance and singing skill, almost everyone thought that Chi Ye coming to 《Singer》 meant he had to sing this song.
Otherwise, if he picked a strong opponent, it would be hard to advance.
Of course, as Shi Jinwei said, song selection also depends on the opponent.
As the first-period challenge singer for 《Singer》, news of Chi Ye challenging had already been marketed and brewed a week in advance.
On voting “pick-a-singer” lists across major platforms online, due to his father-son relationship with Hua Yichen + netizens wanting to gossip and watch the fun, his ranking stayed high.
He even ranked first on Mango TV.
Otherwise, why would Mango TV invite him so eagerly?
Voters thought simply.
First, Chi Ye had strength, especially when an overseas little diva was dimensionally striking internal entertainment. As a notable singer among the younger generation, the boss of the Chinese music scene… even if you went crazy, you had to make the foreigners open their eyes!
…
In the backstage lounge of the 《Singer》 program team.
At this moment.
The fourth period’s “regular match” had just ended, with little change in rankings. Xiang Tiamo and the post-00s still maintained their top positions.
But once rankings were set, the atmosphere didn’t relax; it became even more “tense.”
Because the first challenge singer for the fifth period would challenge at the end of the fourth period’s live broadcast, confirming their fifth-period opponent.
This signaled that 《Singer》 was entering the brutal elimination format.
“Who will he challenge… oh, so nervous.”
“Don’t pick me, I can’t handle 《Bridge of Fate》.”
“…Who is this singer?”
Everyone looked at Chi Ye about to challenge on screen, discussing animatedly.
Next to C-position, Teacher Na crossed her legs, and once the camera passed, roasted: “What did the program team invite him for? What strength do these overseas singers have? I can’t even beat them. Is he here just for program effect?”
“He really rubs off wherever there’s popularity.”
Yes.
Teacher Na had no goodwill toward Chi Ye.
She thought he was too arrogant, and after several interactions, felt he was always “targeting” her, intentionally or not slapping her face.
Plus, with Chi Ye coming, her marketed #50-year-old aunt guards the nation# got overshadowed, popularity diverted…
She was very unhappy.
Sitting not far from her was Hong Kong’s “little song king,” Haila Tanmu.
True to his name, Big Brother Tanmu was called Little Tan Wang.
Because he had a unique skill no one else had—”phlegm resonance,” which could basically play alongside Lao Peng’s pelvic resonance.
Both were contestants who couldn’t get along with their body’s secretions.
At the same time, he was Jin Sui Company’s lead contestant for this 《Singer》.
Hearing Teacher Na’s roast, he cleared his throat, throat itching faintly, staring at the big TV broadcasting Chi Ye’s challenge, wanting to shout—”Young master!”
Teacher Shi, farther away, glanced at Teacher Na, her almond eyes also turning to Chi Ye waiting to challenge on screen.
Hmm… still so good-looking.
In the room.
There were also two powerful overseas music industry big stars.
Xiang Tiamo was bored scrolling her mobile phone; the strongest post-00s Fancia curiously asked those around her about Chi Ye’s info, occasionally exaggeratedly covering her mouth in front of the camera.
—Ever since the first two periods, when internal entertainment singers sang and she couldn’t control her “clamming up” expression, in the latter two periods, she worked hard on expression management.
Making money, no chills.
In this backstage lounge, internal entertainment singers and overseas singers were clearly divided.
Not just a language barrier, but because these two had overwhelming strength.
Honestly, even post-00s Fancia’s live performances crushed others with disparity.
In the first period, as soon as she opened her voice, Teacher Na backstage was dumbfounded for two seconds, leading to tense mistakes later.
Stage fright to the point of laughter.
In subsequent periods, the two overseas big and small “heavenly queens” swept the “Chinese music scene,” beating the other singers into disarray.
From the first period to now, they basically alternated first and second, never dropping out of the top two.
So online, someone made Xiang Tiamo’s sticker pack “Wasn’t I here as a mentor? How did I become a contestant? 《Singer》 tricked me!” and the post-00s’ fake smile “I thought coming to China tested singing skill, but it’s testing acting skills”…
In front of these two foreigners, “internal entertainment” lost all face.
“He… he likes going crazy? Same level as Hua Kucha and Touch Boy guests?!”
Here, Fancia had heard the team’s translation, and looking at Chi Ye on screen, she was greatly shocked, expression barely holding.
…
Online, in Mango TV’s live broadcast room.
Camera on Chi Ye preparing to challenge.
Bullet comments scrolling.
「Make way! The boss of the Chinese music scene is here!」
「Ying Zi: Ye, nation in peril, return quickly!」
「Ying Zi won’t do, no family ties, has to be Hua Hua.」
「Hua: Dad, nation in peril, son panics, return quickly, save the nation!」
「6, hahaha.」
「Bro, you finally left the film crew. Too long without seeing this face, I’m starving.」
「Hu Ye dream girl something something!」
「Challenge who? Ying Zi? Hu Ye, take down Ying Zi and the mage for me!」
Chi Ye hadn’t appeared for over a month, but 《Bridge of Fate》’s afterglow lingered, plus 《Singer》 now “full of talent,” fans, netizens, audience gossip desires were strong.
Chi Ye couldn’t see bullet comments, but Teacher He beside him got feedback, smiled, and softly asked: “Are you challenging yourself?”
“Sure.”
“Mm, good luck.”
Teacher He stepped aside; Chi Ye had walked to the list, glanced, netizens’ picked blind box for him was “fifth place.”
Of course, fifth here wasn’t ranking, just random spot on the singer list.
He reached out, no hesitation, uncovered the list.
His first 《Singer》 opponent appeared—Xiang Tiamo.
Chi Ye: “?”
Program team: “?”
Audience, backstage guests: “?”
Holy crap!
Teacher He was dumbfounded, instinctively turning to the program team director: Damn, just invited Chi Ye, and he’s doing a “one-round tour”?!
Program team director was equally dumbfounded now.
—Another success reason for this 《Singer》 was its “real-time” and “interactivity.”
Real-time: full a cappella + no auto-tune + full hot mic, true live hard strength showdown.
Interactivity: whether challenge, attack, or later stages, all by netizen votes, synced live.
So, no faking in this aspect.
Precisely this stimulating format made 《Singer》’s ratings hit new highs repeatedly.
But they never expected Chi Ye’s “first period” challenge opponent to be Xiang Tiamo.
Who was Xiang Tiamo?
A “international heavenly queen” who’d mixed in the Grammys, the strongest in star power and strength so far in this 《Singer》, bar none.
It was her and Fancia’s arrival that beat Ying Zi and others into disarray, netizens crying internal entertainment is done.
In the just-ended rankings, Xiang Tiamo even topped Fancia, successfully taking first place again.
Drawing such a guest in the first challenge match… what mood would the challenger have?
Done for!
Bullet comments exploded instantly.
「Hu Ye! Hu Ye say something!」
「Damn, such bad luck, first challenge hits Xiang Tiamo?」
「Over, even 《Bridge of Fate》 can’t save it.」
「Hu Ye’s expression, dying of laughter.」
「Awesome! Awesome!」
Black fans in bullet comments ecstatic, especially Yu Yan’s fans, who “hated Chi Ye to the bone”—they usually ignored Chi Ye’s peng ci because they feared him rubbing off their brother.
But now watching the program without their brother, why not seize the chance for “revenge”?
In a moment, #Chi Ye challenges Xiang Tiamo# #Chi Ye expression# #Boss of Chinese music scene fails first battle# #Chi Ye: You go first against the tiger, I’ll run when it’s my turn# etc. hot search terms squeezed out Mango and Chi Ye’s just-marketed #Father-son soldiers on the field#.
—《Singer》 truly explodes before singing.
But on site, Chi Ye’s expression didn’t have all the meanings netizens forcibly read into it.
After seeing Xiang Tiamo’s name, he was just initially surprised, then… a bit regretful.
Why not Ying Zi and son… oh well, Xiang Tiamo works too, anyway… worst case change songs, just as Aunt wanted.
For challenge/kick-off, pick explosive songs, the more explosive the better.
Plus promising “Aunt,” he did prepare song choices before coming.
“If I challenge Xiang Tiamo… I’ll seriously prepare for the competition.”
This was what Chi Ye said in the post-challenge interview.
…
Elsewhere.
In the room.
Singers and guests saw Chi Ye’s challenge opponent name, equally shocked and stunned… Teacher Na nearly laughed out loud, Hua Yichen already had.
No need for salt anymore.
As for “protagonist” Xiang Tiamo herself, eyes wide, fakely covering mouth: “OMG… OMG… so nervous.”
Fancia nearby heard and nearly lost it again, pursed lips to avoid another “black hot search.”
Making money, making money, I’m here to make money!
“…Chi Ye’s luck is so bad.”
Sister Qianzi’s fine brows furrowed unconsciously; little assistant thought she worried for Chi Ye, quickly said: “Sister Shi, no need to worry…”
“Ah?” Shi Jinwei stunned: “Worry? Worry about what?”
She suddenly thought of something, and after this camera turned off, stood urging: “Let’s go, quickly find Chi Ye.”
“?”
Little assistant dumbfounded: “Didn’t you just say you wouldn’t proactively find him again…”
“I want to see his current expression and reaction!”
Sister Qianzi said slyly: “Haha, I’ve never seen him deflated, no no… just thinking about it I can’t hold back. Our Heavenly King Chi’s first challenge, draws Xiang Tiamo… hahaha.”
Little assistant: “…”
…
“You say Chi Ye challenged Xiang Tiamo? His next-period opponent is Xiang Tiamo?”
At some airport waiting lounge.
Sheng Ning, preparing to fly to Xiangnan, heard the phone message, thin lips couldn’t help curving into a smile, tone unable to hide happiness as she said four words.
“Oh, awesome.”
…
In the hotel, Sister Shang had just “argued reasonably” with the agent, guaranteeing she’d finish Xiangnan announcements these days without delaying work, then saw live room and hot search list both explode.
Her gaze blank, murmuring: “Damn… now who should I support?”
“Xiang Tiamo… Chi Ye… Xiang Tiamo… melon field…”
“Woo woo, so hard to choose!”
…
At the same time, many places, many people hotly discussing Chi Ye challenging Xiang Tiamo big news.
《Singer》 terrifying popularity erupted again; after this wave, win or lose, Chi Ye’s popularity instantly warmed up.
Of course, he wasn’t satisfied with this “virtual” popularity.
Still that line, Xiang Tiamo is Xiang Tiamo, no different from Ying Zi and Lao Hua.
Because one purpose this time was to promote the new album via challenges.
New album team prepared for half a year; stronger opponent, better effect, no issue of winning or not.
If really can’t win, I’ll add some!
What he considered now was another thing.
For the live version new song, should the Beijing accent be refined more for max explosion and fire?
So, after confirming his 《Singer》 challenge opponent, besides having new album team communicate new song accompaniment stage with 《Singer》 program team, first thing was calling Jin Sui: “Aunt, didn’t you say last time you know some Beijing accent masters?”
“Get them for me, I’ll take a crash course.”
Jin Sui on the other end dumbfounded: “Crash course now?”
Chi Ye: “On 《Singer》, singing your movie’s theme song for you.”
Jin Sui: “…Wait for my call.”
Chi Ye hung up, thinking connections are different, this efficiency, top-notch.
Thus.
One week later.
Friday, 《Singer》 fifth period airs.
Big stars gathered, ratings explode, Chi Ye already “supplemented” his lessons.
