Chapter 10: If You Dare, Slander Me for a Lifetime

After the chief director Tong Fei finished discussing with the four mentors, they arrived at the final decision.

Host He Hao inquired, "Have the mentors reached a consensus? Then let's ask Teacher Yu Song to write the name of the advancing contestant on the board and reveal it."

Liang Yu Song wrote a name in bold strokes on the board, and, following the host's countdown, turned it around on the count of three.

"The one advancing is... Fang Xing!"

He Hao announced excitedly, "Congratulations to Fang Xing for winning the last spot in the next round. Thank you, Fang Xing, for allowing us to hear two excellent songs.

"According to the rules, Hashim must now temporarily leave the stage of 'Star of Tomorrow.'

"Hashim, please don't lose heart. Today's contest is just a small episode in life. Leaving 'Star of Tomorrow' does not mean the end of your musical dreams. Keep striving!"

Hashim left the stage in silence, his expression dark.

He never expected things to turn out this way.

Originally, when the production team communicated with him, they encouraged him to participate in the PK segment, and even explicitly said he could freely showcase his instruments.

This was no mere hint—it was a clear sign. They intended to promote him.

The official performance stage belonged to seven people, with songs and choreography arranged in advance, so there was no room for him to display his instruments.

It was because of the production team's promise to let him show off his instruments that he confidently entered the PK segment.

He thought that, given his abilities, he could toy with the lesser contestants from Class F.

He never imagined that someone like Fang Xing would suddenly appear.

Although he was dissatisfied, he could tell that Fang Xing’s piano playing was excellent, and the melody of his song was catchy.

Even if he viewed it through a biased lens, he couldn't find any angle from which to criticize.

He admitted Fang Xing was strong, but that didn't mean he was convinced.

After all, he'd performed with a casual attitude, treating it as a game.

He believed that if he were to compete seriously, he would never lose.

Hashim walked off the stage.

The camera captured his dejected silhouette.

Arriving backstage, his face ashen, Hashim strode toward the director team's lounge.

...

With the PK segment finished, the first public performance officially ended.

As soon as Fang Xing returned backstage, a producer approached him. "Fang Xing, get ready for a backstage interview."

These interviews were conducted by the production team with contestants, guests, and mentors.

Usually, they asked questions for the contestants to answer, to be used as material for editing.

The questions typically related to the performance, serving as supplementary footage for the main episode. They might be included in the final cut, or just kept as backup.

Generally, only popular contestants received backstage interviews.

After all, the production team's staff was limited, so their energy naturally went toward the popular candidates.

In this situation, it was clear Tong Fei had spotted the explosive potential in Fang Xing and intended to dig deeper.

Tong Fei was hailed as the "Queen Mother" of talent shows in the entertainment industry. The first generation of phenomenon-level talent show variety programs was her creation.

The first champion she cultivated, Li Yiyan, once graced the cover of Time Magazine and became a sensation.

She had a knack for discovering program highlights, digging them out, and making shows popular.

Of course, finding highlights was not about focusing on just one, but capturing all possible points of interest—a skill that required a keen eye.

Led by the producer, Fang Xing arrived at the interview room.

After sitting down, the producer in charge coordinated with the cameraman. Once the cameras were set, the interview officially began.

"Fang Xing, congratulations on winning the PK round and securing the last spot to advance," the producer began with a word of congratulations.

"Thank you," Fang Xing replied with a smile and a nod.

The producer glanced at his notebook and began, "The production team heard there's some friction between you and Hashim. Was your decision to challenge Hashim in the PK round because of this?"

Fang Xing smiled and said, "Yes, I find him irritating."

The producer hadn't expected Fang Xing to answer so bluntly and was momentarily stunned, then followed up, "Was it because Hashim refused to lend you his instrument at noon that caused the conflict?"

Fang Xing shook his head. "No, not really. The instrument belongs to him, and it's his right to lend it or not. But if you don't want to lend it, just be honest.

"On stage, in front of the audience, he suddenly pretends to be generous. One face in public, another in private—why be so hypocritical?"

Fang Xing genuinely felt this way. The MIDI device was Hashim's; it was entirely his right whether to lend it or not.

But to act one way and speak another—Fang Xing had no patience for such people.

The producer was surprised by Fang Xing's straightforwardness and began scratching his head.

This segment was too direct to be easily included in the main episode.

The producer tried a more indirect approach, hoping to get usable material. "If you hadn't had that disagreement with Hashim, would you still have chosen to battle him?"

"No, I would still pick him," Fang Xing answered without hesitation.

"Why?" The producer asked instinctively.

"Shao Yu is my schoolmate, so of course we join forces against outsiders," Fang Xing replied matter-of-factly.

The producer considered for a moment and asked the final question, "We all know Hashim is strong. Did you ever think, what if you lost when you chose him?"

Fang Xing smiled, "Never crossed my mind. Let the work speak for itself."

Another witty remark—the producer thought this would make a great teaser and definitely draw interest.

The producer then reminded, "Fang Xing, your answers are so candid. Aren't you worried that, once the show airs, you'll attract haters?"

Fang Xing smiled, utterly unconcerned, "Let them hate me for a lifetime if they can."

...

Leaving the interview room, Fang Xing happened to run into Shao Yu at the door.

Shao Yu had also secured a spot in the PK round and was due for an interview afterward.

"Did you just finish the interview?" Shao Yu greeted him.

Both were alumni of Donghai Conservatory of Music, though Shao Yu was two years senior and had already graduated.

"Yes, just finished," Fang Xing replied with a smile.

"My heart nearly jumped out of my chest today from nerves. If you’d picked me at the end, I’d have been eliminated," Shao Yu said.

He was self-aware; after hearing Fang Xing's two songs, he was certain—no matter who competed, there was no saving anyone today.

He changed the subject and suggested, "Fang Xing, we're schoolmates. If we keep going, how about collaborating?"

Fang Xing found this senior quite likable and agreed, "Sure."

At that moment,

The interview room door opened, and the producer called out, "Shao Yu, your turn, come in."

Shao Yu patted Fang Xing’s arm and said, "Alright, it’s settled then. I’ll do the interview first, let’s talk later."

"Alright."

Fang Xing waved, and after Shao Yu entered the interview room, he headed back to the lounge.

The reason Fang Xing agreed to collaborate with Shao Yu was not a casual decision.

During the performance, he'd listened to all the trainees sing, and their average level was mediocre.

Shao Yu, being a Donghai graduate, had solid fundamentals and was one of the rare silver-level gatekeepers.

If he could pick teammates, Shao Yu was a good choice among these trainees.

After Shao Yu entered the interview room, the producer teased him, "I just asked Fang Xing whether he’d ever considered picking you for the battle. Do you know what he answered?"

Shao Yu was taken aback and curious about Fang Xing’s response, so he asked, "What did he say?"

"He said, since you’re schoolmates, he would never pick you," the producer replied, laughing. This wasn’t part of the planned interview content, just some casual conversation.

Shao Yu felt a bit moved inside and quietly resolved to make sure he and Fang Xing would be on the same team going forward.