Chapter 122: The Challenger Format, The Production Team Stirs Up Trouble

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In the singer lounge of Xiangjiang TV’s The Voice.

Shen Xiyin entered the room and cautiously poked her head around, surveying the place.

However, the entrance route she had taken was not the one used by the opening singers—the route Fang Xing had taken.

She had entered a spacious lounge with neither a living room nor an upstairs area.

There was already someone inside. It was none other than Li Siqi.

“You got here first? Have you been waiting long?” Shen Xiyin greeted him as she approached.

She had been the leader of the previous season’s limited group from Tomorrow’s Star, so the group’s contract was held by Tidewave Culture.

Li Siqi, meanwhile, was the leader of Tidewave Culture’s ace group, SPK. The two of them were therefore currently signed to the same company.

For that reason, they had known from the beginning that the other would be participating in this season of The Voice.

“I just got here,” Li Siqi replied casually.

Shen Xiyin walked over to the sofa and looked around at the surroundings before asking, “What are we supposed to do now? Are our identities not being kept secret?”

As soon as she finished speaking, the television screen in front of them suddenly lit up.

A camera feed appeared on the screen, showing the lounge reserved for the opening singers.

“What is this...?” Shen Xiyin pointed at the screen and asked the production director standing nearby.

The director took out a cue card and began reading the rules. “What you see is the lounge for the opening singers. In a moment, they will begin arriving.”

Shen Xiyin and Li Siqi widened their eyes at the same time. “Aren’t the opening singers’ identities supposed to be confidential? We can see them?”

“That’s right. The identities of the opening singers are confidential, and only the two of you are allowed to see them. Before you came in, the production crew collected your phones precisely to keep their identities secret,” the director explained.

Shen Xiyin covered her mouth in surprise. “You’re really going all out. Is this our privilege? But aren’t we the challenger singers?”

The production team’s arrangement sounded incredibly exciting.

The opening singers themselves did not know one another’s identities.

Yet Shen Xiyin and Li Siqi, as challenger singers, were allowed to watch all seven opening singers enter.

The director nodded. “That’s right. This is the privilege of challenger singers. The two of you may watch all seven opening singers arrive. After they have all entered, you must choose one of them as your target and write that singer’s name on the cards in front of you.”

Shen Xiyin picked up the card on the table, glanced at it, then held it up toward the camera. “Once we write a name down, we can’t change it, right?”

“That’s right. You can’t change it, though you may choose to give up your challenge. Each episode has only one challenge performance...”

The director continued explaining the rules. “In other words, the two challenger singers are competing against each other as well. In tonight’s episode, only one of you will be able to launch a challenge.

“Once the opening singer whose name you wrote has finished performing, if you decide to challenge that singer, press the challenge button in front of you.

“Once one of you presses the challenge button, the other challenger singer will lose the opportunity to challenge tonight and will have to wait until the next episode.”

Shen Xiyin and Li Siqi exchanged a glance, both of them widening their eyes.

Li Siqi raised a hand and pressed it downward before asking, “Then wouldn’t the singer we choose have the initiative if they perform first?”

“That’s right. In a moment, you’ll see the performance order of the seven opening singers. If you want to seize the initiative, you can choose an opening singer who performs earlier,” the director confirmed with a nod.

Shen Xiyin and Li Siqi looked at each other, feeling as though they had already fallen into the production team’s trap.

While they waited, they spoke in hushed voices.

“When I saw you at the airport, I didn’t even dare go over and say hello. I thought you were one of the opening singers,” Shen Xiyin said, immediately twisting the knife.

Li Siqi’s expression darkened. It took him a while to regain his composure before he said, “I was originally competing for the last opening-singer spot. The contract was almost finalized, but someone got there before me.”

Shen Xiyin covered her mouth in surprise. “Really? Who took the last spot? I heard the production team invited a top-tier singer from South Korea this time, and that several of the opening singers are foreign artists.”

Li Siqi clenched his fist. “I’d like to know who stole my spot too. When the time comes... hmph.”

“Oh! Now I really want to see,” Shen Xiyin said excitedly.

Amid their discussion, the first opening singer entered.

It was none other than Fang Xing.

The instant they saw Fang Xing appear, both Shen Xiyin and Li Siqi froze.

“It’s him. My goodness, I talked with him all the way from the airport,” Shen Xiyin exclaimed, pointing at the television screen in astonishment.

Li Siqi’s expression darkened even further. “Was he the last opening singer to be confirmed? Judging by the timing, he definitely couldn’t have been the first.”

When preparations for The Voice had begun, Tomorrow’s Star had only just started airing.

At that time, Fang Xing had not yet become famous. There was no way The Voice production team would have invited him as an opening singer.

Therefore, Fang Xing could not have been the first opening singer to be confirmed.

The production team seemed to be deliberately stirring things up.

The director admitted it outright. “The order in which they enter is related to when their contracts were signed.”

Although he did not say so explicitly, this was practically an admission.

The singers’ entrance order was connected to the order in which they had been confirmed.

It was not the same order—it was the reverse.

Since Fang Xing had not been the first opening singer to be confirmed, he had to have been the last.

A flicker of displeasure crossed Li Siqi’s eyes.

Over the past few months, every time he heard Fang Xing’s name, he felt irritated.

His new song, “Sexy,” had been crushed twice over by songs produced by Fang Xing.

Now Fang Xing had taken away his position as an opening singer on The Voice as well.

Since his debut, when had anyone ever toyed with him like this?

Shen Xiyin wore the gleeful expression of someone eager to watch the drama unfold. Pointing at Fang Xing on the screen, she asked, “Are you going to challenge Fang Xing later?”

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Li Siqi did not answer, but battle already burned in his eyes.

Covering her mouth, Shen Xiyin asked in a low voice, “Have you watched Fang Xing compete?”

“I’m not interested in talent shows,” Li Siqi replied, making no attempt to hide his true feelings.

As they talked, Fang Xing received badge number one and entered a lounge.

Next came the second opening singer, a young female artist who looked unfamiliar.

She introduced herself to the camera. “Hello, everyone. I’m Chen Lizhu, from Malaysia. Thank you to The Voice production team for inviting me.”

At that point, the production director in the challenger singers’ lounge explained while holding up his cue card, “Chen Lizhu is the champion of Malaysia’s Astro Rising Star Competition and a newly acclaimed powerhouse vocalist.”

The remaining five opening singers entered one after another.

One was a powerhouse singer from South Korea named Jong Won-hoon, a forty-year-old artist who had once enjoyed immense popularity there.

Another was the king of the domestic music scene, Liu Hongsheng.

Another was Xu Xinru, a first-tier female singer in the traditional-style music scene.

The remaining two were also accomplished singers from the middle generation of the domestic music industry.

After seeing all seven opening singers, it was clear that the youngest were Fang Xing and the Malaysian singer Chen Lizhu.

Once Shen Xiyin had watched all seven of them enter, she covered her mouth and said, “Every one of them is so strong. How are we supposed to challenge anyone? This is an absolutely hellish difficulty level. And several of them are senior veterans.”

Other than Fang Xing and Chen Lizhu, every one of them was a senior figure.

Shen Xiyin had debuted as part of a group only a year ago. In terms of seniority, challenging any of them would be inappropriate.

The director began stirring things up again. “But there are two young ones.”

Shen Xiyin rolled her eyes and pointed at the television screen. “One of the young ones is Fang Xing, and the other is the champion of Malaysia’s Rising Star Competition. They’re both absurdly strong.”

She turned to Li Siqi and asked, “Who are you going to choose? It seems inappropriate to choose one of the senior figures.”

Artists such as the domestic music king Liu Hongsheng and the South Korean powerhouse vocalist Jong Won-hoon would both be difficult to challenge.

The others were also senior veterans of the music scene. No matter how she looked at it, the choice was awkward.

Li Siqi lowered his head and studied the card, deep in thought.

Shen Xiyin looked at the director and asked, “What if we choose the same target?”

“You may choose the same target. In the end, whoever challenges them will be decided by who presses the battle button first,” the director replied.

Shen Xiyin covered her mouth with the card in astonishment. “You’re really going all out?”

She glanced at Li Siqi and saw that he still had not written down a name. She complained angrily, “The production team seems to have given us seven choices, but I clearly have only one option. The only person I can choose is Chen Lizhu, and she’s the champion of Malaysia’s competition. This is way too difficult.”

The director gave a mysterious smile. This was exactly the effect they wanted.

Li Siqi thought for a moment, then looked up at the director. “You did this on purpose, didn’t you? You just want me to choose Fang Xing.”

“Not at all. In fact, you can choose any of the seven opening singers,” the director replied with a solemn expression.

Shen Xiyin thought for a moment, then asked, “What happens if neither of us presses the battle button tonight?”

“Then tonight’s challenge performance will be canceled. The next episode will be the same as tonight, with only one challenge performance. One of you is destined to lose the chance to challenge,” the director continued explaining.

“That’s outrageous. If I write down a target tonight but ultimately don’t press the challenge button, can I change my target next episode?” Shen Xiyin asked again.

“Yes. You’ll have one opportunity to write down a new name next episode,” the director answered.

“All right. Since she’s also a woman, I can only choose Chen Lizhu. The other opening singers are all such senior figures that I don’t dare write down their names,” Shen Xiyin said, looking troubled.

After writing down her choice, she looked at Li Siqi and asked, “Are you going to choose the same person as me?”

Li Siqi picked up his pen and rapidly wrote a name on the card. Then he held it up toward the camera and said, “The production team clearly wants me to choose him, right? Fine. What should have been mine in the first place—I’ll take it back with my own hands.”

The camera focused on the card in his hand.

The name written on it was Fang Xing.

...

After filming the singers’ arrival, the first episode of The Voice officially began.

Eighteen spotlights shone down.

Host He Hao stepped onto the stage and stood beneath the lights. “Welcome to all our guests here tonight, our friends from the media, and the five hundred judges who have traveled here from across the country. Thank you all for coming...”

The opening singers’ lounges were equipped with televisions displaying the stage.

When Fang Xing saw He Hao take the stage, he was rendered speechless.

He had the inexplicable feeling that this host was haunting him.

He Hao had hosted Tomorrow’s Star, and he had also hosted Weekend of Laughter.

Now, on The Voice, it was still him.

He Hao continued with his opening remarks. “Tonight is the premiere of The Voice. Every singer can see the stage from their lounge, but none of the singers knows the identities of the others.

“Are you eager to see who will be the first to perform?

“Don’t rush. Before the competition begins, we have some good news to share.

“In addition to the seven opening singers, there will also be two challenger singers tonight.

“Moreover, from the very beginning, the two challenger singers have been watching the seven opening singers arrive and have selected their targets from among them.

“That’s right. The competition in this season of The Voice is even fiercer.

“And, dear viewers, the opening singers have no idea who the challenger singers are. Isn’t that exciting?

“Next, we’ll announce which two opening singers have been selected as challenge targets.

“Before we make that announcement, let’s interact with the opening singers.

“First, the opening singer in Room One. Their assigned label is ‘Unbeatable.’ Tell me, Brother or Sister Unbeatable, do you think you’ll become a challenge target?”

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Fang Xing answered through the microphone in his room, “Since you singled me out, then I’m definitely the one they chose.”

When his answer reached the studio, it had been altered by a voice changer. His voice was so high and thin that his original tone was completely unrecognizable.

“Not necessarily. Perhaps I’m simply asking in numerical order?”

He Hao continued building the atmosphere. “See? Next I’m going to ask the singer in Room Two. Their label is ‘National Champion.’

“Wow. That label sounds incredibly impressive.

“Room Two, do you think you’ll become a challenge target?”

Chen Lizhu clasped her hands together and prayed toward the camera. “Please, please, don’t choose me.”

The voice changer transformed her voice into a deep, hoarse croak, yet she was saying, “Please, please,” which sounded extremely incongruous.

He Hao laughed. “It seems our contestant in Room Two is very modest, but the voice doesn’t quite match the words.”

Next, He Hao called on all seven opening singers in turn before finally announcing, “All right. It’s time to reveal which singers have been chosen as challenge targets. They are... the singers in Rooms One and Two.

“However, being selected does not mean they will definitely be challenged. There will be only one challenge performance tonight.

“In other words, of the singers in Rooms One and Two, only one will face a challenge tonight.

“It’s even possible that neither of them will be challenged. But if that happens, one of the two challenger singers will lose their opportunity to challenge.”

After announcing the challenge targets, He Hao continued interacting with Fang Xing in Room One.

“Room One, now that you know you’ve been selected as a challenge target, are you nervous?”

“Not really,” Fang Xing answered calmly.

However, after being altered by the voice changer, his tone was impossible to identify.

He Hao asked curiously, “The singer in Room One seems remarkably composed. Let me explain the challenge rules. Tonight’s results will be decided by votes from the five hundred judges present.

“Each judge has three votes, but they may not cast more than one vote for the same singer.

“If the challenger singer receives more votes than the opening singer they challenge, the challenge is considered successful.

“If an opening singer loses, they will leave the stage of The Voice immediately. The rules are extremely cruel.

“Of course, an opening singer has one chance to avoid elimination. If they rank among the top three in that night’s performance, they will be exempt from elimination.

“The challenger singer will still be considered to have succeeded. After the second episode concludes, the bottom two opening singers will be eliminated based on their combined vote totals from both episodes.

“And there’s something even more ruthless. Since there are two challenger singers, if both of them succeed in their challenges in consecutive episodes, then three opening singers will be eliminated.”

An uproar instantly swept through the studio.

The rules were far too thrilling.

If both challenger singers succeeded, nearly half of the seven opening singers would be eliminated outright.

However, the odds of that happening were very low.

For the challenger singers to succeed, the opening singers they challenged would also have to rank among the top three.

That would mean the challenger singers had ranked in the top two.

If the challenger singers managed to place in the top two, then none of the seven opening singers could claim innocence.

After announcing the challenge rules, He Hao continued, “So, opening singers who have not been selected as targets should not let their guard down either. If one of the challenged singers is especially powerful, you could suffer collateral damage. That was only an idiom, not a reference to any of you personally. My apologies, my apologies.”

At the end of his statement, he began bowing.

This once again prompted a wave of laughter from the audience.

Once the rules had been announced, He Hao continued, “Now, the competition is about to begin. The first to perform is the opening singer in Room One.

“He was the last opening singer confirmed by the production team, and the label they assigned him is ‘Unbeatable.’

“I’d like to ask the singer in Room One: Why do you have such an imposing nickname as ‘Unbeatable’?

“Is it because you’ve truly never lost, and you’ve come here seeking defeat? If you were defeated in the very first challenge, wouldn’t that be rather embarrassing?”

Fang Xing chuckled into the microphone. “There’s another possibility. If you’ve never competed against anyone, then naturally you’ve never lost.”

He Hao raised an eyebrow and pressed on. “So you’re a newcomer who has never taken part in a competition before, is that right?”

Fang Xing answered calmly, “Not exactly. I’ve simply never lost a competition.”

He Hao raised his eyebrows again. “That sounds frightening already. But you should know that the challenger singers are aware of your identity. Being chosen as a target says something in itself. You understand, right?”

Fang Xing nodded. “I understand. It means they think I’m the weakest among the seven opening singers.”

Suppressing a laugh, He Hao said, “Since you understand, prepare yourself to face the challenge. What kind of song have you prepared for your first performance?”

“A song that offers direction to those who are lost,” Fang Xing replied after a moment’s thought.

“Please tell our viewers the title of the song,” He Hao prompted.

“The Brightest Star in the Night Sky,” Fang Xing slowly announced.

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