Chapter 123: "The Brightest Star in the Night Sky" (Please Subscribe)
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With an excited tone, He Hao announced loudly, “Now, let’s welcome Singer No. 1 to perform ‘The Brightest Star in the Night Sky.’”
“The Brightest Star in the Night Sky” is a song performed by the band Escape Plan, written and composed by the band themselves. It was included in their debut album, *World*, released in 2011.
Additionally, this song served as the ending theme for the film *The Wandering Earth*.
Escape Plan is a well-known domestic pop-rock band consisting of lead vocalist Mao Chuan, guitarist Ma Xiaodong, bassist Gang Ang, keyboardist Qu Rui, and drummer Wang Feifan.
Many singers have covered “The Brightest Star in the Night Sky.”
Among them, Zhang Jie’s rendition on the show *I Am a Singer* was also well received, earning first place in that episode.
Other professional singers such as G.E.M. and Han Hong have also covered it.
The melody and lyrics of this song offer strength to those lost and struggling to keep fighting.
Fang Xing chose to perform this song in the first episode of *The Voice* not to defeat the challengers, but to claim first place outright.
As for the challengers, they were irrelevant; winning first place was all that mattered, regardless of who the challengers were.
...
The host announced the start of the competition.
The venue quieted down as Fang Xing walked from backstage to the stage entrance.
Backlighting from behind created a silhouette effect.
The audience could see the outline of the singer in the light but not the face clearly.
“Who is it? Who is it exactly?”
Not only the audience but also the six other singers resting in the singer’s lounge craned their necks, eager to identify the first performer.
Fang Xing walked steadily to the center of the stage.
The spotlight shifted, shining down from above to illuminate the person beneath it.
Finally, the audience and guests clearly saw the singer’s face.
“Fang Xing! It’s Fang Xing!”
“So the final confirmed performer by the production team is Fang Xing.”
“Does the nickname ‘Invincible’ suit him?”
“To be fair, he really was undefeated on *Tomorrow’s Star*. But that was a small pond; this is a different story. Everyone standing here is a top-tier vocalist.”
“I haven’t heard of the song ‘The Brightest Star in the Night Sky’ before. Is it a new song?”
Among the 500 judges present, many were fans of Fang Xing.
These fans often criticized Fang Xing online without a hint of humor, but when it came to voting, not a single vote was missing.
“Another new song. I have a feeling the other contestants are in trouble.”
...
Not all the debut singers had watched *Tomorrow’s Star*.
After all, established mid-career singers generally do not follow boy group auditions.
However, everyone had at least heard Fang Xing’s name.
Not only did he win *Tomorrow’s Star*, but several of his songs had topped the popular charts.
Still, for a reigning king like Liu Hongsheng, he had only heard the name Fang Xing but never seen his performances and didn’t even know what Fang Xing looked like.
He wasn’t sure if the person on stage was the same Fang Xing or just someone with the same name.
*Sword Arrival*
He looked toward the cameraman’s side and asked the director, “Is this Fang Xing the one who sings ‘Nocturne’?”
“Yes, he’s the one who sings ‘Nocturne’ and won *Tomorrow’s Star*,” the director replied.
“*Tomorrow’s Star* is that boy group audition, right?” Liu Hongsheng asked again.
“Yes, it’s a boy group audition, and the group formed was called Glacier Boys.”
“Boy groups aren’t fit for this kind of show,” Liu Hongsheng waved dismissively, clearly underestimating boy groups.
The director pressed on, “Then, Mr. Liu, what do you think of Fang Xing’s ‘Nocturne’?”
Liu Hongsheng pointed at Fang Xing on the screen and said, “The melody and arrangement of ‘Nocturne’ are decent, but it’s a rap song, so it’s just okay.”
...
After reaching the center of the stage, Fang Xing turned slightly and gave the accompanying band a thumbs-up, signaling them to start.
The live band began to play, a blend of piano and orchestral prelude filling the air.
Fang Xing stood before the microphone stand, softly humming along with the melody before singing the verses in a deep voice:
“The brightest star in the night sky, can you hear clearly?
The loneliness and sighs deep in the heart of those who gaze upon it.
The brightest star in the night sky, can you remember?
The figure that once walked with me, vanished in the wind...”
The verse’s melody was gentle, and Fang Xing sang with the simplest voice, as if an ordinary person were telling an ordinary story.
In Fang Xing’s interpretation, this song aims to guide those lost in confusion, giving them direction.
Only by standing among the masses can one understand what they are lost about and what they are searching for.
Thus, Fang Xing’s verse began from the ordinary, seeking the star that guides the way in the night sky.
At the end of the verse, Fang Xing softly hummed a graceful melisma, instantly lifting the melody to a powerful high.
His voice pierced the night sky, as if allowing everyone to see that brightest star:
“I pray for a transparent heart
And eyes that know how to cry
Give me the courage to believe again
To cross lies and embrace you
Whenever I can’t find the meaning of existence
Whenever I’m lost in the dark night
Brightest star in the night sky
Please guide me close to you...”
Amid the clear and resonant singing, the entire audience held their breath, as if any sound would shatter that pure voice.
This soaring melody seemed to strike directly at the soul.
After all, among all the people, who has never lost their way?
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The more ordinary one is, the harder it is to see the path forward.
Fang Xing himself had been lost before—during his time doing odd jobs in a musical theater troupe with no opportunities, no roles, living in a basement with no future in sight.
That feeling was like sinking underwater, unable to breathe.
Fang Xing sang this song to offer those similarly lost a glimmer of light when they cannot find their way.
As the second chorus began, the arrangement swelled with passion.
Fang Xing gripped the microphone stand, leaning forward and singing loudly, revealing the rock spirit of the song:
“I’d rather keep all the pain in my heart
Than forget your eyes
Give me the courage to believe again
To cross lies and embrace you
Whenever I can’t find the meaning of existence
Whenever I’m lost in the dark night
Brightest star in the night sky
Please light the way for me...”
The passion ignited the venue; his voice echoed throughout the studio, like waves of soul-penetrating energy pouring into the listeners.
The audience couldn’t help but raise their hands, waving along with the song.
After the second chorus, the performance transitioned into an instrumental break.
In Zhang Jie’s version, there is a section featuring a five-part head voice chant.
Fang Xing’s version submitted to the production team was the standard CD version without the chant.
However, since he was the first performer, there was a risk of being forgotten by some viewers by the end.
Moreover, higher notes tend to have a stronger impact on audiences.
So during the instrumental break, Fang Xing improvised, singing a five-part head voice chant.
The resonance in his head voice swept through the hall like a storm, ethereal, pure, bright, and melodious.
The audience was stunned, eyes wide open, feeling the spiritual impact.
As the instrumental ended, he immediately launched into the final, powerful chorus.
After the chorus concluded, the song returned from its intensity to simple calmness:
“The brightest star in the night sky
Can you hear clearly?
The one looking up
The loneliness and sighs deep in the heart...”
The last note lingered.
In the challengers’ lounge, Chen Xiyin’s eyes widened in surprise.
“This guy has evolved again. Where did this monster come from?” she whispered.
During *Tomorrow’s Star*, Chen Xiyin was a mentor who witnessed Fang Xing’s transformation from a student with solid vocal skills into a top-tier singer who swept the competition.
Two months later, seeing Fang Xing again on *The Voice* revealed an even more terrifying artist—four sets of golden vocal registers nearly invincible, now unveiling a fifth head voice.
Moreover, his head voice resonance was so beautiful it was unbelievable.
Chen Xiyin never imagined that someone already so strong in vocal technique during the first episode of *Tomorrow’s Star* could evolve into such a monstrous talent in a few months.
After hearing the performance, she glanced at Li Siqi.
Before the competition started, Li Siqi had written “Fang Xing” on the challenge card.
In other words, if he wanted to challenge tonight, it had to be against Fang Xing—and the decision had to be made immediately.
To challenge, he had to press the challenge button; if he didn’t, he would lose the opportunity tonight.
Li Siqi’s decision would also affect Chen Xiyin.
Only one challenge is allowed per episode.
If Li Siqi didn’t press it this round, Chen Xiyin would have to challenge the Malaysian champion Chen Lizhu.
Otherwise, one of them would lose the chance to perform in the next episode.
Because it concerned their own interests, Chen Xiyin asked, “Are you going to press it? If you don’t, I have to press it later, or one of us will lose the chance to perform.”
At that moment, the director reminded, “Li Siqi, you have ten seconds to decide. If you don’t press the challenge button within ten seconds, it will be considered a forfeiture of tonight’s challenge.”
Li Siqi’s expression was grave.
He wasn’t like those boy band idols without musical literacy.
He was among the better singers in the boy group, so he could tell how powerful Fang Xing’s performance had been.
Before Fang Xing sang, he had confidence; now, he had none.
He could already foresee that Fang Xing’s performance would likely place him in the top three tonight.
In other words, to win, Li Siqi would need to reach the top two—a huge challenge.
Behind him were the king Liu Hongsheng, the top South Korean singer Zhong Yuanxun, and several veteran singers.
None of them were amateurs.
One reason Li Siqi dared to choose Fang Xing initially was because he hadn’t watched *Tomorrow’s Star*.
He looked down on that boy group audition.
As the top idol in the country, even glancing at such low-tier auditions lowered his taste.
Therefore, his impression of Fang Xing was mostly from his trending on social media and the three songs “Nocturne,” “Painted Heart,” and “Big Fish.”
Fang Xing appeared on the hot search lists so often.
In the country’s top traffic stars, trending has no relation to singing ability.
The three songs topping the hot song charts were indeed of high quality, but who knew how much they were polished in the studio?
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So before hearing Fang Xing’s live performance, Li Siqi was confident of winning and thought Fang Xing was one of only two easy targets among the seven debut singers.
But after hearing him sing, he realized Fang Xing was no pushover but a fierce tiger.
The director reminded, “Five seconds left to decide.”
Li Siqi clasped his hands, resting them on his forehead, seriously considering.
After a moment, he looked at Chen Xiyin and asked, “Can you perform well later?”
Chen Xiyin was taken aback, realizing Li Siqi wouldn’t press the button and sighed, “Alright, then I’ll have to press it.”
Before the competition started, she had written the name of the Malaysian champion Chen Lizhu.
Meaning, no matter what Chen Lizhu sang, Chen Xiyin had to challenge her.
This feeling of opening a blind box was unpleasant.
If Chen Lizhu’s singing was as terrifying as Fang Xing’s, it would be a big problem.
But it was what it was; there was no other choice.
Ten seconds passed.
Li Siqi did not press the challenge button, wisely forfeiting his chance tonight.
The director announced, “Since you did not press the challenge button, you have lost tonight’s challenge opportunity. Please proceed to the standby room beside us for further arrangements.”
The director led Li Siqi to the standby room and began questioning, “Why didn’t you press the challenge button in the end?”
Li Siqi thought for a moment before answering, “The timing wasn’t right.”
His answer was very tactful, not admitting outright that he thought he couldn’t win.
The director continued, “Do you think you can’t win?”
Li Siqi was silent for a long time, then replied, “His song tonight will resonate with many viewers. Challenging him tonight is very difficult.”
A smile briefly flickered across the director’s face but quickly vanished as he continued, “According to the rules, you can choose your challenge target again next episode. Will you still choose Fang Xing?”
Li Siqi took a deep breath and answered firmly, “Yes, I will still choose him.”
He had no other answer. Saying he was afraid of Fang Xing before competing would make him lose fans.
...
Meanwhile, the studio recording continued.
Since Li Siqi did not press the challenge button, although Fang Xing’s name was on the challenge card, he was not challenged.
He Hao returned to the stage and said, “Fang Xing, look behind you. What do you see?”
Fang Xing glanced back and replied, “I don’t see anything.”
“That’s right. The big screen behind you didn’t light up any alert, which means the challenger who wanted to challenge you gave up and did not press the button,” He Hao explained the current situation.
“What will happen then?” Fang Xing asked.
“That means nothing happened. You were chosen as a challenge target, but at the last moment, the challenger gave up...”
After explaining, He Hao asked, “Who do you think was the challenger who chose you?”
Fang Xing shrugged, “You’ve done a great job keeping secrets. I haven’t met any of the other singers except myself.
“And by now, all the singers should be able to see me on their lounge screens, right?”
“That’s right. They can see you on the lounge screens,” He Hao confirmed.
“That’s very unfair,” Fang Xing complained.
“No worries. When you return to the lounge, you’ll be able to see the singers performing later on the screen,” He Hao reassured him.
“Then let me go back quickly,” Fang Xing said eagerly.
“All right, please return to the lounge this way. Now, let’s introduce Singer No. 2...”
After Fang Xing left the stage, He Hao continued, “Singer No. 2 is tagged as ‘National Champion.’ She won the Malaysian Newcomer Competition and is an emerging singer with strong vocal skills.
“Let’s ask her a few questions. Singer No. 2, can you hear me?”
“Loud and clear,” Chen Lizhu nodded eagerly from the lounge.
“What do you think of Singer No. 1 Fang Xing’s performance just now?” He Hao asked.
“Is it still possible to book a flight home now?” Chen Lizhu said with a face full of grievance.
“Why?” He Hao probed.
“Are all the singers on this show that good? It’s terrifying,” Chen Lizhu said nervously.
“Don’t be nervous; you’re the champion of the Newcomer Competition,” He Hao encouraged her.
“That singer was just too good. I don’t dare to compete with him,” Chen Lizhu admitted.
“Don’t worry; you’re not competing just with him, but all six of you remaining will face him. Just kidding, don’t be nervous. Now tell us, what song will you sing?” He Hao steered back to the main topic.
Chen Lizhu took a deep breath and answered, “An English song called ‘Melody in Dream.’ Its Chinese translation is ‘Melody in the Dream.’”
“Then let’s invite Singer No. 2, the Malaysian champion, to perform ‘Melody in Dream,’” He Hao said, gesturing to the back of the stage.
Chen Lizhu kicked off her high heels and walked out barefoot from backstage.
Due to the backlighting, her face wasn’t clear, but the figure was unmistakably female.
All the audience and guests strained their necks to get a better look at Singer No. 2.
When Chen Lizhu stepped into the spotlight, everyone finally saw her face.
And everyone was utterly baffled.
No one recognized her.
However, according to the usual practice of *The Voice* production team, unknown singers brought in often lack fame but possess extraordinary talent.
Therefore, the audience was eager to see Chen Lizhu’s performance.
Chen Lizhu’s skills were indeed impressive. Singing the English song “Melody in Dream,” her melody was beautiful and her voice captivating.
During Chen Lizhu’s performance, in the challengers’ lounge, Chen Xiyin grew more nervous, realizing Chen Lizhu’s vocal skills were not to be underestimated, and she had no absolute confidence of winning.
Li Siqi was also very anxious because if Chen Xiyin didn’t challenge, next episode they would have to battle for the only challenge opportunity, which would be very disadvantageous.
“Press it. If we don’t, next episode we won’t have a choice and will both have to write ‘1’ down,” Li Siqi reminded her.
Chen Xiyin sighed and pressed the challenge button.