Chapter 156: The Theme of the Next Episode: Love

"What I am holding in my hand right now is tonight's voting result."

Holding the cue card, Zheng Tao walked to the front of the singers. He wore a smile, yet it somehow put everyone on edge.

The segment where the director announced the results had already become a signature feature of the show.

Tonight was no exception to this tradition.

Zheng Tao started with a question: "Would everyone like to hear who came in first place first, or last place?"

Xie Yuwen waved his hand dismissively and said, "Alright, you don't need to announce the first place. We already know who it is."

The smile on Zheng Tao's face grew even brighter, though his tone remained calm. "Since no one wants to know who is in first place, let's announce the first place first."

Xie Yuwen looked at Li Caiwei beside him and said, "Look, Director Zheng is always like this. From now on, we have to go against his routine. Whenever we want him to announce a certain ranking, we must say we don't want to know about it.

"The problem is, I genuinely don't want to hear about first place tonight. Fang Xing, wouldn't you agree?"

Zheng Tao continued, "Before announcing tonight's rankings, I need to explain the rules for advancing to the 'King of Singers Battle' once more.

"Starting from the next episode—that is, the eighth episode—after the performances conclude, singers will advance to the 'King of Singers Battle' based on their cumulative votes for the entire season.

"Three advancing singers will be decided across the eighth, ninth, and tenth episodes.

"Currently, the vote gaps among the top-ranked singers for the season are quite narrow, so everyone still has a chance to advance. Keep it up."

After explaining the rules, Zheng Tao officially began announcing tonight's rankings:

"The singer who ranked first tonight broke the record for a single season's votes, and is also the first singer to surpass 400 votes.

"That singer is...

"Fang Xing, congratulations on winning first place tonight."

When Zheng Tao announced this result, the singers present showed not the slightest ripple of emotion.

Because everyone already had a mental count and knew who the first place would be from the very beginning.

Instead, it was the subsequent rankings that held true suspense.

Zheng Tao went on to announce, "Since first place has already been announced, let's move straight to the most thrilling part—announcing tonight's second place.

"Who do you all think secured second place tonight? Yuwen, who do you think it is?"

Without turning his head, Xie Yuwen glanced at the singers next to him and said, "There's a high probability it's Caiwei, or Heavenly King Liu."

Zheng Tao followed up with a question: "Then do you think there's any chance it could be you?"

Xie Yuwen raised a hand to stop him. "Alright, if you're asking me that, then it's definitely not me. Director Zheng, I know your tricks far too well."

Zheng Tao nodded in acknowledgment. "Yuwen guessed accurately. Second place is indeed between Caiwei and Hongsheng.

"Both of them performed wonderfully tonight, so which song resonated more with the live audience?

"Congratulations to *Clouds of My Hometown*, and congratulations to Caiwei for securing second place tonight."

The surrounding singers immediately stood up to offer their congratulations.

"Congratulations, congratulations."

Li Caiwei hurriedly returned the courtesy. "Thank you, thank you..."

In the end, Liu Hongsheng was once again squeezed into third place.

Though he had mentally prepared himself, upon actually hearing this ranking, he still fell silent.

Ever since Li Caiwei's arrival, he couldn't even manage to hold onto his perpetual runner-up position.

After announcing everyone's rankings, Zheng Tao continued:

"Next up is the matter everyone cares about the most: we are about to reveal the performance theme for the eighth episode.

"Starting from the eighth phase, every single episode is crucial. It determines whether each of you can break through into the grand finale, the 'King of Singers Battle.'

"Currently, Fang Xing, Liu Hongsheng, Zhong Yuanxun, Xie Yuwen, and Xu Xinru—these five all have a shot at contending for the top three advancement spots.

"Aside from these five singers, the rest of you shouldn't assume you can just coast along.

"Even if you fail to advance directly to the 'King of Singers Battle,' there will still be a redemption round in the 11th episode. The higher your overall season ranking, the greater your advantage in that redemption round.

"So, everyone, give it your all."

As a substitute singer, Li Caiwei had a relatively low total vote count. Although her rankings in the last two episodes were respectable, she had only joined from the fifth episode, leaving her with slim odds of advancing ahead of time to the "King of Singers Battle."

Nevertheless, if she wanted to secure an edge in the 11th episode's redemption round, she still had to give her absolute best in the next phase.

Having listened to Zheng Tao's explanation of the advancement rules, Xie Yuwen urged impatiently, "Hurry up and spit it out. What is the performance theme for the next episode?"

Zheng Tao glanced down at his cue card and replied, "As a competitive musical stage, there is one theme that leaves a performance incomplete if it is never sung.

"Therefore, the theme for the next round of competition is... Love.

"Love is something difficult to describe, yet it makes our hearts flutter and compels us to walk hand in hand for a lifetime.

"Let us eagerly anticipate how each of you will interpret this theme."

Upon hearing this theme, everyone's expressions instantly turned vibrant. "Love? With a theme like this, there are simply too many songs one could choose."

Themes related to love were overwhelmingly abundant; it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say they occupied half the empire of pop music.

Because there were so many songs, the audience had also heard them ad nauseam. Without a touch of genuine originality, it would be extremely difficult to truly move the listeners.

Xie Yuwen pressed further, "As long as it's related to love, it's fine, right? There are no restrictions between happy and sad?"

Zheng Tao nodded and replied, "Yes, as long as it has to do with love."

"If that's the case, this has the widest selection range of the entire season." All the singers present shared the same thought, feeling that the song selection criteria for this round were relatively relaxed.

After announcing all the details, Zheng Tao expressed his gratitude: "Tonight's recording concludes right here. Thank you all for your support. Thank you."

With the recording finished, the singers departed one by one.

***

The next day.

Fang Xing caught a flight back to Donghai.

Before boarding, he sent his flight details to Lu Xiang'er.

However, upon returning to Tianlan Gardens, he did not run into Lu Xiang'er in the community garden.

Fang Xing went upstairs to his apartment. The past two days of vocal practice and recording had left him rather exhausted. He tossed his luggage aside and collapsed onto the sofa to rest.

A short while later.

His phone's WeChat notification chime rang.

Picking it up to check, he saw a message from Lu Xiang'er.

Lu Xiang'er: Why are you sending me your flight schedule? Do you think I have the time to stroll outside every single time?

Fang Xing: If you weren't going to pick me up, fine, but you wouldn't even meet me at my doorstep.

Lu Xiang'er: You didn't say you wanted to see me. [Pouting cute baby.jpg]

Fang Xing: The theme for the next competition is still love, and I can't see any love here. [I'm tired, just let it all burn.jpg]

Lu Xiang'er: We haven't known each other that long, and you always bully me.

Fang Xing: I thought holding hands meant making a promise, but you said that wasn't love.

Lu Xiang'er: What on earth is this? Lyrics?

Fang Xing: Want to hear a song? I'll sing one for you.

Lu Xiang'er: Send it over then.

Fang Xing: Tonight at seven, by the big banyan tree at the south gate.

***

Seeing this WeChat message, Lu Xiang'er didn't agree, but she didn't refuse either.

Her heart fluttered nervously like a trapped deer the entire afternoon.

She had wanted to message Ning Xiaoyun and ask her to come along, but the moment she pictured Ning Xiaoyun's wildly imaginative brain at work, she instantly dismissed the thought.

After wrestling with her own thoughts all afternoon, Lu Xiang'er sat up on her bed, thudded her own head with a fist, and muttered to herself, "Lu Xiang'er, what is wrong with you? In your own residential community garden, what is there to be afraid of? What on earth are you scared of? You don't have an avoidant attachment style, you do not!"

***

6:30 PM.

After finishing dinner, Fang Xing strapped a guitar case to his back and headed downstairs. He walked over to the community landscaped garden and sat down on the bench beneath the large banyan tree.

Opening the guitar case, he took out the instrument and began strumming idly.

A couple of residents taking a post-dinner stroll passed by; two of them paused to listen for a moment.

One elderly gentleman even offered a word of praise: "Young man, you play well. With a skill like that, it's quite handy for chasing girls."

Fang Xing smiled in response: "Thank you."

Since Fang Xing was merely strumming the guitar without actually singing, the passing residents didn't linger for long, walking away after a brief listen.

As it approached seven o'clock.

A young woman walked over with her hands behind her back. It was none other than Lu Xiang'er.

Her hair was neatly combed, clearly showing she had dressed up specially for the occasion.

She walked up to Fang Xing, dropped a coin into the open guitar case, and smiled with pursed lips: "You play quite well."

Fang Xing stopped strumming, raised his head, and looked at her intently, taking her in with great care.

Lu Xiang'er grew slightly self-conscious under his gaze and prompted, "Weren't you going to sing? Go ahead. I've already paid."

Without a word, Fang Xing lowered his gaze to adjust the capo on his guitar. His fingers plucked the strings, playing the prelude to a song, and he began to sing while modifying the lyrics slightly as he went:

"Days are like a merry-go-round, spinning endlessly in my mind.

"Reliving those scenes where you were good to me.

"I said that holding hands meant making a promise.

"But my dear, that was not love.

"Much like a shooting star that leaves no time for a wish.

"No matter how beautiful, it can only ever be the past..."

Lu Xiang'er thought the song sounded quite pleasant, but once it finished, she sensed something was amiss. Frowning, she stared fixedly at Fang Xing's expression.

When Fang Xing finished singing, he packed the guitar back into its case and zipped it shut.

Lu Xiang'er asked with lingering doubt, "Is that all? Just one song?"

"I've sung what I wanted to sing." Fang Xing packed up the instrument and set it aside.

"The song is nice, but what do the lyrics mean?" Lu Xiang'er's mind kept echoing with the words she had just heard.

"It's nothing. Just a song, that's all." Fang Xing's spirits didn't seem particularly high.

"Then what is this supposed to mean?" Lu Xiang'er felt the atmosphere turning heavy.

"Nothing. I'm just a bit tired lately." Fang Xing looked at Lu Xiang'er. He genuinely cared for her, but his mindset was long past that of an impulsive youngster; he no longer possessed the burning, reckless passion when it came to romance.

Lu Xiang'er's brow furrowed deeper. She sat down beside him and asked in a soft, gentle voice, "Are you alright? Are you in a bad mood?"

Fang Xing smiled wryly, shaking his head. "Not really. It's just that I've been a bit tired lately. Standing still in one place and refusing to move—sometimes I want to see you, but it always falls through. Occasionally, disappointment is inevitable."

Lu Xiang'er straightened her posture slightly, twisting the hem of her shirt in her hands as she murmured, "But we really haven't known each other very long."

"Don't overthink it. Just follow your heart."

***

Fang Xing stood up, slung the guitar over his shoulder, and said with a smile, "Actually, when it comes to love between two people, relying solely on one person's effort will never bring them together.

"I've experienced it before—relying on just one person's effort is exhausting.

"In truth, the distance between two people in this world is vast. Even if both strive to draw closer, they still might not end up together.

"The song is finished, and I should head back. I have work at the company tomorrow. Thank you for the tip."

With that, Fang Xing picked up the coin, tossed it up lightly to catch it, slipped it into his shirt pocket, and turned to leave.

Watching Fang Xing's retreating figure, Lu Xiang'er sat in a daze on the bench.

She felt utterly bewildered, her mind in a chaotic mess.

She didn't quite understand what Fang Xing meant, but she could clearly sense his profound disappointment, as if he were bidding farewell.

Lu Xiang'er repeatedly replayed the events involving Fang Xing in her mind. Among those memories were many moments where she had been teased or played tricks on.

At the time, those memories had made her furious, but recalling them now, a faint smile involuntarily surfaced on her lips.

Yet, the moment she thought of the song Fang Xing had just sung and the words he had spoken, her brows knitted together once more.

She sat blankly on the bench for a very long time.

Her phone chimed with a notification. Picking it up, she saw a message sent by Ning Xiaoyun.

Ning Xiaoyun: Why aren't you at home?

Lu Xiang'er: Over by the big banyan tree.

Ning Xiaoyun: With whom?

Lu Xiang'er: By myself.

Ning Xiaoyun: By yourself feeding mosquitoes? Is your brain short-circuiting or something?

Lu Xiang'er: It feels like there might be a short circuit somewhere.

Seeing this reply, Ning Xiaoyun sensed something was wrong and hurried over to the big banyan tree.

Lu Xiang'er was still sitting on the tree bench in a daze.

Ning Xiaoyun walked up to her and asked, "What's wrong with you?"

Maintaining her dazed posture while swinging her lower legs back and forth, Lu Xiang'er replied, "I don't know either. I just feel a bit unhappy."

"Your vibe is way off. Did you suffer a breakup?" Ning Xiaoyun sat down and reached out to feel her childhood friend's forehead.

"I suppose not, since we hadn't even started dating yet." Lu Xiang'er wore a look of utter grievance, the kind of expression that instantly triggered anyone's protective instincts.

"What on earth happened? Spell it out clearly." Ning Xiaoyun was completely speechless.

Lu Xiang'er opened her phone's voice recordings and played the song she had recorded earlier, *My Dear, That Is Not Love*.

"Sung by Fang Xing?" Ning Xiaoyun had already guessed it, but still asked the redundant question anyway.

"Mm." Lu Xiang'er nodded.

"What's his deal?" Ning Xiaoyun pressed.

"He said he was tired, and looking at him, he really did seem a bit tired." Lu Xiang'er nodded in response.

"What else did he say?" Ning Xiaoyun continued questioning.

"He also said that love is something that concerns two people, and no matter how hard one person tries, it won't yield a result." Lu Xiang'er recounted.

"What is this? Are both of you always this tangled and complicated? What else did he say?" Ning Xiaoyun wore an expression of absolute disbelief.

"He said he had work tomorrow, and then he left." Lu Xiang'er even pointed in the direction Fang Xing had walked off.

"He just left like that?" Ning Xiaoyun asked.

Lu Xiang'er nodded. "Yeah, he walked away with his guitar on his back."

Ning Xiaoyun collapsed face-first onto the bench and groaned, "Is the guitar the main point here? I'm asking you, didn't you have any reaction at all?"

Lu Xiang'er blinked her eyes and countered, "What kind of reaction should I have had?"

Ning Xiaoyun covered her forehead, speechless. "You're acting like a block of wood! If it were me, I'd be worked to death too. If you didn't want him to leave, you should have spoken up. Love is a two-person affair."

"Then what should I do?" Lu Xiang'er asked with a sigh, her brow furrowed.

"That depends entirely on what you're thinking. If you find Fang Xing thoroughly annoying, then it's simple: block him and never pay him any attention again," Ning Xiaoyun stated.

"Ugh..." Lu Xiang'er's brows twisted into a tight knot.

"If you still want there to be a story between you two, then you need to take a step closer to him. He's already walked ninety-nine steps, and not only do you refuse to take a single step forward, but you even back away. If I were him, I would have run for the hills ages ago," Ning Xiaoyun lectured.

"But we haven't known each other very long," Lu Xiang'er fretted, falling back into hesitation.

"Oh, give it a rest! From what I know, you two have known each other for over half a year. With anyone else, you'd already have a kid old enough to breastfeed." Ning Xiaoyun rolled her eyes.

"Then what on earth should I do?" Lu Xiang'er asked with a heavy sigh.

"Let me think. What else did Fang Xing say?" Ning Xiaoyun inquired again.

"Um... He said the theme for the next competition round is 'Love'." Lu Xiang'er remembered the conversation on WeChat.

"Good grief! He even told you the competition theme, and you didn't give any response?!" Ning Xiaoyun demanded.

"What kind of response should I have given?"

"Please, my dear lady, it's the 'Love' theme on *The Voice*! Obviously, you should have asked him if you could go to the live recording with him! Did you ask?" Ning Xiaoyun pressed urgently.

Lu Xiang'er shook her head. "No."

Ning Xiaoyun collapsed backward onto the bench once more and sighed, "Lu Xiangxiang, if I hadn't grown up with you since we were kids, even I couldn't stand how utterly dense you are."