Chapter 92: Forced to Watch the Flames of War Engulf the Land, Never Forgetting My Duty to the Nation Despite My Humble Position

Not only the audience present at the scene, but also those watching the live broadcast, were typically left stunned by this segment.

The ethereal and resonant singing seemed like an outpouring of emotions with all her might. It was not only the honest and passionate feelings of the character in the song being released, but also Li Caiwei venting her own emotions.

The past few years had been incredibly difficult for her. Though the incident with the investor pressuring her to drink had passed, the years she lost could never be regained. Moreover, the entertainment industry is notoriously harsh about the age of its female artists. At the peak of her popularity, Li Caiwei failed to land a signature hit. After fading from the scene to give birth to her daughter, it became even harder to secure good resources for a comeback.

Having gone through all this, she knew better than anyone how hard it was to obtain an outstanding song. In recent years, she had barely managed to get by, relying solely on her solid vocal skills and occasional commercial performances.

So, no one could truly understand just how overwhelmed she was upon hearing "Red Diva." She knew that as long as she sang this song well, everything would fall into place.

For this, she felt immense gratitude towards Fang Xing. She was aware that the company had also approached Yao Liying to discuss being the guest singer. Yao Liying, who was currently at the height of her career, had expressed willingness to join, but wanted to hear the song before making a final decision.

Ordinarily, one would wonder: with Yao Liying being a top-tier, in-demand singer, why choose Li Caiwei—a nearly forgotten, barely working former star—over her? And yet, Fang Xing chose her.

Not only did he choose her, but his expectations were exceedingly high: a B5 super-high note vocal, paired with a water sleeve dance in Kunqu opera costume. Both had to be performed together.

Initially, Li Caiwei thought that if she couldn't master the dance, she would let a professional dancer perform it instead. However, after rehearsing the choreography once, she realized that Fang Xing had already reserved the most dazzling part of the stage for her. If she could nail the super-high note and the water sleeve dance, she would be the brightest star on stage.

And so, she gritted her teeth and spent three days doing nothing but practicing this segment in the rehearsal room, except for meals and sleep. Though she hadn't had much work in the past few years, she had never let her singing skills rust. In the end, she perfected the piece.

As the B5 high note came to a close, the live stream barrage exploded:

“Mind-blowing!”
“I blame my own lack of vocabulary—just one word, wow!”
“Professional verdict: B5 super-high note, absolutely amazing!”

“Wait! Isn’t this a boy group competition? How did such a beautiful stage end up here?”
“Li Caiwei’s vocal skills are still impressive.”
“Li Caiwei, after all these years, it’s time for her to return.”
“Agreed, it’s time for her comeback.”
“Fang Xing really knows what he’s doing, actually giving the most dazzling spot on stage to Li Caiwei.”

In the previous performance, Wu Junchen’s team also had a guest singer, Xu Xinru, but the stage arrangement still placed Wu Junchen and Liu Yichen at center. Fang Xing’s group was different.

Li Caiwei stood atop the stage transformed from a lifting platform from the very beginning, becoming the most radiant figure there.

“I declare, ‘Red Diva’ is the best of the night.”
“Are you serious? This is just the second song—best of the night already?”
“Come on, at least let the others finish singing before you decide.”
“Added to my repeat playlist!”
“Oh no, I think I’ve forgotten what Wu Junchen’s group sang earlier—my cassette’s been overwritten.”
“It’s another one-sided competition, so boring. Fang Xing, can’t you hold back a bit? At least create some suspense for the show.”
“Don’t speak too soon. Tonight’s about popularity rankings, and Wu Junchen is still number one right now.”

Occasionally, fans of Wu Junchen or Liu Yichen would selectively turn a blind eye:

“Aren’t you all celebrating too soon? The song isn’t over yet. If the ending falls flat, won’t you be embarrassed?”
“Exactly. The guest singer they invited is just a washed-up artist—how can they expect to win? Wishful thinking.”
“Besides, the climax is mostly sung by Li Caiwei. People might think she’s the one competing.”

…

The stage had not ended.

After the instrumental interlude, the song entered the second verse, and Fang Xing’s voice—rich and magnetic—sang:

“The play takes a turn, water sleeves rise and fall. Singing of joys and sorrows, of partings and reunions, none of it concerns me…”

The remaining team members took turns performing the verse.

By the second chorus, Fang Xing fully displayed his operatic technique:

“Those below the stage come and go, their faces no longer familiar.
Those on stage sing, their hearts breaking with the song of parting.
‘Love’ is hard to put into words; to sing it requires blood.
As the curtain rises and falls, who is the guest…”

At the same time, the lifting platform descended to the same level as the stage. Fang Xing and Li Caiwei stretched out their hands, circling each other, but no matter how far they reached, they could never touch—like two opera souls forever unable to meet.

As they circled, they sang the final section together:

“We once asked of prosperity and decline, once sang resolutely of rise and fall.
Saying love is heartless, saying love is true—how can one weigh it?
Saying love is heartless, saying love is true—how can one weigh it…
Looking towards Yan Yun, looking towards Bianliang, dreaming for but a moment…”

Meanwhile, the lifting platform continued to descend. Clad in opera costume, Li Caiwei slowly sank below the stage. As she descended, she reached out to Fang Xing, as if trying to grasp something. Fang Xing, standing on the stage, also reached out for her, watching her fade away, desperate to hold on—yet unable to.

As the final note faded, a profound silence enveloped the venue. After a long moment, thunderous applause erupted.

Simultaneously, the live stream comments burst forth again:

“Once again, I’m absolutely amazed!”
“Lyrics, melody, vocals, staging—every aspect was nearly perfect.”
“This song is something else. Not only beautiful, but with such depth.”
“Drifting in troubled times, forced to watch the flames engulf the land, yet never daring to forget the nation—these lyrics are incredible.”
“I declare this song has broken out of its niche.”
“Every song is a breakout hit—can’t we just have a weaker one for once?”
“It’s too tragic—Wu Junchen is too pitiful. He’s top of the popularity chart, yet every stage is crushed by his competition.”
“Don’t blame Junchen for always losing; his opponents are just too monstrous.”
“There’s only one thing wrong with Fang Xing—he hits too hard.”
“Hits too hard +1.”
“This is so unfair, not giving the competition even a sliver of hope—how can there be any suspense left in this show?”
“Junchen, don’t cry, just hold on. Lose enough times and you’ll get used to it.”
“Can you all stop being so harsh? The results haven’t even been announced! How can you say Wu Junchen lost? Host, hurry up and announce that Wu Junchen lost.”
“I’m a fair person. If the song is good, it’s good. One vote for each member, and Li Caiwei’s vote goes to Fang Xing.”
“I’m counting down from ten—if this song doesn’t hit the Weibo trending list, I’m smashing my phone.”
“What now? Has it reached the point where a song not trending means smashing phones?”