Chapter Seventeen: All Eyes on Them! The Livestream Audience Soars!

ps: These are Chapters Seventeen and Eighteen, combined into one. Only the chapter title cannot be changed.

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"Yang Xiaomi, WOW~~"

Jiang Yi also shouted loudly.

It wasn’t that Jiang Yi had any particular fondness for Yang Xiaomi.

But in an atmosphere as lively and exuberant as this one, not reacting at all would have been stranger still.

It’s just like being at a concert—when everyone starts shouting, you can hardly help but join in.

So, even before the competition began, everyone ended up enjoying Yang Xiaomi’s energetic dance performance.

The atmosphere in the venue was ablaze with excitement, stirring everyone’s spirits.

Although Yang Xiaomi’s singing skills left much to be desired, it was clear that her stage performance had been rehearsed many times.

As a mentor’s opening show, it must have been prepared well in advance.

And as for the singing, it was probably only half-live, not fully open mic. Yet, nobody cared about that.

After all, Yang Xiaomi was an actress, not a singer here to compete!

Overall, the performance was a delight to the eye.

Jiang Yi understood well enough that the production team was using just such tricks to attract viewers to the live broadcast—only with enough popularity could the program gain momentum.

Only by gathering a massive audience could true future superstars be discovered and nurtured here.

Only then could the true Children of Tomorrow be born!

Without popularity, even if there were promising talents, it would be difficult to create superstars in a short time without a huge influx of attention.

The show’s purpose was to draw in massive crowds, then let their presence witness the selection of contestants.

Those with true talent, idol potential, or superstar charisma could then be hatched in the midst of vast attention.

For now, the stage still belonged to the mentors.

The contestants themselves had not yet appeared.

And in the three main sections where the contestants of the three tracks were seated, the lights remained off.

Deliberately, the area was kept in shadow.

The audience watching the stream couldn’t see what the contestants looked like or what they were wearing.

All they could hear were the wild cheers from the three sections of contestants.

This was by the design of the show’s big boss, Long Dandan, for after all, the unknown is always the most alluring!

One unique contestant after another emerging one by one is far more intriguing than simply dumping a bizarre-looking group under the spotlight for all to see at once.

If the contestants appear individually, every new face is fresh and exciting—viewers will wonder who the next oddball might be.

But if everyone is revealed at once, the audience might glance at the flamboyant crowd, feel there’s nothing special, and leave.

So, after Yang Xiaomi’s performance,

Once she finished, Zhang Xiaoxiao immediately took the stage.

He called Yang Xiaomi to stay.

The two chatted on stage about why Yang Xiaomi had accepted the role of Star Promoter for Children of Tomorrow and other such topics.

Meanwhile, Yang Xiaomi’s backup dancers exited the stage.

As they spoke,

Backstage.

Long Dandan instructed her assistant Zhang Xiaoli, “Yang Xiaomi’s stage performance has been recorded, right? Buy a trending spot and upload it to Weibo immediately!”

“Spread the news of Children of Tomorrow’s premiere far and wide. We must attract the largest possible audience.”

Zhang Xiaoli nodded, “Yes. Everything’s ready. We can upload now…”

Long Dandan then spoke into her headset, “Xiaoxiao, keep talking with Miss Yang Xiaomi for a while longer, let the audience trickle in… Take your time, keep chatting, and afterwards bring out Mr. Xue Zhi…”

Soon after,

With the production team’s well-funded operation, Yang Xiaomi’s performance shot straight to Weibo’s trending topics.

It entered the top twenty.

The goal was to spread the word as far as possible.

Many viewers were not diehard fans of the three star promoters—some were casual fans who wouldn’t wake early to wait for a stream at ten in the morning.

These viewers wouldn’t tune in unless the live stream link was pushed right in front of them, only then might they click out of boredom.

At that moment, many viewers on Weibo saw it.

Some, still lounging under their duvets on the weekend, clicked in out of curiosity.

“Yang Xiaomi is actually singing? And dancing? She’s so hot and sexy… My god! Go watch now!”

“Everyone, hurry up and watch!”

“Yang Xiaomi, absolutely stunning!”

The production team even employed some paid commenters.

So besides the main streaming platform, the show also drew a wave of viewers from Weibo.

Soon, the viewership of Children of Tomorrow’s live stream began to soar.

...

Meanwhile,

Far away in Jiang City.

At Jiang Yi’s home.

“Honey, hurry up! The show’s started! The live broadcast is on! What are you dawdling for?”

Jiang Yi’s mother called out to his father.

His father yawned as he came out of the room. “Well? Has it started yet? Where’s our son?”

Since Jiang Yi was participating in Children of Tomorrow, his parents were naturally quite invested in the show.

Today was Saturday, the premiere of Children of Tomorrow, and it was a live audition!

Jiang Yi’s mother was on edge!

She’d been up early.

But Jiang Yi’s father insisted their son wouldn’t be on so soon and had slept in.

The choice to air the show on a Saturday was, of course, to suit the audience’s routine.

Children of Tomorrow didn’t start too early, only at ten o’clock, and even then, the first to appear weren’t the contestants but the three star promoters.

Ten o’clock was just right—everyone could sleep in on Saturday and wake up just in time for the live broadcast.

“Our son must be there in the audience. The three sections seat contestants from the three tracks. He told me he’s in the Solo track!”

“So he should be over there, but right now you can’t see the contestants—the producers have kept it dark, you can only hear voices, not see anyone.”

“But just now, I think I heard our son’s voice in the cheering.”

Jiang Yi’s mother kept telling his father.

He, however, was admiring the current center of attention, Yang Xiaomi, who was being interviewed by host Zhang Xiaoxiao about her thoughts on the show.

He remarked, “So that’s Yang Xiaomi—the hottest actress right now. I’ve never seen her in person… If our son gets to see her perform live, it’s worth it, even if he gets eliminated!”

Jiang Yi’s mother shot him a glare and pinched him hard. “What, are you smitten with her now?”

He quickly begged for mercy, “I’m just saying! Yang Xiaomi’s a superstar, how could I think anything? You’re the only one for me! And if Yang Xiaomi were to take an interest in anyone, wouldn’t it be our son?”

She rolled her eyes, “You’d better remember that.”

“But no, not even with our son. Yang Xiaomi’s much older than him. He’s only seventeen and she’s already thirty, isn’t she?”

Jiang Yi’s father replied, “So what? Three years older, three years’ good fortune. Thirteen years older, thirty times the good luck. And Yang Xiaomi doesn’t look old, she could pass for a twenty-year-old girl. If our son likes her, why not?”

His mother snorted, “Dream on! How could our son and Yang Xiaomi ever be a thing? She’s a superstar. She’d never look at him.”

“Well, yeah… I just hope our son can make it through the auditions,” his father said.

Though they’d always insisted their son would do great and not to come home without the championship,

Now, seeing the grandeur of the live broadcast, they couldn’t help feeling anxious.

After all, Jiang Yi wasn’t a professional musician, and he’d said himself, he wasn’t very confident.

He’d claimed he was just making up the numbers.

So, his parents were genuinely nervous now!

“But our son will be fine! The songs he plays and sings at home are all so good!” his mother soon reassured herself.

“Right, how could he not pass the auditions? Our son’s got this!” his father echoed.

No matter what happened, parents would always support their child.

Just then, Jiang Yi’s mother said, “Enough, let’s watch carefully.”

...

At the same time.

In the neighboring apartment.

Zhang Ji’s family was also watching Children of Tomorrow’s live stream.

Normally, his parents wouldn’t watch talent shows like this.

But Zhang Ji and Jiang Yi had been rivals since childhood.

Now, with Jiang Yi participating and Zhang Ji failing to make it through the application stage, their family couldn’t help but pay attention.

Mainly, they wanted to see Jiang Yi embarrass himself.

At that moment,

Zhang Ji’s parents asked, “Where’s Jiang Yi? Did he really go? Why can’t we see him? Maybe he’s just bluffing?”

Zhang Ji replied, “No way he’d claim he went if he didn’t. He should be sitting in the contestants’ section now!”

“But the production has kept those areas dark for mystery, so we can’t see the contestants for now.”

“Still, those three areas are where the contestants are. Jiang Yi must be in there.”

He explained to his parents.

Meanwhile, his jealousy was surging.

“Yang Xiaomi, Yang Xiaomi, I love Yang Xiaomi…”

During her performance, Zhang Ji was excited.

He was, after all, a fan!

But he’d never seen her live!

He’d tried to sign up for Children of Tomorrow, but didn’t pass the selection!

Thinking of this, and that Jiang Yi was now surely sitting there, enjoying Yang Xiaomi’s live show,

Zhang Ji’s envy boiled over again.

“Why? Am I so much worse than Jiang Yi? Why could he pass and not me? Is it just because he has a better-looking face?” he fumed.

He didn’t think Jiang Yi’s guitar or singing was much better than his own—so it must be about looks.

“Hmph. A pretty face—what use is that?”

“Jiang Yi, you’re definitely not going to make it through!”

Thinking this, he went on, “Look, there are so many contestants this time. I heard there are over three hundred, but only twelve seats beside each star promoter! That means only twelve can advance per track! With such a brutal system, Jiang Yi won’t make it!”

As Zhang Ji spoke, his class group chat started buzzing.

He checked his phone—everyone was already discussing the show.

Class president Lin Muchun even tagged everyone, “Did you see Children of Tomorrow? It’s on air! Our classmate Jiang Yi is competing—everyone go cheer him on!”

Some students teased,

“Class prez, why are you rooting so hard for Jiang Yi? Do you like him? Is that why you never accepted anyone’s advances in three years of high school?”

“Why didn’t you confess in high school? Now it’s too late!”

“If Jiang Yi makes it, becomes a celebrity—even a minor one—you might not have another chance!”

“Class prez, confess while you can!”

Lin Muchun sent a rolling-eyes emoji: “I’m just cheering Jiang Yi on as his former class president!”

Others said, “Where is Jiang Yi? Why can’t we see him?”

“But Yang Xiaomi has come on! Damn, she’s beautiful! I love her!”

“Her figure is amazing… I’m jealous…”

“Why am I not there? To think Jiang Yi gets to see her live… I admit I’m jealous… If only I’d signed up too!”

“What kind of musical talent does Jiang Yi have? If he could pass, I probably could have too!”

“Now? We can only watch through our phones!”

“Oh, please. Even if you’d applied, you wouldn’t have passed! Are you as good-looking as Jiang Yi?”

“What’s the use of being there? He’s just there for fun—he won’t make it through!”

“At least he’s there, unlike you,” someone retorted.

As everyone argued,

“Enough, everyone quiet!” Lin Muchun cut in: “Yang Xiaomi is seated, and now Xue Zhi is coming out! Xue Zhi is my idol—everyone listen to the music!!! Ahhh!!!”

She was a fan, and immediately demanded everyone stop chatting and appreciate her idol Xue Zhi’s performance.

Watching the lively class group, Zhang Ji’s jealousy surged once again.

But he said nothing.

“The more people watch, the better! When Jiang Yi embarrasses himself, everyone will see!” That was exactly what Zhang Ji wanted.

He stopped paying attention to the group chat and went back to the live broadcast.

...

That day, similar scenes played out in the homes of many students from their high school.

“It’s started—Children of Tomorrow is on!”

“I heard Wang Ao and Jiang Yi are both competing!”

“They’re in the same track! Everyone, watch!”

“Wang Ao leaked the news himself—he must be confident. Jiang Yi’s going to embarrass himself!”

“Xue Zhi is on…”

...

At that moment.

Yang Xiaomi had already left the stage.

Next, star promoter Xue Zhi entered under dazzling lights.

He performed one of his original love songs, “Unserious Snow.”

With deep emotion, as snowflakes drifted,

Accompanied by his still-handsome face—though middle-aged, he was as attractive as a man in his twenties—he was truly charismatic.

The atmosphere was electric.

Of course, everyone listened quietly during the song.

But when Xue Zhi finished,

The contestants from all three tracks erupted in applause.

“Xue Zhi! So handsome!”

“Mr. Xue, I love you!”

“Xue Zhi! Xue Zhi! Xue Zhi!”

Jiang Yi, watching Xue Zhi on stage, thought, “So, in this world, Xue Zhi might not be the same as the one before I crossed over, but he still sings tragic love songs. His representative work here is called ‘Unserious Snow’?”

After singing, Xue Zhi was also brought over by Zhang Xiaoxiao for a short interview.

Then,

The final star promoter entered the stage.

Last to appear was Hua Chen, promoter for the Magic Voice track.

Hua Chen descended from above, suspended on wires!

Like a prince!

With a clear, high-pitched voice,

He then sang a rock-inspired song, expressing his pursuit of individuality and disdain for convention.

He ended his performance with a dramatic high note that soared skyward, his body twisting as if possessed.

As Hua Chen’s high note echoed through the venue,

All the contestants were awed.

They called his name, one after another.

Hua Chen himself had debuted through a talent show.

His fame rested mainly on his exceptional singing.

And today, he proved his professionalism.

Few could reach those stage-commanding high notes.

“The three star promoters have all performed—next, they should announce the competition rules, right?” Jiang Yi thought.

“What will the rules be? It feels different from Tomorrow’s Star in my previous world—after all, the old show didn’t have an opening showcase for the promoters! Everything here tells me this is a new world, and this is a brand-new show, full of unknowns…”