Chapter Five Zhang Ji: You're joining "Son of the Future"? Just to make up the numbers?

Jiang's father and mother were still overjoyed:
"Son, here, take this five thousand yuan! When you get there, eat whatever you want, buy whatever you like!"
"If you can become a star, that would be wonderful... Stars make so much money nowadays! But if it doesn't work out, that's fine, too—just treat it as a trip... Besides, with your score, you should be able to apply to a university in the capital. Think of it as getting a head start and checking out the place."
Jiang Yi nodded. "Mom, Dad, thank you. But really, don’t get your hopes up too high—I’m just going to make up the numbers."
He checked his phone; the transfer had already arrived.
Jiang Yi didn’t say anything more.
There were still three days before he had to leave for the capital.
He returned to his room and closed the door.
"I have to practice a bit. The system hasn’t directly rewarded me with any music skills. Even if I bring out these classic songs from the system’s library, I still need to know how to accompany myself on the guitar, right? Otherwise, singing a cappella would be too awkward!"
"When I get to the capital, I’ll probably have to go for a round of auditions, maybe even perform in front of the producers face-to-face… They’ll want to see me live first; I can’t just go straight into the competition."
"So, just one song, 'Those Years', isn’t enough… I’d better practice accompanying some other songs on guitar as well."
He thought for a moment.
Jiang Yi decided to select some classic theme songs and soundtracks from the system’s collection of film and television works.
"Even if I’m lucky enough to advance all the way through 'Son of the Future', I’ll probably sing a dozen songs at most. That superstar from Earth only had a dozen original songs before he won the championship and debuted..."
"But with my current guitar skills and singing ability, there’s no telling how far I’ll get. It’s best to pick a few songs and work on all of them. Later, I can casually perform a few for 'Son of the Future' to listen to... After all, only if they see my potential will I get more screen time."
Although the first season of 'Son of the Future' used a live broadcast format for the open auditions, which were later edited into a variety show for online release,
most of the live viewers would only be a fraction of the audience.
The majority tuned in for the three popular celebrity mentors.
If the early contestants were dull or terrible, the audience would quickly lose interest.
It’s not easy to stand out during the live broadcast.
Back then, the superstar from Earth only started to gain exposure because his excellent live performance was edited into the main program.
Jiang Yi picked a dozen theme songs and inserts from the system’s song library.
"I’ll practice a few first, of course, one step at a time… Which one next..."
"Hmm, let’s go with 'My Thoughts When I Like You'—this one is nice and not too hard to sing..."
'My Thoughts When I Like You' had lyrics by Han Han. Many of the place names sound odd at first, but on a second listen, they feel magical, clever, and vivid.
It truly showcased the literary talent of a real writer.
Combined with a beautiful melody, a classic was born.
All it took was a simple guitar accompaniment to sing it.
It was perfect for Jiang Yi at this moment.
On Earth, this song had been the theme for the highly acclaimed film 'This Is Not What I Expected'.
With his mind made up,
Jiang Yi pulled up the lyrics, picked up his guitar, and started practicing.
As the gentle prelude played, Jiang Yi softly sang:

"In September
A damp carriage
You look at the window
Outside,
Pipes are blooming
..."

The simple, quirky lyrics painted a lovely scene of a couple sitting in a car, planning a trip together.
Jiang Yi kept singing:

"Look over there
At nine o’clock
The house by Lake Geneva
Is it expensive..."

The melody carried the cautious affection of a man towards the woman he liked.
...
In his room, Jiang Yi was completely absorbed in his own world, practicing the song over and over.
He had no idea that, outside the door, his parents were listening with their ears pressed to the wood.
"Honey, what song is this? I’ve never heard it before—could it be our son’s original?" his mother whispered.
"It’s really nice. At first, it sounds strange, but the more you listen, the better it gets..." His father was astounded. "Does our son really have such talent?"
...
Jiang Yi, still unaware, continued:

"Did you hear?
Today’s news
Said the bridge on Highway One
Has collapsed
Are we still going..."

Outside the door, his parents listened, entranced.
After a long while,
"My genes really are excellent, aren’t they?" his father said.
His mother retorted, "Nonsense, it’s because I raised him well! Alright, enough, don’t listen anymore—you’ll disturb him!"
His father nodded. "Let’s go."
They quietly walked away.
But afterward, while out for a stroll in the neighborhood, they couldn’t resist bragging to the neighbors.
After all, with such outstanding exam results, they had every reason to be proud.
And swept up in everyone’s praise, they ended up telling people that Jiang Yi was going to participate in 'Son of the Future'.

...
The next day,
Jiang Yi was still holed up at home practicing.
Unexpectedly, Zhang Ji, the chubby kid from next door, messaged him: "Hey, Jiang Yi, I heard you’re going to compete on 'Son of the Future'?"
Jiang Yi was surprised. "Yeah, how did you know?"
Zhang Ji replied, "Your parents already told everyone in the neighborhood... But with your guitar skills, are you just going for the experience?"
Jiang Yi shook his head, but couldn’t blame his parents—being proud of your child was only natural.
As for Zhang Ji’s words, Jiang Yi wasn’t offended. He just smiled and said, "That’s right, I’m just going for the experience. Maybe I’ll be eliminated in the first round, but it’s a fun trip anyway. The show covers travel and accommodation, and I’ll get to see the three hottest stars right now: Xue Zhi, Yang Xiaomi, and Hua Chen. By the way, Zhang Ji, where are you going for your graduation trip?"
Zhang Ji: "..."
Jiang Yi didn’t wait for a reply, returning to his practice.
He didn’t know that at that very moment, Zhang Ji had also received an email from 'Son of the Future'—but his was a rejection.
Zhang Ji had started learning guitar after hearing people praise Jiang Yi’s playing, determined not to be outdone.
He believed his guitar skills were much better than Jiang Yi’s!
He had seen the show and signed up as well.
But to his surprise, he hadn’t been selected!
"Why not..."
Zhang Ji ruffled his hair in frustration. "Compared to Jiang Yi, where am I lacking? Why can’t I ever win against him? My guitar is obviously better—so why did he get picked and I didn’t? Is it just because he’s better looking? I don’t accept this..."
Zhang Ji gritted his teeth.
"Hmph, so what if you go? With your skills, you’ll be eliminated in the first round for sure!" He sneered, "I can’t wait to see you embarrass yourself!"
He picked up his phone, opened the class group chat, and tagged everyone—he was a class monitor and could do that.
He announced Jiang Yi’s upcoming participation in 'Son of the Future' to the entire group.
Immediately, the chat exploded.
"Jiang Yi is going to defy the odds, huh?"
"He did so well on the exams!"
"And now he’s going on 'Son of the Future'—a future superstar..."
"Are we about to have a celebrity alumnus in our class?"
Classmates chatted excitedly.
Lin Muchun, the class president, also tagged Jiang Yi: "Jiang Yi, is it true you’re going to be on 'Son of the Future'?"
After another round of practicing 'My Thoughts When I Like You', Jiang Yi paused and finally noticed the flurry of messages in the class group.
At a glance, he understood what was going on—it was obviously Zhang Ji from next door stirring things up.
He wanted to make a scene, so if Jiang Yi performed badly on the show, it would be all the more embarrassing.