Chapter 029: Appearance

“What?” Wu Daren was startled, slapping the table angrily. “Wasn’t Lin Feng’s performance order already decided this morning? If he’s made to go last now, won’t he miss the finals?”

“I’m not entirely sure what happened. The news came directly from Producer Qian to the executive director on-site. He said he was concerned that letting Lin Feng perform early would expose him to other contestants, so he wanted to keep an air of mystery. Also, Producer Qian mentioned that Lin Feng’s song, ‘The Eyes That Love to Smile,’ is excellent and perfect as the closing act for this season’s auditions,” Su Wenjing replied.

“Nonsense! The recording order isn’t the same as the broadcast order, so what’s the point of saving him for last? No, I’m going to find him right now!” Wu Daren said, rising and heading for the door.

“Director Wu, wait,” Lin Feng called out. “I’ll go with you.”

“All right, let’s go together,” Wu Daren nodded, and the two left the lounge.

They hurried along and soon arrived at Producer Qian’s office.

Producer Qian, whose real name was Qian Jinlai, was in his early fifties and a veteran at CCTV. In addition to being the producer of “Original Good Songs,” his main post was Deputy Director of the Program Production Department of CCTV Channel One—a true leader.

So, although Wu Daren was genuinely unhappy about Qian Jinlai’s sudden rearrangement of Lin Feng’s order, he didn’t dare lose his temper.

“Xiao Wu, what brings you here?” Qian Jinlai greeted them warmly.

“I want to ask why you moved Lin Feng’s recording order to the very end,” Wu Daren said bluntly.

“Just for such a minor matter?” Qian Jinlai smiled nonchalantly, then glanced at Lin Feng, who had come with Wu Daren. “You must be Lin Feng.”

“That’s me,” Lin Feng nodded.

“Producer Qian, I believe you know my situation. If I’m the last to perform, I might not make it in time for tonight’s CBA finals. So, I’d like to know what your intentions are with this arrangement,” Lin Feng questioned sternly. Wu Daren might fear Qian Jinlai’s position at CCTV, but Lin Feng certainly didn’t.

Qian Jinlai, far from angered by Lin Feng’s challenge, actually smiled. “What intention could I possibly have? This arrangement is simply for the best effect of the program. Don’t overthink it. Besides, although you’re the last to record, it won’t affect your trip to Beicheng for the finals. The recording will absolutely finish before four o’clock; you can rest assured about that.”

“Are you sure the recording will be done before four?” Lin Feng asked, still uncertain.

“I can guarantee it. The production team has a contract with Mentor Qin Ruolin. If the recording schedule conflicts with Jiangning’s playoff game, we must leave her enough time to watch the match. We agreed to this clause, and that’s why she agreed to be a mentor this season,” Qian Jinlai revealed.

“Is that so?” Lin Feng was still skeptical.

“You didn’t know? Aren’t you quite close to Mentor Qin Ruolin?” Qian Jinlai asked with a chuckle.

Lin Feng said nothing, thinking for a moment before replying, “All right, I’ll respect the production team’s arrangement.”

“Don’t worry. It will in no way affect your participation in the finals,” Qian Jinlai replied, his face still full of smiles, though his true thoughts remained unreadable.

Lin Feng still felt uneasy about the arrangement, but since Qian Jinlai had promised everything would be done before four, he decided not to press further. As long as he could reach Beicheng Stadium before the game began, that was enough.

“Old Wang, I’ve done all I can. I’ve managed to delay Lin Feng until the very last, but I can’t help any further,” Qian Jinlai said, dropping his smile as he called Wang Chunsheng after Lin Feng and Wu Daren had left.

“Thanks, old friend! When we win the championship, I’ll make sure you’re well rewarded,” came Wang Chunsheng’s voice over the phone.

“Rewards aside, just remember—this mustn’t become a habit! You have to realize Lin Feng is very important for our show. If we really upset him, it would be a huge loss for us. So, I can’t go too far with these things,” Qian Jinlai warned.

“All right, I’ll remember your favor, Old Qian. I’m training now, so let’s leave it at that.”

After hanging up, Qian Jinlai shook his head gently. He and Wang Chunsheng had been friends for years. In a casual call yesterday, he mentioned Lin Feng’s participation in “Original Good Songs,” and Wang Chunsheng immediately asked him to delay Lin Feng as much as possible, which led to the last-minute change.

…

Three thirty in the afternoon.

Lin Feng was finally about to perform.

In CCTV’s Studio One, the four mentors, after a day of recording, were worn out. Qin Ruolin especially kept checking the time. Just as Qian Jinlai had told Lin Feng, Qin Ruolin’s contract stipulated that if the recording conflicted with Jiangning’s game, the recording had to yield to the game schedule.

“Eager to go watch your little boyfriend?” Seeing Qin Ruolin glance at her watch again and again, Liu Hua, seated to her right, teased.

Liu Hua was one of the five kings of the current Chinese music scene, considerably older than Qin Ruolin. He had once helped her in her early days, and the two had collaborated many times, so their relationship was close and their conversation informal.

“Hua-ge, even you’re making fun of me?” Qin Ruolin pouted at Liu Hua.

“If I didn’t have work, I’d want to watch the game live too. Your little boyfriend is incredible—he’s won over even a fake basketball fan like me!” Liu Hua shrugged. “By the way, don’t forget to get his autograph for me. My daughter is a die-hard fan of his.”

“All right~ If I see him, I definitely will!” Qin Ruolin nodded.

At that moment, the teleprompter rose before the mentors, completely blocking their view.

“Let’s welcome our next contestant to the stage,”

The host’s cue.

Lin Feng took the microphone from a staff member at the side and stepped onto the stage, neither hurried nor slow.

The moment Lin Feng appeared, the previously dull atmosphere sprang to life with a chorus of exclamations.

Most of these shouts came from the female audience—they were overwhelmed by the contestant’s striking looks. Their cries were spontaneous, sparked by the handsome man on stage.

But among the male audience, especially the basketball fans, the surprise had a different meaning. They recognized the contestant—they knew his face.

“Isn’t that Lin Feng?”

“It really looks just like him!”

“Could it actually be Lin Feng?”

“No way, he’s supposed to be playing in the finals tonight. How could he be here?”

“That’s true…”

Lin Feng’s appearance caused a commotion; exclamations and whispers blended together, leaving the four mentors on stage puzzled. Normally, before a contestant begins singing, the audience shouldn’t react so strongly.

The four mentors exchanged confused glances.

On stage, Lin Feng nodded to the band behind him, signaling it was time to begin.

The intro to “The Eyes That Love to Smile” began to play, gentle and slow…

…