Chapter 30: The Astonished Mentors-Sports and Entertainment Superstar(Big Yoyo)

Lin Feng was about to perform the rearranged version of “The Eyes That Love to Smile,” adapted by JJ Lin. Compared to Vivian Hsu’s original, this rendition was lighter in rhythm, less tinged with melancholy, and carried a hint of joy—more fitting for the song’s theme of stepping out from the shadow of heartbreak and facing life with optimism.

As the lively, playful prelude sounded, all four mentors’ eyes lit up. Even from this brief rhythmic introduction, one could discern the performer’s musical prowess.

The prelude faded, ushering in the main verse.

Lin Feng’s voice began to flow…

If not for that mirror, so unlike you, keeping no secrets
I wouldn’t have believed that my smile is brighter without you
That day, your voice on the phone, apologetic and concerned
With a single beep, I cut you off, more thoroughly than your parting words
...

The first verse ended, and Lin Feng’s clean, pure interpretation drew the audience into the song’s world. The four mentors gently swayed to the music, seemingly immersed in enjoyment.

Moving into the bridge, Lin Feng’s vocals soared…

As the bridge concluded, Lin Feng executed a beautiful melodic turn, setting the stage for the chorus to come.

At that moment, two mentors nearly simultaneously pushed their levers!

The two star-lit paths representing mentor recommendations sprang to life at the same time.

The mentors who pushed were Liu Hua and, from Taiwan, the rock king Harson.

“So handsome!” Harson, ever lively, couldn’t help but exclaim at Lin Feng’s performance on stage.

Liu Hua, seeing Lin Feng singing, was stunned.

“Oh my god, how is this possible?!” Liu Hua clutched his head, his face full of shock.

He was somewhat of a basketball fan himself, and his daughter was a Lin Feng fan. With the recent rumors swirling around Lin Feng and Qin Ruolin, he immediately recognized the singer as Lin Feng!

Liu Hua’s astonished expression was captured by the cameras. The next moment, he glanced at Qin Ruolin sitting beside him.

She was engrossed in the song, a gentle smile at her lips—clearly, she was very pleased with this performance.

“What happened?” Qin Ruolin noticed Liu Hua’s reaction and asked curiously.

“Push the lever and you’ll find out,” Liu Hua replied with a mysterious smile.

Qin Ruolin pouted, “I want to listen a bit more.”

“Alright, you should indeed listen carefully.” Liu Hua shrugged, turning his attention back to Lin Feng on stage.

By now, Lin Feng had reached the chorus.

Only after leaving you did I realize—those eyes that love to smile
Tears flowed like an inescapable storm, yesterday drenched and deleted
Only after leaving you did I find myself—those eyes that love to smile
Farewell to love, I’ll let myself, let myself decide
...

Lin Feng’s emotions erupted fully in the chorus, closing with a deft flourish.

Thus far, Lin Feng’s performance was flawless.

As the first chorus ended, another mentor pushed the lever!

This time, it wasn’t Qin Ruolin, but the other male mentor, Hu Jiangquan—member of the country’s top boy band, Spring Fountain. Originally, the show’s producers had invited the entire group; however, Chen Fan, the other member, was absent due to illness.

Hu Jiangquan’s reaction was even more intense than Liu Hua’s, as he was a basketball fan and a native of Jiangning. He knew Lin Feng all too well!

“Oh my god!”

Hu Jiangquan jumped from his mentor’s chair, pointing at Lin Feng on stage, mouth agape, speechless.

“Quan, do you have to be so excited? You know him?” Harson asked curiously.

“Of course!” Hu Jiangquan replied, thrilled. “I know him—he’s our hero! Oh, and Ruolin must be even more familiar with him.”

He then looked toward Qin Ruolin, who had yet to push her lever.

She continued listening intently, her body swaying gently to the rhythm. At this moment, Qin Ruolin was fully immersed in the song. Since the lyrics were written from a female perspective, she felt a strong sense of identification. In fact, she’d already loved the song before the main verse ended. She hadn’t pushed the lever yet simply because she wanted to listen—she wanted to savor the music.

The song entered its second verse, with a tighter rhythm than before.

Lin Feng now poured all his emotions into the music. A master musician once said that music moves us not through melody, but through emotion; only when feeling is invested in the performance can a song truly touch the heart…

Tears soaked my clothes, washed clean, memories dried in sunlight
Folded away heartache, from tomorrow only joy will accompany me
Though this city of love is crowded, if I truly meet you
Don’t be surprised by my smile—it cannot be replaced
Only after leaving you did I realize—those eyes that love to smile
Tears flowed like watching an old film alone, it was just my carelessness
Only after leaving you did I find myself—those eyes that love to smile
If I see you again, I’ll make myself, make myself resolute
...

Only after leaving you did I realize—those eyes that love to smile
Tears flowed like an unavoidable storm, yesterday forgotten
Only after leaving you did I find myself—those eyes that love to smile
Farewell to love, I’ll make myself, make myself resolute
If I see you again, I’ll make myself pretend to be resolute
...

After repeated bursts of emotion and rhythm, the song finally drew to a close, its notes gently settling.

And just as the last note faded, Qin Ruolin, who hadn’t pushed her lever until now, finally did!

All four levers pushed!

Lin Feng became the sixth contestant this season to receive all four mentor recommendations!

As the cue screen descended, Qin Ruolin finally saw Lin Feng on the stage.

“This… how can it be?!”

Qin Ruolin’s mouth dropped open in astonishment, hands covering her face in surprise.

At that moment, she felt she must be hallucinating!

Meanwhile, Liu Hua and Hu Jiangquan, seated beside her, were both smiling.

“I thought you knew he was coming. Looks like you had no idea!” Liu Hua laughed.

“Of course I didn’t know!” Qin Ruolin shook her head, then looked at Lin Feng and asked, “You… how did you end up here?”

“He’s obviously here for you!” Hu Jiangquan teased.

“Wait… can someone tell me who he is? I’m a little lost…” Harson interrupted.

“Let him introduce himself then.” Liu Hua pointed at Lin Feng on stage, smiling. “Honestly, I still can’t believe it’s really him—maybe it’s his twin brother?”

“Alright, now tell us who you are!”

Lin Feng smiled, bowed to the audience and the four mentors, and said, “My name is Lin Feng!…”

Wow!

Whoa!

Lin Feng confirmed his own identity, and the audience instantly erupted.

Setting aside the rumors between him and Qin Ruolin, Lin Feng’s status as a rising basketball star was enough to shock everyone. Never before had a well-known athlete appeared on a music talent show.

Thus, as the first to take this leap, Lin Feng’s presence on the stage of “Original Good Songs” was already the greatest surprise for the audience!

…