Chapter 81: Lin Feng’s Version of “Old Boy”
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While the three were chatting, the results of the second round PK on stage had already been announced. Feng Yao defeated Wang Ning by a narrow margin of ten votes, securing a spot among the top six in the Fanquan Team.
“Wang Ning lost so unfairly, I bet those ten votes were lost because of his chest…” joked Liu Dahai when he heard the outcome.
Lin Feng and Yang Er both burst into laughter at his comment.
“Now inviting the next contestants, Sun Hao and Lin Feng! Their creative theme is ‘Dreams!’” The host Yang Fan’s voice echoed backstage.
“Brother, it’s your turn, good luck!” Liu Dahai and Yang Er cheered Lin Feng on.
Lin Feng smiled at them, then followed Sun Hao onto the stage.
As soon as Lin Feng appeared, the audience erupted into thunderous cheers. After all, Lin Feng had been incredibly popular these past two days; the entertainment and sports sections of every major media outlet were dominated by him. Especially the news of Lin Feng and Qin Ruolin’s wedding had garnered intense attention, and now, the two were sharing the stage—how could the audience not be excited!
“Qin Ruolin!!”
“Qin Ruolin!!”
“Qin Ruolin!!”
As Lin Feng took the stage, the audience mischievously began chanting Qin Ruolin’s name. Hearing this, Lin Feng frowned in frustration.
Qin Ruolin, seated in the mentor’s chair, shrugged helplessly.
“Looks like there’s another good show coming…” Heavenly King Liu Hua, familiar with Qin Ruolin, joked without reservation.
“Oh, I think I’ve heard someone’s getting married too. Wonder if they’ll hand out wedding invitations on stage…” Hasan joined in the teasing.
Qin Ruolin shot the two a resentful glare, then solemnly addressed the host, “Shouldn’t we proceed with the program?”
“Sorry, Ruolin, the audience is just too enthusiastic…” Yang Fan replied with a smile.
Qin Ruolin pursed her lips, putting on a show of being an angry diva, but her act only sparked another round of cheers from the crowd. To them, Qin Ruolin’s reaction was nothing more than “covering one’s ears while stealing a bell.”
“Everyone, please quiet down, the competition must go on.” Yang Fan waved to the audience, then asked Sun Hao and Lin Feng, “Which of you will start?”
“I’ll go first!”
Before Yang Fan finished speaking, Sun Hao responded immediately. He felt the atmosphere was unfavorable for him, so he wanted to prove himself with his skill, showing everyone that this stage is all about the work.
“Alright, let’s welcome Sun Hao with ‘Wings’!”
Yang Fan moved to the side of the stage after announcing.
Lin Feng, following the rules, retreated to the dark corner at the edge of the stage.
All the lights focused on Sun Hao.
The song’s prelude began…
The venue quieted completely. After all, this was an original music show, and the thousand live audience members selected by the production team were mostly fair-minded.
As the song entered the main verse, Sun Hao began to sing…
When I was very young,
I thought I could be like a bird,
Soaring into the sky.
Gradually, I realized,
I had no wings,
And so I grieved, so I wandered,
When will I be able to fly into the sky…
…
…
Give me a pair of wings, I will fly!
Give me a pair of wings, to soar the blue sky!
That is my dream, my dream…
…
As the music ended, Sun Hao finished his performance. This time, he performed far better than during rehearsal. His powerful and resonant voice earned waves of applause from the audience.
With Sun Hao’s song, the audience’s attention was drawn back to the competition.
“Next, let’s welcome Lin Feng with ‘Old Boys’!” Yang Fan announced.
Sun Hao and Lin Feng switched places.
The person standing center stage was now Lin Feng. He took a deep breath, nodded toward Liang Renbo backstage.
The prelude began slowly…
All eyes—audience and mentors alike—were fixed on Lin Feng under the spotlight.
“I wonder what kind of song this guy will bring?” Qin Ruolin thought to herself.
As the prelude ended and the main verse began, Lin Feng’s singing rang out…
That is the person I think of day and night, whom I deeply love,
How should I express myself,
Will she accept me?
As Lin Feng began singing, the three mentors apart from Fanquan all exclaimed in surprise—they noticed Lin Feng’s voice had changed since the auditions.
However, his voice suited this song perfectly. Just two lines in, everyone’s ears were captivated.
The song continued…
Perhaps I’ll never say those words to her,
Destined to wander the world,
How could I have any attachments…
…
“Is this about dreams? Why does it sound like a love song?” Many couldn’t help but wonder.
But soon, their doubts were dispelled.
Lin Feng’s rich, slightly weathered voice came through…
Dreams are always out of reach,
Should I give up?
Flowers bloom and fall, another season passes,
Spring—oh, where are you?
Youth is like a rushing river,
Never returning, no time for farewell,
Only the numb me remains,
No longer with the passion of the past,
Watching flowers drift and fall across the sky,
Withering at their most beautiful moment,
Who will remember it ever existed in this world…
…
The first verse ended—a lament for youth, an elegy for dreams.
Youth is like a rushing river, never returning, no time for farewell!
Only the numb me remains, no longer with the passion of the past!
These two lines echoed in countless hearts. The mentors, once relaxed, now wore solemn expressions, lost in thought and reminiscence. Lin Feng’s melody seemed like an old folk tune, yet it transcended the genre, not quite pop yet missing many elements. This “neither nor” style gripped everyone’s soul.
The interlude ended, entering the second verse, Lin Feng’s voice rose again…
In the blink of an eye, so many years have passed, so much joy and sorrow,
The once ambitious youth envied the swallows flying south,
Each pursuing their own path, their figures growing distant,
Where is the future?
Ordinary life—who will give me an answer?
The ones who accompanied me then,
Where are you now?
The ones I once loved,
What do you look like now?
Did you fulfill your original wishes?
Is it all just an elegy now?
Let the years dry out ideals, never to rediscover the real me,
Looking up at the starry sky,
That star that once accompanied me,
Do you still remember the story here…
…
Lin Feng’s deep and steady voice fully exploded in the second verse, pouring all his emotions into the song. The series of questions sparked a profound resonance throughout the audience.
The ones who accompanied me then, where are you now???
The ones I once loved, what do you look like now???
Did you fulfill your original wishes???
Is it all just an elegy now???
One question after another struck straight at the heart. Lin Feng’s singing brought the audience deep into memories, back to those pure years. Some older listeners found their eyes glistening with tears, while others smiled sweetly at the corners of their mouths…
…