Chapter 82: A Frenzied Scene (Third Update, Please Vote)

Backstage.

Liu Dahai and Yang Er hadn’t held out much hope for Lin Feng’s song. They’d already heard it during rehearsal, and if Lin Feng hadn’t claimed to have drawn inspiration from their own lives, they might have already packed up and gone back to the rest area.

But after hearing the first verse of “Old Boys,” a storm of emotion erupted in their previously calm hearts. By the time the chorus arrived, the two found themselves embracing each other, unable to restrain their feelings.

Years of persistence, yet nothing to show for it.

Years of chasing dreams, but in the end it was all just a dream.

“Did those wishes from the past ever come true?”

Their answer: no.

“So now, is there nothing left but to mourn them?”

Their helpless answer: yes.

So all they could do was “let time dry up their ideals,” and they could never again retrieve their true selves.

Every line of these lyrics was a mirror of their own lives, striking the most vulnerable part of their souls. Listening to Lin Feng sing, memories of the past flooded back, and the tears of these two old boys could no longer be held back.

Onstage.

In a shadowed corner, Sun Hao stared at Lin Feng, bathed in the spotlight, utterly stunned.

He had never imagined that the song he’d first dismissed as unbearably banal and later as unworthy would prove so soul-shaking. Even as a rival, he was covered in goosebumps. He tried desperately to find fault with the song, but there was nothing to criticize.

In that moment, Sun Hao was seized by a powerful premonition—he was about to lose.

Among the mentors.

Liu Hua pressed his hands to his head, mouth agape, eyes burning with a passionate fire. After decades in the entertainment industry, his heart had become impervious, but at this instant, a crack appeared in that once adamantine heart.

Hassan, the famed musical maverick, was known for his irrepressible optimism and ever-present smile before the audience. Yet now, his face was grave, brows tightly drawn, a hint of bittersweet reminiscence in his eyes, as if he’d been transported back to another time.

Qin Ruolin’s gaze was fixed on center stage, on the “boy” beneath the spotlight. To her, Lin Feng had always been a big kid, but now, as he sang “Old Boys,” he became a man in her eyes. After all, only a man who had weathered life’s storms could write such a song, and only he could resonate so deeply with it.

The song continued, reaching its final, explosive climax.

Lin Feng’s emotions and feelings were released and poured out in this last segment—

Life, a merciless chisel, has changed us utterly

Are we doomed to wither before we bloom?

I once had dreams

Youth, a surging river, gone without a goodbye

Only numbness remains, the passion of the past now lost

See those blossoms drifting across the sky

Withering at their most beautiful moment

Who will remember that this world was ever here?

Were those wishes ever fulfilled?

Now, must we only mourn them?

Let time dry our ideals, never to recover our true selves

Looking up at the star-strewn heavens

Is that companion still there, the one who was with me?

Do you remember the stories from here?

If there’s a tomorrow, my dearest, I wish you well

…

Onstage, Lin Feng sang the final line. That word, “dearest,” was gentle and soft. After the torrent of emotion, the song ended in quiet, as though, after an outpouring in real life, people must still return to their calm, everyday existence.

That one word brought the song to a perfect close, leaving the audience with endless room for reflection.

The music ended.

Lin Feng slowly lowered the microphone, tears brimming in his eyes.

The entire hall was silent.

Not a sound was heard.

Clap!

No one knew who applauded first.

In the next instant, thunderous applause erupted like crashing waves.

Bravo!

Amazing!

The audience, who had been listening seated, all rose to their feet.

One, two, ten, a hundred…

In the end, the entire hall stood up!

Lin Feng! Lin Feng! Lin Feng!

A thousand voices shouted and applauded wildly!

Hands turned red, voices grew hoarse…

Yet the cheers and applause showed no sign of fading.

In the second studio, Lin Feng’s mother Guo Shuzhen and Lin Wen, his sister, hugged each other in excitement, both brimming with pride at Lin Feng’s performance.

After a long while—

Host Yang Fan walked onstage.

“As the host, I should remain neutral, but at this moment, I have to say to Lin Feng: ‘Old Boys’—that was amazing! This song touched my very soul!”

His words sent the cheers soaring even higher.

“I know everyone’s emotions are running high, but the competition must go on. Please, everyone, quiet down!”

“Now, Sun Hao, please return to the center of the stage.”

Yang Fan calmed himself and brought everyone’s attention back to the contest.

Sun Hao walked center stage, face dark. Everyone could see he was doomed to lose; this PK match had no suspense left. If there was any suspense, it was only a question of how many votes he would get.

Would this set the record for the largest vote gap in the show’s history?

“Both performances are over. Before the audience votes, let’s have our five mentors give their comments and cast their votes.”

“Hassan, you go first.”

Yang Fan nodded toward Hassan.

Hassan, now back to his usual self with his trademark smile, began, “Let me start with Sun Hao. His song, ‘Wings,’ is cleverly written, with excellent rhythm and control. Overall, it’s an outstanding piece.”

“But unfortunately…” Hassan’s tone changed, “he ran into Lin Feng. Against another opponent, he’d probably advance. But in this contest, he stands no chance. My vote goes to Lin Feng. As for his ‘Old Boys,’ I have only one thing to say: I love this song! Sell it to me!!”

Laughter rang out.

“Seriously?” someone joked.

Hassan’s last remark sent the audience into fits of laughter.

Yang Fan grinned and teased, “Lin Feng’s songs are really popular. I remember during the auditions, Mentor Qin Ruolin wanted to buy Lin Feng’s ‘Smiling Eyes.’ By the way, Mentor Ruolin, did you get it?”

Yang Fan tossed the question to Qin Ruolin.

But before she could reply, Liu Hua interjected, “Do you really think Ruolin needed to buy that song?”

The audience burst into laughter and then cheered.

Yang Fan shrugged. “Well, that’s true…”

As the two bantered, Qin Ruolin protested, “That song, ‘Smiling Eyes,’ is indeed mine now, and it’ll be the lead single on my new album. But just for the record, I paid for it! Ask Lin Feng if you don’t believe me!”

Cheers erupted again—this was the first “interaction” between the much-watched “couple” that evening.

“Lin Feng, I’m really curious—did Ruolin actually pay you?” Liu Hua asked with a grin.

“She really did, and it wasn’t a small amount,” Lin Feng replied, scratching his head with a soft laugh. “But I still think she got a bargain.”

More cheers from the crowd.

…