Chapter 99: The Rural Proposition

Lin Feng immediately “grabbed” the money, tossing the briefcase containing one million yuan in cash directly to Qin Han.

“You…”

Zhou Ziqian was furious. One million yuan was just gone like that, and to have it fall into Lin Feng’s hands—he was naturally alarmed!

“What’s the matter? Teacher Zhou thinking of backing out?” Lin Feng sneered. “Wasn’t someone just saying that integrity should come first? Could it be you’re reneging so soon?”

Zhou Ziqian’s face darkened, but he said nothing. Beside him, Sun Hao struggled to contain his anger—after all, it was his money. He had intended to use the million to humiliate Lin Feng, but now, not only had that plan failed, the money had ended up in Lin Feng’s pocket. How could he not be frustrated?

“Lin Feng, damn you!!!” Sun Hao cursed loudly.

Lin Feng glanced at him. “What’s that? This is a live broadcast. You want to curse on national TV?”

Only then did Sun Hao realize his outburst was unseemly—it was a nationwide live broadcast! Fortunately, as he was just a supporting singer without a microphone on him, his curses weren’t picked up by the live feed. However, his agitated expression and flailing gestures were broadcasted in full.

Viewers speculated wildly about what he had said to Lin Feng, and lip-reading experts watching at home quickly deciphered his words...

Cursing during a live show? Sun Hao quickly became infamous, though all the attention was negative.

On stage, host Wu Chuan saw the situation spiraling out of control and quickly segued into an early commercial break.

Program producer Zhao Tong took advantage of the break to step onto the stage.

“Everyone, please calm down. This is a live broadcast. Teacher Zhou, Lin Feng, you are both major stars. It wouldn’t do to have any negative news erupt on live television,” Zhao Tong said gently. In truth, she wasn’t always present during live broadcasts, but today’s was too important to leave unattended.

“Also, Teacher Zhou, regarding the million yuan, you can discuss it after the broadcast. Let’s not address it on the show for now.”

Zhou Ziqian scowled, remaining silent.

Lin Feng smiled and shrugged. "Producer Zhao, I’m fully cooperating with the program.”

“Teacher Zhou, do you think it’s alright to continue with the live broadcast now?” Zhao Tong asked him.

“No problem. But there’s one thing I want to say upfront,” Zhou Ziqian said, looking at Lin Feng. “You want that million, right? Fine. If you win this PK, the money is yours. But if you lose, not only do you return the money, you also have to fulfill your previous promise on Weibo—apologize to me on your knees in front of the entire nation, and retract all your defamatory remarks against me!”

“No problem.” Lin Feng shrugged. “I hope Teacher Zhou won’t forget your own promise. If you lose, you not only apologize to me but also quit the music industry!”

“If I, Zhou Ziqian, lose to a basketball player like you, then there’s truly no reason for me to stay in the music world!” Zhou Ziqian scoffed. “Producer Zhao, once the live broadcast resumes, go straight into the PK process!”

“Understood. Please stay calm, both of you,” Zhao Tong silently exhaled in relief. She really feared the live broadcast might not continue smoothly.

“Twenty seconds left in the commercial break!” the director called out.

Zhao Tong gave Zhou Ziqian and Lin Feng a pleading gesture before quickly stepping down from the stage.

Host Wu Chuan adjusted his posture, wearing a professional smile.

The camera returned to the live venue.

“Welcome back to ‘Music PK Arena.’ As everyone knows, today’s contestants are two celebrities with countless fans. I’m sure you’re eager to hear their works. Let’s begin the first round of original song PK!”

“To introduce the rules for new viewers: ‘Music PK Arena’ consists of three rounds. The first and second rounds are original song battles. Each contestant sends a supporting singer to perform their original compositions. The 500 live audience members and viewers at home vote to decide the winner. The final round is an on-site themed PK. The show will prepare five different themes. The two contestants will draw themes alternately until both draw the same one—that will be the theme for their final creation tonight.”

“Also, to give the contestants enough time for creation, the theme for the third round will be drawn before the first round begins, so they can compose simultaneously during the first two rounds.”

“Alright, please draw the third-round theme now, Zhou Ziqian and Lin Feng.”

“Watch the screen. The themes will rotate alternately. Call out ‘stop’ whenever you like.”

Both Lin Feng and Zhou Ziqian nodded.

“Teacher Zhou, you go first. Big screen, start rotating,” Wu Chuan said, drawing everyone’s attention to the large screen as five themes spun around.

“Stop!”

Zhou Ziqian quickly called out. He had drawn the theme: ‘Country.’

He frowned—this wasn’t his strength. All he could do now was hope Lin Feng would pick a different theme so they could continue drawing.

But fate was not on his side. Lin Feng also chose ‘Country.’

That meant tonight’s on-site creation theme for both was ‘Country!’

“Wow, didn’t expect to pick it so early. Tonight’s creation theme for both contestants is ‘Country.’ Please prepare at the side of the stage,” host Wu Chuan announced.

Zhou Ziqian sighed in frustration. Having grown up in a bustling metropolis, the theme ‘Country’ felt utterly foreign to him.

Lin Feng found the theme somewhat annoying too. Country? Did that mean singing something like ‘The Village Song’?

Mentioning ‘Country,’ Lin Feng immediately recalled the popular movie *Goodbye Mr. Loser* and the Cantonese version of ‘The Village’ that the protagonist wrote for Hua Ge.

The live show resumed.

The first round of original PK began.

Lin Feng sent out Lin Wen.

On Zhou Ziqian’s side, Chen Xi was the chosen performer.

Both sides coincidentally picked female singers to lead off.

“As per program tradition, the two will guess the coin toss to decide the order of performance,” Wu Chuan said, producing a coin for heads or tails.

Chen Xi guessed correctly and would sing first.

Her song was titled *Women Like Flowers*, one of Zhou Ziqian’s recent proud creations.

Upon hearing the title, Lin Feng immediately thought of the classic *Woman Flower* by Mei Gu from another era.

For a moment, Lin Feng harbored a sliver of hope for Zhou Ziqian’s song, but when Chen Xi, with her typical internet celebrity face, began to sing, that hope was quickly shattered.

The song itself was mediocre, and with Chen Xi’s average singing skills, the entire piece was hard to endure—though Lin Feng’s standards were undoubtedly influenced by his appreciation for past classics.

Still, the live audience’s reaction was decent; it wasn’t particularly bad.

The supporting singer’s performance time doubled as the voting period.

On the large screen behind the stage, voting results updated in real time. Chen Xi’s song, though average, received over 170,000 votes from outside viewers.

Among the 500 live audience members, 298 voted for her.

Overall, it was a respectable showing.