Chapter Eighty-Two: The Audience Enraptured

The audience at the scene didn’t hold out much hope for Song Wanning. Even after Li Weiwei announced the start of the show, there was no shortage of chatter among the crowd. Song Wanning’s hearing was excellent, and with no music playing backstage, she could clearly make out what those near her were saying.

“So this is Song Wanning? She really is as beautiful as in the photos online, but who knows how well she plays the pipa.”

“I wonder what piece she signed up to perform. I scoured the internet for any clues, but couldn’t find the song she mentioned. Is she just making it up?”

“Even if she can’t play, she could just pick something simple like Jin Jianyi did. I don’t get why she had to team up with Wen Shao and drag him down.”

Nearby, a couple fans of the pairing overheard and quickly spoke up for Song Wanning. “You can’t say that! Wen Shao was the one who suggested partnering with Song Wanning, and she even refused him at first!”

“That’s right, Wen Shao is showing his support for his wife!”

The others retorted, “They’re not even married yet—what wife is there to pamper?!”

Online, opinions about the Wen-Wan couple split into three groups.

One group, like those just now, were diehard fans of Wen Jingxing. They didn’t want him to marry a decorative wife. These were the people who often questioned the authenticity of the Wen-Wan couple online, spreading rumors that their relationship was scripted. They were the least optimistic about Song Wanning, having already branded her as a useless beauty.

The second group were Song Wanning’s new fans. Though small in number, each was fond of her personality and frequently defended her online. Some supported the Wen-Wan couple, others did not. The ones who didn’t weren’t jealous; they simply agreed with Song Wanning herself, thinking that the Wen family was too large and powerful for her to face alone, and she was bound to suffer.

The final group were pure pairing fans. They liked either member of the Wen-Wan couple and were the team leaders in “shipping” them, often editing sweet moments between the two into videos and sharing them online. In this competition, they were the most excited about the couple’s planned musical collaboration.

Song Wanning looked out over the sea of people in the audience, the air buzzing with whispered commentary. She closed her eyes slightly, her fingers moving gracefully as she plucked the first note.

Immediately, a lively and cheerful melody danced from her pipa. The audience, surprised by her smooth performance, gradually quieted down. Soon, they were completely absorbed in Song Wanning’s music.

In the livestream chat, viewers were erupting in astonishment.

“Song Wanning—no, Song Master! I admit I underestimated you before!”

“What is she playing? It’s striking right at my heart!”

“To the one above, I almost couldn’t hold back my thirty-foot broadsword!”

“The rhythm is wonderful! Why can’t I find the source anywhere online?”

“I want to see who dares say Song Wanning is a liability—I’ll slap them myself!”

“Hmph, those who looked down on Song Wanning before must be eating their words now!”

...

When Song Wanning finished her pipa section, Wen Jingxing joined in with his flute, seamlessly picking up the melody. The whole piece was as flawless as they’d rehearsed, perhaps even better. The rhythm shifted from playful at the start to soaring with the flute, then plunged suddenly, like a heavy hammer striking the audience’s hearts. Everyone listened, spellbound, completely immersed in the music. Guided by the melody, their moods lifted from heaviness to clarity.

The final section was stirring and passionate, leaving the audience’s blood racing. As the last flute note faded, the hall erupted in thunderous applause.

The online chatroom, as if waking from a dream, flooded with comments.

“My god! I did not expect this—it’s incredible!”

“When Song Wanning played the pipa, it felt like she was glowing. For a moment, I thought she was a fairy descended to earth.”

“The song she chose is amazing! I was so entranced I didn’t even notice my mother coming in. She scolded me for sneaking the phone!”

“How can such a beautiful song not be found online?”

“Could it really be Song Wanning’s own composition?”

“Ah—when Wen Jingxing and Song Wanning performed together, their chemistry was off the charts! I’m absolutely obsessed!”

...

The livestream’s popularity instantly doubled.

Even Li Weiwei was stunned. These two—one with fans all over the internet, the other a trending sensation—together sent the livestream’s heat soaring as soon as they appeared.

Now, Song Wanning herself had climbed to the top of Weibo’s trending list.

The headline read: “Shocking! Song ‘Vase,’ called useless for years, stuns with her talent on variety show after becoming the Wen family’s fiancée!”

Fifty million views, ten million likes, and three million comments. Nearly everyone was exclaiming in disbelief; some even joked that Song Wanning was possessed by a spirit!

After finishing her performance, Song Wanning rose and bowed to the audience around the stage in thanks.

Jian Anan, wide-eyed, stared at the stage in disbelief at Song Wanning, dressed in a green silk dress, her hair pinned up with a few tiny flowers, beautiful as a fairy.

She had investigated thoroughly: Song Wanning had spent her school years playing around, with poor grades. After graduating, she stayed home for nearly a year, never seeking a job, living off her family’s allowance, spending it on snacks and entertainment.

Damn Song Wanning! When did she secretly learn all this?

And she played so well!

Could it be that the information given was wrong?

But the source was Song Wanning’s own sister—how could she have gotten it wrong?

Beside her, Jin Jianyi was clapping enthusiastically, but to Jian Anan, it seemed thoughtless and careless.

Her expression darkened. She turned silently and melted into the crowd. By the time Jin Jianyi realized, Jian Anan was gone.

Jin Jianyi anxiously searched through the crowd like a headless chicken, but after a long while, found nothing.

He finally met a staff member, who told him that Jian Anan had said she needed to use the restroom. Only then did Jin Jianyi relax.

The next performer to take the stage was Jiang Mingzhao.

The audience erupted in applause once again.

Jiang Mingzhao was a national heartthrob, watched and loved by viewers since childhood. In this competition, his popularity was second to none.

(End of chapter)