Chapter 25: Wang Tianqi's Divine Performance

All the spectators at the venue suddenly sat up straighter, their spirits stirred. At last, the moment had arrived! In front of phone screens and televisions, audiences everywhere perked up in anticipation.

"Finally, it's Wang Tianqi's turn! I've stayed up for hours for this!"
"It's not easy, that's for sure!"
"Hurry up and sing, I've been waiting to roast him!"
Barrage after barrage of comments flooded the live stream.

The production team was delighted to discover that the number of viewers online was soaring, with countless shares and forwards popping up.

[Turkey-Flavored Crackers has shared the live stream]
[Gale Force Eight has shared the live stream]
[Savoring Shen Xian's Talent has shared the live stream]
...

Shen Xian, at this moment, was also trending at the top of online discussions. It had been a long time since anything interesting had happened in the entertainment world, and the emergence of the Shen Xian incident had finally ruffled its stagnant waters. Everyone was here for the spectacle.

"Time for a good laugh!" Chen Feng whispered to Liu Ruyun.
Liu Ruyun nodded. "Now Shen Xian's going to lose all face, and not just that—Ning Cai will probably go after him for breach of contract damages!"
Chen Rumeng's face twisted with a sneer. Did he think he could dodge the penalty with such a stunt? As if it would be that easy!

"Just wait and get ready to pay up," Liu Ruyun muttered to herself. She remembered perfectly well the wager agreement between Shen Xian and Ning Cai. Shen Xian had promised that Wang Tianqi would earn a good ranking—otherwise, he'd compensate for breach of contract. But was that even possible?

Chen Rumeng was also watching the online reaction, and found that the condemnation of Shen Xian was far fiercer than she had expected—he and Wang Tianqi had far more detractors than she realized.

The moment of humiliation had come. Everyone felt it.

"Please welcome Wang Tianqi!" announced the host, Wang Ling.

Shen Xian supported Wang Tianqi as they walked to the center of the stage. The cameras and lights all focused on the two of them.

Before the screen, Li Xiurong’s hand trembled as she gripped her phone, nerves fraying. The barrage of on-screen comments was unbearable, and she barely dared to look.

Zhou Wan also spotted Shen Xian, her gaze deep and unreadable, lost in thought.

At the center of the stage stood a chair. Shen Xian helped Wang Tianqi sit and quickly exited the stage.

Wang Tianqi took the microphone, drew a deep breath, and steadied himself. Though he couldn't see the audience, he knew there were at least a thousand people in the hall, all watching him intently. The pressure was immense, and he tried to ease it with another deep breath.

"Hello everyone, my name is Wang Tianqi. I'm from Idle Cloud Studio, representing Yu'an Media in the competition. Today, the song I will be singing is 'You Are My Eyes.'"

As his words fell, the audience immediately broke into whispered discussions.

"That song title sounds awful."
"What kind of stupid name is that? I lost interest already."
"How can a person be someone else's eyes?"

But in front of her screen, Li Xiurong understood at once—her eyes stung.

"Everyone, please look at the big screen. The lyrics will be displayed," Wang Tianqi announced.

On the big screen, the song’s details appeared:
Title: You Are My Eyes
Lyrics: Postman
Composer: Postman
Arrangement: Postman
Mixing: Postman
Post-production: Postman
Mastering: Postman

As these credits appeared, both the live audience and the viewers online were visibly startled.

"What? This song was written by Postman?"
"No way!"
"Why would Postman write a song for Shen Xian?"
"How did Shen Xian get in touch with Postman?"
"Damn, is this really a Postman original?"

The barrage exploded with speculation, and the audience was abuzz.

"Does Shen Xian know Postman?" Chen Feng turned to look at Liu Ruyun.
Liu Ruyun shook her head. "He's never mentioned it. If he knew him, why hasn't Postman helped him these past three years?"

Ning Cai, too, was caught off guard. Though she had known Wang Tianqi would sing this song, she had never looked into its background.

Zhou Wan's eyes went wide. "No way—how did Shen Xian get a song from Postman?"

"Now, please quiet down so the singer can perform at his best," the host called out.

The hall fell silent at once.

Wang Tianqi's deep, slightly hoarse voice began to flow.

If I could see, I could easily tell day from night. I could reach and hold your hand in a crowd. I could surprise you from behind with an embrace. If I could see, my life would be completely different.

The first two lines passed with little reaction—nothing remarkable. But as the song progressed, the mood began to shift.

Perhaps everything I want and love would all be different. The darkness before my eyes is not the darkness you know. The white you speak of—what is that white? People say the sky is blue, but what I remember is that patch of white cloud. The blue sky behind me—I look for your face...

The lyrics were plain, like a simple story told. Yet in these few lines, everyone heard Wang Tianqi’s bitterness and frustration. If only he could see—wouldn't his life be completely different?

Li Xiurong was the most deeply moved. Tears were streaming down her face. She understood better than anyone the pain in Wang Tianqi’s heart.

In the audience, many listened in earnest. As they looked at Wang Tianqi, their eyes gradually filled with sympathy.

The darkness before my eyes is not the darkness you know. The white you speak of—what is that white? People say the sky is blue, but what I remember is that patch of white cloud...

This meant he had once been able to see, but lost his sight—what a devastating blow that must have been.

Then, as he reached the chorus, Wang Tianqi poured every ounce of strength into those lines, crying out his defiance:

Did God draw a curtain before my eyes and forget to lift it? You are my eyes. You show me the changing seasons. You are my eyes. You guide me through the bustling crowds. You are my eyes. You let me read the endless sea of books. Because you are my eyes. You let me see this world—right before me, right before me...

As the chorus ended, everyone felt chills run across their skin. That line—Did God draw a curtain before my eyes and forget to lift it?—was nothing short of divine inspiration. It gave voice to the feelings of countless people with visual impairments.

"No wonder Postman is called a master! These lyrics are incredible!" Zhou Wan gripped her phone tightly. "So talented—how can Postman be so gifted?"

She realized she was utterly captivated, seized by the urge to contact Postman immediately.

"Damn, this is too good! I take back everything I said earlier!"
"Only Postman could do this—when a master steps in, you can tell right away!"
"This performance is in the bag!"
"I have to share this stream—thought I was here for a joke, but turns out the joke's on me!"

The barrage now danced with praise.

"This is so beautiful. Wang Tianqi sings with such emotion."
"I have a feeling Wang Tianqi is the biggest dark horse of the night!"
"Wang Tianqi is making a comeback against all odds!"

The audience buzzed with excitement.

Li Xiurong, long since overcome, was weeping openly—she knew she was the very eyes Wang Tianqi sang of.

"Because you are my eyes, you let me see—this world, right before me!" Wang Tianqi finished his song, lowering the microphone.

The hall was silent for a moment, then erupted into thunderous applause. Even Ning Cai rose to her feet and joined in the ovation.