Chapter 33 Wang Tianqi Claims First Place Once Again!

Judge number two, Wang Kang, was determined to see this through to the end. He knew he would inevitably face a torrent of online abuse, be viciously cursed and attacked. But Red Queen Entertainment would remember the favor he was doing them.

He thought of that famous female host who once lambasted Dao Lang as nothing more than a peasant singer. On one short-video platform, a single video about her had amassed over eleven million comments, setting an all-time record for the site. Every one of those comments was aimed at criticizing her. But did it affect her livelihood? Did it stop her from making money? Not in the slightest. She was unfazed; as long as she remained strong inside, the online attacks were nothing but empty noise—she simply regarded those people as foolish.

Wang Kang felt the same. As long as Red Queen Entertainment compensated him well, they could hurl as much abuse as they wanted.

So Wang Kang spoke out loudly, “I believe it’s clear to everyone—this song is best suited for a female vocalist. Its delicacy, its tenderness, and the richness of its emotion are qualities that a woman brings out best. Yet Wang Tianqi’s voice is deep and slightly hoarse. Though the song is of high quality, it doesn’t suit him. He’s still clinging to his old ways, forcefully tugging at heartstrings, tying the song to his own experience and using emotional blackmail to garner sympathy. Therefore, I can only give five points!”

A contemplative look appeared in many audience members’ eyes. They, too, sensed that this song seemed more fitting for a woman—only a woman could truly capture its subtlety and warmth.

“Think about it carefully,” Wang Kang continued. “In so many previous shows, what do most singers do first when they take the stage?”

“They play the victim!”

“It’s always, ‘My mother told me since I was young, children from poor families mature early...’ I want to ask you, Wang Tianqi, is it the same for you?”

Many fell silent. It was, sadly, a common feature in the entertainment industry: as soon as singers get on stage, instead of showcasing their artistry, they recount their hardships to win sympathy and votes fueled by compassion. And many in the audience buy into it.

“How shameless!” Liu Sheng, sitting next to Shen Xian, clenched his fists. “If this is what the entertainment industry has become, it’s doomed!”

Wang Tianqi smiled. “The judge’s critique is fair. The first time I recorded this song, I too felt it would suit a female singer. But I must rebut the accusation of forced sentimentality. This song is of high quality—it’s about longing for love, about how a healthy relationship should work, about two people in love learning to accept each other. In other words, this song is for all couples to sing, regardless of gender. As long as there is love, it isn’t forced sentimentality!”

He turned to the audience, both present and online. “I invite you all to recall the melody of this song—was it really forced?”

Many silently replayed the tune of “Promise” in their minds.

Wang Tianqi spoke again, his voice resonant and stirring: “A great work that stirs resonance in others is not sentimental—it speaks to the depths of their hearts!”

“Well said!” Applause broke out suddenly and sharply.

Everyone turned. It was Ning Cai who had started clapping.

With her lead, applause swept through the audience. Everyone stood, clapping enthusiastically.

“Postman is amazing!”

“Wang Tianqi is amazing!”

Only Shen Xian was left unmentioned.

The host, Wang Ling, hastily took control. “Next, please cast your votes!”

On the big screen, the vote count began to climb.

Wang Tianqi, in this moment, felt a profound calm—no nervousness, no anticipation, just a stillness within.

“Five hundred votes!”

“Six hundred—and still rising!”

“Eight hundred now!”

The numbers kept rising, quickly breaking past nine hundred.

Liu Ruyun and Chen Feng both began to breathe heavily.

Wu Fan’s face darkened as if a storm cloud had settled. What a colossal joke—it was humiliating enough to compete against a bar singer, but now, that singer was advancing to the next round, perhaps even surpassing him!

He couldn’t take it. “Stop rising!” Wu Fan screamed inwardly, glaring at the screen.

But fate was merciless.

Soon, the final tally appeared. The number froze at 939.

“Now announcing Wang Tianqi’s final score—judges’ score: forty-five, audience votes: nine hundred thirty-nine. Currently in first place!” the host announced.

Nine hundred thirty-nine.

The number on the screen stabbed deeply into Liu Ruyun’s heart. For the first time, she felt a pang of regret. If she hadn’t left Shen Xian and Idle Cloud Studio, this song would have been hers to perform.

But now, it had been given to a man.

If she had sung it, with her abilities, she could easily have scored over 980 votes! More than that, this song could have launched her popularity to a whole new level; she might even have topped the Golden Melody Chart.

Compared to Postman’s “Promise,” Chen Feng’s songs were like garbage beside a cake.

But there are no ifs in this world.

“I don’t know if I made the right choice.” Liu Ruyun opened her eyes, unable to help glancing toward Shen Xian.

From the earlier questions asked of Wang Tianqi, she knew that Postman had given Shen Xian at least four songs this time.

Judging by the current trend, each was better than the last.

For the first time, Liu Ruyun felt pressure from Wang Tianqi.

Two singers remained, but after Wang Tianqi’s stellar performance, they only managed scores in the seven hundreds and failed to advance.

“Now, the list of those advancing to the next round: from ten to five. First place: Wang Tianqi. Second: Zhang Cheng’an. Third: Liu Ruyun. Fourth: Tan Jie. Fifth: Wu Fan!”

Wang Tianqi was dazed by the result.

Zhang Cheng’an was a superstar, just an album away from being crowned one of Asia’s Four Little Heavenly Kings.

Liu Ruyun was a top-tier singer, her skills and popularity stable and ever rising.

Tan Jie was a regular on the Golden Melody Chart, one of the year’s top ten singers.

Wu Fan was an idol with immense popularity and fresh-faced charm.

And he—a mere bar singer—had surpassed them in two rounds?

It all felt unreal.

“Thank you, Shen Xian...” Wang Tianqi murmured to himself.

He knew that none of this would have been possible without Shen Xian. It was Shen Xian who had given him a new life, who had given him hope. The night he left Midnight Bar and met Shen Xian, the gears of destiny had begun to turn.

The crowd began to disperse.

Zhang Cheng’an, the superstar, approached Wang Tianqi and smiled. “Hello, Wang Tianqi. I’m Zhang Cheng’an.”

Wang Tianqi was instantly flustered; after all, he’d grown up listening to his songs. Zhang Cheng’an was over forty now, having debuted at sixteen, and his name had been famous since Wang Tianqi’s childhood.

“Do your best tomorrow,” Zhang Cheng’an said, patting him on the shoulder. “We’ll all be giving it our all.”

Wang Tianqi nodded awkwardly. “Thank you, Teacher Zhang. I’ll do my best.”

Shen Xian approached him. “Tomorrow is the true test of your singing skills. The song I’ve prepared for you is very challenging, but it will also showcase your strengths to the fullest.”

Wang Tianqi recalled the third song he’d been practicing. “I’ll give it everything I have. I’ve come this far—I won’t hold back.”

Shen Xian smiled. “Your girlfriend, Li Xiurong, will be in the audience tomorrow. Give it your best.”

Upon hearing this, Wang Tianqi was visibly moved and nodded vigorously. “Alright!”

Just as Shen Xian was about to leave with Wang Tianqi, someone blocked their path.

He looked up. It was none other than Liu Ruyun.