Chapter 66: The Voice of Huaxia

The "Voice of Huaxia" is a small-scale concert jointly organized by Anhui and Jiangxi provinces, aimed at commemorating and praising exemplary deeds. Any singer can sign up to participate, but the songs must be uplifting and adhere to the appropriate themes. Over a thousand guests at the event are officials at the division level or higher from all over the country. Even many deputy mayors in charge of cultural publicity and tourism from various cities have attended.

There are more than forty contestants in total, and no official judges are appointed—the outcome is decided entirely by votes from the guests present. To ensure fairness, the event is also broadcast live, open to public scrutiny from all walks of life. Thus, the competition is entirely fair and just.

Prizes are set for the top three performers, who will have a chance to appear on the Anhui or Jiangxi provincial New Year's gala, or even the national gala. If one makes it to the national gala, their fame and value will rise to a whole new level.

Because the officials are all very busy, each singer is allowed only one performance. If their performance or song quality is lacking, they will be eliminated. The competition officially starts at noon.

At five in the morning, before dawn, Shen Xian’s door was knocked on by Zhou Wan. Shen Xian, still grumpy from being woken so early, opened the door with a sullen face.

Zhou Wan was dressed impeccably today, wearing a formal suit that gave her a crisp and spirited appearance. Her makeup was delicate, her hair swept up, revealing a slender neck.

“I’m going to the competition, so I’ll trouble you to look after Qingqing today,” Zhou Wan said softly.

Shen Xian grunted in reply, his expression still dark.

Seeing his attitude, Zhou Wan felt a surge of irritation. What are you upset about? I’ve taken care of Qingqing day and night for two years, and you act like you’re being wronged?

“Just because you have to take care of a child, you’re unhappy?” Zhou Wan said coldly.

Shen Xian was taken aback. “Big sister, why do you make it sound like I’m actually Qingqing’s dad?”

Aren’t you?

Zhou Wan glanced at him, not bothering to argue further. She pointed to the master bedroom. “Go sleep there, and be careful not to wake her.”

With that, she wheeled her suitcase and left.

Shen Xian shook his head. Zhou Wan truly did trust him.

On the bed, Qingqing was sleeping on her back, her tiny hands raised above her head, her breathing deep and even.

Her little wrists were fair and chubby. Seeing this, Shen Xian couldn’t resist pressing a kiss to her wrist before lying down beside her.

Qingqing slowly opened her eyes, and by the light of the bedside lamp, saw Shen Xian’s face. Delighted, she wrapped her arms around his neck. “Daddy.”

Shen Xian murmured, “Go back to sleep. I’m so tired.”

Qingqing nodded, burying her little head in the crook of his neck. “Daddy’s scent.”

Once again, Shen Xian felt healed.

Downstairs, Ning Cai was already waiting in the car.

“Are you sure it’s all right to leave Qingqing with him?” Ning Cai asked.

“No problem,” Zhou Wan replied. “You wouldn’t believe it, but he’s especially good at taking care of children—making food, playing games, telling stories—he’s better than a professional nanny.”

Ning Cai commented, “He’s good to everyone.”

Zhou Wan smiled. “I’d say he’s just a very good person.”

Ning Cai glanced at her. “This is the first time I’ve heard you praise a man so highly.”

The two fell silent.

Zhou Wan felt a twinge of guilt, as if she were competing with Ning Cai for something.

Ning Cai, hearing Zhou Wan’s praise for Shen Xian, felt uncomfortable for reasons she couldn’t explain. It was like having her favorite toy taken away.

Even artificial intelligence has a rebellious streak. If a virus appears in its system and tries to take up memory, the AI will scan, analyze, and then eliminate it.

To Ning Cai, Zhou Wan’s words felt like a virus.

But she said nothing more and drove on quietly.

They traveled in silence for some time before Zhou Wan broke it. “I heard Uncle Ning has been urging you to return to the capital.”

Ning Cai replied, “Mid-Autumn Festival is coming soon. I haven’t been home for the holidays in two years. If I don’t go back, the old man will probably come all the way to Nanzhou to fetch me. I told them I have a boyfriend now—they were so surprised, they insisted I bring him back to meet them.”

Zhou Wan asked, “Do you think they’ll approve of Shen Xian?”

Ning Cai said, “Whether they do or not, they’ll agree in the end. My mother thinks there’s something wrong with me. Now that I said I have a boyfriend, she didn’t even ask his age, occupation, background, or whether he’s rich. It’s as if, as long as I have a boyfriend, I’m no longer crazy.”

Zhou Wan laughed. “Your mother is quite a character.”

Ning Cai shook her head. “How many people in Beijing society haven’t called me crazy?”

“Su Shao never did,” Zhou Wan pointed out.

“That’s because he’s insane himself,” Ning Cai scoffed. “Someone who charms both men and women, and they expect me to marry him?”

“So the rumors are true?” Zhou Wan’s eyes widened.

Ning Cai nodded. “Qi Dashao nearly fell for him—he was drugged one night, and if the bodyguards hadn’t found out in time, Qi Dashao would have lost his virtue.”

The administrative center of Anhui Province was four hours from Nanzhou. The two had breakfast on the way, so by the time they arrived, it was already ten o’clock.

The sun blazed in the sky, and the parking lot outside the administrative building was packed with cars. Men in suits and badges walked into the building, and aside from security and staff, every older attendee was at least at the county or division level. It was said that more than a dozen county heads and party secretaries had come as well—clear evidence of the authorities’ high regard for this concert.

The launch of this concert also signaled a new emphasis on culture and tourism industries across the nation. In the future, this event might become a platform to promote cultural and tourism cities such as Chengdu, Lhasa, cities in the Yangtze River Delta, Jiangnan, and Yangzhou. This was, after all, part of a national drive to strengthen cultural confidence.

Outstanding performances today could mean immeasurable future benefits and policy support.

That was why every contestant had brought their best work and spirit to this concert.

In the backstage area designated for rest and changing, Zhou Wan and Ning Cai arrived under the guidance of staff. The makeup artist began touching up their makeup.

A number of performers had already gathered backstage, greeting one another.

Liu Ruyun was also there, dressed formally in an elegant gown that highlighted her graceful figure. Chen Feng stood behind her. “Don’t be nervous. This competition is very important. If you perform well, there will be policy support from two provinces.”

Even the policy backing of a single province could turn anyone into a star—let alone two. Take Ding Zhen for example: a boy once on welfare, later discovered by cultural tourism authorities, became an image ambassador, and his fate changed.

As Zhou Wan entered, many people looked at her with curious eyes.

Without Lin Dao’an’s songs, Zhou Wan was bound to make a fool of herself today, wasn’t she?