I really don't want to be the top streamer anymore

Chapter 450 Didn't I already let you bully me willingly?
Xu Kong didn't expect that Kang Zhishan from Tomato TV would contact him first before the message was sent out.

They also indicated they would pay an appearance fee.

However, the purpose of such blatant flattery is self-evident.

Xu Kong doesn't mind maintaining a good relationship with Tomato TV.

In any case, when the time comes, we should still refuse those who need to be refused.

Xu Kong now has the confidence to back it up.

Moreover, for Hunan TV, his participation was already good news.

……

Sure enough, after finalizing the agreement, Xu Kong would attend the collaboration.

The TV station can't wait even a day.

The news was released that very day, and the publicity campaign began immediately.

The production team of "The New Generation" even created a poster, indicating that there might be a mystery guest to sing with them.

Of course, it wasn't just Xu Kong who made it, otherwise the intention would be too obvious.

But Xu Kong's black silhouette is the same classic image of Xu Kong himself looking back in "Infernal Affairs" that recently circulated online.

Tomato TV really doesn't want to waste a single penny of its money.

Not only did they ride on Xu Kong's popularity, they also took advantage of the popularity of "Infernal Affairs," which is currently showing in theaters and is generating a lot of buzz.

Of course, since Xu Kong has already confirmed that he will be on the show.

Even Fengxiang Pictures, the production company, didn't seem too bothered by the attempt to ride on their coattails.

……

"Is Xu Kong really going to be a guest performer this time? Isn't that a bit too unfair?"

"I also think that whoever Xu Kong helps out on a song, isn't that practically a guaranteed spot?"

"What you're saying is that this is how the show's rules are. If that's the case, then Xu Kong should just stop participating in these kinds of competition variety shows altogether, otherwise it's not fair to anyone."

"I think it's just an extra revival spot anyway. It's clear that the rules are all about connections. His mentor is Su Zhi, so it's normal for him to ask Xu Kong for help."

"Huh? Why are people arguing? Smart people are already looking forward to Xu Kong's new song, who cares about the result of this variety show competition?"

At this time, online discussions were in full swing.

As for Fatty Bird, he's the type who jumps on every trending topic.

Of course, it's impossible to miss it.

His attitude was also very clear.

"This show has actually discovered quite a few promising new singers."

"This should be the biggest contribution."

"Besides that, it's a pity that Zeng Fanxuan was eliminated. If he were to be resurrected, it would be acceptable."

"Most importantly, I'm able to see Xu Kong perform live again, which is more important than the competition results themselves."

……

Although even Xu Kong's name has not been confirmed yet.

But the online buzz surrounding the revelation, coupled with the almost undeniable poster silhouette, was overwhelming.

It's almost certain that Xu Kong will participate.

Even Fei Niao and others have generally assumed that Xu Kong will most likely sing a new song as a guest performer this time.

In similar situations, Xu Kong almost always sings new songs whenever he participates in a program.

Therefore, this time, it is highly likely that this will also be the case.

Zeng Fanxuan herself is actually a singer-songwriter.

I write my own songs, but the quality is just average.

If Xu Kong is to sing a duet, it will definitely be a song written by Xu Kong.

……

Xu Kong was speechless.

Tomato TV was in such a hurry that they released the news as soon as the cooperation was finalized.

As a result, the recording venues of Tomato TV in Shanghai, as well as the hotels near where the guests are staying, are now frequented by numerous media reporters.

Xu Kong originally planned to visit Su Zhi beforehand to catch up and have a heart-to-heart talk.

But now, with so many people watching, the risk is still too great.

Public meetings are fine, but secret meetings are better avoided, as it would be bad if someone got photographed.

Although he believed he could evade some gossip reporters by disguising himself, Xu Kong thought he could still manage to escape their surveillance.

But it wasn't so convenient for Su Zhi.

The only option is to proceed according to the normal procedures.

Anyway, we'll have to meet sooner or later, so it's not too late to talk about it after the show is finished filming.

……

Perhaps it's because of the influence from Mango TV.

The later episodes of "The New Generation" were all broadcast live.

Therefore, there is no such thing as pre-recording and then broadcasting.

Especially the episode where Xu Kong was a guest performer, which was broadcast live the entire time.

It is a considerable test of a singer's singing skills and live performance stability.

Xu Kong wasn't worried about himself in that regard.

The only one who might have a problem is Zeng Fanxuan, who is a guest performer.

The other person is not very old, and has only just come of age. They are still a freshman in college.

Originally, he was a complete novice with no performance experience whatsoever.

The reason they didn't advance before was because they were too nervous in the previous match and made obvious mistakes.

Since this is still a live broadcast, if something goes wrong, even though Xu Kong is just a guest performer, there's nothing he can do.

Of course, Xu Kong believes that this is, after all, the opponent's match, and it is a hurdle that the opponent must overcome.

If he really makes a mistake, there's nothing he can do about it.

……

Things turned out exactly as Xu Kong had predicted.

He was spotted by paparazzi who were staking out the airport as soon as his plane landed.

Although the itinerary was not revealed, these entertainment reporters were the type to stake out for days in order to get the first news report.

Fortunately, Xu Kong didn't linger and was immediately picked up by the production crew and taken to the hotel.

He did meet with Su Zhi, but it wasn't a private, one-on-one meeting; Zeng Fanxuan was with her.

Zeng Fanxuan looks younger in person than she does on variety shows.

The clear look in their eyes was a clear indication that they were college students.

He was visibly nervous upon seeing Xu Kong.

"Hello, Professor Xu... Professor Xu Kong!"

Xu Kong nodded.

"Hello."

……

"I'm sorry to trouble you this time."

"If it's about having a guest singer, you're the first person I thought of."

Su Zhi spoke up.

"It's alright, I just happen to have nothing to do these days."

Because Zeng Fanxuan was present, Xu Kong and Su Zhi deliberately maintained a certain distance.

"I've finished writing the new song for this guest performance. Is everything alright on your end?"

He met Xu Kong and asked himself.

Zeng Fanxuan nodded quickly.

"Yes, I'll listen to Teacher Xu Kong."

……

"Let's go have lunch first, we can talk about the rest this afternoon."

Su Zhi spoke up.

Xu Kong naturally had no objections.

However, because of Zeng Fanxuan's presence as a third wheel, Xu Kong and Su Zhi probably won't have many opportunities to spend time alone before the show officially starts.

"This song shouldn't be too difficult for you to sing."

"However, your most important issue right now is to adjust your mindset; there's no need to be too nervous."

In the afternoon, in the recording studio, Xu Kong showed Zeng Fanxuan the sheet music while playing the accompaniment.

"Okay!" Although Xu Kong had reminded him, he still felt somewhat helpless looking at Zeng Fanxuan's completely unrelaxed appearance.

Unfortunately, for singers performing on this kind of stage for the first time, mindset is indeed a very troublesome issue.

Given Zeng Fanxuan's abilities, if she hadn't made mistakes due to nervousness in previous episodes, she probably wouldn't be on the verge of elimination now.

……

"How about this, when you go on stage to sing, just keep an eye on me the whole time."

"Don't look at the cameras or the audience."

Xu Kong could only offer this solution in the end.

Even without considering the cameras and the audience, the final stage presentation will definitely have problems.

But it's still better than making a mistake because of nervousness.

Zeng Fanxuan nodded in agreement when he heard Xu Kong's suggestion.

Xu Kong discovered that some of the singers he had worked with before were indeed quite outstanding.

There is almost no need to worry about the so-called live performance.

Whether it was Su Zhi, who was already a pop diva at the beginning, or Su Yuwei later on.

He hardly needs to worry about any of it.

Including other singers from Fengqing Entertainment, they may have different stage experience, but they are not complete novices.

I had never experienced any related stage performances before.

In comparison, Zeng Fanxuan is indeed a very pure amateur.

Aside from going to karaoke a few times as a hobby, I had never even participated in singing competitions at school.

It started with a hit variety show from Tomato TV.

Her talent is definitely not weak. Even without systematic training, her voice and singing skills are above average, and she has a lot of room for development.

The biggest problem is still that I get nervous easily.

If you make a clear mistake due to nervousness, then there's absolutely no way to salvage the situation.

Plus, time was a bit tight.

Xu Kong was even afraid that the other party might make an absurd mistake like forgetting their lines during the live broadcast of the show.

After all, as a competition program, teleprompters are not allowed on site.

……

Therefore, in order to solve these problems...

Xu Kong felt that the best solution was to have the other party sing at a high intensity continuously.

Until the entire song becomes a subconscious intuition.

Achieving a high level of proficiency is indeed a good way to solve the problem.

In addition, Xu Kong tried his best to help Zeng Fanxuan calm down.

After all, they are artists from our own company. If they are eliminated from one show, so be it. It's not like they won't have similar opportunities in the future.

Taking a calm approach and not worrying about the final result is indeed the best way to relieve tension.

……

"Her biggest problem is that she gets nervous easily."

"Otherwise, it's actually possible that I wouldn't have failed to advance in the last round."

Su Zhi looked at Xu Kong as he walked out of the recording studio and couldn't help but speak.

"That's perfectly normal."

Xu Kong calmly replied.

In fact, he had a similar situation when he was a trainee in his previous life.

As you gain more experience and maturity, these issues cease to be problems at all.

"What a pity, if only you had been like her back then."

Xu Kong sighed, prompting Su Zhi to glance at him.

"why?"

Xu Kong then answered:
"In that case, they'll probably be easier to bully..."

Su Zhi asked with some curiosity:
"Didn't I already let you bully me?"

Xu Kong coughed awkwardly twice.

Looking around, thankfully, apart from Zeng Fanxuan who was focused on singing inside, there was no one else present.

This explains one sentence:
"I didn't mean that..."

The first impression Su Zhi left on Xu Kong was nothing more than that of a somewhat aloof young singer who had achieved fame at a young age.

However, after getting to know her better, I really didn't expect that Su Zhi was so different in her daily life and in private, creating a stark contrast.

Even Xu Kong didn't originally have that idea, but Su Zhi led him astray.

……

"There's nothing too serious about it."

"As long as you can maintain this level of performance when you go on stage, that's already very good."

Xu Kong spoke up.

I helped Zeng Fanxuan practice her new song for two days in total, and then came the formal rehearsal for the show.

Throughout the process, Xu Kong mainly focused on encouragement.

Zeng Fanxuan is not the kind of singer who needs strict guidance; on the contrary, she needs more encouragement and recognition.

Sometimes, self-confidence is also a very important thing.

"Okay, thank you, Professor Xu Kong!"

It looks like it's working well.

After Xu Kong praised her so many times over the past two days, Zeng Fanxuan visibly appeared much more confident.

……

The afternoon before the rehearsal, Xu Kong gave Zeng Fanxuan a day off to rest.

The intense training these past two days has yielded good results.

But this can't continue indefinitely.

Otherwise, the other person's throat probably wouldn't be able to hold up.

During this time, Xu Kong accepted an invitation to visit the headquarters of Tomato TV.

Although this wasn't the first time I'd met Deputy Director Kang.

But the other party still showed considerable enthusiasm.

"no problem!"

"If possible, it would be best if Director Xu's new drama could also be broadcast on our Tomato TV!"

……

Xu Kong did not respond to such remarks.

The main reason is that a contract had already been signed with Mango TV, under the same conditions, Mango TV would have priority in granting Feng Ge exclusive broadcasting rights for her dramas.

Therefore, Xu Kong cannot promise that this drama will be exclusively broadcast on Tomato TV.

Although collaborating with Tomato TV doesn't seem like a bad choice.

However, Xu Kong had to consider the friendship between him and Wu Youxue, no matter what.

Unless Wu Youxue expressed a desire not to cooperate with Feng Ge.

However, based on Xu Kong's understanding of Wu Youxue, even if their relationship was not particularly close in private, the other party would not make such a mistake due to her emotional intelligence.

As long as Tomato TV can agree to a cooperation condition, Mango TV, with its overall strength, can definitely keep up.

……

Seeing Xu Kong's attitude, Kang Zhishan actually understood.

However, he was a smart man and did not expose it directly.

Instead, he smiled and changed the subject.

For him, it was already quite good that Xu Kong was able to participate in the variety show.

As for the copyright to the other party's new drama, it's definitely not something that can be secured in just a few words.

As expected, Xu Kong and Wu Youxue's relationship was still quite special.

Kang Zhishan regretted not having taken the initiative to extend an olive branch to Xu Kong when he first debuted, or at least maintained a good relationship with him.

However, Xu Konghuo's progress was too fast. In just a few years, no one could have known that he would reach this level.

Kang Zhishan didn't even pay much attention to Xu Kong, a newcomer, at the time.

It can only be said that Wu Youxue and Mango were incredibly lucky.

……

(End of this chapter)