Being a gigolo was too much for him, so he had to become a music superstar.

"Rough, with a primal energy."

It sank another notch.

"but--"

Xue Xinghe's tone suddenly changed.

He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table, his entire body jutting out halfway, his gaze fixed on Lin Buyi's face.

I want to ask you a question.

Lin Buyi met his gaze.

"You said you came here to win the prize money. Then you sang a song called 'If One Day I Become Very Rich.'"

Xue Xinghe's lips curved slightly. It wasn't sarcasm, but rather a kind of interest that came from finally finding something interesting.

"You did this on purpose, didn't you?"

Lin Buyi was stunned for a moment.

He did it on purpose. He chose this song because it perfectly matched his current situation. A man so poor he had to sell himself, singing a song about becoming rich.

It was not a coincidence; it was intentional.

"I guess so." Lin Buyi nodded slightly. "This song was indeed written for myself right now."

Xue Xinghe smiled.

Then he turned his head and looked at Fang Yizhou and Zhou Wanting on his left.

"Teachers, let me share my thoughts."

His tone changed from casual to formal. Although Xue Xinghe was known for his sharp tongue in the industry, his colleagues knew that when he got serious, his words carried a lot of weight.

"We've listened to over a hundred contestants sing in the last few days."

Fang Yizhou and Zhou Wanting both looked at him without interrupting.

"There are singers with overwhelming vocal skills, singers with rich stage experience, and singers with elaborate arrangements that seem to bring in an entire symphony orchestra."

As Xue Xinghe finished speaking, he casually gestured with his hand in the air.

"But to be honest, the only songs that can keep me listening to from beginning to end without me even thinking about touching my phone are—"

He pointed at Lin Buyi.

He was the first.

Fang Yizhou raised his eyebrows slightly.

"It's not because he sings so well," Xue Xinghe continued, "but precisely because he sings so genuinely. He came in and said he was participating in the competition for the money. How vulgar! But did you notice—when he sang this song, not a single lyric was boastful or daydreaming?"

"Behind every statement about what will happen if I become rich one day lies the subtext that I currently have nothing."

Zhou Wanting's expression changed. She glanced down at the X on her evaluation sheet, then looked up at Lin Buyi.

"What was the lyrics to the last verse again? It says from the bottom of your heart that money isn't everything—the first time it's sung as feigned humility, the last time it becomes heartfelt." Xue Xinghe slowed down, "Change just two words, and the whole meaning of the song changes. You guys think about it."

Fang Yizhou remained silent for a few seconds without saying a word.

"This kind of creative ability and emotional expression cannot be taught through formal training," Xue Xinghe said.

He picked up a pen and drew a ✓ on the rating sheet.

by.

Fang Yizhou and Zhou Wanting both looked at him at the same time.

Xue Xinghe put down his pen and leaned back in his chair.

"And—I used my special recommendation slot."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Wanting's mouth opened slightly.

Special recommendation slots. Each of the three judges has only one slot, and there are only three slots for the entire season. According to the rules, as long as one vote is passed and the special recommendation right is used, the contestant can directly advance to the next round.

This is an ace.

Xue Xinghe used it for the first time on an ordinary person who had two vetoes.

"Lin Buyi, if you pass the team selection, you'll join my team in the subsequent team groupings."

After saying this, Xue Xinghe turned to look at Fang Yizhou.

Fang Yizhou stared at Xue Xinghe for two or three seconds, then lowered his head and pondered for a while.

He felt somewhat uncomfortable. Two votes rejected a contestant, and the third vote not only approved the candidate but also gave them a special recommendation—which was tantamount to overturning his and Zhou Wanting's judgment.

But rules are rules. The special recommendation option was established to protect controversial but promising players. He himself agreed to this clause when he participated in formulating the rules.

"Since Professor Xue has made a special recommendation, then we will respect Professor Xue's judgment." Fang Yizhou finally nodded.

Then he looked at Lin Buyi, his tone still stern:

"Lin Buyi, you've passed. But let me make this clear beforehand—on the official stage, no one will give you extra points because of your story. How long you can last depends on yourself."

Zhou Wanting also sighed. She picked up the now-cold coffee, took a sip, and put it down.

"Practice your basics well, kid. Don't ruin your voice."

Lin Buyi stood up.

He slung his guitar back over his shoulder, faced the three judges, and bowed deeply.

"Thank you, teachers."

His voice was very steady.

But only he knew that his hands, gripping the guitar neck, were covered in sweat. Cold sweat.

He turned and walked toward the door of the audition room.

As I placed my hand on the doorknob, I heard Xue Xinghe's voice behind me.

"Lin Buyi"

He turned around.

Xue Xinghe sat there, legs crossed, one hand on the armrest, looking at him.

"Technique can be practiced, and musicality can be cultivated. But whether you're truly sincere when you sing—it's either genuine or not. You can't fake it."

He paused for a moment.

"Don't let me regret using this spot."

Lin Buyi looked at him.

"Won't."

Then he pushed open the door and went out.

The waiting area was already mostly empty.

Only three or four contestants remained on the row of chairs against the wall, still waiting for their results. The trainees who had mocked him earlier were nowhere to be seen. It was unclear whether they had passed and left, or been eliminated and slunk away.

Lin Buyi walked through the empty hall without making eye contact with anyone.

He pushed open the glass doors of the Tianhai Entertainment Building, and the outside air rushed in.

It was evening. The sun hung on the outline of the tall buildings on the west side of the city, turning the whole street orange. There was a coolness in the air, unique to late autumn; it was cool to breathe into the lungs, but not cold on the face.

Lin Buyi stood on the steps at the entrance of the building, tilted his head back, and exhaled sharply.

How long has he been holding his breath? From the moment he sat down on the wooden stool and started playing the guitar until now—he hasn't taken a proper breath.

It's over.

Fang Yizhou gave ×

Zhou Wanting gave ×

Xue Xinghe gave it a ✓ and also used the "Special Recommendation" feature.

Only one out of three votes passed.

But he went too far.

He stood on the steps, guitar slung over his shoulder, watching the cars and pedestrians come and go on the street in the distance. No one knew him, no one knew what he had just been through. He was just a young man with a guitar on his back, standing in front of an office building, lost in thought for a while.

He didn't feel very happy.