My cousin asked me to go to Wuha, and Hanikezi stuck to me.

The next morning.

A semi-circular wooden stage was set up on the beach, with hundreds of staff members already in place. Old Wang held a megaphone, and his voice echoed throughout the venue.

"Attention all departments!"

"Our first recording today is the Talent Carnival!"

"Each person has two minutes for a solo presentation. You must show your true abilities; no half-hearted work is allowed!"

In the guest rest area, Chen Chichi pulled Chen Yi to the innermost part of the parasol.

"Give me the truth," Chen Chichi said in a low voice, his face full of anxiety. "What exactly are you planning to do later?"

"Go up and stand there for two minutes." Chen Yi straightened his collar.

"You dare!" Chen Chichi was so angry he was jumping up and down. "Didn't you hear what Old Wang said over the loudspeaker? This is your solo highlight segment! If you dare to go up there and be the wooden stake, he might really dock your appearance fee!"

"The contract didn't specify that I had to perform a talent," Chen Yi said calmly.

"This isn't about the contract, it's about saving face!" Chen Chichi pointed to the stage in the distance. "Dozens of cameras are watching you. You just established your persona yesterday; if you mess up today, the online trolls will tear you apart!"

"I don't care!" Chen Yi crossed his arms.

"I care!" Chen Chichi exclaimed anxiously, sweating profusely. "Did you even remember the song 'The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau' that I taught you last night?"

"I don't remember."

"You just need to remember the first line!" Chen Chichi grabbed Chen Yi's arm. "When it's your turn, just shout it at the top of your lungs. As long as you shout until your voice cracks, the comedic effect will be there. Everyone will just think you're funny, not that you're incompetent."

"You want me to go up there and be the clown?" Chen Yi looked at Chen Chichi.

"That's called variety show effect!" Chen Chichi retorted. "You're an amateur, you have no talent, you have no works, how can you grab the spotlight if you don't make yourself look ugly?"

"I refuse." Chen Yi pulled his arm away.

"You..." Chen Chichi hadn't finished speaking.

"Ding!"

A mechanical voice devoid of any emotion suddenly rang in my mind.

"The current recording segment has been detected as a high-popularity harvesting point."

"It is recommended that the host use the [Guitar Playing - Intermediate] skill."

"Completing a high-quality talent show can significantly improve audience impression scores and earn extra rewards."

Ignoring Chen Chichi's outburst, Chen Yi looked past the crowd towards the live band at the edge of the stage, where a natural wood folk guitar sat.

On stage, the recording officially began, and Deng Chao was the first to rush up and grab the microphone.

He belted out a rock song that was so off-key it was like something out of outer space, and he even did exaggerated hip-twisting movements on stage, turning a love song into a chaotic dance of demons, making the audience burst into laughter.

Lu Han followed with the music starting up, performing a highly explosive street dance. Every move was precisely timed to the beat of the drums, eliciting screams from the female choreographer and makeup artist on set.

Chen Chichi straightened his clothes and went on stage. He performed a stand-up comedy routine with his signature laugh, which firmly held the audience's attention.

"Next, Hanikezi!" Old Wang shouted, holding up the process card.

Hanikezi walked onto the stage with her white skirt up. Without asking for any music, she started dancing directly in the center of the stage, her waist arching back dramatically and her arms stretching out with extreme flexibility. This was a standard Dunhuang flying apsara dance.

Without any complicated movement, just a few simple body movements, he firmly captured the focus of all the shots.

The audience was silent.

Ten seconds later, extremely enthusiastic applause erupted.

Hanikezi stepped off the stage, slightly out of breath, and walked straight to Chen Yi's side.

"How did I dance?" she asked, tilting her head back, her eyes sparkling.

"More stable than yesterday," Chen Yi gave an objective assessment. "At least I didn't step on my skirt."

Hanikezi burst out laughing.

She patted Chen Yi's arm.

"Your turn is coming up soon." She looked at him expectantly. "What are you going to perform?"

Chen Chichi interrupted from the side.

"What can he possibly perform!" Chen Chichi interrupted irritably. "He'll go up there later and perform a standing punishment act for everyone."

"Brother Chichi, don't cause trouble." Hanikezi turned and glared at Chen Chichi, then turned back to look at Chen Yi. "You were definitely prepared, weren't you?"

Chen Yi did not answer.

"Chen Yi!" Old Wang raised the megaphone. "Your turn! Did you hand in the backing track?"

All eyes in the room were focused on Chen Yi.

Dozens of cameras simultaneously turned and focused on him.

Chen Yimai walked towards the wooden stage.

The assistant director stood next to Lao Wang and lowered his voice.

"Director Wang, is this amateur any good?" The assistant director asked with a worried look. "The previous guests were all amazing. If he can't keep up, this segment will fall apart, and the post-production editing will be a real problem."

Old Wang stared at the monitor.

"Let's see," Old Wang said, his brow furrowed. "He surprised me yesterday, and maybe he will today too."

Chen Yi walked to the microphone in the center of the stage.

"Director Wang, I don't have a backing track," Chen Yi said into the microphone.

The entire audience erupted in uproar.

Old Wang's face immediately darkened.

"What are you going to sing without accompaniment? A cappella?" Old Wang's tone was stern. "Let me tell you, this is your solo highlight segment today. If you dare to slack off, I'll cut your scene right here!"

Deng Chao joined in the commotion from below the stage.

"Chen Yi, if you can't do it, just make a funny face like your brother, and we'll pass!" Deng Chao shouted.

Lu Han laughed along.

"Yeah, Chen Yi, if all else fails, you could tell everyone a joke!"

Chen Chichi covered his face, wishing he could disappear into a crack in the ground.

"Oh no, oh no, this kid's going to break the rules." Chen Chichi kept muttering to himself.

Chen Yi stood on the stage, ignoring the voices from below.

He turned his head and looked at the band members on the side of the stage.

"Dude, can I borrow your guitar for a bit?" Chen Yi pointed to the wooden guitar.

The musician paused for a moment, then turned to look at Old Wang.

Old Wang nodded.

The musician handed over the guitar.

Chen Yi took the guitar, pulled over a high stool, and sat down steadily.

Chen Chichi was so anxious that he jumped up from the audience.

"Chen Yi, are you crazy!" Chen Chichi yelled at the top of his lungs, "You don't even know how to read sheet music, what are you doing with that guitar! Put it back, don't go up there and embarrass yourself!"

Hanikezi grabbed Chen Chichi's sleeve.

"Brother Chichi, stop making a fuss and let him play."

"What the hell is he playing?!" Chen Chichi was sweating profusely. "He's never been able to whistle properly since he was a kid! He's going to ruin my reputation!"

Old Wang sat behind the monitor, staring intently at the screen.

In the video, even Chen Yi's posture while holding the guitar appears somewhat casual.

What trick is this kid playing?

on the stage.

Chen Yi held the guitar in his arms.

Fingers touch the strings.

He lowered his head and plucked the thickest six-stringed instrument with his right thumb.

"Buzz".

The sound was somewhat muffled, clearly indicating that the strings were out of tune. Chen Yi turned the tuning pegs on the headstock with his left hand.

Press the button again.

He tuned three strings in succession, his movements slow and exuding an absolute sense of control, causing the staff below the stage to begin whispering among themselves.

"Does he even know how to play?"

"The way he's tuning the strings looks pretty professional."

"He's just faking it. Even Chen Chichi said he doesn't understand music theory."

Chen Chichi had already turned away, unable to bear witnessing the horrific scene that was about to unfold. Chen Yi tuned the last string.

He raised his head and glanced at the crowd below the stage.

Finally, it fell on Hanikzi.

The left hand presses down an extremely complex chord on the neck of the violin.

The fingers of the right hand nimbly swept across the six strings.

A crisp, continuous, and highly rhythmic melody poured out from the fingertips.

The once noisy beach fell completely silent in that instant.

This is not at a beginner's level at all.

This is absolutely professional fingering and tone control.

The smooth, flowing strumming technique, with its powerful penetrating force, struck directly into everyone's ears.

Old Wang suddenly stood up from the director's chair, almost dropping the walkie-talkie in his hand.

Chen Chichi suddenly turned around, his eyes wide like copper bells.

The smiles on Deng Chao and Lu Han's faces froze instantly.

Hanikezi opened her mouth slightly, her eyes fixed on the man on the stage.

Chen Yi sat on a high stool.

Fingers danced rapidly across the strings.

A stunning prelude, unlike anything anyone has ever heard before, resonates freely in the sea breeze.

Ps:

[New book launch, seeking support! Three quick actions: add to bookshelf, urge for updates, write a review. The writer is online begging for support!]