Don't call me a singing god, I just want to go back to doing scientific research.

The host, Dong Xuelan, stood on one side of the stage, her eyes red-rimmed. She picked up the microphone several times and put it down again, seemingly unable to find the right words to break the atmosphere.

Dong Xuelan took a deep breath: "Mr. Xiao Ruqian, from a professional perspective, do you think this song can move you?"

If the previous song, "Mud," was an art of addition—using rough timbre and violent rhythm to build up the concept of "anger"—then…

"Then this song, 'Decent,' is the ultimate example of subtraction."

His voice was clear and steady, carrying an undeniable professionalism.

"The arrangement is extremely minimalist. A piano and barely audible strings form the background. This kind of arrangement places disastrous demands on the singer. Any flaw you make, even a half-second mistimed breath, will be magnified infinitely."

"But your performance was flawless."

"From the gentle narration of the verses to the emotional progression of the chorus, and finally to the sigh-like 'It's worth the encounter' at the end, your breath control, pitch accuracy, and emotional control have all reached the level of a recording studio."

"It's technically perfect, but emotionally deadly."

Xiao Ruqian looked at Gu Yang, his eyes revealing undisguised admiration for the first time.

"With this song, the curtain fell, and it taught all the lyricists and composers of ballads a lesson. And you, with this performance, set a new benchmark for all singers."

[Teacher Xiao is so good! I give him full marks for that showmanship!]

[Translation: I was going to give you 100, but I was afraid you'd get arrogant.]

Technically perfect, emotionally devastating! That's too high a praise!

Finally, all eyes were on Zhuo Tongyu.

  

This top producer in the Chinese music scene had a serious expression and remained silent for a long time, so long that everyone began to feel nervous.

"Gu Yang," he finally spoke, "do you know what makes your song so successful?"

Gu Yang held the microphone and shook his head.

"It's not your singing skills, nor the lyrics and music that bring the curtain down."

Zhuo Tongyu's gaze seemed to penetrate the screen and see that leisurely figure in the backstage dressing room.

It's "empathy".

"The Mud is a knife that is stabbed at a small group of people struggling in the mud, so many people will feel uncomfortable."

"And 'Decent' is a net. It catches everyone. Who hasn't loved? Who hasn't lost? Who hasn't tossed and turned in the dead of night, worrying about a name?"

"It gently unveils everyone's deepest scars. It hurts you, but it also makes you feel that this pain is worthwhile and dignified."

"This song will be a hit. Not just a small hit, but a hit song that will become the song of the year, a must-sing song for countless people at karaoke."

Zhuo Tongyu said decisively.

"As for the end..." He chuckled and shook his head. "I don't want to comment on him anymore. Rock, folk, now ballads... I just want to know how many weapons he still has in his arsenal."

"He's not just a genius, he's a bug in the music industry."

"Great! 397 points! Another judge's score above 390!" Dong Xuelan's voice was incredibly excited. "So, what are your answers, audience members?"

The audience at the scene and in the live broadcast room were at a loss for words to describe Gu Yang and Luo Mu.

"Now, please pick up your voting devices! The voting countdown is about to begin!"

This time, no one whispered among themselves.

Without any hesitation.

Almost the instant the countdown began, the number of votes on the big screen started to skyrocket at an alarming rate.

"Let's count down together to three seconds!"

"three!"

"two!"

"one!"

The numbers on the big screen began to skyrocket.

800!

900!

950!

The rate at which the numbers are climbing shows no signs of slowing down!

Finally, amidst everyone's gasps of surprise, the number stopped at—

970!

He's a bit lower than Zhang Minghui, after all, not everyone has been in a relationship, so it's necessary to give a little blow to those who have never been in a relationship.

However, Gu Yang's score was slightly higher than Zhang Minghui's.

"Judges' score: 397 points; Audience score: 970 points! Gu Yang's final score for this round is—"

Dong Xuelan's voice was almost drowned out by the screams from the audience.

"1367 points!!!"

This number was like a nuclear bomb that exploded, completely igniting the atmosphere at the scene!

"Aaaaaaaahhhhh!"

"Guyang! Guyang! Guyang!"

On the stage, golden ribbons burst forth for the third time, cascading down onto Gu Yang's white suit and into his hair.

Like a crowned king.

Dong Xuelan smiled and stepped forward, handing him the pass for the third group championship.

"Congratulations to Gu Yang! The championship is a foregone conclusion! And let's thank Teacher Luo Mu once again for bringing us such a moving piece!"

Gu Yang took the pass and gave the camera a radiant smile.

He picked up the microphone, his voice still carrying a hint of unsteady panting and an undisguised pride.

"Thank you everyone, thank you to the judges."

"Okay, Gu Yang, now we need to draw your next topic. I heard your luck isn't so good. Are you nervous?"

"Goodness, word of my Black Chieftainship has spread?" Gu Yang squeezed the microphone and joked, "I'm so nervous. Drawing the theme is always my most dreaded part."

A burst of good-natured laughter erupted from the audience.

Dong Xuelan smiled and turned to look at the big screen: "Gu Yang, get ready and call 'cut'."

Gu Yang has stopped even taking deep breaths now, since it's pointless anyway.

As soon as Dong Xuelan finished speaking, Gu Yang called out, "Stop."

—Hope Inscribed in a Chaotic World

Seeing this, Yang felt it was alright; at least it wouldn't be particularly depressing.

But Ling Luo, who was in the live stream, raised an eyebrow when she saw the words on the big screen.

This is getting difficult.

However, the song I promised to Gu Yang can be brought out now.

The stage lights dimmed, and the recording of the program officially ended.

"Yiyi, where's my phone?"

As soon as he stepped off the stage, Gu Yang looked for his phone. He had won the championship again, so of course he had to share it.

He found a relatively quiet corner, and just as he took out his phone to make a call, a figure rushed over in a hurry.

"Guyang! Take a look at this first."

Zhang Minghui ran over anxiously.

"What's wrong?" Gu Yang asked, startled.

Zhang Minghui didn't say anything, but simply handed over his phone, which displayed the Weibo interface that was already open.

"Look for yourself, the internet... it's exploded."

Gu Yang took the phone with a puzzled look.

The trending topics list was almost completely dominated by "Sing! Youth".

#GuyangChampion# [Breaking News]

#DignifiedDeification# [Breaking News]

#MyLifeIsPlayingInTheMud# [Breaking News]

#ZhuoTongyu's Music Scene Bug# [Hot]

Everything seemed normal, and all the praise was directed at him and the song.

But Gu Yang's gaze was fixed on the fourth trending topic.

#凌落缺席#【爆】

His heart skipped a beat.

He clicked on the trending topic.