The Second Song

The audience stared at the big screen, excited and nervous. Backstage, several singers held their breath and watched without blinking.

A few seconds later, the screen froze.

Qin Baobao: 200 votes!

Huang Yuteng: 260 votes!

No one abstained. Every audience member present had cast a vote. Huang Yuteng advanced by a considerable margin.

Backstage, he wiped away nonexistent cold sweat and joked, "I almost thought I'd lost."

It was purely a joke. He had beaten Qin Baobao by a full sixty votes, which was practically a landslide. But Huang Yuteng knew his popularity had played a role. In terms of singing alone, Qin Baobao's excellent song, "Invisible Wings," had crushed him, so he had secretly broken into a sweat just now.

Online, many people voiced their opinions. "Qin Baobao sang so well. How did she lose?"

"Exactly. There aren't many songs left that can make me cry. Are the audience members all blind?"

"They're deaf, not blind."

"What were those voting audience members thinking? If Huang Yuteng lost, at least he could come back in the advancement round. But what about Qin Baobao? She might not be able to beat the two eliminated singers."

"She didn't lose unfairly to Leader Huang. Qin Baobao's singing still lacks refinement."

"This show is unfair. 'Invisible Wings' was incredible, absolutely top-tier. How could it possibly lose? Qin Baobao didn't lose because of her singing. She lost because of popularity."

"I'm actually looking forward to it. Didn't she say original songs were her specialty? Will the next one be original too?"

"How could that be? Do you think excellent original songs grow on trees? Her company probably only prepared one. Who knew her luck would be so bad that she drew Huang Yuteng?"

Next came the commercial break.

Qin Ze turned his head and comforted his sister. "Bao Bao, don't lose heart. A loss is a loss. Just win it back in the Resurrection Match."

Qin Baobao shot him a glare. "Who said you could call me Bao Bao? You're getting disrespectful again. Call me Sis."

"Sis, big sis, my dear big sis."

"You want to kiss your big sister? Asking for a beating?"

Wang Zijing covered her face. "There you go again. Save the comedy routine for later. We're watching the show."

"Hello, viewers. This is I Am A Singer, the music competition program exclusively sponsored by Sheng Ji Cosmetics. I'm your host, Yin Jia."

After the commercials, host Yin Jia stood smiling at the center of the stage. She was quite pretty and tall, originally one of the show's highlights. But with Qin Baobao having set the bar so high, this signature beauty seemed rather ordinary now.

On the Bullet Screen, viewers commented, "Stop talking and hurry up with the Resurrection Match."

"What are you dawdling for?"

"I want to hear Qin Baobao's next original song."

"So exciting! Who got eliminated this episode?"

According to the earlier elimination order, Xiao De would sing first, followed by Chen Zitong, and then Qin Baobao.

The lights dimmed. Li Zongde walked out from backstage, a single beam from above illuminating his figure. His expression was solemn.

"I would rather wander far from home alone."

"I would rather taste the bitterness of heartbreak alone."

"Than see the guilt in your expression."

"Than see the look in your eyes when you fall for someone else."

"Do you even have me in your heart?"

"Was the tenderness of the past real or false?"

The lights swayed as Li Zongde sang with abandon. He conveyed the song's conflict and disappointment, his voice low and faintly trembling, making the audience feel as though they were there.

The performance ended.

Li Zongde lowered his microphone and gave a slight bow in thanks.

Applause suddenly erupted!

Even the singers backstage applauded him!

The audience screamed wildly!

Huang Yuteng said, "Xiao De sang with real feeling. He turned someone else's song into his own. He did it."

Li Rongxing said, "That was absolutely beyond his usual level. The stage of I Am A Singer is too magical. You can never underestimate any singer."

Chen Xiaotong said, "What do I do? What do I do? The pressure is huge."

Hong Jingyao said, "Xiao De is an exceptionally talented singer. He has enough potential and talent to catch up with our older generation of singers. Personally, I think highly of him."

At that moment, the camera turned to Qin Baobao. She smiled and said, "Teacher Xiao De is amazing."

Li Zongde left the stage to thunderous applause, and Chen Xiaotong, the second singer in the Resurrection Match, took the stage.

They had thought Xiao De had already exceeded expectations, but former Queen of Pop Chen Xiaotong was the one truly hiding her strength. She sang a Cantonese Song that had once swept across South of the River, holding first place on the Music Billboard for several consecutive months and winning numerous awards.

Like Hong Jingyao's classic old song, it stirred up countless memories.

Backstage, the singers looked amazed. "Once this song comes out, it has almost no rivals among love songs."

Xiao De said bitterly, "If I'd known, I wouldn't have chosen a love song. I would've sung an inspirational song."

Hong Jingyao nodded. "Xiaotong's vocal skills are gradually returning. She's getting better and better."

Li Rongxing said, "Listen to the cheers from the front-row audience. She's definitely still got it."

Huang Yuteng laughed. "Record that part and show it to Xiaotong later. Hahaha, she's definitely still got it."

Li Rongxing begged for mercy. "Hey, Brother Huang, don't do this to me. I was wrong, really wrong."

Then the camera turned to Qin Baobao. Each singer got more than ten seconds to share their thoughts before taking the stage.

Facing the camera, Qin Baobao looked stunningly beautiful, a faint smile curving her lips. "I did bring two original songs this time. From the start, I never thought I would advance smoothly in the first round. Even now, I can't say I'm completely certain. No matter how things turn out, I still have to thank I Am A Singer for giving me this opportunity."

Li Rongxing was very interested in Qin Baobao and cut in, "Teacher Qin, may I ask a question?"

After "Invisible Wings" was performed, her title had also become "Teacher Qin."

Qin Baobao smiled and nodded.

"Did you write 'Invisible Wings' yourself? It was truly amazing. You're so talented."

Qin Baobao shook her head. "I didn't complete it independently. My younger brother wrote the lyrics and composed the music."

Li Rongxing went, "Uh... then what was your part?"

Qin Baobao blinked. "I was responsible for singing it."

"Which talented figure in the industry is your younger brother? He can write such a good song. I don't believe he could be unknown," Huang Yuteng suddenly said.

"A composer surnamed Qin... Teacher Huang, I've stepped back from the music scene these past few years, so I'm not very familiar with things. Do you know anyone like that?" Hong Jingyao was interested as well.

Huang Yuteng pondered for a moment, then shook his head with a bitter smile. "There are a few people surnamed Qin, but their ages don't match."

On the Bullet Screen, the viewers in front of their screens were intrigued as well. "My brother writes the lyrics and music, I'm responsible for singing. Nothing wrong with that. It was completed through the cooperation of two people. [manual smirk]"

"I was wrong. Qin Baobao didn't rely on sleeping her way up. She relied on her brother."

"Hahahahaha."

"Is there a musician surnamed Qin in the Entertainment industry?"

"Not necessarily someone in the Entertainment industry. After all, many lyricists and composers are unknown. Their songs might be hugely popular, but the public may not know who wrote them, only who sang them."

"How old is Qin Baobao this year? Her younger brother must be even younger. Why do I find that so hard to believe?"

"This time, I think it's a little risky. Qin Baobao's 'Invisible Wings' spoke to people's hearts, and it was also the only song that wasn't a love song. The audience probably gave her some sympathy points and shock points."

"Yeah. Now that she's no longer a newcomer, she probably won't get sympathy points. So what will she sing? Compete with love songs? How can she beat singers who have been famous for so long?"

"The person above analyzed it well. One excellent song is already rare. She can't possibly bring out another one, right? No company would spend so many resources on a newcomer. Did her younger brother really write it? Even if he did, good songs are hard to come by. You can't just write one whenever you want."

The scene shifted to a stage blazing with dazzling lights. Qin Baobao walked on with her long legs.

A melodious, gentle tune began to play. The scrolling subtitles behind her displayed the song title: "Legend."

Qin Baobao opened her mouth and sang:

"Only because I glanced at you once among the crowd."

"I could never forget your face again."

"I dreamed that perhaps one day, we might meet again by chance."

"From then on, I began to miss you in loneliness."

This melody, this singing voice...

The camera swept over countless audience members' faces. Every one of them had widened eyes and slightly parted lips. They were all stunned.

Qin Baobao's voice was truly perfect for this song. Her vocal tone and magnetism made it feel less like she was singing and more like she was whispering words of love.

At that moment, Qin Baobao gazed into the camera as though she were gazing at the tens of millions of viewers.

"When I miss you, you are at the edge of the sky.

"When I miss you, you are before my eyes.

"When I miss you, you are in my mind.

"When I miss you, you are in my heart."

Below the stage, the audience closed their eyes and immersed themselves completely in the music. It was a different kind of love song, with a different melody, a different voice, and a different singer. There were no particularly high notes, no soul-stirring, hoarse, screaming chorus. It was calm and gentle, yet it inexplicably stirred a trace of melancholy and sorrow.

"I would rather believe we had a promise in a past life."

"That our love story in this life will never change."

"I would rather spend this lifetime waiting for you to realize."

"That I have always been by your side."

"Never far away."

"Only because I glanced at you once among the crowd."

"I could never forget your face again."

"I dreamed that perhaps one day, we might meet again by chance."

"From then on, I began to miss you in loneliness."

"When I miss you, you are at the edge of the sky."

"When I miss you, you are before my eyes."

"When I miss you, you are in my mind."

"When I miss you, you are in my heart."

Backstage, the singers were dumbfounded again. They were all professional singers, and the moment Qin Baobao began, they could tell the caliber of the song. Excellent—absolutely excellent. It was even better than the already exceptional "Invisible Wings." A newcomer casually producing two excellent songs? She was practically about to soar into the heavens.

Li Rongxing muttered, "My God."

"This song, this song..." Hong Jingyao was stunned. "This song, this voice, it's so powerful, so beautiful. A different kind of love song..."

Huang Yuteng forced a bitter smile at the camera. "Right now, I really want to know which master wrote the lyrics and music."

"This song is very difficult to sing. It demands an extremely high level of vocal control. Qin Baobao is incredible, truly incredible," Chen Xiaotong sighed.

Her heart sank. This song, this love song, was far beyond her expectations. She was not confident she could beat Qin Baobao.

Li Zongde kept muttering, "It's over, it's over."

Where had this Cheng Yaojin come from? Why hadn't the production team said anything beforehand? She had brought out two excellent songs in one go. If he had known they would be songs like these, he definitely would have prepared differently. Now things were uncertain.

"I would rather believe we had a promise in a past life."

"That our love story in this life will never change."

"I would rather spend this lifetime waiting for you to realize."

"That I have always been by your side."

"Never far away."

"Only because I glanced at you once among the crowd."

Qin Baobao let out a long breath and bowed to the audience.

The audience, which had remained silent as they immersed themselves in the gentle, sorrowful music, erupted in an instant. Countless people screamed and waved their hands with abandon. The audience in the front rows even rose to their feet in unison, shouting themselves hoarse.

"Qin Baobao!"

"Qin Baobao!"

"Qin Baobao!"

Onstage, Qin Baobao, who had always been embarrassed by her own name, twitched at the corner of her mouth. It was a tiny expression, but the professional cameraman caught it.

At that moment, the Bullet Screen fell like heavy snow.

"666666666."

"Manually typing one hundred and eight sixes."

"After hearing this song, I finally realized love songs could be sung like this. Enough said, I'm instantly switching from passerby to fan."

"Who said Qin Baobao relied on connections? This singing, this voice, these lyrics—they're incredible."

"I have a feeling this girl is going to become famous."

"The song is called 'Legend.' With such a clean, clear, gentle, sorrowful voice, Qin Baobao is one of a kind. So amazing."

"This definitely isn't lip-syncing. Assessment complete."

"My goddess has finally appeared. From now on, Qin Baobao is the only one I stan."

"It's a pity I Am A Singer doesn't usually feature dancing with music. I'm really looking forward to Qin Baobao dancing. I want to watch her sway to her heart's content."

"She sings so beautifully. Even my mom came over to listen, seriously."

"Am I the only one who noticed Qin Baobao's expression? Hahahaha, forgive me, I'm dying of laughter."

"Pfft... look at the corner of her mouth."

"This girl knows her own name is funny too. Haha."

"She's so adorable. I want to kiss her."

"Licking the screen."

Host Yin Jia went onstage, shouting excitedly, "That was so beautiful, simply a feast for the ears, wasn't it? I was listening below and nearly cried. So love songs can be sung this way. Thank you, Teacher Qin, for bringing us this original new song, 'Legend.' Oh dear, did I say too much? I'm not trying to canvass votes for her."

The audience burst into laughter.

"Now, we enter the voting segment. The audience present will decide the fate of the three singers," Yin Jia shouted. "Pick up your voting devices. Voting begins now. Please look at the big screen..."

Amid energetic music, every audience member stared intently at the big screen, watching the three vote counts rise continuously as they chased one another. But after a few seconds, Li Zongde's votes began to fall behind the other two, leaving Chen Xiaotong and Qin Baobao to compete. As a former Queen of Pop, Chen Xiaotong still had plenty of popularity.

The final results were:

Li Zongde: 123 votes.

Chen Xiaotong: 186 votes.

Qin Baobao: 191 votes.

The entire venue erupted in thunderous cheers.

In the end, Li Zongde was eliminated. Qin Baobao's votes narrowly surpassed those of Chen Xiaotong, the former Queen of Pop. The result was quite unexpected, but on further thought, it made sense. Chen Xiaotong was living off her past reputation and popularity. Qin Baobao had no established fan base, but her chest was big, her legs were long, and her looks were outrageously good.

Of course, one couldn't think of the audience as being that shallow. That was only one reason. Another was that the two excellent songs, "Invisible Wings" and "Legend," had been too stunning. In all these years of music variety shows, there had never been a contestant like Qin Baobao who came with hit-quality songs of her own. Not a single one.

In front of the computer, Qin Baobao and Wang Zijing high-fived, and the two women laughed.

"Was I amazing or what?"

"My Bao Bao is incredible."

"Do you worship me now?"

"I do, I do."

"Kiss me."

"Kiss me."

Qin Ze shot his sister an expectant look. Qin Baobao pressed a hand to his forehead and shoved him far away.

"Qin Baobao, are you tossing me aside after I've done my job?" Qin Ze was somewhat disappointed at being denied his sister's kiss.

"It was obviously because I sang well."

"Yeah, right. Without my songs, you wouldn't be showing off here today. You'd be crying your eyes out."

"Cry? Qin Ze, all I have to say to that is: heh. Me, cry? With my looks and singing ability, I'd still advance without your songs. My unstoppable march has begun—no trash can stand in my way."

"Can you have a little shame? Pah."

Wang Zijing clapped her soft, fair little hands and said happily, "For the rest of the show: sibling crosstalk."

"Fine, you said it. When the next episode starts recording, don't come begging me."

"Words spoken are water spilled. The company promised to assign me a lyricist and composer."

"Qin Baobao, you're really something."

"Hmph. Zijing, let's go to sleep. We don't need to pay attention to that pervert."

Holding Wang Zijing's hand, Qin Baobao strutted into the room. She truly had not expected Qin Ze to keep providing songs for her. A good song was not something one could simply create on demand. The show aired once a week—one hit song every week? How could that be possible?