The Sixth Volume: What She Lost, What I Gained - Chapter 522: Bright Moon, Bright Moon, Bright-

Xiao Wu scratched her face and frowned.

"Am I singing very well?"

"Super good!!!"

Overwhelmed with excitement, the producer rushed forward to shake Xiao Wu's hand, only to be reflexively pushed away by Xiao Wu. He immediately bounced up, his enthusiasm running high.

"Fantastic! Absolutely perfect! You are an absolute genius! Believe me, being a singer is your destiny! It's the home of your soul! It's where your true value lies!"

"... So it's up to you to judge my worth?"

"Believe me! Even without any experience, your skill level already surpasses most veteran singers! With further professional training—"

"Ugh, okay, okay, I know I seem to be quite suited to singing, stop spitting at me like that!"

"Yes! Okay! Sorry, um, and then..."

"I'm not singing."

Sin Annihilation immediately.

"Ah?"

"I can use my Flexible Muscles to record and perfectly reproduce air vibrations, so my singing is like a tape recorder, which is meaningless."

"Although I don't quite understand, since you insist so much... then, next? Who's left?"

"Haoyue, it's your turn."

I couldn't help but grin mischievously as I looked at Haoyue-chan, who was cowering at the very back with a dark expression.

Do I have to sing?

"Mmm (nods)"

"Real?"

"Mmm (nods)"

"Must I sing?"

"Mmm (nods)"

"I... can I think about it for a moment? Wait two minutes?"

"You should run in two minutes, right?"

Xiao Wu intently at Haoyue, her eyes revealing something else in addition to the usual hostility.

Like a mischievous cat eyeing a mouse, with a mixture of amusement and curiosity, such a gaze was truly rare for her.

"I always felt you weren't very enthusiastic about singing, Qipao Woman."

"... I think you'd better see a psychiatrist."

"Anyway, why do you seem to avoid singing?"

My throat is sore today.

Is it interesting to tell lies that you can't even fool yourself?

"..."

Haoyue glared fiercely at Xiao Wu, while Xiao Wu stared back at her with ease. It was the first time Haoyue had ever been at a disadvantage in a verbal argument with Xiao Wu; their positions were completely opposite to usual.

"Tsk! Okay, alright! I'm going to sing!"

"What are you going to sing?"

"Uh... uh... then let's have <Mudskipper and Egret>."

"Huh?"

"Is that not allowed?"

"It's not that it's impossible, but," the producer scratched his head, "This is a children's song, isn't it? Miss Haoyue, are you sure you want to sing this?"

"No way?" (Glare)

"Uh, ah, of course, no problem, then I'll start playing the accompaniment..."

A lighthearted melody full of childlike innocence began to play. What was with this strange sense of familiarity? But thinking about the possible disastrous consequences that might follow, I swallowed hard and prepared myself mentally.

(Author's note: Everyone, please sing along with Yue-chan while listening to the lyrics!)

Start singing--

"Ah, ah, ah water, ah side, a big red tree! Ah tender, ah tender, the green grass is just sprouting!"

Uh... uh? Eh?

What did I just hear?

What did she just sing?

"The mudskipper, dragging its clumsy tail, climbs upwards step by step..."

Ah, what a transcendent sensory experience! What is this? An IMAX movie? I was just hearing the songs, yet lifelike scenes appeared before my eyes! I felt as if I were on a beautiful seaside, in a lush mangrove forest, a paradise for animals... Wait, what am I saying?

"Two egrets are on the tree! They're laughing at it! What's with this mere aquatic animal climbing a tree to get itself killed?!"

Wait, wait, wait, this song has a strong sense of déjà vu, but... anyway... the melody is very simple, the kind that even a child could remember after hearing it once, right?

Is this... off-key? No, no, is she off-key or not? Because the melody is so different from what I imagined, before I think "This person is off-key," I first suspect "She's actually singing a different song."

What on earth is going on? It's a beautiful, melodious voice, like the tinkling of silver bells, and the rhythm is perfect, but why is the breathing so erratic? Why does it sound like a scream? And what's with these inexplicable breathing moments? It looks like cute little angels are beckoning me from the sky... something about getting Michael annual package in heaven now? Unlimited Wi-Fi? Ahh, that's great, I love that kind of service—bullshit! Why do I think I saw something sacred for a moment that I shouldn't have?

No, I need to concentrate! Haoyue's singing must have its own unique characteristics; I want to hear it until the very end.

"Ah Bai, Ah Bai, don't laugh! Wait until I climb up there and I'll kill you! I'll kill you! Kill you! You—"

No, this shouldn't be happening! This is so strange. Have I witnessed a miracle? My voice is great, my rhythm is good, and while other aspects might not be perfect, that's just a beginner's lack of experience. But why do all these elements combine to create this effect?

Why did it turn out like this...? She possessed such a beautiful voice and breathtaking beauty; two perfect qualities combined. And these two perfections elevated her to an even higher level. What she should have achieved was an unparalleled, dreamlike idol... But why did it turn out like this...?

Etc...

I just... did I turn white?

Why am I suddenly so adept at playing the "white" character?! How many times have I played it before?! I've always disdained playing the "white" character, and I've killed millions of "white" characters! Is it because of Haoyue? Did I suddenly become a "white" character after listening to her performance? Mental derangement? Genetic mutation?

"Um, I'm done singing..."

No! No! I don't want to be a "white literature scholar"! I don't want to be beaten to death! Should I be reincarnated and live again? By the way, what about the others? How are they doing?

"Anyway, please share your thoughts..."

The others... Xiao Wu frozen, crying... Wait, she cried? Why is she standing there silently shedding tears like a heartbroken girl? What triggered her? Little Ying, Little Ying? Don't laugh like an idiot while banging your head against the wall! Blood, blood splattered on me! -- Wait, banging your head on the floor isn't allowed either! And Sick Spider, don't cower in the corner smoking! And how on earth do you manage to make the expression of a fifty or sixty-year-old man with that childish face? Wait, why are you blowing smoke rings? Where's Sin Annihilation- chan? It's good that you seem alright, but why are your ears regenerating? When did you destroy your entire auditory system?

"You guys... even I would be heartbroken if you did this..."

With a muffled thud, producer Sang knelt at Haoyue's feet, banging his head on the ground.

"Producer?"

"Sorry..."

Thump! Thump! Thump!

"I'm sorry... I'm sorry... I'm sorry..."

"Why did you suddenly kowtow? It's disgusting."

"I'm sorry... I'm so sorry... It's my fault for making you sing... Miss Haoyue, you must have had a very tragic past, right? I should have considered that... I'm sorry..."

"Shut up, I'm about to cry."

"It's okay, if you're in pain, just cry it out... You still have friends, and me as your producer..."

"You misunderstood... Waaah... Stop talking... Waaah..."

A moment of silence, and then--

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A new month has begun, I'm ready to be bombarded with Monthly Votes!