Playing at the Peak: After the Music Variety Show Finals (Eleven)

Holding his guitar, Chen Ze walked slowly onto the stage. He glanced at the audience and spotted Giant Loli.

Giant Loli was in the very front row, holding a light-up sign that read "Chen Ze, I love you" above her head and waving it happily from side to side. It was hard not to notice her!

Chen Ze waved at her, smiling and nodding, instantly setting off screams and shouts from the audience.

"Look, my idol smiled at me!"

"Nonsense, my dream man was clearly smiling at me!"

"You all saw it wrong. Chen Ze was smiling at me!"

Giant Loli's smile grew even brighter. Only she knew that Chen Ze was smiling at her.

The spotlight fell, and Chen Ze gently plucked the guitar strings. The melody of "Drowning Sorrows" flowed slowly out. Below the stage, the audience's chatter instantly fell silent, everyone captivated by the simple yet moving melody.

"When you walk into this place of revelry, carrying all your dreams and hopes on your back." As his voice rang out, the audience was momentarily startled, as though the lyrics had struck the part of them deep inside that had once carried dreams into the world for the first time. Some younger audience members' eyes lit up, as if recalling the moment they had left their hometowns to seek their fortunes in the big city. Their hopes for the future and their youthful uncertainty were awakened by that line.

"Different faces wear different makeup, and no one remembers what you look like." At that line, a soft sigh rippled through the crowd. Many office workers nodded involuntarily. In their busy workplaces, they wore different "masks" each day to face life, striving to fit in yet often feeling they had lost themselves. The lyric was like a key, opening the door to emotions long suppressed deep within them.

At the judges' table, veteran musician Song Ying frowned slightly, though her eyes were full of appreciation, and quickly jotted something down in her notebook. Beside her, pop singer Lin Qingxue leaned forward and listened intently, her fingers unconsciously tapping the table to the rhythm.

"After three rounds of drinks, you sit in a corner, stubbornly singing a bitter song." A woman in business attire in the audience now had tears in her eyes. She raised the breakfast in her hand as though it were wine and tipped her head back to "drink." The lyric sang of countless nights spent licking one's wounds alone and venting one's emotions through song, striking a powerful chord with many people.

"Listening as it is drowned out in the clamor, you raise your glass and say to yourself." At that line, the audience members fell into thought. Some shook their heads gently, while others stared blankly at the stage. Everyone seemed to be speaking with the "self" in the song, recalling the moments when, under life's crushing weight, they could only raise a glass and pour their hearts out to themselves.

When the song ended, a brief silence fell over the audience before thunderous applause and cheers erupted, whistles rising one after another.

Mentor Song Ying was the first to comment. "From the melody to the lyrics, this performance went straight to the heart. With a deeply affecting voice, the singer wove all the sour, sweet, bitter, and spicy flavors of life into every note and every lyric. In particular, the handling of emotion was delicate and genuine, making everyone here feel as though we were in the world of the song and could see a reflection of our own lives. My verdict is a pass!" Song Ying pressed the green button.

Lin Qingxue continued, "There may still be room for improvement in your singing technique, but the simplicity of your voice gave this song an added purity. 'Drowning Sorrows' sang of the smoke and fire of everyday life, as well as the helplessness and hope of life. I believe it will strike a chord with countless people. My verdict is a pass!" Lin Qingxue pressed the green button.

Mentor Ai Kun gave him a thumbs-up. "Chen Ze, some people online say you're a musical genius seen once in a century, and I couldn't agree more. Your lyrics make me want to fall to my knees. They're truly amazing! My verdict is a pass!" He pressed the green button.

Mentor Wang Feng said, "Chen Ze, as a singer-songwriter myself, I know how difficult it is to create a good song. You've written so many outstanding songs at such a young age. I have to say, you're incredible! I'll say it again: when we have time, let's discuss it together!" With that, Wang Feng pressed the green button!

"I will. When there's time, I'd also like to seek your guidance, Mentor Wang Feng!" Chen Ze said, bowing to her. After bowing to everyone else, he waved at Giant Loli and winked with a smile, drawing another round of screams from the audience.

At the edge of the stage, Lin Hao's face fell completely. Both members of Chen Ze's team had passed unanimously. Even if he himself passed unanimously next, he would still lose.

Sun Yingsha also applauded happily. She had successfully advanced, so of course she was happy!

"Next, please welcome Lin Hao to the stage. He'll be singing 'My Iron-Plated Boots,'" the host announced.

"My iron-plated boots, those are the devil's steps, rubbing, rubbing, rubbing on the smooth floor..." Lin Hao had once again chosen the rap style he excelled at. Seemingly aware that he had no chance of reaching the final four, he simply let himself go and performed to his heart's content onstage.

In the end, all four mentors were kind enough to give him a unanimous pass! Although he lost the competition, he gained plenty of fans!

The competition ended, and "Chilling," which Chen Ze had prepared, went unused.

Chen Ze had returned backstage when he received a system notification.

"Ding~ Congratulations, host, on completing the mission. You have received 10 points to add to any attribute and 10,000 empathy points. The rewards have been delivered to your system inventory."

"Ding~ 10,000 empathy points deducted. Host, you still owe this system 4,985,805 empathy points."

As the songs Chen Ze released resonated with more and more people, his empathy points rose every day and were deducted every day as well.

"System, add all the attribute points to physique."

"Ding~ Adding points for the host. Estimated completion time: fifteen days!"

Three days later, the grand finals began!

Chen Ze lived up to everyone's expectations and took the championship with "The Brightest Star in the Night Sky"! He also completed the new mission issued by the system.

Sun Yingsha came in second. She sang Chen Ze's song "Dream Chaser," which she had begged him to write for her. On his recommendation, she also joined Tianmei Entertainment.

Su Yao came in third, and Ling Xiaohong came in fourth. Both were signed by Huasheng Entertainment Company.

With that, "The Voice of Great Xia" came to a perfect close!

"System, add all the attribute points to charm."

"Ding~ Adding points for the host. Estimated completion time: fifteen days!"

Chen Ze's personal attribute panel updated to:

Name: Chen Ze

Gender: male

Age: 18

Height: 178 cm

Figure: 80

Physique: 80

Bearing: 80

Charm: 90 (naturally beautiful)

Skills: View the Other Person's Information Lv. 1, top-tier singing, instrumental mastery, dance mastery.

"Phew~ It's finally over!"

For more than half a month, Chen Ze had practiced singing every day. Now it was finally over, and he could relax properly.

Chen Ze and Lin Dan walked out of the lodging arranged by the production crew and saw Giant Loli leaning against her luxurious limited-edition sports car, waving at him!

Chen Ze raced over and threw himself into her arms.

With his head buried in her full, towering bosom, Chen Ze took a deep breath and said, "Little Yanxi, what brings you here?"

Giant Loli hugged Chen Ze tightly in return. "I missed you. I couldn't wait any longer, so I came!"

"Come on, let's go back!" Right now, all Chen Ze wanted was to hold Giant Loli and tell her how much he had missed her over the past half month and more.

"Okay, let's go home!" Giant Loli took Chen Ze's hand affectionately and started toward the car.

Lin Dan came over at that moment and asked, "Chen Ze, is this your wife?"

Chen Ze had been so happy that he had forgotten Lin Dan was still there. Embarrassed, he said, "Yes, she's my partner."

After spending more than half a month with Chen Ze, Lin Dan had completely changed her opinion of him. She had discovered that Chen Ze was a treasure, possessing both talent and good looks. As a result, she devoted herself wholeheartedly to being his manager.

Lin Dan pulled Chen Ze aside and said, "Chen Ze, you're a star now. You have to watch everything you say and do. It's best not to reveal that you have a partner, and you need to be even more careful in public. Don't let anyone photograph you."

Chen Ze was a little displeased. "I don't agree. I think it's best to be open about things. What's wrong with me having a partner? Can't stars have partners?"

Lin Dan tried to persuade him. "I'm not saying you can't have one. I'm saying you shouldn't reveal it. It'll affect your future career. The company has established your image as an idol and dream man. Your career is still on the rise, and this is its most important stage. At the very least, you can't reveal that you have a partner now. Otherwise, if your competitors discover it, they'll smear and slander you in all sorts of ways."

Chen Ze said indifferently, "If being a star means paying this price and that, then I'd rather not be one!"

Seeing that neither salt nor oil could get through to Chen Ze, Lin Dan was at a loss for the moment and could only return to the company to report the matter.