The second round of the competition began soon. Ye Lanzhou, who had performed last in the previous round, could no longer avoid it and was the first to take the stage this time.
In the backstage lounge, Xu Qingqiu sat upright, watching intently.
Here, she was not only one of the younger generation but also among those with the least experience.
In this entertainment industry, the classification of singers and actors was extremely strict.
First, stars were divided into five levels according to popularity charts.
These charts were compiled from a comprehensive calculation of fan numbers, fan activity, internet search index, search engine query frequencies, and other data, incorporating the latest big data models, making them highly authoritative.
Those with popularity exceeding one hundred million were collectively known as top-tier or super first-line.
Below one hundred million but above fifty million were first-tier; between fifty million and twenty million were second-tier; and those over five million were third-tier. Anyone below five million was generally considered insignificant, not even making the recognized tiers.
Even within these tiers, a distinct hierarchy existed due to differences in popularity data, the timing of their debut, the status of their backing companies, and the availability of resources.
Furthermore, the titles of King, Queen, Best Actor, and Best Actress were not just measured by popularity but required corresponding achievements to prove their status.
For example, winning an award at one of the four major music festivals and surpassing fifty million in popularity would automatically elevate a singer to King or Queen status.
The same applied to the film and television industries.
Even within the Queen tier, there were differences.
Securing one award might only qualify someone as the lowest level of Queen. If her popularity was barely sufficient, she would be deemed by the public as having an "unstable divine status."
The top tier consisted of singers who had achieved a "grand slam" of awards; regardless of where they went or their age, no one dared to underestimate them.
This time, the participants in "The Sound of Nature" were all first-tier singers from their prime. There were only two designated as King or Queen: Ye Lanzhou, who was currently performing, and Xu Qingqiu.
Despite her young age and relatively short experience, among this crowd, her real competitor was Ye Lanzhou.
In response to the online rumors and defamation, she needed to prove she was not merely a pretty face or a singer lacking talent.
This was also why she had changed her song at the last minute: both songs resonated deeply with her. The first, "In the World," was her protest and resistance against online rumors.
The second was her official outcry against this world and all the voices of doubt.
It was all just the darkness before dawn; she had the talent and the courage to break through it, and no one could stop her!
After listening to Ye Lanzhou's performance, Xu Qingqiu couldn't help but marvel at the undeniable strength of the veteran Queen, who was impeccable in both her Singing Skills and song choice.
In the previous round, everyone had assumed Wu Qingshan's underperformance was why he was overtaken by Ye Lanzhou and Xu Qingqiu, placing third and fourth respectively.
But in Xu Qingqiu's opinion, to put it bluntly, Wu Qingshan had fallen behind and couldn't keep up with the times. This was her competition with Ye Lanzhou, so she took it very seriously.
However, thinking about her next song, she quickly filled with confidence.
No matter how well a song was adapted, there would always be a comparison in the listeners' minds. While old songs performed anew certainly added nostalgic value, the reduced novelty inevitably weakened the song's impact.
In other words, a new drug might show significant effects, but an old one could become less effective due to resistance.
It was the same with songs.
"How is it? Are you confident?" Li Chunhua was not one to misunderstand such things. Seeing Ye Lanzhou finish her performance and the cameras turn off, she hurriedly and anxiously asked Xu Qingqiu.
"Don't worry, I am confident. After all, my song is a classic too, isn't it?" Xu Qingqiu replied, turning around with a smile brimming with confidence. Li Chunhua also felt much relieved.
"It's good to be confident. I must say, you're really lucky that someone sent you a song at such a crucial moment. I wonder who this benefactor is; it would be nice to meet them."
At this point, Li Chunhua suddenly teased, "Qingqiu, you don't think it's true what netizens are saying—that someone likes you? After all, such an elaborate effort isn't simple. If they merely wanted to help, they could have given it to you in person and earned some goodwill, couldn't they?"
At her words, Xu Qingqiu, who had been smiling, suddenly turned somber. She glanced almost imperceptibly at Chu Tian, who was lying on the sofa next to her looking at his phone, and chose not to respond.
"What do you think he's aiming for?" Li Chunhua continued to mutter to herself, racking her brains, but unfortunately, no one answered.
At that moment, Xu Qingqiu inexplicably felt a surge of indescribable anticipation.
She glanced at Chu Tian beside her, who remained oblivious, and thought with a touch of regret, Who sent the song? If only it were you...
Little did Chu Tian know he was on someone's mind again. He was busy playing mahjong on his phone. In his previous life, he had always seen others playing; the game was popular enough to be considered a national pastime.
Unfortunately, due to his busy work schedule, he had never actually played. He'd tried to learn twice without success and later never had the chance.
Now, since he was free, he started playing on his phone and found it increasingly interesting. He became completely immersed, oblivious to his surroundings.
"Teacher Xu, it's your turn. We need to go backstage and wait." Before they knew it, the singers ahead had finished their performances, and it was nearly the last one's turn. A staff member came over to remind them.
"Okay, just a moment. I'll be right there," Xu Qingqiu responded, quickly getting up to straighten her clothes and check her makeup.
Once Yiyi confirmed there were no issues, she turned to Chu Tian, who was sitting on the sofa, and called out, "Chu Tian, let's go. Follow me backstage."
"Ah? But..." You're the one singing, why do I have to go? Is it necessary to drag me along like an entourage?
Her being nervous the first time was understandable. But this was like a command performance... no, a repeat engagement... Seriously, this was the second time! Shouldn't she be used to it by now? Why does she still need someone to accompany her?
He was right in the middle of a good game and very reluctant, but seeing Xu Qingqiu's charming, watery gaze, he could only follow obediently.
Never mind, he sighed internally. I'll just treat it as humoring a kid. Such a pity about that great hand, though. I almost had a Big Four Winds.
With regret, he put away his phone and obediently followed the group as they made their way to the backstage area.
"Next, please welcome the final competing Singer… Xu Qingqiu!"
"OOOH~~" Amid the audience's cheers, Xu Qingqiu slowly stepped onto the stage.
A moment later, the music began.
"The night's stardust, the unextinguished night..." The chant that immediately followed captivated the entire audience.
"Wow, that chant has such feeling!"
The singers backstage were immediately drawn in by the first line, their attention fixed on the television screen.
"Is this another new song?"
"Performing new songs on this stage, and all of them premieres…"
Wu Qingshan gave a wry smile, his face etched with helplessness. For many years, he hadn't received suitable songs; if he found any, he either couldn't outbid others or couldn't afford them. Looking at her now, he felt utterly disheartened; it was too demoralizing.
"Morning bound for midnight..."
"The seasons that will eventually embrace..."
"Let us become lovers..."
"So wild..."
When the main verse began, it immediately captivated everyone.
"Such a rhythmic song, very engaging."
At that moment, no one had yet fully grasped its significance; they just felt the song was very novel.
"Once as dark as night, every morning..."
"Once blocking every dream, every door..."
"Finally, infinite possibilities could freely unfold..."
"Once as true as love, yet success remained elusive..."
"Once mistook the sincerity of every hunter..."
"Finally grown, this is youth..."
When the chorus hit, everyone's expression changed.
"Seriously, how are we supposed to compete with this?"
Huang Dongjun, who had been nonchalant, lost his casual demeanor. He sat rigidly on the sofa, staring blankly at the figure on the screen.
"This is kind of bullying, isn't it? Bringing such good songs, unreleased album material, to the stage to compete against us?"
With a wry smile, he glanced at his personal assistant, wanting to ask them if the director even approved of such tactics. Isn't this a dimensional strike? This is a Singer competition, and you're crushing people with original hits? Originals are one thing, but every single one is a classic, all of them outstanding. Is she really not here just to upstage everyone?