Chapter 130: A Touching Story

With three sharp slaps, Tian Zhen, Zhou Lun, and Wang Feng pressed their buttons and spun their chairs around.

Zhu Xiaoxiao immediately brought the venue to a climax.

Her voice cracked with emotion, tears streaming down her face, and the rest of her performance wavered in pitch.

As the music faded and she finished singing, Zhu Xiaoxiao wiped away her tears, waiting to be questioned by Jiang Yun and the other three mentors.

"Dry your tears, little sister, and tell us your name," Tian Zhen said gently.

Zhu Xiaoxiao wiped her tears. "Hello, everyone. Hello, mentors. My name is Zhu Xiaoxiao. I'm twenty-three years old, and I work as a sales representative at a foreign company."

"How are you related to the Zhu Lu who just performed?" Zhou Lun asked.

"He's my brother!"

Zhou Lun smiled. "I see. No wonder!"

Jiang Yun picked up his microphone. "Why did you choose the same arrangement and the same song as your brother? Weren't you afraid we wouldn't turn around?"

"I was a little afraid," Zhu Xiaoxiao replied. "I was worried you four mentors would have preconceived ideas."

"Then you could have chosen to perform before him," Wang Feng said.

Zhu Xiaoxiao shook her head. "If I did that, my brother might have been eliminated."

"This..." Wang Feng was left speechless.

"I didn't expect you to care so much for your brother," Jiang Yun said.

"Yes," Zhu Xiaoxiao nodded.

"One last question," Tian Zhen asked. "Why did you come to The Voice?"

Taking a deep breath, Zhu Xiaoxiao forced a smile. "My brother and I are twins. We were in the same class in kindergarten, primary school, middle school, and high school. Then we went to the same university and ended up working at the same company. We did almost everything together. But three months ago, I was diagnosed with brain cancer. I was terrified that I would never be able to do things with my brother again." At this point, Zhu Xiaoxiao broke down in tears.

Tears welled up in the eyes of the audience. At the mentors' bench, Tian Zhen, moved by her feminine sensitivity, wept openly.

"Sigh..." Jiang Yun let out a soft sigh.

Zhu Xiaoxiao continued, "I really admire Mentor Jiang Yun. So, before I leave this world, I wanted to participate in The Voice and join his team. I wanted to join the show with my brother, choose Mentor Jiang Yun's team together, and do one last thing together!"

Jiang Yun's eyes grew red, and he barely managed to hold back his tears.

Zhu Xiaoxiao's simple, unadorned narrative, devoid of any dramatic background music, moved everyone present to tears.

Calming his emotions, the host, Yang Yang, walked onto the stage. "I believe the four mentors now understand the production team's intentions."

The four mentors nodded.

Yang Yang said, "Perhaps, before this season of The Voice even ends, contestant Zhu Xiaoxiao might no longer be with us. That is why our production team wanted to give her a chance. I ask the four mentors to give her one as well."

Wang Feng picked up his microphone. "Xiaoxiao, please choose your team."

Microphone in hand, under the flashing stage lights, Zhu Xiaoxiao declared, "I choose Mentor Jiang Yun's team!"

The audience erupted in thunderous applause.

"Keep fighting, Xiaoxiao!" someone shouted, triggering a wave of roaring cheers from the crowd.

"Xiaoxiao!"

"Keep fighting!"

"Xiaoxiao!"

"Keep fighting!"

"Keep smiling, Xiaoxiao!"

On stage, Zhu Xiaoxiao smiled through her tears.

Jiang Yun stepped onto the stage, opening his arms to give Zhu Xiaoxiao a warm embrace.

"Stay strong and keep fighting the illness."

"I will," Zhu Xiaoxiao nodded.

She stepped off the stage and headed to the backstage lounge.

Zhu Lu rushed forward to meet her, pulling her into a tight hug.

"Congratulations, sis! You successfully made it onto Mentor Jiang Yun's team!"

Zhu Xiaoxiao hugged him back. "Congratulations to you too!"

He grinned.

Back in the main studio.

Host Yang Yang stood in the center of the stage. "And with that, the fifth episode of The Voice of China comes to a close. Mentor Zhou Lun has seven members, Mentor Tian Zhen has seven, and Mentor Jiang Yun has nine. Currently, only Mentor Wang Feng lags behind with six members."

Yang Yang announced enthusiastically, "Now, let us welcome our four mentors to the stage to sing our theme song!"

As the four mentors walked onto the stage, the heavy beat of the music kicked in, bringing the crowd to a fever pitch.

Jiang Yun: "For the dream in our hearts."

Tian Zhen: "Fighting like a wild wind."

Zhou Lun: "The dark night will unleash the light."

Wang Feng: "The undefeated hero."

Host Yang Yang looked into the camera and spoke rapidly, "Thank you for watching the fifth episode of The Voice of China. Be sure to log on to Rocket Net, Feitian Net, and Panda Net. For more exciting content, tune in to our next episode—the Wildcard Round!"

The fifth episode of The Voice of China had officially concluded.

The moment the recording ended, Jiang Yun made his way to a corner of the audience seating. "So, did I keep you waiting too long?"

Li Mengya, wearing sunglasses and a face mask, replied, "Not at all. I had a perfect view of you from here!"

"Good," Jiang Yun nodded.

Li Mengya smiled. "I didn't expect you to look like this when recording a show!"

Jiang Yun was puzzled. "What do you mean? Like what?"

"Has no one ever told you that you look incredibly serious and solemn when you're recording?" Li Mengya teased.

Jiang Yun was speechless. "Is that a compliment or an insult?"

"What do you think?"

Jiang Yun propped up his chin, actually appearing to give it some serious thought.

"Look at you! You're actually thinking about it!"

Jiang Yun chuckled. "Let's go."

"Aren't you going to dinner with Sister Tian and the others?"

"Of course I am. Since I don't have to foot the bill, I came over specifically to get you," Jiang Yun said.

"Maybe I shouldn't go. After all, I've only met them a few times. We aren't really that close," Li Mengya said.

"It's fine. Let's go," Jiang Yun said, taking her hand.

"Well... alright."

Jiang Yun and Li Mengya walked into the dressing room, where Zhou Lun and the others were removing their makeup.

Tian Zhen was sitting in front of the vanity mirror. She glanced at Jiang Yun. "Little brother Jiang, where is Mengya?"

"Right here!" Jiang Yun stepped aside, revealing Li Mengya.

"I thought she didn't come. If she hadn't, you wouldn't have been welcome either!" Tian Zhen joked.

"Sister Tian, you're playing favorites!" Jiang Yun retorted with a laugh.

She snorted playfully.

"Haha!"

Zhou Lun and Wang Feng, who had already finished removing their makeup, burst into laughter.

Li Mengya stood quietly behind Jiang Yun with a gentle smile, looking as sweet and serene as the girl next door.

By the time the five of them walked out of the studio, it was already half past ten at night.

"Where are we eating?" Zhou Lun asked.

"Just not the Countryside Restaurant. The food there last time made my stomach turn," Wang Feng said.

Jiang Yun nodded in strong agreement.

Tian Zhen rolled her eyes. "Is it really that bad? The Countryside Restaurant is a high-end place!"

"Actually, I know a pretty good place," Li Mengya said, poking her head out from behind Jiang Yun.

"Oh? What kind of restaurant?" Zhou Lun asked, intrigued.

"It's a Sichuan restaurant that specializes in Mao Xue Wang. It's not fancy, but the food is genuinely delicious and well-prepared," Li Mengya said.

"I didn't expect you to be so down-to-earth, Mengya. Alright! Sichuan food it is!" Tian Zhen waved her hand, making the final call.

"Yay!" Li Mengya cheered.

Jiang Yun looked at her. "Why do I get the feeling you planned this all along?"

"I've been craving it for ages. But since I'm a singer, I'm not supposed to eat spicy food," Li Mengya admitted.

"Then why are you suggesting we go there?" Jiang Yun asked.

"I can just watch you guys eat to satisfy my eyes!"

"No, you're missing the point," Jiang Yun said. "If you can't eat spicy food because you're a singer, what about the four of us? We're singers too!"

"Oh..."

"What are you two whispering about? Let's go!" Zhou Lun hollered.

"You two lead the way in your Beetle, and we'll follow behind!" Zhou Lun added.

PS: Thanks to "Longhui 1314" for the monthly ticket!
Thanks to "Feng Yi" for the monthly ticket!