Chapter 169: Conclusion of the Seventh Recording Session

Zheng Yuan finished his performance and stood quietly on stage. He waved to the audience, sparking another wave of cheers.

"Zheng Yuan, I love you!"
"Zheng Yuan is the GOAT!"
"Ten Thousand Reasons is the GOAT!"

Yang Yang walked onto the stage and signaled for silence. As the crowd quieted down, he remarked, "It seems everyone really loves our Zheng Yuan! Next, please welcome Zhou Shen to the stage!"

Zhou Shen performed the same song, but the audience’s reaction was lukewarm. Once he finished, Zheng Yuan and Yang Yang rejoined him.

"Mentor Jiang Yun, please make your choice."

Jiang Yun sighed, looking as though he were in a difficult position. "I choose Zhou Shen to advance, and Zheng Yuan is eliminated."

A collective gasp swept through the crowd. "No, why? Zheng Yuan was clearly more popular!"

Jiang Yun knew that if he didn't explain himself well, he risked inciting public anger, which might even cost him his job. He took a deep breath and said, "Because I want to sign Zheng Yuan as an artist for my company, and I am very eager for him to leave the competition early."

The audience was stunned, as were the three on stage. No one expected Jiang Yun to say such a thing. Zheng Yuan, coming to his senses, revealed a look of ecstatic joy. Although he had some fame, he had always been labeled merely an "internet singer," and that was the extent of his public image.

"Congratulations, Zheng Yuan!" Zhou Shen said.
"I congratulate you as well on advancing!" Zheng Yuan replied politely.

Seeing the reaction of the crowd, Jiang Yun felt a weight lift off his chest. He walked onto the stage, hugged both singers, and then made his exit.

"And now, please welcome our final pair of contestants for the PK round! Hu Wen and Li Jian!"

During the blind auditions, Hu Wen had performed an adapted Peking Opera version of "Orchid Pavilion Preface," winning countless fans. Li Jian, meanwhile, had covered "Legend" during the sixth episode's revival round, also gaining a massive following. Today, their PK song was none other than "Legend."

Li Jian took the stage first. Gentle music began to play, underscored by the sound of flowing water. He started softly: "Just because I caught one extra glance of you in the crowd, I could never forget your face."

"Wow!"
"So beautiful!"
"When I miss you, you are at the edge of the sky; when I miss you, you are right before my eyes..."
"This is amazing!" the audience murmured.

Li Jian finished his performance, bowed politely, and left the stage. Hu Wen walked up, and the music began. The audience frowned—why were there drums and gongs?

Hu Wen immediately switched to a traditional opera vocal style: "I would rather believe we had a vow in a past life; the love story of this life will never change."

"Wow!" The crowd was bewildered. Could this song even be sung in the style of Peking Opera?

At the mentor seats, Jiang Yun and the others frowned. Adapting this song into Peking Opera was extremely difficult, yet it seemed Hu Wen had completely mastered it.

Hu Wen continued, "I would rather spend this life waiting for you to discover that I have always been by your side, never having gone far."

Just when everyone thought the song would continue that way, the melody shifted abruptly, becoming infused with a pop rhythm.

"When I miss you, you are at the edge of the sky,
When I miss you, you are right before my eyes."

"Bravo!" The audience erupted into thunderous applause. Mao Yi and Li Mengya clapped along.

Backstage, Yang Yang stood in front of the camera with his microphone. "That was incredibly powerful, wasn't it?"

On stage, Hu Wen finished his performance. Yang Yang walked out and said, "I believe everyone feels the same way I do—Hu Wen's adaptation was simply phenomenal! Mentor Jiang Yun, please make your choice!"

Jiang Yun picked up the microphone. "I choose Hu Wen to advance, and Li Jian is eliminated."

The audience applauded enthusiastically. Yang Yang then spoke to the camera, "That concludes the seventh episode of 'The Voice.' Let’s welcome the successful contestants back on stage."

Dai Quan, Zhu Xiaoxiao, Xu Wei, Zhou Shen, Zhang Yang, and Wang Meng joined Hu Wen on stage.

"Seven contestants have now been selected," Yang Yang announced. "In the tenth episode, Mentor Jiang Yun will personally select one to become his apprentice, and the remaining six will compete again to determine the top four!"

Xu Wei and the others nodded.

"Please welcome our four mentors to the stage to sing our theme song one last time!"

The audience cheered wildly. Jiang Yun, Tian Zhen, and the others walked out as the music began.

Jiang Yun started, "For the dream in my heart, I fight like a gale!"
Tian Zhen added, "The dark night will release the light!"
Zhou Lun chimed in, "The undefeated hero!"

Yang Yang looked into the camera: "Thank you for watching the seventh episode of 'The Voice of China.' Please visit our website for more exciting content..."

The recording of the seventh episode officially ended.

Backstage, Jiang Yun sat in the dressing room removing his makeup, with Li Mengya waiting quietly beside him. A moment later, Tian Zhen walked in. "Little brother Jiang Yun, let's go get something to eat!"

"Sure!"

They had started recording at 2:30 PM and finished two hours later, so it was only a little past 5:00 PM. Jiang Yun finished cleaning up, grabbed his coat, and put on his mask and sunglasses. Li Mengya did the same. She took his arm, and they left the dressing room. Jiang Yun paused and called Mao Yi.

"Teacher, what's up?"
"We're going to eat. Join us."
"With who?" Mao Yi asked.
"Tian Zhen and Zhou Lun."
"Maybe I shouldn't go, Teacher," Mao Yi replied.
"Hurry up, I'm helping you expand your connections!" Jiang Yun said.
"Alright!"

A short while later, Mao Yi arrived in his Jaguar. Jiang Yun and Li Mengya exited the studio and got into the car.

"Teacher, where are the others?"
"We'll head there first," Jiang Yun said.
"Where are we going?"
"Lianhua Tower!"
"Whoa! Nice. Who's paying today? They're really getting fleeced!" Mao Yi joked.

Jiang Yun’s face darkened instantly. "What's wrong, Teacher?" Mao Yi asked, glancing in the rearview mirror.
"I am the one getting fleeced!" Jiang Yun replied, his face grim.
"..." Mao Yi was speechless.
Li Mengya couldn't help but burst into laughter.

They arrived at Lianhua Tower, where two rows of greeters bowed in unison. "Welcome to Lianhua Tower!" one of them asked, "Do you have a reservation?"

"Jiang Yun," he replied.
"Follow me, please."

As the hostess led them, Jiang Yun cast a subtle glance at her long legs. *Wow, no leggings? Isn't it cold?* Li Mengya pinched him hard on the waist, and Jiang Yun guiltily touched his nose.

In the private room, Jiang Yun took off his coat, mask, and sunglasses. The hostess paused, realizing who he was, but quickly composed herself. "What would you like to order, sir?"

Jiang Yun handed the menu to Li Mengya and Mao Yi. "You two go ahead."

Soon after, Tian Zhen and the others arrived and took their seats.

"Tian, Wang, Zhou," Jiang Yun said with a smile, "please, have a look at the menu."