Chapter Fifty-Seven: The Voice Premieres, Intense Competition for Contestants on Site

After two days, the open auditions concluded, and "The Voice of Huaxia" officially began filming. The show adopted a live broadcast format, airing simultaneously online and on Tomato TV.

This setup placed great demands on the contestants’ ability to handle the stage—there was no room for error. In a pre-recorded show, post-production could fix mistakes, but with a live broadcast, there was no such safety net.

In the spacious studio, Jiang Yun, Zhou Lun, Wang Feng, and Tian Zhen sat with their backs to the stage in red chairs.

At the same time, both the online platform and TV displayed a poster. The four mentors stood together: Jiang Yun in the center holding a microphone, Zhou Lun to his left, Wang Feng to his right, and Tian Zhen to Wang Feng’s right.

The show began with highlights from the auditions.

At exactly 7:30, the program officially aired.

Inside the vast studio, the four mentors sat with their backs to the stage in their red chairs. There were also a thousand audience members present.

A striking young woman stepped onto the stage as the music’s prelude began.

"Du-du, du-du-du, du-du, du-du-du!"

"This contestant is covering Jiang Yun’s ‘Sorrowful Pacific!’" Tian Zhen whispered to Wang Feng and Zhou Lun from her seat.

As the music’s rhythm picked up, the young woman sang with a gentle tenderness: "Is leaving really so cruel, or is gentleness the true shame?"

Applause erupted from the audience.

"This girl’s voice is so unique!" Zhou Lun remarked to Jiang Yun.

Jiang Yun remained calm: "Smoky voice."

"Exactly, a smoky voice! I was just about to say that," Zhou Lun laughed.

The girl followed the drumbeat, her voice full of emotion: "Or maybe the lonely don’t care,
No day, no night, no conditions.
...
One step forward and it’s dusk,
One step back and it’s life,
...
The ship I wait for has yet to arrive,
The one I wait for still does not understand,
Loneliness silently sinks into the sea,
The future may not be here, but I remain.
...
No sooner does one wave subside,
Than another comes to assail."

"Click!" Zhou Lun pressed his button and spun around first.

"Click!" Tian Zhen followed.

Only Wang Feng and Jiang Yun remained with their backs to the stage.

"Why? She sings so well, why didn’t Jiang Yun turn around?" Viewers watching online started filling the chat with comments.

"You don’t get it, do you? This is about quality over quantity—each mentor only has fourteen slots. Every choice counts."

On-site, the singer noticed Jiang Yun hadn’t turned, and a hint of sadness appeared on her face.

The host walked onstage: "Our first contestant already won the favor of two mentors—what a fantastic start!"

"Now, let’s have the remaining two mentors turn around!"

Jiang Yun and Wang Feng’s chairs slowly rotated toward the stage.

"May I have your comments, please?" the host invited.

Wang Feng picked up the microphone: "A smoky voice is niche, usually found on short video platforms—not often seen on serious stages. Whether you like it is a matter of personal taste; some love this style, others don’t."

He set down the mic, inviting Jiang Yun to speak.

Jiang Yun took the microphone: "You sang well, but you haven’t met my standards yet."

He set it down, signaling he was done.

"Now, contestant one, Tian Lu, please choose your team!"

"I choose Mentor Tian Zhen’s team," Tian Lu announced.

"Congratulations to Mentor Tian Zhen for gaining a new team member!" the host declared enthusiastically.

Tian Zhen flashed a victory sign to Zhou Lun, signaling her win in the contest for the student, then went onstage to embrace Tian Lu.

The thousand-member audience burst into prolonged applause, lasting a full minute.

A few more contestants performed, but none of the four mentors turned.

"Hello, I’m contestant number seven, Dai Quan. I’m bringing you an original song."

"Wow—original music!" Tian Zhen exclaimed.

All four mentors were filled with anticipation.

Soft music began, and Dai Quan started to sing: "The moon splashes the Milky Way, the road stretches endlessly."

"Wow—" Even Jiang Yun was drawn in by the beautiful melody.

"The wind and smoke have faded,
A solitary figure at dusk,
…
Who says I’m extraordinary,
Who leaves me torn between love and hate."
…
"Call the Buddha’s name—"

"Click!" Jiang Yun slammed his button, spinning around first.

"Click! Click! Click!" Zhou Lun, Wang Feng, and Tian Zhen all followed in quick succession.

Online viewers flooded the chat.

"Jiang Yun finally turned around—I thought he’d never do it!"

"Dai Quan sings so well, and it’s an original!"

Onstage, the four mentors watched Dai Quan dance energetically, joking, "He’s got that rebellious vibe."

Dai Quan, moving with the rhythm, sang with defiant swagger: "What use is this iron staff to me?"
…

The song ended, and Dai Quan stood properly onstage, the rebelliousness gone.

The host returned: "Let’s congratulate Dai Quan for winning the favor of all four mentors!"

"Dai Quan, you may now choose your team!"

Dai Quan gripped the microphone. "I choose—"

"Dai Quan, join my team! I have my own studio, and you can sign with me," Tian Zhen offered first.

"Dai Quan, I promise you five concerts!" Wang Feng pitched in.

"I’ll promise ten!" Zhou Lun boasted, acting like a big spender.

"Hey!" Wang Feng and Tian Zhen protested, "Zhou Lun, you’re cheating!"

Laughter rippled through the audience.

"Yang Yang, hurry and announce the result!" Tian Zhen urged the host.

Host Yang Yang smiled, "Mentor Jiang Yun hasn’t made an offer yet! The contestant hasn’t chosen a team!"

Tian Zhen turned to Jiang Yun, "Jiang Yun, what’s your offer? You don’t have any concerts!"

Jiang Yun smiled, "Join my team, and I’ll compose songs tailor-made for you."

"Hey—"

Zhou Lun, Tian Zhen, and Wang Feng all groaned.

Zhou Lun laughed, "Jiang Yun, you can’t do that—how are we supposed to compete?"

Jiang Yun retorted, "Brother Zhou, you did the same just now!"

"Well, look at that—evil meets its match. Zhou Lun just flaunted his concert resources, offering sky-high promises, and now he’s getting a taste of his own medicine," Wang Feng teased.

"Now, let’s give the choice to Dai Quan," Yang Yang said, turning to the contestant. "Dai Quan, your choice is—"

"I choose Mentor Jiang Yun!"

"Damn! I knew it!" Zhou Lun nearly kicked the table in frustration.

Applause thundered from the audience.

"Congratulations to Mentor Jiang Yun for gaining a new team member!"

The crowd erupted again.

The online chat exploded.

"Damn! Zhou the King’s urge to kick the table is hilarious!"

"Why is your focus different from everyone else’s? Shouldn’t we be paying attention to Jiang Yun?"

"What’s so special about Jiang Yun?"

"It’s his first time turning around!"

"Jiang Yun forever!"

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"Next, please welcome our contestant number eight, Bu Du!" Yang Yang announced.

Cheers filled the studio.

"Bu Du, seems you have fans here," Yang Yang teased.

Bu Du smiled. As an online singer, having a small group of fans was only natural.

"I’ll be performing my original song, ‘Take Every Joy.’"

"Wow—another original!" Tian Zhen exclaimed.

"Let’s hand the stage to Bu Du for his song ‘Take Every Joy!’" Yang Yang said, stepping aside.

Bu Du held the mic, his expression gentle. "I hope everyone finds joy with the people they love for the rest of their lives—live life to the fullest!"

A hush fell over the studio and the online broadcast—everyone seemed to be waiting quietly for something.

The gentle melody began, soft as if two people were sharing a story together.

"Wow, it’s folk music," someone murmured.

"South of the city, without you. Whispered winds tell tales of sorrow. Flowers have fallen, flowers will bloom," Bu Du’s singing resembled a storyteller’s gentle narration.

"Let me listen alone and let go of the past."

As the chorus arrived, Bu Du’s clear voice seemed to confide softly: "When life is sweet, seize every joy—a love song, yet bittersweet. Why, after all, must we part with grace?"

"Click!" Jiang Yun slapped the button and turned around first.

"Click! Click! Click!" Zhou Lun, Tian Zhen, and Wang Feng followed one after another.

Bu Du’s gentle voice continued: "When life is sweet, seize every joy, love turns sour, and no wild geese cross the north and south anymore.
When life is sweet, seize every joy,
Tired of watching southern rains,
In dreams, no one returns.
When life is sweet, seize every joy,
But it’s too late,
The lingering warmth lacks you in the cold…"
…

As the song ended, Bu Du’s face was lit by a sunny smile.

Yang Yang walked up on stage.

"Sigh—" Yang Yang sighed, a complicated feeling in his heart. "Bu Du, please choose your team!"

"I choose—"

"Bu Du, join my team! I have my own studio, and you can sign with me," Tian Zhen said.

Wang Feng added, "Folk and rock are kindred spirits—join my team, our styles are similar, and I can take you to concerts."

"Jiang Yun, it’s your turn to make an offer!" Zhou Lun said.

"Yes, Jiang Yun must go first, or we don’t stand a chance!" Tian Zhen chimed in.

Jiang Yun paused, then shook his head, amused. "Alright, I’ll state my offer."

"Bu Du, as an online singer, you lack resources. If you join my team, I’ll compose songs just for you. You can also sign with my company. Of course, even if you decline, my doors will always be open to you," Jiang Yun said with a smile.

"What?" Tian Zhen exclaimed in surprise. "Jiang Yun, you started your own company?"

"Yes, I did!"

"So, Bu Du, what do you think?" Yang Yang asked.

Bu Du slowly shook his head, not dragging it out. "Thank you, mentors, for your offers, but my choice is Mentor Zhou Lun!"

Jiang Yun was momentarily stunned—had he just been rejected?

He gave a wry smile and shook his head.

"Damn!" Wang Feng kicked the table. "Zhou Lun, you sly dog—you didn’t lift a finger!"

Zhou Lun was still processing—wait, he picked me?

"Would Mentor Zhou Lun please come on stage to embrace our contestant?" Yang Yang called. "Mentor Zhou? Mentor Zhou?"

"Ah?" Zhou Lun snapped out of it, scratching his head.

He wandered onto the stage in a daze and hugged Bu Du.

"Let’s congratulate Mentor Zhou Lun on gaining a new team member!"

Applause resounded through the hall.

Online viewers filled the chat:

"Did you see? Jiang Yun actually froze when he got rejected!"

"I saw, I saw—the result totally surprised him!"

"That’s right, and who could resist Jiang Yun’s offer? Custom songs! Bu Du actually managed to resist! Completely unexpected for Jiang Yun!"

"Mentor Wang Feng was so mad he kicked the table!"

"I could watch this scene for a lifetime!"

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Two hours passed, and the first episode of "The Voice of Huaxia" Season One’s live broadcast concluded.

Jiang Yun gained one team member, Zhou Lun one, Wang Feng none, and Tian Zhen two.

After filming ended, the four agreed to go out for barbecue together.