Chapter Eighty-Two: The Competition Scene Is Intensely Fierce

"What advantage?" Tian Zhen asked.

Zhou Lun's words had piqued everyone's curiosity. Jiang Yun was also intrigued and asked, "What advantage is it, exactly?"

"Ahem!"

Zhou Lun gave a couple of affected coughs, not intending to keep them in suspense. "My advantage is that Jiang Yun is a close friend of mine, and I can ask him to write songs for you!"

A chorus of playful jeers erupted from the crowd, echoed by the thousand members of the live audience.

Tian Zhen retorted, "Zhou Lun, that's shameless! Are you sure you're not here just for laughs?"

Zhou Lun, utterly unfazed, carried himself with the air of someone who did exactly as he pleased, showing no hint of embarrassment.

On stage, the host, Yang Yang, announced, "Let's invite Mentor Jiang Yun to present his offer!"

Jiang Yun, engaging his clear-thinking skills, considered that Xu Wei was a talented individual, unlikely to be easily swayed by material offers. Whatever terms he presented, in the end, it would come down to the choice Xu Wei made in his heart.

"Xu Wei, I believe we're not far apart in age. You're talented, and I suspect you don't need my help writing songs.

"So, if you join my team, we can become friends and discuss music together. Of course, even if you don't join my team, I'd still be happy to be your friend!"

Jiang Yun set down the microphone. "That's my offer."

"Xu Wei, please make your choice," Yang Yang prompted.

"My choice is..."

"Mentor Jiang Yun's team!"

A wave of astonishment rippled through the audience, Tian Zhen, Zhou Lun, and Wang Feng were visibly taken aback, frozen in surprise for a full minute.

"Wait, why?" Tian Zhen cried out in disbelief.

Jiang Yun himself was momentarily stunned, caught off guard by the honor.

Yang Yang, ever the professional host, quickly took charge. His skill at managing the stage was evident. "Mentor Jiang Yun, please come up and embrace Xu Wei!"

Jiang Yun felt as if a seed he had planted by accident had grown into a willow tree, flourishing without intention.

He walked onto the stage and hugged Xu Wei. "Welcome to my team."

Jiang Yun then returned to the mentors' seats.

"Let's congratulate Mentor Jiang Yun for gaining another contestant! He now has four team members!"

Viewers on the streaming platform flooded the screen with comments.

"I never imagined Xu Wei would end up on Jiang Yun's team!"

"I can't wait to see what kind of sparks will fly between Xu Wei and Jiang Yun!"

"I've been following Xu Wei for a long time—I'm a die-hard Xu Wei fan!"

"Xu Wei has always kept a low profile. I'm eager to see what will happen between him and Jiang Yun!"

At the live taping of "The Voice," the mentors' chairs slowly rotated back, turning their backs once again to the stage.

Backstage, Xiao He was nervously picking at her fingers as she watched the broadcast on the LCD screen.

At the same time, another contestant waited anxiously. Zhang Yang, a bar waiter, had come to "The Voice" for one reason: to earn a chair turn from Jiang Yun.

Jiang Yun was known for his strict standards—what would it take to make him turn?

A staff member approached Zhang Yang. "Zhang Yang, it's your turn!"

"Oh, all right!" Zhang Yang had made up his mind: he would perform his treasured original song.

He had written this song himself, singing it only in private, never before an audience.

Taking the stage, Zhang Yang looked at the four shadowed figures of the mentors, their backs to him, and let out a slow breath.

He signaled to the crew to cue the music.

At the mentors' table, Jiang Yun and the others conferred in hushed voices.

"Jiang Yun, do you think it's a man or a woman?" one asked.

"My guess is a man," Jiang Yun replied.

"Then I'll guess a woman," Zhou Lun said, ever contrary.

Wang Feng raised his hand. "I'm with Zhou Lun—my guess is a woman."

Tian Zhen considered for a moment. "I'll guess a man, like Jiang Yun."

"Good. Whoever loses pays for dinner tonight!"

"Deal!"

"It's a deal!"

In the studio, gentle guitar chords rang out.

"Ooh, it’s rock!"

"Hello, everyone. My name is Zhang Yang, and I’m performing an original song!"

"Wow, original music!"

The audience—both those present and those watching on TV and online—listened intently.

The guitar played: "Listen to the distant whistle of the train, sketching out the island from my dreams. The waves that reach the shore at dawn are the echoes from the world's end."

"Wow! That's beautiful," Tian Zhen exclaimed.

"It really is," Jiang Yun and the others agreed.

Zhang Yang was nervous as he sang the opening lines, but after the first verse, memories of his days in his tiny rented room flooded back. Less than twenty square meters, shirtless, clutching a guitar, singing alone.

"Look at those clouds where grass grows and orioles fly, tomorrow's red flowers blooming bright."

...

"Wow!"

"Beautiful—so beautiful!"

The cheers from the audience bolstered Zhang Yang’s confidence.

"Turning back, I still see my hometown’s moon."

With a click, Jiang Yun was the first to turn his chair.

Seeing Jiang Yun turn, Zhang Yang’s confidence swelled, even turning to excitement—he had accomplished his goal.

"The night gave me black eyes,

But I use them to seek the light."

One by one, Wang Feng and the others spun their chairs.

The audience erupted in applause, Zhang Yang’s chorus having completely won them over.

"It’s a guy!" Zhou Lun wiped an imaginary tear from his eye.

"Haha, Jiang Yun and I win!"

"So what? It's just one meal!"

On stage, Zhang Yang finished his song and bowed humbly. "Hello, mentors!"

"Zhang Yang, is it?" asked one.

"Yes."

Jiang Yun picked up the microphone. "Tell us about yourself."

"Hello, mentors, hello to the audience here and everyone watching at home. My name is Zhang Yang. I'm twenty-seven and work as a bar waiter. My hobby is music."

"Did you really write that rock song yourself?" Wang Feng asked.

Zhang Yang nodded. "Yes, it's my own song!"

Tian Zhen commented, "That was a high-quality piece."

"Thank you, mentor!"

Jiang Yun took the microphone. "Let me ask you, have you ever used this song in any competitions before?"

"No. I’ve only sung it by myself or for my closest friends."

"So, what made you decide to perform it in this competition?"

"Because of you, Mr. Jiang Yun. You are my guiding star."

Tian Zhen joked, "Another Jiang Yun fan!"

"Last question!" Zhou Lun picked up the mic.

"Please, Mentor Zhou Lun."

"What songs will you choose for the next rounds?"

"Well..." Zhang Yang hesitated. He didn't want to make a bad impression but couldn't lie. He decided to be honest. "I’ll cover songs by other artists."

Zhou Lun nodded, "You're an honest person. So..."

"So, please choose your team!"

"I choose..."

"I choose Mentor Jiang Yun’s team!"

The audience erupted in cheers and applause.

"Damn, I knew it!" Zhou Lun kicked the table.

Wang Feng shot Jiang Yun a middle finger.