Chapter 33: Xu Mingkun Performs the Daxia Golden Melody Award’s Legendary Song Once More
Yu Lan held the microphone, her expression tinged with resignation as she addressed the camera. “Hello, friends. I’m Yu Lan. It’s been a long time since we last met!”
“Originally, I’d planned on being a witness to tonight’s talent competition.”
“But alas, the audience here is just too enthusiastic—they insisted I host this talent show myself.”
“So, I simply couldn’t refuse such kindness!”
“First, allow me to introduce the esteemed judges who have joined us for this evening’s competition.”
“We have with us the renowned pianist Li Xiang, the celebrated guitarist Lin Feng, the acclaimed erhu virtuoso Zhou Jun, and the famous pipa performer Yang Xueqin!”
“In addition, there are sixteen instrument critics present tonight!”
“Together, they cover nearly all the instruments you might encounter in your everyday lives!”
The moment Yu Lan appeared on camera, countless netizens erupted with excitement.
No one had expected that a simple showdown—hardly a variety show—could invite Yu Lan herself.
It was at that moment they realized that the impact of this competition was about to break through the usual boundaries.
Those who had been worried that Su Bai might be unfairly targeted could finally rest easy.
They might not trust others, but they trusted Yu Lan.
With twenty years as a host on the national broadcaster, she embodied credibility itself!
And seeing so many judges invited—this lineup was even more impressive than many variety programs.
In truth, for an ordinary talent contest, it would have been impossible to invite these four maestros.
Not even the influence of capital could guarantee their presence.
They were unwilling to overexpose themselves to the public eye, wary that the glitz and profit of the entertainment world might erode the integrity they cherished.
That’s why true luminaries from professional circles rarely appeared on variety shows.
But tonight, all four judges were Yu Lan’s personal friends.
They were here at her request, as a favor to her and for her sake alone.
“As for the two main contestants in tonight’s talent contest, I’m sure you all know who they are.”
“But I will introduce them nonetheless.”
“The wildly popular idol Xu Mingkun, and the rising star in music composition, Su Bai!”
The moment Yu Lan referred to Su Bai as a music creator, a wave of Xu Mingkun’s fans grew indignant.
“What music creator? Has he even released anything?”
“Is there any official certification?”
“So just because you have one hit song, you’re a composer now?”
“Can’t you be more rigorous?”
But then, Su Bai’s fans responded in a way that immediately silenced the doubters.
“If you don’t know, don’t spout nonsense—just check Su Bai’s Douyin account! See how the official Douyin team defines him!”
“Are you more authoritative than Douyin’s official account?”
“You think your word carries more weight than theirs?”
The uproar in the livestream chat was immediate.
Soon, Xu Mingkun’s fans, along with countless curious bystanders, swarmed to Su Bai’s account!
When they pulled up Su Bai’s profile, they were stunned.
Clearly displayed after Su Bai’s name: Singer, New Generation Music Composer.
But what was even more shocking—Su Bai had only registered his Douyin account a few days ago.
Yet his followers had already reached five million!
His likes had soared past ten million!
And his content? There was only one video—a brief self-introduction.
The ratio of likes to followers was astonishingly high.
This was largely because Su Bai’s fandom had mostly been summoned by being tagged or drawn in by reposts before deciding to follow.
It meant that before being tagged, they were already his fans.
Thus, the ratio of followers to likes reached an incredible two to one.
Still, some began to raise doubts.
“@Douyin Official Assistant, how can Su Bai be certified as a singer and new-generation composer without having released any music on any platform?”
“Is being popular online with a few songs really enough for recognition?”
But at this point, no one bothered to reply to their skepticism.
The talent competition was still underway!
Yu Lan’s melodious voice continued, “Since everyone is here for the talent contest, and we have so many friends with us tonight, why don’t our two contestants each perform their signature song as an opening? Then we’ll officially begin the competition. What do you all think, here and in the livestream?”
She hadn’t even finished before the live audience exploded with excitement.
Cheers erupted from all sides.
“Yes! Yes! Yes!”
Then came the deafening chants.
“Xu Mingkun! Xu Mingkun! Xu Mingkun!”
Yu Lan, just about to speak, paused for a moment at the sudden outburst of screams.
But as someone used to the grand stage, her composure never faltered.
Smiling, she said, “Clearly, our friends here tonight are full of enthusiasm!”
“Since Xu Mingkun has such strong support, why don’t we let him go first?”
Hearing this, Xu Mingkun’s expression turned grim.
Inwardly, he cursed: Who the hell arranged these fans? Why are they yelling at a time like this?
He felt a surge of annoyance at Yu Lan’s suggestion to open with a song.
Wasn’t this supposed to be an instrument competition?
Why singing, too?
But with the national audience watching, and Yu Lan having already spoken, he couldn’t back down.
“Hello everyone, I’m Xu Mingkun. Today, I’ll be performing one of my favorite songs, ‘Let Me Wait.’ I hope you enjoy it!”
As soon as his words fell, another wave of screams burst from the audience!
Xu Mingkun was about to lose it—couldn’t they at least wait until he finished singing before screaming?
He hadn’t even started and they were already shouting. How fake could this be?
Before Xu Mingkun even began, the livestream chat exploded.
“For heaven’s sake, enough already! He used this same song at the Daxia Golden Melody Awards!”
“Here we go again!”
“Exactly! Last time I complained: this is the Daxia Golden Melody Awards, and everyone’s just using English songs to pad the lineup, even winning awards for it!”
“It’s truly shameless—one dares to sing, and one dares to give the prize!”
“Are there no good songs left in Daxia? Are we out of singers?”
“Why must we be subjected to English songs?”
“Are you showing off your English? Is singing in English supposed to be classy?”
And inevitably, Xu Mingkun’s fans would clash with the critics in a war of words!
Xu Mingkun, sporting a ponytail—yes, you read that right, a grown man with a ponytail—started his signature dance routine.
His feet crossed left and right, tapping the ground.
His waist swayed, trembling now and then.
At the first hint of movement, fans outside the venue went wild.
They shouted at the top of their lungs.
“Wait, Wait, Wait, Let me Wait!”
...
When the song ended, Xu Mingkun was drenched in sweat.
“Go Kunkun, you’re the best!”
“A visual feast—singing and dancing, you must be exhausted. Go get some water!”
“I wish I could wipe the sweat from your brow!”
“Don’t you dare! He’s my husband, I’ll do it myself!”
...
And now, let us welcome...