Chapter One Hundred and Eight: The Cold Young Master’s Earnest Counsel

She had been assigned one of the most difficult roles imaginable, a part so hard that, in everyone’s eyes, she was destined to become a laughingstock.

And on top of that, she had not even worked herself to the bone, but was still going off to appear on other variety shows.

Bai Ling could already imagine exactly how those idle netizens would sneer.

Still, she did not care all that much. At the very least, the system had given her a reward.

At worst, she would go back and work hard, staying up late to rehearse her dancing.

She might as well think of it as exercise.

As for the singer-type program, Bai Ling had far less to prepare.

That very night, after she got off the plane, she was met and taken straight to the television station. After a round of makeup and changing into a formal gown, she was seated on the judges’ panel.

Of course, the judges’ panel was also the singers’ panel.

For a show of this kind, there was a certain flavor of mutual sabotage about it.

Although recording had not yet begun, Bai Ling had already seen the other guests.

“Young Master Leng, you’re here for the show too?”

“What a coincidence. We meet again.”

Seeing a familiar face, Bai Ling felt happy.

Although Leng Yan seemed difficult to get along with at first glance, after spending time with him, Bai Ling felt that he was actually rather straightforward and did not have many malicious intentions.

As for the others, Bai Ling only knew their names; she could not really claim to know them.

Leng Yan glanced at Bai Ling. “I came here for you!”

Bai Ling froze. “Huh?”

“What do you mean?”

Leng Yan looked at Bai Ling, his face still devoid of expression. “When you have time, I’m coming to you for a song.”

As soon as he said that, many people nearby cast curious looks over.

After all, they still vividly remembered how Bai Ling had written that song “Youth Speaks of Great China” for Leng Yan not long ago.

Leng Yan was already something of an evergreen in the music world, no longer young, but still formidable in strength.

He had a stable fanbase that had supported him for years.

And after Bai Ling wrote him a song, his status in the industry had actually surged upward.

One had to know that Leng Yan had been stuck at that level for many years without budging.

Why?

Because he had no work that truly broke out beyond the circle.

Sometimes, both background and strength were necessary in order to climb higher and go farther.

And now Leng Yan was openly asking Bai Ling for a song in front of everyone. That was an enormous recognition of her.

Did this little girl really possess such charm? Even Young Master Leng had yielded?

The other singers, having all spent years struggling in the industry, did not react outwardly.

Bai Ling looked at Leng Yan helplessly. “Young Master Leng, don’t tease me.”

“You’re the one who should be writing songs for me, no? Last time, wasn’t it you who gave me a chance to shine?”

Bai Ling remained very modest.

Leng Yan shook his head. “Don’t be polite with me. Tell me honestly, do you have time to write songs lately?”

He was still as direct as ever.

Bai Ling shook her head. “Probably not. I’ve got another variety show to do.”

Leng Yan shook his head again. “Being an actor gets you nowhere.”

Bai Ling laughed. “Young Master Leng, aren’t you afraid of getting dragged for saying that on air?”

Leng Yan gave a soft chuckle. “When I first debuted, I spent plenty of time dragging those people myself.”

Bai Ling simply spread her hands.

Fine. You’re an old-timer, a seasoned veteran. Amazing.

I, Bai Ling, am still only a junior. I should be careful not to speak recklessly and bring trouble on myself.

“Truthfully, you’re better suited to being a singer,” Leng Yan said sincerely, looking at Bai Ling.

Bai Ling rubbed her forehead in exasperation. “Am I really not suited to acting?”

“Young Master Leng, have you watched any of my work?”

Leng Yan nodded. “I went to support you. You acted well. It was very good.”

Bai Ling was just about to say thank you when Leng Yan added, “So are you really not considering putting your whole heart into the music industry?”

Bai Ling immediately made a stop gesture.

“Enough, Young Master Leng!”

“I don’t want to hear it. I don’t want to hear it!”

Leng Yan looked helpless. “What a waste...”

The others watched the exchange between Leng Yan and Bai Ling and felt as though they were seeing an old father trying to interfere with his daughter’s career.

Still, no one said anything.

The show soon began.

It was not the kind of program that mixed prerecorded segments with live streaming.

Compared with those more trendy shows, singer programs were usually quite traditional.

So there was not only the usual stage, but also a full audience seated below.

No one knew whether they were seasoned extras or ordinary people truly invited to attend.

Everything felt so conventional that after the host came onstage and read the opening script, Bai Ling was still a little lost in thought.

She only caught that the host introduced several people and said a few formalities.

Then the first singer took the stage.

He was a veteran singer with formidable skill, even somewhat stronger than Young Master Leng.

His vocal ability was terrifyingly good.

Bai Ling suddenly felt that being asked to comment on a heavyweight like this was almost too much.

Still, since it was part of the program, she could only analyze it from a professional standpoint.

To be fair, her insight had real substance. When Leng Yan and the others listened, they nodded frequently, clearly agreeing with her views.

The singer onstage himself was also very satisfied and acknowledged Bai Ling’s judgment.

After all, he was a senior, and everyone was giving him face, while his strength was indeed impressive.

So in the judges’ section, nearly everyone gave him unanimous praise.

However, this program was not simply about singer commentary.

The audience also had the right to comment and vote.

When it came time for voting, though, only sixty percent of the audience ended up casting ballots.

That result was clearly beyond anyone’s expectations.

And during the audience commentary segment, the person fortunate enough to be selected to speak said this:

“Teacher Lin Tai’s singing is as solid as ever, with very few flaws. But why is it that for so many years, Teacher Lin Tai has only kept singing those few hit songs?”

“Could it be that he’s run out of creative ideas? Or is he just recycling old material and refusing to improve?”

Those two sentences left the first performer, Teacher Lin Tai, utterly silent.

Though, admittedly, that was exactly what I was doing, do you really have to say it so bluntly?

As a result, Teacher Lin Tai onstage could only stammer awkwardly, looking thoroughly embarrassed.

Later, when the next few contestants came up, their state was obviously off.

After all, quite a large number of them, like Lin Tai, had chosen to perform old songs of their own by reworking them.

Perhaps there was nothing wrong with their success, but the audience simply was not buying it.

The later voting and interviews also clearly reflected this.

Those who sang their old songs again received very low vote counts.

Seeing this, Bai Ling was stunned.

What, you’re serious?

These aren’t seasoned actors. They’re real listeners!

In an instant, Bai Ling’s pressure grew as well.

But then she thought about it...

“No, wait. I’m not singing old songs either. What am I panicking for?”