Chapter 109: A New Song? After All That Fuss, Am I the Clown?

A singer may have formidable vocal skill, or a remarkably high level of songwriting. It is also possible to possess both. In the entertainment world, the latter is not all that rare. But those who can truly have both, and keep them for the long haul, are few and far between. On top of that, if one also has an outstanding character, such people become vanishingly rare.

At this moment, Lin Tai and several other singers had suffered a Waterloo, which, in truth, was entirely understandable. After all, these were not the seasoned performers of the television world, the kind who could listen to the same old songs they had heard countless times before and still be moved to tears as though hearing them for the first time.

To ease the program team’s burden of handing out compliments, and to add a little variety and showmanship to what was, on the surface, a fairly ordinary variety program, the production team had boldly invited some genuine music listeners to offer their opinions.

And on the face of it, the effect was rather good. At the very least, the production team was delighted. The only ones getting hurt were the singers, and that much had been settled.

As for what would happen after the show aired, that was impossible to say. It might explode in popularity, or it might be blasted to pieces—but at the very least, there would be no shortage of discussion.

Thinking of all this, Bai Ling could not help but sigh in admiration. These days, the teams behind variety shows really did know how to compete; they always managed to cook up some surprise. Couldn’t they just let everyone have a pleasant time?

Everyone was only there to make money anyway. Did it really have to be so cutthroat?

Still, though she grumbled, Bai Ling was not especially panicked.

She was not in the group that would be taking the hits.

Beside her, Leng Yan seemed to have seen through her state of mind.

It had to be said, though the old fellow did not usually say much, his eyes were still sharp as a hawk’s.

“Don’t go getting smug on the sly. Even if you’re singing a new song, you could still get criticized,” he said, leaning slightly away from the microphone to “threaten” Bai Ling in a low voice. “These people look like they’re extremely picky about music.”

Bai Ling tilted her head back helplessly. “Young Master Leng, giving me this much pressure isn’t very nice, is it? Trying to test me?”

Leng Yan shook his head. “I just don’t want you to let your guard down.”

“After all, you’re a singer. You should understand where your real strengths lie.”

“So, when exactly are you planning to release a new song? Or work with me?”

Bai Ling rolled her eyes so hard it was practically audible.

He was showing his true colors this quickly?

At the very least, shouldn’t he have gone on for a few more lines first?

Seeing that Bai Ling was no longer paying attention to him, Leng Yan could only sigh helplessly.

He would have to keep nagging her in private later.

Today, if Bai Ling did not agree to a collaboration, Leng Yan had no intention of letting it go easily.

Of course, he was not here simply to freeload. He had his own merits. He wanted to book a song with her, but he had come in sincerity. After all, he had been in the music scene for so many years without being outshone by the newcomers.

On one hand, that was because the newcomers were mostly not very capable, while Leng Yan himself was formidable indeed. On the other hand, it was because his resources were genuinely excellent.

However, none of that could be brought out into the open at the moment. At the very least, the other singers were all watching, and it would not be appropriate to mention it here. He would just have to find Bai Ling later and talk in private.

“Next, let us welcome Bai Ling to the stage!”

By this point, the host had already called Bai Ling’s name.

In truth, the other singers had already finished their performances as well. Even Leng Yan had gone on stage earlier.

It was just that, although Leng Yan had not been skewered by the audience’s sharp comments, his scores were also fairly average. As for Bai Ling, things were unlikely to be any better.

And there was one more very important point.

Since Bai Ling was the last performer, she was clearly the finale.

Bai Ling had not expected to be the closing act. Now she was starting to feel a little nervous.

After all, although the senior singers before her had not received great votes, they had at least performed rather well.

If Bai Ling could not surpass them, and was also placed at the very end, she was likely to be savagely mocked.

But no matter what, she would have to bite the bullet and go on.

She stepped down from the singers’ seats and walked onto the stage, where sparse applause sounded in the hall.

It was obvious that quite a few audience members were not buying Bai Ling’s reputation.

Onstage, the host continued, “I imagine everyone here is already very familiar with Bai Ling.”

“Although she has not been officially famous for very long, she already has several rather outstanding works to her name, and this time she will be bringing a new song to our stage!”

“Audience friends here tonight, could we have a little applause?”

In an instant, many people’s eyes lit up.

Not only Leng Yan, but also the audience.

As Bai Ling had guessed, most of these viewers were truly devoted music listeners.

Not necessarily fanatical, but at the very least, they were quite interested in music; otherwise, they would not have bothered to spend their precious time attending a show that, on the surface, seemed to offer little novelty.

It had to be said that the performances from the singers earlier had left many of them disappointed.

If not for the fact that most of those singers were seasoned veterans with considerable strength, they would probably have already stood up and left.

They had all heard Bai Ling’s name before.

She had previously released two songs, and both had been huge hits.

But no matter how popular a song was, after being covered over and over again, it would lose its freshness and wonder.

As for whether Bai Ling would sing a new song, nobody had especially high expectations.

After all, even those old and experienced seniors could not produce a new song. Why should they demand that Bai Ling, who had only recently risen to fame and was busy filming lately, bring out a new work?

That would be making things difficult for her.

No wonder most people had not been very enthusiastic when Bai Ling came on stage.

After all, they had already formed an assumption in their hearts.

But to their utter surprise, Bai Ling had really come with a new song.

This time, many straightened in their seats and began to look forward to it.

It was clear that if Bai Ling’s work could satisfy them, they would likely offer truly heartfelt praise.

They might even vote without the slightest stinginess.

Of course, if Bai Ling’s performance failed to win them over, then their resistance toward her would probably be even more severe than it had been toward the other singers.

Still, as audience members, such reactions were only natural.

Leng Yan, however, was a different matter.

He suddenly felt as though he were the unnecessary one here.

“I cajoled her for ages and got her to do a new song, and in the end, am I the clown?”

The singers beside him could not help laughing.

“To think you, Young Master Leng, would end up like this. What a rare sight.”

“Young Master Leng, does it feel like your daughter has grown up and no longer listens to her old father, and even has little secrets of her own? I understand. My daughter is the same.”

Faced with the teasing, Leng Yan remained expressionless, though his tone was rather irked. “Get lost. What old father?”

“I’m still young!”

Knowing that Leng Yan could not stand people calling him old, everyone waved it off and said that as long as Young Master Leng was happy, that was what mattered.