Chapter 111: Bro, I’m Begging You for a Favor—Sing Us a Song!

At that moment, Bai Ling became the true center of attention.

Not because her turn on stage had come, but because her singing had seized everyone’s gaze.

Whether they already knew Bai Ling and had some understanding of her, or had only just begun to take an interest in her now, all of them were caught in an instant.

Their hearts were pried open by that terrifyingly powerful high note.

Goosebumps lingered long after, and fists clenched in excitement; many even sprang to their feet.

They wanted to shout, to cheer Bai Ling on.

Yet none of them could bear to disturb that heaven-defying high note.

“Hey ya, hey ya.”

“Buffeted by fate, yet serenely devoted.”

“Waving farewell to youth, at station after station beyond counting!”

“Content with ordinariness, yet unwilling to bow to ordinary defeat.”

“You are Adiao...”

The voice, once soaring and surging, now settled back into calm restraint, just as the lyrics described.

“Adiao.”

“Love is a bitter seed of sorrow.”

“You are a tree.”

“You will never wither...”

The final notes dropped to a pitch utterly unlike those before them, yet the lingering resonance remained in everyone’s heart, impossible to shake away.

Listening to Bai Ling sing always brought a different feeling.

In “The Sea Bottom,” there was deathly stillness and helplessness, despair and injury.

“Invisible Wings” was resilient and full of hope.

And now “Adiao” revealed, with crystal clarity, the extraordinary presence of the woman on that stage.

Only after the song had fully faded did countless people begin to rise and cheer.

“So good!”

“Bai Ling! Bai Ling!”

“Too beautiful!”

“Is this a new song? Is she about to break another record?”

“Can she do it again?”

“I want to hear that high note one more time. It gave me this tingling, electrifying rush. Absolutely insane!”

“Yeah, do it again!”

At least a tenth of the audience stood up shouting, while most of the rest were leaning in to discuss it among themselves.

The scene was far more exaggerated, far more overwhelming, than when the other singers had performed.

Yet none of the singers present felt there was anything wrong with it.

From Bai Ling’s performance just now, these so-called veteran singers, these so-called seniors, had been completely and utterly crushed.

No wonder the others reacted that way; they had lost with complete conviction.

Backstage, in the control room, the chief director watched the response from below the stage with a brilliant smile spreading across his face.

Just as the people beside him thought the director was about to begin praising Bai Ling, he laughed heartily and said, “I really am something, aren’t I? I knew it—having Bai Ling prepare a new song in advance was an absolute trump card!”

“Just as I expected. My judgment is amazing, hahaha!”

The faces around him changed at once.

“Yes, yes, director, you’re absolutely right...”

On stage, Bai Ling let the tension in her body ease away.

The song had been extremely difficult. Even with her singing skill, delivering it perfectly had not been easy.

Now she let out a long breath, finally relaxed.

Looking at the audience below, Bai Ling bowed deeply. “Thank you. Thank you all for coming!”

After that came the judges’ comments and the voting results.

The first singer was already eager to begin.

With a broad smile, Lin Zhen said, “I heard before that Bai Ling, you have the makings of a diva.”

“Back then I was thinking, which little bastard was spouting nonsense? Becoming a diva isn’t that easy.”

“But now, I have to say, I’m very optimistic about you...”

“Bai Ling, you must keep working hard!”

What was there to evaluate about technique?

What was there to evaluate about the song itself?

Was it necessary?

Was it meaningful?

Those were the kinds of things people only brought up when a song was merely so-so.

If it truly sounded good or bad, did people not have ears?

Could they not tell?

Did they need him to analyze vocal technique?

Even so, for Lin Zhen to give such a high evaluation was already beyond anyone’s expectations.

The others found themselves in a difficult position.

After all, if they said anything unfavorable, they might be accused of jealousy.

Heaven and earth bear witness—they truly had no such thought.

Since Lin Zhen had already started singing her praises, how could they fall behind?

And so, for the next stretch of time, it was essentially everyone’s turn to heap on the praise.

Not only that, they had to praise her in inventive ways.

For example...

“When Bai Ling came on stage, I knew she was no ordinary girl. Then she opened her mouth, and I knew she was even less ordinary. Only after that did I realize how superficial I’d been. From now on, I think I’m going to have to achieve something in acting and become a Best Actor, or I won’t even be able to stand beside a young lady like her and compare notes.”

“Her acting isn’t bad either. Even if Old Zhou here becomes a Best Actor, it probably won’t help much. Better to be like me and accept her excellence with an open heart. Bai Ling, my son is the same age as you. Hey, don’t snatch my mic yet, I’m not finished!”

“What are you talking about? My son turns eighteen next year. Bai Ling, do you mind them being a little younger?”

“You two old lechers, we’re talking about songs here. Why are you both so unprofessional? Bai Ling, my daughter is five years old. Could you give her some guidance?”

“Damn, you two are ruthless!”

Three or four singers began bickering with one another. Though much of it was playful banter, it still made their attitude perfectly clear.

This song was excellent.

Many people would advise young singers not to treat the success of one song as the measure of their future achievements.

But their attitude clearly went against that principle.

After all, whether it was “The Sea Bottom,” “Invisible Wings,” or this present “Adiao,” Bai Ling’s results were more dazzling than those of the seasoned old hands on stage.

Using this song to set the floor for Bai Ling’s future achievements hardly seemed unreasonable.

Leng Yan coughed lightly. “Everyone, we’re the judges. Could we at least be a little more professional?”

“Bai Ling, what I’m about to say may not be pleasant to hear.”

At that, everyone froze.

Could it be that Leng Yan was about to deliver a sharp critique?

It was possible. After all, he and Bai Ling were on good terms, and if he were to comment from the standpoint of an elder, that would fit the rules of propriety.

But did this song, did this performance, really need criticism?

Probably not.

So many people grew puzzled, and even more curious.

Bai Ling became curious as well. “Teacher Leng, go ahead.”

Offstage, they called him Young Master Leng; onstage, of course, they had to address him as teacher.

Leng Yan cleared his throat, then said, “Though this isn’t really the right occasion, brother wants to ask you a favor. Bring out a new song, will you?”

“So many people are watching. You can’t refuse, all right?”

“Give me some face!”

The crowd rolled their eyes all at once.

They had thought the old boy was going to say something profound.

How had Young Master Leng started talking nonsense too?

And he even stressed the word “brother” twice. Wasn’t that just because someone had teased him about sounding like an old father before?

Why be so concerned about age?