Chapter 141: The Semifinals

Liao Meiqi found it strange. She kept having the feeling that the female singer on stage, named Song Bailing, was secretly glancing at her, yet every time she looked back, the other person would instantly avert her gaze.

Back and forth this went, making Liao Meiqi feel all the more puzzled.

Just at that moment, Huang Qingsong had finished dishing out his spiritual chicken soup and began steering the conversation naturally. "I debuted as a singer back in my day, but the environment wasn't as favorable for us as it is for you now. Securing commercial performances required self-recommendation. Most of my livelihood then came from singing at bars because it was already the twilight of the record industry, and digital music development was far from mature. That could be considered a dark age for singers. Surviving at the bottom tier was extremely difficult; no matter how well you sang, without funds for promotion, it was all for naught. It's nothing like today's internet era, where various works spread rapidly. As long as it's a good piece, it will naturally shine—take Ms. Song Bailing beside me, for instance, whose song *Fairytale Town* went completely viral online not long ago..."

The girls listened with bright-eyed longing, and one particularly sharp-witted girl boldly shouted out a suggestion, "Teacher Song, won't you sing a song for us to hear?"

"Yes, yes! We haven't heard *Fairytale Town* yet!"

Huang Qingsong looked toward Song Bailing.

Although this deviated from the original plan, smoothly leading into the task ahead of schedule was naturally an excellent development.

Song Bailing did not procrastinate. After having the sound technician cue the music, she began to sing *Fairytale Town*.

"There is always a whimsical seven-colored song winding through Fairytale Town, tainted with the mischievous aura of magic yet twisting through love..."

The lyrics sounded like a fairy tale, almost devoid of any sense of incongruity even if sung by a kindergarten child, yet Song Bailing's rendition left everyone present utterly astonished.

Even the director's team beside them—Fu Yuntao, whose expression had previously been indifferent—couldn't help but lift his head and listen intently.

"The rushing current stirs up splashes and gets swept into a curtain of time entering the water..."

Liao Meiqi widened her eyes.

Song Bailing's breath control was remarkably even, showing no trace of effort, effortlessly delivering the song as if it were a soft whisper.

What was even more admirable was Song Bailing's exceptionally skilled knack for modulating keys.

Such key modulation was generally impossible for ordinary people to imitate, practically becoming her personal trademark. Unless one was a professionally trained singer with long-term practice, the average person could not easily attempt it.

Therefore, as the song concluded, applause broke out across the entire venue.

The girls' eyes sparkled with stars; given the choice, who wouldn't want to become a solo-debuted singer?

"Speaking of which, this song should have some connection to Liao Meiqi."

Huang Qingsong's expression revealed approval. "*Fairytale Town* was created by Liao Yuan. Didn't Liao Yuan recently participate in the recording of our *Produce 101*?"

Ju Nianzhi and the others instantly cried out in surprise.

"Really?"

Even Liao Meiqi couldn't help parting her lips in disbelief.

Song Bailing smiled and said, "Yes, every song on my new album was personally crafted by Teacher Liao Yuan."

Everyone turned to look at Liao Meiqi.

Ju Nianzhi couldn't help whispering excitedly, "Meiqi, make sure our big brother makes an album for you later on, too! Teacher Song's songs sound so wonderful!"

Though spoken very softly, the words were picked up by the microphone, causing a wave of amused laughter around the venue.

Yet Xie Yuxun could not manage a single laugh.

Clearly, Song Bailing was one of Liao Yuan's people. At the critical juncture of the final showdown, Liao Yuan could still dispatch people to serve as guests. Such behavior, while falling short of actual rigging, was enough to prove that both parties were colluding and that the production team stood entirely on Liao Meiqi's side.

The more Xie Yuxun thought about it, the more suffocated she felt. Her pretty face turned icy, and Yu Xiaoxi and Dou Jiajia, standing right beside her, could distinctly feel the drop in temperature.

"Sister Yuxun."

Dou Jiajia grabbed Xie Yuxun's hand, signaling with her eyes for her to hold back her temper and steady her emotions.

Although Xie Yuxun's previous outburst had thrust the rigging scandal into the spotlight, the resulting consequences were entirely different from what they had imagined. Now, Fu Yuntao was using Liao Yuan's people even more brazenly, clearly demonstrating that the initial rigging storm had not inflicted any heavy losses on the production team.

Otherwise, the production team would have avoided it like the plague rather than allowing Liao Yuan's people to record the show right on the eve of the finals.

"This Liao Yuan..."

Recalling the sight of Liao Yuan on stage that day, Xie Yuxun bit her lower lip fiercely. "If it weren't for him, the first place would be mine right now."

After Song Bailing finished her song, she was greeted with widespread applause from the audience. Someone shouted loudly, "The theme song for our grand finale was also written by Senior Liao Yuan!"

"The grand finale theme song?"

Huang Qingsong asked with a smile, "May I have a listen?"

"No, no, we can't." That girl waved her hands repeatedly. "The director said this song can only be revealed on the day of the finals."

Huang Qingsong laughed heartily and tactfully shifted the topic, using the opportunity to promote his new movie.

Meanwhile, the semi-finals of the Emperor and Four Sovereigns competition had arrived.

The top ten contestants from the Huaxia main division were scattered all across the country, but upon receiving the notification, they gathered together toward the East Sea Old Gymnasium.

The entertainment circle and the piano circle were two completely different worlds. While *Produce 101* was proceeding with fiery momentum in the entertainment sphere and gaining immense public attention, the aura of the Emperor and Four Sovereigns Piano Competition was slightly more niche.

However, the quality of its audience was simply incomparable to ordinary fans.

Those capable of sitting in a concert hall to listen to a concerto generally came from middle-class backgrounds or higher. Their personal education, taste, character, worldview, and purchasing power were far superior to the fans of typical entertainment celebrities.

The venue for the semi-finals was located at the East Sea Old Gymnasium, now known as the East Sea Grand Stage, situated in the southwestern district of East Sea. The main hall was circular, standing 33 meters high and divided into upper and lower tiers. The stage floor was olive-shaped, with a seating capacity of 18,000.

The rules for the semi-finals remained the same as before, adopting a one-on-one PK system.

The only difference was that the semi-finals would feature a best-of-five format alongside a judging panel. In addition to the fixed 2,000 public judges, six top-tier piano masters from the industry were invited to provide critiques, and their evaluations would directly impact the contestants' vote counts.

Fu Xiaoci personally drove her flashy red Maserati right up to the entrance of the Grand Stage. Just like before, the area was packed with chatting audience members, media personnel scurrying around for interviews, and, naturally, outdoor livestreamers holding selfie sticks broadcasting live to the internet.

When Liao Yuan stepped out of the vehicle wearing his mask, his bodyguards Xing Tao and Wang Yue flanked him on the left and right, rapidly escorting him straight into the venue.

"Uncle A is here!"

Someone shouted, causing the surrounding crowd to instantly churn into a commotion. Streamers and reporters turned in pleasant surprise, hoisting their selfie sticks and microphones as they swarmed toward the source of the voice.