Chapter 167: Not Taking the Stairs
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The music critic seated among the judges was clearly more professional and meticulous than the others.
His assessment was also fair and well-reasoned, prompting the other critics to nod repeatedly in agreement.
Just as they were engrossed in their discussion and commentary, the stage, where the performance had already ended, was once again taken over by Young Master Liu.
In a passionate and excited voice, Young Master Liu said, “Everyone, what do you think? Was contestant Su Chen’s song good?”
The moment he asked the question, the venue erupted like a fishing ground where bait had just been scattered. Countless voices burst forth like great fish leaping from a net, dense and ferocious in their enthusiasm.
“It was wonderful!”
“Absolutely amazing!”
“Ahhh! Su Chen, you are my god!”
“This is the best traditional-style song I have ever heard!”
...
Seeing the overwhelming scene before him, Young Master Liu smiled and pressed both hands downward, signaling for everyone to calm down.
“It looks like everyone really loves contestant Su Chen’s song,” he said. “But while you’re enjoying it, don’t forget to vote for him!”
“The voting channel will close in three seconds. All viewers who wish to vote for this song, please cast your precious vote for contestant Su Chen!”
“Three... two... one! The voting channel is now closed! And now, let’s hear what the four mentors think of contestant Su Chen’s song!”
As soon as Young Master Liu finished speaking, the camera naturally turned toward the mentors’ panel. Leading the way was, of course, Mentor Zhou Zhiqian.
When he saw the camera swing toward him once again, Zhou Zhiqian cried out in alarm, “Hey! No, no, no! Why do you always go from left to right? Can’t you change directions once in a while?”
Yet no matter how much Zhou Zhiqian protested, the director kept the camera focused on him.
The director even deliberately made fun of him by giving him a close-up, placing his terrified and disgusted expression squarely before the lens. The audience at the venue and viewers in the livestream burst into laughter.
“Hahaha! Damn, Zhou Zhiqian is so unlucky. Why does the commentary always start with him? He can’t even copy someone else’s answers if he wants to!”
“I bet he’s used to it by now. I have reason to suspect that he prepares a draft before going onstage. Otherwise, how could he possibly come up with anything to say under such pressure?”
“That’s not quite right. When commenting on the others, there’s plenty he can say. But when it comes to Su Chen, all he can do is praise him. Zhou Zhiqian must have used up every compliment in his vocabulary by now. Hahaha!”
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“Damn! Now that you mention it, that really is true! Hahaha!”
...
Zhou Zhiqian had no idea that his predicament had provided the show with so much comic material.
With the camera fixed on him, he had nowhere to hide and could only resign himself to reality.
Zhou Zhiqian said, “Sigh... Fine. If I don’t go to hell, who will?”
“I just heard someone in the audience say that I prepare a draft before going onstage. I can responsibly tell everyone that this is not a rumor.”
“For contestant Su Chen’s song, I really did prepare a draft full of compliments. But now I suddenly realize that the draft is useless.”
Everyone raised their eyebrows at his words, their curiosity instantly piqued.
Zhou Zhiqian continued, “I originally thought that the compliments I had prepared were already as eloquent and extravagant as language could possibly be.”
“But after listening to his song just now and trying to comment on it, I realized that the words I prepared are so inadequate that they cannot even properly praise the lyrics.”
“For example, the first line of the verse: ‘On the plain white clay, cobalt-blue strokes take shape, darkening and fading; peonies adorn the vase, just as they adorned you in your first makeup.’”
“Is that even a lyric? If it were placed in ancient times and allowed to mature through the passage of time, it would have become a timeless poem at the very least! What am I supposed to say about it?!”
“By comparison, even my compliments sound embarrassing to me!” Zhou Zhiqian said helplessly.
Overcome by emotion, Zhou Zhiqian even swore on the program.
In truth, one could hardly blame him. Even in the golden age of entertainment from his previous life, the lyrics of Blue and White Porcelain would have ranked among the very finest. They had even been included in textbooks.
Lyrics of that caliber would be astonishing wherever they appeared.
After saying all this, Zhou Zhiqian could only offer a helpless, bitter smile. Turning to Su Chen, he said, “Su Chen, why don’t you come sit in my place? Sitting here among the mentors feels like I’m perched on a bed of needles!”
His words once again sent waves of laughter through the crowd, while Su Chen smiled and bowed to him.
Although Zhou Zhiqian had not offered much substantive commentary, few people could have lowered themselves so completely in order to elevate Su Chen.
This showed clearly how much Zhou Zhiqian valued and cherished talent, and how willing he was to serve as a stepping stone for Su Chen.
For that reason, the bow was one Zhou Zhiqian truly deserved.
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After Zhou Zhiqian finished his commentary, it was time for the next mentor to speak. Before that happened, however, he quickly asked one final question.
“Su Chen, does this song have lyrics?” Zhou Zhiqian asked.
Su Chen nodded and lifted the microphone.
“The song is called Blue and White Porcelain.”
Zhou Zhiqian was momentarily stunned by the answer, then nodded.
After Zhou Zhiqian, it was Han Hong’s turn to comment.
Before discussing Su Chen’s song, she, like Zhou Zhiqian, asked him a question of her own.
“Su Chen, I heard you say that this song is called Blue and White Porcelain. But in the original lyric, the phrase ‘On the plain white clay, cobalt-blue strokes take shape, darkening and fading’ refers to blue decoration, which is unique to Ru ware.”
“Yet it is obvious that Ru ware and blue-and-white porcelain are not the same kind of ceramic. So I would like to ask why you chose this title.”
Han Hong frowned, appearing somewhat puzzled. Su Chen, however, smiled faintly.
This was not really a question of common knowledge, but Han Hong had chosen to raise it on the program for a reason. She was not trying to make things difficult for him.
She wanted him to explain his choice of title as soon as possible, or at least provide an explanation. Otherwise, once the program gained traction, there would inevitably be people who would attack the song over this point.
Han Hong did not want to see such an outstanding song criticized.
So Su Chen raised the microphone and said, “Well... there are actually two reasons.”
Han Hong lifted an eyebrow. “What are those two reasons? Could you explain them?”
Su Chen nodded. “The first is that, structurally speaking, the name Ru ware is not the best choice for a song title.”
“To put it more bluntly, the words ‘Ru ware’ simply don’t sound very pleasant.”
At his words, the corner of Han Hong’s mouth twitched.
I’m trying to give you an easy way out, and you have absolutely no intention of taking it, do you?
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