Chapter 45: "The Heart of a Dream Chaser"

Zheng Huayu finished speaking and then turned his gaze to Su Chen.

"Su Chen, I heard that before the competition began, you said you would only perform your own original songs this time, is that correct?"

Su Chen smiled and picked up the microphone. "Yes, that's right."

His answer stirred a small commotion in the audience below. Now that they had the confirmation, everyone looked at Su Chen with undisguised disdain.

So Meng Xiaotian was telling the truth—Su Chen was a scoundrel, and the rumors about his songs not being self-written must be true as well!

Upon hearing this, Zheng Huayu's smile only widened.

"Excellent! Then this duel should also be considered part of the program, don't you think, Su Chen?"

Zheng Huayu spoke, his eyes full of cold amusement.

This was an open trap.

He wanted to set a challenge on the spot, something unusual, making sure Su Chen had no chance to prepare in advance.

If Su Chen refused, he could twist the situation, proving Su Chen never wrote his own songs.

If Su Chen agreed, having no prepared song, he would be eliminated immediately.

Did they really think he could compose a song right there on stage in such a short time?

Ridiculous.

No matter what Su Chen chose, he was doomed.

On the mentors’ bench, the other three mentors understood Zheng Huayu’s intent and were about to intervene.

But just as they were about to speak, Su Chen answered.

"Of course."

His response dimmed the expressions of the three mentors. They hadn’t expected Su Chen to actually agree, leaving no room for maneuver. Truly the recklessness of youth!

To this, Zheng Huayu quickly responded with a cheerful grin, "Since that's settled, Su Chen, please choose which mentor’s team you wish to join, and select one of the eight contestants in that team to challenge."

In Zheng Huayu’s eyes, Su Chen’s agreement was a gamble—betting that he had guessed the topic ahead of time.

But how could that be?

Zheng Huayu could hardly wait to see Su Chen embarrass himself.

The three mentors looked on with complex expressions, but none withdrew their previous offer to accept Su Chen.

In their view, this was giving Su Chen another chance.

Su Chen didn’t hesitate. He bowed apologetically to Zhou Zhiqian and Han Hong.

"Thank you both for your kindness. I choose Mentor Yan Mi and challenge Wang Qi."

Zhou Zhiqian and Han Hong nodded.

They had more or less anticipated this outcome. Young people, driven by passion, would naturally choose someone they had a grudge with.

But now, it seemed it didn’t matter who Su Chen chose—there was no way he could win.

In the seats of the top thirty-two contestants, Wang Qi’s face flushed red!

He was excited—now, with Zheng Huayu backing him, he could finally defeat Su Chen fair and square, slap those clueless netizens in the face, and maybe even win back those fans who had left him!

All these thoughts made Wang Qi so excited his mind was spinning; he even forgot how he walked onto the stage!

Once Wang Qi was on stage, Zheng Huayu spoke, "Now that both contestants are ready, let me briefly announce the theme for this round!"

He paused, then said, "Let’s have a song about not fearing cold stares and ridicule—something positive and uplifting!"

A mocking smile twisted Zheng Huayu’s lips.

He had deliberately chosen this theme to discomfort Su Chen. He had researched Su Chen’s previous songs—they were almost all melancholic ballads. How could he possibly have a niche, positive song like this?

To ask Su Chen, who was facing cold stares and ridicule, to write a song about not fearing them—how amusing!

But it was different for Wang Qi. Such songs were rare, but Wang Qi could immediately think of several.

He only had to perform one to win.

At that moment, Su Chen spoke, "I need paper and a pen. Could you provide them?"

Zheng Huayu and the others nearly burst out laughing.

Was he really planning to write a song right here? Hilarious!

"Certainly! Staff, bring paper and a pen for Su Chen immediately. We mustn’t delay his creative process!" Zheng Huayu said, barely suppressing his laughter.

Wang Qi chimed in, "Su Chen might need some time to write his song. Why don’t I go first? I’m sure by the time I finish, he’ll be ready."

Su Chen took the paper and pen handed to him by the staff and, ignoring Wang Qi, began writing rapidly in a corner of the stage.

Wang Qi wasn’t bothered; he saw it as Su Chen’s desperate struggle before defeat.

Zheng Huayu said, "Very well, let Wang Qi perform first!"

Wang Qi agreed eagerly.

He chose a well-known, positive song. The lyrics matched the theme perfectly—it spoke of remaining calm in adversity and finding clear skies after weathering storms.

The song wasn’t difficult, and Wang Qi’s mind was entirely focused on Su Chen, so his performance was mediocre at best.

But as long as he finished, that was enough.

Zheng Huayu wore a cold smile.

"Unyielding in the face of ridicule, we forge ahead."

"Tomorrow will surely be better."

By the end, Wang Qi was so eager to finish that his last few notes were off pitch.

On the mentors’ bench, all three sighed inwardly, especially Yan Mi, whose face looked terribly sour.

Wang Qi’s performance was a slap in her face.

Yet, even so, Wang Qi would still advance...

"Su Chen, Wang Qi has finished his performance. Your original piece should be ready, correct?" Zheng Huayu feigned concern. "If you need a few more minutes, we can wait. But if you need much longer, we can’t help you—it’s a competition, it’s live, and we can’t accommodate just one person."

"If you don’t have a song, you’ll have to admit defeat."

Zheng Huayu spoke, inwardly brimming with anticipation, waiting for Su Chen to make a fool of himself.

From the beginning of Su Chen’s writing to the end of Wang Qi’s performance, it had been no more than ten minutes.

What could one accomplish in ten minutes? Not even a single line, surely? Ridiculous!

"No need to wait, I’ve finished," Su Chen put down his pen and looked up.

Not only Zheng Huayu, but everyone stared at Su Chen in shock.

Ten minutes... already finished a song? Impossible!

He must be using some other prepared song, not caring whether it matched the theme or not, and would just perform it.

After a brief moment of astonishment, Zheng Huayu relaxed, speaking lightly, "Su Chen, the song for this duel must fit the theme. Even if it’s well-written and well-performed, it won’t count otherwise."

"I understand," Su Chen nodded.

Without further words, he turned and handed the sheet music to the band backstage.

The camera briefly caught the pages—filled with dense handwriting!

Not only had Su Chen written a song, he had also composed the parts for every instrument required, handing them to the band.

The band members exchanged glances and began to read the score together.

Their expressions changed from casual to furrowed brows, and finally, they all looked up at Su Chen, their eyes full of shock.

What kind of genius was this?

At this moment, Su Chen stood on stage, clipped the microphone to the stand.

Facing everyone’s doubts, he smiled and said,

"The next song is called 'The Pursuit of a Dreamer’s Heart.'"