Chapter 80: Song of Sorrow

"Excellent! Since we've completed the groupings and reiterated the competition rules, let's raise the curtain on today's contest!"
"Next, our first match will feature two teams from Group One—Zheng Huayu's team and Yan Mi's team. Let's watch and see what unfolds!"
Liu Shao's excited voice echoed across the stage. Then, the lights dimmed, and the big screen began to play footage of both teams preparing for the competition.
Su Chen watched the flickering images backstage, unable to contain his deep feelings of admiration.
A talented editor truly possesses the power to change fate, rivaling even a master sound engineer.
In the video, Zheng Huayu was shown training his team at dawn, shouting commands and denying them breakfast. Yet, with the editor's careful selection and stirring music, the scene became exhilarating and inspiring.
The video continued with scenes of each team member practicing their songs, with Meng Xiaotian featured most prominently. It was clear that the production team was spotlighting Meng Xiaotian as the star of Zheng Huayu's group.
For Yan Mi's team, since Yan Mi hadn't organized group training, their footage was naturally shorter.
But the time saved wasn't omitted—it was all given to Su Chen.
The final segment of the video was entirely devoted to Su Chen's impromptu performance of "If One Day I Become Rich."
The editor didn't add any background music, preserving the raw audio from that night's live broadcast, which sent chills through everyone watching.
There was no other reason—the pure vocals were so captivating, as if naturally resonant, that adding anything else would have diminished the performance.
Yan Mi watched her brother sing freely in the video, her beautiful eyes curving with delight.
"My brother is incredible. Even when singing, he's so handsome!"
Meanwhile, Zheng Huayu, seated beside Yan Mi, watched the video in utter discomfort, as if he'd swallowed poison.
If not for Su Chen, he wouldn't be in such a miserable state now—a broken man, a eunuch in this world!
No—
Even worse than a eunuch!
A eunuch at least has nothing left, no desires. But he still has his, though it's now utterly useless!
So, right after leaving the operating table, Zheng Huayu rushed back to the show, with only one goal: to destroy Su Chen!
He mobilized all his connections, promised countless favors, bypassed directors and executives, and changed the rules.

He wanted Su Chen to be utterly unable to survive in the entertainment industry. Once Su Chen faded from public view, Zheng Huayu's circle could easily make his life a living hell!
He wanted to ruin Su Chen with his own hands, to witness it himself!
As Su Chen's song faded, the stage lights gradually brightened. The audience was surprised to see the eight members of Yan Mi's team and the eight from Zheng Huayu's team standing on opposite sides of the stage.
Liu Shao, holding a microphone, stood between the two groups and announced, "As you can see, both teams are eager and ready to go!"
"Now, let's have the two mentors select the theme for this match and decide the order in which their contestants will perform!"
"For this order, the two captains are forbidden from private discussion. The selection will be blind, and all unfair practices are prohibited."
After speaking, Liu Shao pointed to the big screen with one hand.
In the next moment, two large spinning wheels bearing the logo of 'Tomorrow's Star' appeared on the screen. One wheel was divided into five sections, each labeled with a theme for the competition: Wedding, Clown, Mystery, Dragon, and Friends.
The other wheel was split into six, featuring genres: Tragic Love Song, Positive Energy, Sweet Song, Rap, Rock, and Folk.
"Now, everyone can see the two wheels on the screen. The mentors will each spin one wheel, and the combination they land on will be the theme for this match!"
Worried he wasn't clear enough, Liu Shao elaborated further, "For example, if Mentor Yan Mi lands on Rap and Mentor Zheng Huayu lands on Dragon, then the contestants must sing rap songs about dragons!"
Upon hearing Liu Shao's explanation, the audience instantly erupted into cheers!
This rule was unprecedented in music competitions, novel and exciting, sparking anticipation for what kinds of songs the mentors might select.
Compared to the audience's excitement, the contestants' faces paled.
How could they have so many songs ready?
Some combinations they'd never even seen before—like a sweet song about clowns. They even doubted such odd pairings existed in the music world!
Of course, Meng Xiaotian remained utterly unfazed. He had learned about the wheel's options yesterday and had prepared songs for every possible combination.
No matter what Yan Mi and Zheng Huayu spun, he had a song ready to perform!
Meng Xiaotian was secretly delighted, his gaze drifting repeatedly toward Su Chen.

He sneered inwardly, "Aren't you supposed to be a genius songwriter? Let's see you write something now! Hahaha!"
"Damn! This rule is so interesting, but it's obviously targeting Su Chen!"
"I don't think Su Chen can perform any more original songs this time. His fans are going to be disappointed!"
"Haha, I've been annoyed by him for ages. Finally, we'll see him stumble!"
"Didn't he brag that he only performs originals? I can't wait to see how he handles this!"
...
In the live chat of 'Tomorrow's Star,' a flood of new users appeared, most of whom had never posted before. Now, they all entered with pointed comments aimed at Su Chen.
Clearly, they were Zheng Huayu's hired trolls!
With these trolls controlling the conversation, the situation quickly turned against Su Chen.
Meanwhile, on stage, the two wheels began to spin.
"Mentor Yan Mi, please press the button before you to determine the general direction for this round's songs," Liu Shao said to Yan Mi.
Yan Mi nodded.
She pressed her lips together, gazing at the six options on the wheel, visibly anxious.
Most of Su Chen's original songs were tragic love songs and folk. He'd never attempted sweet songs, rock, or rap.
If one of those genres was chosen, would Su Chen be able to compose something?
Yan Mi didn't know, but all she could do was press the button and pray silently...
On the big screen, the wheel slowed and finally stopped, with the pointer landing on Tragic Love Song.
Seeing the result, Yan Mi leapt from her chair in delight!
"Tragic love song—it landed on tragic love song!"