Chapter 17: The Chapter Without a Name

On the day of the finals, the stage lights were dazzling as the six contestants stood in a row. The host solemnly announced, "Welcome to the finals of the New Singer Competition! Tonight, we will witness the birth of the top three!"

The seats below were packed, with reporters mixed in among the audience. At the judges' table, four heavyweight figures—Anita Mui, Xu Guanjie, Huang Zhan, and Zhang Guorong—were conversing in low voices.

The first to appear was Chen Huixian; dressed in a white gown, she gracefully took the stage.

"I will be singing 'Everything Is Beautiful Because of You'."

As the music began, her voice rang out clear and moving, delivered with deep emotion.

When the performance ended, Xu Guanjie nodded in praise, "Perfect pitch, abundant emotion."

Anita Mui added, "But it lacks a touch of personal character."

Final score: 380 points.

(Wang Jie, Lu Fang, and Li Keqin took the stage in succession.)

Huang Zhan exclaimed, "This is Wang Jie; others cannot imitate him."

Score: 385 points.

Zhang Guorong clapped, "Impressive! I wouldn't dare attempt that key."

Score: 388 points.

Anita Mui said with a smile, "Li Keqin, you remind me of Xu Guanjie in his youth."

Score: 390 points.

When it was Zhou Huimin's turn, she took a deep breath and walked slowly onto the stage.

"Next, I will sing 'Love Is Like a Tide'."

As the music started, she abandoned her usual sweet style, singing this love song with heart-wrenching intensity.

"Not asking why you shed tears..."

Reaching the climax, her eyes reddened and her voice trembled slightly, yet this only added to its power.

When the performance ended, the hall fell silent for a few seconds before erupting in thunderous applause.

Huang Zhan stood up excitedly, "Zhou Huimin, you have made me look at you with new eyes!"

Zhang Guorong smiled, "This is the breakthrough a singer should have."

However, just as the judges were about to reveal their scores, piercing murmurs rose from the audience below:

"Wu Xiangqian must have helped her write this arrangement."

"Exactly, how could she possess such skill on her own..."

Zhou Huimin held back her tears, bowed, and returned backstage only to collapse, burying her face in the vanity table and sobbing.

Score: 389 points.

Xiang Qian walked onto the stage with a cold expression; instead of beginning to sing immediately, he scanned the entire hall.

"Before I sing my song, I would like to say a few words."

His sharp gaze swept over the press section, "Some people can destroy another's efforts with just a single pen."

The audience below immediately stirred into an uproar.

As the music began, he sang "Crossing the Ocean to See You" with deep emotion.

"For you, I used half a year's savings to cross the ocean and see you..."

He rendered this song with a hundred twists and turns, causing many in the audience to secretly wipe away tears.

Anita Mui, her eyes red, said, "Xiang Qian, you have sung out the soul of this song."

Xu Guanjie sighed, "Now this is what you call a singer-songwriter."

Score: 394 points.

Just as everyone thought the performance was over, Xiang Qian suddenly said, "I have one more song."

Taking the guitar handed to him by a staff member, he sat on the edge of the stage and sneered into the microphone:

"This song is dedicated to certain people."

A brisk guitar intro began as he started singing Xu Song's "Don't Bite Me":

"Gossipy reporters, boring rumor-mongers..."

The lyrics directly targeted the chaos within the media, every line striking at the heart.

The reporters below turned ashen; some even stormed out in anger.

Yet the audience erupted in cheers and applause, with many standing up to sway to the rhythm.

Reaching the climax, Xiang Qian suddenly pointed at the press section:

"Write whatever you like; I won't be reading it anyway!"

When the performance ended, Huang Zhan was the first to stand and applaud, "Satisfying! Now this is the backbone of a musician!"

Anita Mui laughed so hard she bent double, "Qian-zi, you are truly bold, but I like it!"

Zhang Guorong said meaningfully, "I hope certain people can understand this song."

Xu Guanjie, however, reminded him with concern, "Young man, your courage is commendable, but regarding the road ahead..."

The moment he stepped offstage, senior executives from Shaw Brothers angrily blocked Xiang Qian, "Do you know what you are doing?"

Xiang Qian sneered, "I know; I am simply speaking the truth."

Zhou Huimin rushed over and grabbed his hand, "Qian-zi..."

Xiang Qian squeezed her hand, "Don't be afraid; I am here."

During the post-competition interview segment, the reporters were aggressive:

"Xiang Qian, are you provoking the media?"

"Are you not worried about being blacklisted in the future?"

Xiang Qian looked straight into the camera, "Musicians speak through their work, not by currying favor with anyone."

Zhou Huimin clung tightly to his arm, her eyes filled with determination.

Amid the chaos, Mei Yanfang suddenly appeared: "Everyone, make way."

She stepped beside Xiang Qian and spoke into the microphone: "As a judge, I appreciate musicians with attitude."

Zhang Guorong also walked over: "It is good for young people to have backbone."

The public support from these two titans forced the reporters to rein themselves in.

The host announced: "The final showdown will take place tomorrow; all three contestants, please prepare!"

Backstage, Xiang Qian whispered to Zhou Huimin: "Tomorrow, I will make them remember our names."

Zhou Huimin leaned against his shoulder: "Mm, together."