Chapter 78: Wan Jiang

On stage, Cheng Chen slowly closed his eyes, the pipa's melody flowing like water past his ears.

The spotlight shone on him as Cheng Chen began to sing:

"Red Sun Rising in the East, its great path brims with radiant light.

How fortunate I am, born in your embrace, carrying one bloodline's flow…"

This… this is…

Everyone in the audience immediately widened their eyes, faces filled with shock and disbelief—is this Peking Opera?

No, Peking Opera doesn't sound like this.

It has a touch of operatic cadence mixed with folk song, and Cheng Chen's transitions between falsetto and chest voice are incredibly catchy.

Even Li Daoquan let out an involuntary "Huh?" upon hearing Cheng Chen sing.

This song… how to put it? It's subversive and novel, yet unexpectedly beautiful.

Just the opening note left everyone awestruck; all ears leaned in to listen further.

"Paint the sky with only a corner—the sun and moon endure.

Paint the earth with only a fragment—the mountains and rivers remain unharmed.

Observe ten thousand ages, five thousand years, heaven and earth alike revere.

"Only Yanhuang, with open heart, roams far and wide…"

Cheng Chen returned to his natural voice, sinking fully into the melody.

This is a song expressing love for the motherland, while also praising its magnificent landscapes.

A song full of positive energy!

It stirs the blood and ignites passion!

China's land—nine million six hundred thousand square kilometers—has endured the passage of time, sorrow and joy, yet still shines brilliantly within the glow of dawn.

Treading the yellow soil beneath one's feet, feeling the vastness of the homeland, this sense of national pride arises naturally within the catchy melody of Cheng Chen's song "Wan Jiang"!

Everyone in the audience was immersed in Cheng Chen's voice, feeling the grandeur of their homeland's scenery.

In this era of peaceful tranquility, honoring ancestors and feeling the glory of history.

"My nation, ten thousand borders, with benevolence, a faith unextinguished for a thousand years.

Red Sun Rising in the East, its great path brims with radiant light…"

This is also a song steeped deeply in Chinese spirit, with its arrangement heavily employing traditional instruments.

Including pipa, dizi, and others, fully capturing the song's distant, evocative atmosphere and Chinese essence.

Additionally, it blends in pop elements like bass and guitar, making the song richer and more layered.

More and more audience members began softly humming along to Cheng Chen's melody.

Though hearing it for the first time, everyone felt an uncanny familiarity—as if they'd known it since childhood, a natural kinship.

On stage, Cheng Chen gradually fell silent; only then did the audience slowly awaken from the beautiful scene he had painted, reluctant to let go.

Cheng Chen stood on stage, microphone in hand, gazing at the audience below, and said:

"This song is called 'Wan Jiang'—it's my new song. I hope you like it!"

"Wah wah wah! It's a new song!"

"Wan Jiang forever! China forever!!!"

"In this song, I hear Cheng Chen's profound love for China—it's simply amazing!"

The audience erupted; whether they were 60s, 70s, or 80s, all had been conquered by Cheng Chen's voice.

"Also, I have one more thing to say!"

Cheng Chen gripped the microphone, glanced at Piao Zhengshuang standing in the corner of the stage, and said with serious expression:

"Don't let Hallyu grow any more arrogant—Huayu is the coolest!"

"Whoa!"

The moment Cheng Chen spoke those words, the entire venue exploded.

It wasn't just that Cheng Chen had used a swear word—it was that his words were so cathartic!

Especially the men in the crowd, who had long grown tired of Piao Zhengshuang's singing and dancing, his effeminate, pretty-boy look.

You're a Chinese person, yet you sing nothing but Korean songs.

If you love Korean songs so much, go sing them in South Korea—why are you so bold on a Chinese talent show stage?

Moreover, the phenomenon of Hallyu worship is becoming increasingly common.

That crowd obsesses over Korean-style clothing, Korean-style makeup.

Korean-style accessories, Korean-style music; Korean language classes of all lengths are packed with applicants.

The ranks of "Hallyu fans" are growing steadily, and this expansion cuts across all age groups.

Even middle schoolers walk around with hands in pockets, swaggering arrogantly, constantly flicking their side-swept bangs, imitating the male leads from Korean dramas…

Hallyu worship itself isn't harmful, but when blind and excessive, it disrupts normal life.

Prolonged Hallyu worship weakens young people's patriotism and fosters blind admiration for foreigners.

Moreover, some Korean things easily confuse young people's sense of honor and shame.

Like distorting history, for example.

And now, China is already showing signs of a Hallyu tide rising…

The audience fell silent for a moment, seemingly pondering the meaning behind Cheng Chen's words.

Suddenly, someone—no one knew who—broke the silence:

"Huayu is the coolest! Cheng Chen is the coolest!"

The audience immediately echoed him; the scene spiraled into uncontrollable excitement.

"Cheng Chen is the coolest!"

"Cheng Chen rocks!"

"Rock on!"

Cheng Chen looked at the rowdy hecklers below with a wry smile, bowed, and stepped off the stage.

Xu Chunni also took the stage at this point to guest-host for a bit; she picked up the microphone and said:

"Thank you to the two teachers for their heartfelt performance. Today's singing has no professional judges—you in the audience are the judges.

Whichever teacher you support, press the button in your hand. Press 1 to support Teacher Li Daoquan, press 2 to support Teacher Cheng Chen. Voting begins now!"

But the audience below didn't vote right away; instead, someone called out loudly:

"Excuse me, does this vote also determine advancement? Does the winner stay on the show?"

Xu Chunni turned her gaze toward Director Wang in the backstage; Director Wang gave a slight shake of his head.

Xu Chunni immediately understood what her superior meant and said with a smile:

"Hehe, there's no winning or losing. Just vote for whichever teacher's song you like.

The contestants were in poor form, and the two judge-teachers used their own actions to boost their morale."

The contestants:???

With this big pot dumped on their heads, the contestants had no way to argue back.

Anyway, when gods fight, it's the mortals who suffer!

Only then did the audience pick up their voting devices and start voting.

"Alright, voting is over!"

One minute later, Xu Chunni announced the end of voting.

Looking at the cue card handed over from backstage, Xu Chunni suddenly let out a sigh.

The audience members who had been watching her closely were put on edge by this move, afraid that the person they supported might lose.

"I'm just sighing because the show always gives me the thankless tasks. Sigh, what a sin!"

Noticing the audience's mood, Xu Chunni said deliberately.

Uh... Cheng Chen twitched his mouth—teasing the audience, is that fun?

But it's much better now. In a few years, at crucial moments, every little gesture the host makes will trigger a string of ad inserts, catching you completely off guard!

"Alright, no more suspense. The song that ultimately received the most support is... Teacher Cheng Chen's 'Wanjiang'! 450 votes!"

"Clap clap clap!"

Warm applause erupted from the audience below. Li Daoquan, sitting in the judges' seat on the side, clapped with a dark expression.

Cheng Chen, meanwhile, cupped his hands toward the audience in all directions, thanking everyone for their votes.