Chapter Sixty: Hell Mode from the Very Beginning

“To wear the crown, one must bear its weight, is that it?” Everyone present was captivated by Lin Qihua’s words, deeply sensing the ease and determination within them.

“If you have such resolve, then why shouldn’t we accompany you and take this leap together?” Shen Manni cast a charming glance at Lin Qihua. She was already accustomed to her artist’s occasional peculiar remarks or flashes of inspiration. Since he had made up his mind, what reason did she have to fear the challenges ahead?

“The first question has now reached a consensus. Next, your team needs to revolve around this core goal and carry out your respective responsibilities. Makeup artist, consider carefully how to give Qihua a look that wins instant appeal. Stylist, you must design both his onstage and offstage wardrobe—nothing outlandish, just styles that are open, poised, radiant, and handsome, showcasing his charm as much as possible. Those managing our social media platforms must do the same—be mindful to maintain his image,” He Li concluded decisively.

“Understood,” the team responded in unison.

“Now, the second question is what kind of stage should mark his return.” Shen Manni picked up another folder and continued, “Qihua and I discussed two approaches. The first is the newcomer’s path—work steadily, promote his songs step by step, and slowly build up popularity. It’s stable but time-consuming. The second is riskier: join a variety show and immediately attract the attention of audiences nationwide, giving him a chance to fully showcase himself.”

“There are significant risks with the latter,” a staff member remarked with uncertainty. “Variety shows are full of variables. Interview shows don’t work well; they’re good for publicity but not for displaying one’s abilities. Outdoor shows suit comedic entertainers, and they require a substantial fan base, so the uncertainty is even greater. As for talent competitions, Qihua can’t be a mentor—he’s not well-known enough. As a contestant, it doesn’t fit either; he’s already debuted as a singer. Competing would make him a laughingstock. Being a guest on a single episode doesn’t provide as much exposure as being a regular and holds little significance.”

“You're absolutely right,” Shen Manni affirmed. “None of those are suitable. We’ve already discussed and agreed on the direction Qihua must pursue. I believe the pure singing competitions are the best fit for him—an unambiguous stage to showcase his talent.”

“For singing shows,” a team member pondered, “excluding those airing in the fourth quarter, the planned programs set to record for broadcast in the first quarter next year include ‘Sing in Secret’ on Jinling TV, ‘Songs Along the Way’ on Southern TV, ‘Battle Stage’ on Central TV, ‘Music Pinnacle’ on Blue Sea TV, and ‘Singing Family’ on Xiangzhou TV. All are excellent shows, each with its unique flair and considerable attention. If we can secure a spot on any of these, Qihua should achieve solid results.”

“You’ve listed the most suitable options,” Shen Manni acknowledged, “but there’s a catch—they all air next year. For Qihua, this fourth quarter is crucial. Without an astonishing achievement, relying solely on a few singles from earlier this year, it will be tough to rise to the ranks of a second-tier star; more likely, he’ll remain at the third tier. That doesn’t align with our company’s current situation or our long-term plans.”

“That’s true. The company’s doing well for now—Lei Jing and Xiao Xiao shine as twin stars, always in the spotlight—but we still face a significant crisis. Most importantly, we lack a widely acknowledged leading figure. Qihua is the most suitable, but waiting until next year might be too late,” another staff member nodded in agreement.

“Wait a minute,” a producer suddenly seemed to realize something, his expression turning grave. “Don’t tell me you’re thinking about joining Xiangzhou TV’s ‘The Vocalist’?”

“Bingo.” Shen Manni smiled triumphantly. “The perfect stage for Qihua’s comeback is exactly that one.”

“Starting out at hell’s difficulty?” the producer groaned. “Never mind whether he can succeed—the real issue is that the show starts in October, and even getting an invitation is questionable.”

“Don’t worry,” Shen Manni replied with a coy laugh. “I understand why you look so dejected. ‘The Vocalist’ is the pinnacle for singers; just getting in is a challenge. But think about it—if we make it, what kind of effect do you think it’ll have?”

Did that even need to be said? The other staff rolled their eyes. Anyone in the entertainment industry knew the name ‘The Vocalist.’ Anyone who loved music knew its allure. It was the nation’s top singing stage—unmatched attention, the best live effects, the finest backing band, world-class harmony, and the most discerning audience. But it was also the harshest arena; countless famous singers had fallen there, while many unknowns had soared to stardom overnight. Victory or defeat hinged on a single song. If this wasn’t hell’s difficulty, what was?

As the grand finale of the fourth quarter, ‘The Vocalist’ was the country’s first variety show to be broadcast live. No special effects, no voice tuning, no godlike post-production—every tiny flaw was magnified before millions of viewers. The next day, the singer would face a torrent of criticism. No other program could rival the pressure.

“Even though ‘The Vocalist’ has gone through years of copyright disputes, name changes, a notoriously brutal format, suspensions and restarts, and was even accused of declining after it switched to live broadcasts,” Shen Manni said solemnly, “no one can deny that it remains the most professional singing competition, the most ruthless contest, the fiercest clash between top singers, and the year’s most anticipated event. Its attention is unrivaled. Challenge means opportunity. This is the perfect chance for Qihua to step onto a stage watched by millions and carve out his own path. Success or failure, we can’t predict, but daring to face the challenge and sing fearlessly for the nation—what is there left to fear? Even if he’s eliminated in the first round, with a return performance that’s at least two songs, it’s a rare opportunity. What other stage could be better for Qihua’s comeback?”

“It’s madness,” the producer shrugged, but his eyes glinted with fervor. “But it’s exactly what we need—bold and exciting! If we’re going to do this, let’s shake the whole industry. If Qihua is our pillar, and he dares to challenge this stage, what’s there to hesitate for? Let’s go all in.”

“Exactly! All in! If you’re brave enough to risk everything, you can pull down even the emperor. No matter how cruel this stage is, countless singers still rush up there. Compared to the attention and rewards for success, what’s a little difficulty?” The team echoed the sentiment.

“Good, that’s decided then.” He Li slapped the table. “From now on, your team must fully adapt to this rhythm. Manni, do your best to secure this stage. We all look forward to Qihua’s debut here. Of course, to avoid putting all our eggs in one basket, we need backup plans. The planning department will contact other shows and see what options we have. At worst, we’ll promote new singles and work our way up step by step.”

“I’ll go with her,” Lin Qihua said with a smile. “Sister Manni has her strengths, and I have mine. Meeting them face-to-face, even if the negotiation fails, at least we’ll have built a relationship.”

“Have some confidence. Don’t lose heart before negotiations even begin!” Shen Manni chided. “There are many techniques to negotiating. The key is to understand what they need, highlight our strengths, and emphasize the benefits we can bring them. Negotiation is just a matter of trading interests. If we handle it well, our chances are good.”

Lin Qihua raised his hands in surrender. “Yes, yes, I’m full of confidence. With Sister Manni leading, it’s as good as done.”

“That’s more like it.”

Everyone in the room exchanged knowing smiles, especially the team members. Having such a good-natured and promising artist was a stroke of luck. Joining the teams of temperamental or difficult stars meant living in constant fear, being scolded at any moment, and taking the fall when things went wrong—a miserable experience everyone had endured before. They cherished their place on this team all the more, silently vowing to help Qihua make his comeback a resounding success. Their efforts would ultimately help him achieve greatness; everyone had their role to play. Lin Qihua and Shen Manni, as the core of this group, also depended on their members. Besides strategic planning, today’s meeting was also about uniting the team, and so far, the results looked promising.

“To join ‘The Vocalist,’ you’ll need intensive preparation,” Lian Yuling approached Lin Qihua as the meeting ended. “The standards for this stage are sky-high. You can’t be too cautious.”

“Is it really any use to sharpen your sword right before battle?” Lin Qihua asked, a bit uneasy under Lian Yuling’s cold gaze. “What kind of preparation?”

“Targeted improvement,” she replied coolly. “This stage is unique. You can’t just stick to your own rhythm; you have to consider what the audience wants. So, you need to prepare with focus.”

“All right, I’ll follow your lead.”