Chapter Sixty-Seven: The Show Approaches

Upon returning to Yanjing, the three of them hurried to Yu Fengqin’s office to report on the outcome of their trip to Xiangzhou.

“So, it seems the prospects are quite promising?” Yu Fengqin’s gentle and alluring face blossomed with a delighted smile. “Director Wei is a very meticulous person. Though he can be exacting, he truly spares no effort in helping the singers he admires.”

“From what Qihua and the others have gathered, our chances are indeed great,” He Li affirmed with a nod. “Director Wei’s word carries immense weight within the production team. Once he agrees, it’s almost as good as set in stone—only a few formalities remain. Honestly, I never imagined our singer would have an opportunity to perform on the stage of ‘Singer.’ Not even Du Wenhui or Han Xinuo had that chance before. Qihua, you truly are our lucky star. Since joining the company, you’ve brought about a complete transformation. Our artists are thriving, and now you yourself are about to step onto this top stage. Oh, I really can’t wait to see you perform up there.”

“We mustn’t speak too soon,” Lin Qihua replied, not allowing himself to get carried away. He shook his head and said, “We still need to keep this under wraps. Not just to prevent leaks—more importantly, if things don’t go as planned, we’d become a laughingstock.”

“Agreed, this matter will stay between just the few of us,” Yu Fengqin decided with a nod.

“Understood,” everyone echoed.

“But we can’t just do nothing,” He Li analyzed. “Most other media reporters are reasonable and won’t go out of their way to dig up dirt on us. However, outlets like Red Bean Entertainment Network, along with those in good relations with Starshine Entertainment, might be watching us from the shadows. They’ll want to uncover Qihua’s comeback objective, so they can target us more precisely. They genuinely bear a deep grudge against Qihua.”

“In that case,” Yu Fengqin concluded, “Manni, I’ll have to trouble you for a while. Work with the artist department staff and visit a few more places, establish connections with some TV stations and entertainment media, and lay the groundwork in advance. At the same time, this will throw off our rivals’ scent, making it harder for them to guess our true goal. This way, we set up the necessary contacts for our next steps.”

“No problem,” Shen Manni agreed at once. She had been meaning to mentor Ma Xiaoqian, to broaden her horizons, and this low-pressure assignment was the perfect opportunity.

Though Ma Xiaoqian was reluctant to part ways, she knew this was a valuable learning opportunity and raised no objections.

“Well then, I should return to training,” Lin Qihua said proactively. “There’s still a lot to prepare.”

“Indeed, the more thoroughly you prepare, the greater your chances of success,” Yu Fengqin said knowingly. “Usually, ‘Singer’ begins the official competition right after National Day. Time is tight.”

“Don’t worry,” Lin Qihua smiled. “I have plenty of experience with live performances.”

Yu Fengqin thought back to the days when Lin Qihua would sing for hours on end at the bar; his experience was indeed rich. Yet this stage was on a whole different level—hardly comparable. Still, seeing his confident expression and knowing him well, she realized he was truly prepared, so she said nothing more. The group then dispersed.

“All right, no need to be sentimental,” Shen Manni said with a smile, pulling Ma Xiaoqian along. “There will be plenty of time in the future.”

“Take care on the road,” Lin Qihua ignored Shen Manni and spoke softly to Ma Xiaoqian. “Observe, ask questions, and learn all you can. Life is full of lessons. To be adept in human affairs is to be a true writer. Manni has a wealth of experience in this area, so she’s the perfect mentor for you. If you genuinely want to make your mark in this industry, you must learn to grasp the essence of things. Though many details may differ, the core remains the same: focus on the central issues, unravel the threads, and you’ll see the truth beneath. And what is that core? Nothing is greater than self-interest. The world is driven by profit; don’t expect strangers to be kind without reason. If they treat you well, it’s because there’s something beneficial for them. Friendship and connections aren’t opposed to profit; do you understand?”

“Yes,” Ma Xiaoqian replied softly. “I’ll study hard.”

“Oh, you do go on,” Shen Manni interrupted, pushing Lin Qihua aside. “With me around, what do you have to worry about? I guarantee your old classmate won’t come to any harm.” She put a special emphasis on the words “old classmate.”

Lin Qihua could only shake his head in resignation. “Manni, you may have experience, but still, caution is paramount.”

“Thank you for your concern,” Shen Manni said with a coquettish laugh, casting him a flirtatious glance.

Once the two women had left, Lin Qihua returned to the practice room to continue his training. Now that his participation in the program was nearly confirmed, it was time to formally rehearse and arrange his performance. Fortunately, Lian Yuling’s abilities were formidable; she provided tremendous help. Without her, Lin Qihua wasn’t sure he could achieve the results he wanted.

Day by day, time slipped by. Lin Qihua’s silence eventually exhausted the patience of those media reporters who had still been watching him; they shifted their attention to other artists and trending news. As the broadcast date for “Singer” drew near, speculation about the show’s participants once again became the talk of the town—a yearly guessing game, the excitement growing ever higher. Every media outlet put forward its own list of possible contestants, based on their own conjectures. The singers named would all make public appearances, either denying involvement or subtly expressing their yearning for the stage. Even if the public didn’t believe them, it was still a good way to boost their visibility—not an opportunity to be missed. Yet, not even the most imaginative of journalists connected Lin Qihua with “Singer.” In the eyes of the public and the media alike, the distance between him and that stage was measured in light years—utterly impossible—so he was instinctively overlooked.

The production team, of course, was happy to see the topic being hyped. As always, they issued formulaic responses: the show would invite strong contestants as always, and for the final lineup, viewers would just have to wait and see. They promised that opening night would bring a pleasant surprise for all fans of “Singer,” and that the audience would be treated to a musical feast.

Everyone knew these answers held no real surprises—the same routine before every season. But the public’s passion for gossip and their eagerness to participate kept the topic hot. Any artist who appeared at Xiangzhou TV or even boarded a flight to Xiangzhou was immediately added to the media’s list, leaving them both amused and exasperated. Not to be outdone, many would recommend themselves to the production team.

In short, as the premiere approached, the atmosphere grew ever more intense. The joyful guessing game continued, with everyone eagerly awaiting the grand annual variety show, “Singer”—wondering which artists would grace the stage and what kind of musical spectacle awaited the audience.