Chapter 66

Yang Mi was stunned by Xia Xi's sudden question. She widened her eyes, took a moment to process it, and then quickly shook her head and nodded. When mentioning Yang Jingyu, a flicker of disdain passed through her eyes. "I wouldn't say I dislike her, but I just think Yang Jingyu really likes to flatter those above and step on those below. I can't stand that kind of behavior."
"She bosses around the staff we assign to her, ordering that girl to do this and that, acting all high and mighty. But with someone like Mr. Feng Yuting, who's highly respected, she's completely different." At this point, Yang Mi curled her lip. "She just treats people based on their status."
Hearing this, Xia Xi blinked but didn't say anything, merely smiling at Yang Mi. It was clear she had no interest in continuing the conversation. However, Yang Mi seemed to have flipped a switch, pulling Xia Xi familiarly to a corner of the studio and chattering nonstop beside her, completely different from her previous superficially warm but actually distant demeanor.
"Alright, Xia Xi, that's all I wanted to say. I still have to arrange the stage lighting. Let's chat again after your performance." Yang Mi glanced at her wristwatch, a flash of annoyance in her eyes. She subconsciously stamped her foot, bid farewell to Xia Xi, and then rushed off in a hurry, muttering to herself as she ran, "Oh no, oh no, I'm definitely going to get scolded by the director again."
Watching this scene, Xia Xi raised an eyebrow slightly and let out a light laugh.
Some people seem aloof when you first meet them, but the more you interact, the more you realize they're really, noisy.
"Hello everyone, we meet again!" Just as Xia Xi was lowering her head, lost in thought, a voice that was both unfamiliar and familiar suddenly rang out.
Xia Xi looked up and saw the extremely talkative director from last time smiling at everyone. "Did you miss me? I've been looking forward to seeing you all week!"
As he spoke, he blinked and pointed to the envelope on the table. "Now, let's get down to business. The numbers inside the envelope on that table will determine today's singing order. I originally planned to have everyone draw lots according to last time's competition rankings, but I remember Xia Xi was the first to draw last time. So, I've decided on the spot to have Xia Xi draw last. The rest of you can draw in order, and we'll open the envelopes only after everyone has drawn. How does that sound?"
Hearing the director's words, Xia Xi froze for a moment, a clear look of confusion flashing in her eyes. She noticed that the director, Liang Hui, was staring at her, waiting for her response. Xia Xi pursed her lips, weighing the pros and cons in her mind, then nodded. "Alright, I have no problem with that."
"Great! It's settled then!" Liang Hui, having received Xia Xi's confirmation, smiled more sincerely and joked with the other contestants, "Since the drawing method is decided, let's get started. The sooner we start, the sooner we can finish."
As soon as Liang Hui finished speaking, everyone began to move. Xia Xi sat in the corner, watching the other contestants draw their lots one by one. Suddenly, she felt someone pat her shoulder twice. Turning around, she saw Feng Yuting smiling at her and whispering two words, "Good luck!"
Good luck?!
Xia Xi stared at Feng Yuting's retreating figure, momentarily stunned, wondering what exactly she meant by "good luck." After pondering for a few seconds, she concluded that Feng Yuting had genuinely meant well.
So, was Feng Yuting sincerely cheering me on?
Why does it feel a bit strange?
"Xia Xi, it's your turn to draw." Someone shouted loudly, drawing everyone's attention toward Xia Xi and snapping her out of her thoughts. She stood up and quickly walked over to the drawing area.
Looking at the lone envelope on the table, she chuckled softly, picked it up, and slowly pulled out the slip of paper inside. When she saw the large number "1" written on it, her mind went blank for a moment. She glanced around at the expressions of the others, taking a while to process it.
No way, I drew number 1 again?
Last time, I drew first and got number 1. This time, I drew last and still got number 1?
Is this intentionally arranged by the production team?
"Xia Xi, what number did you draw?" Liang Hui, noticing Xia Xi's dazed expression, immediately sensed that something interesting was about to happen and hurried over to her side, eager to see the number she had drawn.
"Ah, Xia Xi, how did you draw number one again?!" Liang Hui's voice was filled with a mix of surprise and delight. "Your luck is truly unmatched!"
Liang Hui's voice was like a sudden clap of thunder, instantly shattering the tense and quiet atmosphere of the studio. Faint murmurs of relief could be heard from other contestants, saying, "Thank goodness, it wasn’t me who drew number one."
"But…who’s going second?"
Xia Xi glanced sideways at the gleeful expression in Liang Hui’s eyes and ignored him.
"Oh no!" A cry of utter despair suddenly erupted from among the contestants. Everyone instinctively turned toward the source of the sound and saw a young idol star staring at the slip of paper in his hand, his face filled with terror. " I drew number two! What do I do? What do I do?"
What’s the big deal about drawing number two?
Seeing the young man’s distressed expression, Xia Xi pursed her lips and frowned, thinking he was overreacting. But as she turned her head, she caught sight of the other contestants visibly letting out sighs of relief, and her frown deepened even further.
Then, noticing Liang Hui standing beside her, grinning from ear to ear, Xia Xi’s mood soured even more. She just hoped the recording would start soon so she could finish quickly and return to chatting with Lu Yisheng.
[Honestly, there must be something fishy going on! How could Xia Xi possibly draw number one twice in a row? And remember, before the draw even started, that annoying director insisted Xia Xi be the last to pick!]
[My heart aches for Xia Xi.]
[Even though I’m not a fan of Xia Xi, if the production team is rigging things behind the scenes, then I have to stand by her!]
[Are you all looking forward to Xia Xi’s performance today? What song do you think she’ll sing? I’ve had her last competition song on repeat for a week!]
[I’m looking forward to it too!]
[Can’t wait!]
[I’ve got insider info, apparently, Xia Xi will be singing 'Fisherman’s Song at Dusk' today.]
['Fisherman’s Song at Dusk'? I’ve never heard of it.]
['Fisherman’s Song at Dusk' is an old song from the Republican era. The lyrics are simple, but the melody is really moving!]
[Now I’m even more excited to see Sister Xia Xi’s performance today!]
[Xia Xi completely dominated the last round. I wonder if she can maintain that level of excellence this time.]
[Of course she can! Just look at the reactions of the other contestants, it’s clear how strong she really is.]
[Honestly, the other contestants’ reactions are kind of hilarious. Did you see that young idol’s terrified expression when he found out Xia Xi was performing first and he was second?]
[And the others all breathed a sigh of relief when they realized they weren’t performing right after her.]
[Our idol isn’t like that! Don’t talk nonsense! Besides, Xia Xi is just a lip-syncer, she’s nowhere near as good as our idol!]
[That’s right! How could our idol be afraid of someone like Xia Xi, who’s all show and no substance? Just wait, his vocal skills will completely overshadow hers!]
[Exactly. If you like Xia Xi, just support her. There’s no need to put others down to lift her up.]
Amid the heated discussions online, the competition was about to begin. Xia Xi sat backstage, giving her in-ear monitor and microphone one final check. She took a deep breath, feeling the tension ease considerably.
"Hello everyone, I'm Lin Wei, the host for today. After waiting a week, I'm finally here with you all again." Dressed in a pale pink gown, Lin Wei smiled as she stepped from backstage toward the center of the stage. "Thank you all for your support. I'll be hosting today's program."
Xia Xi wasn't in the mood to listen to Lin Wei's words on stage. She quietly closed her eyes, focusing on the song she was about to perform.
"Alright, enough small talk. Let's warmly welcome our first performer, Xia Xi, who will sing 'Fisherman’s Song at Dusk.'"
When Xia Xi heard Lin Wei's final words, her closed eyes immediately snapped open. She let out a light chuckle, rose leisurely from her stool, picked up the classical fan on the table, and walked step by step toward the center of the stage.
As the melodious music began, the stage lights gradually dimmed. The rhythmic sound of her footsteps seemed to tread upon the audience's hearts, slowly drawing closer.
Snap. The lights suddenly brightened, and the audience finally saw Xia Xi standing at the very center of the stage, enchanting like a bewitching siren.
Since Xia Xi was performing a song from the Republican era, she had chosen a vibrant red cheongsam. Her hair was styled in a simple updo from that period, and she wore ruby earrings that accentuated her fair skin.
But the most exquisite detail was her makeup. Deliberately elongated eyeliner, meticulously shaped eyebrows, and a teardrop mole at the corner of her eye made her eyes appear large and captivating, full of allure and temptation. Her delicate, straight nose and cherry-red lips painted with crimson lipstick, every feature of Xia Xi was breathtakingly beautiful, drawing people in involuntarily. Even before she began to sing, she had already captured half the audience's hearts.
The music swelled once more, and the lights slowly dimmed again, converging into a soft glow at the center of the stage. Xia Xi's figure became clearer, and her voice gradually rose with the melody.
"Clouds drift in the sky, fish hide in the water. In the morning sun, fishing nets are spread, as the sea breeze blows toward us,"
The lyrics of the song were simple, essentially revolving around these few lines, but the melody carried a healing quality. Its soothing, timeless resonance moved listeners effortlessly.