Chapter 77: Splendor Like Three Thousand Streams Flowing East

She had already discussed with Zhu Zhengting that after all their group members advanced, they would announce together that every song was composed solely by Xu Ze. They wanted to give everyone an earth-shattering surprise; that scene was bound to be fascinating.

Hearing Sun Na’s answer, the host was momentarily stunned. He quickly smiled and replied, “Of course you can. We’re all looking forward to that moment.” Afterward, he asked Huang Minghao a question in a rather indifferent tone, and then the voting came to an end.

“I hereby announce, the results of this round’s face-off…”

“Wow, this is truly the most nail-biting score we’ve seen so far,” the host exclaimed with exaggerated flair. “The two sides are separated by only two votes!”

“That’s right, just a difference of two votes!”

The audience erupted in surprise.

“The margin is really that small?”

“I hope Sun Na wins!”

“Me too!”

On the mentors’ panel, Zhang Yingjing’s face was unreadable, while Wang Yihan looked visibly tense. Their group had already lost one contestant; if their ace, Huang Minghao, lost as well, their whole group would be out of the running.

At last, the host announced loudly, “The winner of this round’s face-off is… Huang Minghao from Wang Yihan’s team!”

“Huang Minghao received 251 votes, while Sun Na ended up with 249!”

“Congratulations to Huang Minghao!”

The audience immediately buzzed with discussion.

“What, Sun Na actually lost!”

“Wow, what a shame—just two votes. But, to be fair, Huang Minghao’s song was good as well.”

“I personally thought Sun Na’s song was better. How did the judges decide?”

On the mentors’ panel, Wang Yihan let out a long sigh of relief. Even though it was only a narrow two-vote victory, at least his team had someone advance. His and Shenghuang Entertainment’s reputations were preserved—for now.

Zhang Yingjing, on the other hand, wasn’t particularly surprised by the result. Sun Na had been a bit nervous and had stumbled slightly in the final section—surely the panel noticed. Otherwise, it would have been impossible to predict who would win.

At that moment, Sun Na clenched her fists. Hearing the result, she suddenly felt uncertain about how to face Xu Ze. He had given her such a beautiful song, and yet she hadn’t managed to advance. Xu Ze would surely be disappointed in her.

In truth, she didn’t care all that much about moving forward; she simply didn’t want to let Xu Ze down.

The competition continued.

The face-offs for the first five groups were finished. At last, it was time for the final match-up. This was the segment everyone was looking forward to most.

The host took the stage and announced in a booming voice, “Next up is the last group of contestants for this round.”

“I believe that this group—thanks to a certain someone—has become the most anticipated of all, wouldn’t you agree?” His words drew laughter from the audience.

“That’s right! We’re just here for Xu Ze!”

“Me too! I came only to see Xu Ze perform!”

The host shook his head. “It seems you’re all even more eager than I imagined.”

“Let’s not waste time—please welcome Yang Yixin from Wang Yihan’s team to the stage.”

Inside, Yang Yixin felt nothing at all. The moment he learned he’d be facing Xu Ze, he’d given up hope. Why was he so unlucky?

Originally, he was among the stronger contestants this round; if he’d faced someone a bit weaker, his odds of advancing would have been high. But against Xu Ze? He had no chance. This was like facing the final boss—what was the point?

Still, he had to perform, so he just went with it. Perhaps because he was so relaxed, Yang Yixin actually delivered a better performance than usual. Places where he’d normally falter or sing off-key, he managed perfectly this time. But that was as far as it went.

Yang Yixin understood this clearly—like a minivan worth twenty thousand competing with a Maserati worth two million; no matter how hard you try, you can’t win. If you did, it would only be at a red light.

Finally, with all eyes on him, Xu Ze took the stage. In an instant, the audience erupted like a tidal wave.

“Xu Ze! Xu Ze!”

“Xu Ze, I love you!”

The camera panned across the crowd. Many women in their thirties shouted wildly, some even bringing their children along to cheer for Xu Ze.

Today, Xu Ze wore his usual simple sportswear. Zhang Yingjing’s eye twitched at the sight—just how much did he love sportswear? Hadn’t she bought him a shirt last time?

Xu Ze stood on stage, waving gently to the audience below. Then, he opened his right hand, palm forward, and closed his fist in a gesture for silence.

Instantly, the entire venue fell quiet. This commanding presence made Mentor Jiang Yiyan shiver involuntarily.

“So charismatic!”

Xu Ze nodded toward the control room at the side. At the same time, the big screen behind him displayed the song information.

“Song: ‘Hair Like Snow’”

“Lyrics: Xu Ze”

“Music: Xu Ze”

“Performed by: Xu Ze”

The stage lights shifted, the main spotlight settling on Xu Ze.

Then the prelude began—a distinct, rhythmic drumbeat. The audience immediately whispered excitedly.

“It’s here, it’s here! Just from the intro, I can tell it’s that Chinese-style song I love.”

“How does Xu Ze always make the intro so catchy every time!”

“Ah, I can’t wait!”

Xu Ze slowly raised the microphone, his stunning voice resonating through the hall.

“Wolf’s-fang moon, my beloved grows wan,
I raise my glass, drinking in the wind and snow,
Who overturned the chest of past lives, stirring dust and fate,
The word ‘destiny’—how many times must we reincarnate?
You furrow your brow, your tears can’t summon beauty back.”

“My god, these lyrics are so poetic!”

“So beautiful! Ah, Xu Ze never disappoints!”

“Wow, why do I feel like Xu Ze’s lyrics are love song-like this time?”

“I feel that way too!”

The audience buzzed with excitement.

Mentor Wei Ping remarked, half in awe, “Xu Ze’s song starts so high—this melody is going to be tough to sing later.”

Zhang Yingjing smiled, saying nothing. Her gaze burned as she watched Xu Ze on stage, thinking to herself: “After a few days away, Xu Ze is once again dominating the stage tonight. Tonight, he’ll show them all how extraordinary he truly is.”

Xu Ze poured his soul into the performance.

“Though history has turned to dust, my love endures,
A thousand splendors flow east like water,
I only take a ladleful of love to understand,
Only cherish the butterfly you became.”

With these lines, the crowd erupted once more.

“My god, these lyrics really are a love song!”

“So beautiful! ‘A thousand splendors flow east like water, I only take a ladleful of love!’”

“Ahh, I’m dying—Xu Ze is singing a love song!”

“Even when Xu Ze sings about love, it’s so poetic!”

Below the stage, a young woman unconsciously gripped her stockings. When had she ever heard such a beautiful love song? Every lyric made her soul tremble.

At that moment, she gazed at Xu Ze, her eyes burning as if she were looking at her beloved. Her body had gone soft, and her mind began to spin.