Volume One, Chapter 32: Your Lyrics Are Too Hollow

"Su Muyu!"

"Su Muyu!"

Cheers erupted as the name was called. The graceful figure in a white dress stepped slowly onto the stage, appearing even more ethereal beneath the lights.

"Hello, everyone. I am your mentor, Su Muyu."

"Ah, goddess!"

"I adore you!"

Backstage, Jiang Yu was utterly shocked. This girl had mentioned she was taking a new job, but it turned out to be the announcement for "Two and a Half Years of Idol."

"Yu, did you see? It's Su Muyu! It's really Su Muyu!" Guo Qiang was equally excited. He had met his company’s leading starlet before, but he never expected that the show’s mentor would be her.

After all, Su Muyu had never participated in variety shows.

"Brother, did you see? That’s our company’s Su Muyu. Goodness, Director Yan is really something, managing to invite her!"

Jiang Yu looked puzzled. "Is Su Muyu that hard to invite? She’s so young, and she mainly works in film and television. If she’s here, wouldn’t few people accept her authority?"

Guo Qiang shook his head. "You’re underestimating our star’s popularity. In this industry, popularity is everything. She’s the most popular young diva of her generation. Who wouldn’t respect her?"

"Who knew the mentor would be one of our own? This gives us a big advantage!"

Jiang Yu looked at him disdainfully. Guo Qiang was the type to act familiar with anyone, shamelessly calling them his own. But Jiang Yu rather liked shameless people like him.

Yet, someone even more sensational was about to appear.

As the host announced, "Let’s welcome our final mentor, Xu Kun!"

The screams and cheers threatened to blow the roof off.

"Brother!"

"Brother, I want to have your babies!"

The singer named Xu Kun came onstage, and the production team asked him to perform a song.

"Ji Ni is so beautiful! Baby!"

Jiang Yu’s eyes widened—it felt so familiar!

"Hello, everyone. I am Xu Kun. It’s an honor to return to the show where I debuted, 'Two and a Half Years of Idol.' I hope everyone achieves great results!"

After a flourish, Xu Kun took his seat among the mentors.

"Ah! Brother! So handsome!"

"Brother, I want to have your babies!"

...

"This could be troublesome," Guo Qiang’s expression shifted.

Jiang Yu looked at him in confusion.

"Xu Kun is Star Entertainment’s leading young idol. His popularity far exceeds Su Muyu’s..."

Jiang Yu smiled. "Forget all that. Let’s just focus on singing our best."

Finally, the host finished introducing all the mentors and began filming the episode.

"Now, let’s welcome our first contestant, Liu Bin."

Hearing his name, Liu Bin looked embarrassed. "Yu, I’m up first."

In competitions, the order of appearance is carefully considered. Almost no one wants to go first. But he had no choice; he was just an ordinary participant. Making it this far was already impressive.

Jiang Yu patted his arm. "No need to worry, just stay calm and perform as usual."

Liu Bin nodded, though his trembling hands betrayed his nerves.

Jiang Yu could only shake his head helplessly—this was something Liu Bin would have to overcome himself.

Stepping onto the stage, Liu Bin performed his original song, "Immortal Love."

Unexpectedly, it was rather good.

When the song ended, the judges looked intrigued.

Teacher Chen Tong spoke first.

"Liu Bin, is your song about martial arts heroes? It’s very nice."

Liu Bin shook his head. "Teacher Chen, it’s not about martial arts, but immortals."

"Immortals?"

A brand-new term entered everyone’s ears.

Liu Bin continued, "Recently, I’ve been obsessed with a work called 'Zhu Xian,' and it inspired this song."

The audience below grew excited upon hearing the name.

"I knew it! These lyrics are so stirring!"

"It’s from 'Zhu Xian'! Well sung, I support you!"

"Nine Heavens Profound Darkness, transformed into divine thunder!"

"Mighty heavenly power, drawn by the sword!"

"The Divine Sword Thunder Technique is the best in the world!"

Seeing the audience’s passionate reaction, all three mentors except Su Muyu were stunned.

Song Changying looked curious. "Am I really eliminated?"

"Yes!" Chen Tong was equally baffled. "I don’t understand at all. I’ll have to check it out later, or I really can’t keep up with the young people’s ideas."

The two older artists were dumbfounded, but judging purely by his singing and lyrics, the song was indeed good.

He was awarded a score of 84.

Liu Bin was ecstatic.

Especially after watching more than ten subsequent performances, his score still ranked in the top ten.

Counting the numbers, at least he wouldn’t be eliminated in the first round.

Guo Qiang also performed well, temporarily ranking fifth and virtually assured of advancing.

"Let’s warmly welcome the next contestant, Wang Linkai!"

As the host announced Wang Linkai’s name, the audience erupted in applause.

"Ah!!!"

"Ghost! I love you!"

"Ghost, fighting!"

A group of fans below screamed excitedly at the sight of their idol on stage.

Wang Linkai remained solemn and began his signature lines.

"Hello, everyone, this is AKA Wang Linkai. I’m a very stubborn person and never care what others tell me to do or how to do it. I don’t listen!"

"If you can be like me—"

"Then I think this thing... is so cool!"

"Ahhh!"

"Ghost!"

"Ghost must work hard, fighting, fighting!"

With his catchphrase finished, the crowd screamed even louder.

Backstage.

Liu Bin looked on with disdain. "What a show-off."

"Honestly, why do people like this style?" Guo Qiang wrinkled his nose, his eyes full of contempt, though a hint of envy was unmistakable.

Indeed, it was pure envy!

The two continued to complain.

"Always putting on these useless airs, trying to say something but never quite managing it."

"Exactly! It’s like being uneducated but wanting to inspire others!"

In this industry, who doesn’t dream of fame?

Jiang Yu rubbed the bridge of his nose. No wonder he’s considered a top-tier favorite—the popularity is absurd. But compared to that top candidate...

His gaze drifted slowly to Xu Kun. Truly, the brother was everywhere.

Ghost’s performance finally ended.

Xu Kun picked up the microphone first. "Ghost, this is our second meeting. Compared to last time, you’ve improved a lot. I really like this song—it’s a great commercial piece. I have high hopes for you!"

The two elder artists could only nod. After all, they couldn’t afford to offend the fans’ idol.

Then it was Su Muyu’s turn.

"I agree with the other mentors—this is a good commercial song. But I don’t like it. Your lyrics are too hollow."