When Lin Mo arrived backstage, Xiao Jibo and another male contestant who had entered the finals were already waiting there. After Lin Mo arrived, the director briefly explained a few key points and the performances began.
The first to go on stage this time was still not Lin Mo, but the other male contestant. He seemed used to it. He knew he was only there to fill in the numbers. Lin Mo and Xiao Jibo were the real protagonists. So once he stepped onto the stage, he was not nervous at all. Even without receiving a single round of applause, he walked off calmly and composed.
After the drawing was conducted again, Lin Mo took a deep breath and stepped onto the stage with a tense heart. This was his final battle and also the most crucial one. If he won the championship, his path ahead would become much smoother.
“Hello everyone, I’m Lin Mo. The song I’m bringing next is called ‘Preface to the Orchid Pavilion.’”
As before, this song had been written during his university days for Sister Youchu. Bringing out this song in the finals was, first, to express his longing for Sister Youchu. Second, he hoped that through this song, Sister Youchu would know that he would always wait for her here. Even though she might never hear it.
After Lin Mo introduced the song title, the audience closed their eyes and leaned back in their seats, ready to enjoy it. The two songs from the earlier rounds had already been excellent. Now that it was the finals, everyone believed Lin Mo would present something even better.
The moment the prelude sounded, enjoyment appeared instantly on the faces of the audience. A classical-style song paired with traditional instruments could not simply be described as pleasant. It gave people the feeling of being transported into another world. Though the intro lasted only a few dozen seconds, it pushed the atmosphere of the entire venue to its peak. This time, the audience did not applaud. They simply sat quietly and listened.
“Copying calligraphy at the Orchid Pavilion, running script flows like drifting clouds and flowing water… Under the moonlight, the door is gently pushed, your careful footsteps scatter softly… In haste, a thousand-year-old stele is easy to copy, yet your beauty is impossible to trace… The authentic work is rare, but to whom can a true heart be given…”
“This… this song has such artistic depth. I didn’t expect Senior Lin’s talent to go far beyond pop songs. Even this kind of high-difficulty classical-style piece comes so effortlessly to him. He’s incredible…” Ye Qingqing thought silently, staring at Lin Mo.
This was the most beautiful classical-style song she had ever heard. Even the top composers in today’s music industry might not be able to create something like this. If Lin Mo released this song after debuting, it would definitely become a massive hit.
The more she watched, the more intense her gaze became, as if she were looking at a priceless treasure.
At the same time, the other judges also showed expressions of admiration. Even they could not write a song with such depth and imagery.
“Unrelated to romance, I write this preface waiting for your return… The brush hangs suspended as waves pile high on the distant shore… How can the word love be explained? No matter how I write it, it feels wrong… And what I lack alone is your lifelong understanding…”
When the song ended, the audience and even the judges seemed reluctant to come back to reality. They opened their eyes slowly and only regained their senses after a long moment. Then, a wave of thunderous applause and cheers erupted.
“Lin Mo! Lin Mo! Lin Mo!”
Ye Qingqing smiled at the sight. This was what it meant to win the hearts of the people. This championship belonged to Lin Mo. Only he deserved the top position in this talent competition.
Su Qianqian, meanwhile, was looking at Lin Mo with an extremely complicated expression. Although she did not hear any direct plea for her in the song, she could tell it was filled with sorrow. Perhaps Lin Mo had realized that he and Su Qianqian were no longer possible. That sadness had led him to create this song.
Thinking of this, Su Qianqian sighed softly and shook her head helplessly as she looked at him. “Lin Mo, why put yourself through this…”
At the same time, Lin Mo let out a breath of relief and smiled as if a weight had been lifted. After bowing deeply to the audience and judges, he turned and stepped off the stage.
Soon, Xiao Jibo stood on the stage with a proud expression. Having come this far, he no longer cared. What if the audience disliked his performance? In the end, he would still be the champion.
With that thought, Xiao Jibo fully let himself go and began howling through his performance.
The audience covered their ears in pain.
“Seriously, who understands this? We just listened to a great song, and now this?”
“It’s like you just finished a table full of delicious food, and then someone places a pile of filth in front of you, making you want to throw up everything you ate before.”
“I can’t take it anymore. Is this even meant to be heard by humans? Is the program team joking with us?”
“Do they even consider how we feel?”
The audience’s complaints grew louder and louder, eventually drowning out Xiao Jibo’s voice on stage. It was simply too unbearable.
Ye Qingqing showed undisguised disgust, covering her ears with a lifeless expression. Even Su Qianqian could not help frowning, though she did not say anything.
When the song ended, Xiao Jibo curled his lips into a faint smile and looked confidently at the crowd.
“Stop pretending. Get off the stage already,” someone in the audience suddenly shouted.
That comment triggered an uproar. The audience began pointing at Xiao Jibo and cursing openly. Some even threw objects onto the stage.
Xiao Jibo’s face turned purple with anger. He clenched his teeth as he looked at the audience, but he knew he could not say anything at this critical moment. He simply turned his head away, refusing to listen to the insults. This story is hosted at novelping.com.
It was not until Lin Mo and the other contestant returned to the stage that the audience gradually calmed down.
The host walked up awkwardly. Even he had not dared to interrupt earlier, afraid of becoming the next target of criticism.
“Alright, the finals have concluded. Now, we invite the audience to vote for the three contestants.”
Soon, the votes were counted. Lin Mo once again had the highest number of votes. Nearly the entire audience had voted for him. The second place went to the other contestant, who received several dozen votes. The most embarrassing situation belonged to Xiao Jibo, who did not receive a single vote.
His face turned a deep shade of red as he glared at Lin Mo with resentment. If looks could kill, Lin Mo would have died hundreds of times already.
However, Xiao Jibo quickly regained his composure, wearing an expression of absolute confidence.
“Next, we invite our judges to decide the champion of this talent show.”
After the votes were announced, the host turned toward the judges.
Ye Qingqing’s vote went to Lin Mo without hesitation. The other two judges voted for Xiao Jibo.
But strangely, one judge had not voted yet. He sat there with a conflicted expression, clearly hesitating.
Xiao Jibo grew impatient. Su Qianqian frowned slightly, feeling an inexplicable sense of unease.
Sure enough, the next moment the judge stood up and looked apologetically at Su Qianqian. “CEO Su, I’m sorry. I can’t go against my principles.”
He then looked at Lin Mo firmly. “This vote goes to Lin Mo.”
Everyone froze. The score was now two to two. With only four judges present, there was no clear winner. Were they about to have two champions?
“Judge Zhou, perhaps you made a mistake?” the host asked cautiously.
Judge Zhou shook his head firmly. “No mistake. I’m voting for Lin Mo.”
The host glanced at Su Qianqian, whose expression had darkened ominously.
At that moment, the director’s voice came through the host’s earpiece, grinding his teeth. “The final vote goes to CEO Su.”
Wiping sweat from his forehead, the host announced, “There was a small issue with the voting. Now, we invite CEO Su to cast the final vote.”
All eyes turned to Su Qianqian.
She was looking at Lin Mo, and a trace of guilt flashed in her eyes. Lin Mo gave a bitter smile, already understanding her choice.
“Xiao Jibo. My vote goes to him,” Su Qianqian said calmly.
Gasps erupted from the audience.
“She looks like a beautiful CEO, but her judgment is questionable.”
“Exactly. That performance was awful, and she still voted for him.”
“Probably some kind of deal. Rich people, you know.”
“Compared to that, Lin Mo is outstanding. He doesn’t bow to hidden rules.”
The murmurs were loud and unrestrained.
Sensing the tension, the host quickly announced, “The champion of this talent show is Xiao Jibo.”
One second. Two seconds.
The venue was silent. No applause.
“The second place goes to Lin Mo.”
The moment those words fell, thunderous applause and cheers erupted.
Xiao Jibo’s eyes flashed with anger, but remembering he was the champion, he threw Lin Mo a provocative smile.
Lin Mo, however, did not respond. He lowered his head slightly, clearly disappointed.
Xiao Jibo’s smile widened. “Lin Mo, I told you, you can’t beat me…”
After the show ended, Ye Qingqing took Lin Mo away.
“Senior Lin, don’t be discouraged. They’re just blind. With your ability, even second place is enough to carve out your own world in the music industry,” Ye Qingqing comforted softly.
Lin Mo’s performances had already proven his strength and earned him a large number of fans. Once the program aired, he would gain even more. His songs truly resonated.
As for Xiao Jibo, even though he won the championship, it was only an empty title. In the music industry, without real ability, no number of trophies mattered. Audiences cared about the work itself. Without good songs, everything was meaningless. Xiao Jibo clearly lacked that ability. His future path would not go far.
In truth, the biggest winner of this competition was still Lin Mo. He simply had substance without the name.
Lin Mo forced a smile but said nothing.
Seeing this, Ye Qingqing hugged his arm affectionately. “Alright, Senior Lin, don’t be sad. To celebrate the successful end of this competition, I’m treating you to a big meal. This is my first time inviting you to dinner, so you can’t refuse.”
“Alright,” Lin Mo agreed.
At that moment, Su Qianqian and Xiao Jibo walked out slowly. Xiao Jibo was pushing Su Qianqian, smiling as he spoke, but his smile vanished when he saw Lin Mo.
“Lin Mo? You…” Su Qianqian looked at him with a complicated expression.
Before she could finish, she noticed Ye Qingqing holding Lin Mo’s arm. Her face turned cold.
However, remembering what happened earlier, she did not lose her temper this time. Instead, she looked at Lin Mo mockingly. “Lin Mo, playing hard to get doesn’t suit you. You’d better leave quickly.”
Lin Mo said nothing. He had no mood to argue or guess her thoughts. He just wanted to leave.
“Mind your own business,” Ye Qingqing retorted, rolling her eyes as she continued holding Lin Mo’s arm.
“Stop. Lin Mo, where are you going?” Su Qianqian asked coldly.
“I’m going to eat with Qingqing,” Lin Mo replied softly.
“How coincidental. Jibo and I are going to eat as well. If you don’t mind, we can go together,” Su Qianqian said with a meaningful smile.
“Qianqian, this…” Xiao Jibo hesitated.
She ignored him, staring at Lin Mo with amusement.
Before Lin Mo could ask Ye Qingqing, she answered first. “Sure. I don’t mind.”
After a brief hesitation, Lin Mo nodded.
Ye Qingqing held his arm and led him to the car.
Su Qianqian let out a cold laugh in her heart. “Lin Mo, let’s see how long you can keep pretending.”