When Gu Yanqiu appeared on the show, everyone knew he was destined to be eliminated.
But now that he had actually been eliminated, the internet wasn’t having it.
Discussions about various backstage gossip surrounding this performance began circulating.
Meanwhile, the song became viral on TikTok.
Netizens paired it with touching captions or images, combined with this music that was all emotion and no technique – even the cracked notes seemed like perfect finishing touches.
The earliest posted video alone garnered 120,000 likes.
Even music critics began showering him with lavish praise.
Someone from the industry revealed: “Gu Yanqiu only rehearsed twice.” But this information was quickly suppressed as soon as it surfaced.
However, a million-follower influencer who had participated in the same talent show and now worked as a live-stream shopping host commented during a broadcast: “Gu Yanqiu is truly talented. Everyone from our batch knew this. But he doesn’t seem to be good with high notes. I don’t know why Apple TV set the key so high.”
With Gu Yanqiu currently trending online, this single comment from the influencer instantly sparked another storm.
Previously, people thought Gu Yanqiu removing his in-ear monitor right after starting to sing was a stage design choice, similar to how rock madman Bai Shan would smash microphones.
But after hearing the influencer’s comment, everyone began sensing something was wrong.
Some even created the “Gu Yanqiu Studies” trend, analyzing the live broadcast frame by frame.
When the music started, Gu Yanqiu showed a clearly surprised expression. Then, as if realizing something, he removed his earphones and began singing.
Netizens analyzed: “As someone who studies microexpressions, that moment of surprise could only mean one thing – he completely didn’t expect the music to sound like that. The production team changed the key.”
“No way, that’s just conspiracy theorizing. Be careful or the production team might send you a lawyer’s letter.”
“The production team wouldn’t resort to tricks. This was a live broadcast. If Gu Yanqiu had really messed up, it would have been a stage accident. Why would the production team go through all the trouble to invite him? If he were a top-tier idol, maybe. But nobody would set up such an obscure idol.”
“Have you forgotten why Apple TV invited him in the first place?”
“What do you mean?”
Opinions varied widely, completely achieving the production team’s expectations.
No one expected that Gu Yanqiu would generate even more discussion than major influencer Fu Xue.
The producer was starting to feel some regret. If only they hadn’t eliminated him so early.
Meanwhile, the phones at Gu Yanqiu’s agency wouldn’t stop ringing.
His male agent was overwhelmed answering calls: “President Zhao, don’t worry, we’ll return to the company immediately. Yes, yes, Xiao Gu is in good spirits now. Mhm, rest assured, he definitely won’t forget the company’s cultivation.”
After hanging up, the agent’s delighted expression hadn’t faded.
The agent had accompanied him throughout the entire process. When Gu Yanqiu cracked during his performance, the agent had been extremely tense, thinking this was the end.
He never expected that after the show, online opinion would do a complete 180-degree turn.
This time, even the company headquarters was calling.
“The company wants to renew your contract. You’ve really hit the jackpot this time.”
He hadn’t had any substantial work in years. The company had been quite decent, not signing him to ten or twenty-year long-term contracts.
They had planned to part ways amicably after this show ended. Who would have thought that one appearance on Apple TV’s program would change everything.
The agent said, “Fortunately, you organized that café concert. Back then, Li Ziyue and Jin Yuchen both mocked you, saying it was humiliating to hold a concert in a café. Now they’re speechless.” If there’s no opportunity, create one. He needed to remember that phrase.
He would apply it when managing other artists in the future.
Gu Yanqiu replied, “It wasn’t the concert itself that made it successful—it was because I have an amazing fan photographer.”
Without her, the concert would have made no impact at all.
“Mhmm,” the male agent responded. “What were you looking for on stage?” He had been too tense at the time to notice.
It was only after seeing frame-by-frame gossip posts online that he realized Gu Yanqiu had repeatedly glanced toward a specific spot in the audience.
Gu Yanqiu said, “She came to support me.” So that song wasn’t just for the stage—it was also for Chen Duo.
Although she was just a fan photographer, she always insisted with unwavering certainty that he would succeed—that he would gain forty million fans and hold massive concerts. She spoke with such conviction, as if she had already witnessed that glorious future.
Gu Yanqiu thought to himself, he couldn’t let her down. Singing with all his heart had left his throat burning with pain.
But when the only support banner in the audience lit up, it felt as though his Heart was illuminated too.
It was a truly special feeling.
He opened his WeChat and typed, “Thank you for coming to support me in person. Thank you for giving me boundless courage.”
Chen Duo sent back a sticker of a line-drawn puppy cheering him on.
Gu Yanqiu felt a warmth in his heart. So Chen Duo liked line-drawn puppies too.
…
Meanwhile, at the company, Li Ziyue was fuming. He kept complaining to his agent, “Is this how you handle things? Didn’t you talk to your uncle?”
He had assumed this concert would nail Gu Yanqiu to the wall of shame, but instead, it ended up boosting him.
The agent said, “We adjusted the key. Who knew he’d be so strong? He could even hit a female singer’s key.”
Li Ziyue was furious. He had entertained that wealthy sponsor for nothing. The plan had failed—was he just being made a fool of?