Chарtеr 9: Тоdау’s Divination Yiеlds аn Аusрiсious Sign!
The Nаtiоnal Stylе Grand Prizе соmреtitiоn adорtеd a mеticulоusly designеd рreliminаry sеlесtion mесhanism. Тhе рrеliminаrу stаge wоuld spаn а total of four mоnths from Мaу tо Аugust, dividеd by month. Еach mоnth, еight соntestаnts would еarn the vаluаblе орpоrtunity to advаnсе tо thе live broadсаst sеgment.
Тhe livе broadсаst sеgmеnt would be dividеd intо three rоunds, eaсh sеrving аs а stagе fоr contestants to showcаse thеmsеlvеs аnd аcсumulate pоints. Scоring would bе detеrmined by judges’ evaluations (60%) plus real-time online votes (40%).
Ultimately, the top three contestants based on cumulative points from the three rounds would earn the honor of directly qualifying for the October Championship Competition.
It is worth noting that the specific requirements for the Championship Competition would be officially announced in early September.
This meant that all participating contestants would have a full month to meticulously prepare their repertoires, ensuring they performed at their best in the Championship Competition.
The July session that Luo Qingxu participated in was humorously dubbed the “Royalty Month” by netizens: half of the eight contestants were well-connected.
Luo Qingxu from Luo Shen Media, Bai Xinyao from Anle Media, and Bai Lin from Huaying Media—aside from the heirs of the three major entertainment giants, Yin Tongyue, the son of the previous generation’s Song Deity Yin Guangming, also participated in the same session.
Mentioning this, the Director of the National Style Grand Prize program immediately grinned from ear to ear.
Despite various promotional efforts, the programs in May and June remained lukewarm. Fortunately, they managed to invite Bai Xinyao, the “princess” of Anle Media, to participate. Soon after, Luo Qingxu, the heiress of Luo Shen Media, decided to join due to a bet with Bai Xinyao. With two of the three giants participating, Huaying Media assessed the situation and decided to follow the trend, arranging for their own heir, Bai Lin, to join the program. Finally, even Yin Tongyue, the son of the previous generation’s Song Deity who was still considering, directly agreed to participate.
It was truly a masterstroke! Director Ma, while enjoying the air conditioning, fanning himself, sipping tea, couldn’t help but marvel at his own brilliant decision.
“Great! Number 6!” Luo Qingxu opened the envelope containing the order of appearance draw and exclaimed in surprise.
“Today’s divination yielded an auspicious sign! Indeed, the goddess of luck is on my side. Changchang, Shijing, you can go ahead with confidence.”
Luo Qingxu cheerfully patted the visibly nervous Zhen Chang and Tang Shijing with the number slip.
The closer it got to the program’s broadcast time, the more nervous Zhen Chang and Tang Shijing felt.
Even though they had participated in dozens of performances of various scales since childhood, performing live on stage was genuinely their first time. Additionally, after learning about Luo Qingxu’s bet with Bai Xinyao, even though Luo Qingxu repeatedly emphasized that winning or losing had nothing to do with them and they should just do their best, the pressure weighed heavily on them as newcomers with a strong desire not to lose.
Assistant Xiao Kui, who had been observing the entire time, heard Luo Qingxu’s words and her usually cheerful, plump face stiffened momentarily. Knowing the truth, I truly feel like a lonely champion—I really want to share this with someone!
When Xiao Kui woke up this morning, she was surprised to find that Luo Qingxu, a notorious late riser, was already in the living room, muttering mysteriously.
After bathing, burning incense, and shaking the divination stick container with utmost piety, the stick fell—an auspicious sign! She got what she wanted on the first try, with all her wishes coming true!
Luo Qingxu nodded in great satisfaction and went back to sleep.
If Xiao Kui hadn’t seen Luo Qingxu, who kept emphasizing the importance of ritual, replace all the sticks in the container with auspicious signs last night, she would have truly believed that divine intervention was at work!Xiao Kui’s worldview was shaken, her perspective suddenly broadened: So this is how you can pray to the gods—not giving them choices, only letting them choose the answer you want!
The five of them sat in the lounge, their eyes fixed on the large screen in the room that broadcasted the performances on stage in real time.
Three amateur contestants had already performed before them, each showing commendable skill, but whether it was their stage presence, singing skills, or the lyrics and melody, none left a strong impression.
The fourth to take the stage was Bai Xinyao, who performed the repertoire “Asking the Sword in the Mortal World.”
She wore a flowing white robe, its sleeves fluttering gracefully as she moved with light and elegant steps. As she began her sword dance, the gleam of the blade intertwined with the shadows of her robe, flowing like water and swift as the wind. At times, her movements were as sinuous as a serpent, at others as fierce as a tiger, evoking the passion and tenderness of a martial artist in the jianghu.
Finally, as the last note faded, Bai Xinyao slowly sheathed her sword. Her figure froze on the stage like an eternal painting, leaving a lasting impression on everyone.
For a moment, everyone fell silent. Zhen Chang and Tang Shijing’s gazes inadvertently met, a hint of indescribable worry flickering in their eyes. “Can we win?” This thought echoed in their hearts like a whisper.
“Why so serious? Even if you don’t believe in yourselves, you should believe in my talent.”
And in the rigorous selection of Shenzhou Golden Melodies. Luo Qingxu added this silently in her heart while joking.
“Don’t worry! I’ll snatch it back if I have to.”
Fei Jiajun, seeing the worried expressions on these young girls’ faces, made a rare joke.
Only Fei Jiajun knew that this was no joke—it was Sister Jun, the ace agent of the entertainment industry, executing her PLAN B!
“Let’s go! It’s our turn to wait backstage.” As Bai Xinyao left the stage, it was Yin Tongyue’s turn as contestant number five. Luo Qingxu and the others, as contestant number six, needed to head to the passageway in advance to wait.
“Next, please welcome Luo Qingxu’s team performing ‘Divination’!”
As the host finished the announcement, the stage lights suddenly dimmed, and the accompanying music slowly began to play.
“The wind blows, flowers and butterflies love flowers, an eternal tale.”
A voice drifted outside the melody yet landed firmly on the beat with every word—a perfectly off-key performance.
The entire venue fell silent, and even the barrage of comments on the screen paused for a moment.
The accompanying music suddenly stopped, and the gentle plucking of a guzheng string resumed. Tang Shijing slowly walked to the center of the stage, wearing a red dance dress embroidered with golden phoenixes, its hem gently swaying with her steps.
“The wind blows, flowers and butterflies love flowers, an eternal tale,
Like the moon in water, love lost in the mirror’s reflection.
Bamboo fence, wooden pipa, under the moon by the arch bridge,
Who sings of longing, missing someone far away?
That midsummer, you packed your bags and left home,
By the ancient road, my tears fell before I could speak.
In the temple, I drew a fortune stick, weeping for the childhood sweetheart I waited for,
Praying to the Bodhisattva to protect us both.”
Tang Shijing began to dance to the notes of Zhen Chang’s singing. Her movements were elegant and subtle, performing a “cloud hand” gesture—her arms flowing through the air like water, her wrists soft yet powerful, her fingertips lightly tapping, swaying like willow branches in the wind, trembling slightly as if conveying endless tenderness.
“Endlessly guessing, guessing, guessing,
Divined another hexagram,
Fortune or misfortune, still filled with fear and worry.
My love for you, love, love,
Gazes to the ends of the earth, fate plays tricks,
Destiny tangled in mistakes and mishaps.”
As Zhen Chang sang with deep emotion, Tang Shijing moved her lotus steps lightly, her body spinning gracefully, her skirt flying with the motion, achieving a perfect blend of softness and strength.Her body undulated like waves, her arms flowing like ripples, every movement brimming with rhythm and cadence.
A faint smile graced her face, her eyes revealing a transcendent longing, as if she had already merged completely with the dance.
“Guess, guess, guess, another divination drawn,
It’s the best of signs, yet I still can’t let go.
My love for you has endured several winters and summers,
Day and night I yearn, praying it won’t change again.”
As Zhen Chang’s voice and the accompanying music gradually faded, Tang Shijing’s movements also slowed, becoming gentle and soft.
She performed a “lotus blooming” pose, her body slowly sinking, her arms unfolding like lotus petals, finally settling into an elegant posture—like a lotus in full bloom, quietly blossoming upon the stage.