Chapter 16 First Public Solo Stage (Thanks to Nanmu Qianshui and 3k Nutrition...)
The remaining eight groups took the stage one by one, each with its own unique characteristics. Minor mistakes were hidden in the overall good stage performance. Even the members of Class F did not make any major mistakes. The whole group competition was very enjoyable to watch. The strong battles were staged one after another, keeping the fans entertained.
What surprised Jiang Tinghan the most was Putuo Qian's group's radical adaptation of "Next Level." The melody was still the same, but the style had completely changed. It seemed that some traditional Indian instrument had been added, and the drumbeats had been changed to be more Indian in style.
She remembered that Putuoxi could play an Indian instrument called the sitar, which appeared in the intro and interlude of the popular Chinese song "Lonely Sandbar".
Jiang Tinghan made a connection and realized that the timbre was quite similar; perhaps it was just that the sitar melody had been added.
The collision of cyber technology and ethnic religions creates a unique flavor, like eating traditional hand-grabbed rice with your left hand and drinking nutrient solution from the future world with your right.
The reviews for this performance are likely to be quite polarized, but the fans and mentors at the scene seemed to like it quite a bit. Putuo Qian's group narrowly defeated Sky Sister Sky's "Bang Bang" with a vote of 5:4.
The third-place team in Group S upset the second-place team in Group S, it's unbelievable!
The other three winning entries were Yoon Ji-chae's "How you like that", Audrey's "Easy on me", and Group A's "Liability".
Yoon Ji-chae's team won by a landslide with a 7-2 vote, making it the most predictable match. However, Audrey narrowly won 5-4 against the team led by the fourth-ranked captain of Group A, which was also ranked last. Clearly, Group A's strength should not be underestimated.
As soon as Yin Zhicai returned to the studio after learning the results, she swaggered past Jiang Tinghan like a triumphant rooster. They weren't sitting close to the door, and Yin Zhicai's deliberate detour made it all seem rather humorous.
Kong Yanshu was speechless and whispered to Jiang Tinghan, "Was Yin Zhicai this childish before?"
Jiang Tinghan lowered her voice: "I didn't know, aren't you her roommate?"
The implication is that Kong Yeon-seo should be more familiar with it.
Kong Yeon-seo: "I'm really begging you, Coldy, your thought process is sometimes truly bizarre. What I meant was, 'No,' right?"
She even started to wonder if it was because Jiang Tinghan was Chinese that this difference in understanding was caused by cultural differences.
Jiang Tinghan slightly curled the corners of her mouth. How could she not understand? Of course, it was intentional. Only this young lady would take it so seriously, and teasing her was quite fun.
Kong Yeon-seo interpreted this as a "Coldy is embarrassed" smile, and then comforted herself: "Never mind, anyway, I don't know what Yoon Ji-chae has to be so smug about. If we were to face her opponent, we might be able to get seven or eight votes."
Kim Seo-hee reminded Yeon-seo, "There are cameras around."
Miss, please don't say anything that might cause even more controversy.
Kong Yanshu was a little annoyed, but her voice still softened a bit as she muttered, "What's there to be afraid of!"
Jiang Tinghan raised her hand to cover her mouth: "Just speak like I do, anyway, we didn't bring a microphone."
Kong Yanshu's eyes lit up, as if they were filled with a mischievous glint in them: "Great idea."
"It's not like you beat us. I can't stand people who act like this. Coldy, I support you. Don't lose to Yoon Ji-chae later. If all else fails, I'll ask my dad to find a way to get the fans to vote for you!"
Jin Ruixi felt somewhat helpless; Coldy was only teaching her bad tricks.
Thankfully, her mouth was covered, so netizens with Sherlock Holmes-like abilities and 8x magnification couldn't read her lips. Otherwise, the young lady would have been scolded for three days and three nights for saying that, and Coldy would have been dragged into it as well.
Jiang Tinghan remained remarkably calm about the young lady whose brains had never improved: "No need, I don't want to lose either."
She didn't just not want to lose to Yoon Ji-chae, she didn't want to lose to anyone.
Jiang Tinghan refused such a tempting offer. Kong Yanshu thought to herself that Jiang Tinghan was indeed a good friend who did not seek fame or fortune and was independent of the world. Her father had always taught her to make friends who were not after her status, wealth or resources. He must have been talking about Coldy!
"Alright then, when I get back I'll definitely brag to my parents about my performance this time! I made it through my own hard work to stay," she said smugly.
"They will definitely be very proud of you. You performed very well in this performance, better than any rehearsal. After tonight, Yeon-seo, you will definitely have more fans who support you."
Kong Yeon-seo was so embarrassed by the praise that she started by covering her mouth and then covered her face, but she boldly asked, "Then tell me, who performed better, me or Kim Seo-hee?"
Jiang Tinghan glanced at Jin Ruixi, feeling somewhat helpless.
Kim Seo-hee gave her an understanding look. Kong Yeon-seo was mostly good, but sometimes she could make them feel the same kind of mental exhaustion as raising a child.
Jiang Tinghan folded two Hello Kitty-printed band-aids into a bow and stuffed it into Kong Yanshu's hand: "I think I did better."
"It's almost time, I need to go change my makeup and costume."
"Sigh! I wasn't asking about you..." Kong Yanshu looked down at the bow in her hand. It was pink and quite pretty. It was a band-aid that Jiang Tinghan had just borrowed from the staff.
Her voice gradually grew weaker as she carefully held the bow, a smile spreading across her face. Her attitude seemed even more precious than when she had just put away the million-dollar necklace.
Jin Ruixi couldn't help but sigh, "Coldy is really good at defusing awkward situations; he has the young lady completely under his thumb."
While getting her makeup and styling done, Jiang Tinghan finally had time to reply to messages from her classmates and senior colleagues. However, since the dressing room was still considered a public place, she changed Kwon Ji-yong's contact name on the way.
It's currently "ZXCVBNM", which doesn't have any special meaning; it's just the last line of the 26-key keyboard.
After replying to all her friends, Jiang Tinghan opened "Messages".
OK, it's time to analyze how to respond to Kwon Ji-yong.
At this point, you should use the golden four-step method when facing your mentor: "thank you + humility + praise + continue to work hard".
But when facing Kwon Ji-yong, there's an additional step of "surprise".
Thank you so much for your care and encouragement! I was so surprised and delighted that you watched my performance…!!! The idea to add a spoken response line to my rap was inspired by your guidance! Thank you so much! I still have many shortcomings TT TT, but I will keep working hard! Please look forward to my upcoming solo performances; I won't let you down!!!
Jiang Tinghan couldn't help but gasp after typing this.
She'd never used so many exclamation marks in her life. It looked a bit artificial, like it was copied from a template, but it shouldn't be a big deal.
The makeup artist next to her put down the curling iron and clips and said, "Coldyxi, see if there's anything else that needs to be changed?"
Jiang Tinghan looked at herself in the mirror. Her curly waves had been transformed into a classic low bun, extremely simple, highlighting the smooth lines of her neck and facial features. A colorful wreath was fixed on top of her head, with pure white lilies of the valley interspersed among them, like strings of tiny wind chimes, giving her an ethereal and fresh elegance.
"I'd like to loosen my hair up in a bun and let a couple of strands fall down on either side of my face, is that okay?"
“No problem,” the makeup artist said, adding, “I didn’t see it on purpose, and I didn’t see it clearly, but Coldyxi, the messages you replied to your friends were so long. You’re such a sincere person.”
Moreover, since makeup requires constantly raising her face, Jiang Tinghan always keeps her hands level or replies while the makeup artist is looking for tools, so it doesn't affect the makeup artist's work.
God knows how many celebrities she's encountered who dawdle over their makeup, and even some weirdos who say they'll wait until they finish this game before moving on to the next step. Very few of them manage to make it big by acting like divas.
Jiang Tinghan: "Because they also sincerely wished me well."
Moreover, replying to messages is a skill that requires practice; otherwise, you'll make a lot of silly mistakes in the future.
But let's debut first. I'm thinking very far ahead, maybe a little too far ahead.
The makeup artist put down the comb: "How is it now? Does it need any adjustments?"
She thought to herself, no wonder so many people are messaging Coldy, including her Korean friends; she really deserves it.
Jiang Tinghan looked at herself in the mirror again. The makeup artist had covered up the red marks, and she still looked as fair and smooth as before. The back of her neck looked a bit serious, as it was swollen.
The makeup artist changed the bandage to a light apple-colored one, drawing delicate dark vines and emerald green leaves along the edges, and embellishing it with a few delicate white flowers, turning the scar into part of the decoration. Most cleverly, it complemented the floral wreath perfectly, without appearing jarring.
Jiang Tinghan gave a polite smile: "Thank you, unnie, it's already perfect."
As she thought about the upcoming stage design, her usually calm heart began to race; she felt a mix of nervousness and excitement.
*
There was an hour break between the group stage and the solo stage, but it passed in the blink of an eye.
When Lee Seung-gi returned to the stage, Kwon Ji-yong was still thinking about how to respond to Jiang Tinghan.
He couldn't imagine the tone Jiang Tinghan would use when she said those words. Although she seemed lively and energetic, she also subtly revealed an official and polite tone, without any trace of Coldy's unique style. This made Kwon Ji-yong's lips drop a few millimeters.
Just then, the host arrived, so Kwon Ji-yong turned off his phone, deciding not to reply for the time being.
The order of appearance on the Solo stage is based on the ranking of the initial stage performances, but in reverse order, with the captain who performed first ranking tenth.
The first three, including Kwon Ji-yong, seemed uninterested, propping their faces up with their hands and tilting their heads to the side. They appeared to be in a bad mood and had no interest in appreciating the stage.
It wasn't until the fourth contestant, Anri Tsukichi, appeared that Kwon Ji-yong showed a slight ripple of emotion. He remembered that this contestant had a good relationship with Coldy and seemed to even have the title of "first love".
Anri Tsukichi's stage performance was indeed much better than the previous three. She chose a Japanese electronic pop song, "Veil" by Keina Suda, which immediately gave off a feeling of a high-energy anime opening.
With her hometown folk songs and the stage she choreographed herself, she conveyed her passion to the audience even if they didn't understand the lyrics.
The first half of the song is delicate and gentle in emotion, as are the dance moves. The chorus is emotionally surging and passionate, and her voice and dance become more expansive and dynamic, fully releasing the energy in her small body. This creates a huge emotional contrast between the two parts, deeply moving the audience.
Anri Tsukichi is very clever. She chose a song where emotion outweighs technique, playing to her strengths and avoiding her weaknesses. Her facial expressions, which are sometimes a bit too over-the-top in other songs, are just right in this one.
With its draped veils, smoke, and mirrors, the stage setup rivals that of a concert stage, perfectly echoing the theme of "Veil" and adding even more brilliance to the already outstanding stage.
Kwon Ji-yong finally perked up, looking forward to seeing how Jiang Tinghan, the next to appear, would surpass her formidable opponent.
The elevator shaft was open, but it didn't send anyone up directly. There were many figures below, as if something was stuck at the edge of the opening. Kwon Ji-yong, who was on the second floor, had a natural advantage in looking down. He squinted and observed carefully.
It seems like... a stepping stone was erected?
"Tick-tock, tick-tock—" The unique, crisp yet slightly dull sound of the gears meshing as the old wooden clock turned resounded throughout the venue, sounding like tapping a table or some hard drumhead.
This is the prelude to "Polaris".
Unlike the original song, the intro now includes the sound of breathing.
First came a long, clearly audible sigh, followed by a sudden, rapid increase in breathing, filled with tension, excitement, and anticipation. The breathing was not deliberately timed, but rather sounded hurried and chaotic.
The lights came on, illuminating the short staircase. A figure hurriedly stepped up the stairs and ran onto the stage in a few strides.
Upon reaching the stage, she didn't stop. Instead, she continued running for a distance, her long legs moving like a gentle breeze. Her hair fluttered as she ran, brushing against her fair ears and cheeks, like delicate willow branches by the river.
Her red bangs danced in the air again, revealing the girl's pretty face. Her eyes sparkled with bright light, and the upturned corners of her mouth held an irrepressible joy.
She's about to do something big!
Jiang Tinghan wore a blue and white princess dress. The top was gray-blue with wide sleeves that fluttered as she ran. The off-white skirt had two wide straps that extended outwards, creating a puffy effect when layered. It accentuated her waist and was halfway down her thighs. Paired with white knee-high socks, it made her already slender legs look even longer and thinner. She wore a pair of versatile cream-colored leather shoes, making her look sweet and girlish, like a fluffy cotton candy come to life.
The girl stopped, her dark red hair slightly disheveled. Her sharp, pointed face from the previous stage now seemed rounder, and her phoenix eyes were adorned with innocent ovals. Combined with the delicate floral wreath in her hair, she looked like a tender green sprout, as if she hadn't even graduated from high school yet.
Despite being 1.7 meters tall, she doesn't give off any impression of an adult woman pretending to be a minor. Her rosy cheeks, bright eyes, and sweet smile are all so genuine, without the slightest trace of acting, as if a teenage girl has truly appeared before the audience.
The fans in the audience gasped in unison: "Ha—"
Ahhh—kiyo!!!
Where did this little sweetie come from?!
Fans were still reeling from Jiang Tinghan's sizzling performance on her last stage, and seeing her current makeup and styling was a huge shock, leaving them momentarily stunned.
At first glance, the audience fell in love with it.
【What an ever-changing Coldy, what an ever-changing wife!】
No, I feel guilty calling someone like this my wife. She still looks like she has baby fat. What makeup artist could do such a miracle?
How much longer will humanity be ruled by adorable creatures like Coldy...?
[Perfectly exemplifies what it means to be instantly captivating! While her initial stage performance in her uniform exuded youthful energy, it also conveyed the aloof, unattainable charm of a popular but unapproachable school beauty. This persona is more like a friendly, energetic sixteen or seventeen-year-old girl running off from school—so cute!]
[Miracle Coldy, changing outfits online, effortlessly mastering two styles in one night, no one else can do that! I almost thought I'd stumbled into a magazine photoshoot!]
[A fan of the original singer passing by, I can't believe Coldy performed this song in this way. I thought he'd wear a white shirt and trousers like the oppas on music shows, simply singing to the audience. But he actually added a dramatic performance?]
[This Coldy is a maximalist; she's already removed the word "simple." This opening has already captivated me. Although I don't really support idols becoming actors, Coldy's acting skills are truly exceptional.]
Moreover, her acting on her first stage performance was already excellent; it's practically a natural talent of hers. It just goes to show that this girl is destined for greatness.
A huge red countdown appeared on the large screen behind the girl. But the red was not a terrifying or bloody red; it was a bright red of budding romance, girlish excitement, and the beating of a pure heart.
It read: [0:03 minutes until we see him]
Then comes the countdown from 0:03 to 0:02.
The "he" in this character is black, which is completely different from the other large red characters. Normally, "he" should be red and the others should be black. This reversal adds a layer of girlish shyness and a desire to cover up.
The audience suddenly realized that the girl was clearly dressed up, but she was walking in a hurry. Was she running late and rushing to her date?
With only one second left, the girl will see her beloved.
[Ahhhhh, running to confess my love, what a romantic and heartwarming design!]
【Coldy, you're a genius!】
【Coldy, you're a genius! (Repeated)】
[This countdown and the sprint have such a short film feel to it! Coldy just leaped up the steps in three quick steps, I didn't even see it clearly! So smooth! She's so beautiful, cool, and dashing; this woman can pull off any style perfectly!]
[Every frame is wallpaper-worthy, especially the part where Han Jie runs with such radiant energy. Just thinking about how she's so excited to see a man makes me insanely jealous!]
[Place your bet! Tonight should see two legendary performances from Coldy!]
[Which stage doesn't Coldy look amazing on?]
I'm bowing down to Kou Shen!
When the countdown reached "0:00", Jiang Tinghan's expression suddenly changed. Her excitement and tension vanished, and her small face wrinkled up. She then puffed out her cheeks in annoyance, looking sad and heartbroken.
The countdown on the large screens above and behind them has been transformed into a giant crying soybean emoji, which is both funny and pitiful.
Clearly, the girl's confession was rejected.
Within just a dozen seconds, the audience below the stage could no longer contain themselves, their eyes filled with anger.
Who! Who is it! Who dares to be so audacious as to reject Coldy's confession!
Come out here, and I promise I won't chop you into thousands of pieces, and I promise I won't turn you into minced meat!
The blushing, lovesickness of puberty turned into the heartbreak of unrequited love. Jiang Tinghan raised the microphone, and a clear, crisp sound, like the ticking of a clock, rang out as she sang the first line of the lyrics:
"No matter how the world changes, I will always remain the same."
"But I can no longer use these words to keep you here."
"I will spend many springs, summers, autumns and winters with you, and my heart will shine only for you."
"The steps of departure do not make the feelings unclear."
The stage was set up like an outdoor garden, with a small artificial hill and a short lawn in front of it. The girl sat directly on the lawn without any discomfort, looking up at the dome of the venue as if she were gazing at the sky, her singing filled with a deep sense of melancholy.
Even after being rejected, she still really liked "him".
The girl's infatuation was somewhat foolish, or perhaps it was simply that time had passed too quickly for her to move on.
Jiang Tinghan poured all her emotions into her singing. Her eyes were dry, yet she sang with a voice as sweet as candy, yet with a cautious, storytelling quality:
"So please don't cry—I promise you!"
The phrase "So please don't cry" was originally meant for "the one you missed," but now it sounds like the girl talking to herself. "He" wouldn't care if she cried because of it, and she could only comfort herself.
What follows is all the girl's fantasy, with a light and warm melody, yet it sounds somewhat sad.
"One day, I endured an especially intense and long night."
Tears welled up in her eyes, and she suddenly looked up.
"I will follow those dazzling stars and find my way back."
It's Never Goodbye.
We will never say goodbye to each other.
The electronic synthesizer sound effects in the accompaniment are very special and sound very dreamy. Similarly, the girl's fantasy can be turned into a dream bubble with just a gentle touch.
Even soulmates cannot guarantee that they will be together forever; the only one who can be with you forever is yourself.
But she doesn't understand this principle now. She is still immersed in her own imagination. What kind of story would happen if she were with "him"?
If the two of them couldn't continue their relationship, she would say: "The path you are on now may be going in the opposite direction from mine; we can't always walk in the same direction."
"I know I know I know I know."
"If we cannot find a way to move forward together."
"I will always be there, shining my light on you from afar."
If they could maintain a sweet, cuddly relationship, she would sit with him on a bench, feeling the gentle breeze on their faces; she would run and jump happily in front of a roasted marshmallow stand; she would have him pose in front of the rockery or on the lawn, and she, the expert photographer, would take the picture.
Take a handsome photo of him, and then find a stranger to take a sweet date photo for them.
A series of intricate and emotionally nuanced movements were strung together to form a solitary dance. In the end, Jiang Tinghan actually pulled out a photograph as if by magic.
A high-resolution version of the photo also appeared on the big screen; the director had cut to a close-up, capturing the beautiful profile and the photo of her holding up the camera.
This is a group photo. There's enough space between the boy and girl to fit another person. They're not exactly close, just distant. They're both wearing school uniforms, so it must have been taken when they were in school.
The girl's face remained pure and beautiful, tinged with an indescribable shyness, but her eyes unconsciously glanced at the boy beside her. The boy's face, however, appeared blurry in the intense light, thus escaping a barrage of online abuse from fans.
After returning to the crowd, Kwon Ji-yong, who was still looking up at the stage and silently admiring it, was stunned for a moment.
They even have group photos; they're so well-prepared!
After he went back last time, he specifically searched for this song "Polaris" to listen to. Although he only listened to it once, if he remembered correctly, the next part was rap.
Kwon Ji-yong quickly ignored his slight displeasure and raised his expectations to the maximum.
He's only been a teacher a few times in his life, so please don't tarnish his reputation in the education field.
Quan Zhilong believed Jiang Tinghan.
The singing and dancing in this section represent two possible romantic developments between Jiang Tinghan and "him" in her imagination.
Every second of his singing and moving was so immersive that the audience felt both frustrated and heartbroken.
It feels like a daughter was abandoned by a blond guy but still can't forget him, it's infuriating!
[I'll pick a lucky blond guy from the comments to give me a couple of punches to calm me down.]
[How come there are actually photos? Coldy, it's one thing to act out a scene, but who gave you permission to actually take a picture with a man?! I'm about to lose it!]
[Where's the butler?! Butler! Three seconds! I need all the information about this man, and I need a high-priced kill warrant on the black market!]
[I've completely immersed myself in this role, enjoying the wonderful life of being secretly admired by Coldy. It's such a blessing that No-Face can be my costume!]
This is an insult to Faceless Man.
[Squeeze it in, give me a generation too. In the end, is it a crazy struggle for love that makes it grow into a pesky little thing?]
Don't force me to laugh. At least you saved money on a trip to Thailand, but what if Coldy prefers girls? Wouldn't that ruin everything?
[Never mind, let's have fun first. Did you hear that? My wife confessed her love to me in front of a thousand offline viewers and hundreds of thousands of online viewers.]
It's nighttime now, no daydreaming, have some peanuts!
[Question: How to save my love-struck daughter? Urgent!]
[I'll find a treatment method as soon as you bring it to my home.]
[Cunning and treacherous, get lost!]
[Coldy used a handheld microphone for both performances. Performing with a handheld microphone must be more difficult, Coldy is amazing! And I noticed that she switches hands with the microphone so smoothly, it seems to end up in the other hand without me even noticing. Does Coldy have magic?]
The vocals recorded with a hand microphone sound more real and delicate, and they're such a perfect match for this song. Even when Coldy's voice trembles, it still captures the emotion of the song.
[Give a shake to show you're singing live]
[Hahaha, our Coldy needs no proof! These two songs perfectly demonstrate how excellent Coldy's vocal ability is. No matter what he sings, he can transport the audience to the corresponding scene. After a month of guidance from Master Adam and Master Shin Yoo-mi, he's truly different!]
[I can't take it anymore, the expert said our Coldy is like Sun Wukong!]
That's so cool!
Jiang Tinghan looked down at the photo, her thick, curled eyelashes trembling slightly, as if that beautiful dream had been shattered.
Looking up at the camera again, her eyes were already red, but she stubbornly refused to shed tears.
"I will always like a photo."
But time is not like that.
"Hearing this sentence stirs up memories."
"I see you even with my eyes closed—"
I can still see you.
"You know that's not normol for you I'm not normal."
Even if you miss it temporarily, you can find it again in no time.
"I will wait where I am."
"We will never say goodbye to each other."
Her flow is smooth and effortless, with rhythm hidden between the lines, as if telling a story. The ending of each sentence has a slight delay or a slight rise, coupled with her unbeatable timbre, making it hard not to be moved.
The fans silently cried out in their hearts, "Noona, stop being so fixated on that person! Look back at us who love you! There are plenty of fish in the sea!"
But Jiang Tinghan's pale fingertips were unconsciously and repeatedly rubbing the microphone, which was enough to prove that she was not as calm as she sounded, but was just pretending to be relaxed.
She sat back down on the bench, echoing the phrase "wait where you are," and her free hand groped along the back of the chair, revealing dark blue veins on her snow-white hand.
Only then did the audience begin to notice the bench where Jiang Tinghan had initially sat, and they realized that the bench was actually exceptionally ornate, with countless flowers covering the backrest and armrests, as if immersing them in a sea of flowers, like something out of a fairy tale, beautiful and dreamlike.
Yet, when Jiang Tinghan first sat down on the bench, her outstanding beauty and performance overshadowed her so much.
Finally, Jiang Tinghan picked up a pale pink petal with her fingertips.
Fallen flowers are sentimental, but flowing water is indifferent; the fallen flowers are sentimental, yet also indifferent.
At this moment, the entire stage went dark, and a spotlight shone on the flimsy chair that looked as if it would be blown away by a gust of wind, illuminating several thin threads hidden in the darkness.
"I wander in the darkness as if I have recognized you."
Through the petals, she seemed to be thinking of someone.
I wanted to bring the petal to my lips and kiss it, but then I suddenly stopped and just tossed it away.
But by a twist of fate, the petals drifted back to the top of Jiang Tinghan's head, and against the dark red background, the petals appeared even brighter, more vibrant, and more flamboyant.
At that moment, Jiang Tinghan rapped the line: "One day, please look for my traces, so that my heart, which has finally found peace, will no longer be restless."
Her final note carried a sorrowful sigh, echoing the sigh in the opening accompaniment, weaving together a one-woman show of a young girl's self-pity, despair, and heartbreak, revealing the unique, innocent pain of youth, untouched by worldly hardships.
A single tear finally welled up in her dark, clear eyes. The glistening tear lingered on her eyelashes for a moment before sliding down her cheek, just in time.
So please don't cry.
She had originally intended to say "I promise you," but she couldn't bring herself to say it.
The director cleverly switched to a close-up, and this divine tear burst into the view of every viewer through the clear screen.
In an instant, all the audience members felt as if their hearts had been struck by something, and their breaths seemed to freeze completely.
A divine moment—a breathtakingly beautiful tear.
Kwon Ji-yong couldn't help but murmur, "Mi-kyu-da..." (Crazy & Absolutely amazing)
Then he suddenly snapped out of it, thinking to himself, "This expressiveness is no joke," and touched his arm, feeling goosebumps all over.
He had anticipated that Jiang Tinghan would perform well on stage and deliver a perfect rap, but Jiang Tinghan's performance far exceeded his expectations!
This stage is simply a work of art!
Beneath the pale white ribs, a bright red heart beat wildly and erratically, its throbbing sound like a thunderous drumbeat.
His desire to write a song for someone and collaborate with that person reached its peak!
In the midst of Zhuangzi's dream of a butterfly, the bizarre and fantastical, and the hazy desires, the name Coldy is etched.
Kwon Ji-yong began to recall Coldy's real name, which seemed to be—
Jiang, Ting, Han.
Jiang Tinghan.
Jiang Tinghan wiped away her tears, bit her lip, and her face still showed a stubborn refusal to admit defeat, but a faint sob could still be heard through the gaps in her mouth.
The seamless transition from the rap to the chorus was changed, the accompaniment suddenly stopped, there was a half-second pause, followed by a 20-second piano melody added by Jiang Tinghan under Gary's guidance, from Richter Debussy's "Clair de Lune".
"Moonlight" has entered the public domain, but using a pianist's recording of "Moonlight" to insert into the accompaniment would raise copyright issues, so this piano piece was played by Jiang Tinghan herself.
You can tell it's clumsy, lacking both skill and emotion; it's just a matter of memorizing which black and white keys to press, and that's how it was played. There were even a few broken notes, making it sound stumbling and awkward.
If you listen carefully, you can also hear faint sobs beneath the background piano music. Giving up takes time, and it won't happen so soon; she is still struggling with inner pain.
A passionate, fiery voice, seemingly burning with energy, emerged from the accompaniment, reciting a passage with intonation and rhythm.
"As I began to love myself."
Since I started to love myself.
"Today, I only do what brings me joy and happiness, things I love to do and that make my heart cheer."
At this moment, I will only do things that are fun and enjoyable, things that I truly love and genuinely like.
"And I do them in my own way and in my own rhythm."
In my own way, at my own pace.
This dialogue is from the comedy master Charlie Chaplin, and the voice is from American Skye. Having an American recite the famous quotes of this master who achieved great success in the United States adds a literary touch.
Jiang Tinghan initially only wanted to give it a try, but she didn't expect that her competitor, Sister Sky, would actually agree. She was indeed as tolerant and generous as Sky.
This spoken passage foreshadows the girl's transformation. Her path to adulthood, like this piano piece, is full of stumbles and falls, but after wiping away her tears and standing up, she understands—"There's no need to grieve and hurt herself over a man; what she needs more is self-love, to love herself."
She was like a wild grass, completely different from the flowers that surrounded her, growing wildly with her tenacious vitality.
The moment the piano and spoken words ended, the bench carrying the girl, along with her sorrows, contradictions, and thriving growth, rose into the air!
While searching for flower petals, Jiang Tinghan fastened the hidden safety buckle, keeping her lower back pressed tightly against the bench. Then, while singing the last few lines of rap, she fastened the safety ropes on both sides to the straps under her princess dress, forming a sturdy fall arrestor.
Time was of the essence, with only a dozen seconds left. Jiang Tinghan was extremely nervous, and for a moment he even hallucinated the sound of his own heart pounding in his earpiece.
This part was extremely dangerous. She had to communicate with the production team many times before they agreed. If there wasn't enough time to fasten the chair, she could just stand up, and the staff would receive the signal and cancel the part without activating the bench.
If there's only enough time to deduct half, raise your hand and make a pre-arranged gesture, and the staff can cancel the bench lifting operation.
So, she was nervous during this part, and the staff were nervous too.
But nobody wants the carefully planned steps to end up being useless, because that would mean all the subsequent arrangements would be disrupted.
Fortunately, Jiang Tinghan passed this test without any major incident.
But from the audience's perspective, Jiang Tinghan just flew into the sky while sitting in a chair! And no staff came out to lower the wires for her!
A burst of screams erupted from the scene, making my heart feel like it was going to jump out of my chest.
Especially when she heard Jiang Tinghan's singing become cheerful again, as if she had made peace with herself, and saw her swinging her legs, she almost fainted.
[West 8 Rome, what are you doing?! Aaaaaaah! Did you just go up there without any safety measures?! If anything happens to Coldy, I'll never forgive you!]
[This is terrifying! Coldy, you win! Others are competing, but you're literally risking your life in a physical sense. I'll never criticize you again.]
[Don't panic, kids. I saw it. Coldy fastened her safety harness when she sat in the chair. She was on protective gear.]
【Ahhhhh, thank goodness, I'll believe you this time. I don't want this stage to become an epic while also becoming a swan song】
[Coldy probably did this to make it more visually appealing, so he did many of his actions very discreetly, fastening the safety buckle before picking up the petals, successfully diverting our attention to the petals.]
Woman, you've successfully caught my attention! The petal fatefully landed on Coldy's head, and the lyrics even included the line, "One day, please look for my traces." It's hard not to be drawn in!
I don't know if the petals were intentional or a coincidence. If it was intentional, then Coldy's control is too strong. If it was a coincidence—then it means the wind also wanted this stage to be more perfect.
[I just want to say Coldy's hand speed is too fast! This woman is truly terrifying. She has to perform acting skills, steadily rap, fumble for her safety buckle, and remember to find a flower petal to cover her movements all at the same time. How can she multitask like that?!]
[It's terrifying that we have to install the protective measures ourselves! What if we don't fasten them properly? I'll curse the production team to death! I'll beat you to death! If it were me, I would just collapse and give up. Doing so many things one by one is troublesome, let alone doing them all at the same time. I'd rather just die.]
The moment I realized Coldy hadn't taken any precautions before rising, I knew I was going downstairs! No elevator, no stairs...
[Wait a minute, shouldn't "Polaris" be a warm and powerful song? Why do I feel so sad watching this performance? I couldn't help but cry when she cried.]
[Because you couldn't bear to see her grow up, right? Although the theme of growing up after experiencing heartbreak is somewhat cliché, she portrayed it as a phoenix rising from the ashes, a blossoming of new life. It was as painful as breaking bones and then growing back. The added dialogue was quite divine, giving me a thoroughly enjoyable movie experience and elevating the entire stage. It transformed ordinary heartbreak into a journey of self-redemption, self-growth, and self-fulfillment.]
[College students are really something else; cultured people can create such profound themes for their performances.]
Who would have thought that that single, poignant tear was just about being rejected after confessing their feelings? But I don't agree with Coldy going into acting; don't steal the spotlight from our dazzling idol on stage!
[Hey, please be understanding, she's a teenage girl. What's a small thing for adults is a big deal for her. At this age, discovering that the person she likes doesn't like her back is like the sky falling down.]
Damn, after watching Sister Kou, I've completely forgotten what the previous four performances were about. My memory, my soul, and my heart have all been stolen by Sister Kou.
[+10086, all I can do is condemn this heartbreaker]
Now we come to the final chapter.
Jiang Tinghan sang the chorus again: "One day, I endured an especially heavy and long night."
Tears welled up in her eyes, and she suddenly looked up.
She raised her head along with the lyrics, the beautiful flower wreath on her head tilting back slightly, as if the entire lush green spring day had been woven into her deep red hair, and after spring came the fiery red summer.
She is no longer the same person she was in spring!
"I will follow those dazzling stars to find my way back."
It's never goodbye.
The wreath seemed to transform into a glittering crown, and her face, bathed in a hazy, dreamlike light, was as white as untouched snow, revealing a breathtaking beauty, like a moon goddess bathed in scattered moonlight.
The flowers on the bench were not tied securely, but rather loosely. With the slightest movement, the colorful and vibrant petals would begin to scatter, like a scene from a dream, exquisitely beautiful.
It may seem as if the audience has been drawn into the illusion she has created, but in reality, she has already awakened. Taking off signifies escaping the dream.
"One day, you will come back to me, and I will go to greet you step by step."
"You were you are you and I."
"We will always be together."
"When that time comes, don't miss it again."
This part was a pure vocal performance, showcasing her singing voice under the watchful eyes of the entire audience, with a more unrestrained quality in her singing than before.
The "you" here no longer refers to the "him" you like, but rather, like "I," refers to "myself."
Finally, it ended with a rap performance that had undergone multiple rounds of instruction, almost a monologue.
Jiang Tinghan practically lay on the bench, gazing at the pitch-black ceiling above, which he regarded as the night sky. His neck was pressed against the top of the chair back, and the messy flower branches and vines scraped against the hidden band-aid, causing another burning pain.
She can sing about the pain of heartbreak so heartbreakingly because she is truly in pain!
The bench has begun to descend. No matter how it flies around, it will eventually return to reality and stand on solid ground.
Jiang Tinghan said in a relaxed voice, "At the same time, in the same place, in the same space."
Please light a starlight for me in the darkness.
"I hope you can help me complete my one and only constellation."
"Don't be anxious, I am watching you."
"I still remember the nights we spent together."
"When walking on unfamiliar roads, lift your head."
"Look up at those stars."
In the last line of the lyrics, Jiang Tinghan reaches out again, trying to touch the North Star in the night sky.
That North Star represents the person she wants to become.
The soles of leather shoes tapped lightly on the floor, making a soft knocking sound. The accompaniment ended, and the huge venue fell into complete silence.
Coldy's solo performance has ended.
The director cut to a close-up again to film her ending pose. She still didn't care, her head still raised, lying on her back on the bench. She let out slightly rapid and tired breathing, her chest heaving violently.
So tired.
This stage performance was so exhausting, I'm so tired.
Jiang Tinghan's hair roots and forehead were covered with fine beads of sweat, and strands of damp hair clung to her temples and neck. Her disheveled appearance revealed a beauty that was intertwined with a sense of story, vulnerability, and brokenness, making her exceptionally moving in her authenticity.
The audience had just breathed a sigh of relief when they saw Coldy land safely, but then their hearts started pounding again because of this scene.
The sight of someone drenched in sweat after giving their all in a performance is what truly touches people's hearts and resonates with the audience.
Without a second thought, hands automatically rose, and thunderous applause erupted, like a whirlwind sweeping across wheat fields.
Jiang Tinghan was eventually helped off the stage by the staff, as she was quite exhausted.
I will never make it this complicated again!
As soon as he got back, all the group members gathered around him, chattering with concern. It was Jin Ruixi who spoke up to stop them, giving Jiang Tinghan some space to breathe fresh air.
She didn't want to say anything, and just quietly enjoyed the remaining five stages, each with its own brilliance, but she simply didn't have the energy to appreciate them all.
When she returned to the stage, Anri Tsukichi was secretly supporting her. She had regained some strength and seemed to be fine. She continued to stand on the stage as punishment.
There is a possibility of a tie in the mentor voting, so the ranking of the solo performances is determined by a joint discussion among the mentors.
It was already very late, and everyone present, including the mentors, contestants, and audience, was exhausted. The mentors didn't offer much commentary and went straight to announcing the rankings.
"Tenth place..."
"Ninth place..."
...
Sixth place – Audrey DuPont
Fifth place – Skye Miller
“Fourth place—Tsukichi Anri”
Third place – Putuoxi Patak
After quickly and decisively announcing the last eight, only the last two remained.
Holding the ranking list and microphone, CL laughed and said, "I'll just announce the first place directly."
The contestants on stage all voluntarily gave up the center position to Yin Zhicai and Jiang Tinghan.
The two people in question showed no expression, while the onlookers seemed to be more nervous than they were.
However, judging from their eyes, they all seemed determined to win first place.
"Who ranked first in the solo stage performance of the first stage of 'Shining World'?
CL paused deliberately, then her tone suddenly rose:
Congratulations Coldy! "Polaris (Never Say Goodbye)!!!"
"Aaaaaaahh ...
The fans holding up their ice-blue support banners below the stage were jolted awake by their exhaustion, determined to cheer for their idol's victory!
Meanwhile, Yoon Ji-chae's fans, who were cheering in dark blue, were retreating steadily. They wanted to curse, but then they thought about Coldy's solo performance today, and it seemed that... he really was more memorable than Yoon Ji-chae.
No, Yoon Ji-chae is the best!
But that woman… she was playing with her life on the line! The stage was like a burning flame of life and soul, leaving the audience trembling and in awe. How could anyone possibly defeat her!
Jiang Tinghan almost fainted from excitement, but instead she became even more lucid. Her adrenaline surged, and she felt full of energy.
She accepted the small trophy that belonged only to the first place winner and smiled, saying, "Thank you, mentors. I will continue to work hard."
Such a polite remark sent a chill down the spines of the other contestants on stage.
They all cried out in their hearts: "Don't try anymore! You've already tried hard enough!"
"How are we supposed to survive if we keep trying?!"
The popularity rankings of the twenty stages today were also displayed on the big screen, with the participation of a thousand audience members. Although it didn't have any practical effect, it at least gave the offline audience a sense of participation.
At this moment, all one hundred contestants took to the stage. This was the last time they would all appear together; the next time they met, only fifty of them would remain.
The contestants and the audience looked at the big screen together.
First Place: Coldy's "Polaris (Never Say Goodbye)" 201 votes
Second place: Coldy's group's "Physical" 153 votes
Third place: Yoon Ji-chae's group's "How You Like That" 145 votes
...
The top three have already taken half the votes, leaving only scraps for the rest. The most terrifying thing is that the top two are both written with the same person's name.
Moreover—Coldy's solo performance beat her own group performance!
Solo raiding! Terrifying!
Anyone who saw Coldy's group's performance in the first half would think it was already top-notch. Who would have thought that in the second half, Coldy would bring out an even more amazing performance? It's like an art piece!
Today, Coldy has completely surpassed Yoon Ji-chae, and she certainly won't lose in the online popularity vote either. After today, she will undoubtedly be No. 1.
As the theme song began, one hundred contestants stood under the spotlight. In the center was Coldy, who had shone brightly throughout the day. With her red hair, she resembled a sun that had turned a dark red at sunset, yet her radiance still illuminated the earth and enveloped all the contestants.
They didn't divide into parts; instead, they sang "Shining Star" together, making their chant of "This is our shining world!!!" resound throughout the venue.
The fans heard the full version of the theme song for the first time and even tried to sing along, their eyes filled with tears, bringing the first performance to a perfect close.
Their excitement was overwhelming. Even though they were exhausted, they probably wouldn't be able to sleep when they got back, as they would linger in the memory for a very long time.
Coming to this live performance was the best decision they've ever made! The quality is even higher than some idol concerts!
Some people were calming themselves on their way home, with their phones in the center, playing the "Shining World" live stream.
To avoid causing a huge traffic jam, Kwon Ji-yong slipped away early, arriving and leaving quietly, except for an extra bag of fan support items on the passenger seat.
Kwon Ji-yong didn't plan to go home right away. He hadn't eaten dinner and was starving, so he drove to a barbecue restaurant he frequented and ordered a plate of grilled ribs.
Even when eating barbecue alone, I feel like I've been labeled as someone who "cares for lonely elderly people."
But he's still young.
But—he, a thirty-four-year-old man, actually fell in love with a girl who had just turned 21 and hadn't even graduated from university yet!
Kwon Ji-yong slumped weakly onto the table, inwardly groaning, "It's hard not to feel anxious about being thirteen years younger!"
Wait a minute, he needs to think about it carefully. Does he really like it?
Could it just be admiration for a junior? To conclude that you "like" someone after only meeting them a few times is rather frivolous.
But Kwon Ji-yong isn't some clueless twenties who can't see his own heart. How could he not know whether he has feelings for a girl or not?
He lost count of how many times his heart raced today. At one point, it was so bad that he even considered getting his heart checked. When he saw Jiang Tinghan take off like that, he was so scared that he almost lost his soul. He still vividly remembered the time he accidentally fell from a lift several meters high during a tour.
He fell into deep thought, as if a little person in his head was interviewing him one-on-one with a microphone, asking him whether he would rather see Coldy on stage or Jiang Tinghan meeting him in private.
The smiles and gestures on stage flashed through his mind, and Kwon Ji-yong made a firm choice—the latter.
Of course, I'd much rather see the more vibrant Jiang Tinghan in private.
He might have been alright if he hadn't watched today's first performance, but after watching it, he completely succumbed to despair.
If someone watches both of Coldy's performances live and still feels nothing for Coldy, then either they have an eye problem or they have pica; there's something wrong with them.
Therefore, it is reasonable for Kwon Ji-yong to fall in love with Jiang Tinghan.
Okay, from Jiang Tinghan's perspective, she's not familiar with him at all, and he can't possibly pursue her at this time and drag her down. So, the tables have turned, and Jiang Tinghan was just acting out a crush, but he's about to become a real crush.
The phone on the table beeped twice, a message notification sound.
Kwon Ji-yong opened it and glanced at it; his amber eyes instantly brightened.
Jiang Tinghan sent him two system-provided little human emojis with their hands on hips, looking smug, proud, and self-satisfied.
She kept her promise not to disappoint Kwon Ji-yong, but the two emojis look like she's begging for praise, kiyo.
After considering for a moment, Kwon Ji-yong replied: [Your performance today was absolutely phenomenal. It seems my guidance paid off (smiling face with soybean emoji) (smiling face with soybean emoji) Let's go out for barbecue sometime...]
Kwon Ji-yong, who had been blinded by greed, snapped out of it in time and deleted the sentence, replacing it with: "However, is there any chance I'll receive my gift before 2023?"
Having just removed her makeup, Jiang Tinghan, leaning against the bus window, saw the last sentence and her face froze for a moment, unsure how to respond.
She's too busy to prepare a gift, and buying just any gift wouldn't be appropriate.
Jiang Tinghan could only reassure this senior colleague: "We can definitely do it! (Cannon salute) (Fireworks)"
She can now freely type "!" in her chat with GD, which sounds like she's being cute. Is this a sign of moral decay or a distortion of human nature?
No, that's not right. It's the sense of security she feels through the internet cable.
Putuo Qian sat down next to her, glanced at her, and whispered jokingly in Jiang Tinghan's ear, "Boyfriend?"
Jiang Tinghan calmly replied, "I don't have such a thing."
Putuo Qian believed Jiang Tinghan, but the note "ZXCVBNM" was quite subtle.
She had previously given a boy with the same nickname because her friend didn't like him and she didn't want others to see it to avoid trouble. She couldn't think of anything special, so she just typed a string of letters from the keyboard.
But sometimes being unremarkable is also a kind of special thing, and Coldy's intention to conceal it is already very suspicious.
Jiang Tinghan wanted to ask Putuo Qian for advice: "Grape, what kind of gifts do male elders usually like?"
Putuo Qian: "Father or grandpa?"
Jiang Tinghan: "Uh...no, it's 'teacher'."
Putuo Qian: "Let me think, a pen, coffee, gift cards... or alcohol?"
Jiang Tinghan recalled reading online that Kwon Ji-yong not only smokes and drinks in private, but also in front of the camera, so alcohol might be a good choice.
But the wine she bought must be of a different quality than the wine Kwon Ji-yong usually drinks.
It's okay, the value of a gift lies not in its price, but in the sentiment behind it.
Even so, Jiang Tinghan still felt a little guilty and typed: "Senior, how about I treat you to a meal? You and your friends can get together. Send me the bill..."
No matter how unconventional Jiang Tinghan was, she knew that it was a big taboo for female idols to have meals with male seniors in private, and the same applied to those who hadn't debuted yet.
But then she deleted the reply, word by word.
What if Kwon Ji-yong's dinner with his friends exceeds her budget? She's a superstar who's not even in her league anymore; she'd have to earn that much for a long time just from opening a bottle of wine.
She appears to be poor, but in reality, she is not wealthy at all. However, the senior figure does not seem to be such a spendthrift person.
[ZXCVBNM: If all else fails, you can treat me to a meal. You were involved in the arrangement of these two songs tonight, right? I found them very interesting. Maybe we can discuss new lesson content, such as songwriting or composition.]
Jiang Tinghan immediately banished her inner hesitation. She was now eager to learn, especially after seeing Putuo Qian's adaptation of "Next Level," which made her even more aware of her own shortcomings.
Now she can only make changes whenever she has a spare moment, tweaking here and there. She also wants to be able to master the ability to adapt an entire piece of music like Putuo Qian, and of course she also wants to learn more instruments. She is still far from being an "all-rounder".
【No problem, senior! When are you free?】
[ZXCVBNM: You should ask yourself that question. I'm currently unemployed (laughs)]
Unemployed, but with exorbitant incomes.
Jiang Tinghan had lost the urge to hang all the despicable rich people on streetlights; his mind was only focused on "writing songs! Writing songs! Writing songs!": [Our next three days are rest days.]
[ZXCVBNM: Then the day after tomorrow. Thanks for your hard work today, get some rest tomorrow.]
Jiang Tinghan couldn't help but be moved. My God, Senior GD is an unprecedented, unparalleled, and unparalleled super good person!
She learned a lot from Gary, and she would jot down her little inspirations and write down many short melodic fragments. However, since her music theory knowledge was not very good, her work was still quite mediocre.
Should she organize it and use it as a mistake notebook to correct Kwon Ji-yong's mistakes?
Putuo Qian looked at the faint smile on Jiang Tinghan's face with some suspicion.
Teacher? Really?
She rarely saw Jiang Tinghan with such a bright, smiling expression.
The day after the first round ended, Jiang Tinghan slept until the afternoon, then took a taxi out to buy a bottle of wine.
On the way, Jiang Tinghan saw news about the release of G-Dragon's new magazine. Looking at the person in the promotional picture, Jiang Tinghan finally understood why Kwon Ji-yong was in that building that day. It turned out he was shooting a magazine.
She couldn't help but recall how she had initially thought Kwon Ji-yong was a crazy photographer, when in fact the superstar was there to model for an international magazine!
The awkwardness is gone now, but it's still a bit funny.
When Putuo Qian returned, she happened to see Jiang Tinghan drawing and sticking things on the wine box and bottle, seemingly doing some kind of handicraft to decorate the wine.
She crossed her arms and leaned against the door, watching for a while with a leisurely air.
Would gifts for teachers usually be this elaborate? And judging from Coldy's eyes, he seems to be full of anticipation for something.
Could it be a teacher-student relationship? Is that so taboo?
Isn't it said that Chinese people are generally more reserved, conservative, and traditional?
-----------------------
Author's Note: He looked up at her from below the stage, while she gazed at the sky from above, longing for someone else. A bittersweet story is coming (just kidding). Han is only thinking about winning first place in the next competition kkk
A pure career mindset vs. a love mindset
I've been listening to "Jane Doe," the collaboration between Ba Ye and Xiong Guang, lately. It's a masterpiece, so beautiful! [droopy-eared rabbit head]
I've watched this Apec promotional video over and over again. The uniforms are so civilized, and the airport video has such a youthful vibe!
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