233 Become Stronger
51 professional judges lit up 49 lights for Pei Ningle—this score shocked all four mentors.
In the previous semi-finals, such as Liang Kun and Liu Jiang’s main selection rounds, the highest score was only 45 to 48, and most people were in the thirties. 49 points was already the highest score record so far!
However, before they could sigh a few words, it was the next contestant’s turn to take the stage.
Perhaps Pei Ningle’s high score really affected the people behind her. After the second contestant finished singing, she only got 16 points, a very obvious contrast.
Then the third one, 27 points.
Not only the professional judges, but the audience on the spot also seemed to have little interest. Compared with Pei Ningle’s first song, the cheers and applause caused by the second and third contestants were much worse, and even seemed a bit deserted.
When it came to the fourth contestant, the decline was finally reversed. Rapper Xie Hong’s “I’m Not Going to Work,” with its strong drum rhythm and catchy lyrics, made the atmosphere lively again.
“I’m not going to work tomorrow, I’ll be as lazy as I want,
I’m not going to work tomorrow, no need to act like a grandson to clients,
Not going to work tomorrow, I can live a little real…”
The lyrics, full of detail and realism, were recited by him at an extremely fast speed, sweeping the audience like a machine gun. Compared to Pei Ningle’s quietness, this kind of ‘noise’ seemed more suitable for today’s stage.
Even the four mentors, especially Peng Xiaoya herself, stood up from their seats excitedly.
“Better than the first time!” Peng Xiaoya praised, “Your sense of rhythm is too strong today. The Chinese music scene needs fresh blood with a brand new style like yours!”
But when it came to the professional judges, it was still only 42 points, lagging behind Pei Ningle.
The fifth and sixth contestants who took the stage next were both rock, and the scores were 37 and 40 respectively, which didn’t seem to pose a threat to Pei Ningle.
Then came the seventh song.
The seventh contestant to take the stage was named Zeng Ze. He looked like an ordinary man, not old, but his slightly vicissitudinous features didn’t look young either. But as soon as he opened his mouth, the tune was amazing—even though everyone had heard it once, listening to it again, they couldn’t help but be moved.
“When you are old and grey and full of sleep,
And nodding by the fire, take down this book,
And slowly read, and dream of the soft look…”
This poem by the famous Irish poet was given an exceptionally lyrical tune by him, which was moving.
After this song was finished, the four judges were a little speechless for a while.
Finally, Peng Xiaoya said, “My adaptation advice for you… No, you did better than I imagined, much better!”
Then, it was the professional judges’ scoring session.
51 judges gave a super high score of 50 points!
“This competition is really good to watch,” Chu Tianjian sighed on the seat, “One is better than the other.”
Liang Kun looked at Peng Xiaoya and smiled. “Now it’s good, let’s see how you choose. It’s a pity to eliminate anyone!”
**
Eight contestants stood in a row on the stage again.
“The eight contestants have finished singing, and the scores of the professional judges have also been given. So far, the highest score is Zeng Ze’s ‘When You Are Old’, 50 votes; the second is Pei Ningle’s ‘Dawn’, 49 votes; the third is Xie Hong’s ‘I’m Not Going to Work’, 42 votes…” The host said this and looked at the mentor seat, “The next power will be handed over to our star mentors. Except for Mentor Peng Xiaoya, the other three each have five votes in their hands. Who do you plan to give these votes to?”
The first to speak was Liang Kun: “I won’t keep you in suspense, my vote goes to Pei Ningle! Let me tell you, little girl, although you didn’t choose me, I have always been very optimistic about you.”
Pei Ningle hurriedly bowed. “Thank you, Mentor, thank you Teacher Liang Kun!”
Liang Kun smiled and nodded—anyway, his vote was given. No matter how it developed later, his old friend shouldn’t cause trouble again, right?
Moreover, with Pei Ningle’s votes and stage performance, Liang Kun really didn’t believe that Pei Ningle couldn’t pass. It was just that in his opinion, to compete for the final championship, this little girl’s skill was not enough.
The second to speak was Chu Tianjian: “My vote goes to Zeng Ze. His song touched me too much.”
The host announced, “Okay, so Zeng Ze is now first with 55 votes, and Pei Ningle follows closely with 54. Teacher Liu Jiang, your choice is crucial. Who will you give your five votes to?”
Liu Jiang held the microphone, his gaze wandering back and forth between Zeng Ze and Pei Ningle for a long time, his face very conflicted.
Liang Kun next to him jeered, “They’re not your students, what are you hesitating for?”
“But their performances were both very good, really, very good…” Liu Jiang pondered for a moment and finally made a decision, “I choose Zeng Ze.”
Host: “Congratulations to Zeng Ze, advancing directly to the finals with a high score of 60 votes, becoming the first title song of Mentor Peng Xiaoya’s original album!”
The shy Zeng Ze scratched his head and walked off the stage following the host’s guidance—for him, everything was settled, and tonight ended perfectly.
But Pei Ningle was still standing on the stage, looking at the four mentors, listening to the noise from the audience, squeezing the sweat in her palms.
At this time, a sister who was half a head taller than her suddenly whispered beside the girl, “Are you nervous now?”
Pei Ningle turned her head at the sound, saw the other party staring at her, and nodded subconsciously. She recalled for a moment before remembering the other party’s name—Cen Rou, who sang pop love songs.
Cen Rou mocked herself, “I’m not nervous, only 16 votes, haha…”
Although she considered herself to have low EQ, Pei Ningle knew what to say at such a time.
She said, “There is hope even with 16 votes. The second final spot is directly selected by the mentor. As long as Mentor Peng Xiaoya chooses you, it doesn’t matter how low the score is.”
Cen Rou shook her head. “I know in my heart, it’s impossible to choose me no matter what. Compared to you guys, to be honest, I’m already very happy to be standing here today…”
At this time, the host announced again, “It’s time to reveal the final suspense. Mentor Peng Xiaoya, what is your choice? Which contestant can get the second final seat?”
Peng Xiaoya’s gaze wandered back and forth among the seven contestants on stage.
When her gaze met Pei Ningle’s, although separated by a distance, the girl saw a trace of apology in her eyes.
Two drops of cold sweat instantly seeped out of Pei Ningle’s forehead.
Going on stage first, maintaining a lead for almost the entire show, if she was eliminated now, how could she be reconciled?
The next moment, Peng Xiaoya solemnly announced, “My choice is… ‘I’m Not Going to Work’, Xie Hong!”
Rapper Xie Hong was still standing there, a little stunned, obviously not expecting that the one who finally advanced was himself.
And not far away, Pei Ningle blinked her big eyes, barely holding back her tears. Suddenly, she felt one of her hands being held.
Cen Rou whispered, “It’s okay, everyone has remembered you.”
**
The live recording ended. Wang Heng and Han Yixuan waited backstage for not long before Pei Ningle arrived.
The girl who had barely suppressed her emotions on stage finally couldn’t bear it anymore at this moment, threw herself into Wang Heng’s arms regardless, and cried out with a “wa”.
“I was only one vote short, just one vote!” The girl’s small face was buried in his arms, crying uncontrollably, “They just bullied me!”
Han Yixuan watched from the side with a little jealousy, but seeing her so upset now, it was really hard to pull her away forcibly.
Wang Heng stroked her head, like soothing a small animal, and said softly, “They all bullied you, it’s all their fault…”
Holding him and calming down for a long time, Pei Ningle finally raised her head.
“No, no one bullied me, everyone is very amazing. Their songs are no worse than mine, anyone could pass…” Pei Ningle gritted her teeth, “So, I want to become even more amazing!”
Wang Heng smiled and patted her head gently. “This mindset is right! The future you will definitely be stronger than them, and you will definitely be able to write better songs.”
However, Han Yixuan, who was watching silently from the side, had a somewhat complicated mindset.
