Chapter 65: The Night of the Final Battle (Part One)

At seven in the evening, the stadium at Beining University was packed with spectators who had come to watch the live broadcast in person. All around was shrouded in darkness; apart from the glow sticks and illuminated signs, nothing else could be seen. Only the stage at the very center was bathed in brilliant light.

The host, Meng Yu, stood at the center of the stage, fluently reciting the sponsor’s slogans and opening remarks. He was not affiliated with Beining Television; he had been specially invited to host this grand finale. Meng Yu was a prominent figure in the entertainment circle, beloved by many for his witty and humorous style, and was widely regarded as one of the most promising hosts of his generation.

As his opening remarks concluded, a group of vibrant, youthful girls aged eighteen or nineteen ran onto the stage, drawing the curtain on the grand finale of this season’s "A Song to Fame."

Backstage, Lin Chuan sat on a couch in the lounge, with Fang Hao and Qin Xiyao sitting across from him. The atmosphere was tense. This time, their opponents were not just Huang Quan alone, but also Dong Kai, whose popularity and experience were formidable.

Yet with Qin Xiyao, the young diva, on their side, the gap did not seem insurmountable. But whether they could secure the championship was still uncertain. After all, until the competition ended, no one could predict the outcome.

“Nervous?” After a while, Fang Hao offered a calm smile and asked.

“Not nervous, just a bit worried. I don't know if this decision is the right one,” Lin Chuan replied with a bitter smile, shaking his head.

“It’s all right. No matter which song you choose, it doesn’t really matter. Besides, ‘By the Water’s Edge’ has already been exposed. With Dong Kai’s personality, he’ll definitely pick a song tailored to counter us. If we don’t switch, we’ll surely lose; if we do, there’s still hope,” Fang Hao said with a grin.

Lin Chuan could only nod in self-consolation after hearing this.

At this moment, Qin Xiyao suddenly stood up, walked over to Lin Chuan, and said softly, “Chuan, there are still a few minutes before our turn. Shall we rehearse the new song?”

“Of course.”

Meanwhile, as the opening dance concluded, several guest performers took the stage, singing for the audience. When previous winners from the last two seasons of “A Song to Fame” returned to the stage, the atmosphere reached a fever pitch.

All of them had now signed with agencies, and some had even released new songs and albums. Their return to this stage was both an act of gratitude and an opportunity to promote their latest work.

When the host returned to the stage, he formally announced the start of the competition. The first contestants were not Lin Chuan, but rather Huang Quan and Dong Kai.

The two walked onto the stage one after another, and the audience erupted in thunderous applause, countless glow sticks waving through the darkness. Without a doubt, Dong Kai’s appearance set the atmosphere ablaze, and many fans had come especially for him.

Huang Quan and Dong Kai had chosen to perform a song called “Wind Chimes,” one of Dong Kai’s early works, beloved by many fans. Even now, the song remained hugely popular; in public places, especially karaoke rooms, it was a staple.

However, for this final, Dong Kai had made some changes to “Wind Chimes,” tweaking the melody and arrangement.

As the music echoed through the vast stadium, the familiar yet reimagined prelude filled the audience with anticipation.

Lin Chuan and his group emerged from the lounge, standing at the side of the stage, watching Huang Quan and Dong Kai with grave expressions.

It was undeniable: as a veteran performer, Dong Kai possessed a stage presence and experience that these newcomers could not match. Even Qin Xiyao, the newly crowned diva, seemed to lose some of her aura by comparison.

Lin Chuan had heard “Wind Chimes” before; it was a deeply lyrical piece.

Its style was steady and soothing, like telling a love story, making it a pleasure to listen to. But after Dong Kai’s rearrangement, it had become something entirely different. From the outset, the tempo was brisk, and when it reached the chorus, it was powerful and resonant.

A heartfelt love ballad had been utterly transformed. Yet, instead of diminishing its charm, the new arrangement offered a refreshing, exhilarating experience.

Only now did Lin Chuan truly realize how formidable Dong Kai was.

Although Lin Chuan was often hailed as a “creative genius,” churning out one classic song after another, the truth was these songs were brought from his previous life; strictly speaking, they weren’t truly original.

Dong Kai was different. He didn’t just write songs; he could reinvent them. If it were up to Lin Chuan, even ten of him would find it hard to achieve such a feat.

Unconsciously, Lin Chuan felt a deep sense of admiration for this veteran artist.

When the newly arranged “Wind Chimes” performance ended, the stadium erupted in wave after wave of cheering.

Amid the fervor, Meng Yu strode briskly onto the stage, microphone in hand, and addressed the tens of thousands in the audience: “Wasn’t Dong Kai’s performance of ‘Wind Chimes’ just now wonderful?”

“It was!”

“Louder!”

“It was!!!”

“Do you want to hear more?”

“Yes!!!”

“Heh, maybe next time. But up next is another contestant you all love. Tell me, who is it?”

“Lin Chuan!!!”

With the host’s skillful prompting, the atmosphere grew ever more charged. Some fans, upon shouting Lin Chuan’s name, leaped to their feet, waving glow sticks and signs emblazoned with his name.

Seeing this, the host smiled with satisfaction, relishing the moment. Among the many hosts, few could so easily rouse the crowd with just a few words; he was truly among the best in the nation.

It wasn’t that other hosts lacked talent—they simply hadn’t found the right approach. At times, a little suspense from the host could work wonders, just as Meng Yu did now. After pausing for a few seconds and making a silencing gesture, he continued in a softer tone, “Additionally, Lin Chuan has also invited someone to sing with him. This is someone you all know, perhaps even very well. Who could it be?”

At that, the stage suddenly went dark, all lights extinguished. A gasp swept through the stands. But the darkness was brief; gradually, a faint glow returned.

It was still dim, and from the distance of the stands, the audience couldn’t make out any details. Taking advantage of the moment, the host quietly slipped away.

“What’s going on? Is there a blackout?” murmured a girl in the crowd.

“A blackout? No, they’re just trying to create some hype for Lin Chuan’s entrance. Old trick,” replied the bespectacled boy beside her, sounding unimpressed.

“Guess who Lin Chuan’s duet partner is? The host only gave us half the answer—so frustrating.”

“Who else could it be? The internet already leaked it a few days ago. It’s that contestant Fang Hao who was eliminated in the last round.”

“Fang Hao? So it’s him. I like him too, but compared to Dong Kai, isn’t that a bit…”

“They’re not even in the same league. I’d say Lin Chuan is bound to lose this time, and the championship will surely go to Huang Quan.”

“That’s not certain. Brother Chuan is a powerhouse. Every song he writes is a classic. Even against Dong Kai, he’s no less impressive.”

“Heh, you fanatics just don’t see the situation clearly. Lin Chuan is strong, but it depends on how you compare. If it were a solo performance, even two Huang Quans wouldn’t stand a chance. But this is the grand finale—it’s all about popularity. Can Fang Hao or Lin Chuan match Dong Kai in that?”

“True, but hey, wait a minute—did you just call me a fanatic? You’re the fanatic—your whole family are fanatics…”

Such debates raged not only among the live audience but also in front of televisions across the country, with viewers staunchly supporting their favorites.

Some eagerly anticipated Lin Chuan’s performance in the final, curious about what new song he might unveil.

Others doubted Lin Chuan could defeat Huang Quan, believing that even if he produced another classic, defeat was inevitable—all because of Dong Kai.

While they argued passionately for their chosen idols, music suddenly began to play on stage.

Then a girl’s voice, broadcast through the speakers, reached every corner of the stadium:

This seasonal wind has grown fiercer, stinging all that love has left behind
Yet I cannot escape this feeling, too powerless to change the pain
Who knows, in my world, the faith in love has been extinguished by the wind
Like a leaf leaving the tree, drifting unseen, slowly withering away
A sudden snowfall, so pure in its descent
Buries me in your world
Freezes the time limit of my love, but makes the pain eternal
In a single instant, all the dreams of the past are snuffed out, leaving memories to moisten my eyes...

As this unfamiliar song drifted into everyone’s ears, the audience was left in shock.

It wasn’t the song itself that surprised them—they had already expected Lin Chuan to unveil a new piece for the finale.

What truly astonished them was the singer. The stage lighting was still dim, making it impossible to distinguish her features; all that was clear was that she was a girl.

Those watching the live broadcast at home were equally baffled, as the cameras never offered a close-up, almost as if deliberately avoiding it.

Midway through the song, those with sharp ears began to show excitement on their faces.

Some even shouted out their suspicions: “Qin Xiyao! That’s Qin Xiyao…”

At that moment, no one could remain calm.