"No requirements" as the requirement? Good grief, are you just messing around here? Lin Xia felt Director Meng was spouting too much nonsense and not getting straight to the point.
"With the competition format upgraded, after discussions with our entire production team, we've decided that for the upcoming semifinals, all eight contestants will be given full freedom to perform at their best—no more restrictions," announced Meng Fan, the show's director. "So, for this round, there will be no song draws. Each contestant can keep their performance choice a secret until next week."
"Our music team will fully support everyone in preparing their secret weapons to amaze the audience. The theme for the semifinals is: a performance that surpasses even the best." Meng Fan suddenly raised his voice, startling Wei Tongzi, who had zoned out.
With the rules announced, the recording for this episode neared its end. Meng Fan stood up and said, "Now, for the 'Classic Moment' sponsored by Tide Laundry Detergent. Before leaving, please write down your expectations for the semifinals—or a message to yourselves—on these cards."
Another "Classic Moment" segment? I Am a Singer was already nearing its finale, yet they could still pull out a new sponsor out of thin air—proof of the show's soaring ratings.
Then, Meng Fan pulled out a plastic box about the size of an iPhone box (why emphasize iPhone? Not because of ad revenue, but because Apple's packaging without a charger is just that compact). The box was painted with a rust-effect finish, but the cheap texture made it look like something from a dollar store.
The director opened it and took out eight palm-sized cards. The front was blank, while the back displayed Tide's slogans: "With Tide, no stains; with Tide in winter, hotpot every day." It had to be said—foreign brands really spared no expense in advertising to capture the Chinese market. Familiar brands like Safeguard, Head & Shoulders, and Rejoice were all products of the American company Procter & Gamble.
"Bring out your secret weapons"—this meant original songs were allowed. Chu Zhi once again felt his Personality Coins weren't enough.
Wei Tongzi quickly distributed the cards and markers. Hou Yubin casually wrote: [Compete with skill and style.]
"Zhang-jiang, can you teach me how to write 'I hope to sing more great songs' in Chinese?" Koguchi asked his music partner.
Japanese already used many Chinese characters, and Koguchi was a fast learner—even if some characters looked a bit wobbly.
[Thank you to the audience who still listens to my music quietly.]
Chu Zhi didn't overthink it. Neither did Lin Xia, Li Xingwei, Yang Guiyun, or Gu Nanxi. The most hesitant was Zheng Yingying, pen hovering in the air.
"It's just an expectation, not your life story. No need to overcomplicate it," Gu Nanxi said.
"I have too many expectations for next week's recording," Zheng Yingying argued. "I want a great performance, I don't want to rank last again, I want more fans to like my music… And since we can't erase anything on the card, of course I have to think carefully!"
Her logic was flawless. Gu Nanxi found herself speechless. But as someone who always had to steer conversations, she quipped, "Then just write—I want it all."
"Adults have to make choices. Only kids can say 'I want it all.' I'm past the age of being spoiled," Zheng Yingying said, finally settling on her wish: "Don't rank last."
This round, Zheng Yingying was in last place. If Li Xingwei, like Chu Zhi, challenged everyone next time, she'd be eliminated.
By the time recording wrapped up, it was already 8:30 PM. The contestants looked exhausted. Gu Nanxi wanted to rush to the dressing room and remove her makeup, but she resisted—for a celebrity, taking off makeup mid-schedule was like discarding your weapon in battle.
As the part-time host, she had more screen time but also the most lines. No wonder she was drained.
The post-show networking began, with small groups making plans. As the saying goes, "Life is a net, and socializing is jumping in it—the more you jump, the tighter it wraps around you, until leaving feels like walking naked."
"Chu Zhi got 741 votes, first place. My real score was 725, second place. The new guy, Li Xingwei, is third. I used to think Uncle Hou was my only rival for the title, but Chu Zhi is too," Lin Xia mused. He was still confident in his own skills.
With that in mind, he invited Chu Zhi, who was about to leave, to dinner.
Koguchi hurriedly cut in, "I also want to invite Chu-san to dinner!" He hadn't understood Lin Xia's Chinese, and with recording over, his music partner Zhang Yue wasn't translating anymore. But judging by the context, he could guess.
"Lin-san, please convey my invitation to Chu-san," Kyoguchi said.
Zhang Yue sighed inwardly. "Before Chu Zhi joined, this guy was always inviting Lin Xia to dinner. Now… these Japanese really are unreliable." Even though she got along fine with Koguchi, the ingrained discrimination against islanders—like how "old-stock Americans" viewed Black people—was hard to shake.
"Sorry, I'm not feeling well today," Chu Zhi declined. "Next time, it's on me."
As he refused, a soft, harp-like chime sounded in his mind—just like when he unlocked the "Smoke King" achievement after his first cigarette. A new achievement must have been triggered, meaning more Personality Coins. "Just what I needed."
"Teacher Chu, you do look pale. Make sure to rest well."
"Health is important!"
Koguchi and Lin Xia couldn't argue—Chu Zhi really did look unwell—so they just expressed concern.
"Wait, I remember you still owe me a meal," Zheng Yingying suddenly said. "Last time, I paid."
"Next time, definitely next time," Lin Xia said sheepishly.
"That's what you said last time… and the time before that," Zheng Yingying wasn't buying it.
"When I don't know what to say… I really don't know what to say," Lin Xia admitted. Despite his near-top-tier fame and hefty income, his childhood habit of mooching meals was hard to break.
The spotlight now shifted between Li Xingwei and Lin Xia. No matter how niche soul music was, or how senior some contestants were, none could match their star power.
"Teacher Hou, any plans tonight? I'd love to learn from you," Li Xingwei said. He wasn't interested in mingling with everyone—only Hou Yubin (as a respected senior) and Lin Xia (as a rival) mattered to him.
"I have a 10 PM flight back to Shanghai," Hou Yubin politely declined.
"Flying so late? That's exhausting," Li Xingwei said.
"It's not too bad, just tight on time. Hopefully, there's no traffic to Huanghua Airport at this hour," Hou Yubin replied.
Everyone went their separate ways. That night, the skies over Changsha held no stars—just a light drizzle.
Without delay, Chu Zhi avoided the crowds of fans waiting for Lin Xia and Li Xingwei at the exit and returned to his hotel.
Opening his achievements tab, he saw a new entry:
[Born on Earth but Aspiring to Be Immortal]
(I am an ethereal celestial being—mortals aren't worthy of my company.)
Reject an industry invitation ×1 → 1 Personality Coin ★
Reject an industry invitation ×3 → 2 Personality Coins
...