Lin Chudong was taken aback. "Director Hong, you're too kind. Just tell me what's up."
Director Hong sighed. "Da Fei, although I have a fair amount of say in this show, I still have to answer to the station director, the production team, and the sponsors. Sometimes, I'm left with no choice."
Hearing this, everyone immediately felt a sense of foreboding.
"Director Hong, just speak your mind."
Director Hong said, "After careful consideration, the program team has decided to have you withdraw from the competition."
The faces of Liang Yin's Band immediately changed.
Liang Yin said, "Why?!"
Director Hong finished speaking and walked out of the makeup room.
He had to be the bad guy, and he didn't feel good about it either.
This variety show was his creation, and he wanted it to be perfect more than anyone else. But there was nothing he could do; he couldn't fight against the inevitable.
Da Fei had only debuted a few years, and even at his most popular, he couldn't compare to Zhang Yiran. The influence of a queen of music was greater than anyone could imagine.
It was all about the show's effect, right? Withdrawing from the competition would also create a buzz, and it would also allow Zhang Yiran to win the championship. It was the best of both worlds, and the organizers had agreed. Director Hong was powerless to change the outcome.
After Director Hong left, Liang Yin spoke.
"Da Fei, you won't say anything during the live broadcast, right?"
Da Fei shook his head. "Of course I won't say anything rash. I'll follow the arrangements."
"You haven't settled the bill yet."
The appearance fees for these past few episodes hadn't been settled yet. These people all relied on Lin Chudong for their meals, and he wouldn't let everyone suffer because of his momentary pleasure.
Soon, the live broadcast began.
The ratings for I Am the Song King also reached its peak at this moment, topping all the television stations nationwide.
This phenomenon-level variety show final was watched by countless people, and it was live, so the attention it garnered was naturally extremely high.
At the opening, a male host walked onto the stage.
Immediately, the entire audience erupted in cheers.
This was Li Chuanxing, Mango TV's top host.
"I Am the Song King" has never had a host. Now that it's the finals, we need someone who can really command the stage to host.
Li Chuanxing bowed to everyone as a gesture.
"Hello everyone, this is the final of 'I Am the Song King'. I am your host, Li Chuanxing."
"This season's show has produced many outstanding singers, but due to the rules of the competition, only seven have made it to the finals."
"We will have two consecutive final rounds on Saturday and Sunday to compete for the true Song King!"
The big screen behind him displayed the waiting room footage of the seven singers. Everyone was preparing in their own rooms and waved to the camera when it cut over to them.
Li Chuanxing said, "Thank you to these seven outstanding singers for bringing us excellent songs..."
While Li Chuanxing was speaking, an assistant director pushed open the door and gestured to Lin Chudong, signaling that he could start.
Lin Chudong nodded and raised his hand, saying,
"Brother Li, can you hear me, Brother Li?"
Li Chuanxing was stunned for a moment. "I can hear you. Da Fei, go ahead."
Lin Chudong stood up with a smile.
"I'll take a minute of everyone's time. What I'm about to say is quite important, so I prepared a script."
Lin Chudong took a piece of paper from his pocket. This was the script the Director had written for him; he just needed to read it.
Meanwhile, the audience below was bewildered. What was Da Fei up to? This was a live broadcast, after all. Was he going to pull some stunt? Even Sun Xuan, who was far away in Capital City, started to worry. The last live broadcast had left him with quite a psychological shadow.
Was something going to happen again this time?
Lin Chudong read, "First of all, I want to thank the program for the invitation. I love this stage, and I am very honored to join as a challenger."
"Through the program, many viewers have come to know me and like me, and that is my greatest reward."
"Among all the contestants, I am the youngest. I hope my older brothers and sisters can go further and become the Song King."
"Therefore, after careful consideration, I have decided to withdraw from the upcoming competition."
"However, I will sit here and continue to cheer for my brothers and sisters, and witness you become the Song King!"
Suddenly, the scene erupted in an uproar, everyone was stunned.
Da Fei was a favorite to win, and he was withdrawing at this time?
Wasn't this a joke?
The live stream was immediately flooded with comments.
"Da Fei, what are you kidding? You're saying you're withdrawing now that you're at the finals?"
"Are you out of tricks? Don't have any songs left? I can't figure out why you'd withdraw."
"Out of tricks, my ass! Da Fei hasn't even sung so many of his songs, he could easily win just by singing one of them!"
"Live broadcast shenanigans, that's just Da Fei's usual routine. The first live broadcast of this show was like this, really sticking it to the production team!"
"Liang Yin's Band is finished now, they're definitely going to be banned."
"Exactly, you don't withdraw earlier or later, but now? What are they supposed to do next?"
Seeing these comments in the bullet screen, Liang Yin and the others' eyes were red with grievance.
Is this what they wanted, to withdraw? Da Fei was still smiling in front of the camera, he must be the most miserable one right now, right?
Li Chuanxing was also dumbfounded. The camera showed Yang Han and the others staring blankly, including Zhang Yiran, the instigator, who looked disbelieving. Their acting was worthy of an Oscar.
Li Chuanxing naturally knew about this already, but he played along.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I'm sorry. Since I'm the host of this program, I'll take control of the situation."
"Please, director, prepare three to five minutes of commercials for me. I'll need them later."
"What I'm about to say represents my personal views only and has nothing to do with Mango TV."
"Da Fei is a very excellent singer. On this stage, you have the right to choose to come or not."
"Similarly, you can also choose to leave whenever you feel it's appropriate."
"The success of a program depends not only on excellent singers but also, more importantly, on the audience watching at home and on-site. I believe they've already prepared applause for Zhang Yiran, for Yang Han, for Zhu Sikai, and for all the singers. Da Fei, don't you believe me, listen!"
The audience erupted in applause.
Da Fei responded with a smile.
Li Chuanxing continued to speak eloquently, calm and collected.
"Although I personally don't agree with your approach, I respect your choice. I only have one small request, and that is that you, as a member of the audience, cheer on your brothers and sisters, watching them strive for the Song King's throne."
"I believe the five hundred audience members present are already prepared to welcome you, the newest member of the audience. Just listen!"
The audience once again burst into enthusiastic applause, everyone applauding Li Chuanxing's words.
Netizens also went wild. "This is the professionalism of a professional host, a god-tier response."
"Li Chuanxing is a god! In these kinds of unexpected situations, you still have to rely on these famous hosts!"
"This is even comparable to Director Deng's ten-minute off-the-cuff announcement at last year's Spring Festival Gala! Professionalism is professionalism!"
"There's really no situation Li Chuanxing can't save! This is even more entertaining than the singing!"
"..."
But to Liang Yin and the others, these compliments and applause were like nails on a chalkboard.
Li Chuanxing said, "For such a large program, and with such an excellent singer suddenly withdrawing, our program team definitely needs to make some temporary adjustments to the competition system and the procedures."
"Now, please cut to the commercial break. I will discuss the next stage of the competition with the production team. Please don't go anywhere. As always, the most exciting part is often after the commercials."
Subsequently, the television program cut to a commercial break.
Instantly, Lin Chudong's phone rang.
The first call was from Lin Qiqi; she must have been following the program.
There were quite a few people in Lin Chudong's dressing room at the moment. Several assistant directors were watching, worried that Da Fei would say the wrong thing and they'd have to stop him.
Fortunately, Da Fei had a sense of the bigger picture. If something went wrong, it would not only ruin the show but also his future.
Lin Chudong hung up the phone and sent her a WeChat message.
"I'm fine, I'll reply to you later."
Besides Lin Qiqi, Deng Siqing had also called. He also hung up and replied with a message on WeChat; now was not the time for chatting.
Director Hong walked in, and the other singers followed.
As soon as Yang Han entered, he immediately went forward and asked.
"Da Fei, what's going on?"
Lin Chudong smiled. "It's okay. I won't be with you anymore. Do your best."
Yang Han's eyes were reddening. He knew something was wrong the moment he saw the scene. What were all these directors doing here? Were they guarding prisoners?
Jing Feifei's phone rang too. She frowned and answered it directly.
"Hello, Dad? I know. I'm going back now."
After hanging up, Jing Feifei said, "Da Fei, are we leaving?"
Lin Chudong nodded. "Yes."
"Director Hong, we'll be leaving now if there's nothing else. Is that alright?"
Director Hong looked ashamed. "Yes, take care on your way. The appearance fee will be in your account first thing tomorrow morning."
There was nothing he could do to make up for it now. Director Hong could only transfer the money quickly to show his sincerity.
Stepping out of the makeup room, Lin Chudong ran into Zhang Yiran.
Zhang Yiran was standing there with her arms crossed, a sneer playing on her lips.
"Leaving already? What a pity."
Lin Chudong gave a faint smile. "Director Zhang, you've got some skills."
A look of amusement flashed across Zhang Yiran's face. "Actually, you're not really suited to be a singer. You'd be better off behind the scenes, where you can really use your talents."
"If you're interested, you can come to my company. Our composition department would welcome you."
Before Lin Chudong could say anything, Liang Yin stepped forward, her voice cold.
"You're poaching my artist right in front of me? That's so unprofessional!"
Zhang Yiran frowned, "Who do you think you are?"
Liang Yin sneered, "You can't compete, so you resort to underhanded tactics? Who do you think you are?"
Zhang Yiran's eyes widened, nearly losing her temper.
The few people nearby were terrified. Their boss was too bold, directly confronting the diva and not giving her any face.
Lin Chudong quickly pulled her away, afraid that his boss would get too excited and give Zhang Yiran a judo throw.
Zhang Yiran's frail frame would probably be crippled, and then it would be a criminal offense.
After leaving Mango TV, everyone was in low spirits. Wang Zhi said,
"The boss lady's aura was really something just now. The diva paled in comparison to you."
Liang Yin was a bit dejected. "Don't say things like that, the live stream has already started, there's no room for a comeback."
Everyone's eyes were a little red. They had finally made it to where they were today, and just as they were about to become popular, something like this happened.
Just when everyone was feeling dejected, Jing Feifei steeled herself and said,
"I'm sorry, everyone, I know it's not the right time, but... my dad told me to go home. Maybe, I can't be in the band with you anymore."
Immediately, Liang Yin and the others' faces changed drastically.
Adding insult to injury.
Everyone took the plane back to Magic City, and Liang Yin saw Jing Feifei off.
"Feifei, have a good talk with your dad. We'll be waiting for you here."
Jing Feifei's eyes were red. She waved to everyone and closed the car door.
Lin Chudong started the car and took her home.
The car gradually drove away. Jing Feifei saw them in the rearview mirror, and her nose felt sore.
"Da Fei, can I use your shoulder for a bit?"
"Do as you like."
Jing Feifei leaned on Lin Chudong's shoulder and immediately burst into tears.
A forty-minute drive brought them to the headquarters of Jingdong Group.
Lin Chudong asked, "Xiao Jing, are you sure your dad wants to see me?"
Jing Feifei nodded. "He said to go to his office with me."
Lin Chudong said, "Your dad isn't going to chew me out, is he?"
Jing Feifei shrugged. "Probably not. After all, I left on my own, you didn't kidnap me."
"But I did kind of 'kidnap' you to form a band."
"It's okay, my dad's not that fierce."
Lin Chudong was helpless. He parked the car and followed Jing Feifei into the company.
"Miss, President Jing is waiting for you in the office."
As soon as they entered the company, someone followed them, escorting them all the way to the top floor's president's office.
Pushing open the door, a middle-aged man sat in an office chair, wearing headphones and listening to music, his right hand gently swaying with the music.
Jing Feifei pouted, sitting on the sofa, looking sulky.
Jing Qiang took off his headphones and said.
"You are Da Fei?"
"Hello, President Jing."
Jing Qiang nodded, "Sit down, don't be so formal. I know my own daughter, I don't blame you for her running around and playing."
Lin Chudong nodded, it seemed Director Jing was a reasonable person.
Director Jing walked over to the sofa, turned on a Dynaudio sound system worth nearly a million, and played a piano piece.
The office had a strong musical atmosphere; there was also an upright piano in the corner, which was quite valuable.
After pouring Lin Chudong a cup of tea, he said.
"I don't object to my daughter playing music, but you guys doing pop music is too vulgar, I don't like it."
"This is Mozart, elegant, I like it."
Lin Chudong said, "Director Jing seems to know a lot about elegant music, only piano pieces?"
Director Jing said, "Not necessarily."
"I'm really just a regular person. I don't understand piano music, so I think it's elegant."
"If there's something I both understand and find elegant, it would be traditional opera."
"Unfortunately, you young people don't understand traditional opera."
Da Fei said, "Director Jing, I actually know a bit about traditional opera. How about we exchange some thoughts?"
-----------------------
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