Chapter 15

Perhaps because Ye Ming's words were straightforward, Liang Dong finally understood and, under the urging of Zhao Wei and Huang Xiaoming, reluctantly agreed to go back and wait and see.

The unwritten rules are everywhere; it's all about how you handle them. When it comes to the unwritten rules, you have only one choice: when you don't have the power to manipulate others, you must be cautious of others' manipulations, or you won't be able to survive in this circle.

There was once an actress who, because her goal was not achieved, exposed her private affairs with a director surnamed Huang. There were pictures and evidence, but what could the result be? This was originally a matter of mutual consent.

Although the director surnamed Huang got into a lot of trouble, in such a situation, the actress's dream of becoming a big star was completely shattered. She did indeed create a lot of buzz for herself, but who would dare to use such an actress in the future?

Unless the director and producer went crazy, the actress eventually became a nobody and quietly left the entertainment industry. But the director surnamed Huang? He continued with his life as usual. His character might be criticized, but in the entertainment industry, how much does character weigh?

If it were in the past, this original song competition would have been a major event promoted by the Beijing TV station, receiving a lot of attention and support. However, this year is special. Everything has to give way to the return. By the end of the month, who would have the heart to watch a singing competition? In the context of the return, all entertainment programs would be overshadowed.

Therefore, the leaders of the TV station decided to live broadcast the original song competition three days later, to end the competition quickly and smoothly, and then shift the focus entirely to the coverage of the return.

Over the next three days, Ye Ming prepared for the final with all his heart. "Man proposes, God disposes." He could not give up the competition just because Mao Duoduo might suppress him. It was not in his nature to admit defeat without a fight.

It was the same in the past, and even more so now.

In the backstage of the No. 1 studio of Beijing TV, preparations were being made in a tense but orderly manner. In half an hour, the live broadcast of the original song final would begin.

At this moment, Liang Dong's face was pale. He was scheduled to perform first, which felt like he was being used as a scapegoat.

Thirty thousand yuan, just to be the first performer.

At this moment, Liang Dong's hands were trembling, his nails almost digging into his flesh. He tried to control his emotions, telling himself to stay calm, to stay calm, as this was the competition site.

A fair hand reached out from behind, patted his shoulder, and said, "Senior, you can do it. Just one more step, I believe in you."

Zhao Wei and Huang Xiaoming came again to cheer for their senior. Seeing Liang Dong unable to control his emotions, they immediately reached out to comfort him.

At this moment, Huang Xiaoming quickly took Liang Dong's guitar to the side, afraid that he might accidentally throw it, which would be too late.

Ye Ming walked over and said calmly, "Senior Liang, you need to stay calm. If you cause a scene now, it will only fulfill some people's wishes. They are just waiting to see your downfall. If you go on stage now, you still have a chance, otherwise, you will have no chance at all. Do you think there is absolute fairness in a competition? Don't be too naive."

At this moment, Huang Xiaoming, carrying the guitar, snorted and said, "You talk so easily, but you don't feel the pressure. You are the second, so you naturally get a good position."

It turned out that Second Brother was still a young idealist, not yet adapted to the cutthroat entertainment industry. He had a long way to go.

Ye Ming did not argue but smiled and said, "My position is indeed good. After Senior Liang finishes, I will go on stage. It's a good opportunity, isn't it?"

At this moment, Zhao Wei suddenly looked up, her face full of disbelief, and said, "How can this be? You are the second, and they dare to treat you like this? Aren't you afraid your company will protest?"

Ye Ming shrugged, unwilling to give up but helpless, and said, "Having a company is a good thing, but a company is not omnipotent. Everything is possible. Don't expect absolute fairness. If you have tried your best, you can be at peace with yourself. Now, would it help to protest? Besides, this is just an unwritten rule, and I have no evidence. The competition is about to start, so focus on preparing for it, which is the best way to fight back."

Looking at Ye Ming's retreating back, Liang Dong seemed to be inspired but then said, "Maybe he is right. The unwritten rules, I may not be able to adapt to them. If this doesn't work out, I plan to go abroad. A senior invited me to develop there, where I might have a chance."

Who knew that at this moment, Zhao Wei's face turned cold, and she said angrily, "Liang Dong, have some backbone, will you? Ye Ming can muster the spirit to compete, and you can't handle a small setback. Going abroad, do you want to run away? What about our Xiao Huan? A man, don't let me look down on you."

Women can change their minds faster than turning a page. After a tirade, Zhao Wei turned and left without looking back.

Huang Xiaoming glanced at Zhao Wei, opened his mouth to say something, but finally put down the guitar helplessly and said, "Senior, you can do it. I believe in you." Then he rushed out.

At this moment, Huang Xiaoming did not notice that in the corridor, a sissy guy was walking slowly and was accidentally bumped by Huang Xiaoming.

The sissy guy was furious, stopped, and was about to scold, but found that the person who bumped him had already run away.

This person was George. Today, he had come from Mao Duoduo's side to find the sound engineer, Song Kai.

He did not expect to be bumped by the clumsy Huang Xiaoming as soon as he stepped out.

Frowning, George muttered, "What bad luck," and then remembered that he had a mission. He wanted to make Ye Ming's career end in disaster. Offending Mao Duoduo meant a difficult path in the music industry.

Arriving at the sound room in the backstage, George was not polite at all. He found a chair, sat down, and said, "Song Kai, what do you think? If you agree, I guarantee you will benefit. Our Mao Mao loves making friends, you know."

Of course, he was using Mao Duoduo's name, and it was also something Mao Duoduo had approved or even personally arranged.

Song Kai, with a scholarly appearance and wearing black-rimmed glasses, hesitated and said, "This is a live broadcast. If something goes wrong, it could cause a broadcast accident. I might be disciplined or even fired by the station."

George took out a red envelope and placed it on the table, then waved his hand and said, "Enough, it's just a new artist, what's the big deal? Besides, do you think I would do this without the approval of your director? When it happens, just insist that the accompaniment tape he provided was blank. Who can prove otherwise? Director Fang will naturally step in and deal with Ye Ming. Who will know about our deal?"

This was George's sinister plan. He deliberately set a trap, making Ye Ming the second performer and not providing him with the accompaniment tape, forcing him to sing a cappella. In such a competition, singing a cappella is a huge disadvantage, except for those with naturally good voices. Most singers would not get good scores.

George wanted to eliminate Ye Ming in the first round of the final, to show him the consequences of offending Mao Duoduo.

Moreover, he had even thought of an excuse. Ye Ming provided an accompaniment tape, but it was blank, with no music. Therefore, it would not be the sound engineer's fault if he had to sing a cappella.

This excuse of a blank tape was much more sinister and vicious than saying Ye Ming did not provide the tape at all.

In such competitions, it is almost impossible for a singer to make such a low-level mistake as not providing the accompaniment tape. Using such an excuse to silence criticism would be difficult.

But a blank tape was different.

Song Kai hesitated, then casually put the red envelope in his pocket and said, "Please rest assured, Mr. Mao. I am a very responsible sound engineer. I hope Mr. Mao will speak well of me in the future."

George nodded in satisfaction, a sinister light in his eyes.

In the entertainment industry, it's a jungle where the strong prey on the weak. Mao Duoduo is a top star, and it's not difficult for him to deal with a new artist. Even the director and sound engineer would give him some face.

It must be said that Ye Ming's future is uncertain.

Liang Dong, being the first performer, did not perform well. He felt very nervous, as if the judges were looking at him with a critical eye. Even the stage lights seemed particularly glaring.

The more he worried, the more he could not relax. In several places, he even went off-key.

For a singer, this was almost fatal. Therefore, the judges' faces showed disappointment.

The worse he performed, the worse he became, as if he was not in the right state. He sang a few lines and realized his fate.

In the end, his final score was less than nine points, which was like a bolt of lightning to him.

A score of less than nine in the final meant he had no chance of a good ranking. Not being the last would already be a good result.

At this moment, Liang Dong felt as if he had been struck by lightning, his body numb, his mind blank, as if he knew nothing.

It was not until the host reminded him that he realized his competition was over.

His stage had come to an end.

He was not willing. This was a black curtain, a blatant black curtain.