Chapter 54

A newcomer, how is he supposed to deal with such a problem? Isn't this bullying?

Everyone had the same thought in their hearts: the reporter from Southern Sunday is really too cunning, actually using such tactics against a newcomer.

However, Ye Ming did not take it to heart. In his previous life, he had heard many more tricky and bizarre questions, so at this moment, he still said with a calm face, "In literature, there is no first place; in martial arts, there is no second. As a member of the arts community, I understand this principle. But I, I am not a professional singer. I can only say that among actors, I sing the best, and among singers, I act the best. Standing on this stage, I will dedicate my best side to the audience."

This response left Old Bai feeling depressed. The best singer among actors, the best actor among singers—this kid is too slippery, right?

Director Yuan Dewang also nodded secretly in response to Ye Ming's answer. Originally, he was a bit worried about bringing a newcomer, but now it seemed that this newcomer was very experienced.

At this moment, Liu Huan interjected, "Actually, it's Ye Ming who is too modest. When he sings, I was right there. He is a very promising young man. Among the young singers of today, those who can surpass him purely by talent are no more than three. I guarantee that after you see his performance, you will not be disappointed."

This was Liu Huan, the one sitting on the pinnacle of the music industry, actually speaking up for Ye Ming. This was absolutely explosive news. Liu Huan was known for being strict in the industry, and for him not to criticize a newcomer was already quite good, let alone praise him. This was unprecedented.

Even more shocking, Yu Qinghua also chimed in, "Mr. Liu Huan is right. Ye Ming is a creative genius. His songs can touch the heart. In the mainland, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, I rarely see such a talented young man. I believe that even in Hong Kong and Taiwan, Ye Ming's musical ideas are at the forefront of the trend."

The King of Pop, Liu Huan, and the musical prodigy, Yu Qinghua, actually standing up to support someone at the same time—this was something no one had ever expected before the press conference.

Even Director Yuan Dewang did not expect that these two big names would vouch for Ye Ming.

The next day, Southern Sunday led with a large article titled "Is the Newcomer Recommended by Liu Huan and Yu Qinghua Truly Deserving or Just a Fake?" The entire article had a sour tone.

On the other hand, Entertainment Morning's Yu Guo wrote more objectively, "The Rise of a New Force in the Music Industry—Let's Wait and See on the Night of the Full Moon."

Many media outlets, whether praising or criticizing, all revolved around one topic: why did Ye Ming receive the endorsement of two music industry veterans? These two were both powerhouse singers, and for them to vouch for someone at the same time was unprecedented.

When Yu Qinghua gave an interview to the media the next day, he repeatedly emphasized that he was only talking about the music, not the person. Ye Ming definitely had something worth looking forward to.

As for Liu Huan, when asked this question, he only said, "The answer will be revealed on the Mid-Autumn night."

For a time, everyone began to pay attention to Ye Ming, this seemingly sudden newcomer.

Ye Ming had not yet appeared on the Mid-Autumn Festival Gala, but in the production team, no one dared to look at him as a newcomer anymore. Even when the props and costumes were delivered, they were very friendly.

In the entire production team, Ye Ming now truly had the status of a lead actor.

On the night of the full moon, it was another Mid-Autumn Festival. The fragrance of osmanthus filled the air, and the gentle moonlight bathed every corner of Chang'an Street. The moon was even rounder tonight. Turning on the TV, the first Mid-Autumn Festival Gala after the return of Hong Kong and Macao was as expected.

In a corner of the city, in an inconspicuous bungalow, Huang Bo excitedly turned on the TV and said to his few friends, "You all pay attention, my fellow townsman, Ye Ming, is about to appear on the Mid-Autumn Festival Gala. Just wait and see."

These people were either extras or singers who performed in nightclubs and dance halls. The gala on the national TV was a stage they could only dream of.

It was too far away for them. They could only imagine themselves standing on that stage in their dreams.

One of the long-haired singers, who was familiar with Huang Bo, drank beer, ate mooncakes, and looked up at the bright moonlight that shone through the broken window, evoking a deep sense of homesickness.

He had not been home for three years, staying in the city to pursue his dreams for three years.

Hearing Huang Bo's words, the long-haired singer said disdainfully, "Are you serious? You know such a big star? You're just an extra, a nightclub singer. If you really knew someone like that, would you still be here with us? Dream on."

Huang Bo replied in his native Shandong dialect, "You're just jealous. I have dreams. Next year, when I save enough money, I'll apply to the Beijing Film Academy. I don't believe I won't have a chance to succeed. Just wait and see my fellow townsman's performance. He's my brother. We had drinks a few days ago, along with a guy named Xu Zheng. Don't believe me if you want."

A person with dreams is the happiest. Huang Bo was different from his friends. He was not aimless; he knew what he wanted.

On stage, the colors were vibrant, the atmosphere festive and harmonious, a scene of prosperity.

While backstage, Ye Ming was waiting for his moment.

As in his previous life, Lu Xiumei and Lu Jihong's "Good News" opened the show.

Ye Ming sat in the dressing room, his heart beating faster and faster, as if it would jump out of his chest.

Jiang Zhongyi took the stage and sang "The Curved Moon," her clear voice earning applause.

Time passed minute by minute. Zhao Wei said, "Ye Ming, it's almost your turn. Go to the backstage and wait."

Director Sun glanced at Ye Ming, unable to tell if he was nervous or relaxed, but felt that his makeup might not be right for the camera. He said to Zhao Wei, "Give him some powder on his nose and forehead. Hurry up, it's almost your turn."

On stage, after a lively dance, Zhou Tao stood in front of the camera with a sweet smile and a pleasant voice, "Zhu Jun, on this day when we miss our loved ones even more, what do you think about the most?"

Zhu Jun answered without hesitation, "The moon, of course. Everyone knows that. Admiring the moon and eating mooncakes, the moonlight is the gentlest, most beautiful, and most touching moment."

Zhou Tao chuckled, "But not everyone thinks so. The moon can also cause trouble."

Zhu Jun replied decisively, "Impossible. The moon is the brightest in one's hometown, and everyone shares the same moment. How can it cause trouble?"

Seeing Zhu Jun's disbelieving face, Zhou Tao chuckled, "I know you don't believe me. Now, please listen to 'The Moon's Fault' performed by Ye Ming."

Huang Bo excitedly pointed at the TV, "Pay attention, everyone, my fellow townsman is about to appear."

All your fault, you easily fell in love with me,

Making me unknowingly indulge in the vanity of being loved.

All your fault, your affection for people,

Is a kind of **.

All your fault, the misty look in your eyes,

Always hides a love that is both tender and pitiful.

All your fault, your passionate dream,

Is like a spell, after being loved by you, who else can I be moved by?

I admit it's all the moon's fault,

That night was too beautiful, you were too gentle,

That's why in that moment, I only wanted to be with you until old age.

I admit it's all the fault of the vows,

Even if the heart is as hard as steel, it becomes soft as silk.

For a moment, it seemed as if the air had frozen. Was this still the traditional Mid-Autumn Festival Gala on national TV?

A song so unconventional had appeared.

Ye Ming poured all his energy and emotion into the performance of "The Moon's Fault" on stage.

He knew that only success would allow him to go further on this path.

Halfway through the song, he realized his physical strength was not keeping up. The pressure of facing millions of viewers was immense, beyond his imagination.

But at this moment, a voice in Ye Ming's heart told him,

Don't give up, you must hold on, you must hold on.

You finally have this opportunity, you must hold on, grit your teeth and hold on.

But fatigue still crept up on him.

At this moment, the system chimed.

[Host completed the Mid-Autumn Festival Gala task, reward: 30 fame. Hidden task unlocked: Perform on the 1998 Spring Festival Gala, reward: 200 fame.]

[Host: Ye Ming. Age: 19. Acting: 358. Singing: 388. Fame: 180. Martial arts: 400. Insight: Two stars. Functions: Artist training, prop store. Inventory: Stamina potion, puppet, locked item: Best Actor Crown.]

[Host is in a critical state. Do you want to activate emergency mode? Activating emergency mode will put the host in a willpower-controlled state, resulting in a 30-minute collapse after the performance.]

Ye Ming subconsciously clicked "confirm."

Instantly, Ye Ming's eyes, which had started to look scattered, became sharp and focused.

Every note, every word, burst with immense power, truly singing with his life.

It was a wild and unrestrained voice, a voice that soared like a free horse.

Touching every heart.

Like the moonlight, it was too beautiful, too gentle.

In that moment, under the soft lights, countless hearts were captured.

This scene, the song "The Moon's Fault," was deeply etched in the hearts of every viewer.

When the song ended, Zhu Jun rushed to the stage, intending to interview Ye Ming, but Zhou Tao saw that Ye Ming looked completely drained and quickly stopped Zhu Jun, making a "two" gesture, indicating to use the second plan.

It turned out that Zhou Tao's judgment was correct.

Ye Ming had underestimated the pressure of facing millions of viewers on camera. It was like being crushed by a heavy mountain, making it hard to breathe.

Being able to sing on camera already showed that Ye Ming, as a newcomer, had very strong mental fortitude.

Liu Huan and Yu Qinghua were actually watching Ye Ming's performance in the same dressing room.

At this moment, Yu Qinghua, looking at Ye Ming's passionate performance on the screen, said, "Brother Liu, what do you think of this newcomer? He's quite good, a promising seed. If he develops in Hong Kong or Taiwan, he could be the next King of Pop."

Liu Huan replied without hesitation, "Don't be too greedy. Leave something for the mainland music industry. For a young person to have such a brilliant performance on camera is already quite impressive. But he was still nervous. I can see that he was using his willpower to control his body and voice, preventing them from trembling. For a first-time performance like this, he must have very strong willpower."

Yu Qinghua, not giving any face, said, "For a newcomer to use such a method, he might collapse afterward. But facing millions of viewers on camera, he did quite well. Being able to finish the song is already a victory, and his performance was excellent."

These two powerhouse singers were right. Ye Ming, after his performance, did not say a word.

His face was pale, and he could barely stand.

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