Chapter 50

"Luoyang, you've been cooped up in your room for the past few days. Why did you suddenly think of watching the competition with us today?" Ren Changjiang said to Luoyang with a sidelong glance.

At first, Luoyang used to watch the live broadcasts of "Next Queen" with them in the evenings, but after a few episodes, he stopped paying much attention. The others, however, didn't miss a single episode, and they all looked down on Luoyang for it.

Unexpectedly, Luoyang wanted to watch the live broadcast with them again tonight.

"Today is the last day of the Top 100 competition. I think it will be quite exciting," Luoyang said, squeezing in with his three roommates and watching the screen while picking up snacks from the table.

"Anyway, you've been mysterious all day, who knows what you've been up to in your room..." Wang Yubai said with a roll of his eyes.

Zhu Changhong also nodded in agreement, adding, "Luoyang, are you in a long-distance relationship with some girl? You always go straight to your bedroom after school and don't come out..."

At this, the three roommates looked at Luoyang simultaneously, their faces full of curiosity.

Usually, they didn't enter each other's bedrooms without permission, so these roommates didn't know that Luoyang spent his time in the dorm writing.

"I actually..."

"It's starting!" Luoyang was about to say that he was actually a web novelist, but his three roommates interrupted him.

The new episode of "Next Queen" had just begun.

Luoyang smiled. This was for the best, to avoid these guys spreading the news about his web novel writing.

On the screen, the familiar stage of "Next Queen" appeared, with dazzling lights shining down. The host, Pudding, stood in the center of the stage, delivering the well-known opening remarks: "Hello, dear audience members both on-site and at home. I am the host of 'Next Queen,' Pudding. It's great to see everyone. Time flies, and we've already reached the tenth episode of the Top 100 competition. After today's competition, our production team will announce the Top 50 list. Without further ado, let's begin the tenth episode of 'Next Queen'..."

The four judges appeared on screen, greeting the audience.

Yi Bai had an irresistible, charming smile, Ma Haoran waved at the camera, Luo Bingqing blew kisses to the audience, and Zhang Zonghuan maintained his usual elegant smile.

"Alright, let's welcome our first contestant, Sun Qian!" Pudding said at the right moment.

The stage lights dimmed, and a rock-style music track began to play...

"Wow, it's 'Strong Beauty.' That's a rock song..."

"The female contestants of 'Next Queen' usually prefer ballads. It's rare to hear someone sing rock."

"This 'Strong Beauty' is one of Luo Bingqing's songs. This contestant is quite bold..."

Luoyang listened to his roommates' comments and said with a smile, "Don't worry, she can definitely handle this song."

"Tch..."

"Talk as if you know this Sun Qian or something..."

Zhu Changhong mocked mercilessly, and even the usually honest Ren Changjiang gave Luoyang a condescending look: "Don't forget you're just a shut-in who stays in the dorm all day."

Luoyang weakly replied, "I really do know Sun Qian..."

"If you know Sun Qian, then I know Liu Qin!" Wang Yubai said, sipping his drink and giving Luoyang a sidelong glance.

"I know Liu Qin too."

"Alright, Luoyang, stop boasting. Let's listen to the song!" Zhu Changhong said.

Luoyang raised his hands in surrender. After the three of them had their argument, they all focused on the screen. A powerful female voice rang out: "Time flows like water, I get drunk under someone's gaze. Love sways, is it real, a dream, or an illusion? Tears make feelings false, fragility makes feelings crumble. I sing in the wind, who makes me strong and beautiful..."

"Not bad..."

"It has a Su San flavor..."

In the center of the stage, Sun Qian looked confident, dancing joyfully to the music.

"Wow."

"She's quite pretty... and her figure is even better!"

"Right, her figure is amazing, and it really complements the dance!"

Luoyang heard the three guys' comments. Sun Qian's performance was indeed good, and with her dance, she should have a good chance of making it to the Top 50.

"From the girls competing with Liu Qin, it seems only Sun Qian and Su Yiyi can make it to the Top 50..." Luoyang thought to himself as he watched Sun Qian's performance on stage.

The other girls received lower scores and had little hope of advancing.

On stage, Liu Qin bowed to the audience after her performance.

"Your voice is very energetic, and your dance adds a lot of points. 'Next Queen' is a diverse stage. We focus on the voice, but if your dance is excellent, we can give you extra points. So, I give you 20 points," Yi Bai commented to Sun Qian on stage.

The second judge, Ma Haoran, added, "Young lady, you're very suitable for rock."

"Thank you..." Sun Qian thanked them somewhat awkwardly, which made Luoyang smile in understanding. Even this bold girl had her moments of nervousness.

"Few girls have such good rock talent. You don't have the explosive power of the previous contestant, Su San, but you excel in dance. You can maintain a full voice while dancing, which is quite rare. I also give you 20 points."

"These are all good scores. Next, please let Teacher Luo Bingqing comment," Pudding reminded.

Luo Bingqing smiled and said, "To be honest, I don't know much about rock, but the young lady's performance on stage, singing and dancing, is very infectious. I give you 20 points."

"Wow, did the teachers agree on this? They all gave 20 points... Finally, please let Teacher Zhang Zonghuan comment," Pudding livened up the atmosphere and then looked at Zhang Zonghuan.

Zhang Zonghuan nodded and said, "You have the makings of a singer... a good voice, good dance skills, and a good appearance. Your strength is that you look like a professional singer, but your weakness is also that you look too much like a professional singer. I give you 20 points."

"Thank you, all four teachers!" Sun Qian quickly bowed in gratitude.

Four 20 points, totaling 80 points. Based on the previous episodes, making it to the Top 50 should be a sure thing.

"The four judges all gave 20 points, as if they had agreed beforehand."

"Right, but it's not surprising. This is the Top 100 competition, and the judges aren't as strict with their scores..."

"Those with real talent will definitely advance. Those with low scores can only blame their lack of ability."

"But, I wonder what Teacher Zhang Zonghuan meant by his final comment... Why did he say Sun Qian's strength and weakness are that she looks too much like a professional singer?" Wang Yubai and the others whispered.

Luoyang, however, was deep in thought.

Actually, Zhang Zonghuan's meaning wasn't hard to understand.

Sun Qian was indeed a natural singer, very suitable for the entertainment industry, as her overall conditions met the requirements of a female pop star. But saying her weakness was that she looked too much like a professional singer probably meant that her performance lacked any highlights or surprises... There were too many such female singers, and standing out wasn't easy.

"Let's welcome the next contestant..."

After Sun Qian left the stage, the host Pudding announced loudly, and the lights dimmed again...

(Ah, I got excited and made a mistake. I didn't break it into paragraphs earlier. I've fixed it now... Thank you, Shengsi Zhenjun, for the generous tip... Let me calm down... Cough, cough... It was sudden. I spent the whole day shopping with a friend today, and just as I finished updating and was about to upload, I received such a big tip... I'll add an extra chapter tomorrow... Extra chapter...)