Love Variety Show: The despised me exploded in popularity

"A walk can be taken anytime, but compared to shopping or walking," Xu Qingyan paused for a moment, "I'd rather keep all the sadness away from you."

He spoke very seriously, the light from the streetlamp above cascaded down like tassels.

"So, choose another song."

When Lin Wanzhou heard him say he hoped all sadness would stay away from her, she couldn't help but become a bit dazed. Those days hadn't been too sad; when tired, she would just hide in her memories to catch her breath.

"But, I feel like I can sing this song well, and there's the competition next week...."

"The competition isn't important, it's just a gimmick to boost TV ratings," Xu Qingyan said offhand, "In my opinion, that lousy show doesn't understand music."

"What's the use of winning first place? It doesn't prove anything, just be happy and that's enough."

Hearing this, Lin Wanzhou blinked.

"But, I want to beat Pei Muchan, have you prepared a new song for her?"

"No... not yet, it's not even close to being ready. Writing songs isn't that quick." Xu Qingyan was partial to little lies, "I might not be able to come up with one, just like with your situation."

"All this talk about songs, it's like grasping at shadows, so don't speculate wildly."

"Oh."

The two of them continued to walk along the riverbank, turning the page on their emotions.

The lights were dim, accompanied by the sound of quiet conversation, as they waded upstream through the crowd, watching the schools of fish by the water where someone was pinching off pieces of bread to throw down.

The foolish fish crowded to feed, an enjoyable sight. The scene was ordinary and cozy, until a child undid his pants and poured a white line onto the fish.

Someone beside them laughed heartlessly, and Lin Wanzhou covered his face and forcibly dragged him away.

"You really are... leading children astray every day."

"What? No!"

"Don't deny it, let's go." Lin Wanzhou was speechless, hurrying along, pulling the shameless individual away from the scene, "You're a grown-up, yet teasing children."

"I didn't, it was the kid who initiated the conversation with me." Xu Qingyan sounded innocent, but there wasn't a hint of guilt in his voice, "I suggested throwing some leaves, but he insisted on... "

"I don't want to hear it."

She walked quickly, her heart pounding rapidly. The low spirits were swept away, like clouds blown away by the wind, the sadness truly couldn't catch up with her.

After dropping Lin Wanzhou off, it was already eleven at night.

Xu Qingyan drove alone back to his apartment, the car interior dimly lit, with only the dashboard still glowing. He drove instinctively while thinking things over.

Lin Wanzhou could sing sad songs, she had channeled transitory emotions when singing "The One I Miss," not overly sensitive, just too immersed in "Love That Never Loses Contact."

Singers who deeply immerse themselves in emotions when singing is really a physically taxing affair. It's like actors who get too deep into character and cannot come out, trapped forever within the plot.

Like in the '87 version of Dream of the Red Chamber, actors of that era rarely used transitory emotions but instead deeply invested their own, resulting in several leads unable to detach from their roles.

The Grand View Garden was like a forest that fed all of its birds, leaving their lives a vast expanse of stark cleanliness.

For a replaceable song, which might one day become a classic, or might not, but that's not important. Songs can be chosen again, but there's only one Lin Wanzhou.

There's no lack of songs, no need for it.

He was still pondering what song to choose when Pei Muchan called.

He glanced at the rearview mirror, found a place to pull over, and picked up the call.

"Hello? What's up?"

"I just got contacted by the 'Song King' show's crew," she said, her voice calm but the tone hinting it probably wasn't good news.

"Are they asking you to drop out?" Xu Qingyan asked in surprise.

His hand rested on the steering wheel, fingertips absently rubbing the leather. In his eyes reflected a faint glow of the ambient lighting, and his heart gradually tightened.

That damned show, they better not be sore losers.

"They didn't ask me to drop out, just said they want to change the contract, adjust the appearance fee," Pei Muchan stated, her breathing steady, "The money's not much, but I feel like this will be the last episode."

His anxious heart finally died down, turning calmer.

"I don't understand, aren't you high-profile enough?" Xu Qingyan cleared his throat, he didn't know if Pei Muchan would feel aggrieved, she probably wouldn't say so even if she did.

"Hmm, I'm not famous enough," Pei Muchan admitted.

"Rubbish show, it's a waste to sing for them," he remarked, "Or just drop out, who can do anything with that little money, it would just be a waste of time."

The car was silent, only the sound of Pei Muchan's breathing on the other end of the phone.

"I don't want to drop out, I want to sing one last time."

"Why?"

"Seven hundred and forty votes," she said.

"Cough cough cough!!!" Xu Qingyan couldn't hold back, choked on his saliva, and his defenses crumbled, "I didn't say seven hundred and forty votes couldn't be done, I just said..."

"You're only a few albums away from diva status, this kind of show is just about promoting artists. You've just released a few good songs, becoming a diva is inevitable, can you put up with this?"

He was still stoking the flames, "Song King' is just a show, they don't know squat about music!"

"No, I want to go." Pei Muchan's whole body was soft, except for her stubborn determination, her voice brimming with decisiveness, "Xu Qingyan, I'm begging you... I want to win first place before I drop out."

To win first place would be to comfortably secure over seven hundred and forty votes.

Pei Muchan had resorted to the word "beg," what else could Xu Qingyan say? Of course, he agreed to help her, could he even utter half the word "no"?

Back when he was sitting outside the hospital, still unsure where to earn money, Pei Muchan had taken him in, given him a place to stay and a car, and personally came to pick him up.

To be honest, if this were ancient times, it would be like Cao Cao treating Guan Yu, or Liu Bei treating Zhao Yun.