Love Variety Show: The despised me exploded in popularity

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"I can't sleep," she said.

"Nervous? Don't worry," Xu Qingyan comforted, "I am a Song King airs today. After you fly over to Jianye to record the last episode, you can take the championship and then withdraw from the competition."

"Focus on making your album when you get back. Can a little diva endure that kind of nonsense? Make a smash hit and slap them in the face, then mock them with, 'All this for a dip of vinegar, might as well throw in a dumpling.'

Pei Muchan was amused and laughed, taking a while to become serious again.

"I've been thinking, maybe I'm being too impulsive."

"Impulsive? About what?" he asked. "Are you referring to joining the competition and then withdrawing?"

"Yeah," Pei Muchan's voice softened, "I'm not guaranteed to win the first place, and withdrawing after winning would offend people—the circle is only so big."

"You think you'll be blacklisted?" Xu Qingyan pushed his luggage out as he went, casually locking the door behind him.

Although the program group recorded for at most two days, he still maintained the habit of precaution. Windows were closed, gas was turned off, and clothes and flyers had been washed and put away early.

"I suppose not," she said softly.

Positions like the general director and executive director tend to be volatile; one might have just finished a program only to be poached by another major platform shortly after, entrusted with another project.

Creating phenomenal work is one thing, having connections and the ability to execute is another.

Most producers rely on strong platforms, drawing high salaries and having a certain authority over speech. Once the production starts, they command a team and have others to take the blame for any mistakes.

The bar isn't very high for entry into the field of producers, even those without formal education can make it with the right connections. Such people tend to carry a bit of a rough edge, doing things out of the ordinary.

There really seems no need for a small star to offend them, it just creates unnecessary trouble.

"A single production team blacklisting someone? It's just a lousy director," Xu Qingyan said as he entered the elevator, pressing the button for the basement level and watching the floor indicator.

"The choice was theirs to begin with, they said either withdraw or accept the low-paying contract. Even after recording this episode, if we continue, we'll still be disliked."

"They don't care about music, those in variety shows don't know a damn thing about music," he added.

At the ding of the elevator, the doors opened, and Xu Qingyan saw the car parked outside. He hung up the phone, put the luggage in the trunk, and walked around to the driver's seat.

Pei Muchan rolled down the window, giving him a curious glance.

"What's up?"

"I'll drive, you take the passenger seat," he said.

At his words, although Pei Muchan was puzzled and didn't understand why he always insisted on driving when they went out together, she didn't overthink it, assuming it was just boyish love for cars.

She let out an "Oh", unbuckled her seat belt proactively, and moved over to the passenger seat.

Xu Qingyan's gaze wandered for a while, then he discreetly retracted it. No one is a sage; who can be free from desire? After all, a man might scroll to the bottom of a website just for those few seconds.

His relationship with Pei Muchan, from their first encounter on the reality show to the reunion at the studio and now, could be described as going from strangers—to distant—to awkward—to familiar—to more than smooth.

Over two months of being together day and night, their understanding of each other deepened.

Occasionally he'd get caught stealing glances at her face, but it was nothing serious. He was just a bit aloof, not sordid, not the kind to do things like Miao Renfeng.

The car left the garage, and like a steel catfish, it skillfully merged into the sun-drenched streets.

"The past two years have been tough for me, just when things are starting to look up," Pei Muchan said from the passenger seat, suddenly speaking up, "I find I can't write any good songs anymore."

"What's this all of a sudden?" Xu Qingyan drove, glancing at her from the corner of his eye, "You just need time, why talk as if you're burned out like Jiang Lang?"

She leaned back in her seat, the seat belt pressed deeply across her chest, her eyes dim.

"I always feel like I'm living in your shadow, and I can't step out of it. No matter how hard I try, the songs I write … when compared to yours… are just not on the same level. Whether it's the melody or the lyrics, they are just too far behind. Do you think… can I still write good songs?"

"Of course, you can, you're just too anxious," Xu Qingyan said, "you have to believe in yourself. The songs you sing now are all good songs, and gradually you'll be able to write good songs too."

Hearing this, Pei Muchan nodded.

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"Indeed."

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The car fell quiet, with only the hum of the air conditioning.

"Speaking of which, it's a melee this time, isn't it?" Xu Qingyan broke the silence, "With seven people fighting it out for the top four spots, they probably won't go for the big guns right off the bat."

"What about Lin Wanzhou? Her song is from you too, isn't it?" She pinpointed the crux and glanced back at him, "Playing both sides isn't guaranteed to win her over."

Her remark rendered Xu Qingyan silent; the song he provided Lin Wanzhou was by no means ordinary. A normal performance was good for a top three finish, steady as an old dog.

Queen of Pop Zhang Yuqi surely had strong capabilities, but her spirits seemed off during the show. People do age, after all, including female stars.

Aside from her strong performance in the challenge round, her performance in the second episode was mediocre—it seemed like she was just there to collect her appearance fee.

The balladeer of sad love songs, Wang Yu, had also aged; reviving old hits could work once, but ultimately, it was not as effective as the old-timer Hou Xueheng, who really kept up with the times.

Not only did he mentor the younger generation, he also made an effort to learn about the pop culture that young people liked. Plus, given his terrifying network of connections, remixing a popular song wasn't a challenge.

As for Jiang Jingsheng, he had real talent, definitely a professional singer.

The "I Am a Singer" production team likely signed some contract with the Jiang Jingsheng team, intending to set him up as the main act, supported by lesser-known artists—the classic strategy of promoting one flower amongst the greenery.

Last but not least, that autumn year! The boy become a deity, a true child of the era!

Damn idiots, entertainment companies sure love their gimmicks.

What's a simple dish from a hotel kitchen—one you could enjoy once, but grows tiresome after the second try—is being shoved down the public's throat as if it is the finest delicacy on earth.

As for Mrs. Wen, Xu Qingyan didn't know much about her, but after reviewing all her materials and performance videos, he had only one verdict. The queen was indeed grand, and her talents truly ran deep.

Since most of the songs Mrs. Wen sang were in foreign languages, with Chinese songs making up only a third of her repertoire, it was hard to judge.

The difficulty of winning the title was real, but it wasn't as insurmountable as one would imagine.

By the time they reached the airport, it was high noon and the sun was scorching.

Both of them took care of lunch at the airport. After an hour's wait, they received the news that their flight was delayed. The sky outside was clear blue with white clouds, yet there was still a delay.

Xu Qingyan walked over from the other side, spreading his hands.

"They say it's because of the weather, delayed for two hours."

Two hours was already lucky; they could only hope the flight would take off on time at 2 p.m. After arriving in Jianye, there should still be some time to rest.

"Let's wait." Pei Muchan nodded.

Xu Qingyan leaned back in his chair and exchanged a few messages with Lin Wanzhou. She mentioned she had flown to Jianye that morning and was almost at the hotel.

Lin Wanzhou: "Is your flight delayed?"

"Yes, we have to wait until 2 p.m.," Xu Qingyan typed back, "But we should make it in time; the show records in the evening at the hotel, and the flight is just two hours away."

"Mm, I thanked you in the previous episode, did you see it in the preview?" Lin Wanzhou sent a hasty message with an emoji.

"I saw it, ...but it seems unnecessary." Xu Qingyan's face revealed a forced smile.

The next second, a message popped up, an emoji of a clenched fist.

"I told you I'd make you shine!"

"Didn't have to!" Xu Qingyan displayed a polite laugh on his face, chatting with the young girl was indeed stress-relieving, "I'm already so hot right now, the fires of Hades aren't as hot as me."

"Standing in King Yama's palace, even Yama has to ask me where all my merit has gone."

The young girl laughed at his joke, sending a string of emojis in return.

"Alright, Sister Yun is telling me to rest, see you in Jianye!"

Hmm? Sister Yun is there?