Chapter 109: Pulling Back the Curtain
Meanwhile, the television station also began sending out invitations to singers in the music industry through its own channels.
The sudden move by Zhejiang South Satellite TV left the stations in other provinces stunned.
“What exactly is going on here?”
“Does Zhejiang South Satellite TV have amnesia about music variety shows being the forbidden zone for all provincial stations? Why are they so stubborn?”
“Could it be that there’s really something worthwhile?”
Although speculation filled the air, no one took the matter too seriously.
The sudden preheating announcement stirred no great waves.
Yet some insiders in the music world grew active after receiving the invitation from Zhejiang South Satellite TV.
In a derelict workshop, several young men slumped in various corners, looking utterly listless.
One boy with a buzz cut sat silently wiping his guitar.
“Shouldn’t we… just disband?” someone suggested.
The buzz-cut boy suddenly lifted his head, stopped his hands, and fixed the speaker with a gaze as sharp as blades.
The speaker felt the weight of those stares and offered an awkward explanation.
“I didn’t mean it that way.”
“It’s just that you’ve all seen how close to the edge we are—everyone’s nearly bankrupt.”
“Dreams matter, but we still need to eat, don’t we?”
“And…”
He gave a bitter chuckle.
“We can’t keep relying on Xiao Yuan to smuggle money from home to support all of us, can we?”
“Last time you sold the cigarettes and liquor he brought from home—didn’t your father catch you?”
The buzz-cut boy’s eyes flickered, then he resumed wiping the guitar as if unbothered.
“No…”
“Hah!”
The speaker didn’t press the point but continued.
“Even if nothing is discovered now, it will come out sooner or later. What then?”
“With your father’s temper, who knows how he’ll react?”
The buzz-cut boy answered defiantly.
“You don’t need to worry about this—I can handle it!”
“How can you handle it?”
“I can handle it…”
The air grew tense.
Suddenly, a pleasant phone ring shattered the silence.
The buzz-cut boy checked his pocket and answered.
“Hello, Xiao Yuan, I have good news for you.”
“Zhejiang South Satellite TV recently invited singers from the music circle to join their newest music competition.”
“Inviting non-professional talents from the scene to compete on their fresh music show.”
“According to inside information, landing a good ranking could give you a strong shot at debuting!”
“I managed to get a spot from a friend for you—go audition!”
The buzz-cut boy froze mid-call.
Those around him assumed something had gone wrong and hurried over.
His fingers trembled slightly as he ended the call.
He glanced around at his brothers, then stood and pulled the nearest one into a fierce embrace.
“We finally have hope!”
In an old neighborhood, a middle-aged couple sat at the dinner table.
“I wonder if the person you found last time is reliable.”
“Why hasn’t there been any word after so long?”
The woman picked at her vegetables and lowered her voice as she asked her husband.
He set down his chopsticks.
“Don’t worry—ten-plus years of friendship. The news will come soon.”
Straightening up, he rubbed his aching waist.
“Are you in pain again?”
He nodded.
“Should we quit that night job? That heavy load—your age, how can your back take it?”
The woman spoke with heartache.
“No. If Niuniu’s chance succeeds, we’ll owe them later. How can I go empty-handed?”
“After this month’s work, I’ll tally it up—should be almost enough.”
He shook his head, smiling.
“Then once it’s finished, take good care of your waist.”
The woman didn’t push. Though she loved her husband, her daughter’s dream mattered more.
In the next room, a sweet-faced girl listened to her parents’ hushed voices, tears slipping free.
Despite their efforts to speak softly, the old building’s poor soundproofing let every word carry.
To help her chase her dream, her parents had spent countless connections and effort introducing her to an entertainment company.
Now hearing her father risk his health, working tirelessly only to secure her a debut chance, she felt a pang of discomfort.
She understood the family’s straits perfectly.
They had already emptied every last savings to make this possible.
Yet she could only watch helplessly, unable to act.
She longed to give up, but this was her dream.
Just then, an urgent phone rang.
Minutes later, she flung open the door, face radiant.
She rushed to tell her parents the joyful news.
In a loud, chaotic bar, music thundered.
Patrons swayed with excitement, shouting along to the beat, venting their inner turmoil.
On stage, a stylishly dressed boy sang passionately.
When emotion overwhelmed him, he seized the microphone and roared.
“Impassive souls, thank you for once belittling me.”
“Let me rise, live with greater courage…”
The song ended; he placed the mic back, still catching his breath.
Thunderous applause erupted from below.
“Twenty-six tables sent ten flower baskets for our singer—thank you, beauties, so generous!”
The manager’s shout made him step forward and bow deeply.
Each basket cost one hundred Huaxia yuan.
The twenty-six tables had tipped him a full thousand Huaxia yuan.
He should have felt elated, yet he felt nothing.
He sang to express himself, not to please crowds.
To survive, he sang as a resident performer in the bar.
Yet in such a vast hall, how many truly listened?
This was not the life he craved!
After finishing several songs and serving guests, he slipped into the restroom corner, lit a cigarette.
Only then did he feel truly relaxed.
Smoke curled as he checked his phone.
Missed call? Unknown number!
Puzzled, he dialed back.
Minutes later, he crushed the cigarette between trembling fingers and strode out into the night.
The chance had finally arrived!
Similar scenes unfolded in many corners of the country.
As word spread, Zhejiang South Satellite TV’s music variety show became the hottest topic in the industry.
Some singers who missed out felt raw regret, pounding their chests.
By the end of November, every invitation had been arranged.
The preliminary auditions for Huaxia Good Songs had officially begun.