The host of “The King of Heavenly Sounds” was the well-known host in the industry, Zheng Ji, but he was also the one with the least morals. His hosting style was humorous and lively, very suitable for a program that needed to fight for topics and attention.
After finishing a simple opening and reading a pile of advertisements, Zheng Ji began introducing today’s guests. Of course, the most anticipated among them was Xu Tang. Many fans and viewers came just for him, so Zheng Ji’s interaction with him would also be longer.
“Next, let us welcome our Xu Tang teacher!”
Xu Tang stood up from his seat and bowed to greet the fans and audience present.
After the fans’ screams weakened a little, Zheng Ji continued, “I heard our program invited you before, but you didn’t agree.”
This question was actually quite offending. If answered poorly, it could easily be cut.
Xu Tang smiled and said, “Yes. When the program group invited me that season, I had just gotten married. You understand.” Sometimes Xu Tang, even if willing to use marriage as a topic, still had to bring it out as a shield, and it was indeed useful.
“So does that mean you were enjoying your honeymoon period? It seems that you and Zong Xuan are really very loving.” Zheng Ji smiled and asked, “Then did Zong Xuan not come with you today?”
“He has his own work arrangement.” This was very normal.
“Then do you want to call Zong Xuan now? I think there are also many Zong Xuan fans in front of the TV, they should also want to hear Zong Xuan’s voice, right?”
As soon as the host finished speaking, the audience in the venue screamed, looking like they also really liked Zong Xuan.
Xu Tang’s expression did not change, and he said, “Isn’t this a music talent show? How did it become a love show. Host, you are going off topic too far, aren’t you?” He would not call Zong Xuan. If something was exposed, the whole country would know…
“It’s fine.” Zheng Ji clearly had no fear, “Rarely you come, most people here should be your fans too, and also want to know your recent situation. Plus today there is plenty of time, you have a lot of time to show affection.”
“If he is busy, calling him would delay his work.” Xu Tang felt this Zheng Ji really had no sense, did he have to go against him?!
Zheng Ji’s expression did not change. He said, “I’ll ask our chief director and see what he thinks. After all, even I can’t afford to offend Zong Film Emperor.”
The audience below laughed and booed Zheng Ji for a while.
After a few seconds, Zheng Ji smiled and said, “The chief director said it’s fine. If there is any problem, he will take responsibility.”
The audience erupted in cheers.
Xu Tang kept a smiling face, but inside he was already cursing—take responsibility for nothing?! What can you even take responsibility for? The one embarrassed is me, okay?!
The camera was already aimed closely at Xu Tang, seemingly waiting for him to make the call.
At this point, Xu Tang could only slowly let Yuan Shang hand over the phone while thinking of a solution. If it really didn’t work, he would first send a message to Zong Xuan to explain the situation and ask if it was convenient. With Zong Xuan’s intelligence, he should know how to handle it.
Just as he turned to take the phone, his eyes quickly swept to Kang Duo standing in the back. Kang Duo’s phone had just seemed to have hung up, and she nodded at him. That position would not be filmed, so even if she coordinated something, no one would notice.
Xu Tang immediately felt relieved. It seemed that arrangements had already been made on that side.
Xu Tang took the phone, smiled, and found Zong Xuan’s number, and called it.
It rang a few times before being picked up, and Zong Xuan’s sexy and magnetic voice came through: “What is it?”
Just three words already made the live audience feel that the voice was so gentle it could almost be squeezed out.
“What are you doing?” Xu Tang asked. He didn’t even know what to say to Zong Xuan, and also felt a bit regretful about coming to this program. It was simply poisonous.
“I just came back, took a shower.” Zong Xuan’s light laugh came through the phone, like a balloon full of hormones exploding at the scene, everyone was instantly hit.
The audience couldn’t hold back either and screamed. Zheng Ji tried to gesture for everyone to quiet down, but it had no effect.
“What’s going on?” Zong Xuan seemed like he had just noticed the situation.
Xu Tang could only force himself to continue acting, “I’m at the program scene, live broadcast. They insisted I call you…”
Zong Xuan smiled and said, “Why are you so obedient? Who told you to call? Give the phone to him, I’ll talk to him.”
Xu Tang immediately handed the phone toward Zheng Ji.
Zheng Ji did not expect that even though Zong Xuan was not present, his aura was still so strong. He felt a bit intimidated—some things he could say to Xu Tang, but not to Zong Xuan. He couldn’t afford to offend him.
He pretended to be calm and took the phone, smiling, “Hello Zong Film Emperor, I am Zheng Ji. Sorry for calling suddenly, sorry, sorry.”
Seeing his timid appearance, the audience laughed.
“Don’t bully Tang Tang.” Zong Xuan said directly.
This was the first time Zong Xuan called him “Tang Tang,” and Xu Tang’s ears immediately turned red. He knew it was just acting, but he still couldn’t help feeling moved.
“Not daring, not daring.” Zheng Ji immediately said, “It’s just that we admire your relationship with Xu Tang teacher and want everyone to learn from it.”
“This kind of thing cannot be learned.” Zong Xuan’s magnetic voice carried a bit of seriousness, “If there is nothing else, then hang up. End the live broadcast quickly, so Tang Tang can come back sooner.”
The audience screamed even louder.
“Wait, Zong Film Emperor, I have a question!” Zheng Ji said bravely.
“Speak.” Zong Xuan’s voice came lightly from the other end.
Zheng Ji gripped the phone and thought: for this ratings boost, I’m risking it. The chief director better give me a five-digit bonus later!
So Zheng Ji gritted his teeth and asked, “Zong Film Emperor, what type is Xu Tang?!”
As soon as this was said, the screams almost flipped the live venue. Everyone understood what he was asking, and it was also what many people wanted to know but could not get an answer to.
Xu Tang did not expect Zheng Ji to ask this, and he was so embarrassed he wanted to hide behind the chair!
After the noise at the scene calmed a bit, Zong Xuan chuckled and said, “This is between me and Tang Tang. Why should I tell you?”
“Everyone is just curious,” Zheng Ji said shamelessly, not daring to offend Zong Xuan and could only follow the wind.
“Some curiosity should not exist.” Zong Xuan’s voice carried a bit of seriousness.
Zheng Ji felt like a court official who had offended the emperor and could be dragged out and executed at any moment.
For his own life and status, Zheng Ji immediately said, “Yes, yes, you are right. Then we won’t disturb you. We will continue filming the program. Hope there will be a chance to invite you again.”
“Okay.” Zong Xuan responded.
Zheng Ji returned the phone to Xu Tang.
Originally, Zheng Ji should have continued according to the script, but the director signaled through the earpiece to wait a bit longer; the camera should stay on Xu Tang for a few more seconds.
Xu Tang saw that the camera had not moved away, so he did not dare relax, and after taking the phone said, “Hang up.”
“Okay.” Zong Xuan replied.
But after a while, no one hung up.
Zong Xuan smiled and said, “You hang up first.”
This tenderness made all the fans present silently give Zong Xuan extra points in their hearts. Many people felt that who hangs up first is just a small matter, but being willing to let the other hang up first is actually a very considerate and affectionate act.
“Okay.” Xu Tang felt his face a little warm, but still hung up first so as not to delay the program progress.
Zheng Ji saw Xu Tang return the phone to the assistant and then smiled, “I think I just learned another trick. From now on I will never hang up my girlfriend’s phone first! Also, next time don’t let me answer Zong Film Emperor’s call, I’m really nervous!”
The audience’s laughter smoothly transitioned this segment, and Zheng Ji continued following the script to move the program forward. After a series of top eight contestant introductions, the competition officially began.
Those who could serve as mentors or guest mentors were naturally strong in ability. So the other contestants’ performances were also listened to carefully by Xu Tang, mainly focusing on arrangement style. Every musician had their own style, which was very important.
Hao Xin was the fourth to perform. He sang a love song that everyone was familiar with, very suitable for his style. Because of his strong expressive ability, Xu Tang did not make the arrangement too flashy, mainly using piano and violin, focusing on using the unique sound of instruments to express the atmosphere of the song and set the mood. In the final chorus and climax, a slight light rock style was added to make the emotions more vivid and explosive.
Hao Xin’s performance was very good, completely following Xu Tang’s arrangement, with high completion. Plus the light rock style he had never tried before made it eye-catching. The atmosphere at the scene was pushed to a new climax.
During the other mentors’ evaluation, everyone gave affirmation to the arrangement and performance, and began to look forward to Hao Xin showing more styles in the future and bringing more surprises.
Shen Jiajia leaned close to Xu Tang’s ear and whispered, “If nothing goes wrong, I think Hao Xin can enter the finals.”
“Mm, his live performance is very good, no flaws.” Xu Tang also thought it was good.
Shen Jiajia was very satisfied, and next was to see Yu Lun’s performance.
The order of performance was always decided by lottery. Yu Lun was the last one to perform this time.
Usually at the end, audience anticipation and fatigue are both present, and something fresher is needed to attract attention and gain more votes.
After Yu Lun came on stage, the band was ready. In the quiet, the sound of the xun flute began first, setting the style of the entire piece. After a short solo of the xun, the guzheng flowed in like water, blending in and creating a clear contrast with today’s usual keyboard, guitar, bass instruments, like a stream of clear water slowly entering the heart.
Then keyboard, drums joined in, making the accompaniment fuller but not overwhelming.
The mentor sitting next to Xu Tang couldn’t help but let out a soft “wow.”
Shen Jiajia had a proud smile at the corner of her mouth. She dared say that among everyone present, no one in this round could match Xu Tang in arrangement.
Just in this beautiful and classical melody, Yu Lun began to sing. And as soon as his voice came out, Shen Jiajia’s face immediately changed—this was not the singing method Xu Tang had taught him at all; Yu Lun was planning to hit high notes again!
Xu Tang did not even need to continue listening to know Yu Lun would not follow instructions. On the same key arrangement, every singer would produce a different feeling. The key Xu Tang chose, based on Yu Lun’s vocal range, allowed the earlier part to be raised and sung in a higher key. In that case, the later progression would lose its rise and fall, and the song would become flat without low tones or climax, relying only on high notes for showiness, making the whole performance monotonous and dull.
The other mentors also felt that this opening was not wise and looked toward Xu Tang and Shen Jiajia.
Shen Jiajia’s face turned almost green, but in front of the live broadcast she still had to maintain elegance, as if this poor performance was her arrangement. She really wanted to curse Yu Lun’s entire family! Yu Lun not wanting rankings was one thing, but he couldn’t drag her down and make others think she couldn’t teach students!
Xu Tang slightly lowered his head, maintaining a polite listening expression. He already had psychological preparation for the result. Young people, after achieving some results, become inflated and want to maintain their individuality, unwilling to listen to opposing opinions. He could understand that. But they could raise objections or express ideas—suddenly doing this was just dragging him and Shen Jiajia down.
And the audience’s reaction confirmed his prediction. At first the audience screamed because of the high notes, but later the screams and cheers gradually decreased, and by the end of the performance, polite applause was far greater than cheering.
Xu Tang looked at Yu Lun on stage, maintaining a polite smile. He did not know what Yu Lun’s future development would be, but for “The King of Heavenly Sounds,” Yu Lun would probably stop here.