On the first day of school, the school beauty in black stockings took me to a hotel.

When it came to number 18, it was Liu Yu's turn.

Liu Yu stood in the center of the stage, holding his guitar.

"This song is for everyone who is chasing their dreams. Whether you are on the path of pursuing the light or wandering in confusion, I hope this song can give you some strength."

Liu Yu begins to sing:

No matter how long the night, it cannot block out the light of dawn.

No matter how far the road, it can't compare to the distance you travel by walking.

I chased the light, through wind and rain and confusion.

Just to stand in front of you and say one thing

I did it...

The voice is steady, the breath is strong, and the emotions are full.

In the chorus, his voice rises and becomes incredibly powerful:

Those who chase the light are not afraid of the darkness.

If you have light in your heart, you will find a path under your feet.

Even if you fall, even if you get hurt

As long as I have a breath left, I will keep pushing forward...

Some people in the audience swayed gently to the rhythm.

Su Wanqing sat in the audience, her eyes reddening.

As the last note faded, Liu Yu put down his guitar and bowed deeply to the audience.

Su Wanqing was the first to stand up, raising her hands above her head and clapping vigorously.

Lin Xiaoyu also stood up and clapped.

More and more people stood up, and the applause grew louder and louder.

On the judging panel, the five judges were also applauding.

The host, Xiao Yang, walked onto the stage, smiling, and said, "Thank you, Liu Yu (number 18), for such a wonderful performance! Now, please welcome the five judges to give their comments!"

After giving his comments, Xiao Yang went back on stage.

"It seems the five judges have a very high opinion of Liu Yu! Well then, Liu Yu, you can go backstage and rest now. The final score will be announced after all the contestants have finished performing."

Liu Yu nodded, picked up his guitar, and walked off the stage.

Su Wanqing threw herself into his arms, wrapped her arms around his neck, and hung on him.

Liu Yu quickly reached out to support her: "Didn't you say you wouldn't shout 'Go, honey!'? Why did you do it again?"

Su Wanqing glared at him: "I didn't shout 'Go, honey!' I shouted 'You sang so well, honey!' It's different!"

Liu Yu shook his head helplessly.

After all the contestants finished singing, it was already past 5 p.m.

Xiao Yang went on stage again: "The top twelve contestants will advance to the semifinals. Now, I will announce the list of those who have advanced."

He began to read the names.

"12th place, Lin Xiaoyu, Chengdu Division"

Su Wanqing turned to look at Lin Xiaoyu, smiling and clapping, "Congratulations! You made it!"

Lin Xiaoyu breathed a sigh of relief and said with a smile, "Thank you! I'm so glad I wasn't eliminated!"

"11th place, Zhao Yuxuan, Nanjing Division"

"10th place, Wang Ming, Shanghai Division"

One name after another was called out; some cheered, some sighed, some applauded, and some remained silent.

Su Wanqing became increasingly nervous as she listened, gripping Liu Yu's hand tighter and tighter.

"5th place, Zhou Jie, Xi'an Division"

"4th place, Wang Feier, Shanghai Division"

Su Wanqing was taken aback: "Wang Feier is only fourth? Isn't she a favorite to win?"

Liu Yu also opened his eyes and frowned.

The host continued reading: "Third place—"

He deliberately dragged out the sound.

"Liu Yu, Beijing North Division."

Su Wanqing was stunned.

Third again?

She opened her mouth as if to say something, but Liu Yu gripped her hand tightly, signaling her to be quiet.

"Second place, Chan Ho-nam, Hong Kong region."

The audience erupted in cheers.

"What? The second Chan Ho-nam? He sings like that, how can he be second?"

"Are you kidding me? His rendition of 'Boundless Oceans, Vast Skies' sounded like he was slaughtering a pig. How could he possibly be second best?"

"It's a cover-up! It's absolutely a cover-up!"

Su Wanqing stood up abruptly, her face flushed with anger: "Why? He sang like that and still got second place? My husband only got third? This isn't fair!"

Liu Yu pulled her aside and whispered, "Don't get agitated, sit down."

Su Wanqing wouldn't listen: "I won't sit! I'm going to find the judges and demand an explanation! Why is Chen Haonan second? What makes him better than you?"

Liu Yu pulled her back to her seat: "Calm down. Even if you go to the judges, the result won't change. Besides, third place in the semi-finals is pretty good."

Su Wanqing's eyes reddened: "But you should have been first... That Chen Haonan, he sang so terribly, why was he second? Did his dad bribe the judges?"

Liu Yu put his arm around her shoulder: "Don't worry about others, just focus on yourself. Sing well in the semi-finals and try to get first place."

Su Wanqing sniffed and leaned on his shoulder: "I'm just feeling sorry for you. You could have been so much better."

Liu Yu laughed: "I'm not upset. Really. Making it to the semifinals is already great. Look at those who didn't make it, they haven't even said anything yet."

Su Wanqing looked around and saw that there were indeed several contestants secretly wiping away tears.

She took a deep breath, suppressing her resentment.

The host continued reading: "First place, Zhang Wei, Guangzhou region."

After the list was read out, the audience began to murmur amongst themselves.

Su Wanqing leaned on Liu Yu's shoulder without saying a word.

Liu Yu looked down at her: "What's wrong? Are you still angry?"

Su Wanqing shook her head: "No. I just don't understand, how did Chen Haonan, who sang like that, get second place?"

Liu Yu thought for a moment: "Maybe the judges saw his potential? Or maybe he didn't sing well today, but his performance in the previous rehearsals was very good? The judges score based on overall strength, not just one performance."

Su Wanqing snorted: "Anyway, I think it's unfair. You're a hundred times better than him."

Liu Yu laughed: "Your words are filtered too heavily."

As the two were talking, the host, Xiao Yang, suddenly spoke up again.

"Players, please wait a moment. There is an important announcement to make."

The audience fell silent.

Xiao Yang said with a smile, "After discussion by the judging panel, it was decided that the top three contestants in this semi-final—Liu Yu, Chen Haonan, and Zhang Wei—will directly advance to the final and will not need to participate in the semi-final."

Su Wanqing was stunned.

Liu Yu was also stunned.

The audience erupted in cheers.

"Direct entry to the finals? The top three advance directly to the finals?"

"Then what's the point of the semifinals?"

"This is so awesome! We'll skip one round!"

Su Wanqing snapped out of her daze and hugged Liu Yu tightly: "Honey! You've made it straight to the finals! You don't need to compete in the semifinals anymore! You're in the finals!"

Liu Yu laughed as well: "I didn't expect that."

Su Wanqing was so excited that tears welled up in her eyes: "I knew it! You were sure you'd make it to the finals! Third place goes straight to the finals! How great is that! One less round to compete in! You can rest for an extra day!"

Lin Xiaoyu, standing nearby, also smiled and congratulated them: "Congratulations! You made it straight to the finals, that's amazing!"

Liu Yu nodded: "Thank you. Good luck to you too, sing well in the semi-finals."

Lin Xiaoyu smiled: "I will! I'll try my best to make it to the finals!"

The two walked out of the art center.

Su Wanqing said, "Honey, what makes Chen Haonan deserve to go straight to the finals? He sang like that, does he even deserve it?"

Liu Yu put his arm around her shoulder: "Whether you're good enough or not is up to the judges. We can't control others, we just need to take care of ourselves. Sing your best in the final and try to get first place."

Su Wanqing looked at him, her eyes sparkling: "You can definitely get first place. I have confidence in you."

Liu Yu laughed: "You're that confident?"

Su Wanqing nodded: "Yes! I have even more confidence in myself than in myself! You're my husband, who else would I trust if not you?"

The two walked hand in hand back along the Bund.

A river breeze blows, carrying moisture and the sounds of singing from a distant cruise ship.