Chinese Entertainment King: Starting as a Fat Boy and Becoming a Singing King

Xu Yao replied, "My alma mater is the Performing Arts Department of Wuhan Conservatory of Music. I just graduated."

"You're classically trained." Wang Feng nodded. "No wonder your technique is so good. Your breath control just now, especially your handling of long phrases in the verses, is something no one can do without systematic training."

Qi Qin chimed in, "I'm curious, how did you choose this song? 'I'm Ugly But I'm Gentle' is a song by Zhao Chuan from 1990, older than you. Why would a 23-year-old choose a song older than himself?"

Xu Yao remained silent for a second.

"Because I was dumped right after I graduated from university."

"Then I felt really bad, depressed, and started eating and drinking excessively, getting fatter and fatter. One day I accidentally heard this old song and was really moved."

"So," Na Ying asked jokingly, her tone carrying the teasing characteristic of variety shows, "are you trying to tell that girl that you're really going to miss her?"

The audience at the scene started making noise.

Xu Yao smiled, shook his head, and said, "My favorite line from this song is 'But I have music and beer.' You only realize after you lose love that it's not a necessity of life."

After he said that, the recording studio fell silent for a moment.

"Excuse me, this is 'The Voice,' not a dating platform," Yang Kun interrupted the slightly somber atmosphere with his signature loud voice. "Let's get back to the music itself."

Everyone burst into laughter, and the atmosphere relaxed again.

Qi Qin sat up straight, his expression becoming serious.

"I turned around when I saw the line, 'I was standing in front of the bathroom mirror and realized I was living on the edge of a razor.'"

"I want to explain why I turned around here."

He paused, his gaze fixed on Xu Yao on the stage.

"The emotions in the verses you just sang were building up layer by layer. Starting with 'Every morning,' then 'In front of the bathroom mirror,' the imagery was already there. And then 'Living on the edge of a razor,' you sang out that anxiety, that feeling of being repeatedly crushed between survival and dreams."

"I was the first to turn around for you, you know what I mean?"

Yang Kun slapped the table exaggeratedly from the side: "Hey, is Brother Qi Qin already trying to poach people?"

"I'm not trying to steal people," Qi Qin said with a smile and a wave of his hand. "I'm just stating the facts."

"Your words are clearly a ploy to poach people, so I'm going to start pulling in too," Yang Kun retorted with a laugh.

"I'd like to add something," Yang Kun said. "What Qi Qin just said was about your emotional expression and breath control. What I want to say is about your timbre. There's something very rare in your voice, a warmth. This isn't something that can be learned through technique; it's innate. This quality can be amplified in the recording studio and perceived live. It's a very precious tonal weapon."

Wang Feng interrupted, "Xu Yao, right? Why did you come to this stage?"

Xu Yao smiled, holding the microphone: "All I have left is music and beer. I have to make one of them happen."

Yang Kun's expression turned serious.

"Speaking of musical dreams," Yang Kun's voice rose an octave, carrying a signature Yang Kun-style confidence, "I have another 32 national tour concerts this year, all in first- and second-tier cities."

The audience immediately erupted in laughter and applause.

"You won't regret choosing me," Yang Kun said, patting his chest with certainty.

Qi Qin retorted, "I see a reflection of my younger self in you—a pure love for music, and an emphasis on emotional expression over technical skill when singing. If you join my team, I will make you shine."

Wang Feng then spoke, his voice calm and rational: "Teacher Qi Qin and Teacher Yang Kun have already expressed their liking for you. So, can you tell us now what your choice is?"

All three people's eyes were focused on Xu Yao at the same time.

The atmosphere became tense; some people in the audience whispered among themselves, while others held their breath.

Xu Yao thought for a moment and then said, "I like both teachers."

"Hey, stop with the nonsense," Yang Kun said with a smile, waving his hand and urging in an affectionate tone, "Just tell me the result."

Xu Yao took a deep breath.

A thought flashed through his mind: Zhou Shen.

If Zhou Shen had listened to his advice, he would most likely have chosen Qi Qin.

Qi Qin's voice and Zhou Shen's timbre have a certain natural harmony; one is like a crystal-clear stream, and the other is like a warm and mellow aged wine.

However, if he also chooses Qi Qin, it means that he and Zhou Shen will be in the same team and will be competing internally.

He didn't want to start an internal power struggle with Zhou Shen too early.

He wanted to meet Zhou Shen at the summit.

"Teacher Yang Kun."

Xu Yao said the name.

"yeah……"

Yang Kun sprang to his feet, raised his hands high above his head, excitedly waving his fists. He turned to face the audience and shouted, "My team has gained a new singing star!"

There was thunderous applause.

Qi Qin shook his head slightly, but the smile on his face was genuine. He gave Xu Yao a thumbs up and mouthed two words: "Keep it up."

Na Ying stood by, smiling and clapping, but there was a hint of regret in her eyes.

Wang Feng clapped politely, his expression calm, but he nodded slightly to show respect for Xu Yao's choice.

Xu Yao bowed deeply to the mentors' seats, then turned and walked towards the passageway on the side of the stage.

"Brother Yao!"

Just as Xu Yao arrived outside the field, an excited voice, almost cracking, came from the front.

Xu Yao looked up and saw Zhou Shen jump out from around the corner of the waiting area, his mouth stretched to his ears, and he was so excited that he stomped his feet on the spot.

"Three turns! Yao-ge! I'll get three turns!"

Zhou Shen rushed over and grabbed Xu Yao's arm, his voice trembling.

"You were right! You were really right! I was so nervous while singing, but I did it!"

"Quickly," Xu Yao's voice was much calmer as he looked at Zhou Shen and asked, word by word, "Tell me, who did you choose?"