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

October 7th, 8 PM, Beijing Capital Gymnasium.

All 19,000 seats were occupied.

The glow sticks formed a blue sea, stretching from the top of the stands all the way to the edge of the stage.

The countdown numbers were jumping on the circular screen.

Five, four, three, two, one.

All the lights went out.

The Capital Indoor Stadium was plunged into absolute darkness, and the entire stadium was silent for about a second—then a drumbeat rang out.

The lights on the dome exploded simultaneously, and white beams of light swept across the entire venue. The top 64 contestants poured out from every entrance of the stage, filling the entire stage.

The song title was displayed on the big screen: "Our Dream" by Wang Feng.

The electric guitar in the intro tears through the air.

The voices of 64 people combined sounded like a wall being pushed over.

"This is a love, like our lives—bright as a flame in an instant."

The lights switched from white to gold, and then from gold to red, exploding on stage in sync with the rhythm of the drums.

The camera pans across the trainees' faces: Li Wenqi stands in the front row, her eyes shining.

Xu Jianqiu was sitting on the side of the second row, his mouth agape.

As Chen Yongxin stood in the middle, the live chat began flooding with comments as the lights shone on her face.

Among the crowd, a figure standing at 1.85 meters tall stood out.

Xu Yao stood in the third row on the right, wearing a black shirt. Compared to the 125-kilogram round-faced fat guy during the blind auditions, his jawline was now clearly visible.

Comments began to appear on the screen.

[Xu Yao! Xu Yao! Xu Yao!]

[Holy crap, is that Xu Yao? He was just a little ball during the blind auditions, can boys really change so much as they grow up? Is this the same person?]

Wait, isn't Zhou Shen standing next to Xu Yao?

Brotherhood! Brotherhood!

Did Xu Yao pick out Zhou Shen's white shirt?

Did Xu Yao choose Zhou Shen's hairstyle?

Was Zhou Shen's life chosen by Xu Yao?

Did Xu Yao choose Zhou Shen's future wife?

[That's enough, hahaha.]

The voices of 64 people exploded during the chorus: "This is our dream, a real dream, that brings everyone and every heart together!"

Aerial footage was displayed on the circular screen, and 18,000 people simultaneously raised their blue glow sticks, as if the entire venue had been illuminated.

The barrage of comments reached its first climax at this moment.

The top 64's group performance was so electrifying, it gave me goosebumps!

[Wang Feng's song is really well written.]

The Olympic anthems weren't given for nothing.

The song ended. The lights suddenly came on.

Four large characters were displayed on the circular screen: Peak Night.

Before the cheers had even subsided, the platform in the center of the stage slowly rose.

The four mentors stood back-to-back on the rising platform—Wang Feng, Na Ying, Yang Kun, and Qi Qin, each holding a microphone, with lights shining on them from four directions.

Immediately afterwards, four beams of light shot from the four corners of the stage toward the center, and the four team champions appeared on stage at the same time: Parhat, Zhang Bichen, Zhou Shen, and Xu Yao.

The live chat exploded.

The semifinals are here!

Parhat, Zhang Bichen, Zhou Shen, Xu Yao – this year's lineup is absolutely top-notch!

Who could have imagined this list would turn out so badly during the blind selection?

Zhou Shen transformed from a mushroom-haired boy into a white-shirted youth, while Xu Yao went from a chubby guy into a stage bombshell.

Zhang Bichen is incredibly steady, while Parhat is an artist.

[A battle of gods, truly a battle of gods for a whole season!]

I bet a bag of spicy strips that the champion will be either Zhou Shen or Xu Yao.

[Don't jinx it, don't jinx it, Zhang Bichen is also very strong.]

[Pachulia is the uncrowned king]

The four mentors and the four finalists stood in place.

Hua Shao walked out from the side of the stage, wearing a black suit and speaking at his signature rapid pace.

"Friends here, and viewers at home, this is the grand finale of the third season of Zhejiang TV's 'The Voice of China'—the night of the pinnacle! I am your host, Hua Shao."

There was thunderous applause.

The circular screen began playing VCR clips of the four team champions, with each person's blind pick moment, intra-team battles, and championship moments edited into a 30-second montage.

After the short film was shown, Hua Shao asked the four mentors to campaign for their respective champions.

Yang Kun spoke first, his voice hoarse and carrying his signature rhythm: "Xu Yao, I've said since the blind auditions that you're the person who surprised me the most on this stage. From 'I'm Ugly But I'm Gentle' to 'You Got Me Drunk,' every step you've shown me what surprise and comeback really mean. Tonight, I hope everyone sees that even a fat person can stand at the top."

Xu Yao took the microphone and smiled, "Thank you, Professor Yang Kun. I will make sure everyone remembers tonight."

The voice wasn't loud, but it was full of confidence, with every word hitting the beat perfectly.

The crowd cheered.

Naying chimed in, her tone carrying her characteristic older sister vibe: "Bichen, from the first time I heard you sing 'She Said,' I knew you were born for the stage. Your voice tells a story, it has depth, it has a future. Tonight, I hope your dreams come true."

Zhang Bichen bowed slightly, his voice soft but steady: "Thank you, Teacher Naying. I will sing every song well."

Qi Qin patted Zhou Shen on the shoulder, his gaze gentle: "Zhou Shen, you are the pride of our Qi Qin team. Your voice is the most unique presence on this stage. No matter how you sing tonight, you are already the champion in my heart."

Zhou Shen nodded vigorously, his eyes already a little red, his voice a little tight: "Thank you, Teacher Qi Qin, thank you for always believing in me."

Finally, it was Wang Feng's turn. He held the microphone to his mouth, paused for a second, and then said, "Parhat, I don't want to say too much. You are you, and your voice is the most authentic voice on this stage. Go sing."

Parhat took the microphone and said two words in his broken Mandarin: "Thank you."

The sound was deep and resonant, like the final note of a cello.

The comments section was completely unleashed during the vote-soliciting segment.

Yang Kun said, "Even a fat person can stand at the top," I'm totally impressed.

Na-young said Zhang Bi-chen's "voice tells a story," and it's true, I became a fan when she sang "She Said."

Zhou Shen's eyes reddened; he truly cared about Qi Qin's approval.

Hsu Yao said, "Let everyone remember tonight." That's a bold statement, but I like it.

So what if he's arrogant? He has the right to be arrogant.

[From 125 kg to 100 kg, from being ignored to winning the group championship, if he's not arrogant, you're arrogant]

The campaigning session ended, and the lights changed again.

A small, circular secondary stage rose up in the center of the stage, its lights set in a deep blue, like the sea at night.

Hua Shao's voice came through the speakers: "Next, please welcome Wu Mochou, a popular contestant and special mentor from the first season of 'The Voice of China'!"

The chat instantly switched channels.

【Wu Mochou! Don't worry, don't worry!】

[The runner-up of Season 1, a true OG]

[Remember her blind audition singing Jessie J, and Harlem's expression when he turned around?]

Wu Mochou's typhoon was truly fierce; few female singers in China can compare.

Her mouth, when she sings, could devour someone.

[The person upstairs is a real genius!]

Wu Mochou walked onto the stage dressed in a black leather jacket and pants, her hair dyed bright blue, looking like a burning flame under the spotlight.

The music started playing—her signature song from the first season, "Right Now," mixed with the title track from this year's new album, "Everywhere."

The moment she opened her mouth, the live chat exploded with comments.

"Right now!"

The stage lights flashed wildly as she walked from the left to the right side of the stage, each step perfectly timed with the drumbeats, the hem of her leather jacket swung with her movements.

The comments section went completely crazy.

Holy crap, that opening vocal...it's that familiar voice!

Three years have passed, and Wu Mochou's voice hasn't changed at all.

[First season runner-up, second season guest performer, third season special mentor, this woman has been constantly evolving.]

And she's only twenty-two years old, can you believe it?

When she sang the chorus, Wu Mochou suddenly squatted down and shouted a long note at the audience below the stage, with the last note lasting for a full fifteen seconds.

The entire audience screamed.

Then she stood up, tossed her hair, and continued singing as if nothing had happened.

The barrage of comments reached its peak at this moment, coinciding with Wu Mochou's segment.

[Fifteen seconds! I've started the timer!]

Her lungs must be made of iron!

It's a well-known fact that Wu Mochou doesn't need to take a breath while singing.

She wasn't singing; she was performing a ritual.

[The person who described how to do it earlier made me laugh so hard I threw my phone in my face.]

The Harlem team is full of monsters.

After Wu Mochou finished singing, the entire audience stood up and applauded.

She bowed, and the lights went out.

Immediately afterwards, the stage lights switched to a warm yellow.

Hua Shao's voice rang out again: "Next, please welcome Li Qi, the annual champion of the second season of 'The Voice of China,' and the children from the earthquake-stricken area of ​​Lushan, Ya'an, to bring you 'Boys in the Wind.'"

Li Qi walked out from the left side of the stage, wearing a white suit, followed by more than a dozen children, the youngest of whom looked only seven or eight years old.

The children, dressed in matching blue T-shirts, stood in two rows, and the venue fell silent for a moment when the lights shone on their faces.

The music started, a slow song with a warm melody.

Li Qi spoke first, his voice carrying the unique depth and warmth of the second season champion.

Then the children's voices joined in, their voices tender and uneven, but each word sung with great effort.

The tone of the comments suddenly softened.

[Li Qi, the champion of season two, long time no see]

When he sang "Take Advantage of the Early Time" during the blind auditions, all four mentors turned around.

[The Pride of A-Mei Team]

These children are from the earthquake-stricken area of ​​Ya'an. The Voice of China donated a music classroom to them.

Singing really can heal people.

The children sang very earnestly, even though they were a little off-key.

So what if you're off-key? Sincerity is the most important thing.

[Li Qi singing with the children, this scene is so touching]

As the song ended, the children held hands and bowed.

Li Qi squatted down and gave each child a high-five.

The applause from the audience lasted for a long time.

A comment floated across the screen: "[This is the warmth that a good voice should have.]"

Golden Melody Awards Ceremony.

The words "Song of the Year" were displayed in large characters on the circular screen.

The award presenters took the stage one by one—Ning Hao, Huang Bo, Deng Chao, Sun Nan, and Zheng Jun—a truly star-studded lineup.

The first hit song revealed: Chan Lok-kei's "Half Moon Serenade".

Chan Lok-kei accepted the trophy from the guest, said "thank you" in Cantonese, and then added into the microphone, "Thank you, Teacher Wang Feng, thank you, The Voice."

The screen was flooded with comments: [Chen Leji! Lead singer of Killer Band!] [Blind audition four turns, Wang Feng's group, it's a pity he stopped at the top eight] [It's such a pity he was eliminated in the top eight] [But the Golden Melody Award was well-deserved] [The typhoon was like George Lam, really fierce].

The second hit song has been revealed: "By the Lake Baikal" by Zhou Shen and Li Wei.

Zhou Shen took the trophy from Deng Chao and spoke into the microphone, his voice trembling slightly: "Thank you, Teacher Qi Qin, thank you, Brother Li Wei, thank you—" He paused, "Thank you, Brother Yao."

The live chat exploded at that moment.

[Zhou Shen says thank you, Yao Ge!]

[The first person he thanked upon receiving the Golden Melody Award was Hsu Yao!]

"Without Xu Yao, there would be no Zhou Shen today," he himself said.

I'm totally shipping this brotherhood!

[Chao Ge: All the mentors turned around for me]

Deng Chao came to promote Running Man on The Voice of China, you're really something!

The singing of "Superhero" was alright; at least he wasn't off-key.

Zhou Shen walked off the stage holding the trophy, the spotlight following him, and the live chat was still scrolling.

Next, Wei Ran and Luo Jingwen's "Refuse to Play Again", "Apple Orchard" and "R&K" won awards in turn.

When the final song was announced, Hua Shao's voice rose an octave: "The winner of the third season of 'The Voice of China' is also Xu Yao, with 'You Got Me Drunk'."

The circular screen cuts out a clip of Xu Yao singing "You Got Me Drunk" in Yang Kun's group championship: He stands in the center of the stage, the lights shine down from above, and the first "Open—" reverberates throughout the entire venue.

The barrage of comments exploded.

[Xu Yao! Golden Melody Award!]

"You Got Me Drunk" is the song that made me cry the most this season.

I couldn't hold back my emotions as soon as the word "open" came out.

[Searching online for Xu Yao's ex-girlfriend]

The "ex-girlfriend" trope never goes out of style.

[Yang Kun's group won the championship and the song of the year. Now all that's left is the overall championship to complete the grand slam of titles.]

【Go for it, Yao-ge!】

[Xu Yao went on stage to accept the award!]

Xu Yao accepted the trophy from Huang Bo.

Huang Bo patted him on the shoulder and whispered something, but the camera didn't pick up the sound.

Xu Yao spoke into the microphone, his gaze sweeping across the audience before finally settling on the camera.

"Thank you, Mr. Yang Kun." He paused for a moment, "Thank you to my teammates, thank you to everyone who voted. I will work hard to complete every song from now on."

Then he lifted the trophy with both hands.