He was in college, but his songs were at the Grammys.

The group chat was silent for a second.

Then, the news started to explode:

"Holy shit! Holy shit! Holy shit!!!"

"Chen Ming is going to be on 'China's Got Talent'?! That national team selection show?!"

"I'm stunned. I was telling my friends yesterday how great it would be if Chen Ming were on the show, and today it's actually true?!"

Even the turtles at the wishing well aren't as effective as you!

"So Chen Ming is going to represent Jiang Yi in the competition? Isn't that just utterly dominating?"

"The top newcomer on the charts and a top-tier creator going head-to-head with established artists to participate in a newcomer competition—this scene is too beautiful to bear."

"Hahahaha, a max-level pro in the newbie village!"

"Calculate the psychological trauma experienced by the other contestants."

"Stop joking, stop joking. Seriously, the competition on this show is definitely fierce, there are so many top talents across the country."

"So what? Who has Chen Ming ever been afraid of?"

"Exactly! Chen Mingchong is the one who's finished!"

"Wait, wait, wait! Look at this!"

Someone posted a link, which was the live stream schedule from the forum.

A few seconds later, the group chat erupted again:

"Jiang Yi will be live streaming on May 18th!!!"

"That's next Monday!!!"

"Aaaaaaah, I can't believe I'm actually getting to watch Chen Ming live in my lifetime!!!"

"Even though it wasn't a concert, it was still a live performance!!!"

"Sisters, let's go!! Set up appointment reminders!!!"

"Please provide high-definition screen recordings!!!"

"I've already started circling red circles on the calendar."

"Go Chen Ming!!!"

"A max-level player slaughters the newbie village (x), a max-level player arrives to provide guidance (√)!"

"Hahaha, his presence and guidance are hilarious!"

"Anyway, just look forward to it!"

On the other side of the screen, the group owner, Xiao Ran, couldn't help but smile as she watched the messages flooding the screen.

She is 22 years old this year and is already a loyal fan of Chen Ming.

I fell in love with "Big City, Small Love", got hooked on "Listen to the Sea", and was completely conquered by "Special Man".

Just two weeks ago, she was still recommending this "treasure junior" on her WeChat Moments;

In half a month, this "treasure junior" may be able to step onto the national stage.

It felt like the rough stone I had dug up was suddenly sent to a top jewelry exhibition.

Xiao Ran took a deep breath and typed a line in the group:

"Sisters, let's all cheer for Chen Ming next Monday!"

Then she opened Weibo, reposted the message about "Jiangxi Arts School Selection Live Stream", and captioned it:

"The max-level veterans from the newbie village are coming to stomp on newbies (just kidding), looking forward to Chen Ming!!!"

send.

A few seconds later, likes and comments started popping up.

Unbeknownst to her, at that very moment, in a corner of the Jiangyi campus, the "max-level master" who was anticipated by the entire internet, looked up to by his classmates, and adored by his fans was quietly eating in the cafeteria.

"Ming-ge," Tang Yuan finally couldn't help but ask, "Are you really going to participate in that school selection?"

Chen Ming raised his eyes and slightly raised an eyebrow: "You know perfectly well why!"

Tang Yuan continued, "Isn't that bullying?"

These words were spoken bluntly, but there was no hint of sarcasm in his tone. Instead, they carried a heartfelt concern for the other contestants.

"What does it mean to bully someone?" Zhou Xu, who was sitting next to me, suddenly put down his chopsticks, pushed up his glasses, and said in a serious tone, "It means giving the students an opportunity to learn up close."

Tang Yuan: "..."

He turned his head, looked at Zhou Xu's serious face, and his lips twitched.

"Old Zhou," Tang Yuan took a deep breath, "I'm truly impressed by your sharp tongue."

Zhou Xu remained expressionless: "To tell you the truth."

Chen Ming silently put down his chopsticks and gave Zhou Xu a thumbs up.

It can talk!

Zhou Xu nodded slightly, accepting the offer calmly.

Tang Yuan rolled his eyes, deciding to ignore this traitor, and continued to press Chen Ming: "So, Brother Ming, what song are you going to sing? Give us a hint! Let us get excited in advance."

Zhou Xu also became interested and moved slightly closer.

Chen Ming picked up the water glass on the table, took a sip, and slowly put it down.

"This song," he began, his voice not loud, but it made the two people opposite him prick up their ears simultaneously, "is going to be crazy."

Tang Yuan's eyes lit up instantly: "Crazy? How crazy?"

Zhou Xu chimed in, "How crazy is it?"

Seeing the two of them so eager, Chen Ming's lips curled up even more.

He stood up, picked up the backpack draped over the back of the chair, and slung it over his shoulder.

"You'll see when the time comes. I have to go now."

Tang Yuan: "..."

Zhou Xu: "..."

Both of them rolled their eyes at the same time.

The movements were so synchronized, as if they had been rehearsed countless times.

"Ming-ge!" Tang Yuan wailed, "Why are you getting more and more into keeping us in suspense these days?!"

Zhou Xu, unusually, chimed in, "Exactly, what's wrong with giving a heads-up beforehand?"

Chen Ming had already turned and walked out. Hearing this, he didn't turn back, but simply raised his hand and waved it in the air.

"It'll lose its meaning if you say it."

It's more fun to only say half of what you mean and torment your good friend.

To be fair, making him participate in the school's selection process was indeed a bit unfair.

So Chen Ming is ready to go big!

Since all the students are losing!

Let them accept defeat willingly, even if they lose.

This song!

That's absolutely insane!

The song I won in a lottery a while ago is perfect!

......

For the next few days, a strange atmosphere permeated the Jiangyi campus, the air thick with the scent of music.

From dawn to dusk, the sound of singing practice can be heard in every corner of the campus.

The soundproof doors of the music room building couldn't contain the soaring melody.

A figure sat on a bench along the tree-lined path, holding a lyric book and reciting lyrics.

Even in the cafeteria, people were humming unknown tunes while queuing.

It wasn't until someone behind me tapped me on the shoulder and reminded me, "Hey, it's your turn to get your food."

"This atmosphere is amazing." Tang Yuan leaned against the dormitory window, watching the boys carrying guitars walk by downstairs, and clicked his tongue in amazement. "Anyone who didn't know better would think our school was going to hold some kind of international competition."

Zhou Xu looked up from the pile of books: "It's a major competition, the school selection for 'China's Top Singers,' and there are only three spots available for the entire school. Who wouldn't want to give it a shot?"

"Taking a chance is one thing, but whether you can actually get in is another." Tang Yuan turned around and looked at Chen Ming's empty bed, "especially since our Brother Ming is also participating."

Zhou Xu nodded seriously: "That's true, but Ming-ge only takes up one spot, which is fine. It's just that I don't know what he's been up to lately, he's been so secretive."

Chen Ming has been acting very mysteriously these past few days.

They appear on time for class and disappear as soon as the bell rings, only to reappear at the start of the next class.

"What else could it be? It's definitely about the competition, right?" Zhou Xu shrugged. "But I don't know the specifics of what we're preparing."

Tang Yuan scratched his head. "With his skills, he could easily pass the level by just singing a few songs. Why is he taking it so seriously?"

Zhou Xu did not answer immediately.

He recalled the calm yet slightly excited expression on Chen Ming's face when he bumped into him in the corridor yesterday.

That's not the expression someone who's just "singing casually" should have.

"I think," Zhou Xu said slowly, "Ming-ge might really be going to do something big this time."

Tang Yuan was taken aback for a moment, then his eyes lit up: "Big? How big?"

Zhou Xu shook his head: "I don't know, but it's crazy."

Tang Yuan silently rolled his eyes: "Don't I know it's crazy?"

But what level of insanity would it take to make Chen Ming say "crazy"?

The two looked at each other and saw the same thing in each other's eyes.

Anticipation, and a touch of silence for the other contestants.

Meanwhile, Chen Ming was on the other side of the city.

Music classroom at Jianghai Experimental Primary School.

At two o'clock in the afternoon, the sunlight pierced through the gaps in the clouds, spreading a warm golden light on the wooden floor.

Chen Ming sat in the last row of chairs, with more than thirty elementary school students in school uniforms standing in front of him.

The children stood crookedly, some peeking at him, some whispering to each other, and a chubby little boy was trying hard to re-tie his red scarf, which was about to fall off.

Music teacher Zhang Hui stood at the front of the line and clapped her hands: "Alright, alright, everyone quiet down."

The classroom gradually quieted down.

Zhang Hui turned around and looked at Chen Ming, her face showing a hint of apology: "Teacher Chen, the children are not usually like this. They may be a little excited today."

Chen Ming stood up and smiled, "It's alright, Teacher Zhang, just call me Chen Ming."

He walked to the front of the line, his gaze sweeping over the young faces.

The oldest was no more than twelve years old, and the youngest was only eight or nine.

They were looking at him with all sorts of expressions.

Curious, nervous, and eager to try.

"Hello everyone," Chen Ming said gently. "My name is Chen Ming, you can call me Brother Chen. Over the next few days, I'd like to ask you all to work together on something very interesting."

The children fell silent for a moment.

Then, a little girl with a ponytail standing in the first row timidly raised her hand.

Chen Ming nodded: "Go ahead."

The little girl blushed slightly, but her eyes were bright: "Um, are you Chen Ming, the singer of 'Big City, Little Love'?"

A small commotion instantly broke out in the classroom.

"Is Brother Chen a celebrity? How do you know Brother Chen?"

"He's a celebrity! Brother Chen sings so well! My brother loves him."

"My sister likes it too!"

"I can sing too! My jet-black hair is coiled into a circle."

A mischievous boy started singing, but he was completely off-key, which drew laughter from those around him.

Chen Ming smiled too.

He waited until the laughter subsided before speaking, "It's me, but I haven't come here to sing these past few days; I've come to ask for your help."

"Help?" The little girl with the ponytail tilted her head. "Help with what?"

Chen Ming did not answer directly, but walked to the multimedia podium in the classroom and sat down.

He raised his hand and played the accompaniment to the song.

A magnificent and stirring prelude flows out, completely different from the style of any of the previous songs.

The children looked at each other, puzzled.

Chen Ming raised his head and looked at the innocent, smiling faces:

"We're going to rehearse a song together over the next few days."

He smiled slightly, his gaze sweeping over the boys in front of him.

"This song is called 'Ode to Young China'."