She chose the strategy with the most bullet comments.

"...No matter how well they sing, I've stopped being a fan. Even though I became a fan of both of them because of League of Legends, I still can't accept their cover of The Tailor's Song."

Not only the audience, but also those who knew Su Mu and the others, and even those who were unaware of the situation, were filled with confusion.

For example, Bai Wei's parents.

They had been keeping a close eye on their daughter's every move, but when they learned that she had entered the competition with a plagiarized piece, their brows furrowed deeply.

What exactly is going on?

Even if they didn't say they supported her playing esports as a professional player, they at least didn't issue an unquestionable ban against it. Why should she demean herself like this?

People who sing plagiarized songs on music streaming platforms like Lezhisheng are only after quick clicks and traffic. Their reputation won't be good, and they'll only attract the attention of casual listeners who don't understand music.

Naturally, Ju Manying pinned the blame on Su Mu.

She believed that her daughter couldn't possibly do something so irrational, and the song she had planned for the competition was definitely not "Boundless Oceans, Vast Skies." She was certain that this situation was related to that short-haired girl.

On stage, through a fleeting shot, many people could see the helplessness and forbearance on the judges' faces. It was clear that neither of them liked the song.

Su Mu has excellent eyesight and can clearly see the expressions of the judges and even the audience members in the front row near the stage.

It's okay to be misunderstood; all misunderstandings will be cleared up soon.

After exchanging a glance with Bai Wei and nodding slightly, he looked in the direction of the accompaniment teachers and bowed slightly.

Upon receiving the signal that it was safe to begin, the accompaniment teachers immediately perked up, focusing intently on their best performance and preparing to play the accompaniment.

There aren't many instruments used. The bass is provided by the contestant, two electric guitars are needed, one of which is provided by the contestant, and the rest are only the piano, electric acoustic-electric instrument, strings, and drums.

This is arguably the simplest sheet music of all the songs performed today.

It's also... the song they're most eager to hear.

It's been so many years since I've heard a song with such a simple melody that can deeply touch everyone.

The scene gradually quieted down, and under the watchful eyes of countless prisoners, a piano melody, seemingly carrying a story, began to play.

The intro, which lasted for about ten seconds, only featured piano music. At first, many viewers didn't think much of it, only wondering why it was different from the plagiarized song and suspecting that the contestant had altered the melody.

Until Su Mu's deep but not low-key singing voice came out.

Tonight, in the cold night, I watch the snow fall, my heart, now chilled, drifting far away…

Chasing each other through wind and rain, unable to distinguish each other in the fog, the sky and sea are vast, but will you and I change (who hasn't changed)...

Until Bai Wei uttered her first harmony, everyone's puzzled, disdainful, and imprisoned expressions all turned into astonishment.

Cantonese?!

It's a Cantonese song!

It's been many years since you last appeared on the Music of the Sound stage, hasn't it?!

Unlike audiences in non-Cantonese-speaking regions, the vast majority of Cantonese-speaking audiences stared wide-eyed because they were completely unfamiliar with the song and had never heard of it before.

Only a very few people's pupils trembled slightly with excitement. It was their favorite niche hit song, not the so-called trashy tailor song!

Countless times, facing cold stares and ridicule, I have never given up on the ideals in my heart...

A fleeting moment of confusion, a sense of loss, has faded without me even realizing it; the love in my heart (who understands me)...

On the judges' panel, the ten judges looked at each other in surprise, but before they could exchange any words, they were completely drawn to the following sound.

Su Mu's voice echoed throughout the venue, and the emotions it conveyed quickly captivated everyone, drawing them into a unique world without them even realizing it.

At the same time, Bai Wei began to play the bass in her hand, adding a deep, resonant tone.

Forgive me for my untamed and free-spirited nature throughout my life, for I also fear that one day I might fall...

Anyone can betray their ideals; why fear the day when it's just you and me...

The strings began to play without anyone noticing, but few paid attention; everyone was captivated by Su Mu's voice and her lyrics.

A new verse begins, and only then do the judges realize that the chorus has ended.

The lyrics are very simple, and the instruments are also simple—no more than three have been used to date—yet the emotions they convey are enough to draw listeners in deeply…

The drumbeats joined in, and the performance continued.

Countless audience members, including the judges, seemed to have temporarily forgotten to breathe, remaining motionless and not even blinking, their eyes never leaving the contestants on stage with their complex expressions.

Just before the accompaniment that lasted for several tens of seconds in the middle of the song was about to end, Su Mu and Bai Wei looked at each other at the same time. The latter then looked directly at the camera, her eyes filled with an indomitable determination and firmness, and her voice began to burst forth.

Still free and true to myself, forever singing my song, I'll travel thousands of miles—

Forgive me for my untamed and free-spirited nature throughout my life, for I also fear that one day I will fall.

As the repeated chorus entered their ears, some people's eyes gradually became sore, and those memorable moments replayed in their minds.

There was a time when my ideals were not understood by others, and there was a time when I ignored the opposition and cold looks of others, and persisted in walking on the path in my heart, doing what I wanted to do...

No matter how much ridicule or obstacles there were, we never gave up...

On the judges' panel, a female singer sitting slightly to the right of center snapped out of her daze, realizing her eyes were welling up with tears. She instinctively reached up and wiped them away, then looked at the person beside her…

She saw two lines of clear tears streaming down Li Xun's face, his lips trembling violently.

A middle-aged man in his forties was crying?

The performance isn't over yet.

Su Mu and Bai Wei had long since lost themselves in their own world, pouring all their emotions into perfectly performing the song.

Anyone can betray their ideals! Why fear the day when it's just you and me?

Until the very last word, Su Mu finally strummed the guitar that hadn't been played at all, performing the final soul solo of "Boundless Oceans, Vast Skies".

159. Singing about oneself

Against the backdrop of drumbeats, the emotionally charged outro captivated the ears of countless listeners.

The music ended, and the accompaniment completely stopped.

"Thank you."

Su Mu and the other person bowed in unison and met each other's gaze.

The songs are sung for others, but aren't they also a way of singing about themselves?

Su Mu was alright, but Bai Wei's eyes were red and glistening with tears. Through this song, she understood what it felt like when the people closest to her didn't have faith in her.

What kind of feeling is it to go against their expectations and walk your own path? This song, "Boundless Oceans, Vast Skies," is her cry out with all her might.

Su Mu took several breaths to calm her somewhat agitated emotions, then reached out and gently wiped away the tears from Bai Wei's eyes with her sleeve.

She understands her.

Bai Wei realized she had lost her composure, quickly wiped her eyes, composed herself, and waited for the judges to speak.

However, the audience was still not recovered from their fascination. Countless people had sore eyes, and the sound of countless sobs piled up together, which was very noticeable in the quiet atmosphere.

Those watching the live broadcast had no time to pay attention, and even felt the pain themselves.

I wonder how many people had tears welling up in their eyes and shed tears on the spot.

Among them, women, who are more emotionally sensitive, cried the most, but there were also quite a few men who had plunged into the hardships of society.

They didn't understand why there was a song that could make them cry uncontrollably while listening to it.

Is it the mood expressed in the lyrics? It doesn't seem that simple.

Is it the singer's emotional performance? It seems that it's not just that.

Or perhaps, the melody?

No, it should be said that everything came together to create this song that resonates with countless people; it wouldn't be the same without any one of them.

In front of a screen in Changsha, two lines of tears slid down Ju Manying's face. No matter how the people around her called out to her, she seemed not to hear them.

She stared blankly at the familiar figure on the stage, remembering herself more than twenty years ago.

Back then, didn't she also suddenly deviate from the pre-arranged path she had been on for over a decade and plunge headlong into the music industry?

How similar she is to her daughter!

But why couldn't she speak up and offer her support some time ago?

It took a long while after the performance ended for the ten judges to gradually come to their senses, looking at the stage with complicated expressions, having already ignored whether their previous real-time reactions had been captured by the cameras.

Li Xun casually tossed aside the damp tissue in his hand and asked in a hoarse voice, "May I ask, under what circumstances did you write this song?"

Su Mu pursed her lips and slowly raised the microphone, "I didn't write this song, but I know the original intentions of the lyricist, composer, and original singer..."

"Forgive me for my unruly and unrestrained love of freedom throughout my life. How many people in this world can say such a thing without restraint?"

Everyone struggles and feels lost when their ideals clash with reality. Some succumb to reality, while others charge forward recklessly.

"I hope everyone remembers, or rather loses, their original sense of nobility; at the very least, they shouldn't forget it..."

"Ignoring societal norms and societal judgments, ignoring ridicule and cold stares, being true to oneself and doing what one wants to do—perhaps that's the emotion the original singer wanted to express..."

Su Mu put down the microphone.

Li Xun slowly closed his eyes, took a long, deep breath, and then slowly exhaled as he stood up.

"Before giving the scores, I want to express my sincere apologies to both of you. I was prejudiced against you beforehand, and I'm sorry."

His action caught countless people off guard; the prominent figure in the Chinese music scene bowed to the two contestants, stunning everyone present.

Subsequently, those who had previously held the same view that Su Mu and her group were simply covering the "Tailor's Song" were overwhelmed with guilt.

Everyone was viewing it through prejudiced eyes; doesn't that mean they owe the two people on stage a sincere apology?

Even those who don't understand Cantonese can hear the emotions conveyed in this song.

To put it bluntly, that song of the same name, "The Tailor Song," is utter garbage; it doesn't even deserve to be praised.

"Judges, please don't do this. We've already prepared ourselves mentally for this song, so there's no need for you to do this," Su Mu quickly waved her hand.

Li Xun shook his head and sat down again in silence. Shan

Seeing this, Sun Xinyu said, "Could you two please reintroduce yourselves, in as much detail as possible?"

She really wanted to know what kind of background the young woman who could sing such a song had.

As for who the original singer and lyricist/composer of "Boundless Oceans, Vast Skies" are, a closer look will reveal the answer later.

How come such a good song didn't become popular? Could it be that it was released not long ago?

In the music scene, there are also many hit songs that didn't generate much buzz when they were released, but became wildly popular a few years later.

Sun Xinyu's words were something many people wanted to know, and all eyes turned to the stage, with no extra noise in the entire venue.

"My name is Su Mu, and her name is Bai Wei. We are freshmen and sophomores from the Music Department of Guangzhou University. We are also professional e-sports players. We have signed with Wild Dream E-sports Club and will serve as the starting mid laner and jungler for the League of Legends division team, respectively."

As soon as he finished speaking, the entire room fell into a deathly silence.

Judge: ???

audience:???

Guangzhou University and its music department are all normal, but what's with the following statement?

Professional esports player?

Has it already been signed?

Many people may not play League of Legends, including young people, but they have definitely heard the term and know what a professional player is.

These words were no less powerful than a C4 bomb, shattering the composure of countless people.

Why would someone with music like that be willing to go into esports?

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that this was like giving up a bright future and jumping into an abyss. However, the moment this thought crossed his mind, it was crushed.

The lyrics of "Boundless Oceans, Vast Skies" echoed in everyone's minds, along with the performance just now and Su Mu's earlier response.

It turns out... they had already given the answer; this song, "Boundless Oceans, Vast Skies," was actually about themselves.

What good is having enviable musical talent if it's not the path you truly want to take? No matter how much outsiders approve, they have no right to judge how you choose to walk, let alone criticize you.

Whether they are mocked or ridiculed, they will face all the cold stares and strange looks with their heads held high and stick to their principles.

After figuring everything out, everyone looked at the two graceful young women on the stage with the utmost respect.

People who have ideals and the courage to strive for them deserve admiration.

The judges were stunned and remained speechless for a long time.