Chapter 65: Mule or Horse

Onstage, Tan Zhizhong put forth his utmost effort to complete his performance. Despite the immense pressure and his less than cheerful mood, he was an old hand in the music world, having weathered nearly thirty years in the industry. His singing experience was profound, and his technique was slick and polished; though his style leaned toward the old-fashioned, it was beloved by older audiences. His competition performance was satisfactory, leaving a decent impression on those present.

Yet, regrettably, the one to follow him was Zhou Delin, the King of Songs from Hong Kong! Zhou Delin's popularity in the Cantonese-speaking regions was no joke. He had barely stepped onto the stage before the audience erupted into prolonged applause and cheers. That night, Zhou Delin covered the classic “On the Road” by the legendary singer Chen Zhongguo, shaking off the slump of the previous week. His singing was commanding and full of vigor, sending waves of excitement through the crowd. Nearly everyone—audience and staff alike—was utterly captivated by his fresh rendition of the old song.

As for Tan Zhizhong’s performance, once Zhou Delin appeared, it faded quickly from memory. Even those among the audience in their forties and fifties were drawn in by Zhou Delin’s uniquely Cantonese style and powerful stage presence, their faces transfixed with rapt admiration as they listened to his heartfelt delivery of “On the Road.”

Other contestants saw the audience’s reaction and knew immediately: tonight’s champion would be none other than Zhou Delin.

Following Zhou Delin was Li Xuan, whose song “Western Song of the Grasslands” provided a dual sensory feast of ethereal sound and vision, banishing Tan Zhizhong’s earlier performance further into oblivion. Though professionals noted that Li Xuan’s performance was somewhat ordinary, her voice was so heavenly that even an average showing left a lasting impression. Combined with her exquisitely delicate features and her otherworldly beauty, her singing left the audience with a memory so beautiful it felt as if they had glimpsed paradise.

After Zhou Delin and Li Xuan’s performances, the audience began to debate whether Zhou Delin—with his strength and popularity—would prevail, or if Li Xuan’s beauty might help her snatch victory. All attention was focused on this king and queen; consensus was reached: tonight, the champion would not fall to anyone else.

Zhang Qiyang’s bold, ambitious post on social media was quickly flooded with mocking reposts after Zhou Delin and Li Xuan’s performances. Countless people ridiculed and jeered, with only a handful of die-hard supporters still cheering him on—

“Go, Cannon Master! I believe you can win three times in a row tonight!”

“Three times in a row? You’re dreaming, Zhang Cannon! Just wait for your face to get slapped—ha ha ha! Clap, clap, clap!”

“The masses see everything! If Zhang Cannon wins again this week, he must have bribed the audience! Get this trash out of ‘My Song’!”

“I can already hear the sound of clapping from all over the country an hour from now. Zhang Cannon’s thick skin is bound to be beaten swollen tonight.”

“Cannon Master, Zhou Delin was incredible tonight. Are you still confident you can take the championship?”

“Trash Zhang Cannon, didn’t you say you’d win? Try it if you dare! In front of Zhou Delin, you’re not even worth mentioning!”

“This is the funniest thing I’ve seen all year.”

“Zhang Cannon, does your father know how arrogant you are? Would he beat you for it?”

“I’m wondering whether to slap Zhang Cannon’s face with the Palm of Buddha or the Eighteen Dragon Subduing Palms. Ladies with ample chests, tell me—which move is more ostentatious?”

“Cannon Master, tonight... winning the championship... seems... really... difficult! But we’ll support you to the end!”

“Keep showing off, you idiot!”

“Still boasting about winning? I think you’ll be boasting about getting slapped instead! Ha ha! Here, three slaps in advance—clap, clap, clap! Was that ostentatious enough?”

...

It wasn’t just netizens making noise and waiting for Zhang Qiyang’s face to be slapped. Many influential bloggers joined in, collectively mocking him. Dozens of well-known personalities posted sneering or sarcastic remarks about Zhang Qiyang's declaration of victory. It seemed another organized, large-scale campaign to take him down.

Wang Dazhong, who hadn’t dared provoke Zhang Qiyang for a long time, was also stirred up this time. After Zhou Delin’s flawless performance, Wang Dazhong reposted Zhang Qiyang’s boast with a straightforward comment—a GIF of relentless face-slapping, its meaning clear.

Qin Xueyang, who always followed Wang Dazhong’s posts, was nearly furious seeing that scoundrel attack again. She switched through several alternate accounts to insult Wang Dazhong as the king of cuckolds, but her rage remained unresolved.

Now, she could only hope Zhang Qiyang would slap those bastards right back. Yet, after witnessing Zhou Delin and Li Xuan’s distinctive, convincing performances, Qin Xueyang truly couldn’t imagine how Zhang Qiyang could wrest the championship from these two giants.

Time ticked by, second after second. The following contestants’ performances clearly paled in comparison to Zhou Delin and Li Xuan. Qin Xueyang paid them little mind, only wishing time would slow and slow, so much so that Zhang Qiyang wouldn’t need to go onstage tonight.

That way, they wouldn’t have to face a massive defeat that might undo all their previous efforts.

Qin Xueyang dared not imagine the storm of ridicule and scorn Zhang Qiyang would face if his ranking was less than ideal tonight. If he placed second or third, there would still be room for “honor in defeat.”

But if he failed even to make the top three, the contrast with his previous victories would surely prompt endless questioning, mockery, and derision, all of which would haunt Zhang Qiyang through the rest of his journey on “My Song.”

It was entirely possible that Zhang Qiyang would see a dark end to this season of “My Song.”

Qin Xueyang dared not think further, sighing heavily in her heart. If only he would perform “Ostentation” in earnest, why did he have to be so ostentatious in real life? It was truly exasperating.

An hour passed.

Onstage, the seventh contestant, Zhao Lei, covered a classic Cantonese rock song, stirring up a new frenzy among the audience. Everyone was exhilarated—half stood up to salute him.

Amid thunderous applause and cheers, Zhao Lei left the stage, basking in the glory of rock and roll.

Now, everyone awaited the arrival of the most anticipated performer of the night: the Cannon Master!

Those who disliked Zhang Qiyang and claimed they would change channels as soon as he appeared were mostly still watching, eager to witness his humiliation. They could hardly wait for this moment.

After watching Zhou Delin, Li Xuan, and finally Zhao Lei's electrifying classic Cantonese rock performance, Zhang Qiyang felt mounting pressure.

But unlike Qin Xueyang, who was so nervous she had made several trips to the restroom—and still felt like she might wet herself—Zhang Qiyang was calm. To him, betting against millions, losing was no big deal. If his face was slapped tonight, he’d simply find another chance to slap back next time.

But if he won, it would be an unrivaled pride and honor!

The greatest triumph in life is accomplishing the impossible when everyone says you cannot.

For such glory, Zhang Qiyang dared to wager against millions.

Whether mule or horse, tonight he would show his true colors.

With unwavering resolve, Zhang Qiyang prepared to step onto the stage.