Chapter 97: The Preponderance of Darkness Over Light

Li Xuan never expected to win this week’s championship!

She had come this week intending to hold back—how did she end up… taking the championship? After the initial shock, delight bloomed in her heart, though her face maintained a calm, breezy smile.

When Luo Tao announced the champion, Li Xuan instinctively glanced at Zhang Qiyang. The look she gave him, brimming with hidden joy, was clearly meant to share the thrill of victory. If Zhang Qiyang hadn't made her those beautiful, heartfelt family boat shoes, she never would have won this week.

To snatch the championship and break into the top ranks despite Zhao Ziqi’s formidable performance—Li Xuan felt an indescribable exhilaration, as if her soul could soar.

Chen Ke, watching Li Xuan clutch the trophy, was equally astonished and delighted! She could hardly believe Li Xuan had won so easily. Glancing at Zhang Qiyang, who smiled and applauded, Chen Ke was utterly astounded.

This young master had casually composed a song, and Li Xuan sang it to victory. Did he truly possess some musical magic? How could he be so brilliant?

Having witnessed Zhao Ziqi’s strength, Chen Ke suddenly felt grateful—thankful that their side had someone as extraordinary as Zhang Qiyang!

Zhao Ziqi had performed so powerfully today, yet Li Xuan, in her new shoes, managed to surpass her.

If Zhang Qiyang creates even more dazzling shoes for Li Xuan in the future, allowing this peerless songstress to showcase her brilliance, wouldn’t she utterly crush Zhao Ziqi?

Chen Ke couldn’t help but chuckle at the thought. She’d once hoped Li Xuan and Zhang Qiyang wouldn’t get too close, but now, their partnership on "My Song" was simply invincible. Li Xuan must keep wearing those shoes made by that quirky craftsman!

“The second place this round goes to—Zhao Ziqi!” Luo Tao’s next announcement surprised the singers.

Zhao Ziqi, a newcomer, had achieved second place—her extraordinary talent was undeniable. Though she hadn’t taken the championship in her debut as Zhang Qiyang had, nor gone on to win two consecutive titles, people had their reservations about Zhang Qiyang’s victories, whereas Zhao Ziqi’s runner-up spot seemed much more solid.

“Congratulations on making it through the challenge!” Luo Tao sincerely congratulated Zhao Ziqi on advancing to the main competition.

To see such a super rookie emerge on "My Song" would surely boost the show’s appeal in the episodes to come.

Chu Entertainment’s team cheered and applauded for Zhao Ziqi; to break through in the fierce competition of "My Song"—she was truly a super assassin nurtured by Chu Entertainment!

Their PR team rushed to the "My Song" forum to drum up momentum, hoping to cement Zhao Ziqi’s fame.

“The third place this round goes to—Yue Li! Congratulations!” Luo Tao’s announcement of the third place again startled the singers.

Zhou Delin had performed so well, pouring his soul into classic renditions and clearly had championship potential, yet he didn’t even make the top three—how could this be?

But the live audience had chosen, and the show’s producers could only accept it.

Yue Li appeared later in the program, following Zhang Qiyang’s stormy performance with a soothing bowl of soul soup, warming the audience’s hearts like a timely fire in the snow. It was only natural that many supported and voted for her.

Like Zhou Delin, Zhang Qiyang didn’t make the top three this week, but he kept a positive attitude—if even the great Delin didn’t make it, it was only normal for him not to.

Moreover, the audience’s tastes this week clearly favored women over men—the eight singers, four men and four women, and the top three were all women!

“The fourth place this round goes to—Zhou Delin!”

Zhou Delin’s name finally appeared.

Zhang Qiyang thought, his own must be coming up soon, right? Though his ranking was slipping into the lower half, in this climate where women outshone men, it was tough for male singers to do well—a lower ranking wasn’t so bad.

“The fifth place this round goes to—Zhao Lei!”

What?

Even Zhao Lei ranked above me?

Is this for real?

Zhang Qiyang was a bit annoyed. Zhao Lei’s folk song today was heartfelt and moving, but nowhere near as impactful as his own "Song of Chang’an," which could turn day to night.

Did today’s audience only like delicate works, unable to accept anything forceful?

“The sixth place this round goes to—Lin Haoran!”

Ridiculous!

Even Lin Haoran, that kid singing fake R&B, ranks above me?

What a joke!

Today’s audience must have it in for me!

Fine!

If you’re so bold, just vote me into last place!

“The seventh place this round goes to—Zhang Qiyang… Hope you do better next time,” Luo Tao offered an awkward blessing.

He could already see Zhang Qiyang’s face darkening.

Today was truly unlucky—he couldn’t even get last place if he tried!

In previous rounds, a bad ranking was no big deal to Zhang Qiyang. But today, he had poured his heart into his song about his hometown, Chang’an, only for it to end like this.

He gave his all, and in return met with cold indifference—who could stand that?

If sincere singing isn’t what you want, fine! Next week, I’ll keep challenging you!

At that moment, Zhang Qiyang’s fury began to build—he would return to form and turn things upside down next week.

The only one more unlucky than Zhang Qiyang this episode was the iron-lunged Ji Chunying.

In this climate where women dominated, she ended up dead last—how humiliating!

But everyone’s attention wasn’t on Ji Chunying; Zhang Qiyang absorbed all the fire for her.

Everyone was astonished at Zhang Qiyang’s sudden fall to seventh place, quickly followed by immense joy.

After over a month of frustration, the audience finally had a chance to celebrate. Many couldn’t wait to spread the news far and wide.

The "cannon fodder" fans naturally felt the result was absurd!

The biggest of them, Zhang Qiyuan, was baffled that the audience voted Zhang Qiyang into seventh place.

In both performance impact and creative depth, Zhang Qiyang utterly outshone the other singers.

Yet he only took seventh—what a farce!

Was Zhang Qiyang so resisted by the public?

Zhang Qiyuan sighed in sorrow.

It seemed her foolish brother’s chosen path would not be easy.

Still, from another angle, Zhang Qiyang had been riding a hot streak—perhaps a setback, a bucket of cold water, would be good for him in the long run, helping him avoid hubris.

Most of the cannon fodder fans weren’t so rational.

Seeing their beloved idol treated unfairly, they were all up in arms!

On the "My Song" forum, they launched into a fierce battle against countless detractors and the triumphant Li Xuan fan family.

In just a moment, Chu Entertainment’s PR offensive was crushed.

The "My Song" forum was flooded with posts about Cannon Master’s stumble and Li Xuan’s victory.

If Zhao Ziqi hoped to grab attention from Zhang Qiyang and Li Xuan, she’d find the door firmly shut.