The lingering melody of "Cold Fireworks" filled the air.
Everyone present was waiting for the results of tonight.
Shen Chengyun's "Cutting the Letter" was performed with clear diction and abundant emotion, and his excellent singing style made the song deeply moving.
However, Li Chenchan's "Cold Fireworks" had a cold and desolate tune, almost making people feel as if they were falling into an ice cellar. But this song told a story from "The Record of the Buddhist Monasteries of Luoyang," using a melody rich in ancient style and meticulously crafted lyrics to sing a love story that left people heartbroken and unable to control themselves.
The clash of the two songs made everyone lean towards Li Chenchan, but if "Cold Fireworks" lacked the story as its foundation, the lyrics would seem meaningless, merely for the sake of being ornate. Therefore, the result was still somewhat suspenseful...
Now it was up to the judges.
The judges were also extremely conflicted, but in the end, they wrote down a result.
Then, among the few people, the judge sitting in the middle said into the microphone, "Li Chenchan, Shen Chengyun, you two have really given us a tough problem. We don't know whose song to choose. Li Chenchan's song takes a new path, and I dare to boldly say that he has already created a new form of ancient-style song, just as his 'Those Things in the Ming Dynasty' created a new way of writing history. 'Cold Fireworks' is also a very profound song. Shen Chengyun's 'Cutting the Letter' has a very good and classic melody, which can make people savor it, and the lyrics are also... "
The judge's face still showed a look of difficulty, but he continued, "Our final choice today... the one who advances is Shen Chengyun..."
Instantly, the entire venue was in an uproar!
Perhaps, if Li Chenchan had advanced, the venue would still have been in an uproar, but now, the uproar was clearly much louder.
"Why? Li Chenchan's 'Cold Fireworks' is so profound and touching, why didn't he advance?"
"There must be something fishy!"
"It's so unfair!" The audience below was in a chaotic uproar, and even Shen Chengyun himself was somewhat taken aback—was there a mistake? Li Chenchan's song was so amazing, and yet it didn't advance? But the words of the judges should not be wrong.
This judge seemed to have anticipated the situation, and he said into the microphone, "Today is just about advancing and being on hold, not that those who didn't advance have no chance. Both Shen Chengyun's and Li Chenchan's songs are very excellent, but we ultimately chose Shen Chengyun's song because 'Cold Fireworks' may need more time for people to savor and to know the story. But now, on the stage, we are more inclined towards Shen Chengyun's 'Cutting the Letter.'"
The uproar below quieted down a lot, clearly, they were beginning to accept this explanation.
Because they were also thinking that if no one knew the story of "The Record of the Buddhist Monasteries of Luoyang," today's "Cold Fireworks" would deeply move people, but the lyrics would seem hollow, purely for the sake of piling up words, without any real use.
Moreover, there was still the competition for those on hold tomorrow!
Gradually, the noise subsided. The audience and the judges had a somewhat absurd but very human thought—since Li Chenchan didn't advance today, he would have to sing again tomorrow, and they could hear another song like this from him!
Li Chenchan himself was also slightly surprised, not expecting to not advance... But after carefully considering the judges' words, he found them very reasonable.
Since he didn't advance, he didn't advance... He would just have to compete with the other singers on hold tomorrow... He certainly didn't lack good songs.
The competition of the day ended, but the controversy lingered, as the issue of Li Chenchan and Shen Chengyun's advancement and being on hold sparked a heated discussion.
"Li Chenchan was really at a disadvantage today! He shouldn't have been on hold."
"Right, right! What kind of reason did the judges give?"
"However, Shen Chengyun's song was indeed more stable. Although it was a few levels below 'Cold Fireworks,' at that time, his song was more suitable for the stage, right?"
Amidst the continuous discussion, Li Chenchan, immediately after the day's program ended, received an interview from a journalist. He was now a person with a high reputation.
"What do you think of today's result? Do you think the judges were unfair to you?" the journalist asked straightforwardly.
Li Chenchan, of course, could not answer according to the journalist's question, but said, "I don't have much to say. I don't think the judges were unfair. There always has to be a loser in a competition, and this is normal. Besides, I wasn't eliminated; I just entered the hold group. I still have many opportunities tomorrow."
The journalist, hearing Li Chenchan's words, knew that even if he had grievances, he was hiding them, so he could only ask another question, "Do you have confidence in the competition for the hold group tomorrow night?"
"Of course," Li Chenchan said with a smile, showing no sign of displeasure, "I will bring another Chinese-style song tomorrow, and I hope everyone will give me more support."
"Chinese-style? Are you referring to a song in the same style as your 'Cold Fireworks'?" the journalist asked sharply, "Is this a name you came up with, or did someone else give it to you?"
Li Chenchan said, "I chose this name to distinguish my songs from ordinary ancient-style songs. The song I will perform tomorrow is indeed in the same style as 'Cold Fireworks,' and I call it Chinese-style."
The journalist felt that this was a news highlight. Li Chenchan's 'Chinese-style' concept seemed very novel to him, but he did not think it was arrogant—his 'Cold Fireworks' indeed had a feeling of transcending ancient-style songs and reaching a higher realm, making the entire genre of songs more expansive!
Since that was the case, it was not inappropriate for him to claim to be the founder of a new style.
Sure enough, after the interview ended, no one thought Li Chenchan was arrogant; instead, they all discussed the issue of Chinese-style songs—
"Chinese-style, these three words are perfect! His 'Cold Fireworks' is indeed not an ancient-style song, as the lyrics and melody are more modern, but you can't say the song isn't retro... From the lyrics to the melody to the story, it all has an ancient feel, so calling it Chinese-style is the most fitting!"
"Very true, Chinese-style is very suitable."
Someone said something that would make Li Chenchan very depressed if he heard it, "Thank the judges for putting Li Chenchan in the hold group... so we can hear another Chinese-style song."
PS: Thank you to Qiu Qiu, Ai Zai Sakura Xia, Ni Zhi Yi Online, and other great supporters for your generous donations. Thank you to Si Tu Si Wu for your multiple 588 donations, making you another disciple of this book.
Too much excitement, it gets tiring, so I need to ease off a bit, hehe.