Chapter 531: Wen Ming 21
Wen Ming thought it over. "Let’s skip the concert. I feel like that just makes my fans spend extra money. If they like me, they can listen to my albums. It’s not easy for anyone to earn a living."
Shen Tan gave her a knowing look. "The truth is, you just think it’s too much of a hassle, don’t you, Sister Ming?"
"That’s part of it," Wen Ming said with a smile. "But more importantly, I think it’s too much of an ordeal. People would be traveling from all over, and if it’s just to come to my concert, I’d feel like I’m imposing on their time and energy."
"Maybe I’ll try holding an online concert someday if that becomes an option. Life is stressful enough as it is, and I don’t want my fans to put a strain on their lives just because they want to come to my concert."
Shen Tan suggested excitedly, "Well... in that case, you could do a livestream! If you sang on a stream, your fans would be thrilled."
Wen Ming thought for a moment. "We’ll see after the show is over."
If doing a livestream would make her fans happy, Wen Ming figured it wasn’t out of the question.
Shen Tan was a host, after all, and Wen Ming was a woman of substance. As they chatted, witty remarks flew back and forth. The cameraman following them thought Wen Ming was actually quite interesting and very down-to-earth.
By the time Wen Ming arrived at the studio, the singers had already started their rehearsals. Of course, the performers weren’t allowed to watch each other rehearse, but their managers were.
So, after finishing her solo interview, Wen Ming naturally joined up with Sui Yu. Sui Yu was also a composer, and with Wen Ming now having a solid grasp of music theory herself, the sound of music rarely stopped once they were in the same room.
As he played the final note, Sui Yu grinned. "That hit the spot!"
Wen Ming smiled back. "It really is fun spending time with you, Mr. Sui."
Sui Yu twisted open a water bottle and took a couple of sips. "So, are you up first later, or am I?"
"You go ahead," Wen Ming said. "I need a little more time to get in the zone."
Sui Yu didn’t stand on ceremony with her. They’d known each other for a few years, and theirs was a friendship built on mutual respect, so there was no need for such formalities.
Once Sui Yu left, Wen Ming went back to her own dressing room. Tan You appeared at her side. "Still not mentally prepared?"
"It’s not about being prepared," Wen Ming said, leaning back on the sofa and covering her eyes with her right hand. "I just... I’m terrified of singing love songs. Whether I admit it or not, Qi Ying is the one who hurt me the most."
"Now I have to sing his song—a song I once begged for and was denied. The feeling... it’s just really strange."
Tan You teased mischievously, "Qi Ying is here today, you know. Are you sure you want to look so lifeless?"
"No," Wen Ming sat bolt upright. "I have to do this for my pride. I can’t let that bastard think I still have lingering feelings for him. I’m not just going to sing it, I’m going to nail it."
Tan You knew that when a woman came face-to-face with her ex, she would do anything not to lose face.
"This suits you much better. A moment ago you were like a rose battered by a storm, but now you look so much more alive."
Wen Ming laid on the flattery. "I would never have dared to compare myself to a rose before. Thank you, Mr. Tan, for bestowing upon me this boundless beauty!"
Tan You raised an eyebrow. "As long as you’re happy. If you want it, and I have it to give, it’s yours."
Wen Ming froze, and a blush suddenly crept up her face. She grabbed a throw pillow and buried her face in it, leaving only her ears exposed, which were still bright red.
Tan You was puzzled. "What’s wrong? Why so... shy all of a sudden?"
Wen Ming composed herself and gave Tan You a look, her eyes shimmering. "Why couldn’t you have been a man? If you were, do you think I would’ve been single all these years? We would’ve been together long ago."
Tan You chuckled and shook her head. "Even looking like I do now?"
"That would be even better!" Wen Ming clapped her hands. "If you looked like this, I’d feel more at ease. I wouldn’t have any competition for you."
She sighed. "It’s a shame you’re so young. I feel like I’m corrupting you by talking about this stuff."
Seeing Tan You about to speak, Wen Ming cut her off, saying the words for her, "I know, I know, you’re going to say you’re older than my great-grandmother, but you really look so young."
Tan You said, exasperated, "You took the words right out of my mouth. Sui Yu’s rehearsal is over. It’s your turn."
’Knowing Qi Ying was in the audience, Wen Ming was instantly energized. Men are such contradictory creatures,’ she thought. ’They can abandon people and hurt them.’
’But when the person they hurt is sad and in pain, they feel a twisted sense of accomplishment. Wen Ming refused to give Qi Ying that satisfaction. Today, she wasn’t just going to sing this song—she was going to sing it perfectly.’
Seeing the determination in Wen Ming’s stride, Tan You knew her fighting spirit was fully ignited. Indeed, this Wen Ming was much better to see.
The rehearsal went off without a hitch. The fact that her performance moved several of the hosts and producers to tears was just a minor footnote.
The performance order for this round was based on the rankings from the first episode, meaning Wen Ming was once again sixth to go on. She was in her dressing room, having her makeup done while watching the performances on a monitor.
The fourth performer was Zhou Rong. She had drawn two of Wen Ming’s songs but chose not to sing either of them, opting for a different classic instead.
Tan You asked, "She didn’t sing one of your songs. Any thoughts?"
"Not really," Wen Ming said, keeping her eyes closed as the makeup artist worked. "Even if it hadn’t been Zhou Rong back then, Qi Ying would have given the song to someone else. It just happened to be her."
"I was never the one who cared about Zhou Rong. But now, it seems she’s the one who cares about me."
Tan You said, "You’ve completely overshadowed her. Of course she cares. No one ignores their competition."
Wen Ming deflected. "It’s because Mr. Tan’s music and lyrics are so good. Mr. Tan is the real taskmaster."
"Everyone says Jiang Hua understands a woman’s heart best, but looking at it now, he’s not even in the same league as you."
Tan You replied, "You don’t have to separate it by gender. We’re all human; some things are universal. As for Jiang Hua, he’s here today too."
She spoke as she pulled up a screen, showing the musicians’ section. Besides Qi Ying, Jiang Hua was sitting nearby.
"Old Gao told me that when Jiang Hua heard the theme was love songs, he flew in specially for this," Tan You said quietly. "I guess he wanted to hear you sing a love song again. That’s Jiang Hua for you. He says he likes someone, but it’s so shallow he could move on to someone else at any moment."
"That’s why I don’t like him," Wen Ming shrugged. "I get the feeling it’s you he’s interested in."
Tan You shuddered. "That’s creepy. He’s into a minor?"
Wen Ming couldn’t help but laugh, and the makeup artist quickly pulled her brush away. "Ms. Wen Ming? My apologies..."
"No, no, it’s not your fault," Wen Ming said, waving her hand dismissively. "I’m the one who messed you up. I’m sorry."
Suppressing her smile, Wen Ming couldn’t resist. "Mr. Tan, you’re so strange. In front of me, you claim to be older than my great-grandmother. But the moment Jiang Hua’s name comes up, you’re suddenly a minor. Is your age Schrödinger’s age?"