Love Variety Show: The despised me exploded in popularity

Xu Qingyan sat brooding in the audience, the rehearsal site sparsely occupied with only a few people standing around.

According to the rules, as a challenge guest, Pei Muchan had to keep the rehearsal of her song performance secret. Speaking of secrecy, it was more of a gimmick, as it wasn't hard for those who were really interested to find out.

Above the stage, the lights cast a myriad of shadows.

The accompaniment melody started, and the people below pricked up their ears to listen. The order of rehearsal had the challenge guest going on stage first thing in the morning, and after finishing, heading back to rest.

By the afternoon recording, she would be the last to perform, which not only ensured secrecy but also provided ample rest time for the challenge guest.

The tune of "Late Marriage" was smooth, and the lyrics even more subtle.

"Love wounds the body, ensnares the heart."

Pei Muchan's vocal skills were solid, her first note immediately offering a breath of fresh air, prompting the staff below to look up at the slender figure on stage.

Beauty lies in the bones, not the skin, and it's the same with music.

Skill fills the flesh, emotion supports the skeleton, Pei Muchan controlled her vibrato very well. With a sustained breath and a pair of cold phoenix eyes, she sang to the few spectators below.

"Let~ him hear all the rumors."

"I Am the King of Songs" music director Qu Yuanjiang, just over forty years old, was backstage and listened to the entire song through the sound equipment. The more he listened, the more complicated his expression became.

Pei Muchan's performance wasn't bad, but it was missing something. On the other hand, the lyrics were well-crafted. The more he pondered, the more flavorful it became, lingering in his heart, hard to forget.

At the end of the song, Qu Yuanjiang specifically looked for Pei Muchan, who had just come offstage, and had a private chat with her.

"This song really moves me, did you write it yourself?"

"No, it was written by a very important friend of mine."

Receiving this response, Qu Yuanjiang was stunned for a moment, and his curiosity seemed less intense. The enthusiasm on his face slowly faded as he gave his critique.

"Your technique is very good, weak mixing is handled nicely. The use of technique is on point, but it lacks a bit in emotion. Long melodies really depend on emotion."

"Okay, thank you, Teacher Qu." Pei Muchan earnestly accepted all advice.

Qu Yuanjiang was indeed a music director, pinpointing several key aspects correctly. However, Pei Muchan didn't react much, giving off a demeanor that she had taken note of his words.

"There's still eight or nine hours before your performance this afternoon, make good use of the time to adjust."

"Alright."

He opened his mouth, feeling as if his words were like a punch into cotton.

Thinking to himself why he was fretting, the production team had taken advantage of the current popularity of love reality shows. They invited the two little queens to make a gimmick; Pei Muchan was just asked to make a token appearance after all.

It was just a pity for that song, squandering good lyrics and melody, hence he shook his head and left.

Outside the venue, other guests were waiting for their rehearsal, and couldn't stay much after finishing their own.

Xu Qingyan had just seen a middle-aged man talking to her, so as she left side by side with him, he handed her a bottle of water and casually asked.

"Hey, what did that guy ask you?"

"That's the music director Qu Yuanjiang, he asked who wrote the lyrics and music." Pei Muchan took the water and took a sip, saying, "I told him I didn't write it, and he lost interest."

"The weight of a singer-songwriter?" he asked, taken aback.

"Yeah, the singer's pecking order." Pei Muchan gave him a light glance, her tone relaxed, before she quickly left with her baseball cap on.

The next person to rehearse was Guan Fengchen; he had the most spare time and was scheduled to rehearse early in the morning. Being relatively minor, he only took part in this one show, always on call.

At the same time, he was aware that among this group of people, he could be considered at the very bottom.

He had thought the challenger would be a young girl; if he performed exceptionally, he might be safer. But he didn't expect the challenge guest to be so strong, ranking directly as the second competitor.

If this continued, he would inevitably be eliminated.

Luckily, he made it through the last round, and this time he had expended quite a few favors. He invited Ji Chen, one of the members of a top rock band, to support him in the performance, planning for a sure victory.

Because of this, he specifically arrived twenty minutes early to the rehearsal venue and immediately went in after being granted permission. But as soon as he entered, he was taken aback, Ji Chen was late.

"Hasn't the person arrived yet?" Guan Fengchen waited at the door, looking a bit disgruntled.

"He said he'd be here soon, about ten minutes." Manager Yang wiped the sweat from his forehead, "I better communicate with the show staff first, to avoid any misunderstanding."

"Okay," Guan Fengchen said with a frown.

As an old rock predecessor, he was actually expected to wait for a newcomer. Although he wasn't on par with Ji Chen in terms of popularity, being treated this way was somewhat humiliating.

Guan Fengchen repeated to himself several times that he was the one who had invited Ji Chen, and managed to suppress his emotions.

This time he planned to blend rock with pop music, including heavy metal as well as melodies that were more familiar to audiences. He hoped to get a high vote count and perhaps even use this opportunity to make a comeback.

At the TV station entrance.

Ji Chen got out of the car unhurriedly, wearing large sunglasses and sporting a freshly cut trendy stubble. Accompanied by a flustered young assistant carrying bags.

"Ji Ge, they're pushing us."

"What's the rush? Didn't I tell you to say there was a traffic jam?" Ji Chen, dressed in a black baseball jacket oozing vitality, exuded a unique personality, and was openly edgy.

"I did, but... but they're still pushing." The assistant replied sheepishly, resembling an ancient scholar.

"Let them wait, if not, never mind." Ji Chen's eyes were deep, already impatient from the early rise, "What's this thing, putting on airs."
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As they were heading inside, they happened to encounter Qingyan and Pei Muchan leaving.

Pei Muchan, wearing only a black face mask, walked beside Xu Qingyan, softly speaking about something. His gaze when he spoke was serious, reflecting meticulousness.