The Qingda Annual Gala officially began.
As an art academy, there were quite a few popular influencers and debut singers, but none were particularly famous.
Everyone was a student, and academics were the priority, so few signed with companies. Even if they did, most were part-time. Without company resources for promotion, it was incredibly difficult to become famous relying on oneself.
All things considered, the only truly popular singer at Qingda was Lin Yanyu; Gong Juren and Jiang Xiao'e could only be considered moderately popular.
Gong Juren and Jiang Xiao'e had prior engagements, so only Lin Yanyu attended the annual gala.
Backstage.
The school had arranged a separate lounge for Lin Yanyu.
After all, she was currently Qingda's pride and joy. When enrollment periods came each semester, many students were her fans.
Special treatment was only fitting.
Su Yu, due to his duet with Lin Yanyu, also benefited from her status and shared the lounge with her.
"What's wrong? Don't tell me you're nervous?"
Seeing Su Yu unusually quiet, Lin Yanyu playfully waved her hand in front of him, smiling.
"Of course, who wouldn't be nervous singing with a big star like you?"
Su Yu chuckled and took her small hand.
"Hmph, don't tell me that. Someone might see." Lin Yanyu said, but she didn't pull her hand away.
"So what if they see? She's my girlfriend, who would dare have opinions if I hold her hand?"
Su Yu teased.
The last time he sang, he had worn a mask. This time, he would be performing in front of the entire student body, and his feelings were a bit complicated.
It wasn't nervousness, but a touch of concern.
"System, if I go up to sing, will I have an episode?"
The System had previously mentioned that exposure to a stage might loosen the seals on his past life memories. If his depression were to resurface, it would be troublesome.
[An event of this magnitude would indeed loosen the seals, but given the host's recent mental shift, it should not be an issue.]
"That's good."
Su Yu breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this.
This would be his first time performing on stage in this world under his own name, which went against his initial desire for a low profile.
But there was no other way. His girlfriend was a big star, and it was hard to maintain a low profile unless he wasn't with Lin Yanyu.
However, giving up Lin Yanyu was impossible.
As the System had said, Lin Yanyu was his light.
Although it sounded a bit chuunibyo, Su Yu completely agreed with it.
Where there is light, there will naturally be brilliance.
Thinking of this, he looked up at Lin Yanyu's stunningly beautiful face.
"Wh-what is it?" The latter was startled by his sudden intense gaze.
"The weather is dry, I want to moisten my lips..."
"Mmm..."
...
At the very front of the audience seating.
These were the exclusive seats for school leaders.
At this moment, Principal Zhao Jianguo leaned back in his chair with a smile.
Beside him were Yu Yongcai, the dean of the Yuhui Academy of Arts, and the prodigy Zhu Quan.
On the other side sat Jiang Li, who had been a frontline singer for many years.
"Principal, the annual gala stage now is much better than in our time,"
Jiang Li broke the silence with a light laugh.
"Heh heh, the school's current standing is all thanks to outstanding alumni like yourselves. Jiang Li, I recall you've donated a considerable amount to the school over the years."
Zhao Jianguo smiled.
Over the years, Qingda had nurtured many excellent students who, after graduation, became Qingda's recruitment advertisement.
Moreover, some grateful alumni would donate money for the school's development.
Therefore, Zhao Jianguo's words were not mere flattery.
"The school nurtured us; this is simply what we should do."
Jiang Li shook her head, seemingly unconcerned.
At this moment, Yu Yongcai, the principal of YuDa, interjected, "Qingda truly lives up to its reputation as one of the top art academies in Shuangqing City. Such stage construction is indeed enviable."
Zhao Jianguo shook his head. "Principal Yu, you jest. Your YuDa's stage is no less than ours."
"Heh heh, we can't compare to Qingda. Your esteemed school is rich in talent, producing so many frontline singers and excellent producers. We are far behind."
Yu Yongcai waved his hands repeatedly, offering compliments.
The Qingda school leaders present felt a jolt.
Here he comes, here he comes, bringing the prodigy to show off.
What a stiff way to change the topic, bringing up talent after only a couple of sentences.
Are you afraid people won't know that YuDa has produced a prodigy?
All the school leaders turned their gaze to Zhao Jianguo, eager to see his response.
"Indeed, while our school may not excel in other areas, we are capable of nurturing talent."
Just as everyone expected Zhao Jianguo to be modest, he nodded with a smile, as if he hadn't heard the implied boast.
His tone was filled with pride.
Yu Yongcai, however, paused involuntarily.
I haven't even started showing off yet, and you've already beaten me to it?
Why aren't you playing by the rules?
"Ahem... Zhu Quan, did you hear that? Watch and learn well. Although you're only a freshman and already a mid-level producer at Xinghui, there's still a gap compared to Qingda's talents."
Yu Yongcai coughed lightly and then spoke to the prodigy beside him with feigned seriousness.
"I understand, student." Zhu Quan beside him nodded cooperatively and humbly.
However, the arrogance in his eyes showed no hint of humility.
Yu Yongcai looked at Zhao Jianguo with undisguised pride.
Before coming, he had already done his research. Besides Cheng Yan in his third year, Qingda only had Tian Yu in his freshman year, who was also quite good.
However, neither of them could compare to the prodigy, Zhu Quan, beside him.
His intention this time was clearly to show off.
And he had succeeded, with Qingda having no recourse.
Because they genuinely couldn't compare.
Thinking of this, Yu Yongcai felt immensely pleased.
The Qingda school leaders, on the other hand, looked distressed. How shameless! That statement was too ostentatious!
What do you mean, "signed as a mid-level producer as a freshman"?
How are the students in their second and third years who haven't signed with a company supposed to feel?
Alas, Qingda had held the advantage in nurturing talent over YuDa for so many years, and today they were being upstaged by this Yu Yongcai.
"Zhu Quan, is that right? Your Principal Yu is correct. Don't become arrogant just because you've achieved something. Listen to your principal, watch and learn carefully later."
Just when everyone thought Zhao Jianguo would concede, he followed Yu Yongcai's lead and began lecturing the prodigy.
His tone implied that he couldn't discern Yu Yongcai's veiled intention of saying that no one at Qingda could match Zhu Quan.
Zhao Jianguo's remark completely stumped Yu Yongcai.
Where was your emotional intelligence? Where was your emotional intelligence?
No, logically, Zhao Jianguo's emotional intelligence shouldn't be this low. How could he not grasp the implied meaning?
It felt like punching cotton, utterly unsatisfying!
Yu Yongcai was about to go crazy but couldn't act out. He felt a blockage in his throat, making him extremely uncomfortable.
Just then, the hosts for the annual gala took the stage.
A male and female duo, they were members of the student union.
Their opening remarks were quite professional.
"Then let's see just how talented Qingda's young talents truly are."
With that, he let out a cold laugh.
Beside him, Zhu Quan nodded proudly.
Learn?
Learn what nonsense!
He, at such a young age, had already signed as a mid-level producer at Xinghui. Although it had only been a few days since he signed, on his first day, his colleagues had all praised him as a prodigy. Especially Old Yuan, a senior producer at the company, who even said he had the potential to become the next Ting Yu.
One had to realize that Ting Yu was currently the hottest music producer!
The top three songs on the hot song chart were all his creations!
Although he hadn't met him in person, Zhu Quan had already become his devoted fan.
His current goal was different from these school students. His horizons had shifted from inter-student competitions to following in the footsteps of Teacher Ting Yu.
Competitions within the school, in his opinion, were too childish.
...