"The performances of both singers were excellent. Now, please welcome the last singer of today to bring us the ultimate audiovisual feast! Please welcome, Dark Night Rabbit!!!"
Amidst the host's enthusiastic announcement.
Dark Night Rabbit stepped onto the stage.
Boom!!!
The audience erupted in deafening cheers!
Without sounding boastful, Dark Night Rabbit's popularity on this stage dwarfed everyone else.
In fact, he had more heat than all the other singers combined.
After all, this was the formidable individual who had held the title of 'King of Songs' for nine consecutive weeks!
A true legend in the history of 'Masked Singer'!
The cheers continued unabated.
As each musician took to the stage.
The cheers grew louder!
Deafening!
"More musicians? Is Dark Night Rabbit singing another rock song?"
"I predict it'll be another infectious song, as only this type can defeat Dolphin Doll."
"I have to say, Dark Night Rabbit's rock songs this competition have all been outstanding."
"Written for Zhou Xiang, for athletes, for those who fight for their dreams, I'm so excited!"
It took a full three minutes for the audience's cheers to finally subside.
Then, Dark Night Rabbit didn't begin his performance.
Instead, he slowly turned his back to the audience and looked at the large screen behind the stage.
The screen lit up.
It displayed a video of Zhou Xiang tearfully accepting an interview.
"Who says people of East Asian descent can't make it into the top eight at the Olympics?"
"Today, I will prove it to everyone."
"I! Am the Olympic champion!"
...
During a program interview.
The host asked, "At that moment, did you ever think that if I were to sacrifice myself here one day, I would finally be at peace, having done justice to everyone?"
"That's precisely how it was."
...
His coach choked back tears, saying, "He was constantly risking his life!"
...
One segment after another of Zhou Xiang's interviews, followed by footage of his retirement.
"Although not all dreams can come true, the pursuit itself will become a valuable spiritual treasure in my life."
"Every time I stepped onto the track, the fire in my heart still burned, and my fighting spirit remained, but the injuries plagued me, making me feel like I had the will but not the strength..."
After the retirement video.
Came the scenes of Zhou Xiang dominating the competition.
His speed, like a gust of wind, and the roaring cheers of the crowd instantly ignited the audience's memories.
It felt as if they were following Zhou Xiang back to those exhilarating tracks, chasing his dreams.
Just as the audience's emotions were fully stirred.
The intro suddenly began!
"Chasing Dreams, A Child's Heart"
Performed by: Dark Night Rabbit
Lyrics by: Ting Yu
Music by: Ting Yu
The piano intro seemed to connect with the audience's emotions.
Allowing the excitement to continue.
And as the drum kit joined in.
Dark Night Rabbit finally turned, cradling the microphone with both hands, and began to sing.
"Where can a world full of flowers be found?
If it truly exists, then I will surely go.
I want to stand on the highest peak there,
Regardless of whether it's a sheer cliff..."
Dark Night Rabbit's voice was filled with hope, carrying an aspiring, motivational sentiment.
There was no explosive opening right from the start; it was still a singing style that built up emotions in the beginning.
And with the lyrics, a world full of hope slowly unfolded.
It was like a youth, sword in hand, gazing into the distance, unafraid of hardships and obstacles.
It was direct, and the energy contained within the song was palpable.
"Live with all your might, love with all your might, even if it means total ruin,
No need to satisfy anyone, as long as you are true to yourself.
When it comes to my ideals, I have never chosen to give up,
Even in those disheartening days..."
In his youth, he embarked on his journey with dreams.
He had imagined his future countless times in his mind.
He had also envisioned scenarios of utter ruin, facing innumerable dangers, and countless possibilities.
But he had never once considered giving up.
This was the courage of a pure heart, the bravery and perseverance that fears no danger.
Similarly, these very direct lyrics delivered an immense impact to the audience!
The camera panned to the audience.
Many held their breath, unconsciously clenching their fists.
The greatest characteristic of motivational songs is their infectiousness; a good song can give people strength in despair and encouragement when they lose motivation.
"Perhaps I have no talent,
But I have the innocence of dreams,
I will prove it with my life,
Perhaps my hands are clumsy,
But I am willing to keep exploring,
Giving all my youth, leaving no regrets..."
If "The Brightest Heart in the Night Sky" was somewhat subtle, then this song was absolutely direct, so direct that one could understand its meaning instantly upon hearing it.
And as the singing began.
One couldn't help but be drawn into it.
It was as if one were that youthful self, brimming with boundless vitality, shouting to rush forward without regrets!
"Run forward! Face the cold glances and ridicule!
How can one feel the vastness of life without enduring hardship?
Fate cannot force us to kneel! Beg!
Even if our chests are stained with blood!"
A roar!
A sudden roar!
Without any technique, he directly unleashed his raw voice into the high notes!
The audience was stunned as if struck by lightning.
An indescribable sense of awe surged within them.
It felt as if a firm resolve, "Though thousands of men stand in my way, I will go forth!" arose in their hearts!
"Holy crap, what kind of singing is this?"
"We're fired up, brothers!"
"Can his throat handle that? He's using his real voice to hit those notes!"
"It's so shocking, I'm pumped up and want to find someone to fight!"
"No wonder he saved this song for last!"
This song, "Chasing Dreams, A Child's Heart," fully showcased what infectiousness meant in its chorus.
When the first line of the chorus was sung, the infectiousness instantly peaked.
Coupled with that shocking roar, it made the audience's blood boil!
"Keep running! With the pride of a pure heart!
How can the brilliance of life be seen without persevering to the end?
Rather than lingering on, let's wholeheartedly BURN!
One day, we will sprout anew!"
In front of the television.
Zhou Xiang couldn't recall how many times he had cried.
When he saw his interviews and championship moments playing on the screen, he couldn't hold back his tears.
He wasn't a particularly emotional person; even at his retirement, a scene so moving, he had managed not to shed a tear.
But these two songs today allowed him to truly empathize. Seeing Dark Night Rabbit roar on stage while singing "Chasing Dreams, A Child's Heart" brought back memories of sweating it out on the track during training, the coach's encouragement, and his friends' cheers.
He slowly lowered his head and looked at his ankle.
That was the reason for the online backlash and his retirement.
"I can't go back..."
Zhou Xiang's voice hoarse, he slammed the coffee table fiercely.
He had never paid much attention to the insults. He had never feared the thorny path, just as the lyrics said.
"Run forward! Face the cold glances and ridicule!"
What were cold glances and ridicule compared to that?
What he cared about was his career.
The inability to compete on the track was the biggest reason for his despair!