After Sheng Xia Guo Shi finished their performance, it was time for everyone's anticipated act, An Ye Tu.
In the audience, some wiped tears from the corners of their eyes, while others shook their heads, trying to banish their sadness.
Lin Yanyu propped her chin with her hand, her eyes shining with anticipation. "I'm really looking forward to Su Su's love song." As Su Yu's fiancée, Lin Yanyu naturally knew the type of song he was going to perform. In fact, Su Yu had never sung a sad love song on such a program, so Lin Yanyu, who knew the song, was more excited than anyone.
"Next, let's welcome An Ye Tu to the stage!!" The host's tone clearly rose when he mentioned An Ye Tu. The audience also knew that he had a special affection for Ting Yu, and An Ye Tu was the singer chosen by Ting Yu, so they were accustomed to this preferential treatment; it was considered a running gag on the show.
Amidst the audience's cheers, An Ye Tu took the stage. The audience noticed that there was still a piano on stage. As if it were second nature, An Ye Tu walked towards the piano without any preamble.
Reaching the piano, he placed the microphone he was holding on the stand, then turned to scan the audience. Even from a great distance, he could feel a gaze filled with deep affection from the audience. "How… how can I get into character?" When his eyes met Lin Yanyu's, the corner of his mouth under the mask pulled into a wry smile.
At this moment, the audience had fallen silent, all looking expectantly at the stage. Su Yu shook his head and withdrew his gaze. Unlike usual, he didn't start immediately. He simply sat there quietly for about ten seconds, then took a deep breath and placed his hands on the keys.
A sad piano melody began, making the already quiet venue even more so. The music seemed to possess a magical quality, causing the audience to slow their breathing.
"You stopped on this street, so familiar to us,
Recite all the lines you prepared.
I'm still pretending, telling lies,
And I have no way to block the direction you're going,
At least I was dignified when we parted…"
His deep voice was like a late-night broadcast telling a story. The song depicted a chance encounter after two people had separated, each pretending and forcing themselves not to show the sadness in their hearts. Accompanied by the piano, the entire song had a strong tear-jerking quality. Xue's love songs are typically characterized by emotional stimulation woven into the lyrics. While the song itself might not evoke deep feelings, understanding the lyrics made every line realistic and tear-inducing.
"Later, I always chose to take a detour around that street,
And I wished even more to meet you on another street.
My longing is pretending, refusing to forget.
Blame me for lacking the ability to follow, the direction you went.
If love makes me more passive, the more I should be dignified…"
Indeed, it was all the work of longing. After parting, they wanted to meet again, yet feared meeting again. Even if they knew how to find each other, even if they knew where they were. But who could truly gather the courage to look for them? What would be the point of reconnecting? Although their love was humble, their ultimate rationality prevented them from acting recklessly with burning passion.
Su Yu played the piano with both hands, leaning into the microphone. With a deep, sorrowful tone, he narrated a story of extreme, humble sadness to the audience.
"It has the vibe of 'Gentleman'," Mo Yan commented, maintaining his characteristic pose of appreciating music, hands clasped across his chest, eyes half-closed. "Gentleman," one of Ting Yu's few sad love songs, remained highly popular. The song suited the market, and it had been covered by many performers on various shows, even by Hong Long in the earlier rounds of "King of Masked Singer." Mo Yan could naturally discern the stylistic similarity between this song and "Gentleman."
"This vocal tone is born for love songs!" Han Qi mused, offering a very high evaluation. It wasn't just the vocal tone; An Ye Tu also utilized significant chest resonance, maximizing the suppressed emotion at the beginning of the song. People often said high notes showcase singing prowess, but having such high-quality low notes, such story-filled low notes, also required pushing one's singing skills to the limit. Low notes can also be a display of skill!
"What does Teacher Yin Na say?" Liu Huan deliberately steered the conversation towards Yin Na. The latter was taken aback for a moment and then felt thoroughly displeased. She disliked such gentle songs, so she had refrained from commenting, but unexpectedly, she couldn't escape. "Good, very good!" In the end, she made a choice that went against her feelings. Her face was already flushed, and she didn't want to be criticized further. The other judges, including Mo Yan, smiled and remained silent. To have Yin Na say such a thing was a first for An Ye Tu.
"What more do you want from me, what more?
Your sudden text message is enough to make me sad.
I can't forget, you don't need to remind me,
Even if the ending is like this…"
As he reached this part, Su Yu stopped playing. He picked up the microphone from the stand and stood up. While singing, he walked towards the front of the stage. Each step was filled with loneliness and confusion, carrying a deep sense of helplessness that was heartbreaking to watch.
"What else can I do, what else.
In the end, I'll still end up in the position of a lover,
You never think about me, why should I be like this…"
As the chorus built emotional momentum, the song's basic structure unfolded. The first part was devoid of hysteria or much outburst; even the chorus, though more emotionally charged, was delivered like a story being told. Coupled with An Ye Tu's deep and resonant singing, the song's emotion was rendered perfectly. The reluctance after a breakup, the desire to reconcile yet the fear of doing so, was expressed vividly. He seemed like the protagonist of the story, appearing calm, yet his voice was filled with sorrow and despair.
In the audience, Lin Yanyu covered her face with her hands, tears streaming down through her fingers. She had never heard Su Yu sing a sad love song before, and to be brought to tears on the first try, unable to stop them, was unexpected. She felt as if she heard Su Yu's sadness after their separation in his singing. "No! We will never separate! We will be happy and together forever!"
"I slowly returned to my own life,
And began to be open to new potential partners.
Loving you to the end, without pain or itch,
Leaving messages to argue who loved once,
I'm left with a look of no regrets…"
Similar to "Gentleman," this song did not repeat lyrics; both sections had different words. Furthermore, the emotions expressed in the two parts differed. The first part was shortly after the breakup, while the second part depicted a surface-level release. Because of this, Su Yu's singing carried a touch of nonchalance. It was like returning to a normal life alone, a phase many people go through. No matter how humble or passionate the love, time erodes these feelings, leaving only plainness. Although one might recall it occasionally, what does it matter? It was no longer important.
"What more do you want from me, what more?
Please don't appear at my wedding.
After listening to the song you love, I got in the car.
It was worth loving you…"
Finally, after all the gradual buildup, the emotions erupted at this moment. On stage, Su Yu broke free from his calm demeanor, singing with more force and greater emotional intensity. He held the microphone with both hands, slightly bowing, pouring all his emotions into the performance.
"Later, my life turned out to be quite ideal,
I didn't end up in a lonely predicament because of you.
One night, I had a dream.
You, with white hair, said you'd take me wandering.
I still didn't hesitate and followed you to heaven.
No matter what happens, I can accompany you until dawn…"
In the final section, following the burst of emotion, came a calm. Su Yu sang very softly, as if he had lost all his strength. The faint breathing, accompanying the singing, was like the finishing touch, releasing the final emotions completely. It was as if, after many years, he was recounting that memory. That person, those events. Some blurred, yet there was an unforgettable reluctance. Although he was loath to admit it, he had made his choice in a dream. He still couldn't forget this life…
"Damn, I feel so suffocated!"
"Huh, my vision suddenly blurred, turns out I was crying, never mind…"
"That hit me hard. I knew Ting Yu was releasing a sad love song this time, but I didn't expect it to be so intense."
"It's too pathetic. You absolutely shouldn't come to my wedding to wish me happiness, but in my dreams when I'm old, I still choose to go to heaven with you. How ironic!"
"Just broke up, I can't hold it in. Brothers, I'll cry first!"
"Sigh… is this love?"
"Love? I love your mom's fried dough sticks!"
The audience was deeply moved by the singing, so resilient yet so humble, their noses stinging, and tears welling up! Especially when they heard the line "What more do you want from me," it seemed to resonate with everyone in the crowd, and a sad atmosphere permeated the entire venue. Some emotional female audience members stared blankly at the stage, tears sliding down their cheeks as they began to sob uncontrollably.
ps: "What More Do You Want From Me" original singer: Xue Zhiqian, lyrics: Xue Zhiqian, music: Xue Zhiqian. While the song might not be as famous as "Actor," many entertainment writers mention "Actor" when referencing Xue Zhiqian. However, I strongly recommend this song; it's truly beautiful and has a strong narrative. Listen to him, listen to him…