Chapter 29: The Singing Competition

  Learning is a quiet and peaceful time, nothing earth-shattering happened between Xu Shaojie and Liu Hong, the fight temporarily stopped. The last provocation made Liu Hong a bit hurt. Xu Shaojie had a good relationship with his class teacher Xu Zhuxin, whose husband worked in Beijing. Xu Shaojie found it strange that Xu Zhuxin didn't go to Beijing, as the conditions there were much better. However, this was a question he wouldn't ask, as everyone has their own family life and privacy.

  Tang Wanrou didn't come to school, Xu Shaojie didn't know what reason, but it's better not to look for her.

  In May, the news of the school's singing competition arrived. The most enthusiastic was Sun Yong, who had always been fascinated by his own voice. Of course, this was thanks to the efforts of his dormitory roommates, who considered Sun Yong's face and did not dare to hurt him directly.

  "Xu Ban Zhang, I've already signed up for the singing competition. You should sign up too! As our class monitor and dorm leader, you have to participate. I'll help you, how about it?"

  "Sun Yong, don't mention me, what song are you going to sing? Have you chosen a good tune?"

  "Alright, great, everyone listen up and take a reference. I've chosen two songs, both are old ones. Now I'll demonstrate, fellow brothers must give your opinions, speak directly, this will help me improve."

  Everyone furrowed their brows, but no one said anything.

  "Brother, you're leaving from the west exit, little sister, I really can't stay..."

  Xu Shaojie sat beside the table, for a moment unnoticed, almost shocked to the ground. The rest of the people couldn't help but want to hide in their quilts. Sun Yong had accumulated great strength and sang this song, already intoxicated, without looking at everyone's expressions. Finally, after Sun Yong finished singing, everyone was ready to comment.

  "Ma Jianhua, how was my singing?"

  "Oh, I was still walking out of the west exit, thinking about that girl, didn't notice, ask Du Yuxin."

  "Sonny, I was just thinking about how many clothes my sister is wearing. If she were wearing a bikini, it would be so cool."

  Sun Yong ignored these words and turned to ask Xu Shaojie instead.

  "Xu Ban Zhang, give me some advice."

  "This, Sun Yong, I couldn't sing at your level. What's another song? In our dormitory, Ma Jianhua loves to hum little tunes, his opinion should be good."

  Sun Yong ignored the crowd and started singing his second song. At this moment, Xu Shaojie had made preparations and returned to bed. However, everyone glared at Xu Shaojie with anger in their eyes.

  "The sun in the west is about to set, the devil's doomsday is coming..."

  Sun Yong was really singing out of tune, Ma Jianhua couldn't bear it anymore.

  "Stop, stop, give up on this song, the devil's doomsday has arrived, our doomsday is also coming."

  Sun Yong's eyes widened in anger, Ma Jianhua interrupted his singing, the passion was suppressed in his heart, and he really didn't feel comfortable. For a long time, Sun Yong had received too much praise, suddenly hearing such words, he couldn't bear it, Ma Jianhua also knew he was wrong, didn't know how to make amends, so he lowered his head.

  "Alright, Sun Yong, Ma Jianhua's meaning is very clear. You've been singing for over a year now, and everyone knows what you're good at and not good at. Ma Jianhua's intention is also very clear - this song doesn't suit you, you're better off singing Brother and Sister, it sounds more passionate that way."

  Xu Shaojie's words undoubtedly helped Ma Jianhua.

  "Yes, Xu class leader said it makes sense. Sun Yong, you'd better sing "Brother and Sister". Think about it, when you sang "Brother and Sister", Ma Jianhua went out the west gate for a long time and didn't come back. I was just thinking what clothes sister wore, just thought of wearing a bikini, and then was interrupted, really disappointing."

  "Du Yu Xin, I think you're still thinking about your sister not wearing clothes, this kid is too much, staring at beautiful girls all day long, when his hormones are too high, he might even go to the wrong dormitory, the girls' dormitory will warmly welcome you."

  "Ma Jianhua, don't mention me, you're the same, but what's wrong with that? The magpie on the river isle, the gentle maiden, a gentleman's delight, it's all said in the Book of Songs, food, sex and nature."

  Sun Yong immediately forgot what had just happened and continued the conversation.

  "Du Yuxin, you Shanghai men have an advantage. I suggest you learn from Liu Yong, it's so comfortable to be surrounded by beauties all your life. When will you also learn to write some little ditties and charm those beauties to death? Then, among the countless flowers, you'll be the one red dot, how delightful!"

  "Hum, I won't do it, Sun Yong, you come instead. Your body is good, mine isn't, can't take it."

  Hehehe, joking around is a daily routine, Xu Shaojie has become more cheerful and doesn't care about these jokes at all. As the saying goes, if you don't speak, you won't laugh, and Yan Wang won't bother you.

  The campus gradually had a lot of singing voices, because the song contest was going to be held, preparation was indispensable, Xu Shaojie had no interest, he didn't want to participate in such activities, some pain, still couldn't be wiped out, but Xu Shaojie thought about it and found that someone helped him sign up.

  Liu Hong helped Xu Shaojie sign up, Liu Hong is now the Minister of Literature and Art of the Student Union, this time organizing the competition, he made a great effort, about holding a singing contest or a dance contest, at first there was controversy, later it was thought that singing was better organized, holding a dance contest was still ahead of schedule, if the campus was full of boys and girls hugging and dancing every morning and evening, it would have a bad influence.

  Liu Hong was born with artistic cells, good at singing and dancing, became the head of the art committee, and his ability to perform was impressive. Liu Hong signed up for it, but when he found out that Xu Shaojie hadn't signed up, he directly added Xu's name to the list, thinking that as the class monitor, Xu would definitely participate in such an activity. Liu Hong had never heard Xu sing before and thought that Xu wouldn't be able to sing well, coming from a small county town where people usually didn't have many opportunities to sing. After so long, Liu Hong finally found another chance to defeat Xu Shaojie.

  Two days before the preliminary round, Xu Shaojie received a notice from his class teacher, Xu Zhuxin, to draw lots. It was only then that Xu Shaojie knew he had to participate in the singing competition. He explained to Xu Zhuxin that he hadn't signed up and wondered if there had been a mistake. Xu Zhuxin was very certain and said there was no mistake. Her tone was one of praise for Xu Shaojie. After breaking up with Zheng Yuxin, Xu Shaojie never participated in group activities again. Xu Zhuxin was worried that Xu Shaojie hadn't gotten over the psychological shadow. Some classmates questioned whether it was suitable for Xu Shaojie to continue serving as class monitor since he didn't participate in group activities. Xu Zhuxin firmly insisted that Xu Shaojie should continue to serve as class monitor.

  "Teacher Xu, I don't want to participate in the singing competition, I don't like singing."

  "Shao Jie, this time you must participate, no matter if it's your own registration or not. This is an opportunity to showcase yourself, a chance to break free from the past. You've suffered some setbacks, but don't worry, everyone will encounter setbacks. The key is whether you can get back up quickly. Some people spend their whole lives unable to get back up. In any case, we must face life with a smile. I believe you understand what I'm saying."

  Xu Shaojie ultimately didn't go to draw lots, he really didn't want to sing in front of a large crowd, besides, he wasn't prepared at all, if he went up there, it would be embarrassing.

  Nowadays, karaoke has become popular in Xilin City, and countless young people are indulging in it. Xilin University has specially purchased equipment for this purpose. This singing competition is just the right opportunity to use it, but the machine is precious, so each participating singer can only have two chances to practice, with over 100 singers participating, if there were no restrictions on practice, the machine would really be overwhelmed.

  Xu Shaojie still wanted to cheer for Sun Yong, a brother in the dormitory, and they had to support each other. Xu Shaojie knew that Sun Yong was not stupid, he knew his singing was average, but Sun Yong was fighting for a breath of air, feeling that kind of atmosphere. Sun Yong's number was 87, which was later, on the second day in the afternoon.

  On the first day, Xu Shaojie didn't go, and others sang songs. Xu Shaojie wasn't interested. On the second afternoon, Xu Shaojie went to watch the competition and found that many people were staring at him with scrutinizing gazes. Xu Shaojie didn't understand what it meant. He didn't ask either; now, cheering for Sun Yong was the main priority. After entering the auditorium, Xu Shaojie found Sun Yong, who was a bit nervous. Xu Shaojie patted Sun Yong's shoulder, and soon Ma Jianhua, Du Yuxin, and others arrived. Everyone encouraged Sun Yong, thinking that even though they knew he couldn't enter the final round, having this courage was already a victory.

  It was soon Sun Yong's turn to go on stage. As Sun Yong walked onto the stage, Xu Shaojie cheered loudly from below, and many people turned their heads to look at him. Ma Jianhua and Du Yuxin also followed suit in cheering, which was necessary to encourage Sun Yong.

  Sun Yong took over the microphone, and the music of "Walking West" sounded. Xu Shaojie clenched his fist tightly and raised it high, Sun Yong saw very clearly.

  "Brother, you go out of the west gate, little sister, I really can't stay..."

  With the accompaniment of music, it's a little better, but singing really requires talent. Sun Yong's throat wasn't designed for singing. Xu Shaojie noticed that many people around him were covering their ears. In fact, he also wanted to cover his ears, but at this time, he had to persevere. After Sun Yong finished singing, Xu Shaojie led the applause.

  "Xu Ban Zhang, I know I'm not suitable for singing, but this time I participated in the competition, I'm satisfied. In the future when I return to the county, I can proudly say that I participated in a singing competition. Whatever it is, I want to try it out. Ma Jian Hua, Du Yu Xin, you guys didn't participate in this competition, it's really a pity, what a great opportunity!"

  Sun Yong finished singing, and Xu Shaojie was about to leave. However, Sun Yong and others held him back, saying that he must insist on listening until the final list comes out. The final is attended by 20 people. There were not many contestants left behind, and Xu Shaojie found it a bit strange, but didn't say anything.

  At around 4 o'clock, the preliminary round ended. Soon after, the scores were counted and announced by the head of the judges' panel. The list of singers who would participate in the final round was announced, which would take place three days later. Before announcing the list, it was announced that there were 21 people participating in the final round, including one singer who did not attend the preliminary round due to special circumstances and was specially recommended by the class teacher.

  Xu Shaojie felt a chill run down his spine as he thought of something - could this person be himself?

  The result is out, when the chairman of the jury announced Xu Shaojie's name at the beginning of the year, Xu Shaojie's mind went blank. This must be Xu Zhuxin's opinion. Only Xu Zhuxin could say something like that. The finalists immediately went on stage to draw lots.

  Xu Shaojie mechanically walked onto the stage, he really couldn't believe that he had actually made it into the finals. If he were to forfeit again, it would be unwise. Forfeiting once could be forgiven, but doing so a second time would not only disappoint Xu Zhuxin, but also humiliate his school and change people's impression of him in an instant, leaving no room for regret.

  Xu Shaojie drew the 21st sign, as if it was a harbinger that he, this singer who made it to the finals, was fake and inferior. On the chairman's platform, Xu Shaojie saw Liu Hong and Zheng Yuxin, both of whom had also entered the finals. Seeing Liu Hong's triumphant gaze from below the stage made Xu Shaojie feel embarrassed.

  "Shao Jie, I don't want to be disappointed again. Sun Yong's singing is not good, but the judges still gave him high praise. This courage is also worth everyone's respect. You didn't participate in the preliminary round and didn't even go to draw lots. I'm disappointed. I know you have some resistance, but you must participate. No matter how well you sing, being able to participate is already a victory."

  "Teacher Xu, I know, I'll definitely participate, no matter how well I sing, I'll participate."

  "Alright, there are only three days to prepare, you quickly get ready, I'll take care of the accompaniment, don't go practice during the day, just practice at night. Think carefully about which song to sing, tomorrow night I'll take you to practice. There are many songs in school, think it over and tell me tomorrow, I'll help you choose the best accompaniment CD."

  "Teacher Xu, I've thought it through, let's sing 'Unyielding Youth'."

  "What? You're singing this song? It's really difficult! During the preliminary round, several students chose this song and none of them succeeded. It's too high, choose an easier one."

  "Teacher Xu, I've decided, it's this song."

  Xu Zhuxin looked at Xu Shaojie, she really couldn't think of it, Xu Shaojie who didn't even want to participate in the preliminary round, would choose a song with such high difficulty. In the final round, all the students sang well, and if they made any slight mistake, they would become a laughing stock. Moreover, she had said that Xu Shaojie's singing was good, now wasn't she asking for trouble?