Chapter 130: Farewell, Classmates—Until We Meet Again in the Martial World

In the last live performance, he had placed second to last, and his online poll results were similarly dismal; it was feared his overall ranking was at the very bottom. With a ranking that low, it was baffling how he could still have the audacity to show up late.

This time, the two of them arrived right on schedule, yet everyone else had already gathered.

A new substitute singer joined the group—a former celebrity named Zhou Qiao. His songs had once been famous across the country, but he had withdrawn from the music scene for a period to receive treatment for health issues. This was his first stop on his comeback tour. The veteran singer looked gaunt, with stubble clinging stubbornly to his chin and lips.

"It’s truly wonderful to have you back, Brother Zhou," Rong Zhengyu said, visibly moved.

Lin Ze stepped aside, yielding the center spot to the senior artist. Rong Zhengyu had written many songs for Zhou Qiao in the past, and the two shared a close personal friendship. Zhou Qiao spoke with a lingering sense of frailty.

"Sigh, I never really thought I’d be able to return," Zhou Qiao said with a faint smile. "I really have Xiao Lin and Xiyan to thank for this."

"If it weren't for that song, I might not have had the courage to come back."

"You’re too kind, senior," Li Xiyan replied graciously. "I owe my thanks to Brother Lin as well; the song he gave me healed me too."

As they chatted, the only two remaining internet singers were talking among themselves.

"I knew that if any of us made it to the end, it would be Panda," Xiao Wei said, sounding a bit dejected. "I’m definitely the one leaving this time..."

"Xiao Wei..." Panda wanted to offer some comfort, but the words failed him. He was clumsy with words, quite unlike how he was when he sang.

"It’s fine. Just as A-Guang said, I’ve come to realize the gap between me and the professional singers."

"But you have to keep going, Panda! You’re the last line of defense for us internet singers!"

Panda nodded. "If I can, I will definitely make it to the final episode!"

Chen Nan and Li Xiyan were laughing and joking, their interactions appearing even more intimate than before.

Sure enough, it was Xiao Wei who was eliminated this round. Sixth place went to Rong Zhengyu; his performance this episode hadn't been particularly brilliant, and following Lin Ze’s act, a low score was expected. Fifth place went to Xu Shenshen. Recalling how arrogant Shi Lao had been last time—arriving late and demanding others give up their seats only to land in fifth place—it was truly laughable.

***

Lin Ze was, without question, in first place.

When it came time to draw lots, Lin Ze was the first to reach into the box.

"Classmates, we shall meet again in the world beyond," Lin Ze murmured as he held the slip of paper, a flood of songs surfacing in his mind. He paused, suddenly realizing that the broadcast date for next week coincided with the release of the college entrance exam results. It seemed the production team intended for everyone to write songs dedicated to the students who were about to part ways and head down their own separate paths in life.

As one slip after another was drawn, it became clear that everyone had received the same prompt.

"Everyone, please forgive me. There was only one prompt in the box this time. I wanted to take this opportunity to have you all write a song for those students."

"Whether they did well or poorly on their exams, whether they choose to march forward or return to the battlefield, I hope you all encourage them to forge ahead toward their goals."

The prompt was set, but no one voiced any complaints; everyone hoped to see those young saplings grow tall and strong. Every person’s youth is different—some miss the lessons in the classroom and the sweat on the track, while others pine for that unrequited love they never dared to voice. Consequently, even a prompt like this allowed for more creative freedom than the previous two.

The next day was the familiar routine of songwriting. Lin Ze rose early and spent the day with Su Zihan, starting from their elementary school days, buying the toys they had once been unable to afford. They visited their middle school, picking up beautiful notebooks and pens, and finally returned to the street outside the old school where *Old Boys* was filmed to eat at the shop that had remained open for over a decade. Youth is short, yet it had occupied half their lives. Whenever they reminisced, their conversations always drifted back to their student days.

"It’s time to see the wider world."

***

Lin Ze arrived at the venue to find everyone already there. He was the first to draw for the performance order, pulling a "1" immediately. He showed it to the others with a helpless shrug, drawing laughter from the audience. The cameras captured Su Zihan in the crowd; she was laughing the hardest.

The director nodded in satisfaction. They had fresh material for the trailer. Typically, Lin Ze’s luck was so good that he always drew later slots; it was unexpected that he would end up first this time.

Yet, as if fate were playing a joke, Xu Shenshen drew number seven. The two would have to face off once again under these circumstances.

Xiao Wei went on stage first, performing a song he had released long ago. Though it was an old track, the cover had a unique flavor today. Lin Ze watched from backstage as Xiao Wei stepped down; the two caught each other's eyes and nodded. Lin Ze then walked onto the stage as a flock of pigeons appeared on the screen behind him.

***

Soon, the trailer was edited.

"I’m speechless. Does this guy have an endless supply of songs, or can he really conjure up such masterpieces in seconds?!" Chen Nan’s songwriter sat hunched before the television in the lounge, staring intently, his expression complex.

The camera cut away.

"As expected, he’s just like he was back then. Nothing has changed," Rong Zhengyu said with a look of gratification.

"That’s right. The current him is the real him. He has found himself again! He won’t lose to anyone!" Li Xiyan’s songwriter echoed.

Even with so many people saying this, the camera didn't show the television screen, leaving the audience guessing who they were talking about. This time, the director even blurred out the newly joined Zhou Qiao, fueling the mystery further. Could this newcomer be some legendary singer? If he could earn such recognition from everyone, he must be truly formidable.

[This director... honestly, does anyone know where he lives? I really want to send him some razor blades.]

[In that case, this newcomer must be quite something. Everyone, do some digging—I have a feeling Rong Zhengyu knows him well.]

[No, no, you’ve all forgotten how he edited the last episode. Maybe the director isn't talking about this new person at all. Based on the analysis of "the real him" and "won't lose"...]