Chapter Thirty-Nine: Throwing Eggs?
When Lin Ze finished singing his song, Li Xiyan finally emerged from the spell of his voice. She quietly opened the group chat.
“No competition, there’s no way to compete...”
“His breath and control over his voice are simply beyond me. He uses a false voice and can sing to this level, he...”
“He might just be an alien.”
The group chat was filled with singers from the music circle, all of whom had good reputations—making conversation easy.
“I’ve listened too. I suggest we capture him and dissect him for research,” replied another female singer.
“Exaggerated! Way too exaggerated!”
“He’s about to steal the jobs of male singers, and even female singers aren’t safe!”
“That’s unlikely. Using a false voice is tough on the throat; he won’t use it frequently.”
Only then did Li Xiyan realize how many people were paying attention to Lin Ze.
Has everyone noticed that Lin Ze is extraordinary?
Hmm...
Before they try to invite him for a collaboration, I should make my move!
...
After Lin Ze finished his song, he already felt his throat aching.
He was not as naturally gifted as the original singer from that other world; he could only rely on technique to force his performance.
But... it’s all just for fun!
The audience was silent for a long time before someone remembered to applaud.
Once someone started, others followed, and the applause thundered through the hall!
Mu Tang clapped so hard her palms were swollen.
“Incredible!” Mu Tang grabbed Zhou Ke’s arm, yelling without a care for her image.
Lin Ze and his group bowed to the audience.
“Thank you, everyone!”
The competition had to continue, and Lin Ze’s group had lingered long enough on stage.
When they stepped off, Aunt Tian Hui was already waiting.
“That was amazing...” Tian Hui applauded, her expression sincere.
“You...” Old Wang wanted to comfort her, but didn’t know what to say.
“It’s fine. Our Western orchestra would like to join you—would that be possible?” Tian Hui smiled at Old Wang.
Her smile left Old Wang dumbfounded; he stammered, “Ah... I, y-yes, of course.”
“Why do you want to join!” Aunt from the folk orchestra glared.
“Well... East meets West.” Lin Ze said seriously, “The next round is the finals, after all. Our Sunset Orchestra has made it this far—surely we have to win?”
Hearing Lin Ze say this, the other aunts reluctantly nodded.
---
After the last two performances, Lin Ze handed out printed scores to everyone.
This time, there were two sets.
One was rock, the other traditional.
With the show over, everyone changed back into their own clothes.
Both groups headed out together, the uncles and aunts trailing behind, eyes glued to their scores as they walked, some even donning reading glasses.
Lin Ze and Su Zitan walked in front, hand in hand.
“Zitan, you’re really...”
“Oh, you childish thing!”
Though Su Zitan protested, Lin Ze’s strides were so large, his arm swinging boldly.
Even his walking became swaggering.
Su Zitan rolled her score into a tube and held it to her mouth with two fingers, like a giant cigar.
Lin Ze slung an arm around Su Zitan, chin raised, looking at people with an underworld air—like a gangster from a movie.
The two led a crowd of elderly men and women, each carrying an instrument case on their backs, which looked almost like weapons at first glance.
[???]
[Investigate Lin Ze thoroughly! As always—investigate Lin Ze!]
[He doesn’t even need to fight for territory, just have the old folks lie down on the ground behind him and it’s over.]
As they neared the entrance, Lin Ze saw Li Xiangyu standing there.
At that moment, Li Xiangyu spotted Lin Ze.
Lin Ze did a cool sunglasses push, leaned in for a closer look, and gave a contemptuous smile.
“You—”
Before Lin Ze could speak, below the steps outside, a few young girls appeared out of nowhere, pointing at Lin Ze and yelling insults.
“Lin Ze! What is this trash you’re singing?”
“What kind of man are you! How dare you insult my idol?”
“A real man should be like my idol—hardworking! You just cling to rich women, how pathetic!”
The girls seemed ready to throw something.
Lin Ze quickly pulled Su Zitan behind him.
Li Xiangyu, oblivious to their movements, turned to see what was happening.
As he turned, there was a loud crack.
An egg struck his forehead.
The egg white and yolk ran down his cheeks, a pungent stench filling his nose.
“Ugh...”
“Huh?”
The girls froze.
Li Xiangyu?
---
They missed!
The girls turned and fled, but the incident was captured by Xiao Qian nearby, who streamed the whole thing live.
Only three eggs were thrown—one hit Li Xiangyu in the head, the other two missed, landing at Lin Ze and Su Zitan’s feet as they dodged.
Li Xiangyu had a considerable fan base.
The three girls, caught on video, could face online abuse at best, or even physical assault offline.
Lin Ze sighed—he was attacked, but now had to defend them.
“Um... look, they didn’t mean it. Don’t cyberbully others, and don’t attack them offline.”
Lin Ze spoke into the camera, “Assault causing minor injury can lead to up to three years in prison.”
“Yes...” Li Xiangyu, wiping egg from his head, forced himself closer to the lens.
“Don’t do this—otherwise, everyone will be kicked out of the fan club!”
[Haha, this is hilarious—Li Xiangyu is so unlucky.]
[The funniest part is those three might actually be Li Xiangyu’s own fans.]
[Those three are disgusting, attacking Brother Xiangyu! Let’s go! Insult him!]
[Ignore the troll upstairs.]
Lin Ze, a bit annoyed, shifted away, “Stay back, you reek...”
Li Xiangyu: “...”
“Lin Ze, this show was created by a genius junior of mine—the finals will be even more intense. See you then!”
Li Xiangyu spat his threats, then ran off, still wiping his head.
“He didn’t wear makeup today.” Su Zitan glanced at Lin Ze, “Honestly, when he’s not like that day, he’s not so bad.”
“True, today he did pretty well.”
...
“Ten reasons Lin Ze should be banished from the entertainment industry!”
“Lin Ze’s career after cozying up to a wealthy woman!”
“Jiang Dasheng’s music review: Lin Ze’s ‘Lotus Pond Moonlight’ lyrics are utter nonsense!”
“Lin Ze’s new song ‘Big Fish’ sung in a female voice—does it contradict his previous high-minded statements?”
“Lin Ze—what kind of man is he?”
Zhang Huai was always quick to seize opportunity.
In just one night, the paid trolls he hired were already in full attack mode.
Some fans were even incited to attack Lin Ze offline.
Today, Lin Ze not only got hit with rotten eggs, but some people even loaded water guns with cola or Sprite and ambushed him on the street.