93: Chapter 93 The frown had just faded from my brow when it rose in my heart.

"Please welcome Huang Wenxing, performing their song 'Simple Love'."

As soon as the Host finished speaking,

Huang Wenxing quietly walked onto the stage.

He was wearing a dark blue hoodie, black jeans, black minimalist sneakers, and a black fisherman's hat.

At first glance,

he looked like a melancholic uncle tormented by love.

The music flowed gently.

Huang Wenxing sang with deep emotion.

His slightly hoarse voice seemed to narrate a deeply unforgettable love story.

After the performance, Teacher Gu Jianfen's evaluation of them was:

"This song truly represents their actual skill level! Last week's performance was nothing."

In the end, they received 142 votes, surpassing Zheng Wenfang's group.

The judges gave 45 votes, and the hundred-person judging panel gave 97 votes.

The third to appear was Zhang Zhe, Zuo You, and Xiao Xiao from Taiwan Faith Music.

Their performance was equally spectacular, with the judges giving 43 votes and the hundred-person judging panel 95 votes, for a total of 138 votes.

Host Nige returned to the stage.

Smiling, he said loudly,

"This episode, both the live performances and the votes are much better than the last one."

"I wonder if it's because the groups of contestants have adapted better to the show, or if this episode's theme was relatively simpler."

"However, next is our main event; the top three from the last episode will appear one by one."

"The next to perform will be our sixth group, who also took first place last episode."

"They will perform the song 'the moon fills the west tower'."

"Please welcome them!"

Zhou Bule, dressed in simple, elegant white, stood quietly on the stage.

His face held complex emotions, a mix of joy and worry.

The accompaniment began, and Zhou Bule picked up the microphone and started to sing.

"The fragrance of red lotus fades, the jade mat cools in autumn. Lightly I loosen my silk gown, alone I board the orchid boat."

As soon as he sang the first line, Judge Fang Wenshan shot up from his seat.

His eyes were fixed on Zhou Bule.

He seemed to want to know the next line of lyrics immediately.

He had extensively researched ancient-style lyrics, and though he was reluctant to admit it,

it was not an exaggeration to say he was the foremost authority on ancient-style lyrics in Dragon Country.

He had always believed this deep down, but that single line just now,

made him waver.

"Who sends a brocade letter from the clouds? When the wild geese return, the moon fills the west tower."

These short dozen words intertwined anticipation, disappointment, melancholy, and loneliness under the clear, cold moonlight of an autumn night.

The imagery was beautiful and moving.

"Flowers drift and waters flow. One kind of lovesickness, two places of sorrow. This feeling cannot be dispelled, no sooner frown clears, than heart is filled."

When the last two lines came out, they directly clarified the theme, perfectly fitting the prompt.

It directly told the world that lovesickness cannot be dispelled or eliminated.

People smooth their furrowed brows, as if the sorrow has temporarily left.

But the sorrow within remains undiminished, resurfacing in the heart in an instant.

It expressed the bitterness of lovesickness vividly.

Fang Wenshan sank back into his seat, feeling powerless.

There was a faint sense of loss.

But more than that, there was a greater longing for ancient-style lyrics and a discovery of a completely new direction for exploration.

In Live Stream Room 1, Ji Ping sighed deeply, his eyes filled with melancholy.

"Teacher Liu, compared to these lyrics, my lyrics are not even worth a fart."

Liu Xue frowned slightly, her face full of frustration.

"Teacher Ji, when I drew the theme of lovesickness, I thought I could surpass Young Master Ping this time."

"Because I'm a woman, I have a different perspective on love."

"But now..., I realize how terribly wrong I was."

"How could a man write such delicate lines as 'no sooner frown clears, than heart is filled'?

"And from a feminine perspective..."

Xu Kun saw Liu Xue and Ji Ping looking as if they had lost their souls, and couldn't help but feel a little disdain.

"Teachers, why boost others' morale and diminish your own?"

"Just you wait, I will defeat him this time."

Nige looked at the teachers below the stage, paused, then smiled.

"Teacher Fang, you stood for almost the entire song."

"I'd like to hear your evaluation."

Fang Wenshan excitedly stood up again, his chest heaving a few times.

"The lyrics of this song are ancient lyrics of extremely high quality. Here, I suggest that the Ministry of Education include these lyrics in textbooks."

"It is worthy of my study, worthy of my reverence."

"Thank you, Young Master Ping, for bringing us such a song that will be remembered for generations."

After he finished speaking, he bowed deeply to Creative Studio No. 6.

Teacher Han Hong also rose and said,

"This is an impeccable song, especially the lyrics."

"I also write songs and sing more."

"But it seems no song's lyrics can compare to this."

"Thank you!!"

Then came the praises from Teacher Li Zhongsheng and Teacher Liu Huan.

The judges' praise and flattery of Chen Shaoping made Wu Tao, sitting in the Main Control Room, turn cold.

He believed that there was almost nothing perfect in this world; if one looked carefully, there would always be something unsatisfactory.

The first four teachers had already praised everything that could be praised.

When it was Teacher Gu Jianfen's turn, she had originally intended to mention the flaws.

Then, the voice of Chief Director Wu Tao came through her earpiece.

"Teacher Gu, I'd like you to talk about the shortcomings of 'the moon fills the west tower' so that the show will be more engaging."

"Constant praise will make Young Master Ping complacent and might ruin such a promising talent."

Hearing Wu Tao's words, Teacher Gu Jianfen didn't think much of it.

Although she disliked the director telling her what to do during the show,

she still somewhat agreed with Wu Tao's words.

Meeting such a talented junior, she also hoped he could write more classic songs in the future.

Rather than being a flash in the pan.

"I also agree with the four teachers' praise for this song."

"But to call it perfect, I wouldn't say so."

Chen Shaoping, below the stage, knew what this song was about.

The lyrics were a masterpiece by a representative of ancientgraceful school (Wǎnyuēpài) style, naturally impeccable.

But the music was new.

Combining new music with ancient lyrics, achieving perfection was easier said than done.

It was already quite good to receive widespread recognition.

Therefore, he not only didn't find Teacher Gu's words harsh but was even more expectant.

Almost the entire studio audience's attention was focused on Teacher Gu Jianfen.

They wanted to hear her unique insights.

"This is a lovesickness poem written from a female perspective; a few dozen words convey the bitterness of lovesickness."

"To perfectly interpret the subtle bitterness of lovesickness in these lyrics, I believe, and it should be, a woman."

"So, no matter how good Zhou Bule's voice is, or how beautifully he sings, it's difficult for people to fully immerse themselves."

"Because he is, after all, a man."

"This should be a song sung by a woman."