149: As You Wish

The group Lu Qingyu chose today, those border-region single-parent families, was exactly the group he had selected.

The border is fraught with danger, especially from drug traffickers. The thirteen families he selected are all cases where a mother is raising one or two children alone because their fathers have all sacrificed their lives. They died fighting drug traffickers for the sake of the nation's cause and to protect the well-being of the people.

Yes, they are the wives and children of martyrs. While their husbands were alive, they couldn't meet to protect the safety of their wives and children, and they couldn't even reveal their identities to others. An anti-drug police officer's identity cannot be disclosed, even after death.

At first, the Program Production Team disagreed with his choice because they felt these families were not as impoverished as children in mountainous areas or lonely elderly people. It was Su Qiang who insisted strongly. He felt that since these heroes of the people had sacrificed themselves, their sacrifices should be made visible so that they held value.

Since "The Road to Seeking Love" is a charitable program, it shouldn't have limitations. Su Qiang is a veteran at the station, so to save him face, the program approved it, though they never expected to draw this specific group so quickly.

Lu Qingyu's song today happened to fit the group he chose perfectly, which is why Su Qiang was so moved when listening to it.

"You are the long river of time, the sky ignited by sparks"

"I am the one looking up, singing you into a song"

"You are where I came from, and where my heart belongs"

"All the roads in the world will meet you"

"And I will love the world you loved"

"Wishing for the smiling faces you wished for"

"I stumble while holding your hand"

"Please take me to tomorrow"

The lyrics carry a sense of reverence for the predecessors; the peace and prosperity of today are all bought by the silent sacrifices of others.

In the control room, the director realized the content of Lu Qingyu's song at this moment, and his grip on the walkie-talkie tightened.

Originally, the big screen behind Lu Qingyu was displaying blue water shadows to match the stage lighting, but the director suddenly picked up the walkie-talkie and ordered them to pull up the video footage of the group they supported, which they had planned to introduce after the singer won the championship.

Many people in the audience also understood the meaning behind the lyrics and couldn't help but get teary-eyed. At this moment, the big screen behind Lu Qingyu on stage displayed thirteen tombstones.

All the video footage of the thirteen anti-drug police officers, whether before or after their deaths, was pixelated, and even the information about their families was pixelated.

Yet, everyone could still see the tragic and heroic reality from the blurry footage.

As everyone watched this scene, accompanied by the song Lu Qingyu was singing, tears immediately began to fall.

[Sob sob, I suddenly feel like crying.]

[Help, the song already gave me a feeling of wanting to cry and be grateful, but once the video on the big screen appeared, I not only wanted to cry, but also kneel.]

[Ahhh, why did our little brother go for such a tear-jerking route? No, I can't take it.]

[My classmate's father was an anti-drug police officer. He heard the news of his father's death on the day of his high school entrance exam. I am truly heartbroken.]

[Salute. The peace and stability of our prosperous age are all exchanged for the sacrifices and contributions of others.]

"The mountains and rivers are safe, and everyday life is peaceful"

"But you look out as you wished"

"Children, sleep soundly in your dreams"

"Just like how you loved them"

"And I will dream the reunion you dreamed of"

"Wishing for the eternity you wished for"

"Walking the long road you walked"

"Loving you like this"

As the chorus started again, the audience's emotions surged. In the guest seats, Chen Shuangyu, Xiao Mingjie, and Lu Rou all had deep, sorrowful expressions on their faces, with a hint of reverence for Lu Qingyu's song. It was their first time hearing Lu Qingyu live and their first time interacting with this younger brother who was not even twenty years old, yet they couldn't help but marvel at how outstanding he was.

It was no wonder he could get on this show at such a young age; strength is always the best tool for speaking.

Zhang Yabo's expression turned ugly from the moment Lu Qingyu started singing the chorus. He was highly competitive, but he wasn't stupid; he could certainly tell whether the lyrics were good or not.

Looking at the reactions on stage and in the audience, they were clearly even more intense than during his own performance just a moment ago.

He worried that his first-place position would be shaken, then seemingly comforted himself, thinking, "No, that won't happen. I am the most senior person in this episode; they wouldn't let a green kid surpass me and take first place."

In the programs he had participated in before, the production teams would always give him face. Even if he didn't ask, they would give him the best results. This one should be the same, right?

Zhang Yabo couldn't listen to what Lu Qingyu was singing at all; his mind was entirely occupied by how many points Lu Qingyu would get.

"The moon on the horizon, the longing in my heart"

"You are always by my side"

"Promising you a life of clarity"

"Like your young face"

Once the song finished, the audience wiped away their tears and screamed to cheer for Lu Qingyu. Zhang Yabo didn't notice that his forehead was covered in sweat.

The other three guests stood up to applaud Lu Qingyu; how could Zhang Yabo possibly notice that?

After the Host went on stage, they began to tally the judges' scores. Lu Qingyu looked quite calm, but the others were sweating profusely.

As the numbers on the big screen jumped, Zhang Yabo's heart felt like it was about to jump out of his chest.

The moment the results came out, before Lu Qingyu could even turn around to look, the first thing that reached his ears were the screams of the two girls, Lu Rou and Chen Shuangyu.

988 points!

Damn, it broke the program's highest score record.

The camera specifically cut to the strictest judge in the audience. Since the first episode of the program, she had never given any singer a score higher than five, but today she gave Lu Qingyu eight points.

[Ahhh, our baby is so amazing.]

[Let big sister give you a kiss, little brother is simply too impressive.]

[Ever since I became a fan of little brother, I haven't had a single day that didn't go smoothly this year. My koi fish little brother is truly amazing.]

[Qingyu deserves it; he sang so well.]

Zhang Yabo's face turned pale. He had sent out so many press releases, costing at least 2 million, and the song cost another 3 million. Since this program was on CCTV, the remuneration was negligible. He couldn't afford to lose money and not gain any reputation.

Zhang Yabo's mind raced as he tried to figure out how to salvage the situation, and suddenly, he had an idea.

He called his Agent over: "Tell the Marketing Group to change the topic about me winning the championship to 'The Uncrowned King,' and then boost another topic about me having a 'big-picture perspective.'"

Brother Wang didn't understand: "Huh?"

Zhang Yabo: "Huh what? Hurry up."

Zhang Yabo was the boss; whatever he said went, so Brother Wang went to handle it immediately.

The first place was decided, and the group to be aided was also determined. The Host began to educate the audience on stage about this group, explaining the dangers anti-drug police officers have to face and the responsibilities their families have to bear.

The audience below was listening intently. Just as they were deeply moved by the sacrifices and contributions of these anti-drug police officers, Zhang Yabo suddenly raised his hand.

Seeing Zhang Yabo raise his hand, the Host thought he wanted to express his praise for these police officers, but Zhang Yabo said: "I have an objection to the program."