Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

  The special musical instrument and music made Mu Jingzhe smile along with the audience. This was because the music was filled with joy and hope. Later, it turned into ignorance and joy, and then into leisure. In the end, when the music quietened down, the joy turned into sorrow.

  Usually, when the suona sounded, it contained either great joy or great sorrow. Xiao Wu’s tune seemed to contain both.

  It was as if it was narrating a person’s joy from birth to passing. A lifetime might be filled with thorns, but in the end, it would all pass, leaving only calmness behind, like the lives of many ordinary people.

  Now that Xiao Wu had grown up, the way he played the suona had become more mature. He wasn’t as lacking as before. Instead, his suona music invoked a different feeling.

  Everyone was immersed in the music. The contestants participating in the competition sighed with emotion as they heard the special tone of the suona and witnessed Xiao Wu’s talent. When Xiao Wu’s performance was over, they all clapped.

  They could still keep their bodies steady. After all, they were all geniuses. Even if an opponent was stunning, they refused to admit defeat. The people in China who were familiar with the suona were all amazed.

  “Oh my god, can suonas even sound like this? I don’t think I’ve ever understood their music before.”

  “Indeed, no matter the instrument, the most crucial thing is who is playing it. I didn’t expect the suona to be played like this.”

  “I take back what I said just now. He’s not playing to the gallery, but he’s really capable.”

  The staff of the television station and the radio station were also very surprised, and so was the audience listening. The phone at the radio station quickly exploded with calls.

  Xiao Wu didn’t disappoint. He displayed his skills with an innovative performance and even made everyone reacquaint themselves with folk musical instruments.

  There were still some performers after Xiao Wu, but because Xiao Wu’s performance had taken place right before theirs, they felt a little helpless. They were unlucky that they were scheduled to perform after him. Fortunately, there weren’t many participants left.

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  After the performance section ended, it was time to announce the rules of the competition.

  As usual, this competition also had a theme. The show would be held three days later, and the participants would have to compose music that fit the theme. The judges would then vote on the rankings for the next two days.

  Over the next couple of days, the radio station would re-air the broadcast. Those who were interested could go to the venue to vote using their real names.

  Because the local contestants would receive more votes, this poll would ultimately produce the Most Popular Award but wouldn’t affect the rankings. Overall, the Most Popular Award wasn’t as important as the ranking of the judges.

  However, the Most Popular Award was also a show of strength. When they heard the rules, many people at once secretly decided to vote for Xiao Wu or the domestic contestants in Ocean City.

  Xiao Wu didn’t know any of this. He focused on the theme announced instead. “The theme of this music will revolve around healing and warmth. There’s no other limitation.”

  Although there was a theme, it was a broad one. There weren’t many limitations. The music could revolve around love, friendship, kinship, or any other emotions. If you didn’t want to, you could also not stick to the theme.

  The theme was just a reference. If your work was outstanding enough and was praised by everyone, you could completely ignore the theme. Previously, there had been contestants who hadn’t followed the theme, but because they were so outstanding, they’d ended up getting first place anyway.

  As for the theme of the competition, it was mainly included for the sake of easy comparison.

  If every style was different, it would sometimes be harder to judge. Similar styles were easy to judge. Therefore, if you weren’t superior enough to guarantee that your work would be stunning enough to ignore the theme, then you’d better obediently stick to the theme. Otherwise, you might be eliminated in the preliminary round.

  These rules were constantly perfected. They were considered as fair as possible and gave as much freedom to the contestants as possible.

  Xiao Wu also found it a good idea. He didn’t rebel or differ from everyone else. Instead, he decided to work around the theme.

  Although artists relied on inspiration and too many limitations would limit their inspiration, a truly outstanding artist could work with anything.

  The music competition was paused after the first day. After the theme was announced, everyone started getting busy, including Xiao Wu.

  During the creation period, everyone was free to look for inspiration alone. Xiao Wu didn’t stay in the hotel. Instead, he went out. Mu Jingzhe and Ji Buwang followed him.

  However, unlike the others, the place Xiao Wu went to was a little special. What was even more special was that while the other contestants had already recorded their music, Xiao Wu came back last.

  Xiao Wu, Mu Jingzhe, and Ji Buwang, who had left the hotel for three days, came back looking travel-worn and exhausted. Xiao Wu was writing something with his head lowered, but after a while, he would pause.

  It wasn’t until midnight that Xiao Wu finally finished and pulled Ji Buwang with him to rehearse.

  This was allowed. Because they’d be performing on the spot, the participants could invite others to help them play some musical instruments. Many contestants had assisting performers around them, and Ji Buwang was Xiao Wu’s assistant.

  The day of the official performance arrived very quickly. The venue was packed with even more people than the last time.

  Last time, audience tickets hadn’t been sold, and only a batch had been given away. This time, they needed to buy tickets. There were quite a lot, but there were also many people who didn’t manage to get one. It was rare for people in Ocean City to come across such a competition, so some people queued up overnight to buy tickets, and there were even people who specifically came from overseas to listen.

  There were many people but very few tickets, which resulted in some high prices.

  Some of these people were there for the others, but most of them were there for Xiao Wu. They all knew that Xiao Wu’s music would touch people’s hearts every time. Hearing it live would definitely feel different. They all wanted to experience it live.

  Mu Jingzhe didn’t know about all this because her ticket was the kind that was given to family members. When she saw that the seats were packed, she was a little nervous.

  While Mu Jingzhe waited nervously, the performance officially began.

  The order of appearance this time was decided with a lottery. Xiao Wu drew the middle position, which was quite good.

  Mu Jingzhe’s nervousness disappeared after the performance officially started. International competitions were indeed different. The performances at the beginning were all very good. It felt very nice and warm to listen to them. Everyone present couldn’t help but smile when they heard the music.

  The first half echoed the theme, and it was soon Xiao Wu’s turn. As soon as Xiao Wu went up on the stage, he received enthusiastic applause, louder even than everyone else’s.

  Amid endless anticipation, everyone, especially those who had come for Xiao Wu, sat up straight and waited. They believed that Xiao Wu wouldn’t disappoint them and would definitely make them warm up.

  As they waited at the edge of their seats, Xiao Wu and Ji Buwang started to perform. After a while, everyone looked at them with strange expressions.

  Xiao Wu’s performance this time didn’t feel warm or healing. Instead, it was a little strange and noisy. Everyone was stunned for a moment as they waited for Xiao Wu to show his true strength.

  However, by the time he finished performing, the situation didn’t change and his music didn’t exude any warmth throughout. They all listened from beginning to end. Actually, it was still nice, and Xiao Wu’s standard style was there. Alas, the audience didn’t find it particularly stunning. More importantly, they didn’t feel any warmth at all.

  They had come for warm, healing music, and this was also the theme, but Xiao Wu’s music didn’t meet the criteria.

  After Xiao Wu bowed and left with Ji Buwang, everyone realized that the judges were whispering to each other…… Everyone, including the contestants in the front row who weren’t preparing to perform and the audience in the back, started talking.