Chapter 109: The Sword Drawn from Its Sheath

Make a debut?

Liao Yuan stared at the notice from the "Produce 101" production team, feeling as bewildered as a child.

Liu Hai, oblivious, continued on his own, "The top thirty-two have been decided. 'Produce 101' has entered the white-hot stage, and the second public performance is fast approaching. For this stage, the directing team is inviting six talented artists to join the trainees."

Everyone looked at Liao Yuan.

"Mr. Liao, you are one of the six talented artists our director has scouted!" Liu Hai said excitedly. "Everyone now knows that Liao Meiqi has an older brother. If you appear on the 'Produce 101' stage and complete a performance with your sister, it will absolutely create a hot topic!"

"Mr. Liao, this is indeed an opportunity." Operations Director Yi Zheng spoke up. "'Produce 101' is currently incredibly popular across Asia, boasting immense buzz and a regular viewership exceeding one hundred million. While it can't compare to the ratings of the National Spring Festival Gala, it is undoubtedly a phenomenal program with influence in every country. As long as you give a good performance, you will surely skyrocket to fame."

Liu Hai laughed. "Yes, and from what I know, Director Fu has also invited Han Yu. Though I'm not sure if he will accept..."

Fu Xiaoci couldn't help but interject, "Aren't you just escalating tensions? Can Han Yu and Liao Yuan really stand on the same stage? They’re both obsessed with protecting their sisters—won't they end up fighting?"

"Vice President, your imagination is truly too vivid!" Liu Hai said, speechless. "This isn't child's play; they know the stakes."

Fu Xiaoci didn't respond, instead looking at Liao Yuan. She was the only person present who knew that, aside from his radio work and current job, Liao Yuan was also participating in the "One Emperor, Four Kings" Piano Competition.

Although no one had yet discovered "Uncle A's" true identity, Fu Xiaoci knew that day was coming soon. A few days ago, during the fourth week of the preliminaries, Liao Yuan had secured a spot in the top ten of the Southern Division with his rendition of a Chopin waltz. Meanwhile, the top ten for the Northern Division and the Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan divisions had also been finalized.

Out of more than three thousand pianists, only thirty remained after a month of preliminary battles—a 100-to-1 elimination rate. Each of these thirty pianists possessed significant skill. After a short break, they would enter the knockout rounds. Only those who emerged victorious would have the chance to reach the semifinals and the grand finale held at the Bird's Nest Stadium.

Among these contestants, "Uncle A's" popularity was soaring. Especially after he played "Croatian Rhapsody," the "Uncle A" of the China division became widely known. Videos of his performances circulated on major video sites, and he was being hailed as the "second Ronald Spielberg." Ronald Spielberg was the internationally renowned virtuoso who had claimed the crown in the inaugural "One Emperor, Four Kings" Piano Competition. During that competition, Spielberg had also performed while wearing a mask.

If Liao Yuan ultimately made it to the China division finals and represented the region in the Global Finals, his identity would inevitably be exposed by the media. And the fate awaiting him might be the same as Spielberg’s: pursued by countless media outlets and becoming a world-renowned concert pianist. Every concert would be swarmed by crowds, and ticket prices would skyrocket, increasing more than tenfold.

Although the classical piano world sneered at the "One Emperor, Four Kings" competition, no one doubted the popularity, fame, and earning potential of the contestants who emerged from it. If classical music were a niche gathering, pop music would be a mass carnival. Ordinary people find it difficult to appreciate the beauty and depth of classical music; they prefer the intense, uplifting, and straightforward nature of pop. They would greet the champion who emerged from the "One Emperor, Four Kings" competition with unimaginable enthusiasm, shouting his name: "King!" just as fans do for real-world idols.

Would "Uncle A's" identity truly remain hidden by then?

Fu Xiaoci looked at the stunned Liao Yuan and asked cautiously, "Are you going?"

Liao Yuan gripped the notice in his hand, and without hesitation, nodded. "I'm going."

The room erupted in joy. Tian Xingde and the others high-fived, enthusiastically discussing their boss's debut plan. Liu Hai immediately sent a text to Fu Yuntao to inform him of the news. Only Fu Xiaoci walked over to Liao Yuan, gently patted his back, and asked with concern, "What are you going to do?"

Liao Yuan asked, puzzled, "What do you mean, what am I going to do?"

"You're in a tough spot!" Fu Xiaoci let her imagination run wild, gesturing as she spoke. "Didn't you choose to wear a mask back then to avoid being beaten up by Han Yu's fans? What gave you the courage to stand on the same stage as him? Aren't you worried about being mobbed by Han Yu's fans in the audience?"

Liao Yuan couldn't help but laugh; what was she talking about? He was worried about enemies in the shadows; a clown like Han Yu, who operated in the light, wouldn't be enough to handle even one of him. He hadn't wanted to show his face before simply because of psychological baggage from his past life. But now, after months of internal struggle, he had finally let it go. Blindly hiding wouldn't solve anything.

Living life with sincerity and boldness was what mattered most. He didn't crave fame among the elite or immense wealth; he simply wanted to live every day passionately and brilliantly, so he wouldn't regret this second chance at life. Moreover, he had already begun preparing for all eventualities.

"Actually, thinking about it, there's no need to fear them. Once you win the championship and take off your mask, who will be the one running away when we meet face-to-face? That remains to be seen!" Fu Xiaoci seemed to have figured it out, her face lighting up again as she patted Liao Yuan's chest. "I believe in you!"

"Mr. Liao, I just received word that you need to depart tomorrow morning." Liu Hai, having finished his call with Fu Yuntao, came over to Liao Yuan and said with a smile, "For the next three days, you'll be moving into the 'Produce 101' set. We’ll be filming throughout the day. Once you arrive, we’ll assign you a cameraman; basically, every move you make will be captured."

"I'm going too," Fu Xiaoci immediately declared.

Liu Hai smiled. "Of course, of course. You can go whenever you like."

Liao Yuan nodded and asked, "What do I need to do once I'm there?"

"Team up with six girls, rehearse a piece within three days, and then present it to the audience on the public performance stage." Liu Hai looked at Liao Yuan. "Mr. Liao, there is one more thing I must tell you: Han Yu has also agreed to participate. Therefore, this performance carries risks. The top five contestants have basically secured their debut spots, so whether Liao Meiqi or Xie Yutong can successfully debut in the 'C-position' depends on your performance. If your team's performance isn't up to expectations..."

"I understand," Liao Yuan smiled. "Putting aside everything else, I won't let my debut stage be a failure."

Liu Hai looked suspicious. He felt as if he had misjudged him; for a split second, he seemed to catch a hint of disdain hidden in Liao Yuan's expression. Then, recalling the grace with which Mr. Liao had sung "By the Lake Baikal" under the trees at Fudan University a couple of days ago... Liu Hai felt his heart race.

He swallowed hard and said with a grin, "As long as you bring out another song like 'Nobody,' Meiqi's C-position debut is just around the corner!"

*Huh? Liao Yuan dancing to 'Nobody'?*

Fu Xiaoci’s expression turned peculiar. *The image is too beautiful; I really dare not imagine it... No, wait, why am I secretly looking forward to it?*