Chapter Twenty-Two: Musical Synchronization

"Liao is her surname, Liao Meiqi..." Fu Yuntao gazed at the profile of contestant number 73 and suddenly recalled something. He asked his assistant to bring his phone, connect it to the internet, and log into Weibo. Then he opened his list of followed accounts.

In the next moment, Fu Yuntao was visibly shaken, his voice filled with excitement, "Could her brother be Liao Yuan?"

"Who is Liao Yuan?" the assistant asked in confusion.

Fu Yuntao waved him away and fixed his gaze on the first account in his list—'Anchor Ayuan'.

Anchor Ayuan's Weibo hadn’t been updated for nearly half a year, but his last post had tens of thousands of comments and shares, and the numbers kept climbing. Such was the power of trending topics.

That post was a selfie, showing Anchor Ayuan’s workspace and his profile. Though only half his face was visible, Fu Yuntao carefully compared it to Liao Meiqi standing on stage. In just a second, he reached a conclusion. The profile alone was almost seventy or eighty percent similar.

Fu Yuntao took a deep breath, feeling that fate was indeed wondrous and inexplicable. He wasn’t particularly fond of Liao Meiqi; after all, this was a girl group selection show, and the requirements extended beyond looks—members needed to excel at both singing and dancing.

Liao Meiqi’s dance performance had already been fully displayed in the earlier audition videos. Her weak foundation had even made the choreography instructor, Jiang Lingsu, unable to endure watching.

Therefore, Liao Meiqi wasn’t suited for this stage; she seemed more fit for a solo debut.

But now, Fu Yuntao felt as if Liao Meiqi radiated brilliance from head to toe.

For the first time, he felt a twinge of partiality.

After all, he was the chief director; if he gave this child more screen time, perhaps she might make it to debut? Perhaps Ayuan would be so grateful and joyful that he’d sell the film rights to 'Ghost Blows Out the Light' to him at a low price?

Fu Yuntao laughed at himself, knowing it was impossible, but if it could increase Liao Yuan’s goodwill toward him, his journey filming 'Ghost Blows Out the Light' would certainly go more smoothly.

Furthermore, he believed Liao Yuan had already received his private message, as the message feature clearly showed 'read'.

As a professional radio host, Liao Yuan must know how important screen time was for a contestant.

For a moment, Fu Yuntao was lost in endless reverie.

On stage.

After Liao Meiqi finished her song, 'The Rest of My Life', it was nothing short of breathtaking. Thunderous applause echoed throughout the venue.

Contestants gasped in amazement.

“She’s pretty enough, but how can she sing so well?”

“I’ve never heard of Liao Meiqi before. Which company is she from?”

“I think she came alone, without a manager.”

“I admire contestants who fight solo the most!”

Songwriting mentor Zheng Yongxu struggled to contain his excitement. When the applause finally subsided, he couldn’t wait to pick up the microphone: “This is the most moving song I’ve heard today. From the opening until now, my emotions have barely fluctuated! But this song made me tear up uncontrollably. Number 73, I don’t care about anything else—I’ll give you my vote today. In my heart, you belong in Class A!”

Everyone looked at Zheng Yongxu with surprise, including the other mentors around him.

Zheng Yongxu paid no mind, his eyes glistening with tears. He picked up the microphone and addressed the mentors: “The Chinese music scene needs singers like her, needs works like hers. Her vocal skills aren’t perfect, but that’s okay—throughout this show, I’ll pay close attention to her until the end! I’ll teach her everything I know, even if she fails on this stage, it doesn’t matter! Number 73, remember this: after the show ends, whether you make the group or miss out, it doesn’t matter! Find me—find Zheng Yongxu. I’ll use all my industry connections to help you release an album!”

The audience erupted in commotion.

Contestants looked at Liao Meiqi with envy.

The production team wasn’t sure whether these comments were for dramatic effect or genuine, but either way, such remarks would absolutely stir the viewers’ emotions!

Liao Meiqi was at a loss for what to do.

But more than anything, she felt grateful. She hurriedly bowed to Zheng Yongxu, saying, “Thank you, teacher.”

At that moment, vocal mentor Chen Xiuyuan signaled everyone to calm themselves, then smiled and asked, “Have you ever learned to sing?”

Liao Meiqi tensed, biting her lip. “No.”

“As I suspected.”

Chen Xiuyuan nodded in realization. “You’re truly gifted vocally, I think you’re great. Your future holds a lot of potential.”

Voices of agreement echoed from the audience.

Choreography mentor Yan Nenan, usually silent and reserved, also spoke up: “Your singing is good, but you must know that a girl group member’s basic requirements include not just singing, but also dancing.”

Jiang Lingsu seized the opportunity, picked up the microphone, and mockingly said, “Young lady, can you dance?”

“I…”

Liao Meiqi gripped the microphone tightly. Despite the central air conditioning, sweat began to bead on her forehead.

“Don’t be too nervous, relax,” Zheng Yongxu comforted her.

Yu Lianzhou spoke: “Alright, child, shake off your psychological burden and just dance a bit for the mentors.”

“Yes, just dance a little!”

Chen Xiuyuan gave her no time to think and immediately called out, “Let’s start now! DJ, give us a beat!”

No sooner had he spoken than a rhythmic, energetic track filled the venue.

Yan Nenan watched Liao Meiqi, who was visibly uneasy, with keen interest.

She remembered Liao Meiqi’s audition video; her dance was complete but totally off-beat, almost every count was wrong.

In Yan Nenan’s words, this girl danced blindly, with no sense of rhythm.

If Yu Lianzhou hadn’t suddenly decided to champion this contestant, vowing not to rest until she was selected, Yan Nenan, from a professional standpoint, would never have given Liao Meiqi a chance.

But after hearing 'The Rest of My Life', Yan Nenan was now optimistic about Liao Meiqi’s future.

With such a song, in the short time after the show aired, Liao Meiqi’s supporters would surely be the brightest among all 101 girls.

Even if her dance performance was zero, her singing alone could easily secure her a spot in Class B.

As for Class A, it would depend on whether she was willing to work hard on her dancing.

...

On stage.

When asked about her dance ability, Liao Meiqi’s mind went completely blank.

She knew her own dance foundation well.

Leading children in a kindergarten dance was fine.

But compared to even amateur dancers with some basic training, the difference was obvious.

Now, amid the coaxing of the crowd, Liao Meiqi sadly waved her arms a little.

At that moment, she seemed to see mocking glances from the girls in the contestants’ seats, her cheeks instantly flushed, and she grew even more anxious and uneasy.

“Meiqi, you must be happy when you dance. Don’t overthink it. If a mentor assesses your dance skills, don’t be afraid—think about the music.”

“In fact, dance and music are interconnected, complementing each other, both possessing unique vitality. Calm yourself, listen closely to their heartbeat, and find the rhythm of the heart…”

Suddenly, her brother’s words echoed in Liao Meiqi’s mind.

“All things in the world have a heart, and the heartbeat always follows a rhythm.”

“Meiqi, you have exceptional musical talent. As long as you find the beat, immerse yourself in it, move with the rhythm, don’t focus on technique, then you’ll naturally dance with brilliance.”

The rhythm…

Find the rhythm.

Liao Meiqi steadied her breath, slowly closed her eyes, and listened to the air’s movement and the pulse of her heart.

What was the rhythm?

Thump.

Thump.

…

Soon, the audience saw the quiet Liao Meiqi, as if intoxicated, suddenly stretch out her arms and begin to sway.

Her supple figure moved in time with the music’s strong and weak beats, producing continuous dance movements.

It seemed…

Each beginning and ending of the rhythm was executed with precision, prompting Liao Meiqi to change poses.

The mentors’ eyes widened in amazement.

“What kind of dance is this?”

“Locking? No, the movements are too small.”

“Hah, is she just dancing randomly? But… why does it look good?”

“This is popping, right? Maybe a bit of robotics…”

For Jiang Lingsu, the shock she felt was written all over her face.

“She’s mastered the rhythm perfectly?”

Yan Nenan was also surprised.

This was entirely different from Liao Meiqi’s audition performance.

Now, although her dance was messy and lacked clear expression, her timing was impeccable!

So precise it made Yan Nenan’s scalp tingle!

Perhaps to outsiders it still looked clumsy.

But to professionals like Yan Nenan and Jiang Lingsu, every beat in Liao Meiqi’s dance perfectly embodied 'musical synchronization'.

To sync dance instantly and perfectly with music’s rhythm was easy for veteran dancers.

But for a beginner, it was nearly impossible without three to five years of practice!

At this moment, Liao Meiqi was completely immersed in the music’s flow.

She felt as if the music were a sharp blade pressed to her neck, every beat forcing her to change her posture.

She also felt like she was dancing atop the blade’s edge.

Every step was cautious, difficult, though unharmed, she still sensed the chilling danger so close.

Such a scene, viewed by the audience, brimmed with enigmatic rhythmic allure.

It stirred everyone’s hearts, making their blood boil.

Soon, infected by the atmosphere, the contestants stood up, moving to the music’s rhythm.

Goochi-goochi, bala-bala.

Three minutes later, the music ceased.

Applause and screams filled the venue.

Liao Meiqi gasped for breath, sweat streaming down her forehead.

She picked up her guitar resting beside her and waited quietly for the final verdict.

The mentors conferred, began grading, deciding Liao Meiqi’s final class placement.

A? Or F in the end?

Finally, Chen Xiuyuan spoke: “Your seat… F?”