Chapter 11: Singing His Way to Market Value

The four-figure daily meal allowance had only briefly shocked Li Tingzhou.

Having lived comfortably since childhood, his material desires weren’t that high, but that didn’t stop him from constantly having his perception refreshed in the entertainment industry. Skipping past this detail, Li Tingzhou’s mood soon lifted again.

Once the hottest part of the midday passed, it was finally Heartbreak’s turn for soundcheck.

Now, inner-field tickets for Heartbreak’s time slot had buyers—they even had to be snatched up.

Despite repeated warnings from the on-site security team, people still awaited the chance to break through the defense line and approach the stage. Event staff would even put on a sour face and demand they put away their filming equipment.

No choice; in such situations, a cold, intimidating demeanor was always more effective than gentle persuasion.

After soundcheck, the official performance was no more than three hours away. During this time, everyone ate and drank very little, or simply nothing at all, trying to preserve their peak condition as much as possible.

At 5 PM, sunlight was still intense.

Bright Light Stadium’s 29,000 seats were nearly full. Before the warm-up singer took the stage, the extended stage and main walkway had already been blasted once by the Pulse Water Cannons. Amidst the collective gasps of the crowd, Y City Music Festival officially began!

The patrolling security occasionally overheard stylishly and lightly dressed young women muttering:

“When is it Heartbreak’s turn?”

“Who’s singing on stage right now? The backing track is so loud, just phoned in.”

“I only want to see Mengmeng. I’ve been standing here for two hours just for Mengmeng!”

Popularity was the best weather vane.

When Heartbreak first performed in T City, their set was scheduled in the first half. They sang and left without many people caring. Now, only a short time later, at the Y City music festival, they had leapfrogged numerous bands and singers, reaching the later half where the stage lighting and effects could be more spectacularly deployed.

Without a doubt, this was a concrete manifestation of their rising status.

Recalling the “grand occasion” during the inner-field soundcheck, the security guard thought: People always say fandom women have both money and love. Perhaps, it wouldn’t be long before Heartbreak could host their own solo concerts…

When Heartbreak’s presence was heard before they were even seen, the entire Bright Light Stadium erupted in excitement!

Li Tingzhou wasn’t standing with his drummer and keyboardist.

The elevator stage sent him directly to the center of the main walkway of the extended stage.

This position was excellent, allowing the singer a 360-degree, unobstructed view of the entire venue.

Correspondingly, the audience from all directions could also see Mengmeng, who seemed to have a solo filter applied, his proportions maxed out beyond any 3D model—

The broadcast director seemed dazed, the camera clinging to those long legs for a full three seconds before panning up.

Black boots gathered the legs of the cargo pants. A strap-like accessory dangled by his hip, bouncing up with Mengmeng’s occasionally more vigorous movements while playing, then smacking back against his hip. The white sleeveless tank top was made of some indeterminate material; it looked fragile, as if a little force could tear it. Disappointingly, however, when the Pulse Water Cannons swept across the venue, although this fabric was clearly very wet, it remained opaque.

In such a boiling, clamorous, sweltering venue, extreme physical prowess itself was a form of dominance.

Whether they liked Heartbreak or not, whether they wanted to hear Heartbreak’s songs or not, everyone at this moment had to follow Li Tingzhou’s voice. They had no choice.

At this very moment, Liu Lusi was chatting with Ren Shiyu’s agent backstage.

It was less a chat and more Liu Lusi’s unilateral boasting. She showed no fear of the other’s scrutiny. In terms of tone texture, technical skill, and if all else failed, audience appeal and topic-generating power, who could compare to Li Tingzhou right now?

“The audience response is great, even if the setlist hasn’t changed.”

These words sounded amateurish but were actually sarcastic.

Did they keep the same setlist because they didn’t want to change it?

A small second-rate band, only a few hot songs, played over and over.

But then again, didn’t your First Sister always sing those same few songs on stage?

Liu Lusi considered this attack lacking in force. Her expression unchanged, she replied, “The audience tells us what songs they want to hear, so Heartbreak sings them. It’s all the public’s choice.”

On the live feed monitor, a close-up abruptly appeared.

The camera showed Li Tingzhou, with water droplets clinging to him, his forehead hair slightly disheveled.

Unlike other singers who constantly sought the camera, rushing to do cool poses, wave, or wink, he glanced around casually, lowered his head to adjust his electric guitar, timed with the powerful drumbeats of the solo section, knelt on one knee to stabilize himself, and then went into a frantic, shredding rush.

Yes, this was also something they changed overnight.

Even performing two days in a row, they had to create a bit of a different impact.

“I can’t understand so-called finger techniques, I just find it dazzling.”

Liu Lusi chuckled inwardly, thinking: Good that you don’t understand! If you could understand, this career might as well be spoon-fed right into your mouth. Did you think every endeavor could be overcome with early effort and hard work compensating for lack of talent?

She was about to add something when Ren Shiyu walked over, draped in a light camel-colored shawl.

“Ah, this part is really good!”

Her agent showed a slightly displeased expression.

“I think we should have Mengmeng come over to help choose the song selection too. I trust his vision.”

Since the artist herself had said this much, for the agent to block it further would seem petty and mean-spirited. So, Liu Lusi, knowing when to stop, nodded to First Sister: “That would be wonderful, of course! Mengmeng will definitely be willing! Time’s almost up, I’ll go ahead to receive them. You two take your time watching.”

With that, she walked towards the passage further ahead.

Left behind, Ren Shiyu was still watching the monitor. The screen showed Heartbreak had started their second song. Compared to Brittle Glass, this song had limited popularity, but Heartbreak fans loved it. The common review was that it was perfect for running, always making everything feel bright and beautiful. Combined with the intermittent mist from the water cannons, under the sunlight’s refraction, it did seem excessively, brilliantly lovely.

Clearly, two songs with such different styles could be played consecutively solely because of that connecting solo in the middle.

“I feel like you’re praising him too highly.”

Ren Shiyu had three agents. The one who often accompanied her was her elder sister.

But this was an unavoidable arrangement.

If overly professional matters were handed to relatives prone to selfishness and short-term gain, the whole team dynamic turned into a family workshop. Hearing her sister’s complaint, she knew exactly what the other was thinking. She patiently tried to persuade her, “Is this praising him? It’s giving him a lift. He’s just not that popular right now, lacking some platforms and exposure. That’s why I can find the opportunity to lend a hand.”

Her sister still seemed dissatisfied, but watching the screen where any crowd shot showed near-hysterical excitement, she started to say something but stopped.

Back on stage, Heartbreak’s second song was halfway done.

Li Tingzhou’s tank top was completely soaked. The stray hairs fixed by wax were slightly messy, especially the strands falling over his forehead, now thoroughly drenched. Tiny, glistening droplets of water clung to his neck, arms, and collarbones. Reflecting the sunlight, his whole person looked like a piece of cold jade, dazzling and striking.

His voice remained loud and clear, his vocal strength solid and stable.

The Pulse Water Cannons seemed to lose all their power and capability before the Heartbreak lead singer.

After the final melody dropped, they also finally stopped.

Deafening screams, undiluted by water mist, surged from all directions towards the main stage. Li Tingzhou held his guitar in one hand while brushing back his wet forehead hair with the other. Casually, he advertised Heartbreak’s new song:

“See you when the new song drops!”

~

【When to Criminalize Lip-syncing and Fake Playing | A God Descends!】

————

[Image of ticket stub] As proof.

Bought a ticket for the second show. Ranted in 10 texts in my Moments about the organizer for not bringing waterproof makeup. Worried in the heat on-site if I’d get heatstroke and faint. Until Heartbreak started singing and I finally came alive again. Because I was too hyped and excited, I couldn’t help but ask:

Did the organizer spike the Pulse Water Cannons with something?

Why did my entire body feel like it was burning when I saw Mengmeng?

[Image of Mengmeng wiping his face]

[Image of Mengmeng kneeling on one knee, fingers playing so fast they blurred]

[Image of Mengmeng’s black boots and cargo pants]

[Close-up of the strap swinging by Mengmeng’s hip]x3

Even though I remembered to wipe the camera lens, some photos were still blocked by water droplets and unusable (crying emoji). Besides that, my final point is: Compared to the effort put in by female singers, the styling for male singers and bands was rather perfunctory. Everyone says water shows produce iconic photos, but I see that not every group treated it seriously. Some even came out in just flashy floral shorts. This is an official performance, not a soundcheck. Did they really think that made them look effortlessly cool?

1L: Sister, remember to watermark your pics, they’ll get stolen outside!

5L: What an amazing camera position. Did you take them right under his nose?

12L: From the photos, I can accurately deduce the OP’s kinks (spicy emoji).

25L: The issue the OP mentioned is exactly what I wanted to say. I went both days. The first day was hot but bearable. The second day, due to the heat warning, they used the water cannons. Y City Music Festival often does water shows annually, and it’s usually female singers who shine more. Every summer, male singers and Band Boys act out, wearing stuff that’s visually unappealing, and their performance isn’t much either. Their live show is just meh. If that’s the case, why did I rush over in this heat? Might as well turn on a music app at home with the AC on…

34L: Go search real-time reactions, everyone’s saying they got their money’s worth thanks to First Sister and Mengmeng.

39L: Mengmeng later accompanied First Sister with wet, messy hair. The song Telepathy just NEEDS to be played live to have that flavor right now. I’m declaring this the best version of the live performance.

41L: Even provides backing vocals to fill in, such a smooth Mengmeng (cute emoji).

48L: The big forums outside are also discussing this. This wave really established Mengmeng’s market value by singing.

52L: And why wouldn’t it? Some people are willing to slack off, then they shouldn’t be surprised when others stand out.

59L: There’s a Douyin fancam focused solely on Mengmeng’s belt, and it mesmerized me. Forwarded @RefreshingTune: [As long as he put in the effort for me…], I wonder where this heaven-sent person was sitting, their hands were incredibly steady throughout the entire video!

62L: I wanted to say this when I saw the on-set photos on Weibo, that belt is hot!

…

177L: Is this right? You guys ignore discussions about male singers’ performance attitude, but when asking how exactly Mengmeng’s belt was hanging, you’ll argue for two or three pages.

184L: Mengmeng, you’re really famous now, I forgot the start, forgot the end, but anyway, you’re famous!

193L: An infotainment blogger’s unofficial cam live video has 600k views.

201L: Mengmeng, now that you’re famous in the big city of inner entertainment, don’t forget us back in Music Village…

219L: A 10k+ repost just like that? (smoking emoji). Mengmeng, you’re really famous now. No more romantic walks to see flowers for future dates, okay? Lay low for a while before going out with your girlfriend again, alright? Good.