Chapter 16: The Deadly Silent 18 Seconds

On the third day of working at Wave Tower, Liu Lusi called early in the morning.

“I’ve seen Heartbreak’s commute photos on every platform. Some are praising how handsome you are, others are directly calling me out by name, cursing ‘Liu Lusi does nothing.’ Although I prepped a whole set of personal outfits for you, people don’t seem satisfied. I can actually understand it, because they’re comparing you to legitimate inner entertainment star singers.”

In this aspect, Liu Lusi didn’t believe she had been professionally negligent.

The only thing she underestimated was the fans’ expectations.

Because Heartbreak was becoming more popular, and Mengmeng was seen as having more potential, the fans’ ambitions had also grown.

Their sights, seeking better role models, had leaped beyond the band circle and into inner entertainment.

Undeniably, the teams of the other guests on “Sing My Heart Tonight” Season 7 were adapted to this inner entertainment ecosystem, making everything they did perfectly appropriate. They were the kind of public figures netizens were more accustomed to—radiant, flawless, refreshingly pristine in every setting. Stepping out of their nanny vans, even the soles of their shoes were brand new and clean…

Of course, amidst the comparisons, the praise was also louder than ever.

The most exaggerated called Mengmeng “a beauty whose innate grace cannot be hidden by even the simplest attire.”

Liu Lusi was both angry and amused, truly unable to express her frustration.

Am I dressing Mengmeng in cheap clothes off Pinduoduo? Just because the brands are niche, the designers unknown, and you know too little, you think Mengmeng is suffering?

Then who are the people shouting “hubby” at his candid photos?

Hand on your heart, honestly, you’re actually quite satisfied with this version of Mengmeng—brimming with a freshness untainted by inner entertainment’s aesthetic, wildly masculine, and unapologetically himself.

Li Tingzhou knew Liu Lusi wasn’t really complaining.

Instead, she was subtly expressing the team’s capability shortcomings.

“If we need more staff, Sister Lusi, just do what you see fit.”

Whether recruiting new people or outsourcing to a styling team, it was entirely up to the agent’s judgment.

Liu Lusi had been waiting for these very words.

“Is First Sister treating you well enough?”

“Yeah, she’s got that Executive Agent Zhou with her.”

Hearing this, Liu Lusi was relieved. “That’s good. Given First Sister’s personality, she won’t be stingy with mentoring. But you also need to be proactive. If there’s a suitable opportunity, go for it. Snatching screen time is a win. Even if others have objections, so what? You’re the new guy. Can they really lower themselves to tangle with us?”

If they insist on holding their status high and acting reserved, they can’t blame others for being too ambitious.

Competition on variety show stages is never courteous. Otherwise, why rank and crown a champion?

Besides this, the two also discussed some other details of the show’s recording.

“Oh, right. Yesterday, Director Pan Jun from Whale even gave me a call. His tone was unusually amiable, but between the lines, he was probing whether you mentioned anything about that meet-and-greet night. I figured, since you didn’t bring it up, either nothing happened or you handled it…”

Li Tingzhou said bluntly, “There were indeed two disgusting individuals.”

He hadn’t mentioned it proactively because the incident hadn’t caused any substantial negative impact; it was a matter that could be dealt with or ignored. But since Liu Lusi asked, Li Tingzhou no longer concealed it. He briefly recounted the “come to the 22nd floor for a drink” invitation and the comment about “if it were Zhuang Yifan, he’d make you down the whole bottle.” By the time he finished, Liu Lusi was holding her breath!

Putting it bluntly, these things happened in the industry all the time.

But the versions Liu Lusi knew mostly involved people with status and resources who typically emphasized mutual consent. Only when negotiations truly failed and they were unwilling to let go would they resort to such tactics. But what level were those people at? They could afford to make such threats because they could offer tangible benefits; otherwise, why would anyone go along?

Where did these two rank?

They themselves needed variety shows to revive their fame and live off fan economy in their old age, yet they wanted to imitate the big shots’ forceful tactics?

So Liu Lusi concluded, “Pan Jun is guilty and scared.”

Li Tingzhou didn’t mention the elevator incident, only telling her the final outcome:

“The script was changed the next day of recording.”

In truth, whether he’d ran into Cao Zhiping by chance that day or not, he would have found a way to achieve his goal and avoid Pan Jun’s intended newcomer taming scheme.

Such people typically bully the weak and fear the strong and have severe path dependency.

If Pan Jun had dared to make Li Tingzhou the stepping stone for his icebreaker, Li Tingzhou would have fully played the “true nature” of a music circle newcomer.

One person unable to step down, one person embarrassed.

If everyone was frozen stiff and unable to move on, then they could just reshoot together.

As long as Ren Shiyu still needed Heartbreak, Pan Jun would have to grit his teeth and safeguard it…

Li Tingzhou spoke these words without much emotional fluctuation. Liu Lusi listened with trepidation. “Having a sharp edge is good, but don’t be too… Forget it. With First Sister at the helm, the audience’s firepower will mostly be directed at her. They might even think you guys are driven and courageous.”

‘Internal champion’ sounded simple, but the execution wasn’t easy.

Compared to the other main guests, Ren Shiyu’s shortcomings, rooted in her pop background, were objective and obvious. If Pan Jun still remembered his task as a Whale Media person working as Associate Director on a Tide project, he would surely, upon reflection, regret some of his “bad habits.”

Using his authority to PUA a newcomer, squeezing a persimmon that was actually not soft at all.

Had he even done his proper job well before acting up like this?

In any case, Liu Lusi felt clear about the situation now. “Just make sure you know your limits.”

After Li Tingzhou hung up, Dai Jier and Mao Maoyu were also almost ready. The doorbell rang at that moment—the follow-shot PD was already in position. Because they had booked the studio early in the morning, today’s start time was two hours earlier than usual.

“Good morning, Mengmeng!”

After three days of work at Tide, Li Tingzhou had one thing he didn’t quite understand: how could this follow-shot cameraman still smile so brightly early in the morning?

How much does Tide pay you a month, to make you smile so happily?

In comparison, Li Tingzhou’s “Good morning” was far too robotic.

But the cameraman not only didn’t mind but also told him it was a sunny day, the current outside temperature was a pleasant 22 degrees, and helpfully adjusted the car’s onboard fixed camera. That way, when they passed Second Bridge, they could capture the breathtaking image of sunlight falling on Mengmeng’s left profile.

Yeah, this angle was truly handsome.

His irises looked a slightly lighter shade, and his eyelashes seemed gilded, too.

Watching from the side, Dai Jier had exceedingly mixed feelings, a vein throbbing at his temple.

Dude, you better not be secretly a fan. Otherwise, this is way too terrifying!

~

Starting work too early, it was normal to be out of sorts.

Besides that, everyone looked sleepy and also hungry.

Fortunately, breakfast arrived quickly—various sandwiches prepared in advance by Ren Shiyu’s side, along with high-end line milk sponsored by the client.

Li Tingzhou was also assigned the first mid-roll ad.

Probably having adapted to the impromptu acting required during recording, Mengmeng’s performance skills had now evolved beyond all traces of acting. He drank upon command. While the First Sister next to him was still slowly unscrewing her bottle cap, he downed half a bottle in just a few gulps…

“Is it good?”

“Not bad. Not too sweet, just the taste I like.”

After breakfast, they briefly acted out the task assignments in front of the cameras, then dispersed to do their own work.

Once Li Tingzhou got into his zone, he somewhat ignored the cameras.

When the interaction-conscious Ren Shiyu came over to synchronize progress, Li Tingzhou’s attitude was closer to his usual calm, cool professional demeanor. He pointed out adjustments immediately, focused on efficiency.

The blues version of “Telepathy” was noticeably harder to sing than the original.

If Ren Shiyu wanted an amazing debut and to change the public’s perception of her as a pop queen, she had to put in the hard work! Yet no matter how well the vision was planned, a singer would instinctively prioritize the live performance effect.

“I feel the key change in B-section is a bit difficult—”

Ren Shiyu wasn’t trying to use reverse psychology.

She genuinely found it a bit hard. What if she botched it and ruined the whole song?

“Sis, we had those three ground rules. When there’s a problem, we first figure out how to solve it. No shirking or dodging.” Li Tingzhou wasn’t about to compromise on the effect. Since you’re so easygoing, let me be the ‘thorn’ to enhance the contrasting dynamic. “We’ve tightened 99 screws; are we really going to leave this last key change?”

The words were neither entirely harsh nor entirely soft, but they put the First Sister on the spot.

To be blunt, she was the type who needed a little push.

Diamond Records’s team had been collaborating with her for almost 20 years, old acquaintances who knew her vocal condition and limits too well. If something truly couldn’t be done, they’d slightly downgrade it rather than risk an unhappy First Sister.

But Li Tingzhou wasn’t about to indulge her.

The various compromises made on “Telepathy” had already been a last resort. Now with the chance to perform on a stage that strived for higher quality and impact, he truly didn’t want Ren Shiyu to coast this time too.

She wasn’t incapable of singing it; she was just afraid of bearing the cost of a failed attempt.

And so, the air fell silent.

Both of their follow-shot cameramen silently zoomed in on the parties involved, both anticipating and dreading a real argument. After a deadlock of nearly half a minute, Li Tingzhou conceded a step back. “How about this: Sis, try it first, and let me hear the effect.”

Ren Shiyu immediately grabbed the lifeline. “Alright!”

She finally realized: so what if the key change was thin and dry? Mengmeng was still there!

~

As “Sing My Heart Tonight” Season 7 officially announced its lineup and simultaneously launched its online and offline promotion, the summer variety show battles officially began.

Tide struck first. Whale wasn’t about to be outdone.

The next day, “All-Star Launch” invited national producers to witness a galaxy of stars.

The third day happened to be Friday. Hundred Blossoms finally couldn’t sit still either.

Among the three variety shows, only this slow-paced travel show had the earliest leaked behind-the-scenes photos, landing three or four high-ranking hot searches even before it aired. Now, it was also the fastest to release its trailer.

Clearly, they had a lot of promotional material.

As the trailer for “On the Road” climbed the hot search, “All-Star Launch” also began tasking the nation’s 300 celebrity gossip marketing accounts. They robotically started listing open trainees from big companies and the handsome prodigies from small agencies. Some bloggers took a different route, focusing on the “recycled” contestants, setting up bot accounts to accept fan sob stories with practiced efficiency…

For a moment, everyone had material, everyone had leaks. It was quite lively.

In comparison, Night Heart Seven seemed slightly bland and uninteresting.

What to do then?

Tide could only resort to some old, underhanded, but highly effective tricks.

They also cut a preview, shattering the tradition of past seasons’ harmonious, family-like atmosphere. They spliced together all the conflicts and controversies between the seven pairs of main guests and guest singers, aiming to scare the entire internet to death!

The good news: Tide succeeded.

The bad news: Netizens seemed to actually believe it.

Especially the group of First Sister Ren Shiyu and Heartbreak’s lead singer, Mengmeng. The two, unwilling to budge over a single key change, had a standoff lasting a full half-minute. Combined with the preceding dialogue and the post-production addition of ominous drumbeats, it became the infamous “Deadly Silent 18 Seconds”!

But curiously, public opinion was complicated and not entirely one-sided.

First Sister’s fans thought she was too good-natured, questioning Mengmeng’s caliber. What gave him the right to dictate terms to a senior artist with almost 20 years of experience?

“Just because First Sister is easygoing, you publicly embarrass her?”

“Dude, what are your credentials compared to my Sis’s?”

“What gives him the right to instruct First Sister, I ask?”

Music circle passersby were sweating for Mengmeng.

Mengmeng was one of their own and naturally needed defending.

“Is Mengmeng’s credential level that important? He’s your Sis’s guest singer. He said it for the sake of improving her stage performance. Otherwise, if First Sister underperforms, what good does Mengmeng get out of it?”

Inner entertainment fans were too fierce in battle; one was worth ten.

In comparison, music circle passersby were a scattered sandpile.

It took the Toilet Station’s intervention to slightly solidify their fighting strength.

@DoYouThinkYouPlayWellBot:

First, congratulations to Mengmeng (Heartbreak) for joining the “Sing My Heart Tonight” Season 7 family! I thought this would be a great platform for display, but I didn’t expect that as soon as the preview was released, the inner entertainment’s Regular Army would beat our villagers black and blue.

Objectively speaking, every pair of guests and singers is currently in a running-in period. Conflicts are inevitable. We can’t rule out that the program team amplified the disagreements during editing. But I believe that with First Sister’s 18 years of professionalism and Mengmeng’s expertise as a producer, the issue between them will surely be perfectly resolved.

I hope everyone can focus on the stage performance, not these petty squabbles.

【This is the one time I most want to like my main poster’s post (but I still won’t)】

【This is true. Tide loves editing these reversals best.】

【Some fans really don’t know how good they have it. If they’d seen Zhuang Yifan and Ancient Style King’s group, they wouldn’t be scolding Mengmeng.】

【Think of it this way: If First Sister listens to Mengmeng, why can’t her fans?】

【Mengmeng completely suffers from debuting late…】

【Even so, Mengmeng’s cold face is so handsome. Hubby, spoil me TAT】

【Even First Sister can’t handle Mengmeng (spicy emoji)】

Half an hour later.

@DoYouThinkYouPlayWellBot [Followers Only]:

Don’t care what malicious, mean-spirited persona Tide cut for Circle Grass.

But I want to say a heartfelt word to Sister’s fans lurking on the screen—

[Photo of Li Tingzhou’s Doctoral Degree Conferment Ceremony.JPG]

Understand Mengmeng’s level now? Is he qualified enough to instruct your Sis?

【HAHAHAHA I’m cackling wildly!】

【Amazing source! How did they get such a clear photo?】

【The Sister-in-Law Station really has skills, to dig up such good stuff.】

【The level of taking over a music studio at 23 and orchestrating a major band revival!】

【The level of daring to confront a top-tier female soloist just two years into work!】

【Did Sister fans forget that Mengmeng wrote ‘Telepathy’?】

【If composing + arranging ‘Telepathy’ isn’t enough to instruct your Sis, then there’s no hope.】