Chapter 69: Dominant Title Defense

Because this week was an elimination round, both the singers and the audience were intensely focused on the results of the competition. Zhang Qiyang’s pre-competition declaration that he would win the championship only added fuel to the fire, drawing countless viewers to Star Metropolis TV, all waiting to see him proven wrong.

In previous seasons, the show’s ratings would dip at this stage. Yet, after the performances in this episode, not only did the peak ratings not drop—they actually rose against the trend!

The production staff found this utterly incredible.

When Zhang Qiyang took the stage to perform “Exaggeration,” the show’s peak viewership surged past 5.2%! They had thought this would be the highest point of the night. But, astonishingly, just before the results were announced, peak viewership climbed even higher, reaching 5.5%—an additional 0.3% jump!

Many of these viewers were likely those who loathed Zhang Qiyang. At his appearance, perhaps they switched the channel, only to return just in time to witness him being “taught a lesson.”

Faced with Zhang Qiyang’s brash arrogance, the production team didn't know whether to feel grateful or helpless. But one thing was certain: the influence of this heir to the richest family was simply astounding! Even more terrifying was that his inherent energy and strength matched his formidable influence.

Just a few weeks ago, the “My Song” production team had dismissed Zhang Qiyang as a spoiled scion causing chaos in the entertainment world for the sake of his family’s wealth—a troublemaker they thoroughly disliked. Yet, two consecutive weeks of dazzling, top-tier performances forced any reasonable staff member to realize that this young master was nothing like the weakling people gossiped about. Not only was he not weak—he was supremely powerful!

He was clearly a tiger in pig’s skin—or perhaps a monster dressed as a man!

Though his flamboyant personality was unappealing, his temper short and his actions reckless, there was no denying that this very “exaggeration” was precisely the explosive quality most essential for surviving in this industry.

He was like a bomb of unimaginable energy, always able to detonate a thunderclap from nowhere and draw every eye in the room.

For “My Song,” this was invaluable.

Of course, this kind of influence was a double-edged sword.

But for now, the boost Zhang Qiyang brought to their ratings far outweighed any negative effects. He was like a magic elixir for viewership, delivering two successive performances that smashed the 4% threshold, leaving the staff almost dependent on him.

Though they still found his love for the spotlight annoying, after today, there likely wasn’t a single production member who wanted to see Zhang Qiyang eliminated early.

They were even eagerly awaiting the next week, curious what further surprises the young master might bring to their stage.

The fifteen-minute wait ended.

Luo Tao returned to the singers’ lounge with the final results.

The singers, having recovered from Zhang Qiyang’s soul-rending shouts, had settled into a calmer mood.

Luo Tao crisply announced the fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh places for the week: Zhao Lei, Lin Haoran, Yue Li, and Ji Chunying.

The top three places, as well as eighth place, remained unrevealed.

Anyone with a brain larger than a soybean knew that eighth place could only be Tan Zhizhong. Yet, the “My Song” forum was full of trolls whose brains were apparently even smaller than soybeans. Seeing that Zhang Qiyang’s ranking hadn’t been announced, they gleefully proclaimed that he must have rightfully landed at the bottom this week! Some even posted celebratory memes, rejoicing in Zhang Qiyang’s supposed last-place finish.

But as soon as Luo Tao announced the last-place result, these people were instantly silenced.

As expected, Tan Zhizhong, who had performed first, tragically took last place.

Tan Zhizhong’s face practically hit the floor in humiliation, his heart collapsing inside his chest.

Last week, he had garnered only 21 votes—just six more than Zhao Lei, who had come in just above him. This week, he was once again at the bottom. In other words, unless Zhao Lei’s tally was within six votes of his own, Tan Zhizhong would be eliminated.

But Zhao Lei ranked fourth this week! There was no way their votes would be that close.

As the result came out, the entire Chutian team was stunned and dejected, each member looking as defeated as a rooster in a cockfight.

They had planned for Tan Zhizhong to pave the way for Zhao Ziqi all the way through.

Who could have predicted that before Zhao Ziqi even joined “My Song,” Tan Zhizhong would be eliminated!

This completely disrupted Chutian’s strategy for this season, leaving them deeply frustrated.

Tan Zhizhong himself hadn’t expected to be eliminated so quickly. He placed all his resentment on the production team—and especially on Zhang Qiyang.

He was convinced that if the producers hadn’t pandered to Zhang Qiyang by inviting so many young public jurors and canceling SMS voting, he would never have been eliminated so early!

He was fuming.

Forcing a dry smile onto his old face, Tan Zhizhong’s teeth almost ached with hatred.

Thinking of Zhang Qiyang’s earlier taunt about his poor performance, Tan Zhizhong felt a stifling weight in his chest, a bitter resentment he couldn’t vent, making it hard to stay seated.

Then, just after Luo Tao announced Li Xuan as this week’s third place, something unexpected happened!

Clutching his chest, Tan Zhizhong slid from his chair to the floor.

With a loud thud, chaos broke out on the live broadcast.

Staff rushed over to check on him.

Luo Tao quickly signaled the control room to cut to commercial.

Viewers waiting for the final results at home were dumbfounded.

The other singers were stunned.

The studio crew was equally shocked.

Worried that something serious had happened to Tan Zhizhong, and seeing that they couldn’t revive him, they hurried him to the hospital.

Chen Ke’s heart clenched at the scene—not out of concern for Tan Zhizhong’s health, but because of the hateful glares from the Chutian team directed at Zhang Qiyang and Li Xuan. She immediately realized they would seize on this incident and make a big deal out of it.

With Zhang Qiyang having argued with Tan Zhizhong earlier, Chutian’s media would surely slander him mercilessly!

Li Xuan, who had mildly rebuked Tan Zhizhong, might also get caught in the storm.

Chen Ke found this revolting.

She even suspected that Tan Zhizhong had fainted on purpose—that it was all an act.

The more she thought about it, the more uneasy she became. Next week, Chutian would be sending a new female contestant to “My Song,” reportedly to challenge Li Xuan’s position.

Before that happened, Chutian would definitely stir up trouble.

After Tan Zhizhong left the station, Chen Ke immediately left the singers’ lounge as well, calling her team to prepare a response.

They couldn’t let Chutian seize the initiative—especially not let them smear Li Xuan.

After this dramatic farce, order was restored in the singers’ lounge and the live broadcast resumed.

Luo Tao quickly announced the final competition results.

To the surprise of some, but the shock of many—

Zhang Qiyang, with his heart-wrenching rendition of “Exaggeration,” once again won the weekly championship on “My Song”!

He claimed another trophy—and another opportunity to reward his fans on Zebra Livestream!

Unlike the trolls who wanted to smash their TVs in frustration, Zhou Delin, who had been rooting for this week’s champion, accepted his own loss with grace. Compared to his own song, “On the Road,” Zhou Delin felt that Zhang Qiyang’s “Exaggeration” was truly deserving of the crown.

At the live broadcast, Zhou Delin warmly congratulated Zhang Qiyang and invited him to compete again next week.

Due to the chaos caused by Tan Zhizhong, several minutes were lost, and Zhang Qiyang’s victory speech was cut short.

After Luo Tao handed him the trophy, amid the envy and rage of countless viewers, this week’s “My Song” drew to a dramatic close.

Not only did he keep his word, denying the cannon fodder their premature celebrations and slapping the faces of thousands of detractors, Zhang Qiyang was in an exuberant mood!

He even considered inviting friends for more karaoke to celebrate.

But as soon as he left the station, Chen Ke, always a step ahead, ushered him into Li Xuan’s van.