Chapter 158: The Charging Diva

At this moment, inside the massive exhibition center.

In the audience, every gaze followed Xu Mengqi’s retreating figure until she disappeared off the stage.

The vast venue fell into a momentary silence.

Then.

It felt as though a long time had passed.

Yet it also felt like a mere split second.

Countless audience members stood up!

Swish~~~

The next second, the entire exhibition center erupted like a boiling ocean. No one could maintain their composure; fans lost control of their facial expressions, swinging their light sticks wildly, their emotions exploding.

"Ahhh!"

"Holy shit!!!"

"Good god, what level of song was that?"

"A legend, what an absolute legend!"

"Is that really Movie Queen Xu standing on stage, or is it Songstress Xu?"

"From now on, she is Songstress Xu... No, she is Diva Xu!"

"Even now, the melody is still echoing in my mind."

"It gave me goosebumps all the way down to my soul."

"So incredible, genuinely mind-blowing."

"..."

Everyone fell into a frenzy, swept along by the madness around them.

A large number of hardcore fans of Xu Mengqi had come to watch the gala tonight.

At this moment, seeing their idol blossom with such brilliant radiance on stage and display her peerless vocal prowess, these fans felt their hearts trembling.

"Sister Qi!"

"Sister Qi!"

Some were so emotional that tears welled up in their eyes.

Others waved their light sticks with all their might.

Even the various celebrity guests in the audience felt a fire burning in their chests, enveloped by the palpable atmosphere.

Only one person.

No, make that two people.

Cheng Yonglan and her manager.

At this moment, Cheng Yonglan’s pale face was completely drained of color. She stared blankly at the spot where Xu Mengqi had dissolved into the darkness, a thunderous roar echoing deep within her mind.

As for her manager, she kept shaking her head, murmuring in a daze, "This is impossible, this is impossible..."

In her mind: Cheng Yonglan’s singing skills were obviously superior to Xu Mengqi’s, and Wu Rui was clearly a better composer than Wuyan. Combining the two should have utterly crushed the competition.

So why did it turn out like this?

It defied all logic!

"No, there’s still a sliver of hope."

Gritting her teeth, the manager said, "We’re competing on ratings, not audience enthusiasm. Sister Lan, your ratings earlier broke Mango TV’s three-year record for galas. I refuse to believe Xu Mengqi can break that record."

Hearing her manager's words, a glimmer of hope rekindled in Cheng Yonglan’s eyes.

Yes!

Ratings!

A minute later, Mango TV updated its official Weibo once more: "Mango TV's New Year’s Eve Gala ratings reach a new high. Just moments ago, Movie Queen Xu Mengqi ignited the climax of the gala with the song 'Legend'. During her performance, our station's ratings skyrocketed from 2.05% to 3.17%, shattering the 2.85% rating record just set by Movie Queen Cheng Yonglan. Furthermore, this rating is the first time in five years that any regional television station's gala program has broken 3% in all of China!"

This piece of news fell like a heavy blockbuster bomb, making everyone’s hearts reverberate with shock.

Ratings breaking 3%!

What kind of concept was that?

At any rate, when other television stations saw these ratings, their scalps went numb.

However, what truly filled them with dread was the other piece of information revealed in the post: after Xu Mengqi took the stage, Mango TV's ratings instantly surged by over 1 percentage point.

This meant that Xu Mengqi single-handedly boosted Mango TV’s ratings by 50%!

What kind of monster is she?!

Upon learning the ratings, Cheng Yonglan slumped limply into her seat.

She stared blankly at the stage, a single tear slipping from the corner of her eye.

Snap!

A media reporter who had sneaked in captured the moment and immediately published an article titled: "The Tear of a Fish."

This title was deeply symbolic.

First, it referenced the song Cheng Yonglan sang, "Tear of a Fish."

Second, it used Cheng Yonglan’s single tear to tell everyone that she began with this song, only to end up shedding the tear of a fish.

Perhaps everything was destined by the heavens.

Indeed.

Fate is truly that miraculous.

...

On the internet.

Xu Mengqi’s fans were already celebrating wildly.

Who said their idol would be overshadowed by Cheng Yonglan's radiance?

Who said Xu Mengqi would be reduced to a dim shadow upon taking the stage?

Who said Xu Mengqi was destined to lose this battle between the two movie queens?

Even neutral netizens couldn't help but marvel.

"This time, Xu Mengqi’s performance was truly stellar."

"Yeah, she sang so well. I honestly never knew her voice was this gorgeous."

"Tonight, Movie Queen Xu had the simplest stage outfit, the simplest clothes, and the simplest makeup, yet she left the deepest impression on me."

"..."

However, the strongest reaction came from within the industry itself.

For a simple reason!

Amateurs watch the spectacle, while professionals watch the craft.

Netizens only knew that two movie queens had sung new songs on stage.

Only industry insiders understood that these two new songs represented a covert war between the two top actresses.

And the result would likely disrupt the peace of the entertainment industry for quite some time to come.

Soon, a verified influential critic published a long Weibo post titled: "The Rise of the Diva."

The post read:

"This time, movie queens Xu Mengqi and Cheng Yonglan participating in Mango TV’s gala seemed on the surface to be nothing more than two actresses crossing over to sing a couple of songs, nothing out of the ordinary.

Yet who could have imagined that in a musical field they didn't even belong to, the two actresses would secretly wage a game of chess for the future throne of the entertainment industry's top diva!

Cheng Yonglan.

Originally brimming with confidence, her new song 'Tear of a Fish' single-handedly shattered Mango TV's gala ratings record, letting everyone witness her prowess in singing.

But the truly shocking one was Xu Mengqi.

Just when everyone thought Xu Mengqi was going to be crushed by Cheng Yonglan, she used the song 'Legend' to embark on her legendary path in the music scene!

Yes, Xu Mengqi’s performance tonight was truly legendary!

It made everyone realize that Movie Queen Xu is just as exceptional in the music world!

Perhaps many people still don't understand why the two movie queens initiated an invisible vocal competition at Mango TV’s gala. Let me explain: because both actresses have intentions of breaking into the music industry.

Earlier, Xu Mengqi’s collaboration with Wuyan on the single 'Peach Blossom Promise', and Cheng Yonglan’s collaboration with Wu Rui on the single 'Heart in a Dream', had already signaled their longing for the music scene.

However, their images in the film industry are deeply rooted, so they needed a platform with enough influence to show their fans and everyone else that they possess extraordinary musical talent as well.

Thus, tonight’s gala became their showcase stage.

Especially Xu Mengqi; far from being eclipsed under Cheng Yonglan’s radiance, she conquered the entire audience with 'Legend'.

She used 'Legend' to tell everyone:

She is a legend in the film world.

And she is equally a legend in the music world!

I imagine that after tonight’s gala, Xu Mengqi will shine brilliantly in the music industry! She might even ascend to the pinnacle in the future, becoming a truly all-around superstar—a Diva!"

This blog post made many netizens finally understand why the two actresses had competed so fiercely.

At the same time, many netizens felt a secret wave of awe.

"Is Xu Mengqi really capable of becoming a diva?"

"Very likely!"

"Yes, based on this song 'Legend' alone, Xu Mengqi is destined to rise in the music world."

"Goodness, I never thought such a small gala would harbor such fierce competition."

"Naive me actually thought they were just singing new songs to give us better music to listen to."

"I was too shallow."

"..."

As Xu Mengqi’s singing segment concluded, Mango TV's ratings once again began to plummet.

They even dropped below 2% at one point.

But this was normal.

Even the staff at Mango TV didn't find it surprising.

At that moment.

After stepping off the stage, Xu Mengqi didn't return to the VIP guest area in the audience, instead heading straight back to the backstage area.

She took her phone from her manager, dialed Wang Mo’s number, and spoke in a refreshing voice, "Did you watch TV?"

Wang Mo laughed, "Congratulations, Sister Qi, for achieving legendary status."

Hearing this, Xu Mengqi knew Wang Mo had been watching the live broadcast. She smiled faintly, "It’s not me who achieved legendary status; it’s this song of yours that made me."

"It's all the same, same thing," Wang Mo laughed heartily. "Oh right, Sister Qi, let me ask you a question. When you were on stage just now, was it live or playback?"

"Huh?"

Xu Mengqi raised an eyebrow and countered, "What do you think? Was it live or playback?"

Wang Mo answered helplessly, "That's why I'm asking—because I couldn't tell."

The corners of Xu Mengqi’s lips curved slightly upward: "Live."

Hiss~~~

Even though Wang Mo had mentally prepared himself, he was still taken aback.

Because he felt that Xu Mengqi’s performance on stage had been utterly flawless.

The stage setup was flawless, the attire was flawless, and the vocals were flawless.

Wang Mo had originally assumed that because Xu Mengqi’s performance was so immaculate, it was likely pre-recorded.

Of course, lip-syncing was no big deal; after all, to ensure a perfect show, the proportion of stars using playback at galas was quite high.

He never expected his guess to be wrong.

Xu Mengqi had actually sung it live!

Seeming to guess what Wang Mo was thinking, Xu Mengqi explained, "I did consider lip-syncing, since that way there wouldn't be any risks. But at the very last moment, I decided to let go and give it a shot. Because I felt that this song truly allowed me to pour my body and soul into it. I believed I could sing it well, and that was all."

A subtle ripple stirred in Wang Mo’s heart: "Sister Qi, are you saying you felt a natural affinity for singing this type of song?"

Xu Mengqi answered with conviction, "Yes."

The shadow of Faye Wong flashed across Wang Mo’s mind. He took a deep breath and said earnestly, "Sister Qi, get ready to become a diva!"

Xu Mengqi laughed playfully and scolded, "We've barely talked for two minutes and you're already being unserious."

Wang Mo: "I'm dead serious."

"Do you think divas grow on trees like cabbages?"

Xu Mengqi smiled warmly, "Though, I do have something serious to tell you now."

Seeing that Xu Mengqi was brushing off his words, Wang Mo could only shake his head.

After all, he couldn't possibly say, *In the future, I plan to hand a "Faye Wong" persona right to you*, could he?

Putting that thought aside, Wang Mo asked, "What serious matter?"

Xu Mengqi said in a deep voice, "This time, I won against Cheng Yonglan, so I'm going to get three top-tier brand endorsements from her. I'm giving one of them to you."

Wang Mo’s breath hitched instantly, his eyes widening.

Yet he still cleared his throat and said, "This... is that appropriate?"

Xu Mengqi: "Do you want it or not?"

Wang Mo: "I want it!"