Chapter 111: This Show Is So Much Fun

As the first singer to take the stage on "Masked Singer," Qin Haiyu’s performance of a rock song, paired with an enchanting dance, stunned the entire audience.

Backstage, watching his wife’s performance on the big screen, Yu Zhile nodded repeatedly, occasionally flattering her with praise.

Qin Haiyu was singing a classic love song from this world, but after he transformed it into a rock style, it felt like a gentle, shy woman suddenly becoming passionately bold.

This striking contrast, combined with such a captivating voice and a brilliantly re-arranged melody, even impressed a professional singer like Teacher Wu, who nodded in approval.

“I didn’t expect this rock rendition to sound so good!”

“And the dance was excellent too!”

The judges’ private remarks couldn’t be heard by Yu Zhile backstage.

As for the dance Qin Haiyu performed, it was adapted from the choreography of “Elysium.” Knowing his wife couldn’t handle a fiery, provocative routine—since she hadn’t formally studied dance—he deliberately toned it down. Besides, such a bold dance was something he only allowed his wife to perform privately for him at home.

Soon, as the song ended, Qin Haiyu concluded her first "Masked Singer" performance with a final flourish of dance.

The audience erupted into applause and cheers, clearly delighted by the performance.

At the judges’ panel, three men and one woman exchanged puzzled looks.

“Impressive! The first singer is already this strong; I’m even more excited for the others!”

“Who exactly is ‘Red Rose’? I can’t think of anyone who matches that voice and figure!”

Teacher Wu said with a smile, “Now I understand why the show invited me as a guest judge and not as a contestant! With my condition, even if I wrapped myself up like a dumpling, I’d probably be recognized as soon as I sang the first note!”

The female judge chuckled, “Teacher Wu, your voice is too distinctive! Unlike ‘Red Rose,’ whose voice at first reminded me of Zhang Hanhang, but when she hit the high notes, she sounded like Deng Jiaqi.”

“The most frustrating thing is that neither Zhang Hanhang nor Deng Jiaqi match her height and figure, so I’m completely stumped about who she really is!”

Host Ni Qiqin stepped onto the stage to begin the interactive segment, where the judges could ask questions and try to guess the singers’ identities.

Teacher Wu went first: “Red Rose, have you participated in any other variety shows before this?”

Qin Haiyu shook her head, then spoke in a smooth, alluring voice after the voice change: “This is my variety show debut!”

Backstage, Yu Zhile, dressed in a “Patrick Star” mascot costume, smiled, surprised that his wife was fooling everyone on the show.

Teacher Wu seemed to believe her: “Your first time on a variety show? So you’ve never been on one since you debuted?”

Qin Haiyu nodded: “Yes, this is my first variety show.”

The female judge was surprised: “Are you an internet singer?”

Qin Haiyu teased: “Guess!”

The female judge rolled her eyes and asked, “Then how long have you been active?”

Qin Haiyu lied without hesitation: “Over ten years.”

“A child star?”

Another judge suddenly had a thought: “I think my guess is right! Although this is a music show, it doesn’t require all contestants to be professional singers! So ‘Red Rose’ might actually be an actor with a beautiful singing voice!”

“Teacher Lin, your guess is spot on!”

Qin Haiyu kept playing along, secretly amused.

Indeed, by changing her style and lowering her voice, no one could guess her true identity—not even Teacher Wu, who recorded “I Am a Star” with her last year!

This was too much fun!

Qin Haiyu smiled slyly, scanning the audience, unsure whether her husband was in the crowd or mingling with the staff.

But he definitely had seen her performance! Perhaps even now, he was giving her a thumbs-up, praising her wit and charm!

Backstage, Yu Zhile thought to himself: The saying is true—the more beautiful the woman, the better she is at deception!

His wife’s skill at setting traps and fooling people was truly admirable.

Soon, after the judges finished their questions, Ni Qiqin announced it was time for the live audience voting.

Qin Haiyu clenched her fist nervously. Though confident in her performance, she worried she might not advance to the second round.

If she lost in the first round, she wouldn’t be able to face her husband—after all, he had spent countless days and nights teaching her to dance and helping her rearrange the song.

She had to give it her all today and achieve a good result in the first round to honor her husband’s hard work and sweat.

After the voting ended, Qin Haiyu returned backstage. Yu Zhile, still in his “Patrick Star” costume, stood and saluted her with a fist, the first to flatter her: “Amazing! Truly impressive!”

The other four masked singers also stood and offered their compliments.

“Swan,” one asked, “is your main profession really acting?”

Qin Haiyu replied, “No, actually, I’m mainly a host!”

“Huh?”

“Swan” was stunned—was she telling the truth or lying?

“Old Boy” then asked, “Did you rearrange the song yourself?”

Qin Haiyu smiled: “A super handsome guy helped me with the arrangement!”

Yu Zhile laughed quietly nearby, thinking he’d have to reward his wife with a big kiss when they got home—her sweet words were truly charming.

Soon, after the stage was set for the next round, Ni Qiqin announced the arrival of the second masked singer.

The singer known as “Lone Wolf” appeared wearing a wolf-head mask that completely covered his eyes, making it impossible to guess his identity by appearance.

However, when Lone Wolf sang the first notes, Teacher Wu suddenly smiled: “I think I know who it is!”

The female judge was curious: “Who?”

Another judge replied, “If I’m not mistaken, it’s probably Zhou Jian.”

Teacher Wu shook his head: “Not Zhou Jian! His voice isn’t like that!”

“Then who is it?”

Teacher Wu smiled: “Let’s listen a bit more before guessing.”

Soon, when a piercing high note tore through the stage, Teacher Wu awkwardly smiled: “I guess I was wrong.”

The male judge also chuckled bitterly: “I was wrong too. It’s not Zhou Jian; his high notes aren’t this powerful!”

Backstage, Yu Zhile wiped a cold sweat from his brow.

Old Yang wasn’t bluffing—everyone on this show was an incredibly formidable singer!

Lone Wolf’s vocal skills and high notes were unbeatable.

Now he wasn’t worried about his wife being eliminated; instead, he worried about himself!

At least his wife had a great figure—masked or not, her sensual charm would attract plenty of votes.

As for himself, to advance, he’d have to give it his all and go all out.

He anxiously awaited his turn, which was last after all the other singers had performed, finally ready to take the stage himself.