Chapter 113: "You Through the Seasons"

According to the rules of the show, the second round of performances would proceed in the order of the first round’s voting rankings.

Yu Zhile felt sorry for his wife. He hadn’t expected her to perform first in the initial round, and now she was going first again in the second round!

By contrast, his own luck was quite good—he performed last in both rounds, giving off the aura of a grand finale champion.

For the second round, Qin Haiyu was once again to sing a classic song from this world. Her previous rock performance had earned her first place in the initial round.

However, neither the judges nor the audience anticipated that this time, Qin Haiyu would not continue with rock but instead sing a classic folk ballad.

Onstage, Qin Haiyu had changed her outfit. Gone were the sexy high heels, black stockings, and the cool, glamorous leather jacket.

Instead, she wore simple light denim jeans paired with a long-sleeved white shirt and blue-and-white patterned flat cloth shoes.

Her fresh and pure appearance was quite pleasing to the eye, but unfortunately, she still wore the “Red Rose” mask, leaving everyone clueless about the face beneath.

Her figure, however, was still unmistakably alluring, though without heels, she appeared a bit more petite.

As Qin Haiyu’s voice floated through the auditorium, the judges grew puzzled.

“How can her style shift so drastically? I’m starting to wonder if it’s even the same person!”

“No, it’s not a different person—the tone is unchanged! If I’m not mistaken, she’s here to challenge herself, trying out various musical styles.”

“Have you figured out who she is? I’m at my wit’s end—there’s no way to tell from the voice or the look!”

Teacher Wu stared intently at the “Red Rose” onstage and said, “Looking at the stature, it somewhat resembles Qin Haiyu, but I performed with her last year on ‘I Am a Singer,’ and I don’t recall her voice sounding like this.”

“Qin Haiyu? Well, the height and figure do match, but I’ve heard her songs many times, and I’m certain this isn’t her voice.”

“I think we should stop guessing. The production team surely won’t play by the book! They probably expect us and the audience to guess based on the singers, so I bet most contestants aren’t actually singers.”

…

Qin Haiyu continued singing the soothing folk song.

As a graduate of a university broadcasting program, her voice was highly adaptable. Her natural tone was indeed clear and sweet, and that was the voice everyone associated with her.

But beyond her natural voice, she could speak and sing in several different tones. That was why the judges and audience found it so difficult to identify her.

However, this style of singing was still quite challenging for her. Since graduating and being fully supported by her husband as a homemaker, she hadn’t hosted in a long time. Her innate vocal flexibility had dulled over time, no longer flowing as effortlessly as before.

That was why, when “White Swan” asked if she was an actress, she said she was a host—it was the truth. She had been a broadcasting student and campus radio host, dreaming of becoming a radio personality.

But plans rarely survive contact with reality. Everything began to change when Yu Zhile appeared in her life.

Yet all these changes were for the better...

After four and a half minutes, the comforting folk song ended. Qin Haiyu bowed slightly, expressing her gratitude to the judges and audience.

Returning to the stage after half a year, this moment was deeply fulfilling for her.

Soon, the live voting concluded.

“Lone Wolf” stepped onto the stage to perform.

Backstage, Yu Zhile watched his wife sitting nearby. He had wanted to say a few words to her but decided silence was safer to avoid revealing his identity.

Before long, “Lone Wolf” finished his performance.

A staff member reminded him, “’Patrick Star,’ get ready—you’re next!”

“Okay.”

Yu Zhile nodded slightly, encouraging the female singer “White Swan,” “Come on, Patrick Star!”

Under his mask, Qin Haiyu smiled faintly and echoed, “Good luck!”

“I will!” Yu Zhile nodded to his wife inwardly thinking, Not only will I do my best, I’m going all out to win the first episode’s crown!

On stage, after the host Ni Qiqin announced the next act, Yu Zhile, dressed in a Patrick Star mascot costume, took the guitar handed to him by the staff and settled on the prepared high stool at center stage.

He, too, was about to perform a folk song.

But no one present had ever heard this one before.

When the song information appeared on the screen, the judges and the five masked singers backstage were astonished.

“Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter — You”

Lyrics: Patrick Star

Music: Patrick Star

Performed by: Patrick Star

…

“White Swan,” surprised, exclaimed, “Patrick Star came fully prepared!”

“Lone Wolf” added, “I didn’t expect him to have an original song ready!”

Qin Haiyu thought to herself, What’s the big deal? If I weren’t trying to keep my identity hidden, I could’ve sung my husband’s original song earlier!

Onstage, Yu Zhile removed the mascot gloves as the lights dimmed—a cue he had arranged with Yang Bing. If he played an instrument, the lights would darken so that when the show aired, his wife wouldn’t recognize him by his hands.

As the first guitar notes rang out, the accompanying band began playing the track they had rehearsed separately the day before.

Yu Zhile’s guitar carried the main melody as his smoky, gentle voice—so different from before—sang:

“That spring, I was lost in a dream
That summer, serene like her
The autumn wind brushed my restless ears
That winter, you were missing by my side...”

Hearing this calming opening, the four judges instinctively exchanged glances.

Their eyes seemed to ask: Who is this guy? This voice isn’t like any of the singers we guessed earlier!

What the heck!

Where did this chameleon-like vocalist suddenly come from?

Singers like this only appeared on those talent and dream shows. How did this program manage to recruit such an extraordinary performer?

Most importantly, he was singing an original song—and it was so beautifully composed!

The judges grew even more perplexed. Who exactly was this Patrick Star?

A versatile voice, impressive skills, and a singer-songwriter to boot!

Which singer matched all these traits?

At this moment, they had not a single clue.

At the side of the stage, Yang Bing felt deep admiration.

With Yu Zhile’s musical talent, he now believed Yu might become the dark horse to claim the championship!