Chapter Fifty-Six: A Voice That Shakes the Soul

Chapter Fifty-Six: The Shocking Song

The next day arrived swiftly. Because of the singing contest among the school’s stars, students rushed into the performance hall as soon as classes ended.

There were two participants from Shi Bai’s class: the cultural committee member Zhang Yuhan, and Shi Bai himself.

Their class was unusually enthusiastic, but not because of Zhang Yuhan. It was all because of Shi Bai—his strange and unforgettable rendition of “The Great River Flows Eastward” had left a lasting impression. Everyone wanted to see what effect his singing would have in front of the entire school.

However, Class 2, Grade 2 was not the first group to enter the hall. Before them, the supporters of Li Xiujie had already claimed half of the seats in the front rows.

Class 6’s female class president, Zhang Shuyi, wore a red ribbon around her head and waved a flamboyant flag, with bold letters spelling “Xiujie.” Nearby, a group of fangirls held up a banner: “Xiujie, Xiujie, who can understand?”

The other students looked on speechlessly. It wasn’t a pop concert—was all this really necessary? Moreover, theirs was the only group with banners.

After a while, the teachers finished adjusting the equipment, testing the microphones repeatedly. Only then did Li Xiujie enter, flanked by two girls clearing his path.

A wave of exclamations swept through the crowd, as if a Korean idol had appeared.

Li Xiujie’s outfit was striking—not a formal suit, but high-end casual wear, blending a hint of formality with hip-hop flair, and an air of cosmopolitan style. It was undeniably fashionable, eliciting shrieks from his supporters.

Even the female teachers couldn’t hide their smiles; this was the kind of student they were proud to claim.

Meanwhile, Shi Bai and Gao Yang strolled in languidly, both clad in rumpled school uniforms that looked as if they hadn’t been washed in days.

Gao Yang, startled to find the hall packed, drew laughter from the crowd.

Compared to Li Xiujie, they were worlds apart: one belonged to the heavens, the other to the earth.

Zhang Tongtong, spotting Shi Bai, grinned mischievously at Liu Feifei, “Hey, your boyfriend’s here. Aren’t you going to welcome him?”

Liu Feifei’s eyes widened, “What?!”

Zhang Tongtong laughed, “Don’t pretend. Go on!”

Liu Feifei pinched Zhang Tongtong hard. “Why would I be interested in him? Tongtong, are you feverish?”

Zhang Tongtong yelped, “What fever? Didn’t you say you liked him?”

Liu Feifei grew frantic, “Even if every man on earth disappeared, I’d never like him!”

Zhang Tongtong paused. “What? Did your confession fail?”

Before Liu Feifei could respond, Zhang Tongtong exclaimed in astonishment, “Damn! He actually dared to reject you!”

Liu Feifei was completely bewildered. “When did I confess to him? Why would I ever confess to him?”

But Zhang Tongtong ignored her protests, still marveling, “Shi Bai is impressive, rejecting even you!”

Liu Feifei was left utterly tongue-tied.

Soon the competition began. One by one, students took the stage. Some truly had talent and sang beautifully. Others were a bit too confident—their low notes were fine, but when they reached the high notes, they lost their pitch, prompting laughter from the audience.

Zhang Yuhan’s turn came. She sang “Invisible Wings,” and her rendition was full of emotion. Her classmates gave her a hearty round of applause.

The host then called out the next performer, her face full of anticipation: “Li Xiujie!”

The girls erupted in cheers, “Xiujie! Xiujie!” Zhang Shuyi frantically waved her homemade flag, “Go, Li Xiujie!”

Li Xiujie slung his guitar and walked gracefully onto the stage, bowing like a gentleman, a smile touching his handsome face.

Thunderous applause broke out.

He took off his guitar, sat like a prince on the steps of the stage, strummed, and sang like a big boy.

“Dark hair twisted into a circle, entwining all the longing for you…”

His voice was deep and magnetic, his guitar playing skillful. The song drew the audience in, making them forget it was a performance. Many girls listened, entranced.

Liu Feifei sat with her hands cupping her face, gazing at Li Xiujie in a daze, “He’s perfect.”

Soon the performance ended, and the teachers awarded him high scores: 9, 9, 10.

The girls howled, “Li Xiujie! Amazing!”

Liu Feifei shouted along and murmured, “Li Xiujie really is the perfect prince.”

Zhang Tongtong was baffled, “Now she likes Li Xiujie again?”

Then the host came back on stage. “Now, please welcome the final contestant, Shi Bai from Class 1, Grade 3.”

“What’s he even doing here?” someone from Class 6 shouted. “Our Xiujie has already won!”

“Exactly, he should just drop out and save everyone time.”

But Class 1 wasn’t having it, especially the boys who secretly liked Liu Feifei. Determined to see Shi Bai embarrass himself, they shouted, “Why? Why do you assume you’ve won? What if our guy is a singing god?”

They laughed among themselves. One boy clapped, “Haha, a singing god!”

“Quiet!” a teacher picked up the microphone. “Since it’s a competition, every contestant deserves their chance. Although Li Xiujie is indeed excellent, we must also give Shi Bai a chance. Shi Bai, please come to the stage.”

Hearing this, Shi Bai walked up lazily, empty-handed, and stood carelessly before the microphone.

The audience booed, “Wow, he’s really performing in his school uniform!”

“So careless!”

“No way he’ll get high scores!”

The teacher, seeing his demeanor, began to regret letting him on stage. Truthfully, Shi Bai’s appearance did seem a bit undignified.

But Shi Bai gripped the microphone without a trace of embarrassment, one hand shoved in his pocket, a defiant look on his face. “It’s time to show real skill.” He raised his arm, “Music!”

The students burst out laughing, “What a bumpkin!”

“Is this for real…”

Zhang Shuyi, sitting beside Li Xiujie, laughed, “See, this country boy is nowhere near you!”

Li Xiujie smiled, thinking, “Let’s see how you make a fool of yourself.”

Then a delicate melody began to play. The students were puzzled, “I don’t think I’ve heard this song before?”

But the teachers’ expressions turned amazed. “Don’t Cry! It’s Guns N’ Roses’ Don’t Cry!”

“Oh my god! He actually dares to sing this song!”

“Don’t Cry” was a signature piece of the rock band Guns N’ Roses, renowned for its demanding high notes and sustained endings that required extraordinary lung power and vocal strength—a true anthem for iron-throated singers.

In decades, the teachers had rarely seen anyone attempt a cover, and if they did, it never matched the original. So Shi Bai daring to sing this song was nothing short of sensational.

“Talk to me softly, there’s something in your eyes.”

Shi Bai’s voice rang out, and the hall fell silent. The boys in his class could hardly believe their ears. “This magnetic, powerful voice—is it really Shi Bai?”

The teachers arched their brows, visibly impressed.

Li Xiujie’s heart sank; he sensed trouble.

Shi Bai continued, his voice graceful and winding, drawing the students in until they listened spellbound.

The song neared its climax. Shi Bai beckoned to Li Xiujie, signaling him to hand over the guitar.

Li Xiujie was reluctant, but with so many people watching, he had no choice.

Shi Bai grabbed the guitar and strummed fiercely, producing a sound like an electric guitar. Then he launched into the high notes, “Don’t cry tonight!” and wildly tossed his hair.

The students’ eyes widened. Even the three teachers stood up, joining Shi Bai in tossing their hair in wild abandon.

The students were stunned—what could make the teachers so excited?

But how could they grasp the teachers’ feelings? Shi Bai’s performance was no longer just a song—it was divine! It was faith!

Another high note soared, the guitar thundered, and when all was said and done, Shi Bai smashed the guitar to the ground, shattering it.

Li Xiujie jumped up, “My Yamaha!”

As the final note faded, the teachers’ hair was disheveled, but they still awarded Shi Bai three perfect scores.

“Rock from the Celestial Empire is saved!”