399 Lapse And Let It Rip (1/2)
The cultural departments of various continents rejected Chu Bo from holding concerts there because they were worried about the influence of his trouble-making mouth.
Many people poked fun at Chu Bo's habit of going into a tirade when he grew excited while singing. There were always people who watched his concerts to catch the moment he starting mouthing off. This time, many reporters also tried all sorts of ideas to enter this event since the Star Cup victory ceremony wouldn't be broadcast live. Most videos released after the event would be edited with various highlights cut out. Many reporters felt that these edited videos wouldn't be as satisfactory as the originals. Thus, even reporters who weren't invited tried all sorts of methods to get into the venue. Jinzhou entertainment reporters especially used all their skills and abilities to obtain a entrance pass. Those without entrance passes would find it difficult to get in as security was extremely strict.
Students were particularly excited today. Even those who were normally serious were also smiling.
A reporter took a few photographs inside the venue and then complained to his colleague. ”There isn't any program schedule.”
”Can't be helped. Those students suggested it themselves.”
In the first few years of the Star Cup, the victory ceremony actually had had a program schedule, However, in later years, participating students had felt that there weren't any surprises with a program schedule. After they had suggested the change to the organizers, this had been the format ever since.
Of course, the invited guests had all prepared their own items and just had to follow according to the organizers' arrangements.
Fang Zhao and Chu Bo's item was scheduled as the fifth item, which was somewhere in the middle. Before it was their turn, Chu Bo practised with Fang Zhao for a bit.
Chu Bo always brought his own band when performing, and most bands couldn't keep up with his tempo. Concerts would always have live accompaniment instead of recorded accompaniment. Chu Bo wasn't used to recorded accompaniment as live ones provided more feeling. Most importantly, in his own words, pre-recorded accompaniment was too restricting and it affected his creativity and emotions while singing.
As for lip-syncing? There was no lip-syncing with Chu Bo. On the contrary, many people hoped that he would because when Chu Bo took stage, nobody could control him. Every single one of his performances couldn't be replicated, just like how the target of his tirades changed each time. Many famous people in Jinzhou from celebrities to politicians were all called out by him. He criticized those that others called out and also those who others didn't dare condemn. And he would always be spot-on.
With an eye on the time, manager Chu Yang exhorted once before Chu Bo took the stage, ”Watch your mouth when on stage!”
”Got it, got it!” Chu Bo heard a stage technician telling him get ready so he nodded his head hurriedly and checked himself in the mirror. After carefully inspecting everything from his hair to his shoes and feeling that he was especially handsome, Chu Bo took a photograph of himself to flaunt on social media platforms.
Compared to Chu Bo's typical ostentatious style, Fang Zhao was much more reserved.
Chu Bo fussily scanned Fang Zhao and said, ”Your outfit will be overshadowed by my dazzling appearance. Do you want to change? I brought quite a few sets of clothes over.”
Nanfeng nodded his head silently at the side. Previously, he had suggested to Fang Zhao to dress a little brighter. His attire appeared suitable now, but it was still much less eye-catching next to Chu Bo's.
”No need, this will do just fine,” Fang Zhao replied.
…
At the venue, the world-renowned football star sang a tune and interacted with the audience before his stage time was up.
Two lucky students who were selected to go on stage for an activity received signed jerseys. They carefully folded the jerseys when they got back to their seats and intended to purchase exquisite cases for the jerseys once they got back to the hotel.
”I wonder who is going next on stage?”
”There are only five performers left.”
Reporters were also discussing in muted voices.
”When will Chu Bo be going? Do we have insider info?”
”My camera is ready. I'm just waiting now,” a young reporter who had come all the way from Jinzhou said.
”I'm not like you all. My main objective is to photograph Fang Zhao. Chief's orders.”
As they were speaking, the lights dimmed and the stage curtains were drawn.
Blueish-gray lights lit up a circle on the stage. Inside this circle, a man sat before a piano.
The drawn out and fluttering piano notes sounded like leaves fluttering under the desolate night sky.
Upon seeing the person before the piano, all the students applauded enthusiastically. They still had considerable interest towards Fang Zhao.
The reporters also got busy.
”Fang Zhao?”
”Not bad, a piano solo?”
”But why does this melody sound a little familiar…”
The reporter hadn't finished his sentence when sonorous tones blasted out.
The students and reporters in the audience all froze uniformly for a bit before raucous shouts and applause filled the air.
This unique vocals—who else could it be but Chu Bo?!
”Chu Bo?”
”A joint performance! Fang Zhao and Chu Bo are actually having a collaboration!!”
”I really can't imagine it. Why are these two collaborating?”
Jinzhou reporters were especially shocked. They thought that their ears were playing tricks on them when the vocals started. Otherwise, why would they hear Chu Bo's voice during Fang Zhao's performance?
They couldn't be blamed for being so astonished. Chu Bo had always performed solo. He was rarely seen performing on the same stage as others. For the few times he did, there was always some complicated arrangement for Chu Bo to cooperate and go through the motions. However, a stage like Star Cup was much more formal. Generally, during more formal appearances, Chu Bo didn't perform with others… No, it should be said that very few people were willing to collaborate with Chu Bo and perform together with him on a formal stage.
Then why had Fang Zhao agreed to have a joint performance with Chu Bo?
This was a topic that they could only speculate about!
When they returned to their senses, these entertainment reporters that had gone to great lengths to obtain these entrance passes became even busier.
Under the dusky lights, a figure slowly walked out from the back of the stage, leading to even more intense screams and shrieks from the students.
The situation at the venue depicted Chu Bo's status in the eyes of these students. If Fang Zhao hadn't been promoted by the military through the media to arouse students' curiosities, his votes might not have surpassed Chu Bo's.
The three songs Fang Zhao had selected were all written by Chu Bo for secondary students. And combining the three into a medley was like a thematic sample of Chu Bo's composed ”Student Series”.
Fang Zhao had also taken the time to understand the background behind the composition.
A young fan had written a letter to Chu Bo, expressing his adoration and his own predicament. It was a denouncement of the rottenness of youth.