HDIEUMDBTSB **Chapter 22: I Want It All**

 **Volume One: The Road to Fame**

**Chapter Twenty-Two: I Want It All**

"No requirements? Come on, what kind of vague statement is that?" Lin Xia felt Director Meng's speech was long-winded and lacking in clarity.

"The competition rules are being upgraded. After thorough discussion among our program team, we've decided that in the upcoming semifinals, we want all eight contestants to fully showcase their talents without any restrictions," said Director Meng Fan. "So, there's no song selection at the end of this episode. Each contestant can keep their song for next week a secret."

"Our music team will also fully cooperate, helping everyone to wow the audience with their secret weapons. The theme of our semifinals is to perform better than the best," Meng Fan suddenly raised his voice, startling Wei Tongzi out of her daydream.

With the rules announced, the recording of this episode was nearing its end. Meng Fan stood up and said, "Thanks to our sponsor, Tide Laundry Detergent, for this classic moment. Before leaving, please write down your expectations for the semifinals or a message to yourself on these cards."

Another classic moment sponsored by Tide? It proved the show's high viewership that they could secure a sponsor even this late in the competition.

Meng Fan then pulled out a plastic box about the size of an iPhone box. The emphasis on it being an iPhone box wasn't because they settled an ad deal, but because Apple's packaging, without the charging head, was more apt. The plastic box was painted to look rusty, but it resembled a cheap item from a dollar store, exuding a sense of poor quality.

The director opened it and took out eight palm-sized cards. The front was blank, and the back had Tide’s slogans: "With Tide, no stains," "Winter with Tide means hotpot every day," and so on. Foreign brands really spared no expense to capture the Chinese market.

We are quite familiar with brands like Safeguard, Head & Shoulders, and Pantene, all of which are owned by Procter & Gamble in the U.S.

Pulling out one's secret weapon implied the use of original compositions. Chu Zhi once again felt he didn't have enough creativity currency.

Wei Tongzi quickly distributed the small cards and markers to the contestants. Hou Yubin casually wrote, "[Play to the best of our abilities and show our style]."

"Zhang-san, can you tell me how to write '[Hope to perform more great works]' in Chinese?" Hengkou Yi asked the music partner.

Japanese indeed has many Chinese characters, and Hengkou Yi learned quickly, though some characters were a bit crooked.

"[Thanks to the audience who can still quietly listen to my music.]"

Chu Zhi didn't think much about it, and neither did Lin Xia, Li Xingwei, Yang Guiyun, and Gu Nanxi. Among the contestants, the most hesitant was Zheng Yingying, who couldn't decide what to write.

"It's just writing an expectation, not your life story. Don't overthink it," Gu Nanxi said.

"I have too many expectations for my next recording," Zheng Yingying said confidently. "I hope to perform well, hope not to be last, and hope more audiences like my music. Since the card can't be altered, I must think it over carefully."

It made sense. Gu Nanxi found herself speechless, but her personality was such that even when she had nothing to say, she would find something to maintain control of the conversation. She suggested, "Then you can write—'I want it all.'"

"Adults have to make choices. Only children want it all. I'm no longer a child; I passed the age of being willful long ago." Zheng Yingying finally made her decision, hoping not to be last.

In this competition, Zheng Yingying came in last, and she had been hovering near the bottom in previous rounds. If Li Xingwei and Chu Zhi challenged everyone, Zheng Yingying would be eliminated.

By the time the recording ended, it was around 8:30 PM. The contestants all looked exhausted. Gu Nanxi wanted to go directly to the makeup room to remove her makeup, but it was just a thought. For a celebrity, removing makeup during a schedule was like discarding a weapon on the battlefield.

The part-time host had more screen time, but she also spoke the most among all contestants, so it was no surprise Gu Nanxi was tired.

The networking in the entertainment industry began, with small groups forming. As a poem from the Northern Island suggests, life is a net, and socializing is bouncing around in that net. The more you bounce, the tighter you're wrapped, and eventually, leaving the net makes you feel like you're running around naked.

"Chu Zhi got 741 votes, first place. My actual votes were 725, second place. The newcomer Li Xingwei is third. I was wrong earlier, thinking Uncle Hou was my only rival for the king of singers. Chu Zhi is too," Lin Xia thought to himself. He was quite confident in his own strength.

With that in mind, Lin Xia took the initiative to invite Chu Zhi, who was about to leave, to join him for a meal.

Hengkou Yi hurriedly squeezed in and said, "I also want to invite Chu-san for dinner." He didn't understand what Lin Xia said in Chinese. Since the recording had stopped, music partner Zhang Yue didn't translate immediately. However, based on the context, Hengkou Yi had a rough idea.

"Lin-san, please make sure to translate my invitation to Chu-san," Hengkou Yi said.

Zhang Yue, Hengkou Yi's music partner, sighed internally. Before Chu Zhi arrived, Hengkou Yi was eagerly inviting Lin Xia to dinner. Now... these Japanese people really aren't reliable. Although Zhang Yue had a decent relationship with Hengkou Yi, he still harbored an unintentional disdain for Japanese people, similar to the ingrained discrimination of some Americans against African Americans.

"Sorry, I'm not feeling well today," Chu Zhi declined. "Next time, dinner is on me."

When Chu Zhi refused, he felt a gentle, string-like vibration in his brain. It was the same sensation he had when he unlocked the 'Smoking Emperor' achievement for the first time. It seemed to be triggering a new achievement, indicating he had earned more personality coins. Perfect timing.

"Teacher Chu, you really do look unwell. Make sure to get plenty of rest and eat well," Lin Xia and Hengkou Yi both expressed their concern, as Chu Zhi did indeed look pale.

"I remember you still owe me a meal," Zheng Yingying suddenly recalled. "I paid last week."

"Next time, for sure," Lin Xia responded with an awkward smile.

"You said that last time, and the time before that," Zheng Yingying wasn't easily brushed off.

"Whenever I don't know what to say, I really don't know what to say," Lin Xia, who was close to peak popularity, earned quite a bit of money each year. However, due to his childhood experiences, he loved getting free meals and would always eat extra rice when someone else was paying.

The main focus of the conversation was on Li Xingwei and Lin Xia. No matter how niche soul music was, and no matter how high the status, it couldn't compare to popularity.

"Mr. Hou, do you have plans for tonight? I'd also like to learn from you," Li Xingwei said. He wasn't trying to blend in; he was only interested in Hou Yubin and Lin Xia among the contestants, viewing one as a mentor and the other as a rival.

"I have a flight to catch at ten o'clock, heading back to Shanghai," Hou Yubin declined politely.

"A red-eye flight? That sounds exhausting," Li Xingwei remarked.

"Not really tiring, just a bit tight on time. Luckily, it shouldn't be crowded at this hour," Hou Yubin replied.

Everyone went their separate ways. Tonight, the night sky over Star City had no stars, just a light breeze and drizzle.

Without lingering, and avoiding the large crowd of fans waiting for Li and Lin at the entrance, Chu Zhi returned to his hotel.

He opened the achievements section and, sure enough, there was a new one:

[Born on Earth, Aspiring to be Immortal (I am a celestial being who doesn't mingle with mortals; ordinary people don't deserve to interact with me)

Refuse industry invitations *1, 1 personality coin★.

Refuse industry invitations *3, 2 personality coins.

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