HDIEUMDBTSB **Chapter 31: The Semifinals Begin**
**Volume 1: The Road to Comeback**
**Chapter 31: The Semifinals Begin**
The semifinals took place on the afternoon of the 19th. The live broadcast studio had undergone some changes in its setup. First, each seat was covered with a blue cloth cover, embroidered with the show’s logo and a small line of text reading "Night Before the Peak." The layout on both sides of the stage had been significantly altered, with fifty additional seats added on the right side. To distinguish them from the audience seats, these new seats were covered in red and black cloth.
On the left side stood a human-height, large plastic logo that read "Night Before the Peak." The finale was touted as the "Night of the Peak." Under the faint yellow light, a fog machine built into the base continuously emitted white mist, which didn't look cheap at all. Surrounding this setup were backdrop screens depicting lush vegetation, which, while not as grand as the breathtaking scenes from the Land of Dreams, still contributed to a magnificent stage.
You could always trust Mango TV's stage design. The "Night of the Peak" should be even more glamorous, but regardless, the sense of ceremony was present, setting the semifinals apart from the earlier rounds.
"Please enter in an orderly fashion," the staff repeatedly reminded the audience loudly.
Usually, about seventy percent of the audience was female, but today, the gender ratio was roughly half and half.
Eight hundred audience members filed in, each wearing a wristband issued by the program team for identification. Returning the wristbands after recording allowed them to exchange for small gifts, though expectations should be modest, as they were likely just keychains or small fans. Typically, no tickets were needed to sign up as an audience member, but accommodation and travel expenses had to be covered by themselves. Many young people from other provinces spent thousands of yuan to attend the live show. Moreover, there were instances where those who weren't selected resorted to buying tickets from internal staff, with prices for certain dance show tickets being resold for over twenty thousand yuan.
"Ming Ge, does Sister She have some deep grudge against that star? We're getting paid two hundred a day, that's over ten thousand for eight hundred people. Isn't this a waste?" Xiao Cuntou asked quietly.
Sister She was the lead extra coordinator at the Changzhutan Film and Television Base. Today's task was much easier than being a stand-in; the key was that they could watch the stars, and they just needed to perform well at critical moments. Xiao Cuntou thought the more jobs like this, the better.
"Who knows, as long as we get paid, why bother thinking so much? Online, they say Chu Zhi is a scumbag. Maybe Sister She got dumped and turned her love into hate, understand?" Ming Ge replied dismissively. He was a senior extra who had even played special roles in several films.
That made some sense, and Xiao Cuntou was almost convinced. But on second thought, it didn't add up. The star was good-looking, while Sister She, although well-endowed, was quite plain.
"Doesn't seem likely. I have another thing I don't get, I..."
Xiao Cuntou wanted to say more but was interrupted by Ming Ge: "No need to understand. Every day you have dozens of things you don't understand. Just do your job and talk less, got it?"
"I understand," Xiao Cuntou replied.
Ming Ge noticed his tone was too harsh. Xiao Cuntou was his younger cousin; apart from being a bit slow, he had no major problems. So Ming Ge softened his tone and added, "It's good to ask questions, but some things are unnecessary to know. Not blaming you, just some brotherly advice."
"Can I ask when Sister She and that star got together..." Xiao Cuntou immediately asked.
"Shut up!" Ming Ge scolded in a low voice, irritated.
Ming Ge was more concerned about another issue: would Mango TV hold them accountable for this? Working in the Changzhutan Film and Television Base, being blacklisted by Mango TV would be career-ending. They wouldn't need to say much, just a slight hint, and they’d have no work.
"Remember our task: no applause, no matter how good it sounds. Keep your mouth shut," Ming Ge said after taking a deep breath, reminding his cousin.
"Don't worry, I have no sense of music. Besides, how good can stars sing live? Can they sing flowers out of their mouths?" Xiao Cuntou confidently replied. Ming Ge thought that made sense. They were professionals; if they were told not to applaud, they wouldn't.
The two of them were a microcosm of the audience, with about eight hundred people exchanging similar messages. They all shared a common doubt: weren’t they afraid of leaks?
What if it leaked?
Eight hundred audience members were a drop in the ocean. Even if someone talked online, it wouldn't matter. Even if photos or videos were taken, previous promotional materials had already edited Chu Zhi's performance of "Deserted Island" for dramatic effect. The audience had voted him the overall champion based on the live impact, but it didn't affect the promotion at all.
The true nature of things always mattered, regardless of the environment. But while seeing was believing in the past, now with big data recommendations and controlled reviews, real occurrences were less visible. The most severe disruption from the audience would be akin to the controversy around a certain walnut-sponsored brain game show, where blatant manipulation was easily controlled by the program team.
Even if all else failed, these eight hundred audience members weren't invited by the TV station or related to Dahua Entertainment; at most, it was Sister She’s personal vendetta.
"Boom!" The sound system played the effect of drums and gongs, and the chaotic chatter gradually quieted down.
The audience seating area was densely packed with people. At exactly 6 PM Beijing time, with the staff and all equipment ready, the semifinals officially began. The host appeared in a grand outfit, wearing a gray gauze long dress, her hair styled up and adorned with a small crown. If the dress were white, it would have been perfect for a wedding.
"To ensure the authenticity and validity of today's competition, we have invited Mr. Tang Mai and Ms. Yu Yongpei from Wangcheng Notary Office to supervise our results," Gu Nanxi began the introductions with a clear voice.
First, the notaries standing in front of the stage were introduced. The two public officials greeted the cameras, and the audience responded with enthusiastic applause.
Many in the audience might think that the notary office has little effect and that cheating is still possible, but this is not the case. The notary office is an institution established according to the "Notarization Law," and its supervision is credible. However, it is important to note that they only oversee the authenticity and validity of the audience's votes. For instance, they ensure that thirty votes are not altered to thirty-one or check for statistical errors by the program team. In today's situation, if Li Xingwei performs poorly but still receives all 800 votes from the audience, it would still be considered valid.
"Next, let's introduce our panel of judges. This list is dazzling," Gu Nanxi continued.
As she spoke, the large screen on the stage displayed a list of fifty names along with their personal profiles.
"The professional judges are experienced practitioners from the music field and teachers and professors from prestigious art academies," Gu Nanxi explained.
[**Fang Sheng**: Music planner and critic, participated in the planning and promotion of the Midi Music Festival, Cactus Music Festival, and Wheatfield Music Festival.
**Er Li**: Sound performance artist, founder of the Sound Museum, a leading figure in immersive soundscape art.
**Li Yu**: Dancer and renowned choreographer, winner of the 13th Peach and Plum Cup, choreographer for the CCTV Spring Festival Gala multiple times.
**Zhang Mingyi**: Music critic and record planner...]
"With the professional judges' support, our contestants will face even greater pressure," Gu Nanxi said. "Let's invite Teacher Fang Sheng to say a few words."
With fifty professional judges, only a representative could be invited to speak to avoid taking too much time.
"I look forward to the contestants' performances. Among them is a senior I greatly respect, Teacher Hou Yubin," said Fang Sheng, who stood at only 1.6 meters tall and looked quite ordinary—short and thin. Before he became famous, people in the industry called him "Little Potato," but now he was referred to as Brother Fang or Teacher Fang. Having participated in notable music festivals like Midi, Cactus, and Wheatfield, he was highly connected in the domestic music scene.
"Teacher Fang, why not say a bit more? I remember you being very talkative," Gu Nanxi suggested.
"I'll definitely say more during your performance later," Fang Sheng replied and then sat down.
"No, no, Teacher Fang. We've known each other for four or five years, so please be kind with your words," Gu Nanxi responded, indicating their good relationship.
Meanwhile, the contestants backstage had already drawn their performance order. Whether intentional or not, Chu Zhi was slated to perform last.
NEXT