Seeing the audience’s enraptured expressions below the stage, Lu Yao’s face turned slightly unpleasant. This was her solo performance, yet someone else had stolen the limelight. Anyone in her place would have felt the same discomfort. What was more infuriating was that she had invited someone to join her in a duet, only for Tang Shiyun to sing all her lines, turning it into a solo performance.
Moreover, looking at the audience’s reaction, it seemed as if she was merely the accompanist and Tang Shiyun the lead.
It wouldn’t have been a big deal on any other day, but not today. Today, there was a very important person in attendance, with her future at stake.
With that thought, her fingers strumming the strings slipped slightly, and the smooth accompaniment was immediately marred by several discordant sounds, waking the audience from their reverie.
"What’s going on?" The audience’s mood turned somewhat dissatisfied.
Lu Yao quickly apologized: "I’m sorry, I played the wrong note just now."
"Actually, I hadn’t had enough just now. Young lady, could you start over and sing it again?"
Lu Yao felt quite uncomfortable. If she allowed the girl to keep singing, what would she do? With that, she directed her gaze towards the suit-clad man behind the stage.
The host, who caught her hint, quickly took to the stage with a smile: "Ladies and gentlemen, the program has a set order, and the duet segment has ended. Little sister, thank you for your wonderful singing."
Tang Shiyun, with a blushing face, handed over the microphone and then ran swiftly to Ling Chen’s side, asking nervously and expectantly, "Ling, how was my singing?"
"Just listen to everyone’s response to know."
At that moment, thunderous applause erupted, not ceasing for a long time.
Even the man with a pockmarked face couldn’t help but give a thumbs up and praised, "Young lady, you sang really well, I’m about to become your fan."
Tang Shiyun smiled shyly, wrapping her arms tightly around Ling Chen’s arm in an affectionate manner.
The man with the pockmarked face said enviously, "Brother, you’re really blessed to have such a great girlfriend."
"That’s right." Ling Chen’s heart burst with joy and his goodwill towards the pockmarked man skyrocketed.
With Tang Shiyun setting such a remarkable precedent, Lu Yao’s following performances were merely met with tepid responses. Fortunately, the fans were quite supportive, staying until the end before leaving.
Leaving the bar, Ling Chen checked the time; it was almost ten o’clock. If they didn’t head back soon, Tang Shiyun’s mother would start worrying.
Just as the two were about to hail a taxi home, a distinguished-looking middle-aged man hurried up from behind.
"Excuse me, may I have a moment of your time?"
Ling Chen glanced at the man.
The middle-aged man handed over a business card, introducing himself, "Hello, my name is Zhu Yansong, a producer from Silver Star Entertainment."
"Speak plainly, we’re in a hurry to get home."
"Well, I was at the bar and heard this young lady’s singing. I think her vocal talent is exceptional, and with proper training, her future achievements would be boundless." Saying that, Zhu Yansong looked at Tang Shiyun eagerly.
"Young lady, you have an outstanding talent. I hope you’ll take advantage of it and not let it go to waste."
At that moment, Lu Yao rushed out from the bar, heading straight towards Zhu Yansong, trotting over in her high heels.
"Mr. Zhu, I’ve been looking for you everywhere. So here you are."
While speaking, she noticed Ling Chen and Tang Shiyun beside her, and her face turned sour, feeling uneasy inside.
Zhu Yansong was a top producer in the entertainment industry. If she had his backing, becoming a star and soaring high was just a matter of time.
The effort and price she paid to invite Zhu Yansong here were unimaginable.
After her performance ended, Zhu Yansong had not sought her out but instead went straight to this young girl. This was hard to swallow.
She had given up so much, and after all her efforts to bring him here, why should others reap the rewards so effortlessly? The more she thought about it, the more irritated she became, her eyes filled with envy as she looked at Tang Shiyun.
Facing Lu Yao, Zhu Yansong’s demeanor was not as friendly as it was towards Tang Shiyun, but rather cold and even slightly disgusted.
With his status, he didn’t need to demean himself by watching Lu Yao’s performance. But since the company boss had given the word, he couldn’t refuse. And as for what Lu Yao did to win his boss’s favor, one could only imagine.
"Miss Lu, you should head back first. We’ll discuss your matter another day."
"Was I not clear enough?"
Zhu Yansong appeared very impatient.
Afraid of upsetting him, Lu Yao quickly said, "Sorry for the disturbance then." With that, she turned and walked back towards the bar.
After not going far, she couldn’t help but look back. She saw Zhu Yansong smiling affably at Tang Shiyun, and this difference in treatment fueled her jealousy even more.
"Isn’t this Miss Lu?"
Back in the bar, several men approached her, with a middle-aged man leading them and waving at Lu Yao.
Seeing who it was, Lu Yao squeezed out a sweet smile and leaned forward proactively, cooing, "Sheng, when did you get here? I didn’t see you."
The middle-aged man was Yang Sheng, the local heavyweight and the bar’s owner. She used to perform regularly in the bar before her debut and had fostered a good relationship with Yang Sheng. He had contributed significantly to her current success.
"I’ve been here for a while, I was in a private room doing business."
Yang Sheng wrapped his arm around Lu Yao, his eyes flickering with desire, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly, "Miss Lu, you’ve become even more radiant since we last met."
A smile played on Lu Yao’s face, allowing him to be handsy without taking offense.
"Sheng, could you do me a favor?"
"Sure thing. Anything for the beautiful Miss Lu is a matter for Yang Sheng too. Just say the word, as long as I can do it."
Meanwhile, outside the bar, Zhu Yansong was still earnestly persuading Tang Shiyun.
"Sorry, Mr. Zhu, I’m a student right now, I’m not considering this at the moment."
Zhu Yansong was insistent, "Young lady, this isn’t an issue, I assure you it won’t affect your studies."
"Mr. Zhu, this decision affects her future. You can’t expect her to make it so quickly. If you ask me, give her some time to talk it over with her family first."
"Yes, yes, I’m too eager. Here’s what we’ll do then, my contact number and company address are on the business card. If you decide, feel free to call me anytime."