Chapter 68: The Champion Revealed

The stadium was shrouded in darkness, save for the faint glow of neon sticks and illuminated signs scattered among the crowd. On the stage, the spotlight enveloped a solitary figure. As the music gradually swelled, Lin Chuan raised the microphone to his lips.

“Tonight, I watch the snow drift through the cold night, carrying a heart that has cooled, drifting far away. Chasing through wind and rain, searching through mist for indistinct traces, in the vast sky and sea, you and I—will it ever change...”

The moment Lin Chuan sang his first note, everyone was stunned. Dong Kai, visiting from Hong Kong, turned to gaze at the figure on the stage. It was a Cantonese song, unfamiliar to them all, yet Lin Chuan’s voice gripped every listener’s heart from the very first sound.

It was beyond mere words like “beautiful”; it was destined to become a classic. What shocked them even more was that Lin Chuan had always sung Mandarin songs—this time, he had boldly abandoned his previous style to create a Cantonese piece.

The word “genius” sprang to life in the mind of every person present.

“How many times, facing cold stares and ridicule, never once giving up the dreams in my heart. In a fleeting moment, a sense of loss, unconsciously fading, love in my heart…”

Lin Chuan’s slightly hoarse voice moved each listener deeply; every lyric seemed to echo the feelings surging within his heart at that moment. Especially the line, “Facing cold stares and ridicule, never once giving up the dreams in my heart,” brought tears to the eyes of the audience without their realizing it.

On television, the camera swept slowly across the tens of thousands of spectators, finally settling on Lin Chuan’s face at the center of the stage. His features were handsome, if slightly rugged, with a sparse beard and a gentle smile—a smile like the gentle resignation in his lyrics, fading without notice.

Yang Xue put down her phone, her face streaked with tears, occasionally sobbing quietly. She had done all she could, yet the vote count never caught up.

Tonight, the ending seemed inevitable. Lin Chuan would find it nearly impossible to reverse the tide.

Thinking this, Yang Xue covered her face with both hands, listening to the unfamiliar Cantonese melody, her shoulders trembling as she wept silently.

She felt bitter, helpless.

This same scene played out across the country. Fans who supported Lin Chuan sat quietly before their televisions, listening to the handsome man on stage sing his Cantonese song.

Tears slipped down their cheeks. They felt Lin Chuan’s anguish, and their hearts ached for him...

Li Yang was an ordinary working man, not sensitive to talent shows. Usually, he would return home after work, watch a movie or a historical drama.

But tonight, he sat before the TV with a blank expression, watching the man inside. He wasn’t a fan of Lin Chuan or Huang Quan, but upon hearing this Cantonese song, he was utterly captivated.

“Forgive me for my unruly life, loving freedom, though I fear one day I might fall… To abandon dreams, anyone can do it, but who would fear that one day, only you and I remain…”

The Hongchao forum was unusually quiet, though some still kept posting.

“I can’t take it anymore, I’m crying so hard…”

“This song is too beautiful, there’s no reason it shouldn’t win. Something fishy is definitely going on…”

“Stop arguing! Everyone, look—the votes are catching up, less than a hundred thousand behind…”

“Refresh and check carefully, brother.”

Since the contest began, the Beining TV station’s official website had been tracking the votes for both contestants, and fans watched every update closely. Just a moment ago, Lin Chuan had narrowed the gap with Huang Quan, but in an instant, the difference widened again—twenty-five thousand votes apart.

At once, spirits deflated like punctured balls. Powerless, they stared at the latest numbers, hearts full of despair.

“Brother Chuan is the best—he’s always our champion, no one can take that from us.”

“I feel so sad thinking Brother Chuan won’t win…”

Meanwhile, Wang Shuang and his wife sat together in the living room, eyes fixed on the TV, their hands tightly clasped, silently cheering for the man inside.

“I can’t watch anymore. When the results are out, let me know… No, don’t tell me. I don’t want to know Lin Chuan lost…” His wife stood up from the sofa, heading toward the bedroom.

Wang Shuang watched her retreating figure and smiled helplessly.

Just as she was about to open the bedroom door, she turned and said, “Wang Shuang, if Brother Chuan doesn’t win tonight, you’ll sleep in the living room. You wouldn’t help canvass votes with your colleagues…”

“I…” Wang Shuang tried to explain, but before he could speak, the bedroom door slammed shut.

This night was agonizing for many. Fans watched the lone singer on stage, their hearts bleeding.

The “genius” Lin Chuan was about to fall from grace.

Lin Yiyang sat in the stadium stands with Wang Yue and Tang Qinru. Though only five years old, he couldn’t understand the motivational Cantonese song, but he still sensed something in the atmosphere.

“Sister Yue, is Daddy going to lose?” Lin Yiyang slowly turned his head, looking at Wang Yue with hopeful eyes.

Wang Yue forced a smile, ruffling his hair. “He won’t lose. Daddy won’t lose.”

Her words were soft, uncertain, lacking conviction. The glaring numbers on the screen had all but decided the outcome.

Though she hoped for a miracle, did miracles truly exist?

Lin Yiyang didn’t think about these things. Hearing Sister Yue’s answer, a smile blossomed on his face. He waved two neon sticks vigorously toward the stage, shouting, “Go, Daddy! You’re the best!”

Seeing the child’s innocence and enthusiasm, the gloom weighing on Wang Yue’s heart suddenly lifted; the earlier dejection melted away.

When Lin Chuan finished his song and the music ceased, host Meng Yu returned to the stage, standing beside Lin Chuan, speaking softly, “As the competition draws to a close, the third season of ‘One Song, One Fame’ is about to reach its end. Over nearly three months, we have shared joy and happiness, been moved to tears and laughter by music…”

With his words, the big screen shifted, playing clips of contestants from audition to semifinals, from semifinals to the top fifty…

There were Lin Chuan’s original songs, Fang Hao’s dazzling talent, Huang Quan’s steady progress from ordinary beginnings to the semifinals and finals.

Scenes of Li Rong, the rock musician, and many others battling on stage. Watching their favorite singers leave the stage, many felt as if it were a lifetime ago and shed sorrowful tears.

In the end, Lin Chuan’s Cantonese song reverberated throughout the stadium. The melody was calm, without surging highs or blood-stirring passion.

Yet everyone who heard it found themselves moved to tears. Girls especially, their tears hot and full of unwillingness, streaming during the song.

They had done all they could, canvassed every possible vote, yet the gap remained insurmountable. Their hearts refused to accept that their idol would lose.

“The voting channel closes in five minutes. Now, let’s invite the four mentors and contestants who have been with us throughout this journey back to the stage as we await the final result…”

The host’s voice echoed through the stadium. Led by Chen Dong, the mentors rose and walked onto the stage.

Soon, contestants eliminated earlier rounds gathered from backstage, converging on the stage.

Teacher Chen Dong walked to Lin Chuan’s side, smiling, patting his shoulder, saying nothing. Fang Hao and Qin Xiyao appeared on the other side, their faces full of comforting smiles.

Dozens stood on stage, joining the audience in counting down the last few minutes. Viewers at home stared unblinking at the time displayed on the screen.

In that instant, the atmosphere seemed frozen. No one dared breathe, though they all knew by the votes that Lin Chuan could not win. Yet until the final announcement, none would give up hope.

The camera swept across faces: some smiling gently, some serene, some indifferent, some tense. When it finally stopped on Lin Chuan, everyone saw a relaxed, carefree smile.

They had never seen such a smile. Since the show began, Lin Chuan’s face had always carried a confident, defiant air—many had criticized him for arrogance.

But as they came to know him, and as each shocking original song was performed, they realized Lin Chuan’s confidence was well-founded.

Yet tonight, Lin Chuan’s smile brought heartache—it seemed to signal acceptance.

Did the outcome no longer matter to him?

Time ticked away, and as the final ten seconds approached, the whole stadium joined in the countdown.

10…9…8…7…

When everyone shouted “one” in unison, a staff member approached the host, carrying a large tray.

The host picked up an envelope, took a deep breath, and slowly opened it.

“The third annual ‘One Song, One Fame’ champion is… Lin Chuan!”

As the host read the name, he was stunned.

He was not alone—almost everyone was shocked by the result. Especially Huang Quan, who had been poised to raise his hands in celebration upon hearing his name, but suddenly froze.

His smile, too, turned rigid.

(Today is the first day of 2016. I wish everyone a smooth year, pleasant mood, and may those who should marry get married, those who should find love find love. Also, while welcoming the new year, don’t forget to support this humble book.)