Viewers were flooding the livestream with comments:
[Wow, so beautiful!]
[Envious of those who could attend in person. I couldn’t get tickets~]
[Shengyao is really generous. The production value of this company concert is incredibly high!]
[I saw veteran Luo Hua on the program]
[Looking forward to He Yan!]
[Tao Yizhou Tao Yizhou my husband]
[Sister Qi my goddess, tonight I’m just waiting for Sister Qi’s songs!]
The comments were densely packed, covering the screen like snowflakes.
Fang Yinnian pointed to the large screen hanging in the waiting room and said, “TaoHe’s livestream seems to be the same as this display.”
Tan Junwen realized, “This backstage screen must be synchronized with the TaoHe app. We can see more clearly on this one.”
So everyone abandoned Tan Junwen’s small phone screen and looked up at the large display instead.
At 7:00 PM sharp.
“Good evening to our friends here at the venue and those watching the livestream! I’m your host, Zhou Fan!” The woman’s energetic voice, amplified through the microphone, resonated throughout the stadium.
“Hello everyone, I’m host Lu Xiangran. Welcome to Shengyao Media’s 10th Anniversary Celebration—Shining Voices Summer Carnival Concert!”
The two hosts were from the TaoHe video platform.
While not A-list in the industry, they had good speaking skills and appearances, and looked harmonious standing together.
The venue once again erupted with enthusiastic applause.
“The guests joining us today truly create a dazzling array of stars!” the female host said with a smile.
“Of course! On this special occasion of Shengyao Media’s 10th anniversary, our Shengyao artists have gathered here to present their most beautiful songs and blessings to everyone!”
“Next, let’s welcome our first performers—Black Sky Band!”
Enthusiastic applause filled the venue.
With a sudden “snap,” the lights focused on the right castle rooftop where Black Sky Band, with instruments already set up, immediately began their performance.
Energetic rock music resonated throughout the stadium.
Black Sky Band, one of the few Chinese rock bands capable of holding independent concert tours, featured lead vocalist Casen with his long, complex dreadlocks. He was famous for his powerful, raspy voice that could instantly energize anyone who heard it.
The rock band’s opening quickly ignited the atmosphere throughout the venue.
Distinct drumbeats combined with dynamic bass playing and powerful electric guitar created a blood-pumping melody. Amplified through the sound system, the music seemed to make the entire stadium vibrate.
The intense drumbeats—boom, boom, boom—sent shivers down everyone’s spine.
Fang Yinnian rarely listened to rock music, but he noticed that Tang Che particularly enjoyed it. After Black Sky Band appeared, despite maintaining his cold expression, Tang Che’s slender fingers continuously tapped the sofa beside him in rhythm with the music.
The lead vocalist’s shouts and screams brought the entire song to its climax.
The white glow sticks in the audience began rapidly flashing on and off, as if accompanying the beat.
Tang Che narrowed his eyes as he listened intently, seemingly enjoying the explosive music.
Fang Yinnian found this teammate quite interesting—a person who appeared so cold and detached actually enjoyed such intense, passionate music. The contrast was striking.
Black Sky Band performed two consecutive songs, thoroughly warming up the venue. They were followed by a female ballad singer.
The program progressed smoothly with performers taking the stage one after another.
The centrally controlled glow sticks created various effects—sometimes all the same color across the venue, sometimes different colors in different sections. Combined with the dazzling lights from the three castles, the stadium’s atmosphere grew increasingly festive.
The fantasy town stage design proved its worth, offering performers a variety of entrance options.
Some singers appeared on castle rooftops, singing as they descended; others emerged through the middle door as if the castle “split open” to release them; some were lowered on wires from above; while others appeared from elevators at the end of the extended stage, suddenly emerging among the audience and triggering screams of excitement.
The time gradually reached 9:40 PM.
The female host’s clear voice rang out again: “I’m sure everyone is familiar with our next performer.”
The male host continued: “She is our new-generation music diva—Xie Shiqi!”
“Please welcome Sister Shiqi, who will perform a medley of her classic songs!”
The entire venue’s glow sticks instantly transformed into a sea of purple, accompanied by deafening cheers.
A light purple ocean—Xie Shiqi’s support color.
Her fans comprised a significant portion of the audience, and their screams were noticeably louder than before.
For high-profile singers like Xie Shiqi participating in company events, performance fees are paid. Given their busy schedules, their attendance is not easily secured, which is why Xie Shiqi was arranged to perform three consecutive songs.
FTM would be performing right after her.
Xu Baichuan opened the door: “Get ready for standby! Anyone needing the bathroom, go quickly.”
All five quickly stood up, handed their phones to their manager, visited the restroom together, and then proceeded to the elevator platform.
The barriers surrounding the piano had already been removed by staff members. Fang Yinnian approached the piano and gently ran his fingers across the lid.
This was his habit before playing.
During rehearsals, they hadn’t felt this nervous. But today, the constant deafening cheers from outside and the color-changing glow sticks throughout the venue made them acutely aware—today’s stadium held 40,000 real people.
That’s 40,000 spectators!
None of them had ever seen so many people in their entire lives!
Fu Fei’s calves were trembling slightly from nervousness: “I’m done for! What should I do? I’m suddenly so nervous! So many people—it’s terrifying!”
Tang Che’s expression was also tense, his lips somewhat pale.
Mo Xun looked as serious as if he were headed to his execution.
Tan Junwen, who had been relaxed during rehearsals, was no longer smiling with his eyes narrowed—he just stood there in a daze.
Xu Baichuan waved them over: “Yinnian, stand up. Everyone in performance outfits, let’s take a photo with the piano. Don’t tense up your faces, smile… Tang Che, don’t smile—when you smile, it looks like a horror escape game.”
This comment made everyone laugh, significantly lightening the mood.
Tang Che’s mouth twitched as he silently took his position.
Xu Baichuan took a group photo of them and offered reassurance: “Don’t worry, everything will proceed exactly as it did during the full rehearsal. Take deep breaths… yes… breathe several times, relax a bit, sing well—you’ll definitely succeed.”
“As for the audience, just think of them as smart AI—like intelligent robots that can cheer and light up.”
“Feeling better now?”
Tang Che quipped: “Wouldn’t 40,000 robots be even more terrifying? A direct AI invasion, launching the human apocalypse scenario.”
Fu Fei couldn’t help laughing: “Hahaha, leaving the newbie village is so challenging—the robot mission suddenly turned sci-fi.”
Mo Xun also chuckled. The manager had intended to comfort everyone, but with Tang Che’s comment about 40,000 robots shouting from below, the idea became absurd—they’d be running for their lives rather than singing.
Xu Baichuan rubbed his forehead helplessly: “You guys really… never mind, adjust yourselves.”
He looked at Fang Yinnian: “How are you, Yinnian? Nervous?”
Fang Yinnian smiled: “I was very nervous just now, but with all this talk about missions and robots, I feel much better.”
He rubbed his hands together and quickly sat at the piano.
Fang Yinnian understood clearly that some unknown singers never get to perform on such a grand stage in their entire careers. Yet FTM was debuting in a stadium with 40,000 people—their starting point exceeded many singers’ ultimate destination.
Being backed by a major company like Shengyao had numerous advantages: they could debut at a massive stadium during the 10th anniversary concert, receive guidance and care from company seniors, and cover hit songs from fellow company artists without copyright concerns.
But there were also disadvantages—they had been placed on such a high pedestal that they would inevitably attract more attention and judgment.
If they performed poorly today, netizens would say: “What gives you the right to stand here? Did you come just to embarrass yourselves?”
—They had to perform well to deserve this rare opportunity and to honor such a beautiful stage.
Fang Yinnian took a deep breath to steady his racing heart, looked at his teammates, and said calmly: “My pitch is very accurate—I won’t sing off-key. I’ll do my best to keep the main melody stable. If you’re nervous, you can watch me while singing.”
Tang Che pressed his tense lips together and nodded toward Fang Yinnian.
Fu Fei paused for a moment. Brother Nian’s voice was gentle, but at crucial moments, that gentle voice seemed capable of washing away all distractions, helping others find calm.
Yes, calm down and focus on singing.
It was just singing, not a “sing or die” survival scenario. What was there to fear?
Fu Fei smiled and said with a more relaxed attitude: “If Brother Nian can stay steady, so must we!”
Mo Xun spoke quietly: “Don’t look at the audience below—look more at your teammates beside you. Remember Teacher Qiao’s words—on stage, your teammates’ voices are your best accompaniment.”
They were a vocal harmony group.
They weren’t singing alone—they were five people creating something together, a harmony where everyone was essential.
Their teammates’ voices were their best accompaniment and also their greatest source of strength.
Mo Xun extended his hand first, smiling: “Come on, let’s do this together and sing this song well.”
The others immediately placed their hands on top of his.
Mo Xun shouted loudly: “FTM—”
All five yelled in unison: “Fighting!”
This shout seemed to release much of their nervousness. The five looked at each other, their expressions noticeably more relaxed.
Xie Shiqi had finished her third song—it was almost their turn.
The five quickly took their positions.
The hosts called Xie Shiqi to the center of the stage for a brief chat, asking about her recent tour and new album plans.
At 10:00 PM sharp, the host suddenly announced: “At exactly ten o’clock, marking Shengyao’s 10th anniversary, we have a surprise special performance!”
Xie Shiqi pretended to be curious: “Really? A special surprise?”
The male host said: “This surprise has a connection to Sister Qi. Because they’ll be performing one of Sister Qi’s songs!”
Xie Shiqi gave the camera an expectant expression, then smiled and made a gesture for silence to the audience, saying: “Then let’s quiet down and listen carefully!”
Perhaps due to her influence, the entire audience gradually fell silent.
The stage lights went out, and the hosts and Xie Shiqi took the opportunity to exit.
The purple light effect of the glow sticks was also switched off by the control center, plunging the audience area into darkness as well.
The five heard a voice through their in-ear monitors: “FTM boy band ready, countdown 3, 2, 1—elevator platform up!”
It was Director Liu’s voice, which they had heard many times before.
The elevator platform beneath their feet began its familiar vibration. The ceiling above them slid open with a whoosh, and the platform started rising rapidly.
The five exchanged one final glance—it’s our turn, let’s do this!
Mom, I’m nervous.