TTIG Chapter 57.2

After Fu Fei came Tan Junwen, whose rap remained relaxed and natural as before, making listeners feel comfortable.

 

This song had a lot of rap sections.

 

Three people took turns rapping, with harmony from Fang Yinnian and Tang Che only in the chorus. The style was completely different from their previous two songs—a very intense, explosive track that refreshed the audience!

 

However, being first on stage, they were a bit too nervous.

 

During the knife formation dance, their movements weren’t fully extended.

 

While singing, a few words cracked, with issues like unclear articulation and missed rhythm.

 

During the second chorus formation change…

 

Fu Fei’s left shoe accidentally flew off!

 

So for the rest of the dance, he had a [devastated] expression, one foot with a shoe, the other without, dancing very strangely.

 

Fang Yinnian saw Fu Fei’s shoe by his feet and kicked it back toward him.

 

It didn’t reach. Tang Che in the second row added another kick.

 

Still didn’t reach. Tan Junwen was speechless, so during the position change he smoothly kicked it, finally getting the shoe back to Fu Fei’s feet.

 

The audience: “…”

 

Fu Fei quickly put on his shoe and continued the knife formation dance with his teammates.

 

The performance soon ended with an ending pose.

 

Fu Fei lowered his head with red eyes, about to cry. Mo Xun gently pressed his shoulder and whispered: “It’s okay.”

 

Fang Yinnian also said: “Unexpected factor, no problem.”

 

Fu Fei felt worse thinking about it—their first music show stage was ruined by that shoe!

 

How could he be so clumsy, stepping on his shoelace while dancing and having the whole shoe come off?

 

Live stream viewers were either sympathetic or gloating.

 

“Fu Fei’s shoe fell off, this stage definitely won’t get high scores”

 

“He’s really an automatic trouble-maker”

 

“Wasn’t he the one who fell and brought down a chain during the red-blue competition?”

 

“Stupid enough to die”

 

“Teammates who drag others down are disgusting”

 

“Fu Fei has the worst skills in FTM, how shameless”

 

“Can Fu Fei get out of FTM!”

 

The comments got increasingly harsh, with people obviously fanning the flames deliberately.

 

At the music show venue, the host said: “Please have the public judges vote and score FTM’s ‘Blazing.'”

 

Numbers on the big screen began rapidly increasing.

 

Finally stopping at 495.

 

Host: “Congratulations to FTM’s ‘Blazing’ for receiving 495 votes!”

 

Out of 1000 people on site, they didn’t even get half the votes.

 

The five bowed to the audience and walked off stage together.

 

Once in the dressing room, Fu Fei’s tears burst out. He felt guilty and frustrated, knowing this mistake was entirely his fault.

 

He didn’t do it on purpose, but he had messed up.

 

Fu Fei hung his head and choked out: “Sorry…”

 

Mo Xun said gently: “Really, it’s fine. Live performances have all kinds of unexpected situations—it’s normal.”

 

Mo Xun remembered something and suddenly smiled: “Back in Korea, there was a group where during a music show performance, the front person’s movements were too big and they jumped right off the stage.”

 

Tan Junwen burst out laughing: “Haha, what should we do then?”

 

Mo Xun said: “The audience in the front row worked hard to fish him out.”

 

Fang Yinnian asked curiously: “Which boy group are you talking about?”

 

Mo Xun smiled: “BNC. The one who fell down is someone you know too—their maknae Che Changxu.”

 

Fang Yinnian: “…”

 

Mo Xun continued: “There’s also someone who was singing halfway through and accidentally threw the microphone due to slippery hands; or getting tangled up with a teammate’s clothes and not being able to untangle for a long time.”

 

He gently rubbed Fu Fei’s head: “You see, even Asia’s top boy groups have all kinds of stage accidents. It’s no big deal if we have some small problems, right?”

 

Fu Fei: “…”

 

Mo Xun was very good at comforting people, and Fu Fei felt much better.

 

Fang Yinnian smiled lightly and looked at Mo Xun with appreciation—as the captain, Mo Xun could always quickly take on the responsibility of uniting the entire team at critical moments.

 

This wasn’t the time to blame Xiao Fei.

 

No one could guarantee they would never make mistakes.

 

When teammates made errors, what they needed to do wasn’t complain, but be tolerant and encouraging, because they were a collective—sharing both glory and loss.

 

Fang Yinnian also walked over and rubbed Fu Fei’s head: “It’s okay now. Boys shouldn’t cry, how ugly would that be?”

 

Tan Junwen and Tang Che exchanged glances.

 

Why did these two give off the feeling of parents coaxing their son?

 

The second stage was He Yan’s “Chasing Light.”

 

He brought a backup dance crew today. This song had a majestic rhythm and momentum, with particularly soaring high notes in the chorus. He Yan sang while dancing, and the entire stage quickly became energized under his lead.

 

He was obviously much more relaxed than FTM, with excellent stage presence, jumping from the left side of the stage to the right, and even interacting with the live audience.

 

Host: “Please have the judging panel score He Yan’s ‘Chasing Light.'”

 

After a moment, the score on the screen settled at 795 points.

 

Mo Xun and Fang Yinnian exchanged glances.

 

Fang Yinnian said: “Brother Yan’s performance was perfect, almost flawless. I thought it could get around 900 points.”

 

Mo Xun said: “Today’s public judges are scoring quite conservatively.”

 

Everyone continued watching.

 

The third performer, Zhong Xiulin’s “Going Against the Wind,” was a ballad. She was a typical “small voice singer”—her voice couldn’t open up fully, her mid-low range had great texture, but her high range seemed slightly strained.

 

Small voice singers were at a disadvantage on competitive stages.

 

She ultimately scored 654 points.

 

The fourth performer, Tang Liao’s “Nights Missing You,” was a very gentle love song. Fang Yinnian remembered this song—it was released together with his “Listening to Snow” on Valentine’s Day.

 

The beginning was quite pleasant, but there was one cracked note in the high part, which was the only flaw.

 

Tang Liao scored 701 points.

 

The last to perform was senior Ji Ying, who sang the new song “Thorn Bird.” Fang Yinnian had never heard this song before; today was his first time.

 

It was absolutely stunning. The clear high notes were like a bird breaking through the clouds—soaring, bright, and infectious. Moreover, she could sustain her high notes for an exceptionally long time, with admirable lung capacity.

 

After the song ended, Fang Yinnian silently applauded.

 

Host: “Please have the public judging panel vote and score Ji Ying’s ‘Thorn Bird.’ The final score is… 905 points!”

 

Host: “Congratulations to Ji Ying’s ‘Thorn Bird’ for winning the weekly championship of ‘Music Billboard’ for the first week of May!”

 

The TV station leadership presented the trophy and prize money to Ji Ying.

 

Senior Ji Ying happily delivered a few words of thanks, and this episode of the show ended.

 

Interviews, drawing lots, performances, voting—the entire show’s process added up to one hour.

 

No unnecessary chatter, just pure stage competition.

 

The moment the show ended, a trending topic shot up the entertainment rankings like a rocket.

 

#FTM Last Place#

 

When the five opened their phones and saw the trending topic, they were collectively speechless—their old rivals had spent money again, so eager to mock them!

 

Clicking into the topic, it was indeed news from familiar marketing accounts.

 

“In the first week of May’s ‘Music Billboard’ new song competition, FTM’s new song ‘Blazing’ ranked last with a score of 495 points. Are the idols’ singing and dancing abilities being overhyped by fans?”

 

Massive mockery appeared under this Weibo post.

 

“Last place, are they there to be comedians?”

 

“Laughing to death, acting all high and mighty going to promote songs only to get dead last”

 

“Just go home and stop embarrassing yourselves”

 

“I’m embarrassed for them, what kind of performance was that?”

 

“A bunch of rookie idols going to music promotion stages to humiliate themselves”

 

“Boy groups are nothing special, their true colors are revealed in front of real singers”

 

The clip of Fu Fei’s shoe falling off during dance, with Fang Yinnian, Tang Che, and Tan Junwen kicking the shoe for him, was being screenshot and spread everywhere.

 

On the way back, Fu Fei gripped his phone tightly in silence.

 

Xu Baichuan sighed and said: “Don’t mind it. Actually, even if Xiao Fei’s shoe hadn’t fallen off, you wouldn’t have won the weekly championship today. At most you would have gone from last place to second-to-last.”

 

The five actually all knew in their hearts that Teacher Ji Ying’s singing skills were amazing, and they were still far behind compared to the seniors. Never mind Ji Ying—He Yan’s stage presence also completely outclassed them.

 

Fang Yinnian softly comforted: “Xiao Fei doesn’t need to feel guilty. We’re singing and dancing with live mics, so many accidents are bound to happen.”

 

Tang Che said flatly: “That’s right, this is also the charm of live performance.”

 

Fu Fei nodded and didn’t say anything more.

 

Online, there were many people mocking FTM.

 

But there were also many speaking up for them.

 

“So what if they’re last? At least they dared to go to the music promotion stage with live mics. Where do those wastes who don’t even dare to go get the face to mock them?”

 

“This episode was already a battle of gods. FTM had a small mistake, getting last place is normal”

 

“Why don’t you drag other boy groups over too? @bluewind boy group, @12-star boy group, @Sonic boy group, do you dare to come?”

 

“Certain other groups’ fans pretending to be innocent bystanders, those stirring up trouble and cursing Xiao Fei, get out of our super topic! The brothers don’t blame Xiao Fei, and we fans won’t blame him either.”

 

“Exactly, those cursing Xiao Fei as a burden or even telling the youngest to quit FTM, what are their intentions? Those who understand, understand.”

 

“Our FTM went to one music promotion stage, why are all the demons and monsters rushing out? If you have the ability, also go to music promotion stages for a direct PK!”

 

“…”

 

Today’s FTM was no longer an isolated, unknown small group.

 

The previous New Year’s mic-swapping incident and negative news had cultivated a batch of loyal fans who would speak up for them and defend them.

 

So when people jumped out to maliciously mock and sow discord among FTM members, fans would mercilessly fight back.

 

The #FTM Last Place# topic remained trending on the entertainment rankings.

 

The production team was happy, after all this was free publicity, and many uninformed passersby who saw the topic would curiously search for and watch the show.

 

Xu Baichuan also didn’t spend money to remove the trending topic.

 

Removing this kind of trending topic would cause a backlash in public opinion.

 

Last place is last place, just lie flat and take the mockery.

 

Keep a humble attitude, and netizens would move on after mocking for a day.

 

FTM’s official studio promptly released a statement: “FTM accidentally made mistakes during the May 3rd ‘Music Billboard’ performance, and the members have deeply reflected on this.

 

As newcomers participating in a music promotion stage for the first time, everyone also learned a lot and gained much.

 

We will continue to work hard. See you next week!”

 

Passersby: “…”

 

Holy crap, you’re coming back next week?

 

Are you really this thick-skinned and unafraid of criticism?

 

Fans excitedly left encouraging comments. Passersby also discussed it on various websites with a mentality of watching the excitement.

 

“Did everyone watch the first live-broadcast music promotion show in domestic entertainment, ‘Music Billboard’?”

 

“FTM got last place this week, but they’re actually coming back next week”

 

“This group really has admirable courage”

 

“Hope other boy groups don’t chicken out either, all come sing new songs!”

 

“Hahaha let’s get competitive! Drag all the domestic entertainment idols over to show what they’ve got?”

 

“Certain seniors with terrible singing skills should also come sing and see”

 

“I’m tired of variety shows that rely on post-production editing and crazy auto-tune, this kind of live broadcast is more exciting!”

 

“Exactly, if it was post-production editing, the scene of Xiao Fei’s shoe falling off might have been cut out”

 

“Looking forward to FTM’s performance next week!”

 

Fu Fei quickly adjusted his mindset. This wasn’t the first time his shoe had fallen off while dancing—he’d lost several at subway stations before. In the future, he’d definitely buy shoes that didn’t require laces.

 

For the next week, everyone immediately went to the practice room to continue dance practice after school every day.

 

Friday night they caught a flight to Yun City again.

 

This Saturday they would continue participating in the music promotion stage.

 

This week’s singers had changed—two new ones. Senior Ji Ying withdrew after winning the weekly championship, and He Yan also withdrew to prepare for his concert.

 

But two more talented female singers joined.

 

This week’s music promotion PK was equally intense!

 

After a week of adjustment, FTM’s stage performance was much better than before. This time no one made mistakes, and everyone completed the performance.

 

Host: “Please have the public judging panel vote and score FTM’s ‘Blazing’!”

 

The final score landed at 701 points.

 

The five hugged each other in extreme happiness.

 

Last week it was under 500 points, this week they broke 700!

 

Fu Fei was almost moved to tears—this week the pressure on him had actually been enormous, and every time he danced he was afraid he might accidentally make a mistake.

 

Fortunately, his brothers had been patiently encouraging him all along.

 

Today he had also completed the dance without any mistakes!

 

Music Billboard, second week of May.

 

Weekly champion: female singer Guan Ling’s “Thank You,” 909 votes.

 

FTM’s “Blazing,” 701 votes, ranked third.

 

Fang Yinnian joked: “Aren’t our rivals going to buy us a #FTM Third Place# trending topic this time?”

 

Tang Che said: “Third place is hard to criticize, our rivals are grinding their teeth in frustration.”

 

Everyone burst out laughing.

 

Having been criticized so much, they had learned to find joy in hardship.

 

After returning to the hotel, Fang Yinnian suddenly asked Mo Xun: “Mo Xun, do you think we can win the weekly championship?”

 

Mo Xun said straightforwardly: “Of course we can.”

 

He smiled slightly, looking at Fang Yinnian and said: “When we present a flawless, perfect performance, the judging panel below will definitely change their opinion of us.”

 

Fang Yinnian said expectantly: “Then we need to work even harder.”

 

The five of them were working together more and more smoothly on stage.

 

He believed that the day they would win the weekly championship would definitely come!

 

**

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