Sarah Clark and the other contestants watched the screen backstage. When the lights first came on, they couldn’t see clearly, but the audience in the front row immediately saw the contestant on stage, and the buzz of conversation spread like a plague from the front row to all eight hundred people in the venue.

　　“Is that Eric Carter?”

　　“It really is. What is this show thinking? Why invite him, such bad luck!”

　　“And they say he’s been praised by fans as a voice from heaven—does he deserve that? I used to like his looks, but his character is so poor, I turned from a fan to a hater.”

　　“Let me tell you a joke: Eric Carter is a voice from heaven.”

　　“I’ve had professional training, no matter how funny it is, I won’t laugh—pfft hahaha, sorry, I couldn’t hold it in.”

　　……

　　o: Asking for monthly and recommendation votes, thank you.

Chapter 8: What Is a Voice from Heaven!

　　The raider wore a blue suit, the kind of blue that is “when the clouds return and the rain stops, crows rise and the window turns white,” a pale blue of dawn’s awakening. In ancient China, this shade was called “the east turns white.”

　　Light colors under the stage lights made him look slender, but the raider’s broad shoulders and long legs made him the perfect clothes hanger.

　　His face seemed as if it had been meticulously carved by a master craftsman over many years—sword-like brows, starry eyes, a face like fine jade, lips thin and closed, almost like a fragile masterpiece.

　　“With looks like that, in Japan, he’d definitely be ranked number one on the [ヒルナンデス！] show’s list of ‘male celebrities you’d want to go on a yukata date with,’ no doubt about it,” said Henry Reed. “His looks appeal to both men and women.”

　　Because in Japanese dramas, there are often scenes where the male lead wears a yukata, and holding hands with the female lead at a fireworks festival is very romantic, so the variety show [ヒルナンデス！] does a ranking every year. Henry Reed has been famous for a long time but has never made the list, which is heartbreaking for those who hear it.

　　“What a handsome young man,” said David Parker. “Graceful as a jade tree in the wind, as handsome as Xu Gong of the north city, rivaling Pan An in looks.”

　　The other contestants also directly felt his attractiveness, but they were even more aware of Eric Carter’s current reputation, so their expressions were indescribably odd. What was the production team thinking—trying to stir up controversy?

　　But it’s pointless; all that’s left around Eric Carter is netizens’ aversion, not even controversy anymore.

　　“Eric Carter? I think I’ve heard the name, but never his work.” David Parker asked Emily Harris, “Emily, how is his ability?”

　　Emily Harris didn’t know how to answer for a moment. Insiders see things differently; rumors about sugar daddies and such are one thing, but the overall environment is influenced by online opinion, which makes people dislike him. Still, it’s not good to say so directly on camera, so she answered tactfully, “His ability should be pretty good.”

　　Pretty good? If that’s pretty good, then there’s no such thing as electronic noise in the world.

　　Sarah Clark thought to himself, with all those bizarre psychedelic arrangements, unclear enunciation, short breath—music that not even dogs would listen to, except for his fans.

　　His thoughts represented those of the other singers. Although their own popularity was second-tier, and some were living off one hit song, they all looked down on Eric Carter. Especially one rather plain-looking singer, who muttered to himself so only he could hear: It’s not a Mr. World beauty contest, what’s the use of being good-looking?

　　“This is a music competition show, so our focus should be on the songs,” said David Parker, who, being older, was adept at social niceties. “‘Should’ and ‘pretty’ together basically mean not good, just not convenient to say so.”

　　For example, modern young people—“burning the midnight oil” and “forgetting to eat”—each phrase alone describes youth, but together they mean something completely different.

　　On stage, Eric Carter took a deep breath and introduced the song he was about to perform. He said, “Hello everyone, I’m Eric Carter. The song I’ll be singing is an original called ‘Wheat Waves in the Wind.’”

　　If only he were nearsighted and couldn’t see the audience, Eric Carter thought to himself.

　　But Eric Carter had excellent eyesight and could clearly see the look of disdain on the face of a female audience member in the front row.

　　If you’re nervous now, you’ll always be nervous. Treat the audience as your employees; this is just an annual summary meeting.

　　Even if he died of nerves, he’d finish singing first.

　　He used all sorts of self-talk to steady his nerves, subconsciously clenching his fists. Even with social confidence, anyone would be nervous singing in front of hundreds for the first time.

　　Fortunately, though Eric Carter was churning inside, his face showed little change. He told the band he was ready, and as the prelude began, the piano and Irish harp’s light notes drew the audience into a gentle, babbling-brook atmosphere.

　　“I Am Really a Singer” has a controversial nickname: “I Am a Loud Voice.” Apparently, only belting high notes wins; if it’s a slow, lyrical song, no matter how well performed, the votes are usually low. From the prelude, it felt like a song you’d hear at a gala.

　　“Under the distant blue sky, golden waves of wheat surge.”

　　“That’s where you and I once loved.”

　　“When the breeze brings the scent of harvest, blowing across my face.”

　　Eric Carter sang, using all the techniques he’d practiced in recent days. The details in his singing—[distant] started softly, then he strengthened on [surge], and on [wheat waves] he extended the ending to express the rippling of the wheat.

　　The big gift pack included Li Jian’s method for singing this song, which Eric Carter had practiced repeatedly.

　　“This song is quiet and pleasant, and it’s an original. According to the info, he wrote the lyrics, composed, and arranged it himself—pretty talented,” said David Parker.