“I'm only eighteen—is it normal for me to like this kind of song?”

The audience silently gave their own evaluations in their hearts.

……

Contestant seats.

Each group looked at each other in surprise, all stunned by Brian Clark's bold move.

They had thought they could gauge the strength of the group sitting in the “front row” through this song, but in the end, they only learned about the girl’s abilities—the boy’s abilities remained a mystery.

“Just listening to a couple of ‘oh yeah’s, you can’t tell anything, right?”

“Is this a King-tier player carrying a Bronze? There’s actually this kind of operation?”

“A stage freeloader?”

“You can’t say that—he wrote both the lyrics and the music. It’s just a clear division of labor.”

“Heh.”

Emily Thompson looked at Brian Clark on stage with utter disdain. “As a grown man, he really has no shame, just relying on a woman. So useless.”

……

Soon, it was time for the five mentors to give their comments.

“I really like this song. It makes you want to dance along with the rhythm. You both exude confidence, which I really appreciate. Tonight’s first ‘First Class’ goes to you!”

Mentor Olivia Harris gave a sweet smile, then raised the “First Class” card, symbolizing the highest rating.

On stage, Brian Clark and Grace Carter were surprised and delighted, grinning as they bowed to thank the mentor.

With the first “First Class” rating of the night, both the audience and contestants were shocked, and opinions were sharply divided.

“This song gets First Class? Is this a joke?”

“A song with this kind of rustic vibe appearing in a talent show is already unbelievable, but a First Class rating? That’s just absurd!”

“I think it’s pretty good. It sounds fresh, and it’s rare for a group to have creative ability.”

Amid the discussion, the second mentor, Ashley Sullivan, also gave her evaluation.

“The girl’s breath control is steady, her transition between mid and high notes is natural and light, not dragging at all—very good.”

“The boy’s lyrics and composition are also quite good. I’ll give you a Second Class!”

As soon as she said this, the whole room burst into laughter.

“Hahaha, Mentor Ashley always seems so cool, but she’s actually got a sense of humor!”

“Pfft, when there’s nothing to praise about the singing, you just have to force a compliment!”

Soon, the camera cut to the third mentor.

Ryan Cooper glanced down at the contestant list, then picked up the microphone, his gaze first landing on Grace Carter.

“The girl sang very well. I completely agree with Mentor Ashley Sullivan’s evaluation. I really like singers with real strength.”

Chief director Eric Grant’s eyes lit up, and he instructed his staff, “This is the first time Mentor Ryan Cooper has praised a contestant on camera—make sure to clip this part!”

Unlike his appreciation for Grace Carter, Ryan Cooper’s expression changed immediately when he looked at Brian Clark. “You’re Brian Clark, right?”

“Mm, yes.”

Brian Clark nodded.

Ryan Cooper pointed at Brian Clark and said mercilessly, “What were you doing up there? Just ‘oh yeah oh yeah, oh oh oh oh’—oh your head!” (Stephen Chow voice pack)

The whole room erupted.

Chief director Eric Grant adjusted his glasses and gave a wicked smile.

“Clip this part too!”

Chapter 9: Getting a New Song

After the uproar, scattered laughter came from the audience.

“No wonder he’s my husband—he’s so straightforward, hahaha!”

“He said exactly what I was thinking—so satisfying!”

“See? You can’t just coast on this stage. The mentors see everything!”

Except for his partner Grace Carter, everyone in the room was laughing at Brian Clark.

As it turned out, the production team’s choice of Ryan Cooper as a mentor was absolutely right. Every time he roasted a contestant, the livestream’s popularity soared—the effect was undeniable.

The bright moon shines, nourishing all things, but thieves hate its light.

He’s not money—how could everyone like him? Brian Clark was prepared to be criticized before he even got on stage. Facing this situation was expected; he just scratched his head and smiled, not arguing back.

After venting his dissatisfaction, Ryan Cooper raised the “Fourth Class” card, pointed at Brian Clark, and explained, “If you hadn’t dragged her down, I would’ve given her First Class. Why did you force your way in with just two lines?”

Brian Clark smiled and shook his head at the worried Grace Carter, signaling that it was fine.

Sigh!

Grace Carter, oh Grace Carter, why didn’t you agree to team up with me back then? Now you’re being dragged down like this…

Ethan Brooks looked at Grace Carter on stage, feeling more and more resentful toward Brian Clark.

After Ryan Cooper finished scoring, the camera switched to the next mentor.

Yvonne Foster yawned, picked up the microphone, and said bluntly, “I don’t like your song. I think you joined the wrong show. I don’t mean to disparage you, but I think you’d have a bigger audience on ‘Shining Avenue.’ This show is more for young people. If you disagree, just look at the audience.”

As soon as he said this, the room fell silent.

“Shining Avenue” is also a hugely popular talent show on Blue Star, with contestants of all ages—anyone with talent can participate. It’s known as the people’s stage.

Most of the viewers of this show are indeed older.

Although he said he didn’t mean to disparage them, his veiled criticism was still quite inappropriate.