Supreme Warrior in the City

”Hmph!” Huo Qianfang said angrily, ”I want to win against her fair and square, not by using such petty tricks. If this gets out, won’t people think that it was I who sabotaged her, which is why I won this first place?”

The producer bowed his head silently, but in his heart, he was muttering: Wasn’t the plagiarism incident done by you, Ying’er?

Just then, someone hurried into the doorway, and as soon as they entered, they said anxiously, ”Bad news, Director Wang, the two singers we invited, one was sent to the hospital with a sudden heart attack, and the other has suddenly developed laryngitis and can’t sing tonight!”

”What?” The producer almost jumped up, ”How could this happen? Both of them had an accident at the same time?”

”Yes, they were just sent away!” The newcomer said anxiously, ”What should we do now? Director Wang, the competition is about to start, and without these two, we don’t have enough program time, how do we continue with the competition?”

”Is there anyone else available now?” the producer asked urgently. If this matter wasn’t handled properly, it could turn into a very serious broadcast accident.

In these live broadcast competitions, it’s often the practice to invite one or two extra singers. If any of the other singers run into unforeseen circumstances, the invited singers can temporarily step in to fill in for the competitors and the program time.

If the number of contestants and program time were insufficient, even if it were truly a sudden illness, when speaking about it to the public, it’s likely that many would suspect something fishy. Moreover, two singers becoming ill at once is an event that just doesn’t happen – it would be hard to make anyone believe it if it were explained away.

This program had cost the producer a considerable amount of hard work and was his most important project. If this program could be successfully completed, he would definitely make it among the top domestic producers. But if it failed, it would be the end for him. The program had cost a lot of money and resources, and he simply couldn’t afford a failure!

Now, the broadcast accident had arrived so unexpectedly, catching him utterly unprepared. At this moment, even a lesser-known singer coming in as a temporary replacement would do. But the show was about to start – where could he find such a singer at this moment?

The producer was frantic, pacing around with sweat beading on his forehead: ”Hurry up and think of something. Contact anyone to see if there are any singers nearby who can come to the rescue. It doesn’t matter what tier they are, as long as they have their own original songs, just bring anyone!”

The people around exchanged glances. Under normal circumstances, many singers would be fighting for the chance to come. But now, it was impossible. The program was about to start in ten minutes – how could they find a singer in that time?

Seeing that no one was speaking, the producer grew even more anxious: ”What are you standing around for? Go find someone, now! I’m telling you, if we can’t find a singer today, I’ll make sure you regret it!”

”Director Wang, don’t ask for the impossible!” said Huo Qianfang. ”Finding a singer to stand in within ten minutes, do you think that is possible? Even if they flew over, it would be too late!”

The producer was dripping with sweat: ”This... what are we going to do, what are we going to do...”

”I might have a solution!” Huo Qianfang spoke at a leisurely pace.

”Ah?” The producer was overjoyed: ”Miss Huo, what do you suggest? Please, help me out. I’ll be forever grateful, I... I will definitely repay you!”

”No need for repayment. I’m just making a suggestion,” said Huo Qianfang. ”Isn’t Ying’er still at the TV station? If she takes the stage, wouldn’t that solve the problem?”

”Ah?” The producer was stunned. Get Ying’er on stage, would that be appropriate?

”The plagiarism issue with Ying’er is still in dispute, not a definitive conclusion. Plus, she was originally one of the competitors, so her taking the stage isn’t wrong!” Huo Qianfang said. ”If you don’t want her to perform, that’s fine too, as long as you can handle this situation!”

After finishing her piece, Huo Qianfang left. The producer stood still in place, silent for a long time before he gritted his teeth and said, ”Quick, go and find out where Ying’er is right now!”

Ying’er was giving Su Yang a tour of the television station at that moment. They had just reached the third floor when a producer arrived, huffing and puffing with a group of people in tow.

”Miss Ying’er, please get ready quickly, the competition is about to start!” the producer said. ”You’re the sixth one onstage, you need to start preparing right away!”

”What competition?” Ying’er was startled.

”The All-Star Singing Contest!” the producer replied. ”It’s almost your turn!”

”Me?” Ying’er looked utterly baffled and turned to Su Yang in shock.

Su Yang had mentioned earlier that day that he would arrange for her to perform onstage. Ying’er had thought Su Yang was just bluffing, but it turned out to be true. The producer had actually come to ask her to go onstage?

”Director Wang, you must be mistaken!” Su Yang said with a smile. ”Our Ying’er has already terminated the contract with your production team, and even paid the penalty fee. We are no longer required to perform onstage!”

The producer had been quite pleased with himself for having tricked a large sum of money from Ying’er. Now, he felt a strong urge to kick himself. If he had known this would happen, what was the point of that money!

”I’m really sorry, I thought about it, and feel that what I did was somewhat improper,” the producer said awkwardly. ”Actually, no final decision was made on that previous matter, and it can’t be considered Miss Ying’er’s fault. Having her terminate the contract directly wasn’t right. How about this, what if I return the penalty fee to you, and we continue with the contract, how does that sound?”

”You’re quite an interesting person!” Su Yang laughed. ”Just a moment ago, you were telling us to get lost, and now you’re begging us to come back. Do you really think we’re your dogs that you can call and send away at a whim?”

”I... I didn’t mean that...” the producer said awkwardly. ”How about this, Miss Ying’er, I apologize for my earlier mistake, I’m truly sorry!”

Ying’er’s expression eased slightly, but she remained silent.

Su Yang leisurely said, ”Your apology doesn’t seem quite sincere enough!”

”Ah?” the producer was baffled. ”Then... then what would count as sufficient sincerity?”

”You should at least kneel and kowtow or something!” Su Yang said with a smile.

”Su Yang...” Ying’er felt embarrassed. It wasn’t appropriate to make someone kneel and kowtow in this setting.

The producer was also stunned, his mouth agape, not knowing what to say. If he kneeled and kowtowed, he’d never be able to lift his head again in his life!

”Hehe, just kidding!” Su Yang said with a light smile and a wave of his hand. ”You’ve made an apology, so of course, we won’t make you kowtow. How about this, we’ll still terminate the contract. However, Ying’er can sing a song as a gesture of friendship, what do you think?”

”Good, good, anything you say is fine!” the producer nodded vigorously, secretly snickering to himself.

He had been worried that Su Yang would demand the penalty fee back. If you don’t want it, and you’re willing to sing as a favor, that’s even better. Not only does it solve the broadcast mishap, but it also secures the penalty fee—what a deal!