"I don't get it. Why didn't Mo Yan choose Lang Ya? And even if he did, what difference would it make?"
"Yeah, whether he picked Shen Jinghong or not, he was going to lose anyway. He might as well have picked Lang Ya to protect his reputation built over so many years."
"It's normal that you don't understand. Although everyone knows the correct answer is Lang Ya, only Mo Yan knows the correct answer for Shen Jinghong."
"Put yourself in Mo Yan's shoes, understand his past with Shen Jinghong, and you'll know how difficult this choice is."
Amidst the audience's discussions.
Mo Yan shakily stood up and walked to the center of the stage.
He helped the Faceless Knight up.
"Remember what I told you? Don't care about what others think. You're already doing great. The road ahead is still long. Don't let a momentary mistake affect your future path." Mo Yan held his hand, speaking in his usual tone of guidance, and said gravely.
"I know, teacher. I won't be affected," the Faceless Knight quickly replied.
Mo Yan shook his head upon hearing this.
"You are my most proud disciple, and my only disciple. If the opponent were Ting Yu or someone else, I would have chosen them without hesitation. But he is not. Because this round, my choice doesn't represent good or bad, it represents my true heart."
"Teacher!"
"My child, I am not a saint. I, Mo Yan, have always been known for fairness. But this time, I don't want to be fair. Even if I had ten or a hundred more chances to choose, I would still choose you, because in my heart, you are more than a hundred times better than him!"
For Shen Jinghong, he was willing to disregard his lifelong reputation and bear this blemish!
As he spoke his last words, Mo Yan directly raised the Faceless Knight's hand.
At this moment, the Faceless Knight could no longer hold back and directly removed his mask.
It was Shen Jinghong!
Shen Jinghong was in tears at this moment.
...
Shen Jinghong was an orphan. From a young age, Mo Yan sponsored his schooling and took him as a disciple.
Because Shen Jinghong was very mischievous as a child, he was often scolded by Mo Yan.
Once, at school, he stuck chewing gum on the head of the girl in front of him. The school teacher called Mo Yan and invited him to the school.
"You've disappointed me so much!"
Mo Yan's sighing expression and those words deeply stung Shen Jinghong's heart.
From then on, he was determined to earn Mo Yan's approval.
"Teacher, I wrote a song. Please critique it."
"For the rhythm of this song, you should use 4/2 time. That will give it a sense of power. Build a solid foundation first, take it one step at a time, don't bite off more than you can chew."
"Teacher, how is this love song of mine?"
"You're using this rhythm for a love song too? Are you planning to sing a love song to a choir?"
Mo Yan's teachings echoed in his mind.
Every time he finished writing a song and asked Mo Yan for feedback, Mo Yan would point out its flaws.
And he never once received Mo Yan's approval.
For a while, Shen Jinghong even doubted if he had any talent for songwriting.
As he delved deeper into music theory later on, Shen Jinghong gradually realized the gap between himself and Mo Yan.
It wasn't until he heard about Mo Yan and Liu Yi online, with everyone saying Mo Yan had poor judgment for taking Liu Yi as a disciple.
Seeing those comments further solidified Shen Jinghong's resolve to gain his teacher's and society's recognition!
He wanted to surpass Liu Yi and show everyone that Mo Yan's judgment was indeed excellent!
Today.
On stage.
He lost, and yet he won.
He lost to Liu Yi, but his teacher finally acknowledged him.
But the price of this acknowledgment was his teacher's lifelong reputation!
"Did I cause trouble?" Shen Jinghong looked at Mo Yan, weeping.
"My child, I've always known your aspirations. For so many years, every piece you've given me has been excellent. I nitpicked not because I didn't acknowledge you, but because I was afraid you would become arrogant. The results prove my approach was correct. After all, your growth has reached this point over the years. I've always been proud of you!"
As Mo Yan spoke, his eyes welled up with tears.
Shen Jinghong's personality was such that he could easily become arrogant. That's why Mo Yan had always found fault and refrained from giving him praise, fearing he would stray again.
When Shen Jinghong heard Mo Yan's words, he was stunned.
So, in his teacher's heart, he had always been this capable.
He finally understood that his teacher had acknowledged him.
But the price was too high...
"I really don't understand why Teacher Mo Yan would do this for Shen Jinghong."
"The bond between master and disciple is deep; it's normal. Besides, Teacher Mo Yan's choice doesn't affect the competition's outcome, so there's no problem with him choosing Shen Jinghong."
"I think it's very satisfying. Liu Yi is such a traitor. If I were Mo Yan, I wouldn't choose him either."
"Heh, this is a competition. If personal emotions are involved in a competition's choices, then what's the point of having judges?"
"Exactly, competitions should be fair. How awkward must Liu Yi feel with Mo Yan doing this?"
The barrage of comments on Mo Yan's actions was mixed.
However.
Lin Yanyu, nestled in Su Yu's arms, was moved to tears by this master and disciple.
"Su Su, if I were participating in the show and you were a judge, and I didn't perform as well as my opponent, who would you choose?" she asked, lifting her small head, her eyes teary.
"Of course, I'd choose you," Su Yu replied without hesitation.
"Aren't you afraid of those trolls criticizing you?" Lin Yanyu was slightly taken aback.
"Let them spray. I never said I was fair," Su Yu chuckled.
"Hehe, you're so sweet."
"If I lose you, what is winning the world worth?"
Performed by: Dark Night Rabbit
Lyrics: Ting Yu
Music: Ting Yu
When the song title appeared.
The audience couldn't hold back.
"Seeing this song title, and thinking about how Teacher Mo Yan took care of Shen Jinghong just now, I suddenly feel the romantic pairing!"
"Damn, shippers are terrifying. They can even ship this?"
"What are you thinking? Can't this song title be interpreted as father and son?"
"Didn't you notice? In Ting Yu's 'Life Like Summer Flowers' from last week, there's a lyric: 'Stunning like a fleeting moment, brilliant like summer flowers.' Doesn't this foreshadow Shen Jinghong's downfall this week?"
"I remember thorns also appeared, and then the thorns were eliminated."
"Hiss... you can connect these things too?"
"However, this week's song title is perfectly fitting. Teacher Mo Yan, for Shen Jinghong, has indeed given up the whole world."
"Ting Yu, the great prophet, is now thoroughly confirmed!"
Meticulous netizens connected these songs, and a chill ran down their spines.
Could Ting Yu foresee the future?
That's why he could write such fitting songs!