Chapter 202 – Swimming Against The Current
The story has two parts. While Yang Yi was ushering the children downstairs to eat, Mo Fei also officially began recording the program “Music Fast Fast Fast” in Guangzhou.
Obviously, Mo Fei’s current status in the music industry was not enough to make her the sole guest on this program, and she was even just a supporting role. The main guest on this program was Li Manman, who has not yet released a platinum album but has been rising rapidly in recent years and has been touted as a queen of the common people by many. 1Author’s note: This Li Manman has appeared in previous chapters.
Obviously, this program aimed to create a showdown between the former queen and the current rising star. Inviting Mo Fei to participate also suggested ulterior motives.
Mo Xiaojuan accompanied Mo Fei to the TV station today, only to find out about such arrangement after receiving the script. She almost went berserk on the spot. Fortunately, Mo Fei was quite calm and stopped Mo Xiaojuan from causing a scene.
“Perhaps the TV station deliberately arranged it this way, but what can we do? Do I still have the right to refuse now?” Mo Fei’s voice was tinged with sadness, but her face remained calm and serene.
Mo Xiaojuan didn’t think this was just a problem with the TV station. She felt there was something fishy within the company as well! However, Mo Xiaojuan lowered her head in frustration. Mo Fei’s words were right, they have no right to refuse now. Even if the program’s process was not favorable to them, as long as it didn’t violate any principles, they could only hold back their grievances and continue recording.
Mo Fei was no longer the popular singer she once was. If she continued to act like a third-rate artist and throw tantrums, she would be criticized by thousands of people. Which TV station would dare to invite her to appear on their show in the future?
Mo Fei looked at Li Manman, who was shining brightly in the crowd, and calmly said to Mo Xiaojuan, “I have already experienced a low point. I have nothing to fear losing now. Since the program arranged for me to compete with her on the same stage, let’s give it a try. I don’t think I will lose!”
Just as Mo Fei was comforting Mo Xiaojuan, Li Manman, dressed in a shiny silver leather jacket and pants, walked over and said with a smile, “Senior Mo Fei, long time no see! I just learned from the program team that I will be recording with you today. I didn’t expect it. I used to be your fan!”
She was really a big shot now. She didn’t even show up for the stage rehearsal this morning, but the program team still had to carefully serve her. But her tone now was very humble, so humble that it felt fake.
Mo Xiaojuan noticed a few people looming behind Li Manman. She became wary and reminded Mo Fei in a low voice, “Pay attention to your words, there may be reporters.”
Of course, her reminder wasn’t really necessary. Mo Fei calmly responded to Li Manman’s inexplicable enthusiasm with a casual tone, and soon found an excuse to take Mo Xiaojuan away.
Behind them, Li Manman restrained her smile, and her expression was somewhat uncertain. She snorted softly, “What are you pretending to be aloof?”
After a while, Mo Fei finished her makeup and was notified to prepare to go backstage to record the show. Li Manman was already standing on stage, chatting and laughing happily with the hosts Liu Xinqi and Chen Hang, recording the previous segment of the program.
Li Manman has a strong presence. Not only could she give clever answers when faced with some tricky questions from the host, but also had a feeling of turning the tables, teasing the male host, the handsome Chen Hang, to the point where he almost lost control of the situation.
Obviously, everyone’s success was not accidental. Mo Fei’s previous success stemmed from years of accumulation since her debut and the explosive success of that album.
Although Li Manman did not have good singing skills, she has a beautiful face, a sweet voice, and was very smooth and adept at handling people and situations. Coupled with the support of the company behind her, it was normal for her to be extremely popular and receive all the attention and praise.
Mo Fei was watching backstage, somewhat admiring Li Manman’s ability to adapt2“长袖善舞” is a Chinese idiom, which literally means “long sleeves dancing skillfully”. It is used to describe someone who is adept at using their words to flatter or manipulate others, often in a deceitful or cunning way., but she didn’t envy her at all. She didn’t like to appear so casual, that was not her personality!
“Okay, now let’s give a round of applause to welcome Mo Fei, who became famous with the song ‘Feel Like Strangers’ and is known as the Iceberg Song Queen, as she appears on stage!” Chen Hang loudly called out, interrupting Mo Fei’s thoughts.
With the BGM of “Feel Like Strangers” playing, Mo Fei gradually walked out of the backstage. In the camera, she wore a pure white long dress and was still as ethereal as she was five years ago, as if time had not left any traces on her.
Li Manman looked at Mo Fei’s tall and beautiful appearance, with a hint of jealousy in her eyes, but she hid it well.
“Wow, it’s really an honor for us to have two queen level singers visit our “Music Fast Fast Fast” at the same time. Tonight’s audience, you are also very lucky!” Liu Xinqi said with a smile.
“How, how could I be considered a queen of songs? Sister Mo Fei is the queen of songs!” Li Manman covered her mouth and smiled, and began to introduce her own experience of growing up listening to Mo Fei’s songs, shifting the audience’s attention to herself.
Mo Xiaojuan watched the recording of the show in an inconspicuous corner below the stage and anxiously urged Mo Fei, who had been standing by the side like a pole after coming on stage: “Elder Sister, you have to talk! Your spotlight is going to be stolen by others!”
The host still asked Mo Fei some questions, but the focus was still on Li Manman.
Finally, they moved on to the next segment, which was a live performance by Li Manman. She sang the theme song from her new album released in August after avoiding the limelight with Chen Yijie.
The sales of this album were also quite hot, but unfortunately, it fell just short of reaching the standard for a platinum record.
So when the host asked about this, Li Manman showed a disappointed and apologetic attitude, as if she had let her fans down. After making a passionate remark that made her fans feel touched on stage, she clenched her fists and encouraged herself up. “But it’s okay, I’ll keep working hard and strive for the next time. I won’t make you cry for me again!”
The host finally found an opportunity to ask Mo Fei, who was standing in the background, “As far as we know, Mo Fei is also preparing for her new album, right?”
“Yes.” Mo Fei nodded.
“Hasn’t it only been a few months since your last album? Why is a new album coming out so soon?” Liu Xinqi asked with feigned surprise.
“Because of a fortuitous opportunity, I received the help of a benefactor who wrote 12 excellent songs for me. As you know, Xinqi, as music artists, when we come across good songs, we want to record them as soon as possible. With the strong support of the company, the new album was put on the schedule.” Mo Fei said her prepared lines.
After her discussion with Mo Xiaojuan, Mu Li’ang’s identity was no longer just a fan. Mo Fei felt that it was not an exaggeration to recognize him as a benefactor on her music journey!
“Being able to write 12 songs for Mo Fei, this benefactor is really amazing!” Chen Hang exclaim in surprise, “Can you reveal who he is? Is he one of our senior in our music industry?”
“Mu Li’ang.” Mo Fei said lightly, her tone and expression unchanged.
But including the two hosts who were informed, the expressions of the others were fascinating.
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