From the very beginning, Wang Ke had assumed Chu Zhi would be eliminated in the first round. Yet step by step—first with the haunting hum of Wind Blowing Through the Wheat Fields, then all the way to the semi-finals—the man had defied expectations.
Now, the production team faced an impossible dilemma.
The 800 audience members planted by Da Hua Entertainment would never vote for Chu Zhi. With notaries from the notary office overseeing the tally, vote manipulation was off the table. Even if Chu Zhi swept all 400 professional judge votes, he'd still rank last.
The show occasionally staged dramatic tears for ratings, but Against the Light had achieved something unprecedented—it made the paid hecklers weep. Eliminating such a performance would spark instant "rigged!" hashtags. Building a brand took years; Wang Ke refused to torch it overnight.
Director Meng Fan was on the phone with Da Hua Entertainment, begging them to release their grip on the audience votes. But everyone knew it was futile. The 800 plants were already seated. Even She-jie, their handler, couldn't redirect them now.
"Damn Da Hua and their dirty tricks!"
"And damn Chu Zhi for being too damn good!"
Wang Ke's anger lashed at both the instigator and the victim.
Then—salvation.
Onstage, Chu Zhi suddenly staggered, his body swaying like a construction worker collapsing from heatstroke. The movement was unmistakable. Gasps rippled through the crowd.
"Teacher Chu, are you alright?" Host Gu Nanxi rushed forward.
"Apologies. My condition... isn't ideal." Chu Zhi steadied himself, then dropped the bombshell: "Given my health, I can no longer commit fully to this competition. I'd like to withdraw."
(So you want to play the pity card, Da Hua? Watch this.)
If selling tragedy and harvesting sympathy were an art, Chu Zhi had just painted a masterpiece. Men could out-"tea" any drama queen when motivated.
With Li Xingwei and Lin Xia still in the running, the finale's crown was never his to lose. But by bowing out now? Half the audience would forever believe he deserved it.
Leave them with an iconic performance. Let the others fight over scraps.
More importantly: Mission accomplished. Last week's Desert Island had already boosted his fandom. After this episode aired? The internet would implode. The evidence he'd release would crash Weibo's servers.
He also understood the show's bind. That "voting system glitch" was obvious bullshit. By exiting gracefully, he'd earn the gratitude of Wang Ke, Meng Fan, and the entire I Am a Singer team—paving the way for future plans.
The chessboard is set. Time to move.
The moment Chu Zhi announced his withdrawal, Wang Ke's resentment evaporated. In his eyes, the man now glowed like a merciful bodhisattva.
"Have Gu Nanxi beg him to stay!" Wang Ke ordered. To the director: "Meng, go onstage later to 'regretfully accept'."
Meng Fan, though slower on the uptake, recognized the lifeline. His opinion of Chu Zhi skyrocketed. This guy's the real deal.
"But—Teacher Chu, what's wrong?" Gu Nanxi's concern was genuine (and ahead of her producer's earpiece command).
"Let's keep the mood light—this is a music show." Chu Zhi's smile was wan. He knew the power of implication. Like ink-wash paintings, some truths thrived in the unsaid.
Gu Nanxi, now prompted, feigned protest: "Please reconsider! The audience needs your voice!"
"If I could, I'd sing all night." Chu Zhi licked his cracked lips. "But tonight... took everything I had. I clearly need to hit the gym."
(Why so drained? The Black Tide. The despair in his voice was proof.)
The hired audience shifted uncomfortably. This slender star hadn't uttered a single accusation. Even now, blaming only his "weak physique," he refused to vilify them.
No regrets—they'd still pocket their 200 yuan. But a thread of guilt tugged at them.
"She-jie definitely wasn't dating this guy," Buzz Cut muttered.
Ming-ge raised an eyebrow.
"Because she's way out of his league," Buzz Cut clarified.
Ming-ge couldn't argue. Even She-jie's legendary cleavage paled next to Chu Zhi's grace. The man had just converted a non-fan.
After the scripted pleas, director Meng Fan took the stage. "Shall we call a doctor?"
"Thank you, but I've taken medicine. Rest is all I need." Chu Zhi paused. "One request—could we skip the scoring? My performance was... unstable. Let's spare everyone the awkwardness."
(Translation: I'll let you off the hook. No need to expose your rigged votes.)
Meng Fan nearly hugged him. This guy's a saint. Aloud, he declared: "In honor of Teacher Chu's historic performance, I Am a Singer will establish a 'Hall of Fame.' Against the Light will be its inaugural entry—no vote needed."
Tit for tat. Chu Zhi saved their reputation; they immortalized his song.
As Chu Zhi exited, the other contestants rose in a standing ovation—even the reluctant Li Xingwei, who only stood after elder Hou Yubin did.
Whispers trailed him:
"—Topped even Desert Island—"
"—Two original masterpieces in one season. Smart labels are already begging for songs—"
"—Haven't cried like this in years—"
The game was won. Without lifting the trophy.