The Queen's Rise to the Top

Chapter 256

Nan XiangWan was clueless about what had just happened. She only heard King's system prompt sounds going ding ding ding nonstop, like firecrackers exploding.

Then, she received a 100,000 credit line with 10 times cash back for offline spending.

Tsk! That's outrageous!

Nan XiangWan shook her head speechlessly.

Just then, the director's voice came over.

"Nan XiangWan, standby!"

Two rounds had already passed on the stage ahead. Nan XiangWan's name was drawn in the third round of the lottery.

On stage, Guan Liangzhe's eyes lit up when he saw the name: "Friends, I've met an old friend! Let's welcome...the strongest newbie, Nan XiangWan!"

Roars and cheers!

The stage lights turned on brightly.

Nan XiangWan walked from the waiting room to the backstage corridor.

Then amid deafening cheers, she appeared at the end.

The lights shone on her as she stepped towards the center of the stage, revealing her full outfit for tonight to the audience.

The 300 live audience members instantly glued their eyes onto her, unable to peel them away!

The staff from Hua Wan Entertainment set up their equipment and started madly taking photos.

On top, she wore a tight, low-cut dress overlaid with a layer of white gauze, resembling a Hanfu-style outfit with wide, flowing sleeves.

Below, she had on white flared pants, with one leg slit open above the knees.

Around her waist was a silver sash, tying the white gauze overlay of her top tightly!

The whole outfit was very simple and bright, without any other colors.

Along with her short hair, it gave an airy yet capable look.

The smoky gray drop earrings were the finishing touch!

The fusion of two vastly different styles was completely harmonious without seeming abrupt at all.

It added an intriguing allure to this outfit!

Jing Da Shuai finished his work and nodded repeatedly at the screen with satisfaction.

Gorgeous. That tigress Monica could never pull this off!

Humph!

Down in the audience stands, Gu Beihuai also froze for a second before shaking his head.

Little one, you're becoming more and more...

Suddenly—

"Nan XiangWan! Nan XiangWan! Nan XiangWan!"

Beside him, Jie Chou started yelling wildly at the top of his lungs. He yelled while forcibly grabbing Mantou's hand to wave together.

Cheering for his idol!

Gu Beihuai was about to lose it. He really regretted this.

Mantou was also about to lose it. He still wanted face.

...

The barrage was spammed the instant Nan XiangWan's name was drawn.

The fans who hadn't seen their boss in so long felt immensely excited and affectionate upon finally seeing her again. They let out cries of delight as they flooded the screen!

Brush! Screen full of comments!

Make way for the Queen!

So in the backstage control room, Director Zhang Rui watched in shock as the viewership stats skyrocketed.

All kinds of meme stickers bombarded relentlessly like the frenzy of New Year's Eve. The fans' enthusiasm was no less festive.

...

Just then, the music sounded.

A giant harp lit up in the live band.

The musician's dancing fingers plucked out the first notes on the harp.

More instruments gradually joined in for the prelude. Meanwhile, the big screen beside showed the song info.

"Grant My Wish" Lyrics/Composition: Nan XiangWan; Arrangement: Nan XiangWan

Seeing this song title, Gu Beihuai's heart inexplicably started beating faster.

Next, he watched as Nan XiangWan on stage reached out her hand.

The translucent white gauze fluttered before her eyes, covering half her face and one eye.

Her other hand held up the mic, and her unique voice rang out—

[I'd brave knives and fire just to ensure your lifelong safety]

[I pray the gods would favor you and give back your eyesight]

[Laughter rings between our offense and defense]

[Bright sights fade as the gauze clouds my vision]

The first four lines sounded slightly helpless and melancholic, with an air of distant surrealness.

But right after the first verse ended, the tempo suddenly sped up!

Nan XiangWan strode forward in a flash. With a big flick of her wide sleeves,

Swish! A gust of wind kicked up.

At the same time, her voice powerfully took off, like an intense skirmish.

Or both sides locked in confrontation!

[Darkness scatters]

[Whispers clamor loudly]

[All's fine, nothing's wrong]

[My sword comes forth to block each spear]

This climax had extremely fast lyrics, yet wasn't rap. Rather, Nan XiangWan enunciated each word clearly under her formidable musical foundation.

Right after the climax ended, the music also ground to an abrupt halt.

Nan XiangWan raised the mic again. Amidst the lingering music, her voice floated in an ethereal sigh—

[I pray the gods would favor]

[And give back your eyesight]

The singing stopped and the music faded to silence.

Nan XiangWan turned around.

Next second, lights off.

The last scene was her slender silhouette walking away!

Deafening cheers erupted. Jie Chou was even more worked up as he wailed excitedly.

He yelled till his throat went hoarse and he cried!

Clearly very emotional...

Many reps from music companies were also visibly awed.

They'd long heard of Nan XiangWan's fame — ever since she left the reality show, she already had 200 million followers.

Obviously she was very capable!

But only by watching her stage presence in person could they feel — that wasn't capability.

That was divinity!

The song composition was ingenious. The solemn and majestic lyrics, brand new yet unimaginable melody, and especially the perfect orchestration with each instrument addition timed flawlessly...It was masterful.

Coupled with Nan XiangWan's commanding stage charisma and choreography.

She could do everything!

Countless musicians readily sang praises and sincerely stood up to applaud.

...

Gu Beihuai gazed deeply at the front of the stage. The lights had dimmed by now, and Nan XiangWan should've exited backstage already.

Yet Gu Beihuai still stared ahead raptly.

His heart raced wildly, as if struck by something heavy.

Thump thump!

Grant my wish...And give back your eyesight?

Was this song written for him?

Just as Gu Beihuai was feeling touched, a bizarre sound suddenly came from next to him.

Jie Chou: "Waa waa! Waa wah wah!"

Gu Beihuai: "..."

Jie Chou: "So touching waa waa!"

Gu Beihuai's brows twitched as he resisted the urge to smack him.

Mantou quietly scooted away, pretending not to know them.

...

The barrage was also going nuts—

:Who'd have thought she'd return with a new song after being away for days?

:Nan XiangWan's stage versatility is godly! Ah—

:Sounds so good, gaooo!

:I'm too excited! So excited I don't know what to do. Oh well, let me demonstrate some brick-smashing with bare hands to liven things up for everyone!

:Someone come kill me to help that show-off out!

:Brick friends calm down! If you don't recognize this miss please search "Nan XiangWan"! Thanks!

...

The other livestream viewers were baffled by the meme spam flooding the entire screen.

But this song was seriously too good right?

Especially the opening harp prelude that carried an intensely sacred vibe.

It really felt like making a wish to the gods!

That girl's so pretty too. What's her name again? Gotta search her up and follow.

...

Online,

Hua Wan Entertainment's official blog instantly posted the video across all major platforms.

Filmed live, edited live, subtitles added live.

Posted on the spot!

The first singer hadn't even finished their post-performance video yet before Nan XiangWan had just come off stage and Hua Wan's upload went live already.

Lightning efficiency!