Chapter 130: There Is No Need to Care Who I Am

"Congratulations, Teacher [Masked Hero]!"

Ni Qiqin was somewhat shocked when she saw the voting results. [Patrick Star] was the most popular contestant on the show, second only to [Red Rose]; he could arguably be called the male singer with the highest popularity and the one the audience looked forward to the most. No one had expected him to lose during the round-robin tournament.

At the judges' table, Teacher Wu frowned in concern, clearly worried that [Patrick Star] would be eliminated in the semifinals and fail to advance to the grand finale. In his view, [Patrick Star] was the male singer most likely to win the championship. If even he couldn't make it to the finals, then the finale itself would lose all meaning.

"Good luck!" Teacher Wu clapped, offering what comfort he could to [Patrick Star] so that his mindset wouldn't be affected, which could lead to a poor performance in the upcoming four-into-one breakout round and prevent his advancement.

Yu Zhile exhaled softly. His own mindset remained largely unaffected, though it would be a lie to say he wasn't nervous at a time like this. As for losing to [Masked Hero], he felt it was quite natural; after all, [Masked Hero]’s performance had been both a visual and auditory treat. As long as the audience wasn't blindly supporting him, most would likely vote for [Masked Hero].

[Masked Hero] suddenly walked over, opened his arms to give Yu Zhile a hug, and patted him on the back, saying, "I'll be waiting for you in the grand finale!"

Yu Zhile smiled. "I'll do my best!"

This was the mutual respect shared between masters.

...

Backstage, Qin Haiyu also broke into a cold sweat for [Patrick Star]. She hoped he could hold on and successfully advance to the grand finale. This was a form of recognition for the strong! At the same time, she felt a sense of defiance in her heart; she wanted to compete with her husband’s original songs fair and square!

...

Ni Qiqin continued to host. Since this recording session was running a bit long, they had to act quickly to finish as soon as possible. After announcing that [Masked Hero] had advanced to the finals, the four masked singers who had entered the "danger zone" during the round-robin began drawing lots to immediately start the final four-into-one breakout match.

Yu Zhile didn't know if he was lucky or unlucky, but he drew the first spot to perform. Adjusting his slightly nervous state, he slowly walked to the center of the stage.

"Whether I succeed or fail, it all depends on this one song!"

Yu Zhile’s heart calmed down quickly. The stage screen began to display the information for the song he was about to perform:

*Why Should I Care Who I Am*
Lyrics: Patrick Star
Composer: Patrick Star
Performer: Patrick Star

This song seemed like a response to everyone curious about his identity. It was as if he were making a desperate, all-or-nothing gamble, using the song to tell everyone not to care who he really was. It was as if he had given up the struggle and, after singing this, would leave the stage shrouded in mystery.

Teacher Wu gripped his fists tightly, saying, "Does this song mean he doesn't want to reveal his identity and is just saying goodbye to this stage?"

"I also feel like this song is a farewell, telling us not to care about his identity!"

...

The masked singers backstage were also astonished. When that sorrowful melody began to play, they really felt as if [Patrick Star] was bidding them and the stage farewell.

Qin Haiyu watched the projected stage footage intently. She suddenly noticed that the way [Patrick Star] held his guitar looked so similar to the way her husband held his. But she still didn't suspect him! She knew it couldn't be her husband, because when [Patrick Star] was filming the show, her husband had been at home, inseparable from her.

As the guitar melody began, Yu Zhile sat on a high stool, looking like a lonely child, singing this song filled with faint melancholy. Teacher Wu had clearly become his loyal fan; as soon as that voice emerged, it was as if a story had burrowed into everyone's hearts. He couldn't help but sigh, "This show cannot afford to lose such an excellent singer!" Although the audience and the other singers couldn't hear this, if the show wasn't edited, his words would be broadcast.

Yu Zhile currently had a state of mind free from desires or demands, enjoying the stage as he sang this final song that would determine his fate on the show.

"A few times I truly wanted to get drunk,
To distance myself from all the grievances and rights and wrongs,
To let the long-hidden longing fly with the wind,
Oh, forget who I am..."

That line, "Forget who I am," made people even more certain that he had saved this song specifically for the end. It meant that if he were eliminated in the semifinals, he would likely maintain his mystery and leave the stage peacefully just like that.

"How pathetic for a woman to have no one to love,
Even if people cry when they hear me sing,
I still truly hope for someone to pursue me,
Why should I care who I am..."

When this verse was sung, several female audience members in the front rows were truly in tears. It seemed this segment of the lyrics had touched the most fragile and softest parts of their hearts. Some said that Teacher Zongsheng’s lyrics understood women the best, and Yu Zhile agreed. This song was the perfect example. If this song were given to a lonely, solitary female singer to perform, it would definitely be easier to move women. But his performance wasn't bad either; plus, since this was the first time people were hearing this song, the inner resonance was even stronger.

"I think I did the right thing,
I think I won't regret it,
No matter how the spring breeze blows,
Let me love well just this once..."

After the song ended, Yu Zhile put down his guitar, slowly climbed off the high stool, and bowed slightly to the audience in gratitude. Next, it was a matter of doing his best and leaving the rest to fate. Whether he could advance to the grand finale depended on whether this song had moved the audience enough.

Backstage, the other three singers waiting to perform were terrified. The pressure was immense! [Patrick Star] had been the first to perform and had sung another original song; to them, this was a nightmare! Their mental states were significantly affected, as if a mountain impossible to overcome had suddenly appeared on a straight, flat road.

"It’s too hard!" one singer said, his voice trembling. "Can I surrender and only lose by half? I don't even have the courage to go on stage anymore!"

"Why did such a powerful master have to end up in the breakout round with us?"

"Sigh, it's the last song! Once I'm done, I have to go home and bring in the laundry!"

...

After the three masked singers, who had already given up the struggle, finished their performances, the final voting data was announced. Yu Zhile closed his eyes; he wouldn't look, he would just wait for the final result.

Ni Qiqin couldn't suppress her excitement as she announced, "Congratulations to Teacher [Patrick Star] for successfully breaking through and advancing to the grand finale!"