Chapter 139: The Brightest Star [First Update]

After the couple’s self-introduction effectively served as a display of public affection, Ni Qiqin, following Yang Bing’s cues, stepped onto the stage to host while enduring their romantic antics.

"Congratulations to Mr. Yu for winning the championship and revealing your glorious identity! Mrs. Yu, were you unaware that your husband was participating in our show, which is why you were so incredibly surprised and excited just now?"

Qin Haiyu had composed herself by then. She secretly reached out and pinched her husband’s waist, saying, "When I suggested this show was perfect for him and asked if he wanted to join, he told me he wouldn't!"

Yu Zhile, looking slightly embarrassed after unmasking, replied, "That was just to give you a surprise!"

Qin Haiyu scoffed, "A shock, more like!"

Ni Qiqin was overwhelmed by the sheer amount of public affection, and the audience could hardly stomach any more of it either. Whether male or female, every viewer in the audience was now feeling a level of envy that made them look rather unsightly.

The female audience members thought: I’m so envious of Qin Haiyu! To have such a handsome, talented, and romantic husband!
The male audience members thought: I’m so envious of Yu Zhile! To have such a beautiful, beautiful, and incredibly beautiful wife!

Ni Qiqin managed an awkward but polite smile. "Then let us once again offer a round of thunderous applause to congratulate 'Patrick Star,' also known as Mr. Yu, for becoming the grand champion of the first season of *King of Masked Singers*!"

Although the audience had been jeering and mocking them earlier, they were still courteous enough to offer enthusiastic applause and cheers. After all, Yu Zhile had brought them four incredibly wonderful songs tonight. For that reason alone, they were begrudgingly willing to forgive the couple’s public display of affection.

Due to the time constraints of the live broadcast, Ni Qiqin invited the other masked singers onto the stage, followed by the station executives led by staff members, who were ready to present awards to the five finalists.

Qin Haiyu whispered, "Honey, these flowers are so heavy to hold!"

Yu Zhile reached over to take the 999 red roses from his wife’s arms and joked, "That old Yang, he’s really something. It would have been fine if he just prepared red roses, but he had to go and get such a massive bouquet!"

Qin Haiyu suddenly said coldly, "Oh! So you didn't buy these flowers for me personally!"

Yu Zhile quickly replied, "Cough, actually, I told Old Yang to buy them! I just didn't expect him to get such a huge bouquet!"

"Liar!"

Qin Haiyu turned her head away, unhappy. Yu Zhile secretly reached out to hold his wife’s small hand and whispered in her ear, "Darling, do me a favor, this is a live television broadcast!"

Qin Haiyu took a few small steps to press closer to her husband and, playing along, gave a loving, intimate smile, interlocking her fingers with his. It was a massive dose of public affection for everyone on stage! While the live audience couldn't hear their conversation, the viewers at home were caught off guard and "fed" yet again.

"This is outrageous! I can't even watch a music show without being forced to witness this!"

"Damn, I'm stuffed! This is the last bite I'm taking; if they feed me any more of this, I'm going to lose it!"

"Three hundred years of dog food, cures kidney deficiency, sugar-free, one bag is stronger than the last!"

"Mommy, I want dog food! Eat! Eat the big bags, are two bags enough? Yes, thanks Mommy, Mommy is the best!"

...

On stage, the fourth and fifth place finishers were surprised to find that the show had prepared honorary trophies even for those at the bottom of the finals! The trophies were crafted from crystal with copper-colored bases, engraved with the words "King of Masked Singers." On the crystal itself, their stage aliases were inscribed, making them quite meaningful keepsakes.

The third-place contestant, Zhou Jian, and the second-place finisher, Qin Haiyu, received trophies with pure silver bases, showing that the production team had spent quite a bit on these awards. As for Yu Zhile’s championship trophy, it was truly the object of envy! It featured a gilded base and was nearly half again as large as the others; it looked expensive and imposing at a glance.

Qin Haiyu took the large bouquet of roses back from her husband, allowing him to free his hands to accept the championship trophy from the station executive. After receiving it, Yu Zhile had to deliver a victory speech. He took the microphone from Ni Qiqin, looked at his wife who was gazing at him with deep affection, and said, "To be honest, it feels a bit unreal."

He smiled and continued, "I truly didn't intend to participate in this show at first, because I knew it invited singers with very strong vocal abilities. I was afraid that if I participated, I would lose face for my wife. Later, I thought about how we were planning to have a second child..."

At this mention, the audience immediately erupted in jeers, clearly provoked by his remark once again! Good grief, this wasn't just a display of affection; it was concentrated, high-potency stuff!

Yu Zhile pursed his lips in feigned annoyance and said helplessly, "Stop jeering, I'm being serious! Do me a favor and let me finish before you jeer, okay?"

The audience, clearly composed of refined individuals, gave him the courtesy of ceasing their jeers.

He continued, "Later, I thought about the second child, and realized my wife would have to step back from the music industry for a year or two. I wasn't writing much at the time, so I had to think about how to earn money to support the family. So, I gathered my courage and decided to try participating in this show. At the time, I thought that if I were eliminated, I would just leave in this mascot costume; that way, no one would know who I was, not even my wife!"

"You might not believe me, thinking we are just acting for you on stage, but in reality, my wife truly didn't know that 'Patrick Star' was me. I can mimic many different vocal styles, so even my own mother couldn't tell. Within the production team, only one person knew my identity until I unmasked. When I was at home with my wife, I even had him find someone else to wear this costume to provide an alibi for 'Patrick Star's' presence during rehearsals, which made it even more impossible for my wife to suspect it was me!"

Hearing this, it finally clicked for Qin Haiyu! So my husband had been acting and fooling me all these days! And here I was, worrying about this and that! I actually believed he was upset with 'Patrick Star' and was afraid he might be jealous! Hmph, Qin Haiyu felt indignant and unsatisfied, thinking that she would definitely have to teach him a lesson when they got home, otherwise her husband would forget who the real head of the household was... wait, head of the house!

Yu Zhile continued, "Later, I discovered my singing ability wasn't too bad. Every episode that aired, whether it was an original song or a cover, became incredibly popular, so I decided to give it my all to win the championship and give my wife a surprise! Now, that dream has come true! Even though I snatched the championship from my wife, we are one, so this trophy is also a credit to her! I want to thank my wife, my mother for helping me maintain the cover at home, and my precious daughter for being so well-behaved and not distracting us. I want to thank the production team for creating such an excellent music show; I hope you never forget your original intention and continue to prioritize musical quality! Finally, thank you to the audience here and those watching at home for supporting us. I'm done, you can continue jeering now!"

"BOOO!!!"

The audience played along perfectly! Thousands of people jeered in unison, but to Yu Zhile, it sounded incredibly satisfying. He handed the microphone back to Ni Qiqin and took the large bouquet of roses back from his wife, letting her hold the trophy.

Qin Haiyu bit her lip, not opening her mouth, and muttered, "Hmph, you actually teamed up with Mom to keep it from me!"

At this moment, Ni Qiqin hosted, "Before the grand finale of *King of Masked Singers* comes to a close, I believe many fans and viewers are curious about one question!" She looked at Yu Zhile and asked, "What is the meaning behind the name 'Patrick Star'? Why did you choose it?"

*Good thing I was prepared!*

Yu Zhile said, "My wife is actually a very fragile and gentle woman at heart, but since having a family and our daughter, she has become incredibly strong and optimistic. So, I feel that my daughter and I are the stars sent from heaven to protect her, and I am the biggest star of them all—that is why I am 'Patrick Star'."

At that moment, Qin Haiyu pursed her lips, and tears fell on the stage...