I'm Really a Superstar

It was time for the next matchup.

Marshal Persona vs. The Clown.

Yao Jiancai said, "This episode's battle for Masked King is going to be a difficult one."

Zhang Xia agreed, "That's right."

Chen Guang said, "Let's watch how this match will turn out."

Amy said, "Let's see which other two contestants will advance to battle Flowing Time for Masked King."

Wang Zhuishu asked, "Who is this Marshal Persona?"

Chen Yidong said, "His mask looks really good."

Marshal Persona had already come onto the stage, dressed in an overpowering, martial outfit that grabbed everyone's attention.

...

Backstage.

Zhang Ye did not get affected by anyone and was getting ready for his turn onstage. He closed his eyes and did some Taiji breathing exercises to calm his mind. No matter who his opponent was, no matter where the audience was from, all he needed to do was to sing to his best.

It was just that simple, no?

His impulsiveness gone, he was now in great shape.

A moment later, Han Qi knocked on the door and came in. "Teacher Clown, Marshal Persona is almost done performing."

After two seconds, Zhang Ye opened his eyes and stood up. "Alright, let's go."

Ahead of them was the waiting area. Surprisingly, Flowing Time was standing there with his arms folded. No one knew if he was there to watch Marshal Persona perform up close or if he was waiting for The Clown.

Flowing Time looked at him. "I'll be waiting for you in the battle round."

The Clown glanced at him.

Flowing Time said, "But from the look of things, you might find it hard to advance."

Somber, Han Qi looked to the stage.

Marshal Persona's smoky voice was extremely charming to listen to.

He was singing.

"Years after we're no longer together,

"I still can't forget your warmth.

"You said you weren't good-looking enough for me.

"Well then,

"I'll let you go."

He finished singing.

Many audience members were intoxicated by his performance.

"He's such a strong singer!"

"He's absolutely an impressive singer!"

"What a display!"

"Great!"

The judges were also clapping as they found it to be quite a good performance.

Zhang Xia said, "Have any of you recognized him?"

"His voice sounds familiar." Chen Guang was thinking hard.

Dong Shanshan announced, "Next, let's welcome—The Clown!"

Yao Jiancai was taken aback. "The Clown is going up against Marshal Persona?"

Amy said, "It won't be easy for The Clown today since he's facing two great opponents! If he goes through to the battle round, Flowing Time will be there waiting for him. The immediate problem is that he might not even be able to win in the first round."

Zhang Xia made a noise in agreement, then analyzed, "Since it's already the fourth episode, unless he can come up with something extremely surprising, everyone knows how well he can sing. Although the audience still likes him, there's nothing fresh to expect from him. They would also have higher expectations for his performances. Him and Petal Shower progressing to this point in the competition has actually made it more difficult for them to move on. Let's see what he'll sing today, since that's gonna be the crux of the matter."

Chen Guang said, "Getting first place in Weibo's Ugliest Celebrities Rankings has surely affected him, in addition. At least, I think that some of the audience might change their view on him."

Amy turned to him. "That's just a poll for fun, isn't it? No way it'll be that bad, right?"

Chen Guang said calmly, "Because you're pretty, you don't understand how average-looking people like us find it hard to survive the entertainment industry. It's incredibly difficult."

Amy replied, "Aren't you doing rather well now?"

Chen Guang laughed bitterly, "But you didn't see how much we went through to get to where we are."

Yao Jiancai was deeply moved. "In this industry, even if we work five to ten times harder than some people, we might not be afforded the same opportunities."

Zhang Xia sighed. "I can understand."

Amy, Wang Zhuishu, and Chen Yidong fell silent.

The Clown slowly walked out and onto the stage.

Han Qi was cheering in her head, Go, Teacher Clown! Go!

Petal Shower went to the waiting area.

Sunset Glow also went.

The two of them did not expect each other to be thinking the same thing.

Sunset Glow asked, "What are you doing here?"

Petal Shower answered, "Any song that The Clown sings should be listened to live."

Sunset Glow laughed. "Agreed."

Petal Shower offhandedly asked, "Is The Clown really not good-looking?"

Sunset Glow said, "Yup. When I asked him this morning, he said that it was so."

"Who do you have your money on?"

"The Clown. He always manages to surprise us."

The audience's response was very different from the two contestants'!

Some were cheering!

Some were booing!

"It's finally The Clown's turn!"

"I'm looking forward to it!"

"What are you looking forward to? The image of my prince has been shattered!"

"Yeah, I had imagined The Clown to be very handsome!"

"You haven't even seen him yet, so how would you know he's not?"

"Someone online analyzed it and pretty much determined that he's indeed just average. I prefer a more handsome male singer!"

"Me too."

"I actually quite liked The Clown, but I can't bring myself to like him now! I'm all about the looks! Sob!"

"Marshal Persona is a handsome man for sure!"

"That's right! I've already decided to give my vote to Marshal!"

"I still can't decide. Is The Clown really that ugly?"

The girls especially could not accept the fact that The Clown was not a handsome guy. All of them were caught in a dilemma.

The lights dimmed.

But The Clown did not start singing.

This was a habit of his that everyone knew about, so the crowd fell silent.

Flowing Time was watching him from the wings. This was his first time listening to The Clown sing live.

The judges and audience were also looking at The Clown.

Zhang Ye stood onstage and took in everyone's attention. For a moment, he did not know how to sing. A complex swirl of emotions seemed to roil within him! His journey so far had been very difficult. Others could see some parts but not all. Zhang Ye had grit his teeth and walked step by step to get here. As he was just average-looking, he had nearly tripped right at the start without getting into the entertainment industry. Due to his mediocre looks, he had experienced countless criticism and doubt, as well unfair treatment! There were even people who would judge his personality and character based solely on his appearance! He had seen this on more than one occasion. Some Korean celebrities got praised as kind and good people by their fans, who would go crazy all because the celebrities said hello, even though the fans didn't know whether their idols had gotten plastic surgery. Meanwhile, Zhang Ye, who had gotten into a fight over a bullied fan, and scolded others as he sought justice for the people, had done a lot for others. He had done so much, truly, yet no matter what he did, he would always incur the wrath of others!

Why?

Why was it like this?

Zhang Ye raised his microphone and looked down as he rested it near his mouth 1 .

The soft and gentle strings of a guitar thrummed.

"In the nightly wilderness of my dreams, I stand a proud giant.

"But every morning, before the bathroom mirror, I realize I'm living on the razor's edge."

When everyone read the title of the song, they were stunned!

Chen Guang was stunned!

Amy looked shocked!

The audience also looked startled!

This…

This song…

Zhang Ye closed his eyes and sang.

"In a jungle of reinforced concrete, in a life of being ordered around,

"I think about the gulf between dreams and reality."

Please believe me!

Everyone, please believe me!

I am not a bad person!

I, Zhang Ye…really am not a bad person!

Suddenly, he opened his eyes and looked at the audience. He looked at all of them as he thumped his chest. Then, he used his shocking voice to sing loudly to everyone.

"I'm ugly,

"but I am so tender.

"Cold on the outside,

"passionate inside.

"That's who I am!"

Listening to this, Chen Guang rose to his feet!

"I'm ugly,

"but I have music and beer.

"A little lowly,

"a little fearful,

"but I'll never cower!"

Amy was screaming, "Oh my goodness!"

Spinach was dumbfounded in the wings. "What the fuck!"

Sunset Glow looked at Petal Shower in astonishment. "This…"

Even Flowing Time was stunned!

The audience was also stunned, to the point they even forgot to cheer and clap. How could this be! How could he still have such a song?!

Today, Zhang Ye was particularly sincere and couldn't control the emotions in his voice. Some of his pitch changes were all over the place as he didn't even try to control his voice! That was because this was a song he had wanted to sing for a while now, because this song contained all the things he had always wanted to say!

Yes.

I am not handsome!

In this entertainment industry filled with all kinds of handsome men and beautiful women, I'm not at all considered good-looking. I might be a TV host, but there are times when I really do not know how to express myself. I do not know how I should tell you what I'm feeling inside. I, Zhang Ye, have never harmed anyone nor ignored my conscience. I'm willing to give my all for you guys. I can go through all kinds of hardship for my country and fellow people, but I just don't know how I should tell you!

I can dig my heart out for all of you to see!

Would you like to see it?

I truly can dig my heart out for you to see!

It's red, really, and scalding!

Do you guys get it?

Do you…understand?

"Every morning,

"at the edge of the city,

"I wear a lonely mask.

"But in the nightly

"wilderness of music,

"I turn into a heartfelt, roaring giant.

"On a stage that stretches forever,

"on the other side of not being understood,

"I come alive with ego and dignity."

All of a sudden, Zhang Ye grabbed the shirt over his chest, held onto it for dear life. He grabbed it with so much strength that it was like he was trying to dig his heart out.

"I'm ugly,

"but I am so tender.

"Dull in the day!

"Eternal at night!

"That's who I am!

"I'm ugly,

"but I have music and beer!

"Sometimes soaring!

"Sometimes humble!

"But always good at waiting!"

Yao Jiancai had at some point clenched his fists!

Chen Guang's eyes had reddened without him knowing. All the things he wanted to say had been said for him by The Clown. This song had given voice to his innermost feelings so much that wanted to rush up on stage with a microphone and sing along!

The audience was getting pumped up!

On the big screen, the cameras captured several male audience members crying as well!

This was not done for the effect of the show, and they definitely weren't people recruited by the program team. They were crying from the live atmosphere in the studio and The Clown's heartbreaking voice. It made those who were in the same boat lose control of their emotions!

Yes! They were ugly and lowly!

But they were really tender and would never cower!

The girl who had said that she was someone who judged others based on their appearance was now wiping away her tears. "I only like handsome guys. I don't like celebrities who aren't good-looking, have never, and definitely won't ever! But can anyone tell me what's going on with me right now? Why do I like The Clown so much!"

Suddenly, the music stopped.

The entire studio fell so silent you could hear a pin drop!

Zhang Ye raised his microphone and, singing in a cappella, his voice reverberated through the studio.

"I'm ugly,

"but I am so tender.

"A little lowly,

"a little fearful,

"but I'll never cower."

Flowing Time was silent.

He had been silent ever since The Clown sang his first line. He asked himself if he could have won if he had used that Mandarin song versus The Clown.

The answer was no!

He realized that he would probably not have won!

No one could beat The Clown and his song!