Rebirth of the Godly Prodigal

Shangguan Susu was the prettiest makeup artist in the entertainment industry. She was also a loyal user of So Cool Video-sharing website. She would visit the main page of So Cool once she had free time and browse all kinds of videos. She liked all types of videos—comedy, original videos, the hottest internet dramas, entertainment shows, etc. She especially liked the video series made by Hong Dali, Unexpectedly, as well as the previous few episodes of I Am a Singer. She watched every episode without fail, never falling behind.

She had even visited the set of I Am a Singer to watch the show and experience it in person.

Today was no different. She was bored and waiting for the latest episode of Unexpectedly to be out, and looking forward to a new episode of I Am a Singer. She also wanted to get away from Min Feiyao’s incessant advertising which seemed to be all over these few days. Shangguan Susu opened So Cool’s main page. “It should have updated by now, sigh. If not, I’ll just have to wait a little more…”

“Updated, updated! Hahaha!” After she loaded the page, the first thing Shangguan Susu noticed was the banner on the top of So Cool’s main page. Her eyes lit up in an instant. “Hmm? Young Master’s newest masterpiece, a shocking duo on ‘I Am a Singer’?!”

Almost all of Shuangguan Susu’s favourite programs were those produced by Young Master Hong Dali. From Li Nianwei’s concert to Unexpectedly, Shangguan Susu had never missed even a single one.

Ever since I Am a Singer started, it had won the hearts and the following of many viewers. Millions would be waiting to watch the newest episode of it every Tuesday, and Shangguan Susu was one of them.

Shangguan Susu would download the songs sung by every contestant and listen to them on loop everyday. Never Left by Chu Zhongqin was Shangguan Susu’s favorite!

Having seen that the latest episode of I Am a Singer by Hong Dali was out, with the phrase “shocking duo” in the banner, Shangguan Susu’s curiosity was piqued.

With nary a glance at the big image advertising Min Feiyao’s concert, Shangguan Susu immediately clicked on the link for stage nine of I Am a Singer.

“Hello everyone, this is the set of I Am a Singer by Caiwei Entertainment. I’m your host, Zhang Cai…”

Shangguan Susu stared at the computer screen. She was excited, but also feeling some trepidation.

Min Feiyao was trying to go up against I Am a Singer by heavily promoting her concert. To the regular viewer, the hype might seem normal, but as the most beautiful makeup artist in the entertainment industry, Shangguan Susu was privy to more first hand news than others.

It was clear to her how fierce the fight between Hong Dali and Min Feiyao was this time.

There was someone very influential supporting Min Feiyao. She was going up directly against the popularity of I Am a Singer in a bid to threaten Li Nianwei. Hopefully, she would be able to trample Li Nianwei this time and rise as the most popular female star in the entertainment industry. There had been a few repeated battles previously. Shuangguan Susu was quite anxious now that the this battle was nearing.

The first few singers all performed remarkably well. Their performances were above average and the songs they sang were all very nice. However, Shangguan Susu felt that if this was all they had, it would be hard for Hong Dali to gain the upper hand in this battle and win.

Soon, the first six singers had completed their performances. Shangguan Susu started to feel curious. “The seventh singer must be a new face. Rumors has it that it’s a duo. I wonder who it will be. It’s really strange, there was absolutely no news about them before this.”

She had just finished that thought when the show’s host Zhang Cai appeared on the computer screen. “Hello, everyone. I’m your host, Zhang Cai. The seventh performance of the fifth round of I Am a Singer will begin now.”

“It’s starting, it’s starting! I wonder who will come on stage!” Shangguan Susu was full of anticipation.

“… This is the last singer to come on stage. Strictly speaking, they are a new duo. Their name is Hatsune Tianyi!”

“Hatsune Tianyi? How come I have never heard of them before?” Shangguan Susu asked curiously. “They are newcomers? Will they be able to make it?”

On the computer screen, Zhang Cai continued her introduction. “… although they have no prior exposure, we have decided to let them come on stage.” Zhang Cai continued, smiling. “Please let us welcome our new duo, Hatsune Tianyi! The song they are bringing us today was written and composed by Young Master. It’s called The Lantern Illuminates the Rivers and Mountains!”

“‘The Lantern Illuminates the Rivers and Mountains’?” Shangguan Susu’s hands rose to her plump pink lips in shock. “Although it’s one of Young Master’s works, will it work? This is the deciding battle!”

…

Merica, Hollywood, Round Table Meeting.

The eight core members of the meeting were huddled around a laptop, watching the current episode of I Am a Singer.

“James, I heard that the prodigal Hong Dali has gone up against Ko Gohon of Toyoda Conglomerate from Jaban State.” Said one of the people present. “Min Feiyao, who is supported by Ko Gohon, is directly challenging Hong Dali’s ‘I Am a Singer.’ We’ve seen Min Feiyao’s concert previously. Do you think this episode of ‘I Am a Singer’ will be able to hold up to it?”

“Hong Dali has always been able to pull off the unexpected.” James rubbed his chin and said slowly, “Holographic Projection Technology was originally used for this program. I did not manage to steal the technology then despite spending four million US dollars. Luckily our own research in the field is almost complete. Let’s just see what surprises, if any, are in store this episode.”

Someone else nodded and said, “Yes, if there is nothing surprising in this episode, Hong Dali would have lost. That would be good news for us!”

“All right,” James shook his head and tapped the table lightly. “The video is starting. Everyone watch carefully from beginning to end first, do not be impatient. There is a saying in the Heavenly State that says the anxious do not get to eat hot tofu. It’s a good saying.”

There was sense in what he said, and the other seven members looked at each other before settling down.

Soon, the first six singers completed their performances. A few of the people present voiced their opinions. “I do not see much of an improvement. The songs are so-so, and there have been no surprises from the Holographic Projection. I think Hong Dali is going to fail this time.”

“I think so too. Although the standard is not bad this time, their advertising is not as intensive as Min Feiyao’s. Entertainment stars are forty percent talent and sixty percent advertising. It’s not enough to have talent without the advertising.”

“Yes, yes. This time I reckon Hong Dali is going to lose badly.”

“That’s enough. Everyone stop talking and continue watching.” James waved his hand. “No one can say what will happen until the final moment.”

Just at that moment, the host Zhang Cai’s voice rang out. “The seventh performance of the fifth round of I Am a Singer will begin now.”

“Right, it’s starting now. Everyone watch closely, this last person will decide if it’s a success or a failure,” said James seriously.

On the screen, Zhang Cai said, “The song they are bringing us today was written and composed by Young Master. It’s called ‘The Lantern Illuminates the Rivers and Mountains’!”

After her introduction, the host Zhang Cai left the stage. For a long while the stage was pitch black. James and his companions commented curiously, “Where is the performer? How come no one is coming out?”

Suddenly, the singing of Hatsune Miku and Luo Tianyi rang out, “Carrying a lantern, millions of stars, lighting the rivers and the mountains. Asking my old friend, when will he be back, to watch beside me!”

After hearing these two lines, James and everyone else were completely dumbfounded.

The stage was still bathed in darkness. Soon, a few little feathers slowly floated down from. James exclaimed, “It’s an holographic projection!” His expression suddenly changed as soon as he finished speaking.

Two golden circles suddenly appeared in midair. Soon, two extremely beautiful and cute young girls appeared through the circles, finally coming to rest on the ground.

“This… this is…” James and everyone else stared, eyes wide. “Hong Dali’s Holographic Projection Technology has reached such a stage?! How… How can this be possible?!”

Just as everyone was dumbfounded, Hatsune Miku and Luo Tianyi started dancing and singing.

In the Round Table Meeting Room, James’ face flushed red and he suddenly stood up. In surprise and anger, he shouted, “SHIT! Hong Dali’s technology has reached such a level! What is up with these two people? Who can tell me?! Is Hong Dali able to project two such virtual people using his Holographic Projection Technology already? How can this be possible?!”

At this point in time, everyone else was just completely stunned. The thought that Hong Dali would come up with some new ideas to salvage his situation had crossed their minds, but they never thought that Hong Dali would be able to project virtual people with his technology!

Everyone present knew without a doubt what this meant.

If he was able to project virtual people, that meant that with some processing, he would be able to project people from legends! If virtual people could be projected, with some proper processing, he would be able to make holographic images of real people as well!

To delve deeper, with the right audio files, it would be possible to make projections of people who had passed away!

Everyone in the room fell silent as their thoughts progressed to this point.

In Merika’s history, there was a great musician who was known as a soul singer. His voice and his dance were classic and memorable.

If they could really resurrect him…

Someone said, “This Hong Dali is terrifying! Since he has perfected such technology, we have to be even more careful in the future. Do not be careless! Our 3D movies do not have much of an advantage against such Holographic Projection!”

“No, this will not do!” James was so anxious that he pranced around the room. “I must prepare carefully, otherwise, in our next show-off against him in the box office, we might not have much of an advantage over them!”

On the other side, Shangguan Susu was staring at the computer in shock, with eyes wide as saucers. She then picked up her phone decisively and made a call. “Hello, is this Caiwei Entertainment? My name is Shangguan Susu. May I ask if you need any makeup artists?”