As others waited with a palpable sense of anxiety, busily preparing for the upcoming semi-finals, causing a flurry of confusion in the process, Au Xia had already completed all her necessary preparations, feeling a sense of calm in the midst of the chaos surrounding her.
The event was exhausting, with the semi-finals scheduled to kick off at 11 PM and the finals set to take place the very next day, creating a whirlwind of nerves and excitement for everyone involved.
Au Xia's assistant, dedicated and focused, escorted her to a private room where she could change out of her current attire, enjoy a meal, and spend some time getting her makeup done to perfection. This moment was crucial for Au Xia, as she needed to feel her best before stepping onto the stage.
"Young lady Au, this event is rather strenuous, don't you think?" her assistant inquired, a hint of concern evident in her voice. "Yes, it certainly is, but it presents a remarkable opportunity for the winner—a chance to perform at one of the year's most prestigious events," Au Xia replied, her determination shining through her words.
"Eh?" The assistant, a bit taken aback, quickly set up a nutritious meal for her, carefully arranging the dishes while also handing Au Xia a bottle of Haila water, known for being a premium hydration choice among top performers. Au Xia gladly accepted the bottle, taking a few refreshing sips to ensure she was adequately hydrated before diving into her food.
"The event is being hosted by the matriarch of the Fe family," Au Xia continued, as she savored her meal. "She will introduce her granddaughter, who is making her debut into society after spending considerable time studying and working abroad. This is a significant moment for the family, and she certainly has a lot of anticipation surrounding her introduction." Au Xia finished.
She honestly didn't care at all; the bond between Au and Fe was already quite strong and well-established, and she could only view the granddaughter as a potential rival who might disrupt that connection. Those were simply her inner thoughts as she carefully feigned an air of demureness and modesty before the assistant, hiding her true feelings beneath a veneer of politeness and composure. She fully understood that the granddaughter could be a source of competition, and that thought lingered in the back of her mind as she maintained her facade.
"Oh," the assistant exclaimed, her eyes widening in surprise and excitement as the information sank in. After a few more bites, Au Xia felt a sense of fullness wash over her, granting her the necessary energy to carry on. She took a moment to freshen up, carefully preparing herself for the next steps of the evening. They would soon be joined by the designer and other crew members, who would assist her with her dress, hair, and makeup, ensuring every detail was perfect for the performance ahead.
With only three hours remaining until the next event began—the moment that would ultimately determine their success or failure—time felt both fleeting and critical. Au Xia's heart raced as she realized the weight of the opportunity ahead of her, fully aware that this could shape her future in the competitive world of performance.
The semi-finals were about to begin, and Au Xia admitted she was nervous. Despite performing since childhood and winning many awards, she had never competed for what she truly desired. Her dream was finally within reach!
This time around, the judges were completely different from those in previous competitions, and there were five of them instead of the usual four, adding an extra layer of excitement to the event. Au Xia stood gracefully behind a large, shimmering golden curtain that perfectly complemented her stunning golden mermaid dress, which was lavishly adorned with sparkling sequins that caught the light beautifully. She had meticulously applied diamonds on her face, enhancing her features, while her eyes were accentuated with a dramatic smoky eye makeup that added depth and allure. Her hair was styled in an intricate and flowing manner, reminiscent of ancient fashions, cascading elegantly down her shoulders and framing her face in a way that highlighted her beauty.
The contestants before her were quick, and when it was her turn, her confident walk piqued the judges' interest. Her dress, designed by a renowned designer from I country, complemented the headpiece her mother commissioned from another famous artist.
Au Xia actually has four dresses in total, including two silver ones for the finals on the day of her performance.
"Hello, Miss Au, congratulations on reaching the semi-finals."
A beautiful golden standing microphone was placed before her, gleaming under the stage lights. Au Xia smiled shyly, her cheeks slightly flushed, and stepped forward. "Hello everyone, and thank you so much," she said warmly through the mic. The man who had first spoken let out a short, amused chuckle, while the gentleman standing next to him offered enthusiastic applause to show his support. "Alright, Miss Au, I've heard nothing but wonderful things about your talent and performance abilities. Please share the song you will be performing for us today," he encouraged her with a welcoming gesture of his hand. Au Xia nodded appreciatively, feeling the anticipation in the air. "I will be singing 'Please Look' by the well-known C-pop star..." she began, her voice clear and confident. She then took a moment to briefly share the poignant backstory of the song with the audience, bowing slightly in gratitude before launching into her performance. The song narrates the heartfelt story of a man who earnestly pleads with his beloved to glance his way, even as her heart belongs to someone else entirely. Although it has an upbeat tempo that can easily draw in listeners, the composition also includes challenging notes that demand meticulous breath control from the performer. Demonstrating her strong diaphragm control, Au Xia expertly managed her airflow, ensuring her voice remained steady and resonant throughout the piece, thus captivating the audience with her skillful rendition.
"This Au Xia is really good." The judge, a famous actor, leaned close to the woman beside him; she is older and plays in the genre of Hokkien music as an instructor for the famous school of international music. She did not look away but smiled slightly, admiring the young woman who sang. She could not help but reply, "Yes, her breath control, vocal technique, placement, and resonance are perfect." Wui Henry heard this and nodded. The beautiful girl caught his eye: smooth, flawless pale skin, long silky black hair styled perfectly, wearing an old-style crown. She walked and performed across the stage flawlessly. He smiled and could not help but say softly, "Sigh, she is, and I cannot find any fault." The woman on the side had a cold face; she knew a better person, but that person preferred to train her body. Still, this one was worthy enough. She did not say anything, but the famous actor said, like a fool lost in love, "Yes, I have heard a few of her songs before, and they really are beautiful."
The song over Au Xia released a breath and a bright smile on her face. "Congratulations! You were beautiful." The judges lifted their scoreboards, with one giving her two points shy of full marks, which upset Au Xia, but nothing could be done.
They did not waste words because time was tight and other performers had to come up. Au Xia returned to her room in a low mood but remained calm nonetheless. The others took an entire hour before they were called out again. Au Xia had changed into something slightly more comfortable and removed her head crown while listening to the judges. It was late, but they were still here.
The judges performed their tasks quickly, and finally, the six remained, with this time Au Xia ranking second, which was an extreme shock to her.
Still, she did not give up but remained calm.
She had time to perfect her performance and win.