AITFYMIBP Chapter 67

TL: Hua

This dramatic scene could easily be nominated for the most comical and most embarrassing moment of the year.

The live stream of Guess Who I Am became eerily quiet.

The guest judges, who had come with the intention of tearing Lin Yanran down yet had just lavishly praised his performance as out of this world, were all struck speechless with embarrassment after clearly seeing the person behind the mask on the stage. Their expressions changed again and again—alternately red, white, and black—rivaling a Sichuan opera mask-changer.

Are you kidding me?

This sentence echoed repeatedly in the minds of every arrogant guest judge present.

How could the performer, whose singing skill, technique, and emotion were all top-notch just now, be Yanran—the one who is tone-deaf and mocked by the entire internet for being unable to sing?

Is the production team playing a trick on them???

It wasn’t just the other guests; Song Zhu, too, felt a relentless throbbing in his temples. His ears were ringing, and his mind was a blank slate.

He couldn’t even process what his current expression was.

Only the memory of Lin Yanran singing moments ago flashed repeatedly in his head.

Why? Isn’t Yanran supposed to be unable to sing!!! How is he suddenly so good!!

Song Zhu had painstakingly prepared for so long, waiting for this day to turn the tables and crush the other party in terms of singing ability.

But the final development went entirely against his expectation.

As Song Zhu recalled the moment Lin Yanran appeared, he felt a sudden rush of air stuck in his chest, an obstruction so severe it made his vision darken.

Clatter.

Overcome with anger and helplessness, the folding fan he had been holding elegantly as a prop slipped from his grasp and fell directly onto the floor.

This sound, like a signal, finally jolted the stunned group back to reality.

The guest judges present were finally no longer left feeling awkward on their own.

They looked at each other, their faces full of confusion.

Unable to figure out how to speak, they simply shared the collective awkwardness.

Compared to the people at the venue, the extremely arrogant keyboard warriors online also began to doubt their own existence.

After all, one second they had sworn it couldn’t possibly be Yanran, and the next second they were slapped in the face by the person himself.

The slaps landed with a loud pa, pa, pa, leaving their brains ringing.

The keyboard warriors instantly exploded, staring fixedly at the screen for a long time, unable to process the fact.

[?????]

[No way, is this fake???]

[Yanran sang that???]

[This is f*cking awkward, so awkward it opened the door for awkwardness, and awkwardness has come home…]

The host, probably the only person at the scene without too much prejudice against Lin Yanran, was the first one to react.

After a brief moment of surprise, his eyes immediately lit up with joy, and he followed the procedure to continue with the next segment.

“So, our adorable Puppy Singer is actually Yanran!!!”

The host deliberately emphasized the name ‘Yanran,’ causing the heads of the guest judges to buzz again.

In the comments section, the fans who had been waiting and believing in Lin Yanran nearly cried.

[Wuwuwuwu, so the adorable little puppy is my baby]

[I knew my baby would never disappoint us!!]

[Ahhhh, my dear child, you were absolutely amazing today!!!]

[Little puppy, don’t be unhappy, you sang so well!!]

[Yanran, Mama loves you!! You will always be Mama’s pride!!!]

As the fans flooded the screen with their confessions, the host’s voice rang out again.

“It’s just a pity that in today’s ‘Guess Who I Am’ segment, none of our panel guessed correctly.”

Lin Yanran’s gaze swept over the stunned guest judges on site.

Knowing what was going through their minds, he deliberately said nothing, just giving a faint smile.

These people who had just been proven wrong were actually waiting, curious to see what Lin Yanran would say.

Seeing that he said nothing, they grew increasingly annoyed at feeling tricked.

Online, those who were stubbornly clinging to their skepticism and refusing to accept the truth, seeing that Lin Yanran said nothing, instantly had a new train of thought.

[Why isn’t he saying anything? I strongly suspect the production team might have asked Yanran to lip-sync?]

[Yeah, does Yanran play the violin? I’ve never seen him mention it before. He loves to show off; if he could, he would have displayed it long ago. And the segment just now, I really don’t think he played it; it looked very staged.]

[When he was singing just now, with the mask on, who knows if he was just lip-syncing to a backing track inside!]

[Lip-syncing to what? With the mask on, you can’t even see if his mouth is moving or not.]

The current trolls have one good habit: their skin is thick enough.

Even if they had just declared a second ago that this ethereal young man was absolutely singing live, the next second they could effortlessly swallow every word they said and seize any opportunity to relentlessly argue.

However, this comical speculation was immediately countered by the audience.

[Do you have to be so cynical? This show has always been ‘full mic’ and live singing.]

[If they could lip-sync, why would there be so many disastrous live flops from singers on this show?]

[Weren’t you the ones who said the puppy was definitely singing live a second ago?]

[Are you blaming Yanran for singing too well, making it sound too much like a CD recording?]

[I suddenly remembered, someone just now swore that this person was definitely NOT Yanran.]

[What happened to ruling out a correct answer?]

[It turns out they really ruled out the correct answer, ha ha ha ha ha.]

[And then they got slapped in the face, so they’re stubbornly denying it and going into an incompetent rage, questioning whether it was live singing.]

[I’m dying of laughter. These people’s stubbornness is truly hilarious.]

[I suddenly thought of a phrase: Troll, are you a sore loser?]

The greater their schadenfreude before, the harder their face was slapped now.

The comments were right; the trolls truly were sore losers.

But they weren’t the only ones who couldn’t handle losing; some guests on the show were the same.

A certain amateur music critic on the program, who loved to make things difficult for people, had fiercely criticized Santa Claus, previously believing he was Yanran. When he saw the “real” Lin Yanran didn’t speak, he took the microphone, coughed twice, and then spoke.

“Teacher Yanran, although it may seem a bit offensive of me to ask this, I’m sorry, but I’m really feeling uneasy if I don’t ask it today.”

After delivering his pretentious preamble, he put on a straight face and said to Lin Yanran, “To be honest, you’ve been on the trending searches before because of your singing ability. I believe not only I, but everyone, must be very curious. So, is it convenient to disclose how your singing ability suddenly improved so much?”

This music critic’s words voiced the feelings of everyone present!

Those in the live stream who refused to accept the facts silently gave him a thumbs-up.

And all the guests on site looked at Lin Yanran, holding onto that last sliver of hope.

Still carrying a heavy lack of trust, they all wanted to hear what kind of explanation he would give.

After all, the performance just now could almost be described as flawless.

It required either the innate talent of a naturally gifted singer or the skill only a vocalist with many years of professional training could possess.

Clearly, based on Lin Yanran’s past performances, he fit neither category.

So, although the guests didn’t say it outright, many people actually suspected that Lin Yanran might have communicated with the production team and either used a substitute singer or simply broadcast a pre-recorded backing track.

Lin Yanran glanced at the person who asked the question.

He recognized that this person was the one on the show who most loved to stir up trouble and make things difficult for the guests.

However, he was mentally prepared for this when he agreed to join the program.

So, facing the challenge of “sudden improvement,” he remained calm and composed.

He first held the mask in his right hand, then slowly raised the microphone in his left, and answered unhurriedly.

“Because I was secretly practicing.”

Lin Yanran couldn’t help but smile as he spoke those words.

Since the guests were already ill-intentioned, wouldn’t it be okay for him to be a little mischievous too?

Hearing Lin Yanran’s answer, which said everything and nothing, the music critic frowned, “What does that mean?”

Lin Yanran curved his lips into a smile, still giving an extremely vague answer.

“It means I have been practicing.”

Upon hearing this answer, the music critic’s face gradually turned green.

[Hahahahahaha, who is dying of laughter? I am dying of laughter, sisters.]

[This is the first time this idiot has been stumped on the show, right?]

[《Speechless 2.0》]

[Yanran, you are too naughty today, but I am loving it hahahaha.]

[Little puppy, why are you so cute today?]

The music critic never expected that the trap he set for Lin Yanran not only failed to catch him but instead left the critic extremely frustrated.

He rolled his eyes speechlessly and threw the microphone down with a clack.

But as the music critic bowed out, someone else picked up the microphone.

This time, it was Song Zhu, who had reorganized his thoughts.

He caught a hint of a flaw in Lin Yanran’s previous statement.

The other party’s repeated evasiveness made him feel that there might really be something fishy going on.

This wasn’t just a wild guess on his part.

He knew that when the production team invited Lin Yanran, the latter had just been on the trending searches for having terrible singing skills.

Knowing full well that the show would backfire, the fact that the production team was still able to get him to participate suggests that he must have made some kind of private agreement with the production team, unless he was genuinely stupid.

After all, if he was lip-syncing, no one could tell with the puppy mask on.

Knowing that if he didn’t speak up now, he might not have another chance to find a point to step on Lin Yanran and market himself, Song Zhu finally couldn’t help but speak.

“Teach Yanran, that song was sung so well just now, I feel like I haven’t had enough. So, I have a bold request…” Song Zhu smiled faintly, paused, and then said, “Could I trouble you to sing one more song live?”

This request was not pre-planned. Song Zhu said it somewhat hastily, and his facial expressions weren’t as well-controlled as they usually were.

As soon as he finished speaking, sharp-eyed viewers immediately commented.

[??? Isn’t Song Zhu usually very gentle? What did he mean by that just now?]

[Is he also suspicious that Yanran wasn’t singing live?]

[That’s what it feels like.]

[I’ve never seen anyone request an extra song on the spot before…]

[The guests on this show are really interesting… (derogatory)]

[Even doubt is forbidden? That’s so domineering!]

[Didn’t he say he was secretly practicing his singing? If he had real skill, he wouldn’t be afraid. Just sing a snippet live, and it would settle things.]

[I support Song Zhu. Yanran, if you dare to accept, I’ll immediately call you Dad.]

Hearing this impromptu extra assignment, Lin Yanran looked across the crowd at Song Zhu.

Seeing the other party’s impatient desire to expose him, he said calmly, “The production team didn’t tell me about this segment beforehand.”

Song Zhu smiled when he heard this. “It’s fine if you don’t sing an entire song; even just a small section will do.”

Lin Yanran’s response had already convinced Song Zhu of his hypothesis.

Something is definitely wrong.

After speaking, he looked at Lin Yanran, who was deliberately looking elsewhere, and assumed he wouldn’t dare to agree. He added, “Teacher Yanran, if you find it difficult, it’s okay not to sing; after all, the song just now was already sung very well.”

As if afraid the audience wouldn’t understand his meaning, Song Zhu deliberately emphasized the words ‘the song just now.’

Song Zhu expected Lin Yanran to take his cue, gracefully decline to sing, and save face. He began planning how he could use this part to write a smear campaign.

But to his surprise, immediately after he finished speaking, Lin Yanran told him, “Teacher Song, you misunderstood.”

Lin Yanran smiled and explained, “My meaning is that the production team didn’t mention this extra song beforehand, so I haven’t prepared the backing track.”

His clear, mellow voice paused for a moment before ringing out, “So, is it alright to sing a cappella?”

Lin Yanran on the stage was calm and confident.

Hearing the words “a cappella,” everyone became alert.

[!!!!]

[Holy cow!!]

[Directly a cappella!!!!]

[A cappella is a much tougher test of skill than singing with a backing track!]

[Exciting, exciting.]

Song Zhu felt like he had been hit hard on the head again. He looked at Lin Yanran incredulously.

However, what the other party said next made him grit his teeth in frustration even more.

Because Lin Yanran immediately turned the tables, calmly asking him from the stage, “Teacher Song, what song would you like to hear now?”

Song Zhu was somewhat overwhelmed by the successive moves made by the other party.

For a moment, he couldn’t think of any song.

What does Yanran mean by this?? Was he intentionally saying that just now to trick him and play a joke on him??

Song Zhu just stared at Lin Yanran without reacting. Another guest next to him, seeing his prolonged silence, immediately raised her hand and enthusiastically requested a song.

“Can I request one? Teacher Yanran, could you please sing ‘Missing Period’?”

Missing Period is a recent, relatively popular sweet love song.

This guest didn’t intend to make things difficult for Lin Yanran; she simply thought he would look very cute singing this song in his puppy costume.

But after she spoke, Lin Yanran gave a troubled smile.

“But I haven’t heard it before…”

The guest’s eyes flashed with a hint of regret upon hearing this.

“Ah… I see…”

She sighed regretfully. Before she could say the final words, “Then never mind,” she heard Lin Yanran speak gently.

“If you don’t mind me listening to it first, I’d like to try…”

Lin Yanran’s words immediately drew cheers from the audience.

[Learning it on the spot and singing it on the spot?? That’s incredible??]

[This mediocre show is becoming more and more interesting thanks to Yanran.]

[Exciting, exciting, I’m so looking forward to it!!!]

[Fly rubbing its hands.jpg]

As soon as Lin Yanran finished speaking, the director, receiving a cue, quickly found the song and immediately played it once for everyone in the studio.

After listening, the host asked Lin Yanran if he needed to hear it a few more times.

Lin Yanran directly waved his hand, indicating no need.

The guests on the scene didn’t really care if Lin Yanran had learned it or not.

They all wanted to hear how well his so-called live a cappella performance would be after boasting so confidently.

After all, while the tune of Missing Period sounds simple, it still requires vocal skill to sing well.

And an a cappella performance is even better at highlighting every flaw directly.

Everyone present, especially Song Zhu, kept their eyes firmly fixed on Lin Yanran.

But the highly anticipated a cappella performance didn’t come immediately.

Lin Yanran on the stage first whispered something to the host with his mic off. Then, a staff member came up with a microphone stand and began setting it up.

The viewers watching the live stream were getting anxious.

[Why the delay?]

[Are you going to sing or not? Sing or not!!]

[You agreed but now you’re not singing? What’s going on? Did you suddenly realize you can’t sing and now you’re panicking??]

Just as the doubting comments started pouring in, everyone saw Lin Yanran take off his bulky puppy jacket.

Then, dressed in a white suit, he picked up the small violin he had placed on the table and stood in front of the adjusted microphone stand.

[What is he doing??]

[Playing the violin??]

[Wasn’t it supposed to be singing? Why is he playing the violin…]

Under everyone’s confused gaze, Lin Yanran tested the sound twice, then slightly lowered his eyes, his gaze resting on the violin strings.

Immediately, a cheerful and melodious tune echoed through the studio again.

It was the most catchy part of the melody of Missing Period!

Lin Yanran on the stage moved with elegance and a casual demeanor, effortlessly performing every note.

Before the audience could type out their compliments, Lin Yanran, who had just finished the instrumental prelude on the violin, handed the instrument to the host next to him and casually rested his right hand on the microphone stand.

He flashed a slight smile and looked up toward the front.

[Summer coke with ice, that is my missing period.

Winter gloves with a scarf, that is your missing period.]

The joyful and bright melody rang out.

Lin Yanran, standing in the center of the stage in his white suit, looked fresh and handsome, like every girl’s perfect first love during their youth.

His voice was clean and clear. He used no unnecessary techniques, simply and easily singing the happy, sweet song.

The song was inherently catchy, and Lin Yanran sang it in an especially captivating way.

The moment he opened his mouth, the audience couldn’t help but be infected by the joyful atmosphere.

Many people began humming along with the young man on the stage, and some even started clapping their hands to help him keep the beat.

However, just as everyone was thoroughly enjoying it, the person on stage suddenly stopped halfway through the song.

Then, a soft, apologetic, low laugh came through the microphone.

In the camera, Lin Yanran held back the smile on his lips, looked up at the teleprompter in front of him with a slightly embarrassed expression, and then continued singing the rest of the lyrics.

As Lin Yanran sang, the comments section went crazy.

[I knew why the baby’s laugh was so cute, turns out he forgot the lyrics hahaha.]

[If he can forget the lyrics with such absolute precision, I’m willing to award Yanran the Oscar for Best Actor—no, the Best Non-Dubbing Award.]

[Come on, come on, where are the people who just said he was lip-syncing? Come out!]

[See that? He learned it on the spot and sang it on the spot, and it was a cappella!]

[This is the most satisfying face-slapping scene I’ve ever witnessed. Yanran, did you install a camera in the haters’ homes? haha.]

[Yanran’s singing is truly beautiful. He sings this song so sweetly, wuwuwu.]

[This song can easily sound greasy if not careful, BUT!! Yanran’s version is the freshest I’ve ever heard!! Absolutely loving it.]

[Mom, I’m in love again!!!]

[Yanran is so amazing. His singing skill has improved so much. He really has been working hard to improve his professional ability.]

[It’s beyond amazing now. To be able to listen to it once and then pull out the melody live without sheet music—how terrifying must his memory be!!]

[Wuwuwu, why can Yanran do everything?]

[I don’t know why he can do everything, I only know that when I went to ask the Zen master what I counted as compared to Yanran, he pointed to the freshly boiling water and told me, “You are merely boiling nothing” … I am useless, wuwuwu.]

[Hey, where is the one who was going to call Yanran ‘Dad’ earlier??? Come out!]

While passersby defended Lin Yanran and showered him with compliments, the haters silently shut down and left the live stream.

After all, it was genuinely too embarrassing.

When he wasn’t singing, they were sure he couldn’t sing.

When he sang exceptionally well, they suspected it was lip-syncing or faked.

But now, he not only sang a cappella on the spot but also played a section of the melody on the violin after hearing it once…

What more could they possibly say?

Pa! Pa! Pa! Their faces hurt!