The Queen's Rise to the Top

Chapter 383

The stage lights dimmed as people in the audience seats grew excited waiting for Nan XiangWan's entrance.

After all, every performance of Nan XiangWan brought them surprises. Even people from other companies started recording videos, finding their own artists too lazy to record and Nan XiangWan's performances drew more popularity.

As usual, Jie Chou sat in the front row center of the audience seats. Xiao Dong had already arranged the seat for him, and this spot would be his for every show.

Jie Chou was very comfortable now, holding up a glow stick in one hand while shouting Nan XiangWan's name loudly.

The camera gave him a close-up again. Jie Chou was already used to the cameras by now. He smiled and waved hello, then held the glow stick up high. The name "Nan XiangWan" shone brightly!

The wait was not long. Soon a flash of red light appeared on stage.

A deep red, not gentle at all. It gave a sense of intensity right from the start, highlighting the explosive nature of this song!

The big screen to the side lit up with the song title:

"Grenade" - Bruno Mars

As everyone in the audience held their breath, Nan XiangWan strode onto the stage.

Under the red lights, she wore a loose short-sleeved shirt and shorts outfit, with big red sneakers on her feet. Her head of messy braids gave off a fiery red flame sort of feeling.

The accompaniment and vocals began in sync.

Nan XiangWan walked out holding a microphone, singing:

[Easy come]

[Easy go]

[That's just how you live oh]

The opening verse was sung casually as if she was just strolling. She walked out step by step, singing as she went.

Her voice was huskier than before, but not gritty. Even with the hoarse tone, it was still smooth.

Gradually, the singing became more staccato.

The rhythm grew stronger!

[I'd catch a grenade for ya]

[Throw my hand on a blade for ya]

Nan XiangWan walked to the front of the stage, whipping her messy braids around. Her singing was loud and intense, almost screaming out the lyrics!

[I'd jump in front of a train for ya]

[You know I'd do anything for ya]

She waved her left hand, walking from one end of the stage to the other.

The loose clothes allowed her to stride and even jump freely. Each step was steady and powerful!

The drums and beats, she stepped right on every beat.

Dressed all in black under the stage lights, cool as can be. The red on her feet and the flash of red from her braids matched, giving a fiery glow in the darkness!

The big black sunglasses obscured most of her face.

Only her nonstop singing rang out, each line more intense than the last!

Down below, Jie Chou was screaming like crazy. Fans from all camps couldn't help but join in the shouts.

This was no longer just a singing competition. It was like Nan XiangWan's own solo concert!

Simply explosive!

As the song reached its climax, Nan XiangWan's voice grew louder.

The strained high notes were different from usual, taking on a ragged edge.

As if she was on a battlefield, right in the thick of war!

More like holding a live grenade, ready to pull the pin at any moment!

The stage lights began to change, becoming red spotlights sweeping about.

The accompaniment musicians on screen were giving it their all, hitting every beat perfectly.

Around the 3 minute 20 second mark, Nan XiangWan moved to the far right of the stage, with a large open space behind her. She started gliding sideways in dance steps.

With dance training from GouZi, this basic slide step was child's play for Nan XiangWan now.

Whether it was timing, distance, or how big her steps were, everything was executed flawlessly and with ease.

The smooth glides combined seamlessly with her singing. As Nan XiangWan slid, she sang out longingly:

[But you won't do the same]

[No you won't do the same]

[You would not do the same]

[Oh you'd never do the same]

In the final seconds, the accompaniment softened as if the battle was over and calm returned.

Nan XiangWan continued sliding as she sang the last lines. She ended in the center of the stage, finishing as the music stopped.

She turned sideways to face the audience and cameras. The lights dimmed from top to bottom, sweeping over her delicate profile before traveling down.

Finally, only the jewels on her left wristwatch still shimmered brightly.

Like the flash of an explosion!

As the song ended, cheers erupted from the audience in wave after wave.

It sounded so damn good!

Jie Chou was the most exaggerated, already on his feet and looking ready to rush the stage.

Comments flooded in:

:Where are the pics? Screenshots brothers!

:That slide step was too cool! It's a basic moonwalk but why does it look so stylish when this woman does it?

:A professional here to explain - because her timing and spacing were perfect. She ended the slide positioned right in the center of the stage, finishing just as the song ended too. Everything aligned at the most perfect moments!

:Here it is! [slide step].gif

:Sisters, charge!

...

Promotion and voting were already underway all over the web.

Both HuaWan Entertainment and "The Singer" official accounts posted videos, seeming to compete over who could do it first.

The bricks were ready, rushing in to grab the hot comments and repost praises.

Of course, new meme stickers flooded out. Another day of Nan XiangWan's coolness going viral!

But just as brick fans were passionate everywhere, the big bricks were oddly quiet.

At this point no manipulation was needed, the bricks knew what to do on their own.

【Nan XiangWan Big Brick Fan Group】

'Qingxiu: King Gu wasn't at the scene today, so no HD pics today.'

'Qingxiu: That's right, isn't it?'

'Blame me for being too quiet: @A JueJue did you find anything?'

'A JueJue: We can narrow it down now. Based on the IP address, Brick Leader's account matches King Gu's!'

'Qingxiu: Wtf!'

'Blame me for being too quiet: Omg omg omg!'

'A JueJue: Shhh, I won't say more. Just letting you all know, even I'm shocked and confused.'

'Blame me for being too quiet: I'm speechless! I've been a fan of the same idol as the King?'

'Qingxiu: ???'

'Qingxiu: I'm confused by what you said first. That's your first reaction?'

'A JueJue: Haha it's fine, we both stan the same idol as the King.'

'Blame me for being too quiet: What else could I say? Admit what? Impossible! Nan is mine!!!'

'Qingxiu: Do we have any shipper fans among our big bricks?'

While the group chat continued, a storm was brewing on the Nan&Wang super topic...

【OMG Brick Leader is King Gu!】