After a brief rest for the group, host Han Ge once again walked into the guest lounge backstage.
"Everyone, hello, I will now reveal the rankings for this round of the show!"
Han Ge stood before them, speaking mysteriously.
"After today's rankings are announced, one of the eight teachers present will leave the stage. Of course, Wang Shu, as a challenger singer, needs to be in the top four to successfully challenge and remain on stage!"
Han Ge specifically explained the rules of the show, his gaze falling on Wang Shu, who was sitting beside him.
"Alright, now let's reveal the fourth-place contestant for this round. This singer's performance can be described as consistently stable!"
Han Ge held his cue card and read word by word.
"Consistently stable performance, that must be one of the initial contestants!"
Zhang Bichen analyzed seriously, and the other contestants nodded thoughtfully.
After all, as a challenger singer, Wang Shu probably wouldn't be described with the phrase "consistently stable," so they guessed it was one of the original contestants.
"It seems everyone has already guessed who this singer is. The singer ranked fourth in this round is Teacher Han Lei! Congratulations, Teacher Han!"
Han Ge stopped playing coy and directly announced the fourth-place contestant.
When Han Lei heard his name, his expression was calm, without much shock or surprise.
For a singer of his age and seniority, competing with younger generations was already somewhat inappropriate.
The fourth-place ranking was also subtle. With a total of eight participants in this competition, fourth place was actually considered a good ranking. However, for Han Lei, it was clearly a bit behind.
Following this, the program team announced the rankings from second to seventh place.
The remaining singers, upon hearing their names, finally relaxed their tense hearts.
The only one feeling nervous was Zhang Ji, who ranked seventh. In the previous round, his ranking was sixth.
The elimination format was based on the combined rankings of two rounds, with the lowest-ranked singer being eliminated.
Finally, the only two rankings left were first and eighth, the most suspenseful ones. The two who still didn't know their rankings were Wang Shu and Hua Cheng Yu.
For the audience, this was the true highlight: a newcomer challenger singer, sharp and brilliant, and a young master of the entertainment industry, a former champion of a talent show.
No matter who took first place, it would be highly topic-worthy.
Han Ge, at this moment, did not directly announce the rankings of the last two contestants, but deliberately built suspense.
"Now, the two most important final rankings have not yet been announced. I'd like to ask the teachers to boldly guess who has a higher probability of taking first place. Of course, you can whisper to me, and they won't hear you."
After speaking, Han Ge walked up to each of the other guests one by one to hear their guesses.
Then, he returned to the center of the group.
"The teachers just told me their guesses, and indeed, everyone's predictions are surprisingly consistent!"
Han Ge glanced at Hua Cheng Yu, then turned to look at Wang Shu, continuing to feign mystery.
At this moment, Hua Cheng Yu glanced dismissively at Wang Shu. He didn't believe Wang Shu could achieve first place in this round.
After all, his performance today was outstanding. He didn't believe any contestant present could match his level today. Originally, he thought Deng Xiao Qi was his biggest threat.
However, Deng Xiao Qi had just ranked second, so now, no one could pose a threat to him.
"Young people need to practice their fundamentals more. Just appearing on more shows won't make you a big star."
Hua Cheng Yu said to Wang Shu with a smile, because he knew the outcome was predetermined. Wang Shu was bound to leave the stage.
Therefore, he decided to humiliate Wang Shu before the results were announced, to let this kid know his place.
Han Ge didn't expect Hua Cheng Yu to suddenly say such a thing, which immediately created a tense atmosphere.
"Alright, now I'm going to announce the singer ranked first in this round. Everyone, listen carefully! The singer ranked first in this round is!"
As Han Ge was announcing, Hua Cheng Yu had already stood up, facing the camera, ready to thank the audience and accept interviews.
"The singer ranked first in this round is: Wang Shu!"
The moment Han Ge uttered Wang Shu's name, Hua Cheng Yu, who was smiling and waving at the camera, froze in place.
The camera then bypassed him and focused on Wang Shu's position.
"I'm sorry, Hua Hua, you'll have to leave the stage for now!"
Han Ge walked up to Hua Cheng Yu and gently patted his shoulder.
At this moment, Hua Cheng Yu's face had turned green with anger, his features contorting.
Because in yesterday's competition, his ranking was seventh.
According to the program's rules, the singer with the worst combined score from the two performances would be eliminated.
"Rigged! Your show is definitely doing this on purpose. What a garbage show, wasting my time!"
Hua Cheng Yu could not accept this result. He even suspected that the program deliberately eliminated him to boost Wang Shu.
He believed his musical skills were far superior to Wang Shu's, and he had no reason to be eliminated.
Therefore, the only logical explanation was that the program deliberately eliminated him to hype up Wang Shu and create buzz!
He had already realized this problem during the last "Weekly Good Voice."
But he hadn't expected Wang Shu to have such powerful connections, even being able to associate with Gong Tao!
"I will definitely report this to the higher-ups. You'll all lose your jobs!"
Hua Cheng Yu pointed at the staff members present, speaking furiously. He even deliberately shouted at the camera.
Because he knew that the chief director, Gong Tao, was definitely watching in the control room, and his words were directed at Gong Tao.
"Director Gong, what should we do?"
In the control room, several deputy directors exchanged glances and asked Gong Tao.
"Hmph, this Hua Cheng Yu, does he really think no one can handle him? How dare he act so recklessly on my show?"
Gong Tao, watching the live broadcast footage on the monitor, was furious. He, a television station's chief director, was being yelled at by a brash youngster.
"Let him leave. If he continues to make a scene, call security to escort him out! It's truly lawless!"
Gong Tao said coldly to the deputy director beside him. He would not tolerate these artists acting wild at Hunan TV.