In the studio.
Flowing Time's performance ended.
The audience gave an enthusiastic round of applause, but the discussions weren't as enthusiastic as they looked on the surface.
"Great song."
"Yeah, it sounded good."
"But I feel that something's missing!"
"All the songs are children's songs today!"
"Yeah, we already heard three such songs. The new replacement masked singer sang the first one, followed by Sunset Glow, and then Flowing Time. The other replacement masked singer's song added an excerpt of a children's song to the end of his performance as well, except that he slightly arranged the melody. That was the only hint of creativity I saw today. Even though it was very enjoyable to listen to, this is too much. It's good that there's positive energy, but isn't this too goddamn positive, don't you think?"
"What can they do other than this? The contestants have been called out individually and criticized!"
1. Chapter 749
2. I'm a Small, Little Bird - https://youtu.be/RVEtPSs-Oy4
3. This is from the first half of a poem by Lu Xun, titled 'Self-Mockery.' Lu Xun speaks of being born in the wrong times as he was suppressed, i.e. during the struggle between the Communist and Nationalist governments. It was a time when the rich held power while the poor suffered, and he was caught between these two classes of people. He laments about being aware of these problems, yet was unable to do much or help out for fear of being singled out by either side of the classes.
4. https://discord.gg/3jC9NHV