Starting to Gain Experience from Push-Ups Chapter 1071 - 529_2

"Brother Cheng... I... I feel like I want to throw up..."

Her lips were tightly pressed together, and her voice was muffled and slightly trembling.

Fang Cheng saw this, and without a word, pulled over a chair for Zhou Xiumei to sit down.

Then he squatted in front of her, making eye contact with her.

His broad shoulders were like a solid wall, shielding her from the chaotic and noisy surroundings.

"It’s alright; this is a normal physiological reaction. Everyone gets nervous."

Fang Cheng said a few comforting words and, seeing Zhou Xiumei’s gaze focused on him, continued:

"Do you remember the Meditation Breathing Method I taught you in the car earlier?"

Zhou Xiumei nodded.

"Good, let’s practice it together once more."

Fang Cheng gently guided her:

"First, close your eyes and inhale, filling your stomach with air, relax your shoulders, don’t move."

"Then hold your breath, count silently for three seconds, three, two, one..."

"Imagine a flame burning, expelling all the murky air from your lungs, clearing away all the bad emotions..."

Zhou Xiumei obediently closed her eyes, inhaled deeply in rhythm with him, and exhaled slowly, her chest rising and falling slightly with her breaths.

After several repetitions, her once rigid body finally began to relax slightly.

At this moment, Wen Xin also came over, reaching out with two warm little hands, wrapping Zhou Xiumei’s hands tightly and rubbing them while exhaling:

"Sister Zhou, don’t be afraid, I’m using my superpower to send you energy!"

The warmth from her palms and the familiar voice at her ear finally helped Zhou Xiumei’s heart, which felt like it was about to leap out of her throat, to calm down a little.

The preliminary rounds progressed quickly and were even somewhat brutal.

Most contestants were stopped by the judges within three lines of singing.

Only a very few could get a provisional qualification, and those who advanced directly were extremely rare.

After more than two hours of long torment.

"Next, number 0527, Zhou Xiumei."

The host’s somewhat weary voice spread throughout the venue via the microphone.

Zhou Xiumei’s entire body stiffened suddenly, and she opened her eyes, standing up like a marionette.

"Go ahead."

Fang Cheng gently pushed her back and softly encouraged:

"Wen Xin and I are watching you from the audience, don’t be afraid."

"Sister Zhou, go for it! We support you from down here!"

Wen Xin also clenched her small fists, cheering her on.

Zhou Xiumei nodded rigidly, picked up the somewhat old second-hand guitar on her back, and then, with heavy steps, walked towards the stage that was not very high but felt very long.

It wasn’t until she stood under the spotlight that she realized just how strong the pressure was.

Several high-powered spotlights shone directly at her, instantly blinding her vision, making it impossible to see the situation or the faces in the audience.

She could only feel several scrutinizing gazes on her and the suffocating silence.

Zhou Xiumei had been sickly since a young age, having had to take a break from school in her teens due to illness.

A long, solitary life left her with almost no friends and never speaking before such a crowd.

Her low self-esteem, introversion, and social anxiety wrapped her in a thick cocoon, confining her in a safe yet tiny room.

And now, that cocoon was being forcibly torn apart, exposing her nakedly to hundreds of pairs of eyes.

Holding the microphone, she felt a slippery sensation from her sweat-drenched palms.

"Hello, teachers..."

Her voice, once spoken, was evidently trembling.

Amplified by the audio system, the timid tremor sounded especially jarring.

"I am... number 0527, Zhou Xiumei."

In the judges’ seats below, two seasoned musicians furrowed their brows slightly and made a note on the form.

They seemed to have lost interest, even picking up their water cups to moisten their throats.

Only Cheng Jiashu, sitting in the center, watched with interest, his hands crossed under his chin, at the pretty girl on stage who seemed about to curl into a ball.

Zhou Xiumei felt her throat dry and her mind blank.

The introduction she had memorized by heart was now completely forgotten.

A whispering murmur came from below the stage.

Although she couldn’t hear the details, in her extremely sensitive state, it was clear they were mocking her awkwardness.

Just as her mental defenses were about to collapse and she wanted to turn and flee the stage.

"Xiumei—look here!"

A not particularly loud, yet exceptionally clear man’s voice, penetrated the layers of noise and reached her ears.

Instinctively, Zhou Xiumei turned towards the sound, squinting her eyes, looking to the shadow on the left side of the stage.

Though backlit, and through the crowd.

She spotted that familiar tall figure in one glance.

Unlike other contestants’ supportive friends and family who screamed wildly.

Fang Cheng simply stood there quietly, raising his right hand high, showing her a big thumbs up.

And beside him, the small Wen Xin was hopping on her toes, waving her hands enthusiastically.

"Sister, go for it, you’re the best!"

Seeing this scene, Zhou Xiumei’s pupils slightly contracted.

Perhaps from excessive nerves causing hallucinations.

In her eyes, the once dim and noisy world seemed to fade and blur suddenly.

Only where Fang Cheng stood, it became incredibly clear.

She saw a halo of pale gold light seeming to emanate from around Fang Cheng.

The glow wasn’t blinding but radiated incredible warmth, like a sun rising in the night.

It was so magnificent, even suppressing all the jarring background noise.

Like her anchor point in this world.

Like a lighthouse standing amid the turbulent sea of people.