She had to admit that Qin Yu was right. A performance with a debuting idol would definitely leave a strong impression on the audience.

If it were just her alone, then even if the song was excellent, it wouldn’t have nearly as much buzz.

But she couldn’t figure out what Qin Yu was trying to accomplish.

“Weren’t we supposed to start playing up our CP after you gave me a song?” She was always this direct. If something bothered her, she couldn’t help asking right away. She wanted to know what Qin Yu was up to.

“I believe in the songs you write!” Qin Yu blinked, her long lashes fluttering.

“Tch~” Taking the microphone, she honestly rolled her eyes at Qin Yu, then signaled that she was ready.

Let this song be the first pair of wings to spread and soar into the sky!

Qin Yu’s hand came down on the guitar strings, and she played the first note. She’d only heard the song once, yet she could play it back without missing a single detail. Her talent was astonishing—but Lin Ziyao was the only one there who knew the truth.

Even Director Chen thought the two of them had rehearsed this part in the room during their thirty minutes there.

As the intro began, Feng Qiqi, who was especially sensitive to melodies, sat up straight. Director Chen noticed the small movement and quietly asked from below the stage, “Is there something special about this melody?”

When Feng Qiqi shook her head, Director Chen’s heart sank. Was it not good enough?

“The melody isn’t anything special. You could even call it gentle. But it’s catchy—you can remember it after hearing it once.” Feng Qiqi didn’t answer Director Chen’s question directly. She only shared what she could make out.

“Every time

I find strength while wandering alone

Every time

Even when I’m hurting, I won’t let my tears show

I know

I’ve always had a pair of invisible wings

They carry me flying, flying past despair”

With the system’s help, Lin Ziyao sang the song flawlessly from the very first note, bringing out its hope and healing warmth.

Just that opening nearly made Qin Yu slow down while playing.

I won’t think about

How they have a beautiful sun

I see

That even the sunset changes from day to day

I know

I’ve always had a pair of invisible wings

They carry me flying, give me hope”

“First it takes you past despair, then it gives you hope. This song has a real emotional range!” Xu Li, the one among them with the most life experience, summed it up sharply.

As a trainee, Yang Tian knew how hard it was to write an original song. He nodded in agreement with Xu Li.

Seeing the serious expressions on the guests below the stage, Lin Ziyao knew the song had won them over. It had even been adapted into a college entrance exam essay prompt, which showed just how influential it had been at the time. She gathered herself, ready to unleash the first wave of emotion.

At last, I see all my dreams in bloom

The young chase after them

Their voices ring so loud

At last, I take flight

I gaze with all my heart, unafraid

Wherever the wind may blow, I’ll fly that far”

As soon as this chorus began, Director Chen looked at Lin Ziyao differently. As a director, he understood music too, and he knew the value of this song.

He also knew what Lin Ziyao’s family situation was like. Put the two together, and it was obvious she’d written the song to encourage herself.

After the final repeat of the verse and chorus, Lin Ziyao’s performance reached its closing notes.

Invisible wings make dreams last longer than the sky

Leave a wish behind, and let yourself imagine”

When Lin Ziyao lowered the microphone, everyone there broke into applause—including Qin Yu, who had just released the guitar strings.

“This is a great song. You could even use it to strike a deal with me.” Qin Yu looked sincere. After hearing only the melody earlier, she’d thought she could write fitting lyrics for it.

But Lin Ziyao’s lyrics left her speechless. Even if she’d written them herself, she couldn’t have come up with anything that suited the song better.

Lin Ziyao shot her a glare. “Don’t even think about it. I’ve already decided what song you’re getting.”

Once Lin Ziyao and Qin Yu returned to their seats, Director Chen wasted no time starting his interview. “Qin Yu, I wanted to ask—had you two agreed ahead of time that you’d perform this song?”

Qin Yu knew exactly what Director Chen was getting at. She shook her head cooperatively and said, “Just as I said, Ziyao performed this song in the room just now. It wasn’t something we’d discussed beforehand.”

“As for my talent, I’ve already shown it.” Qin Yu gave a mischievous smile. “Director Chen, you can try to guess what it was!”

“Was it the guitar?” Dai Wen, who hadn’t said a word until now, made a guess.

Qin Yu shook her head, rejecting Dai Wen’s guess. “I was going to perform on the guitar.”

“It was your ability to memorize things after hearing them once, right?” Lin Ziyao said from her seat, looking at Qin Yu. “Since you can reproduce a song after hearing it just once.”

Surprised by Lin Ziyao’s guess, Director Chen turned to Qin Yu for confirmation. Qin Yu nodded.

“All right, that brings us to Ziyao. Does the song you just performed have a name?” Director Chen looked into Lin Ziyao’s eyes. The lyrics and melody both brought listeners hope, warmth, and comfort. Combined with the strength in Lin Ziyao’s voice, they could inspire people to stand up and face hardship again.

Her songwriting and composing skills really were no weaker than Qin Yu’s. It wasn’t hard to imagine how popular the song the two of them had performed would become once the episode aired.

“This song is called ‘Invisible Wings.’”

“Invisible Wings?” Director Chen slowly took in the impact of the song.

“I bet this song will take off once the show airs.” As a trainee, Yang Tian was good at spotting trends in pop music. The melody stayed gentle for most of the song, but when it needed to soar, the emotion came through in full force. It was incredibly moving.

“I’d like to ask Lin Ziyao for the piano score. I think a piano version could bring out a whole different feel.” After hearing the song, Feng Qiqi had plans of her own.

Lin Ziyao had no idea what everyone else was planning. She was busy chatting with Qin Yu.

“Would you be interested in publishing this song?” Qin Yu turned toward Lin Ziyao and leaned closer to ask.

Qin Yu’s suggestion made her stop and think seriously for once. The songs she’d gotten through the system’s missions definitely wouldn’t stop at just a few. She really did need to consider publishing them.

“I’m fine with publishing them, but I want to keep the rights to all my songs.” After a moment’s thought, she laid out her condition. She’d heard of singers who, after leaving their companies, couldn’t even perform their own songs because of the rights.

“Even the songs you give me?” Qin Yu looked curious at the condition she’d set. “Would I have to pay you to sing your songs, too?”

“What? Is that not allowed?” ‘Invisible Wings’ had given her plenty of confidence, and her tone was starting to get a little fierce.

But to Qin Yu, she was just putting on a tough act.