Chapter 255: Cla.s.sic Voice
The “Voice Legend” annual show was divided into three main sets. One was the main stage, the other was the voice dubbing studio on the second floor, and the third was the external stage.
On the main stage, the host was on the top area and the audience below. The host was the same person from the first season, the famous TV host and voice actor Uncle Kai.
There would only be two groups of contestants and a voice acting a.s.sistant in the dubbing studio.
The external stage was basically a break room where contestants and their guests could go after their dubbing session to relax and chat with the others. In addition, joining their casual banter in the room was the same host from the previous season, Uncle Zhang San.
After group two wrapped up, the third group began their preparations. They were three hours into recording.
The contestant that Bai Zhi would have to PK in group three was another female actress. Bai Yueguang had come into the spotlight from her outstanding performance as the empress from “Yanxi Palace” and had voiced most of her own roles as well. Like the empress from “Yanxi Palace,” her voice was gentle and moving, and her performance on “Voice Legend” had been incredible as well. The show had allowed her to demonstrate her versatility and made her very popular with the audience.
Uncle Zhang San, who’d previously played the Kangxi emperor, teased Bai Yueguang: “Daughter-in-law Sun, time to introduce your collaboration guest.”*
*The empress in “Yanxi Palace” was technically (historically) the grand daughter-in-law of Emperor Kangxi. She was married to Emperor Qianlong, Kangxi’s grandson.
Bai Yueguang was warm and gentle, dressed in an ethereal outfit. Hearing this joke, she playfully responded: “The guest I’ve invited is, hmmm, very handsome, bold, and domineering. And he’s related to you, too!”
Uncle Zhang San knew how to keep the conversation going. “Are you saying he’s handsome, bold, and domineering like me? Let’s invite him out.”
The second floor’s main doors opened and a person emerged. Of course, it was the actor who played Qianlong emperor in “Yanxi Palace.”
“The emperor has arrived!”
“The Royal Couple has emerged again!”
The guests and contestants in the break room all stood up to greet him as they teased.
After a round of jokes, the Royal Couple held hands as they entered the recording room.
Uncle Zhang San then looked towards Bai Zhi. “Bai Zhi, please introduce your guest to us. I heard he’s not a person from the entertainment industry.”
Bai Zhi smiled. “He isn’t. Currently, he’s still a student. He’s an artist and an online streamer. Voice acting has been his long-time dream. And as for his skill, well, you’ll find out soon enough.”
“Really? Then let’s invite him out.”
During the morning rehearsals, several celebrity contestants — including Uncle Zhang San — had already seen Meng Fan’s performance. They were all terrified of his skill. Meng Fan had won over their respect with his abilities alone.
Descending from the second floor, Meng Fan was wearing the tuxedo that Bai Zhi had insisted he wear. He’d never worn formal wear before since not many suits could fit him. This time, he’d been forced to try it, and the results were quite good indeed. At least, after dressing up, he could see the effect he had on people based on the expressions of Bai Zhi and the makeup artists.
Furthermore, with his +11 Charm, he was quite a formidable force indeed.
“Isn’t he handsome!”
Bai Zhi saw that the contestants were all surprised by Meng Fan and felt very satisfied. She couldn’t refrain from showing off a little.
“Welcome, welcome.”
Uncle Zhang San raised his head. “Holy! How tall are you?”
Meng Fan greeted him and smiled. “Almost 190 cm.”
Uncle Zhang San smiled. “You look like you’re almost two meters tall. No wonder everyone calls you Iron Tower!”
Shen Haojian, who had been sitting next to Uncle Zhang San as his partner, began to laugh. “We’ve solved the case! Doesn’t the internet say your height has always been a mystery? Well, it’s solved now. You’re definitely not 182 cm tall.”
Uncle Zhang San pointed to Shen Haojian. “Don’t you tell people you’re 180 cm tall as well?” Then he gestured towards him with a finger hook from one of Shen Haojie’s roles in a movie. “Come here!”
The external stage people burst into laughter as Bai Zhi looped her arm around Meng Fan and entered the dubbing studio.
After entering, the two groups greeted each other.
Upon closer inspection, Bai Yueguang was radiating with G.o.ddess appeal, but as for the big shot emperor… Meng Fan had a brief impression of him playing a role in “Heroes of the Sui and Tang Dynasty.” It’s just that Meng Fan couldn’t clearly distinguish who — between him and Huang Haibin — had played Qin Shubao and who had played Luo Cheng.
Downstairs, at the main stage, Uncle Kai the host had begun announcing the third group. He then cued towards the guests upstairs and asked the audience to greet them.
Bai Yueguang imitated the character from the voice clip she’d dubbed and sent the audience a flying kiss. When it was the emperor’s turn, the audience at the main stage had already exploded. The appearance of the Royal Couple was very satisfying and surprising.
It was Bai Zhi’s turn next. Bai Zhi had always been very popular, and her performance on this show had gained her plenty of new fans. Her greeting also drew some pa.s.sionate screams and applause.
Then came Meng Fan’s turn. Based on the script, he had to dub a character before introducing himself.
Uncle Kai said: “Bai Zhi, who is your collaborating guest?”
As soon as the mic went silent, a unified scream was heard from the audience. “Iron Tower!”
This surprised the host as well as the guests on the second floor.
“You guessed correctly that easily?”
“He’s popular!”
In the external stage, Yu Xiaoer, a child star who recently made her stunning debut on “Voice Legend” by making it to the finals, updated her seniors backstage. “He’s a very popular streamer in the Otaku category on 8th Station. In there, he’s probably more popular than you guys are.” She then looked towards the actor who played Li Yunlong. “Except for you, Mr Li.”
Meng Fan was slightly shocked as well. Did someone hire paid audience members to maintain the atmosphere?
Seeing it was his turn, he also began to dub the original voice track he’d prepared, wailing: “WOOOH! SU——PER! The master s.h.i.+pwright from One Piece, reporting for duty!”
This magical phrase mixed with the tongue rolls was no doubt Franky from “One Piece.” He had done so in j.a.panese as well. He’d chosen this character as his personal introduction because Franky’s nickname was the Iron Man, which was related to his own nickname of Iron Tower.
After this dubbing, everyone’s eyes lit up — from the contestants, to the host, to the audience members.
“h.e.l.lo everyone, I’m Meng Fan.”
Meng Fan returned to his original voice. He didn’t need the increase in Voice Appeal to be charming.
The contestants on the external stage immediately gave him a thumbs up.
“As soon as an expert speaks, you’ll know if they’re real.”
“I’ve seen his voice dubs online. He’s incredible. He’s definitely a professional voice actor!”
“I’ve seen him, too! Everyone, be careful! Bai Zhi had come with the champions.h.i.+p in mind!”
The audience on scene were evidently getting more excited. The applause was also very enthusiastic. Since the audience consisted mostly of young adults, there were several otakus present.
Once Uncle Kai announced the beginning of the “Cla.s.sic Voice” segment for group three, the first contestant to step up was Bai Yueguang. Following her was the big shot emperor. The two performed incredibly, which caused a burst of applause from the audience.
Afterwards, the two descended to the main stage hand in hand and began their collaboration scene, which was equally wonderful.
It was then Bai Zhi’s turn. Bai Zhi was voicing scenes from “Qi Yue and An Sheng” and “Feng Shui.” The former had two roles, which was performed incredibly to say the least, while the latter scene brought tears to the eyes of all her audience.
“Next, please welcome Meng Fan and his ‘Cla.s.sic Voice’, a clip from the film, ‘The Message.’”
“Everyone, please pay attention, ah!” Uncle Kai slyly chided.
In the dubbing studio on the second floor, Meng Fan approached the voice actor’s seat. He undid a b.u.t.ton on his neckline and exhaled deeply. He would be lying if he wasn’t the least bit nervous.
Bai Zhi gave him a big thumbs up. “Relax. You’ll be OK.”