My Landlord is an Idol Singer - Chapter 182

“You’re really a guest performer?” Inside the recording studio, there were still more than two hours of practice left, but Gu Zhinan could no longer hold back. She had hidden this too well! The landlord had said she had an event in Hangcheng, so this was it?

“Check Weibo yourself.”

After waiting a long while, he finally got a reply. Somewhat dazed, Gu Zhinan opened the official Weibo of Masked Singer. Sure enough, just ten minutes ago they had updated several photos, six people in total.

The landlord was among them. She wore a floral long dress, with a light and natural makeup look. Her small face carried a soft smile, making her appear graceful and elegant. And then there was Wang Yuyan, smiling sweetly at the camera. To Gu Zhinan, she was the only one who could rival the landlord’s looks.

Not only that, their clothing styles even looked a bit similar.

Honestly, when Xiao Li mentioned it earlier, Gu Zhinan already had a hunch. But seeing the official photos now still left him stunned.

“Do you think anyone in this lineup is pretty?”

“…”

“Yes, yes! They’re all pretty! Wow, landlord looks stunning!”

Xia An’ge pouted. That perfunctory response was pure scumbag behavior. She ignored him after that!

Since no more messages came, Gu Zhinan felt unsatisfied. He really wanted to ask the landlord why she hadn’t told him she was joining Masked Singer. But instead of her reply, he got Xiao Li’s notice.

Putting on his frog headgear again, Gu Zhinan headed out for the next stage. Up next was the exciting lottery draw, what lucky number would he get this time? With the show announcing its new competition format plus all the trending buzz, the number of online viewers skyrocketed even before it began, nearly surpassing the first season’s records!

“I heard the rules changed? I came just to check it out!”

“They added six guest performers, all rising stars or established singers! Even Wang Yuyan is here!”

“Du Yu and Xia An’ge too! Both skyrocketed in popularity over the past half year! And they look amazing!”

“But wait, is Wang Yuyan considered a veteran or a newcomer? Either way, she’s still a top-tier star!”

“Didn’t expect a veteran like Wang An to join Masked Singer! Must’ve been quite the payout from Zhi Jiang TV!”

“Han Junfeng has been steadily producing hits these past two years, he’s practically first-tier already! And Gao Wenxuan, wasn’t he off acting? Can he still sing after two years with no new songs?”

“These last two episodes are too good! All the contestants gathered together, no need to wait until later rounds. Round three starts right off the bat!”

“Yeah! Bro Monkey and Bro Sun-and-Moon Frog going head-to-head with Mr. Lion and Mr. Sloth!”

“Bro Frog is shaky though, unstable performances. Bombed round one, nailed round two. Could flop back again this round!”

“Just wait, by the end of this round, the cracks will show. Classic show tactic: vague at first, then bam, the masks start to slip!”

“We’ll definitely be able to guess who’s who after this!”

“12-to-6 elimination format is gonna be thrilling!”

“And the partner selection round later too! I’m already hyped for episode four’s duets!”

This time, the contestants couldn’t relax in the lounge. Instead, Masked Singer arranged a new viewing gallery beside the stage, nicknamed the “Zoo Enclosure.”

With his frog head on, Gu Zhinan looked around at the other 11 contestants. Several had already revealed themselves halfway. The “Rabbit Girl” wore only a bunny mask piece, lips glossy with tinted balm.

The rest had their own partial animal masks too. By the end of this episode, there wouldn’t be much left to hide behind.

When the host announced the official start of the episode and introduced the five judges, complete with the usual spiel about new rules, the real highlight began.

The guest performers.

Gu Zhinan didn’t even need to guess. the first one out would be Wang Yuyan.

Sure enough, after the introduction, music filled the stage. Wang Yuyan appeared in a white one-shoulder gown, microphone in hand, slim legs partly revealed, singing each line of her recent chart-topping hit.

The performance ended to thunderous applause. Even the livestream chat went wild.

“Wang Yuyan is forever a goddess!”

“Center position queen!”

“Wife! Wife! I love you!”

Most of the scrolling comments were “goddess” or “wife.”

It was no surprise. As a top star, Wang Yuyan had beauty and sweet vocals, sweeping up award after award. Recently she had even picked up a prize in Taiwan. With her massive fanbase, no one else here could really compare.

One by one, the guest performers came on stage, each introduced by the host before stepping out with their songs.

Gu Zhinan sat watching, bored. Only Wang Yuyan’s appearance had really caught his attention, because she was the one who had beaten the landlord. What he didn’t expect was that the landlord herself would be the very last to appear.

He almost laughed. She had been placed at the finale slot, the grand closing act?

After the host’s introduction, the soft tune of a love ballad began to play. The audience’s excitement instantly rose. From the corner of his eye, Gu Zhinan saw Rabbit Girl’s mouth slightly drop open.

She had sung Xia An’ge’s songs in the first two episodes, yet now the real Xia An’ge was here!

Xia Ange stepped lightly onto the stage, wearing a flowing blue gown that faded into a starry-night gradient. Her hair was swept up, leaving her forehead and neck fully bare. It looked like she glanced toward the “animal enclosure,” her eyes brushing over the frog mask sitting listlessly on the top row. Raising the microphone, she began to sing.

Deep and emotional, as always.

Since Wang Yuyan, no one else had received such a grand ovation, but now Xia An’ge did. Gu Zhinan’s own applause was in the mix. Hearing the Landlord live was always a pleasure.

“An’ge wife! Your carefree brother is here!”

“Shut up, you shameless clown!”

“Xia An’ge is gorgeous!”

“Prettier than our Wang Yuyan? More famous than her?”

“Mind your business! Like who you like, no need to start fights!”

“They’re all beautiful! Can’t we not argue?”

“Xia An’ge’s voice in these songs just hits straight to the heart!”

“Damn it, I’m moved again!”

“Crying already? I filed a complaint with property management ahead of time!”

No matter how many times he watched, Gu Zhinan still thought the landlord looked stunning. The gown was beautiful too, but once again, she had to lift the hem as she walked. Why did she always get stuck with such long dresses? Had she offended the stylist?

When the last guest performer had finished and taken their seat, applause filled the hall. The host offered more praise before announcing the lottery draw.

Once again, Gu Zhinan drew number eight.

Twice in a row! He was dumbfounded.

“Hahaha, Sun-and-Moon Frog is number eight again!”

“The mysterious power of the frog!”

“I’m dying, I want to see his face right now!”

Even the audience, who remembered he had drawn number eight previously, burst into laughter. Was this frog cursed to always get that number?

From her seat, Xia An’ge tried to hold back a smile, lips twitching slightly as she kept her composed image.

Gu Zhinan could only stare helplessly at the ceiling, then sit back down hugging his guitar, looking like a fool.

But right after the draw, a staff member handed him a decorated slip of paper, asking him to write down the names of three guest performers he’d like to partner with.

Did it really have to be three? He hesitated. He’d never sung with Wang Yuyan before, and another singer seemed good too. So hard to choose.

“All done.”

The staffer took the slip, raising an eyebrow at Gu Zhinan before folding it away.

“Alright, all contestants have drawn lots! After a short break, we’ll welcome our first singer of the night!”

Of course, there was no real break, it just meant commercials for the livestream.

On stage, though, adjustments were quickly made. First up was the contestant with the sloth mask, followed by Rabbit Girl heading backstage.

The third round had officially begun.