Big Sweetie Rises! She’s Building My Royal Harem in the Tang Dynasty!
Chapter 10 - Recording the Variety Show "Ace vs. Ace" – A Stage Debut!

Chapter 10: Recording the Variety Show “Ace vs. Ace” – A Stage Debut!

The eighth day of the Lunar New Year.

Shen Lang finally stepped out of Tian Tian’s villa.

For the past seven days, Shen Lang and Tian Tian had been indulging in roleplay games, experimenting with all kinds of scenarios.

If not for Shen Teng’s call summoning him to Hangzhou for the recording of Ace vs. Ace Season 3, where a guest had dropped out last minute and Shen Teng recommended Shen Lang as a replacement, he might have stayed even longer.

Before he left, Tian Tian reminded him to work hard, debut as soon as possible, and become a rising star. That way, when she took him out in public, she’d have bragging rights.

“Xiao Lang, did you really spend the New Year with Tian Tian?”

At the airport, Shen Teng picked him up, his voice laced with concern.

“Uncle Teng, I’m still young. I’m not thinking that far ahead.”

“Just having fun? Well… I guess that’s fine.” Shen Teng figured as long as his nephew wasn’t being taken advantage of, there was no harm in it.

He then explained that tomorrow’s recording for Ace vs. Ace Season 3 (Episode 8) needed a last-minute replacement because Da Zhangwei had a scheduling conflict. As a permanent host, Shen Teng had recommended Shen Lang.

The production team didn’t know who Shen Lang was, but when Shen Teng introduced him as his nephew, Zhejiang TV immediately agreed.

“Xiao Lang, since you like music, this episode is music-themed. I’ll arrange for you to team up with Phoenix Legend—you know their songs, right?”

“If not, here’s a trick: just blend in.”

“When recording variety shows, you can’t just coast, but sometimes…”

Shen Teng patiently explained how variety show recordings worked and promised to set him up with comedic moments during the shoot.

“Xiao Lang, you’re here~”

When they arrived at Zhejiang TV and headed to the studio, Jia Lin spotted Shen Lang and brightened up. She walked over and playfully complained, “Xiao Lang, why didn’t you wait for me after the Spring Festival Gala?”

Shen Teng waved her off. “Get outta here!”

“Teng Ge—no, wait, this episode makes you ‘Uncle Teng’ now, hahaha—”

“With Xiao Lang here, Teng Ge, you can’t keep pretending to be young!”

Jia Lin burst into laughter, already imagining the fun they’d have during filming.

Shen Teng sighed. “Xiao Lang, this is your ‘Auntie Jia’!”

“Who’s fake? You’re the fake one!”

Jia Lin rolled her eyes and shoved him lightly before pulling Shen Lang inside. She introduced him to the production team and fellow guests—Wang Yuan, Nana Ou-yang, Phoenix Legend, Zhang Jie, G.E.M., and Jane Zhang.

“Hey, handsome, what’s your name? Are you really a newbie? How are you this good-looking?”

“Wait, does he kinda look like Teng Ge?”

Jia Lin chimed in, “Shen Lang is Teng Ge’s nephew.”

Shen Teng bragged, “Our family genes are strong. I was the military arts school’s heartthrob, and my nephew is the Beijing Film Academy’s heartthrob! Look at him—he’s even more handsome than I was in my prime, right?”

“Teng Ge—no, ‘Uncle Teng’—how can you brag like that? Your seniority just dropped this episode!” Wang Yuan teased excitedly.

Shen Teng looked up and sighed dramatically, choosing not to respond.

“Teng Ge, your nephew is better-looking than you. That face is unreal.”

Ling Hua from Phoenix Legend nodded in approval.

“Is Shen Lang on our team?” Zeng Yi asked.

“Obviously?” Shen Teng shrugged.

“Uncle Teng, please guide us tomorrow!” Ling Hua immediately switched to the new title.

“Uncle Teng~”

The others echoed in unison.

Shen Teng could only groan internally.

Exhausting. Just end me now.

Ling Hua turned to Shen Lang. “Do you know any of our songs?”

“I know all of them,” Shen Lang answered.

“Perfect. For the opening, you’ll perform with us.”

“Can we do a new song instead?”

“A new song?”

“For the opening, we’ll sing your and Brother Zeng Yi’s usual hits. But later, the three of us can perform an original I wrote—specifically for Phoenix Legend.”

“Wait, seriously? You’re giving us a new song just for this recording?”

Shen Teng was stunned. Since when did my nephew write songs?

“Let’s discuss this properly…”

Ling Hua, unaware Shen Lang was an actor, assumed he was a singer—especially since this was a music-themed episode.

Jia Lin and Shen Teng exchanged glances, equally shocked. Since when did Shen Lang compose music?

“Teng Ge, Xiao Lang can write songs?”

“Apparently?”

“Do you know or not?”

“I have no idea.”

“Then…”

“Let’s just see how it goes.”

After a hushed discussion, they decided to wait and watch.

“Hey, this is great—but it’s a little melancholic. If you’re okay with it, we can still use your composition.”

“How about we record both versions?”

Ling Hua suggested.

“That works.” Zeng Yi agreed without pushing further.

As Phoenix Legend and Shen Lang continued their discussion, Shen Teng couldn’t resist joining in. Hearing them praise Shen Lang filled him with pride.

Finally, the Shen family has produced a musician!

The lively discussion soon drew the attention of Zhang Jie, G.E.M., and Jane Zhang. When they saw the lyrics and sheet music for “Ocean Floor”, they all agreed it was a beautiful song—just a bit sorrowful.

Shen Lang explained that “Ocean Floor” was written for people battling depression, encouraging them to rise from the depths toward the light.

“Jia Lin, see? Our Shen family is overflowing with artistic talent. Xiao Lang is an actor first, but now he’s a composer—a full-fledged musician!”

Shen Teng boasted shamelessly.

Jia Lin shot back, “That’s Xiao Lang’s talent, ‘Uncle Teng’. Your musical ability is zero!”

“Just admit you’re jealous. He’s my nephew!”

Shen Teng ignored her, too busy basking in reflected glory.

The next day.

The recording for Ace vs. Ace Season 3 (Episode 8) began.

After rehearsing the script the day before, Shen Lang and Phoenix Legend had also practiced “Ocean Floor”. As seasoned professionals, they mastered the song quickly.

The teams were set:

Shen Teng & Nana Ou-yang

Jia Lin & Wang Yuan

As the cameras rolled, host Shen Tao announced:

“First, let’s welcome Team Shen Teng! Give them a round of applause!”

The spotlight shifted to the stage, where Phoenix Legend launched into “The Hottest Ethnic Trend”.

“The vast horizon is my love…”

After a few lines, Shen Lang emerged from backstage and seamlessly took over:

“Our fiery songs are what you crave, singing freely as we roam…”

The performance ended to thunderous applause, though the audience murmured in curiosity—Who is this handsome guy?

Shen Teng, bursting with pride, cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted:

“Shen Lang, you’re amazing! I love you!”

Jia Lin clapped her chubby hands in exaggerated awe. “Wow, the crowd’s going wild!”

Host Shen Tao smoothly transitioned: “Now, let’s welcome Shen Lang as he performs his original song—’Ocean Floor’!”

The audience hesitated—Who is this guy? Why the special treatment?

If not for his striking looks, they might’ve booed him offstage.

But Shen Lang cherished this solo moment. He performed the original, melancholic version of “Ocean Floor”—the one addressing depression. Later, he’d join Phoenix Legend for the hopeful, uplifting rendition, symbolizing rising from the depths toward the sun.

“Scattered moonlight hides behind clouds…”

From the first line, the entire audience was spellbound.

There was something indescribable about the song—something that gripped their hearts.

……