Ting Yu secured first place in the regional competition with an incredibly brilliant performance.
After the show concluded, the trending topics exploded.
#Fifth District Champion Ting Yu! He defeated all opponents in their own preferred style!!#
#Divine Live Performance, the little-known Zhang Wei's "Fu Kuang" (Exaggerated) has ascended to godhood.#
#Unbelievable, Ting Yu can actually write Vietnamese songs!#
#First District Champion Shen Jinghong, with a score gap second only to Ting Yu!#
#All five major districts have finished their competitions, the official matches are next!#
This year, the Ace City Competition was undoubtedly the hottest event.
Every time it concluded, the trending topics were dominated by discussions about the Ace City Competition.
And this time, Ting Yu monopolized the top three trending spots, once again proving his dominance.
Whether it's the song charts or the trending lists, "I, Ting Yu, want it all!"
"Smart people are already following Shen Yin Zhe's Weibo."
"I've refreshed so many times, but Shen Yin Zhe hasn't updated yet."
"It's over, it's over. The omnipresent Shen Yin Zhe actually didn't capture Hu Yang's 'Bible'."
Shen Yin Zhe, who usually posted his "Bible" promptly after every competition, surprisingly did not post today. This undoubtedly left netizens somewhat disappointed with their professionalism.
As usual, the official version would be released after the competition ended.
This time, there was another thing everyone was looking forward to.
That was the Mandarin version of "Fu Kuang" that Xing Hui had revealed on their official Weibo. Many people didn't understand the Vietnamese version without lyrics, so many were anticipating the Mandarin version of "Fu Kuang."
Two hours after the competition ended, both versions of "Fu Kuang" were released simultaneously.
...
In a high-end bar.
Hu Yang and his singer, Zhu Xinyu, were dejectedly drinking.
The bar played soothing music. As it was a high-end venue, it wasn't too noisy, and the sound system was excellent, which gradually calmed Hu Yang's state of mind.
He hadn't expected to be defeated so miserably.
"Fortunately, that damn Shen Yin Zhe didn't post the bragging I did earlier, otherwise it would be even more embarrassing..." he muttered after taking a drink, feeling a sense of relief. Before the competition, he was so confident that he had bragged more than once. Thinking about it now, his face still felt hot.
While feeling dejected, Hu Yang took out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket and offered two to Zhu Xinyu.
"Teacher Hu, I don't smoke," Zhu Xinyu waved his hand.
Hu Yang didn't insist, knowing Zhu Xinyu didn't smoke. Offering was just a habit. Besides, there were only two cigarettes left in the pack, so saving them would help him get through the drinking session.
"The Mandarin version is out."
Zhu Xinyu glanced at the time on his phone.
"Judging by the time, it should be out," Hu Yang asked, rubbing his eyes as smoke stung them.
"Shall we listen to it!" Zhu Xinyu gritted his teeth and asked tentatively.
Hu Yang was startled and quickly waved his hand, "Listen to what? If you want to listen, you can. I'm not interested!" The reason he called Zhu Xinyu for drinks after the show was so he could forget the song "Fu Kuang" in his mind that night and get a good night's sleep. Listening to the Mandarin version now would be like seeking torture.
"Then we won't listen..." Zhu Xinyu hadn't expected Hu Yang's reaction to be so strong. He enjoyed showing off and had been embarrassed many times, but he still relentlessly pursued this path. It wasn't that he had a good mentality, but rather that he felt that living in the Chinese music scene with his current status, being timid would be a wasted life. The competition venue didn't feel too embarrassing for him. As for the internet, having been embarrassed so many times, Zhu Xinyu always adhered to one principle: As long as I don't look, I will never be embarrassed! That's right, as long as he didn't know about it, he wouldn't have any psychological pressure.
"Don't think about it, let's drink!" Hu Yang shook his head.
"Here's to you, Teacher Hu, cheers!" Zhu Xinyu raised his glass.
Just then, a familiar piano melody suddenly emerged from the bar. Hu Yang and Zhu Xinyu, who were just tilting their heads to drink, spat it out abruptly.
"Pfft..."
"Pfft... cough cough..."
The burning sensation of being choked by alcohol made tears stream down their faces. Their unusual reactions also attracted quite a few gazes. However, due to the dim lighting in the bar, no one recognized their true identities.
"Damn it, isn't this 'Fu Kuang'?" Hu Yang swore directly.
"This bar only plays soothing music, why would they play this song?" Zhu Xinyu couldn't help himself. I try not to pay attention, and you just force it into my ears?
"I can't take it anymore, I'm going to go and greet the bar owner's whole family!" Hu Yang stood up.
Zhu Xinyu quickly restrained him, "Teacher Hu Yang, don't be impulsive. Accept what comes. We've heard it before, just bear with it for a few minutes." Hu Yang was currently in the spotlight, and causing trouble in a bar would lead to severe repercussions if word got out.
At this moment, the song information appeared on the bar's display screen.
Fu Kuang (Mandarin Version)
Vocal: Zhang Wei (Lin Zhixuan)
Lyrics: Ting Yu (Lou Nanyue)
Music: Ting Yu (c.y.kong)
The chilling prelude began. Hu Yang's cigarette had finished burning. He drew another one from the pack to relight it. Just as he took a puff, Zhang Wei's voice filled the bar.
"In the night sky, you only see the brightest star.
In the crowd, you admire the most talked-about and popular one..."
Hu Yang's angry expression gradually faded, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes. So, this song was the Mandarin version! He frowned and exhaled smoke. Across from him, Zhu Xinyu lowered his head, looking at his wine glass, and quietly listened to the song. If you can't resist, then enjoy it...
"Exaggeration is not a sin,
It can satisfy a hollow and dull life.
Those prying eyes, those gossiping mouths,
Amuse themselves during every leisure moment..."
At the same time, in various places, people were listening to this song. The popularity of the Ace City Competition had already spread throughout the entertainment industry. Even those top-tier singers were waiting for the Mandarin version of "Fu Kuang." After all, this song was now the undisputed reigning hit. Learning it sooner would grant them the qualification to ride the wave of popularity.
However, as the lyrics were gradually sung, the smiles on their faces slowly disappeared. They were replaced by expressions of deep thought. The Mandarin version seemed to be conveying something different from the Vietnamese version.
"Must it be exaggerated?
Regardless of right or wrong, true or false.
Competing for show, packaging, and price,
...
As long as the visuals are shocking enough,
As long as the content is explosive enough,
With a single mouth, one can achieve the impossible.
Laughter, scolding,
Only in the night, in front of the mirror,
Can one secretly speak the truth..."
With the chorus, a sense of restraint and resilience washed over them. Yes, to stand out in the vast and complex Chinese music scene, it wasn't just about talent, but more about display, packaging, and status. This was the unwritten rule of the industry, something everyone knew. Therefore, no matter how unwilling, one had to follow these rules. Of course, there were still people in this world who stayed true to their original intentions. On the path to realizing their ideals, although they complained and expressed dissatisfaction, and even considered giving up, they still persevered on this path.