The camera followed Sean and the others.
However, many comments from Chinese netizens appeared on the screen.
"Tingyu's display of power in front of everyone this time is so satisfying, really good!"
"Hahaha, I knew this guy wouldn't remain unknown. Every time he participates in such a symposium, he causes a huge sensation."
"I can't believe Tingyu even got a response from Master Mai Lin when they connected. Damn it, he managed to show off again!"
"Actually, it's not that Tingyu is so amazing. Miyamoto Ze and the others just said that because Master Mai Lin has a good relationship with Jiangnan, Tingyu is benefiting from that connection."
"So connections don't count as skill, is that it? How much has Tingyu helped Jiangnan?"
"Why argue? As a fan of both of them, I feel very proud."
Perhaps foreign viewers weren't aware of the relationship between Tingyu and Jiangnan, but Chinese netizens were very clear about it.
Tingyu's presence was almost a constant in Jiangnan's career; he produced the music for every movie and every television series.
Their relationship was naturally incredibly good.
Therefore, whether Tingyu benefited from Jiangnan or not this time was of no consequence to them. The most significant aspect was how Master Mai Lin's attitude towards Tingyu was completely different from his attitude towards others, which had genuinely shocked everyone.
...
The latter half of the symposium featured exchanges with world-class instrumental masters.
Each country had its own instrumental showcase.
While backstage, Su Yu encountered some familiar faces.
"Haha, we've long heard that Xiao Yu was coming to the symposium, and it's great that we could meet," said Erhu master Zhou Ningbin, who had been tirelessly working to promote Chinese traditional instruments.
He and Su Yu had met during a city competition and had even collaborated on the instrumental piece "Shui Long Yin."
"Teacher Zhou, Miss Liu, long time no see." Su Yu's signed books were temporarily held by the production team. Seeing that the latter half of the symposium was about to begin, he was about to return to his guest seats with Lin Yanyu when he ran into Zhou Ningbin and the others backstage.
Accompanying Zhou Ningbin was the talented Guqin musician Liu Qingxue.
For the past few months, the two of them had been performing in various countries overseas.
Zhou Ningbin had also been invited to this symposium.
Although Liu Qingxue wasn't yet qualified to perform at such a symposium, the production team had not refused her participation since she was accompanied by Zhou Ningbin.
"Tingyu, we're going on stage soon. We'll talk later," Liu Qingxue said, greeting Su Yu while carrying her Guqin.
"Alright, we should head back to the venue as well," Su Yu replied with a nod.
After speaking, Su Yu led Lin Yanyu towards the event hall.
Upon returning to their seats, the show began shortly thereafter, with Japan's instrumental performance kicking things off.
"Shakuhachi" is a very famous traditional Japanese instrument. Of course, this instrument originated from China, belonging to a court instrument that was popular in China long ago. It is a type of flute with a desolate and expansive sound.
Next was the "Shamisen." Like the Shakuhachi, the ancestor of this instrument is also China's Sanxian. After being transmitted to Japan and modified by Japanese artists, it became their traditional instrument, known as the "King of Japanese Instruments," producing a sound that is serene and pure when played.
Almost all Japanese instruments were transmitted from China in earlier times and then modified in a localized manner. However, they did a far better job than China in promoting their own culture, which is why when people heard the sounds of these instruments, they instantly knew they were Japanese-style instruments.
The symposium continued.
Staff members from the "Era Music King" production team approached them.
"After discussions between the production team and the symposium organizers, would the producers be interested in performing their respective national instruments?"
His words surprised everyone.
Weren't they here as guests?
Now they were being asked to participate in the show?
"I knew it. This production team wouldn't miss an opportunity for overtime," Su Yu muttered to himself.
They were told they were just guests before coming, and then asked to showcase their talents after arriving.
However, Sean and the others suddenly became excited.
Unlike someone as lazy as Su Yu, Sean and the others most looked forward to these moments of showing off.
"Shall we give it a go then?" he asked Jin Chengxian and the others beside him.
"Certainly."
"I think this suggestion is good."
The others had no objections.
Finally, they all looked at Su Yu.
"I have no objections," Su Yu said, spreading his hands.
He couldn't possibly refuse when everyone else agreed and he was the only one to be special. Moreover, spreading ethnic instruments was a positive act, and Su Yu, being such a positive person, felt it would be inappropriate not to agree.
However, which instrument should he perform this time?
It seemed there was no Suona on-site. This time, the Chinese traditional instruments featured were only Guqin and Erhu.
Then it would have to be the Erhu!
As one of China's most famous instruments, the Erhu possessed its own charm. Su Yu felt it was necessary to let these foreigners get to know the Erhu properly.
...
As the symposium on stage was drawing to a close, the Chinese Erhu and Guqin were the last to be showcased. Zhou Ningbin and Liu Qingxue performed a widely circulated Chinese piece. Perhaps intentionally trying to promote Liu Qingxue, the Guqin was the protagonist in this piece, with the Erhu serving only as accompaniment.
Su Yu deeply admired veteran artists like Zhou Ningbin. Much like Mo Yan, he was always paving the way for younger artists in the industry. Having walked that path himself and knowing its hardships, he readily gave opportunities to younger talents once he achieved success. Such veteran artists were truly worthy of respect.
After the symposium concluded.
The production team released the instrument popularity ranking.
This ranking was not based on quality but on popularity, determined by audience votes for their favorite instruments.
"The sound of the Guqin is very beautiful. I didn't expect it to rank only eighth on the instrument chart. I've always liked Chinese instruments, but unfortunately, the Erhu didn't have much of a presence this time, falling outside the top ten."
"I prefer the tone of the Japanese Shamisen, which gives me a sense of etherealness. Ranking fifth is well-deserved."
"Italy got lucky. The piano is currently the most popular instrument, so its popularity is very high, ranking first on the instrument chart!"
"I don't have any issues with the guitar being second, but since when did it become an American instrument?"
"Damn it, that's shameless, but that's so typical of the Americans…"
Such rankings were inherently not authoritative, and controversies were rampant. Not only was there the issue of instrument attribution, but the influence of popularity on the rankings also caused the comment section to erupt in arguments.
"Next, let's invite the producers from 'Era Music King' to perform their respective national instruments. The rankings will be reopened. We'll see if these producers can influence the popularity ranking of the instruments. Please stay tuned!"
After the host finished speaking, warm applause filled the symposium hall.
As the most popular program currently, "Era Music King" helping to promote one's national instruments was naturally a very good thing.
"If the producers perform national instruments, won't Tingyu's Suona shine?"
"Tingyu's Suona is indeed terrifying. I'm looking forward to him sending these foreigners packing!"
"There's no Suona on the instrument popularity chart, so Tingyu can only choose Guqin or Erhu."
"Then it's over for us, can Tingyu play the Guqin or Erhu?"
Chinese netizens, who were originally full of confidence and eagerly anticipating Tingyu to blow everyone away with his Suona at the symposium, found themselves in a difficult situation when they realized the production team had no Suona, only Guqin and Erhu.
This posed a problem.
Although Tingyu knew many instruments, including the piano, guitar, and Suona, did he have time to learn other instruments?
As Chinese, they naturally understood how difficult the Guqin was.
The Erhu was even more so.
"Three years for the flute, five years for the Xiao, and a lifetime to master the Erhu."
This saying highlighted its incredibly high level of difficulty!
...