Chapter 135: Sudden Incident at the Concert

The time was 5:30.

Winter days were short and nights long; the sky had turned completely dark.

The entire venue was illuminated by light boards and glow sticks, instantly becoming an ocean of light.

A countdown began on the large screen.

Everyone in the audience stared expectantly at the center of the stage as the countdown ticked down.

Everyone shouted along with the countdown at the top of their voices.

"5!"

"4!"

"3!"

"2!"

"1!"

The shouts pierced the sky, echoing throughout the stadium.

When the countdown on the screen reached "1," the screen flashed.

A completely unexpected image appeared on camera.

"Hi everyone, I'm Zhou Xingchi. I'm sorry I can't attend Cheng Chen's concert."

"But I'll be watching you from Gang Sheng—you've always been an actor with exceptional vocal skill."

"I hope your concert is a great success."

Zhou Xingchi smiled warmly as he offered his blessings on camera.

He was dressed casually, not in the usual formal promotional attire.

The filming took place in his bedroom—natural and unscripted.

This precisely demonstrated the deep friendship between the two.

"Holy shit, it's Xing Ye! Has Xing Ye ever sent a concert blessing to any other star before?"

"An actor with exceptional vocal skill—hahaha, I'm dying laughing, Xing Ye's still as funny as ever."

"My two favorite stars actually interacted—ahhh, I'm so happy!"

"Old man's still got it—he got Xing Ye to show up, total clout!"

The audience below erupted in excitement, regardless of Zhou Xingchi's reputation in the industry.

But to fans, he was forever a god—who hadn't watched at least a few of Zhou Xingchi's movies?

That Cheng Chen could be so close to Zhou Xingchi made everyone like him even more.

After Zhou Xingchi's message, the large screen turned off, and all stage lights were extinguished.

The stage plunged into darkness, but the fans below erupted in frenzy.

Cheng Chen was about to appear!

Everyone held their breath—then came a loud "Bang!" as a beam of light struck the stage.

Cheng Chen!

Cheng Chen appeared on stage in a sleek dance outfit, stunningly handsome.

The crowd instantly went wild, all fans screaming his name.

"Cheng Chen!"

"Cheng Chen!"

"Cheng Chen!"

Until the familiar fast-paced music began…

"If Hua Tuo returned, even Western influence would be cured."

"Foreigners come to learn Chinese characters, igniting our national consciousness."

"Maqianzi, Juemingzi, Cang'erzi, and lotus seeds."

"Huangyaozi, Kudouzi, Chuanlianzi—I want face."

"With my own way, I rewrite history…"

Dancers kept appearing on stage; Cheng Chen stood at the center, his body moving rhythmically to the music.

This straightforward, sharp rap sent every audience member into a frenzy.

Many couldn't help swaying their bodies to the beat.

The entire venue exploded!

Many people didn't understand why concertgoers swayed their heads along with the singer.

Or why some would shed tears when hearing a slow, soothing melody.

It had everything to do with the singer's live performance and charisma.

The stage lights flickered; the singer poured raw passion into his vocals, while the audience burned with excitement.

When ten thousand voices sang together, everyone shed all distractions, becoming each note.

Landing on the guitar strings, on the piano keys, on the brass of the saxophone…

But Cheng Chen's concert was special.

Everyone had seen Cheng Chen's achievements unfold before their eyes.

From his debut single that made him known, to his album that made him famous, to his new album that crowned him a god.

Every single fan had been won over by his consistently high-quality songs.

Of the sixty thousand people in the audience, not a hundred percent were diehard fans.

But at least ninety percent were drawn to his talent and character.

The man who stood alone against Han Liu, daring to declare, "Huáliú is the best."

He was the one who ignited a thunderclap across China, sweeping across all of Asia.

Later generations had a saying:

Attracted by looks, trapped by talent, loyal to character.

This phrase was perfectly suited to Cheng Chen's fans.

They came to watch this concert, but mostly to bear witness.

To witness the first concert of the man who ascended to godhood with his debut album.

To witness this milestone beginning—so when they saw Cheng Chen, they went mad.

A madness fueled only by Cheng Chen's fans…

Onstage, Cheng Chen's songs gradually drew to a close, and the dancers left the stage.

Cheng Chen remained onstage, microphone in hand…

Before he even spoke, thunderous applause erupted from below.

Simultaneously, voices roared his name.

Cheng Chen held the microphone, smiling at the sea of lights below.

He waited, waiting for his fans to calm their frenzy.

After about ten minutes, he saw the fans still hyped.

Cheng Chen had to raise his voice:

"I'm afraid if you keep going like this, the concert will be over before I even finish—then I'll just be an audience watching you perform."

"Hahaha!"

Hearing Cheng Chen's good-natured reminder, everyone smiled knowingly.

They fell silent then, eyes shining as they gazed at Cheng Chen onstage.

"It's a bit cold in Jingcheng today…"

"Not cold! It's actually hot now!"

"Not cold at all!"

The audience below shouted loudly.

Cheng Chen held the microphone and smiled:

"To be honest, I was worried such cold weather would keep people away from the concert.

After all, it's so comfortable to stay in bed at this time of year.

But seeing you all here—even those who brought your own little stools—I have to say, I'm a little moved."

The fans probably didn't catch Cheng Chen's wordplay.

But that didn't stop them from cheering—every fan erupted again in frenzy!

"Cheng Chen, we'll always support you!"

"Go on, you're the best!"

"Cheng Chen's celestial voice—worth the wait!"

"I'll love you forever aaaaaa!"

"…"

Onstage, Cheng Chen continued speaking to his fans, recounting their moments together.

Especially when fans helped him dominate the charts with this year's new album.

Every fan present felt honored and immensely proud.

That battle made Cheng Chen shine brilliantly and shook the entire Chinese-language music industry.

It was a miracle they had created together with Cheng Chen…

Listening to the tidal roar of the live fans, Jia Jingwen's scalp prickled.

He glanced at Gao Yuanyuan beside him and saw her eyes were red.

Gao Yuanyuan wiped a tear from her corner and said:

"To reach this point, he's come through so much."

Yes, so much—he, that dazzling star onstage now.

A year ago, he was still on set teaching her how to act.

The man who dared defy the director for her sake.

The man who trailed behind her, calling her "sister" over and over.

In the blink of an eye, he had achieved such astonishing success—so brilliant it hurt to look at…

In the VIP section on the other side, Yan Danchen did not cry; his eyes glowed with pride.

He was his man—a man who spoke confidently before sixty thousand people, conquering tens of thousands with his talent.

Cheng Chen did not speak much more to the fans; after expressing his thanks, he picked up the microphone again and began to sing.

"Moonlight hue, woman's fragrance, sword broken by tears, love stretched long.

How much pain? No words to say, I forgot you.

Lonely soul, drifting with the wind—who thinks of this devoted lover?

This battlefield of mortal dust—who among ten thousand armies can claim kingship…"

…

"Rain falls thickly, the old hometown's grass and trees grow deep.

I hear you've always been alone."

The weathered city gate was entwined with ancient tree roots.

On the stone slabs echoed the words: "Wait… again…"

……

"Accustomed to infusing joy, anger, sorrow, and delight into makeup and mask."

What if the old verses are sung to exhaustion? My bones, my ash, are all I am.

In this chaotic age, a drifting duckweed watches warfires ignite mountains and rivers.

Though lowly, I dare not forget the nation's worries—even if no one knows me…"

……

Cheng Chen's songs came one after another, while fans waved their lights and sang along loudly.

Regarding the concert, one star stood on stage listening to the songs.

Now Cheng Chen was essentially in this state.

His fans knew his songs too well—every single one memorized backward.

Onstage, Cheng Chen sang his own songs with his fans, feeling an odd sensation within.

Listening to these songs that had emerged ahead of their time, he was filled with profound emotion…

Sixty thousand voices singing in unison could be clearly heard by people on the opposite street.

When they learned it was Cheng Chen's concert, many immediately turned envious glances toward the stadium.

They envied those who could hear the songs live, though some tried to comfort themselves.

At least listening on the street was free!

Of course, the entire concert lasted several hours—even a donkey pulling a mill couldn't endure it.

But Cheng Chen had few friends in the industry, so he decided to promote one of his own company's artists.

Well, Tianhai Records was his company too!

"Ladies and gentlemen, next I have a friend who will take the stage for a while—I'm going off to grab a drink of water and will be back soon!"

"Let me be clear: my friend is easily startled—please take good care of him for me!"

Cheng Chen held the microphone, breathing heavily as he spoke.

He had been exhausted for a long time, but feared the next performer couldn't carry the momentum, so he had forced himself to hold on.

Now he simply couldn't hold on any longer—his condition had declined, and he refused to let his fans endure a low-quality performance.

That's why he had someone come up to replace him.

"Rest well, we feel for you, boss!"

"Go rest, boss—we can wait a while!"

"Hurry and rest—we'll treat whoever comes up next with care!"

The fans said warmly.

Cheng Chen nodded and exited from the side, while a man appeared at the opposite corridor.

"Hello everyone, I—I'm Zhang Jie, and I'll sing you a song—'Rebel War'…"

Yes, this was Zhang Jie, the man who had briefly met Cheng Chen at the autograph session.

After participating in Singer Competition, he hadn't left Jingcheng but was recommended by Cheng Chen to join Tianhai Records.

Today, Tianhai Records, under Cheng Chen's influence, had become one of the top record companies in the industry.

Without Cheng Chen's recommendation, he likely never would have gained Wang Tianxiao's approval.

When he learned he would appear on Cheng Chen's concert, Zhang Jie had been so excited and nervous he couldn't sleep.

Heaven had mercy—this Sichuan boy had only ever competed in campus Singer Competition and talent shows.

Where had he ever seen such a massive scene?

Earlier, watching Cheng Chen perform effortlessly onstage from backstage, he had been filled with envy.

Now, standing onstage and seeing the sea of fans below, his scalp prickled.

But he had prepared long enough; after stumbling through his introduction, he closed his eyes and threw himself fully into the music…

"On this storm-raging battlefield, the Storm Boy appears.

Amid roaring flames, he shakes the entire world.

The signal of flying smoke—the Machine Age is here…"

……

At first, when Zhang Jie appeared, the crowd had approached with a casual "let's just listen" attitude.

After all, they were here to hear Cheng Chen sing; this man onstage had no fame and was unknown to anyone.

Had it not been for Cheng Chen's earlier request, most would have already yawned in boredom.

But as the rhythm began, the clear, straightforward lyrics and catchy melody instantly seized their ears.

Interesting…

Come on, Rebel War, Rebel War is here, the ace must let loose.

Roam the universe, conquer the world, Oh, Rebel War, Rebel War wild.

The ace must let it out—battle is our stubborn starting point…

After hearing the song, the crowd was stunned: Holy shit!

This song… was divine.

They'd heard it only once, yet an unforgettable melody clung to their minds.

And under the concert's atmosphere, they unconsciously tapped their legs to the beat.

A divine song…

After Zhang Jie finished his song, he bowed in thanks, then said nervously:

"I'm truly nervous and excited to be invited by my idol Cheng Chen to sing as a guest at his concert.

Thank you, Master Cheng Chen, for giving me this opportunity, and for composing and writing the lyrics for this song, 'Counterattack.'

I hope you all like it, and I hope my performance hasn't brought shame to Master Cheng Chen."

So that's why this song felt so familiar—it was written by Cheng Chen.

No wonder!

Only after hearing Zhang Jie's words did the audience understand: if Cheng Chen wrote it, that explained everything…

After speaking, Zhang Jie bowed again and stepped offstage; Cheng Chen stepped on.

"Wasn't that song good? Well-written, well-sung—Zhang Jie is a very hardworking singer.

He's also a newly signed artist under Tianhai Records; I hope you'll all come support him when he debuts.

Hahaha, just a little advertisement—let's keep singing!"

Cheng Chen, now changed into a different outfit, said with a smile.

Just as Cheng Chen picked up the microphone to begin singing, the stage suddenly plunged into darkness.

"Huh? Power outage? But it seems only the stage lost power."

"What's going on? Where's the boss?"

"Emergency? Impossible—could a concert really malfunction?"

The fans below the stage murmured among themselves, but their chatter didn't last long.

Soon, a single spotlight lit up on stage, and Cheng Chen stood there, microphone in hand, utterly bewildered.

He had no idea what had happened.

But then, music began to play on stage:

"Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you!"

There, returning as before, Zhang Jie held a microphone and sang the birthday song.

Behind him, staff pushed a cart bearing a giant cake.

Seeing this, Cheng Chen suddenly realized—it was his birthday today…

…