Chapter 153: One Resonance of Ten Thousand Frontiers, Step Up to Claim Your Award

The award ceremony on stage continued without pause.

Awards like Best Music Video Director were merely appetizers.

Everyone's true focus was on the major awards to be presented later.

Among them, figures like Zhou Dong, Wang Fei, and Chen Yixun were established powerhouses of the music industry.

All eyes were fixed on them.

In comparison, Cheng Chen, attending the Golden Melody Awards for the first time, appeared somewhat marginal.

Of course, this was merely a surface illusion; in reality, as one of the few nominees for the five major awards,

Cheng Chen received no less attention than anyone else present.

He simply kept a low profile, avoiding deliberate interactions with the attending singers…

Onstage, Tao Jing Ying held the microphone and continued:

"Today we've seen many heavyweight artists arrive live.

Of course, this year's performances are especially unique—we've invited heavyweight figures from six regions across Asia: Tai Sheng, Gang Sheng, Japan, Korea, Thailand, and Malaysia…"

As she spoke, it was unclear whether the director had deliberately adjusted the feed.

Soon, the large screen displayed Cheng Chen's face, earnestly listening.

The audience below erupted in shouts, waving their Cheng Chen supporter light boards vigorously.

Tao Jing Ying clearly noticed this, smiling as she continued:

"Besides the performances, the most important part is revealing the results—we can see the nominees' emotions.

Take Cheng Chen, our young brother from the Mainland.

Hey, I heard just now outside, Zhi Ling, Tai Sheng's number one beauty, walked the red carpet holding your hand.

Now surely everyone is envious of you, hahaha.

Mr. Cheng Chen is the youngest nominee this year.

Yet he's been nominated for five awards—truly incredible!"

As Tao Jing Ying teased him onstage, Cheng Chen could only bow his hands in a gesture of surrender, smiling wryly.

With her reminder, most of the audience turned their gaze toward Cheng Chen.

As a singer who had dominated the scene over the past two years, his name was naturally well known to them.

Those with some acquaintance, like Wang Fei and Zhou Dong, waved to greet him.

As for Wang Li Hong, Tao Jiji, Cai Yiling, Liang Yongqi, and Mo Wenwei, most merely turned back curiously to glance at him.

Cheng Chen's five nominations left many male artists in the audience feeling uneasy.

All competitors nominated in the same categories as Cheng Chen now found themselves unable to smile.

Anyone with eyes could see that since Cheng Chen received five major Golden Melody Award nominations,

the committee would absolutely not let him leave empty-handed.

If they gave him nothing, wouldn't that just be mocking him?

He traveled thousands of miles to the island and got nothing—wouldn't that inflame cross-strait tensions?

After Tao Jing Ying finished speaking, the stage featured two dance-and-sing performances by the SHE group.

Then came the presentation of the Best Composer Award for Popular Music Works.

The presenters were Xu Ruo Xuan and An Qixuan.

Xu Ruo Xuan starred alongside Chen Kun and Li Bingbing in the romantic film Cloud and Water Ballad.

In the film, she portrayed Wang Biyun, Chen Qiushui's first love.

She holds many identities: singer, composer, lyricist, actress, and more.

In her early years, she was wildly popular in Tai Sheng, then moved between Gang Sheng, Tai Sheng, and the Mainland.

As for An Qixuan, he is Korean and among the earliest artists to develop his career in China.

He is one of the quintessential representatives of the "Hanliu" (Chinese-style pop wave) that Cheng Chen mentioned.

Xu Ruo Xuan and An Qixuan interacted onstage, mostly having An Qixuan say the name of this year's Golden Melody Awards in Chinese.

Early variety shows loved to hint at foreigners to say things like "Hello China" or "I love China."

It was the kind of thing that made you cringe.

Xu Ruo Xuan held her teleprompter and spoke into the microphone:

"Next, we present the Best Composer Award for Popular Music Works:

Xie Zhihao's 'Wishes Carried by the Wind,' Wang Fei's 'Leave Nothing Behind,' Zhou Dong's 'East Wind Breaks,' Wang Li Hong's 'Incredible,' and Cheng Chen's 'Blue and White Porcelain'…"

When Xu Ruo Xuan finished speaking,

each nominee received a brief ten-second clip showcasing their nominated song.

The audience erupted in applause; the five nominees' expressions were cycled rapidly across the large screen.

Wang Fei remained calm, Zhou Dong still had his leg crossed, Wang Li Hong and Xie Zhihao looked nervous.

As for Cheng Chen, he still wore his warm, serene smile, completely unaffected by the atmosphere.

There was really nothing to be affected by—after all, this was Tai Sheng, the Golden Melody Awards venue.

A Mainlander like him probably wouldn't win anything substantial, at best a Best Newcomer Award.

As long as he didn't leave empty-handed, the outcome would be satisfactory.

The Golden Melody Awards committee probably thought the same…

"The winner of this year's Best Composer Award is…"

All eyes scanned back and forth among the five nominees' portraits on the large screen.

Most still favored Zhou Dong and Wang Fei.

After all, one of them has become the new idol of young people in Tai Sheng and all of China, leading the entire fashion trend.

The other is a veteran diva, having competed five times for the Golden Melody Award and won so many prizes her hands are tired.

"Cheng Chen, 'Blue and White Porcelain,' congratulations!"

While everyone was guessing between Zhou Dong and Wang Fei.

Xu Ruo Xuan suddenly announced the winner of the Best Composer Award.

Hearing the name, Cheng Chen finally realized he had won.

It seemed he had underestimated the Golden Melody Award committee—he had won the Best Composer Award.

He guessed the Best Newcomer Award that followed would have nothing to do with him.

It was just a matter of switching the order.

Still, winning was quite enjoyable.

Cheng Chen straightened his suit, stood up, and greeted the crowd with a wave.

Then he nodded in acknowledgment to the other nominees in the same category.

He then strode toward the stage with his long legs.

"Thank you, thank the committee for recognizing me, and thank my fans for their support.

This award is a highly authoritative recognition of my journey in music—thank you again!"

Cheng Chen's speech was brief, his voice clean and clear.

Unlike other winners who wept and poured out endless emotions.

Amid the host's congratulations and the audience's applause, Cheng Chen walked offstage holding the trophy.

"Time to switch to spectator mode…"

Cheng Chen placed the trophy on the table beside him and relaxed.

All he had to do now was watch the singers on stage rush through their award ceremonies.

After all, there was nothing left for him to do…

In this era, the music scene still belonged to gods clashing—few years later, such grandeur would likely vanish.

So Cheng Chen intended to seize the opportunity and enjoy it thoroughly.

…

Tao Jing Ying stepped onto the stage, holding her script, and said:

"Next up is the 'Best Newcomer Award.' Please welcome the presenters, Mr. Wu Sikai and Miss Xu Huixin."

Wu Sikai was the singer of "Special Love for a Special You."

Xu Huixin was the singer of "July 7th Sunny."

Both songs had long dominated supermarket charts!

Host Tao Jing Ying smiled and said:

"Welcome, Wu Sikai and Xu Huixin."

Wu Sikai walked to the microphone and said:

"It's a great honor to present this award alongside Miss Xu Huixin, the 14th Best Newcomer winner."

Xu Huixin smiled slightly and said:

"I'm equally honored to present this award alongside the first-ever Best Newcomer winner."

"I'm a little nervous today. Xiao Wu, weren't you nervous when you won your first award?"

Wu Sikai smiled faintly and said:

"The first time, I played and sang myself—my hands trembled while playing the piano, and I stuttered while speaking.

But I think such terrifying experiences only happen once for a Best Newcomer, so it's fine."

Wu Sikai's words made the audience smile knowingly, recalling their own first award ceremony.

Then Wu Sikai continued:

"The nominees for the 15th Golden Melody Award's Best New Vocalist are:

A Shang, 'Took a Hit'; Song Yueting, 'Life's Struggle';

Cheng Chen, 'China Flow Ten Thousand Borders'; JJ, 'Music Traveler'; Ji Wasi. Dulan, 'My Music Ventures Across the World.'"

Cheng Chen was nominated again, but this time he had no expectations.

Though his album was incredible, he had already won the Best Composer Award.

The Golden Melody Award committee had no reason to give him this award too…

"Cheng Chen! 'China Flow Ten Thousand Borders!'"

Before Cheng Chen could react, Wu Sikai on stage had already opened the envelope and shouted it out.

Cheng Chen:???

He looked up in confusion, seeing Wu and Xu on stage smiling warmly at him.

The Golden Melody Award committee… they've really broadened their horizons!

Cheng Chen stood up and respectfully acknowledged his fellow nominees.

Meanwhile, JJ, who had been the favorite for Best Newcomer, stared blankly at Cheng Chen as he walked onstage to collect his award…

But upon reflection, he couldn't complain about losing.

His "Music Traveler" sold 200,000 copies in its first month, but the other guy was even more terrifying.

One million copies in the first month—five times his sales!

Where the hell did this monster come from?!

"Thank you, thank the committee for recognizing me, thank my fans for their support—this award will become, uh…"

As he spoke, Cheng Chen stumbled—he felt he'd said all this before.

He hadn't prepared his acceptance speech in detail; everything he wanted to say had already been said when he first stepped on stage to receive his award.

Saying it again now would feel half-hearted.

Thinking this, Cheng Chen spoke slowly:

"This award isn't just recognition for me—it's recognition for the album Hua Liu Wan Jiang. Hua Liu is the best!"

"Whoosh!"

Applause erupted from the audience, wildly enthusiastic.

For a long time, popular music has had a regional hierarchy:

Europe and America > Japan > Korea > Gang Sheng and Tai Sheng > Mainland.

Now, with Cheng Chen saying this—and with his album causing a sensation across Asia—it was undeniably satisfying to hear!

But An Qixuan's expression turned grim.

Clearly, he knew Cheng Chen's words: "Hua Liu is the best."

And he also knew that when Cheng Chen released this album, he was targeting K-pop.

An Qixuan himself was a representative of K-pop culture—and worse, he had just awarded Cheng Chen the Best Composer Award!

This was a slap in the face!

Compared to the Best Composer Award, the Best Newcomer Award was already substantial.

Recently, there had been constant controversy surrounding awards for Mandarin pop music.

From the Gang Sheng "Dance Shadow Action," which exposed bribery and corruption in award buying and selling,

to the recent scandal of the "Wind and Cloud List" exposing its own dark secrets.

People were gradually losing interest in the glittering award ceremonies.

At the same time, calls for an award that could truly command respect and be worth participating in again grew louder.

And nearly all these hopes converged on the Tai Sheng Golden Melody Awards.

This caused the value of every single award at the Golden Melody Awards to skyrocket, especially the Best Newcomer Award.

After all, it represented a newcomer selected through rigorous screening from those already proven in the industry.

It also symbolized fresh blood entering the music scene, contributing to its development and carrying forward its legacy.

Zhu Shi Da Luo

So when Cheng Chen won the Best Newcomer Award, many singers in the hall nodded and smiled at him in congratulations.

They all knew that for Cheng Chen, whose album had sold over a million copies in its first month, this award was only natural.

As for the other singers nominated alongside him for Best Newcomer, their eyes held only deep envy.

Did they feel jealousy, resentment?

Of course they did—but they wouldn't show it!

At least publicly, they had to appear magnanimous—after all, there were cameras everywhere!

The ceremony continued, and then came the Best Lyricist Award, followed by the Best Male Hokkien Singer Award.

Soon, it was time for Cheng Chen's third nomination: the Best Album Producer Award!

The Golden Melody Awards have both the Best Album Award and the Best Album Producer Award.

These two are distinct.

The Best Album Award is a production-based honor; though credited to the singer, it largely reflects the record company's success.

The Best Album Producer Award is an individual honor, unrelated to the releasing company.

It highlights personal ability and is closely tied to the singer's own work.

It is an award many singers dream of—its weight is obvious.

Before the award was presented, the young pianist Lang Lang made his debut on stage, performing to celebrate this Mandarin music event.

Watching Lang Lang, focused and absorbed at the piano, Cheng Chen suddenly remembered a female pianist from his past life who had been embroiled in scandal.

When the incident happened, Lang Lang's Weibo was flooded with comments.

"What's going on? Your wife Jina is so beautiful!"

"We feel for you, Jina—how could your husband do something like that!"

"Guys, you've got the wrong person—this is Lang Lang! Why aren't you going after Li Yunlong?"

"Is it possible this is Lang Lang's Weibo?"

Thinking of this, Cheng Chen couldn't help smiling faintly—and at that moment, a camera in the hall captured his smile…

After the performance ended, the host stepped up to the stage and said:

"Next is the Best Album Producer Award in the pop category. The nominees are:

Wang Li Hong for 'Incredible,' Wang Fei, Zhang Yadong for 'Love Will Last,' Zhou Dong for 'Yue Hui Mei,'

Xie Yu Wei for 'One Skill, Beneath the Flower Tree,' and Cheng Chen for 'Hua Liu Wan Jiang!'"

After the host finished listing the nominees, the hall fell silent for a moment.

Everyone's eyes turned instinctively toward Cheng Chen.

Why is he here again?

Why is it always him?

How is he still here?!

At this moment, people remembered what Tao Jing Ying had said at the beginning.

Cheng Chen is nominated for five awards this year at the Golden Melody Awards!

…