Chapter 154: The Entire Venue Gasped

At the Golden Melody Awards, there's an unwritten little rule.

The winner of that year's Best Newcomer Award has a very high chance of winning that year's Best Album Producer Award.

Well, it's just an unwritten rule, never officially confirmed.

No one has ever come forward to prove it, and past data certainly doesn't support this so-called "rule."

It's like an occult belief passed among singers.

So when the artists in attendance heard Cheng Chen was nominated for Best Album Producer Award,

everyone's heart sank—he'd just won this year's Best Newcomer Award.

What is the committee thinking? They're not seriously going to give this award to that man from the Mainland, are they?

But upon closer thought, it's probably impossible.

The committee has to consider its own reputation…

Suspicious, astonished, curious, coldly observant—many eyes shifted toward Cheng Chen.

At that moment, the presenter onstage slowly tore open the envelope containing the winner's name…

"The artist winning the Best Album Producer Award at the 15th Golden Melody Awards is…"

Here, the presenter paused slightly—not to build tension deliberately.

But because he couldn't believe his own eyes…

His partner noticed his odd reaction, glanced at the envelope in his hand, and his expression turned slightly uneasy.

He subtly signaled his colleague beside him.

This gesture naturally caught the artists' attention below, especially Wang Li Hong, whose face darkened instantly.

Zhou Dong also dropped his earlier slouchy demeanor and sat up straight.

Zhang Yadong, sitting beside Wang Fei, felt a strong sense of foreboding.

The album "Jiang Ai" was personally produced by him for Wang Fei, tailor-made.

He had poured his heart into refining it, fully integrating Wang Fei's unique style into the album.

For this Golden Melody Awards, his only real rivals were Zhou Dong's "Ye Hui Mei" and Wang Li Hong's "Bu Ke Si Yi."

But judging from the presenters' reactions onstage, this situation had suddenly become complicated…

"Ahem, the winner of the Best Album Producer Award at the 15th Golden Melody Awards is… Cheng Chen! Congratulations to him!"

The presenter blurted it out in one breath—no one knew how much pressure he'd endured announcing this winner.

He even doubted whether the committee had misspelled the winner's name…

Of course, such a grand event would never make such a blunder.

Even if they had awarded the wrong person, the committee could only grit their teeth and accept it!

Besides, the name was written plainly in black and white—there was no mistake.

As soon as the presenter announced it onstage, the audience below fell utterly silent… until he noticed the strange atmosphere.

Only when he repeated, "Let's congratulate him," did thunderous applause erupt.

Not only did the artists below not expect this—even Cheng Chen and his fans were stunned.

"Did the boss win again?"

"That's insane! That's his third award tonight!"

"No wonder he's my guy—so badass!"

"Sisters, let's cheer for the boss!"

Cheng Chen's fans immediately went wild.

Remember, tonight's awards were numerous, and Cheng Chen was the first man ever to win three major awards in a row!

At this moment, whether Wang Li Hong, Wang Fei, or Zhou Dong—all seemed dimmed by Cheng Chen's three-award streak.

Cheng Chen smoothed his surprised expression and walked calmly onstage to collect his award.

"This award… to be honest, I'm shocked. I thought they'd awarded the wrong person, haha.

But I trust the judgment of the Golden Melody Awards' reviewers.

Thank you, thank you for recognizing me, for recognizing Huáliú, and thank you to my fans—for your support!"

Another brief speech—not because Cheng Chen was being aloof, but because he genuinely had nothing more to say.

The Golden Melody Awards judges were too powerful—they caught him completely off guard.

Watching Cheng Chen hold up the trophy onstage, every artist below felt sudden pressure.

At first, they'd seen Cheng Chen as just a guest performer from the Mainland—no matter how famous he was there.

But this was Tai Sheng, a place with a highly developed entertainment industry.

The fame you earned in the Mainland meant nothing here.

So initially, no one saw Cheng Chen as a rival, never considered him competition.

But now it was different… they began to feel the pressure emanating from Cheng Chen!

This man is a serious threat!

When Cheng Chen returned to his seat, he sat calmly, unruffled.

He ignored every scrutinizing gaze directed his way.

Many, however, nodded at him in goodwill, and Cheng Chen returned each nod.

At the same time, he reflected inward: truly, when you have real strength, the world treats you more kindly!

After presenting the Best Album Producer Award, several interludes were performed.

Chen Yixun and Mo Wenwei performed a special duet to honor the late superstar Anita Mui.

Then the awards resumed—besides Cheng Chen, this unexpected dark horse, tonight also delivered another surprise.

In the category of Best Reunion Group, the ever-popular SHE failed to achieve their wish of winning this award consecutively.

The grand prize went to A Bao Brandy…

The ceremony continued as presenters Shu Qi and Luo Da You walked slowly onto the stage.

To be fair, Shu Qi was still quite popular at the time, having risen above the rest through her appearances in numerous films in Gang Sheng and gradually entering the public eye.

Of course, whenever people mentioned Shu Qi, the labels they attached to her were still:

Porn star, sexy.

She became famous for starring in Category III films and endured far too many judgmental stares.

In the early days on the streets of Gang Sheng, passersby would shout "naked star" at her as she walked down the road.

As a minor back then, Shu Qi was tricked and coerced into signing a contract due to her family's poverty.

She embarked on her path of making Category III films, and thus caught the eye of the Category III king Wang Sanri, launching her to fame with one bold act.

These experiences became indelible marks on her.

Even as time passed, people still scrutinized her every inch for "stains."

No matter how modestly she dressed, a crowd of "know-it-alls" would always point and whisper about her figure.

As if they could see her bust, waist, hips, and shape at a glance…

Luo Da You stood before the microphone and smiled:

"I'm Luo Da You, hello everyone!"

Shu Qi slowly opened her sensual lips and smiled:

"Hello everyone! I'm Shu Qi."

"Tonight we are presenting the Best Pop Vocal Album Award.

This award represents fair competition among all record companies.

It also represents fair competition among all producers.

And it represents fair competition among all singers.

So it's a very important award."

Luo Da You's gaze swept across the audience; as a master-level figure in Tai Sheng, he was a senior to many singers seated below.

Shu Qi: "It's a very important crystallization of music, the result of everyone's hard work."

Only then did Luo Da You continue slowly:

"Such an award is, in essence, the product of a record, created collectively by the record company, the producer, the behind-the-scenes crew, and the singer.

If you've never given birth or been a mother, you won't understand how difficult such a life is.

So I hate fake CDs and pirated copies the most—they invade our industry because they harm our lives."

Luo Da You's remarks reflected the very plight many singers and the entire record industry faced at the time.

Piracy was everywhere!

In fact, it wasn't just music—films, TV dramas, novels, all forms of cultural entertainment suffered persistent piracy.

This caused massive losses to creators' interests, and opposing piracy had always been the Golden Melody Awards' consistent stance.

Shu Qi: "Yes."

Cheng Chen had been sitting below, moved by Luo Da You's brilliant speech, when Shu Qi's "yes" instantly made him burst out laughing.

This sister had the perfect awareness of being a prop.

She stood on stage and said nothing but echoed every word Luo Da You spoke.

"Today is the eve of Mother's Day, and I want to say one thing: we wish all mothers happiness!

The nominees for Best Pop Vocal Album are: Cai Yiling's 'Look at Me 72 Changes,'

Wang Fei's 'Love,' Zhou Dong's 'Yeh Hui Mei,' Cheng Chen's 'Hualiao Wanjiang,' and Xie Yu Wei's 'One Skill, Beneath the Flower Tree.'"

As soon as Luo Da You finished speaking, the audience below burst into murmurs… Wait, who is this Cheng Chen?!

This round of nominees was nearly identical to those nominated for Best Album Producer.

The only change was replacing Wang Li Hong's 'Incredible' with Cai Yiling's 'Look at Me 72 Changes.'

Cheng Chen's heart tightened—Best Pop Vocal Album was unquestionably the most prestigious award of the entire Golden Melody Awards.

Though he knew he had no chance of winning again, he still held onto hope…

Seeing the audience's tense expressions, Luo Da You cracked a joke:

"Look how nervous everyone is, haha—Shu Qi, you announce the winner. This unpopular job is yours!"

Shu Qi smiled faintly, tore open the envelope, and read the name on it, word by word:

"The winner of the 15th Golden Melody Award for Best Pop Vocal Album is… Zhou Dong, 'Yeh Hui Mei!'"

"Whoosh!"

Thunderous applause erupted from the audience; many visibly relaxed, exhaling with relief.

Thank goodness it wasn't that mainlander winning again—otherwise, all these Tai Sheng local musicians would've been so embarrassed.

Thank goodness Zhou Dong held onto this most prestigious award for them!

Zhou Dong had finally defeated Wang Fei and Cheng Chen to win the Best Pop Vocal Album Award.

Zhou Dong stepped onto the stage, took the trophy from Shu Qi and Luo Da You, and spoke into the microphone:

"Thank you to all my fans. First, I thank my beard—it looks great today.

Since the album 'Yeh Hui Mei' is named after my mother, I thank her—thank you!

Next, I want to say something: I've been sitting in this seat since last year.

My butt went numb, and now I can finally stretch—thank you all for helping make this album.

Fang Wen Shan wrote the best lyrics; Hong Jing Yao and Zhong Xing Ming, you are the composers I admire most."

And to all the record company colleagues, most importantly, children learning music won't go bad—thank you!

Zhou Dong's speech was still more pleasant to the senses.

Unlike someone else, hugging three trophies, yet still saying less than Zhou Dong did in one speech.

Cheng Chen was certainly disappointed now, but no other negative emotions were warranted.

Zhou Dong winning this award doesn't mean the album "Ye Hui Mei" is definitively better than "Hua Liu Wan Jiang."

After all, in terms of reach and sales, Cheng Chen's "Hua Liu Wan Jiang" utterly crushed the competition.

But the Golden Melody Awards must also consider reality—Cheng Chen has already won three major awards thanks to "Hua Liu Wan Jiang."

If he were to take this most prestigious award too, would the Golden Melody Awards even be able to hold another edition?

They must also consider the feelings of local singers!

Next, Wang Fei won the Best Mandarin Female Singer award without any doubt—the so-called "Song Queen."

And her "non-style coldness" was fully displayed on this award stage.

Even Cheng Chen, watching from the audience, couldn't help but admire: Sister Fei is truly Sister Fei—so commanding!

When the Best Mandarin Male Singer award was announced, everyone in the hall immediately turned their eager eyes toward the five men present.

The presenters were Zhang Fei and Wang Fei, who had just won the Best Mandarin Female Singer award.

The five nominees were Tao Jiji for "Ultrasound Music Journey."

Chen Yixun for "Black White Gray," Cheng Chen for "Hua Liu Wan Jiang," Wang Li Hong for "Incredible," and Zhou Dong for "Ye Hui Mei."

According to observers in the hall, this was Cheng Chen's fourth time being nominated alongside Zhou Dong—the two were clearly locked in fierce competition.

Presenter Zhang Fei smiled and said to Wang Fei:

"This award is fiercely contested; everyone is evenly matched, each reaching a state of mastery."

"You should be the one to announce the winner. You rarely attend this award ceremony..."

Wang Fei took the envelope, opened it, and upon seeing the winner's name, she paused slightly, then quickly recovered and said:

"This year's Song King is extraordinary; to me, he is truly remarkable."

"I must have a proper conversation with him privately."

"Such a musical genius is exceedingly rare in today's music scene!"

No one expected the previously cold Wang Fei to speak so much now—everyone on and off stage felt unsettled.

But at the same time, everyone's curiosity was fully aroused.

Who could it be?

A musical genius?

The man who made Wang Fei call him remarkable.

Who exactly is he?

Is it Tao Jiji, who forged his own unique musical path?

Or the veteran singer with countless fans, Chen Yixun?

Is it Wang Li Hong, the rising star from Miguo, or Zhou Dong, the gifted composer known as the "Tai Sheng Musical Genius"?

Or... well, forget him—he's already won too many awards!

But when everyone's eyes turned to where Wang Fei had gestured, their hearts were stunned!

It really was... him!

"The 15th Golden Melody Award's Song King: Cheng Chen!"

Wang Fei didn't even use "Best Mandarin Male Singer"—she directly used the term "Song King!"

The entire venue erupted!

Everyone in the audience leapt to their feet in disbelief, staring at the slender, calm figure still seated in his chair.