Chapter 201

Reincarnation Begins in 2002 Chinese Entertainment, Chapter 197: The Current State of the Music Industry and the Trip to Japan

In February 2005, the YouTube website launched.

It ignited a wave of development for online video websites.

Two months later in China, Tudou was founded; a month after that, PPLIVE was established, followed by PPStream.

Within just half a year, online video websites sprang up like mushrooms after rain.

After a chaotic battle among many players, the market stabilized, and in recent years it entered an explosive growth phase.

Although small-scale online video websites had already appeared before 2005.

But 2005 was truly the beginning of the industry's explosion.

Wang Wei, the founder of Tudou, had approached Li Zhenyu.

As China Weibo, now thriving in the internet industry, naturally drew the attention of this "father of Tudou."

He discussed his ideas with Li Zhenyu, attempting to recruit China Weibo to jointly layout the online video platform.

Li Zhenyu was quite intrigued by the proposal.

Cheng Chen had indirectly interacted with this prominent figure.

But Cheng Chen advised rejecting the cooperation.

As someone who had lived through it, Cheng Chen understood online video platforms all too well.

In the future, China's online video industry would settle into a tripartite rivalry among iQiyi, Tencent Video, and Youku.

Under this intense competitive atmosphere, Tudou was directly wiped out and forced to merge with iQiyi.

Behind the three major video giants were the three internet titans: Baidu, Tencent, and Alibaba.

For years, these three giants had burned tens of billions of yuan, yet still saw no hope of profit.

They even resorted to a series of gimmicks like "early access pay-per-view" and "raising membership fees."

Even so, they still failed to save the fate of China's video websites.

The audience they had painstakingly cultivated was ultimately snatched away by short-video platforms led by ByteDance.

Cheng Chen wasn't foolish—he wouldn't invest in something with no visible return.

Let the three giants handle this money-burning business.

He could only focus on China Weibo and turn it into the flagship portal of China's internet.

Wait for the right moment to build a short-video platform, thereby filling a gap in entertainment.

Of course, the biggest chunk of internet entertainment still lay in gaming.

Considering Tencent's strength (and shamelessness), Cheng Chen temporarily held back.

But… I heard a game called Genshin Impact isn't bad!

…

"Sister Li, are we climbing the Great Wall today?"

Cheng Chen called and asked.

"Yeah, if you're really too busy, you don't have to come—I'll tell Xiao Yu and my mom."

From the other end of the line came Ceng Li's hushed voice; she must not be able to speak freely right now.

"I'm fine here. Besides, I just promised you yesterday to pretend to be your boyfriend."

"If I don't show up for such an important event today, won't they suspect something? Send me the address—I'll drive over to pick you up."

"We're at…"

"Got it. I'll be there soon."

Cheng Chen hung up the phone.

He put away the documents on his desk and called Su Qingya over to give her instructions.

"Boss Cheng, are you going out soon?"

"Yeah, what's up?"

Cheng Chen asked.

"Nothing much. Do you need Qiang Ge to accompany you?"

Su Qingya shook her head.

"No need. I'm just stepping out for some personal matters—I'll be back later."

Cheng Chen smiled.

Watching Cheng Chen's retreating figure, Su Qingya opened her mouth but held back…

…

"How did you sleep last night, Auntie?"

Seeing the mother and two daughters, Cheng Chen got out of the car and greeted them with a smile.

"Fine. You didn't need to come yourself—I heard from Ceng Li you're busy, so if you couldn't spare the time, it's okay."

"It's just Xiao Yu, saying nonsense like 'a real man must climb the Great Wall'—you're going to too much trouble."

Ceng's mother smiled warmly.

Cheng Chen was internally surprised—just one night had passed,

how had Ceng's mother's attitude changed so drastically?

Compared to yesterday's coldness—or rather, scrutiny—today Ceng's mother not only spoke more, but her demeanor had become warmly affectionate.

It felt like… a mother-in-law looking at her future son-in-law, growing fonder with every glance.

Cheng Chen cautiously glanced at Ceng Li, and saw her face flushed red.

Seeing her like this, Cheng Chen suddenly understood—the power of that line "You pinned my hair down" was this strong!

Of course, Cheng Chen didn't expose it—or rather, this was exactly the effect he wanted.

"Brother-in-law, it's not like we absolutely have to go to the Great Wall—do you have any other fun places in Jingcheng you'd recommend?"

"Actually, I still want to see the flag-raising ceremony."

Ceng Yu said with a grin.

"Go? You little brat, you're going to the Great Wall—you can't just do whatever you want when you're out."

"Your sister-in-law is busy! He barely carved out time to accompany us, and now you're picky?"

Ceng's mother scolded.

Well, the title "brother-in-law" was now firmly settled!

During the moment of getting into the car, Cheng Chen quietly said to Ceng Li:

"Looks like our plan has already succeeded halfway!"

But Ceng Li rolled her eyes at him.

More than halfway—this was way too successful!

Thinking back to when they picked up her mother that day, her mother had sent Ceng Yu out and shut the door, chatting with her for nearly an hour.

The entire conversation was about the two of them' future.

She even suggested arranging a meeting with Cheng Chen's parents to sit down and properly discuss the two kids.

Luckily, she had deflected it by saying Cheng Chen had been too busy lately to handle such things.

But then her mother's next words were even more outrageous—she subtly reminded them to be careful about safety.

They weren't even married yet, and both were public figures—if reporters found out, it would be disastrous!

But then she switched topics, saying Ceng Li was no longer young, and if she didn't have a child soon, she'd become an advanced-age mother.

That would be bad for both the child and the mother.

When mentioning age, she remembered the age gap between Cheng Chen and Ceng Li.

She herself had no problem with it, but how would Cheng Chen's parents view this?

Thinking this over, Ceng's mother still decided to sit down and have a proper talk with Cheng Chen's parents…

So, after all this circling, they ended up right back at the beginning.

Ceng Li used every trick she had to calm her mother down…

So right now, she truly had no good mood toward Cheng Chen.

Tell one lie, and you need countless more to cover it—old saying was right…

Cheng Chen, of course, didn't know Ceng Li's inner thoughts.

Even if he did, he wouldn't care—it was impossible to marry, and even meeting both families was out of the question.

But at least he'd completed the task of being Ceng Li's shield!

The four of them spent a full day at the Great Wall; for Cheng Chen, stealing a day of leisure amid his busy schedule wasn't bad.

Ceng Yu had wanted to stay in Jingcheng longer, but she had to return to school.

Ceng's mother was very satisfied with this trip to Jingcheng, and her gaze toward Cheng Chen grew even warmer.

She even invited Cheng Chen to visit their home when he had free time.

But just before leaving, in front of both of them, Ceng's mother gave a serious warning.

It left Ceng Li utterly embarrassed, wishing she could sink into the ground.

Cheng Chen solemnly assured her he would take good care of Ceng Li, and asked her to rest easy…

"Phew, they're finally gone—I'm exhausted!"

Ceng Li exhaled, her gaze fixed on Cheng Chen's hand holding hers, and said softly:

"How long are you going to keep holding my hand?"

"Oh, sorry, it's just a habit."

Over the past two days, in front of Ceng's mother, Cheng Chen had done plenty of intimate gestures to avoid arousing suspicion—

Like putting an arm around her shoulders, holding hands, and so on.

Just now, to show determination, he had deliberately gripped Ceng Li's hand, fingers interlocked.

After letting go of Ceng Li's hand, Cheng Chen secretly felt a hint of reluctance.

"Anyway, thanks for putting up with me these past few days."

Looking at Cheng Chen, Ceng Li spoke with a complex tone.

"It's just helping out—don't be so formal with me, Sister Li."

Cheng Chen smiled.

"Mm, thank you."

Ceng Li murmured.

…

After Ceng's mother left, Cheng Chen and Ceng Li saw each other less often.

Still, they kept chatting via text messages; Ceng Li was very curious about Cheng Chen's upcoming Tokyo concert.

Cheng Chen joked he could invite her over, just like at the Modu concert, as a guest performer.

Ceng Li didn't give a clear answer, only said she'd check her schedule.

But regardless, Cheng Chen's Japan trip was now officially on the calendar.

Weibo had already officially announced it.

"No way, Boss is coming to Japan! Can't wait!"

"Where in Tokyo is the concert? Honestly, I've been in Japan this long and never attended one of these events."

I want to offer my first time to the boss!

I envy the fans in Japan—I also want to go to the boss's concert there!

I've already bought the tickets—looking forward to it!

Damn, rich people!

……

Regarding Cheng Chen's trip to Japan, domestic media outlets hold differing views.

Some say Cheng Chen's overseas concert is bringing glory to the nation, carrying Chinese elements to Japan.

Others express concern that due to language barriers, Japanese audiences might not appreciate Cheng Chen's songs.

Although music knows no borders, communication does—how can one speak of Chinese elements reaching Japan if they don't even know what the lyrics are saying?

Moreover, Chinese cultural elements like flower arranging, kendo, tea ceremony, and sumo have been perfected and promoted in Japan.

Will Cheng Chen's visit bring Chinese elements to Japan—or will he be sneered at by Japanese audiences who already display Chinese culture with such brilliance? That remains an open question!

This viewpoint has gained widespread agreement!

It is well known that Japanese music has had a huge influence domestically.

For example, the songs of Japanese singer-songwriter Zhongdao Xue.

According to incomplete statistics, over seventy original songs by Zhongdao Xue have been covered in Chinese versions.

Many songs we are familiar with were originally composed by Zhongdao Xue, later given new Chinese lyrics.

"Zhu Shi Da Luo"

These songs had a tremendous impact on the early development of the Chinese-language music scene—calling them timeless classics is no exaggeration.

For instance, Xiao Qige's career peak song "Tian Ya" is adapted from Zhongdao Xue's "Bamboo Song."

Also, last year's massive hit "The Original Dream" by Fan Weiqi.

Adapted from Zhongdao Xue's "Riding on the Back of a Silver Dragon."

It is said she covered this song after watching a Japanese drama called "Goto Doctor's Clinic" in her spare time.

And Zhongdao Xue's "Riding on the Back of a Silver Dragon" is the theme song of that drama.

Another example is Deng Liyun's "Walking Through Life," known as the "genius singer."

Also adapted from Zhongdao Xue's "Hitori Jouzu."

Zhongdao Xue's "Hitori Jouzu" has been covered countless times.

Deng Liyun's version of "Walking Through Life" is the most famous among them.

"Walking Through Life" swept all major awards in the Gang Sheng music scene shortly after its release.

It also contributed to Zhongdao Xue's rising popularity in Gang Sheng and mainland China…

So, the domestic media's concerns are not unfounded—although this era of Chinese-language pop music is later called the golden age of divine battles,

most well-known or long-lasting songs were secondhand creations, covers of music from the neighboring island nation.

Even in the eyes of some singers, only the island nation's music is worth covering.

Although I can't compose, I can still cover—after all, the pioneers have already paved the way.

This is called paying homage to the classics!

Most singers hold this mindset, and the entire industry has been heading downhill.

Why do some say the quality of pop songs plummeted after 2009?

Is it an illusion of Childhood filter, or the result of capital manipulation?

In fact, the two most recent golden ages of Chinese-language pop music are the songs of the 1990s.

The term "songs of the 1990s" refers to those released between 1990 and 1999.

The songs of the 1990s were primarily Cantonese love ballads (melodramatic songs).

Although the two kings of the scene, Tan Yonglin and Zhang Guorong, had both stepped away from the music industry,

this post-peak vacuum saw the emergence of many outstanding new singers.

As everyone knows, the Four Heavenly Kings rose to fame during this period.

In addition, Wang Jie, Zhou Huajian, Xiao Qige, and others also shone brightly.

With Tan and Zhang no longer dominating, the entire Chinese-language music scene blossomed with diversity.

Countless high-quality singers competed fiercely—it was incredibly lively.

By the year 2000, it was undoubtedly a brand-new beginning for Chinese-language pop music.

As the Four Heavenly Kings of Gang Sheng gradually retired, just as after the Tan-Zhang era,

Chinese-language pop music underwent another major overhaul, with countless new artists emerging.

Especially the sweeping rise of Zhou Dong, Pan Weibai, Tao Jiji, and others.

They brought the first peak of the post-2000 music scene.

Though from different camps, all were wildly popular and became the cherished memories of countless post-90s fans.

Then came JJ, Wang Li Hong, and others, pushing Chinese-language pop music to new heights again.

The scene of a hundred schools contending reappeared, even surpassing the previous decade.

Then… there was nothing after that…

Later generations saw an explosion of tailor-made songs, internet singers flooding in, and watered-down pop songs with zero quality.

A stark contrast to the earlier prosperity.

Now, Cheng Chen stands in the second golden age, yet his campaign against Japan—the so-called "music superpower"—

leaves people uneasy!

Conquering the domestic market is hard; conquering the Japanese market is even harder!

Before this, Deng Liyun had done it, and Zhang Guorong had done it too—but who would be the one left?

Cheng Chen?

Most people held a wait-and-see attitude toward this.

Know this: it's not that Cheng Chen is incapable, but that the opponent is too strong!

A single concert might not prove much, but in some people's eyes, the bar had already been raised significantly.

Even if, during Cheng Chen's Tokyo concert, there was a slight lull in the audience.

It would be splashed across domestic media, for example:

"Cheng Chen's Japan Concert Falters, Audience Barely There!"

"Dominant at Home, Cold Abroad—What's Wrong with Chinese Music?"

This was no exaggeration; Cheng Chen knew too well the nature of domestic media!

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