Chapter 35: The Slanging Match

"Blue Lotus" has broken out!

This was something both Cheng Chen and Wang Tianxiao hadn't anticipated.

"Autumn Does Not Return" and "The Wolf Fell in Love with the Sheep" had the widest circulation and had the makings of a hit — that was beyond doubt.

"Love Transfer" and "Fairytale" were widely spread among student groups, and their going viral could likewise be foreseen.

But how on earth did "Blue Lotus" end up causing two authoritative magazines from two different circles to hurl insults at each other across the airwaves?

There were originally three circles, and there was another magazine called "Chinese Pop Music Scene."

But this little brother was kicked out of the fight the moment the folk and rock melee kicked off.

"Replying to the letter in 'Just Love Rock' — although folk is niche, one can still glimpse from it the ways of the world and the human heart, reflecting the social fashions and the drift of public opinion of the moment.

Folk works bring people not only an auditory impact but also a tremendous food for thought to the soul.

Undoubtedly, the spiritual core contained in 'Blue Lotus' has achieved this.

This is something that cannot be achieved merely by certain singers and songs who clutch electric guitars, braid their long hair, and wail their hearts out…"

"The Voice of Folk" had always been read only by the niche crowd who liked folk, and every article it published was, like a folk song itself, refreshing to the heart and gentle and graceful.

But this time it was truly infuriated by "Just Love Rock," especially that line "it's not even folk, it's crap" — which so enraged editor-in-chief Wu Renfei that he jumped into the fray himself.

The opening remarks weren't all that fierce, but the final sentence suddenly showed its blade, stabbing straight at the heart of the rock circle!

Not long after these remarks were published, "Just Love Rock" immediately struck back.

"Last issue we said 'Blue Lotus' isn't folk, and we got roasted. I'll say it again — that xx isn't folk, it's rock! Why do you xx love Lai Lai so much?

Who says rock is just hugging an electric guitar, braiding dirty dreadlocks, and wailing your heart out? Rock isn't all heavy metal and venting pressure, death and roaring.

It is a kind of power, a voice that lifts people up. We suggest 'The Voice of Folk' go back and listen to a few more rock songs before coming back to yap!"

This slanging match dragged on for a long time — from lyrics to composition, from rhythm to expression, and from style to theme.

The editors-in-chief of both magazines were big names in their respective musical styles.

They cited classics and each elaborated their own view of "Blue Lotus," both striving to claim the song for their own musical world.

What had started as a slanging match within the music circle drew more and more spectators.

The internet was also abuzz with heated discussion:

"In my lifetime I actually got to see such a brilliant showdown! Thrilling!"

"Rock never kneels!"

"Bullshit upstairs — folk is forever the god!"

"Stop it, stop fighting, please stop fighting!"

"Front-row sale of peanuts, sunflower seeds, eight-treasure porridge, beer, soft drinks, mineral water — come on, let me through…"

And many college students studying music exclaimed it was thrilling; the slanging match between these two big names and their insights on music were more than enough for their usual homework and papers.

Some seniors even declared on the spot that they had found their graduation thesis topic:

"On the Current State of Rock Today," "On the Role of Folk in the Development of Music," "On the Differences Between Rock and Folk"…

As the two magazines tore into each other, the album sales of "The Wolf Fell in Love with the Sheep" climbed steadily.

Originally only people who liked pop songs bought this album, but gradually fans of folk and fans of rock also rushed to buy it for "Blue Lotus."

After listening, they said:

"Actually 'Fairytale' and 'Love Transfer' don't seem bad either!"

This battle seemed to be a victory for the Chinese Pop Music Scene!

"The Voice of Folk":???

"Just Love Rock":???

……

As album sales grew day by day, Cheng Chen finally started taking commercial gigs too.

Interviews and talk shows could be turned down, but he still had to eat.

Any property opening, supermarket opening, wedding banquet, birthday celebration — as long as the pay was enough, Cheng Chen didn't refuse.

But the bosses also said they only wanted "The Wolf Fell in Love with the Sheep" — they had a taste for that one and nothing else, nothing to be done about it.

Although with Cheng Chen's current popularity, he didn't earn much from each commercial gig, everything is hard at the beginning.

Money couldn't be earned all at once either, and when it came to making money, Cheng Chen was surprisingly patient.

He only had two hobbies — making money and acting.

The crew finally realized that Cheng Chen was starting to get famous.

Only, what was depressing was that this guy hadn't made his name on the acting path, but had somehow risen to great heights in the completely unrelated music scene.

For this reason, Director Lai had even called Cheng Chen in for a talk, telling him not to be too distracted by the music scene.

After all, he had real talent for acting; singing could just be a hobby.

Cheng Chen obediently nodded. He also knew that a person's energy was limited, and reaching the pinnacle in any one industry required a hundred percent commitment.

He said he was just a bit idle in the "Heaven Sword" crew, and had taken the chance during the gaps to do a little side business.

Listen to this — is that even human language? The side business you did in your spare time has reached a height that professional singers can never achieve in their entire lives.

Lai Shuiqing was silent for a while before telling Cheng Chen that he had also been looking for crews for him in Jingcheng lately.

Once a good crew was found, he'd shove him in — he couldn't let this kid keep doing side gigs forever!

Jia Jingwen and Su Youpeng learned that Cheng Chen's songs had taken off and made a fuss, insisting Cheng Chen treat them to a meal.

Cheng Chen agreed readily, gave each of them a signed album, and even set the meal at Ziyunxuan.

No sooner had they arrived at Ziyunxuan than Cheng Chen was immediately recognized by fans dining nearby.

They might not necessarily know "Sweet Sister" Jia Jingwen or "Fresh Mouth Girl" Gao Yuanyuan, but they had definitely heard "The Wolf Fell in Love with the Sheep."

Cheng Chen's melancholy, sorrowful album cover had been deeply imprinted in their minds when they bought the album.

What's it like to be surrounded by fans demanding autographs in front of a huge crowd of celebrities?

Cheng Chen said, It's nothing much~

In the end, the owner of Ziyunxuan personally came to the private room to toast, waved his hand, and said this meal was on him.

But he had one small request: an autograph and a photo with Cheng Chen.

The autograph was for his daughter, and the photo was to be displayed in his shop.

Jia Jingwen said it was sour, since they often dined at this restaurant, yet the owner had never shown up once, let alone offered a free meal and asked for autographs and photos.

……

Since his album exploded in popularity, Wang Tianxiao had been calling the factory every day urging them to increase orders, leaving no time to care about what Cheng Chen was doing.

On this day, Cheng Chen carried gifts and visited Luo Tong's home again.

After all, behind the album's explosion in popularity, Teacher Luo Tong had played an indispensable role.

At Luo Tong's home, Cheng Chen found Tang Wei there too.

"You're here, little brother. Congratulations on your album selling so well—my roommate and classmates are all your fans.

They didn't believe me when I told them you were my little brother, so they asked me to bring them several signed copies of your album."

Tang Wei still held her paintbrush, smiling warmly.

"Of course, I can sign as many as you want. I only brought twenty albums—I originally planned to give ten to Teacher Luo and keep ten for you.

Since you have so many friends, I'll give them all to you, and I'll bring more for Teacher Luo next time."

Cheng Chen lifted the bag in his hand and smiled.

"Then thank you so much, future superstar!"

……