Chapter 103: The Beginning of War

What the hell kind of show is this? Where did it even come from?

The moment the crisis was detected, Zhou Jianhui, Warner’s top executive, immediately convened a meeting. The usually refined Zhou Jianhui had rarely cursed so openly in a meeting, yet not a single person beneath him cared.

At this very moment, every eye was fixed on the red-highlighted text on the screen—《Meteor Garden》.

From its premiere on April 21 to today, May 3.

Three songs from the drama: “The Love You Want” has firmly held the tenth spot;

“Can’t Help Falling in Love” knocked out Zhou Yi’s “Sad People Don’t Listen to Slow Songs,” then further displaced Zhang Shaohan’s “Fable” and Sun Yanzi’s “Little Luck,” and Xiao Yaxuan’s “The Sun Never Sets,” surging straight to third place.

The drama’s lead quartet F4’s “Meteor Shower” was even more astonishing—it directly overshadowed Zhang Shaohan’s “First Dream” and Sun Yanzi’s “Green Light,” and is now charging hard toward the top spot held by “Love’s Main Theme.”

And judging by the momentum, “Love’s Main Theme” itself is in serious danger.

An unknown male group, solely through one drama, has consecutively dethroned established artists with fan bases like Sun Yanzi and Xiao Yaxuan on major music charts.

This sudden shift leaves Warner and other companies no choice but to take notice.

After all, the original soundtrack of 《Meteor Garden》 is stealing market share from these traditional music companies.

Not to mention that Yu Hengqing, who sang “Can’t Help Falling in Love,” and Cai Yilin, who sang “The Love You Want,” are both singers with their own albums, further squeezing an already declining music market.

Not everyone has the right to sell albums across Asia.

Even someone as powerful as Sun Yanzi only broke into the vast mainland market with “Green Light” and “Little Luck” on her second album.

“I don’t get it—are these four guys really that handsome? I looked and looked, and only Zhou Yumin and Yan Chengxu seemed decent-looking; the other two aren’t even as good-looking as I was in my youth.”

After receiving the market department’s compiled data, Qian Jiang, Zhou Yi’s agent, stared at the massive headline on the report’s front page—《Meteor Garden F4 Sales Data Statistics》—sat in his chair, rubbing his increasingly precarious hairline, his eyes filled with confusion: “And this drama—why does the plot feel even worse than a Qiong Yao drama? Why is it so popular?”

“Probably because it fulfills many people’s fantasies.”

In the lounge, Zhou Yi, watching 《Meteor Garden》, was munching on sunflower seeds and occasionally commenting on the acting and plot inconsistencies.

Opposite him, Sun Yanzi was engrossed in the drama, occasionally waving him to be quiet.

“Of course it’s about fulfilling fantasies—even though there are plenty of illogical parts and some scenes feel off, likely due to cultural differences between Japan and here, but the drama genuinely satisfies many people’s fantasies.”

Even a high-achiever like Sun Yanzi ignored the flaws and watched with delight—imagine the drama’s power.

As someone from the future, Zhou Yi knew idol drama tropes inside out; 《Meteor Garden》 held zero appeal for him.

“Still, I have to admit ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love’ and ‘The Love You Want’ are good songs. But ‘Meteor Shower’… I just don’t get it, especially the lyrics.”

Sun Yanzi wasn’t overly bothered by her songs being completely overshadowed.

It was just a drop in the rankings; she wouldn’t lose a pound of flesh.

She was merely puzzled by how high “Meteor Shower” had climbed.

“It’s a cover song—from Japan.”

Chen Zeshan, Sun Yanzi’s agent, spoke from beside her, brief and to the point.

Japan’s music composition standards led the Chinese-language music scene in the previous era—that was industry consensus.

Chen Zeshan himself favored the “borrowing” school, but since he managed Sun Yanzi, it was hard for him to leverage his strengths.

The longer he worked with Sun Yanzi at Warner, the more he missed the obedient Cai Yilin of old.

“So far, Xiao Yaxuan’s ‘Love’s Main Theme’ being overtaken by F4’s ‘Meteor Shower’ is just a matter of time. Based on current data, this damn F4 is insanely popular.”

“Their photo sales, offline fan meetings, and all other activities have shattered new records on the island.”

After waving the document, Qian Jiang pulled out another newspaper, his expression darkening—

《Meteor Garden to Win 3-7! Can the Mainland Prodigy Zhou Yi Still Respond?!》

“At the start of the year, Zhou Yi, unable to enter the island market, angrily released six hit songs that helped Zhang Shaohan, Sun Yanzi, and Xiao Yaxuan dominate the island’s music charts for over four months.”

“Now, the island-born Chai Zhiping has launched a four-member male idol group, F4, through an idol drama, allowing Yu Hengqing to return to the top of the music scene with ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love,’ and enabling Cai Yilin—who lost to Zhang Shaohan, Sun Yanzi, and Xiao Yaxuan earlier this year—to return with a new album.”

“Of the six songs written and composed by the mainland prodigy Zhou Yi, only ‘Love’s Main Theme’ remains untouched by ‘Meteor Shower.’ But based on current data, ‘Meteor Shower’ topping the charts is merely a matter of time.”

“The only lingering question is: Can Xie Tingfeng and Zhou Yi, the two brightest male singers of the millennium Chinese music scene, release songs in their upcoming albums that can rival or even surpass the heat of 《Meteor Garden》...”

Whether due to petty triumph or a desire to use someone else’s knife, Zhou Yi’s brow twitched as he read this section—

Why is Xie Tingfeng even involved?

How arrogant is this? Trying to drag him and Xie Tingfeng down together?

“You two represent the new generation of the mainland and Hong Kong respectively. Now it seems some people on the island have positioned Chai Zhiping’s F4 as the new generation’s representative of the island.”

Seeing Zhou Yi pause here, Qian Jiang, his face dark, explained: “This is pure bullshit.”

This is clearly an attempt to climb to power by stepping on Zhou Yi and Xie Tingfeng.

“Xie Tingfeng plans to release his new album 《Jade Butterfly》 on May 23, but it’s a Cantonese album, so the island market isn’t even on his radar.”

“According to my sources, Emperor Entertainment has prepared a Mandarin album for Xie Tingfeng, set for release in October.”

As a competent agent, Qian Jiang immediately laid out the situation regarding Xie Tingfeng.

Since 《Meteor Garden》 hadn’t yet exploded beyond the island, Emperor Entertainment hadn’t taken it seriously, treating the island media’s provocations as mere clownish antics.

“I’m releasing on June 1, he’s on May 23—no wonder they want to tie us together.”

Zhou Yi scoffed and tossed the newspaper aside.

“But this isn’t fair to you—you can’t promote your new album on the island, so you’re naturally missing out on a guaranteed market share of hundreds of thousands of copies,” Sun Yanzi frowned, sensing the malice.

Even if she teamed up with Zhang Shaohan and Xiao Yaxuan to promote Zhou Yi, the effect wouldn’t be nearly as strong as if he promoted himself.

“They just feel humiliated after being crushed by Zhou Yi last year and want to reclaim their dignity this year.”

Chen Zeshan, skilled in hype, instantly saw why F4 was being so heavily promoted in public discourse.

No matter the final sales, they must win this ranking battle against Zhou Yi this year and wash away the shame of being bloodied by him last year.

As beneficiaries, Chai Zhiping and F4 themselves naturally wouldn’t object.

“In short, when you walk the Golden Melody Awards red carpet the day after tomorrow, if anyone asks you this question, don’t answer—just deflect it.”

As his agent, Qian Jiang still gave Zhou Yi a warning.

Zhou Yi shrugged noncommittally: “There shouldn’t be any weird reporters on the Golden Melody Awards red carpet, right?”

“I mean outside the venue.”

(End of Chapter)