Chapter 104: The 12th Golden Melody Awards: Best New Artist Report (Fourth Update)

In Zhou Yi's memory, the 12th Golden Melody Awards had at least nowhere near this level of public buzz back then.

Since May 1st, hype had been building, and only after F4's "Meteor Shower" completely surpassed "The Main Theme of Love" and topped the charts on May 5th did every major Taiwan newspaper's front page scream headlines like "Zhou Yi Defeated? …"

Those who didn't know might think the Golden Melody Awards ceremony had already ended yesterday, with Zhou Yi winning zero out of his six major nominations.

"Relax, don't be nervous—it's just a red carpet."

On May 5th, at the Kaohsiung Chung Cheng Cultural Center, outside the venue, in the Warner zone.

Watching his parents, dressed in formal attire, stand beside him with solemn, tense expressions, Zhou Yi chuckled: "They're just reporters—they won't eat you."

"We've never walked one of these before… back at the Global Music Chart Awards, your mom and I just sat down and watched." The straightforward man, Zhou Yaohong, gripped his wife's hand, visibly nervous.

This was his first time walking a red carpet, with so many reporters outside.

The moment he saw the cameras, his mind would spiral into wild thoughts—like whether he'd embarrass his son.

He was already regretting coming to witness his son's first Golden Melody Awards.

"Zhou Yi's right—it's no big deal. If you're really scared, just treat them like cabbages."

Zhou Jianhui, general manager of Warner, also dressed formally today, stood beside Zhou Yi and his parents, cheerfully reassuring them.

In contrast, Chen Ze Shan, vice president of Warner and Sun Yanzi's manager, stood on the other side with Sun Yanzi's two teachers and her father, waiting to enter.

As one group of artists after another entered, Zhou Yi exchanged greetings with familiar musicians like Jay Chou, then, amid music, led his parents confidently down the red carpet—

The moment he appeared at the red carpet's starting point, fans lining both sides of the barriers erupted in the loudest cheers of the entire evening—

"Zhou Yi! Zhou Yi! Zhou Yi! Aaaah!!!!"

Screams and cheers rang continuously on either side; Zhou Yi, dressed in wine-red suit, smiled charmingly, waving repeatedly to the fans beyond the barriers in greeting and thanks.

At the same time, the outdoor host's passionate voice blared over the background speakers—

"Now approaching us is the singer hailed as the greatest surprise of the millennium's Chinese-language music scene: Zhou Yi."

"As of today, May 5th, his self-titled album 'Zhou Yi,' released last August, has sold over 1.9 million copies across Asia."

"Multiple songs from the album have been purchased for cover rights by several Korean entertainment companies."

"He is also the singer with the most nominations at the 12th Golden Melody Awards—six in total!"

As the female host's introduction grew more intense, Zhou Yi and his party were guided by staff to the end of the red carpet, stopping before the massive backdrop reading "The 12th Golden Melody Awards."

"Welcome, welcome, welcome Zhou Yi!"

Two female hosts stood on either side, guiding Zhou Yi, his parents, and Zhou Jianhui into the spotlight.

"Hello, hosts, hello, fans—thank you so much for coming out in this sweltering summer heat to cheer for me." Zhou Yi took the microphone, waved to the crowd outside, and triggered another wave of screams and cheers.

"It's well known that you've been nominated for six major awards—the biggest winner on this year's list. Do you have any prediction for how many trophies you'll take home tonight?"

"Probably one."

"What? Just one? Is your expectation really that low, Zhou Yi?" The female host exclaimed in shock.

"Many of my competitors are senior veterans in the industry—it's only right to be humble." Zhou Yi grinned, teasing: "If I claimed I'd win several trophies, my parents would scold me tonight for being disrespectful."

"What about Best New Artist? That's all newcomers from your same generation."

"No no no—strictly speaking, I debuted in August. Even Yanzi debuted before me—she's my senior."

"What about Jay Chou? His popularity is also very high, and his album's nominations overlap almost entirely with yours—what do you think?"

"Jay? Jay's easy. If I win, I'll treat him to milk tea and a game of basketball. If he wins, he owes me a night out."

Zhou Yi glanced at the two female hosts, smiled, sidestepped the trap, and handed the microphone to Zhou Jianhui.

The Warner general manager stiffened slightly; the two hosts dared not dig further, politely followed the script to introduce Zhou Yi's father Zhou Yaoguo and mother Zhao Ping, then cheerfully ushered Zhou Yi and his party inside.

Since both were under Warner, Zhou Yi's seat was next to Sun Yanzi's. Their families were seated behind them, alongside Zhou Jianhui, Chen Ze Shan, Qian Jiang, and others.

Because Sun Yanzi had the opening performance, Zhou Yi saw her walking toward the backstage area as soon as he entered, dressed in a black-and-white strapless gown. She smiled and waved at him upon seeing him, then politely greeted Zhou Yaoguo and Zhao Ping: "Hello, Uncle and Auntie."

Seeing the son's rumored romantic interest appear before them, the elderly couple's eyes crinkled into happy slits—until they sat down, right beside Sun Yanzi's father, Sun Yaohong.

Sitting in his seat, Zhou Yi sensed someone watching him; he turned and saw Jay Chou, seated nearby, staring intently at him—then his phone vibrated—

【Don't you have to perform? If you don't go now, you'll be late.】

【No, I'm not performing tonight—you know why.】

【…That's unfair!】

Upon receiving this reply, Jay Chou's face visibly darkened with indignation.

Watching the young Jay Chou's unreadable expression from his chair, Zhou Yi couldn't help smiling.

Soon, as the opening performance began, the 12th Golden Melody Awards ceremony—themed "Anti-Piracy"—officially commenced.

As the first award in the pop music category, with Sun Yanzi returning and Wu Zongxian joined by another host, the nominees for Best New Artist flashed on the big screen amid roaring cheers from the audience—

"Best New Artist:

"Sun Yanzi, 'Sun Yanzi';

"Jay Chou, 'JAY';

"Fan Weiqi, 'Fan Fan's World';

"Dai Peini, 'Penny';

"Zhou Yi, 'Zhou Yi'."

The clear, precise announcement ended; Wu Zongxian stood on stage, calm and composed, watching the five nominees rise from their seats, and smiled at the female host: "Every year at this time, us old-timers are happiest—because new talent has arrived."

"And this year's five nominees? Absolutely extraordinary. We just don't know who'll walk away with the Best New Artist trophy tonight."

Wu Zongxian deliberately stretched the final word, triggering a unified roar from the audience: "Zhou Yi! Zhou Yi! Zhou Yi! Zhou Yi! …"

"It seems someone's got the people's support and the crowd's expectations."

Holding the winner's list, Wu Zongxian grinned mischievously, pretending to open it, then suddenly lowered his hand, turning to face the five nominees standing together on stage.

The camera instantly focused on Zhou Yi, who shrugged, his helpless smile sparking another round of fan screams!

Standing beside Zhou Yi, Sun Yanzi grinned widely, joining in the fans' cheers—completely oblivious to the fact that she herself was also a Best New Artist nominee.

"Very well, then I announce: the winner of the Best New Artist Award at the 12th Golden Melody Awards is..."

"Let us congratulate—Zhou Yi!"

(End of this chapter)