Chapter 394: Thank You for the Glory (5k)

The guy shouting this had a voice that cracked a bit, making the whole sentence sound somewhat shrill. But compared to the screams and cheers of tens of thousands in the arena, this remark ultimately vanished like a mud cow sinking into the sea, drowned out without a sound.

Only Deng Shiying, sitting in the front row of the inner field, turned her head to look toward the sound upon hearing it, her small face filled with surprise—

The young man wearing glasses waved the scarf in his hand, jumping and cheering alongside the men and women beside him, his eyes brimming with genuine joy.

It was clear that after the big screen displayed Zhou Yi's achievements overseas over the past two years, bolstered by a sense of pride by association, the glasses-wearing guy had clearly gotten completely swept up in the arena's fiery atmosphere.

Not far from him, Deng Shiying even saw a male fan rip open his jacket and shout to the sky like a wild gorilla, "Ahhh! Zhou Yi is awesome! Zhou Yi is the MVP of overseas output!"...

What's more, if not for the crowd and the cramped space preventing it, he would have gone down on his knees to call him "Great King."

Little Deng Shiying didn't understand, but she was deeply shocked.

Isn't this just chasing a star? Why make it so awkward?

She admitted that Zhou Yi's pure music piece did make people feel a surge of blood, and combined with the battle records displayed on the big screen, she too felt her heart racing, almost wanting to say, "A true man should be like this."

But isn't this a bit too exaggerated?

Those who know it's a concert might think so; those who don't might think they've entered a zoo.

In the guest seats, many insiders with knowledge of entertainment industry news felt somewhat surprised upon hearing this majestic piece of pure music, after all, this was something Zhou Yi had never performed publicly before.

But as the elements of the Qin army on the screen grew increasingly intense, basically everyone figured it out—

This must be the promotional song that Old Strategist traveled a long way to ask Zhou Yi for, the one spreading like wildfire in the industry.

"Is this a tribute to Qin Shi Huang? That's some serious guts."

Zhou Xun, with her legs crossed, watched with interest as Zhou Yi stood up and slowly walked down from the rising platform, a hint of amusement playing at the corners of her eyes.

Does Zhou Yi have the qualification?

Technically, yes, he does.

But it would be best to let someone else do it, even if that someone is just a disguised other.

If he does it himself, although it's an excuse to promote "Hero," at the very least it would give people ammunition, making him seem too arrogant—uh, although Zhou Yi's public demeanor is indeed arrogant enough as it is.

Lu Yi, who had also experienced crazy fans, was actually more interested in Zhou Yi's crazy fans—his own crazy fans were all female, while Zhou Yi's situation was somewhat exaggerated, with both male and female fans going crazy together.

A concert is like a great melting pot for letting oneself go, allowing them to release actions and emotions they would never dare show in daily life, because there are so many companions doing it with them.

There's a saying: if one person does a stupid thing alone, their conscience might judge them to the point of shame. But if a group does it together, that worry disappears, replaced by a sense of enjoyment.

Singers like Wang Feng and Hu Yanbin sitting in the guest seats, and musicians like Li Jian, Shui Mu Nian Hua, and Hua Er Band who bought their own tickets to sit in the front row of the inner field, all felt a touch of envy in their eyes upon witnessing Zhou Yi's unparalleled charisma firsthand.

These were all achievements he fought for with solid results; for a singer, there is no moment more fulfilling than this.

On stage, Xiao Yaxuan, whose hands were a bit sore from drumming so hard, watched the man slowly descend from the platform with satisfaction, his eyes bright as if holding light.

"Thank you, thank you all."

Unaware of what was happening in the audience, Zhou Yi appeared during the final stage of "Xiang Wang Xing," pacing step by step to the front of the stage accompanied by the music, and sincerely bowed to the enthusiastic applause from the audience—

"Of course, I also want to thank Xiao Yaxuan and the Twelve Girls Band."

After expressing his thanks, Zhou Yi smiled and began introducing the specific members of the Twelve Girls Band to the audience below: "This song is the promotional track for Director Zhang's latest film, 'Hero.' When Director Zhang first asked me to do the score, I said it was too late; it was all thanks to their generous help.

"As for Elva, well, everything is understood without words."

Seeing that Zhou Yi not only gave her band two performance opportunities but also actually had a separate introduction segment, Wang Xiaojing below felt naturally excited.

Isn't this far better than those old-fashioned circles that rejected him and rejected the Twelve Girls Band?

"As for why we are playing this song at the concert..."

After seeing Xiao Yaxuan and the Twelve Girls Band off the stage, the tall Zhou Yi scanned the audience, then raised his hand to point at the big screen and said seriously, "To be honest, it's just showing off."

"Hiss!"

Facing this inhuman idol, many fans whose throats were hoarse from shouting and palms were sore from clapping responded with playful, good-natured hisses.

Zhou Yi grinned: "How was it? Was this song good or not?"

"Good!"

"Not good! Play a few more to make up for it!"

"..."

The answers below were all over the place, a chaotic scene of demons dancing.

The concert was nearing its end; the venue for the next one had only officially announced the city of Guangzhou, with no specific date declared yet, so the next concert might not be until after the New Year, leaving the fans somewhat reluctant to part.

Honestly, being able to hear Zhou Yi's high-quality new songs at the concert made them quite happy.

Although, according to Zhou Yi, this was just a promotional song for "Hero," it was good to listen to!

"Playing a few more might not be possible, but adding one more song should still be enough time."

Sitting on the ground as if chatting at home, Zhou Yi said, "After all, the venue time is strictly limited; you wouldn't want to see me get reported and criticized for being seriously overtime, would you?"

"It doesn't matter!"

"Then play one more!"

"..."

Simple, honest faces shouted "One more time," their eyes brimming with joyful smiles, joining the crowd in the commotion.

"OK, then the next song is the final song of this Star Concert. At the same time, this song is also what I want to say to you, to all the fans who love my songs."

Even with reluctance, parting is inevitable.

Just as the fans were guessing what song Zhou Yi would use to close the show, the big screen on site once again displayed a montage of Zhou Yi's past achievements—

Only this time, compared to the overseas results shown before, these were domestic ones.

From the debut of "Zhou Yi" at the turn of the millennium, to the explosion of reputation that shattered the Taiwan music charts, earning him the titles of Taiwan's Singer of the Year and Song of the Year;

From the widely loved EP released during graduation season, to the status established by "Jiangnan," pushing his popularity to a new level.

Finally, the domination achievement completed by "Lianshan."

Lines of text, scenes of video, faithfully displaying Zhou Yi's journey, moved everyone in the audience, including the guests in the guest seats, to deep emotion.

"Sitting in this position in just over two years, Zhou Yi must be very tired too; holding the number one spot isn't easy, the pressure is huge."

Lu Yi, who has been highly controversial in recent years due to the title "Number One Idol Young Actor of the Mainland," felt deeply moved.

The higher you stand, the more hands there are wanting to pull you down.

Since Zhou Yi cannot be defeated by baseless rumors, the number of people watching his various real scandals will only grow.

Especially in music.

"Yes, everything he has now is built on the foundation of his albums; once the albums collapse..." Zhou Xun, having seen countless dirty things within the circle, looked at the spirited figure on stage with some emotion.

Xiao Yaxuan, having changed clothes and returned to his seat, said nothing, but his eyes, filled with shared pride, kept watching him.

"This song is a new song."

Under the gaze of eighty thousand people, Zhou Yi pressed his lips together: "If you don't remember the lyrics, everyone can also pay attention to the teleprompter screen; the lyrics will be displayed synchronously on it."

???

Another new song???

At this moment, whether fans or guests, everyone was stunned by Zhou Yi's move of pulling out yet another new song.

Others are eager to put new songs into their albums; even if not put into an album, they must be recorded separately and stuffed into a greatest hits collection. How are you so special?

"To be honest, when the company first told me they could hold a venue for eighty thousand people, I was quite surprised, because that is a record-breaking number. That tickets could all sell out in just one week was even more beyond my expectations."

Ignoring the various shocks from the audience below, at this moment, Zhou Yi, holding the microphone, was incredibly sincere in his attitude, no longer joking: "Just like the past displayed on the big screen, without you, there would be no Zhou Yi of today.

"The new song, 'Glory', is for you."

There are many songs in the Mandarin music scene where singers dedicate songs to their fans; after the millennium, the most famous should be Wang Lihong's "Our Song". As for quality, the Bo Bo Combination's "Glory" definitely cannot beat "Our Song".

Zhou Yi had also thought about whether to sing "Our Song" at the concert, but in the end, he chose "Glory".

The reason was nothing else; it was simply because "Glory" from start to finish only thanks fans for the glory they gave, with absolutely no second central theme. It was written very directly, with no subtlety at all, expressing feelings straight from the heart.

This suited him, suited the him of today.

"Thank you for the glory you gave me, I want to bow deeply to you

"Because the effort made is understood by someone~"

The harmony team's voices sounded before the song even began; accompanying Zhou Yi's sincere bow on stage, all the fans below instantly stood dumbfounded—

Thank you... for the glory I gave?

"Thunderous applause, surging emotions

"This is the beginning, not the end...

"When you, for my sake, clap your hands until they hurt

"What can I give in return for your unique affection~"

An extremely simple melody, an arrangement that is not complicated at all, and lyrics that are nothing but plain speech; the combination of the three directly formed a song with no threshold for understanding, allowing every fan present tonight at the eighty-thousand-person stadium to easily put themselves in the song.

The leaping lyrics on the teleprompter made many emotional fans below instinctively cover their mouths, with surprise constantly flashing in their eyes.

This...

Isn't this the true portrayal of them attending the concert tonight?

The moment the applause started, the mood was incredibly excited; even if their palms clapped until they hurt or their throats shouted until they were hoarse, they didn't care, still continuing.

"Thank you for the glory you gave me

"I want to bow deeply to you

"Because the effort made is understood by someone~"

Without too much buildup, he laid bare all his true feelings right from the start.

On the big screen, images of the fans Zhou Yi met at every offline signing session, fan meeting, various events, and concert over these past two-plus years kept flashing and interweaving; interspersed among these were scenes of Zhou Yi practicing dance alone in the dance studio and recording songs silently in the recording booth.

Many emotional female fans saw their past selves on the big screen; while covering their mouths, tears already glistened in their eyes—

He has me in his heart!

To chase a star like this, what more could one ask for?!

The man who previously, in "Xiang Wang Xing", was Li Keqin Wang ascending the throne, now completely shed the pride in his heart; with an extremely contrasting low posture and a voice full of emotion, he constructed a moving story of mutual devotion between a singer and his fans—

"Thank you for the glory you gave me~

"This youth was once so ordinary~~"

Singing at the climax, Zhou Yi on stage raised his hand and pointed at everyone below; then he raised his thumb and pointed at his own chest: "It is you who let me make my dream reach the very peak~~~"

Without this batch of fans willing to support him, Guo Tianwang Zhou Yi would not have appeared.

Perhaps what would have taken his place might have been Lawyer Zhou Yi, Judge Zhou Yi, or even Investor Zhou Yi.

Every leaping word on the teleprompter screen, at this very moment, had turned into sharp arrows attacking the fans' tear ducts, constantly poking at the sensitive points within their hearts.

Zhou Yi, since his debut, has never bowed his head to anyone.

Whether it was the old women and old men in the Taiwan and Hong Kong regions, or the international music figure Tom Cat, Zhou Yi has never once taken a low posture from beginning to end.

What passersby, and even fans, often see is his side of being self-satisfied (arrogant and domineering).

People all consider him a natural winner, a natural Ziwei Star; even abroad, they say he is the Music Emperor of the Mandarin pop music scene.

But now, this natural winner is, in the lyrics, thanking all the fans who accompanied him through the controversies with the humble posture of a subordinate.

Zhou Yi, with a smile on his face, walked around the oval stage, lap after lap, constantly waving to the fans below with his left hand—

"This is the glory that belongs to us

"This is the Ode to Joy dedicated to you

"Every one of you is my great hero~~~"

After the lyrics were sung, Zhou Yi, having just walked back to the exact center of the stage, put down the microphone in his hand; while continuously waving to the fans on all four sides of the stage to express thanks, he waited quietly for the accompaniment's ending.

"Thank—

"Thank you for the glory you gave me, I want to bow deeply to you~~~"

Just as Zhou Yi was preparing to end the thank-you session and say his goodbyes, the scene, which had previously been filled with cheers everywhere, suddenly erupted into a not-too-loud but not-too-quiet chorus—

The chorus sounded uncoordinated, even slightly off-key, yet the moment it reached Zhou Yi on stage, his movement froze; the words of farewell rose to his lips only to be swallowed back down.

When the song's accompaniment ended, the eighty-thousand-person stadium fell into a silence so profound that only the eight hundred thousand people's clumsy, call-and-response chorus could be heard—

"This is the glory belonging to us, this is the Ode to Joy we give to you~~~"

After a frantic rush, the large screen on-site directly displayed the full lyrics of the song; with the lyrics as aid, the fans sang with even greater vigor, starting from the beginning—

One person stood up from their chair, two people stood up from their chairs, three people...

The crowd stood leaning on one another, the waves of song rising higher and higher.

Just as Zhou Yi thanked them, the fans likewise thanked Zhou Yi, thanking him for the spiritual strength he had brought them.

Academic grades, confidence, and even the sense of superiority when fighting in fan circles, bolstered by Zhou Yi's overseas achievements...

The band members exchanged glances, silently putting aside their thoughts of clocking out, and with smiles on their lips, willingly began to work overtime.

To speak honestly, this song was not difficult; it could even be said to be extremely simple.

The melody was very memorable; with lyrics and having heard it once, basically anyone could hum a couple of lines.

Standing at the very center of the stage, Zhou Yi, moved by the fans standing up in unison to sing, wanted to speak several times, but as the microphone was brought to his lips, his lips trembled twice before he ultimately gave up.

"Thank you for the glory you gave me..."

The fans' grand chorus continued, with more and more people joining in, and the sound of the chorus grew louder and louder.

Zhou Yi, somewhat at a loss, bit his lip, placed one hand on his hip, and stood still for quite a while; then, subconsciously tilting his head back, he blinked frantically dozens of times—after which, he finally took a deep breath, adjusted his emotions, and bowed deeply to the stands directly in front: "Thank you!"

The fans were still singing, though they were tone-deaf and stumbling.

"Thank you!"

Zhou Yi was still expressing his gratitude, sincere and full of vigor; only this time, he turned toward the stands on the left.

"Thank you!"

"Thank you!"

"Thank you all!"

The conclusion of this eighty-thousand-person concert was supposed to end right there, but at the very end, a scene completely different from the rehearsal appeared—

Fans singing, idol expressing thanks!

In the guest seats, everyone seeing this scene for the first time looked at one another; Xiao Yaxuan, with a smile in his eyes and brows, watched Zhou Yi on stage, turned to glance at the fans in the stands behind, stood up, and chose to join in;

In the audience, Deng Shiying, who had possessed extremely high musical talent since childhood, was moved to tears; with teary eyes like a child's, she loudly led the grand chorus in the surrounding area—because she sang in tune.

The areas where Zhang Jie, Wang Zhengliang, Hu Ge, Zhang Liangying, and others were located were all the same.

Singers thank the fans, grateful for their passion accompanying them all the way;

Fans thank the idol, grateful for his music accompanying them all the way.

Just as the lyrics sang: Thank you for the glory you gave.

The glory of a mutual journey.

Backstage lounge.

Wei Yuncong, who had sat up in shock as if waking from a near-death illness, heard the uniform chorus outside and wished he could fiercely pound his own chest—

"Damn! Why is my heart so uncooperative! It's just that there are a few more people, right?!"

(End of this chapter)