Chapter 525

"..."

Good heavens, after thinking it over, Qian Jiang exclaimed, "Good heavens."

This slogan is far more spirited than the one he led.

"It has to be you, A-Yi."

Qian Jiang put himself in the situation, simulated it in his mind, then slapped his thigh and decisively adopted it.

Truly the Purple Star descended from heaven; isn't this brain more agile than those fools?

According to Warner's own information channels and hints from Yao Qian, one of the judges this year, Zhou Yi's seven awards and fourteen nominations mean he can surely restore the glory of his debut, taking home four trophies at once.

"About right. At the 2001 Golden Melody Awards, I mostly benefited from being a newcomer to take four awards at once; this time, it's relying on foreign backing."

Facing Qian Jiang's expectations, Zhou Yi remained remarkably calm.

In 2001, his first Golden Melody Awards participation saw six nominations; finally, leveraging his newcomer status and the album's groundbreaking style, he won four awards: Best Album, Best Album Producer, Best Composer, and Best New Artist.

Compared to the 2002 Golden Melody Awards, where he was nominated for five awards totaling eleven nominations, he ultimately swept the two major prizes for Best Composer and Best Album, plus a Best Music Video award.

Comparing the two Golden Melody Awards reveals that actually, the first time he won more major awards with greater prestige, after all, that extra Best New Artist award he can no longer win now.

"The Golden Melody Awards have always had a tradition where the hot favorite inevitably fails; moreover, my identity is still quite sensitive here in Taiwan. Winning three major awards plus one minor music video award would be about the theoretical limit."

"But that assumes no outside tricks are played."

Leaning against the sofa, Zhou Yi's lips curled up with a hint of mockery.

This year, restrictions on mainland singers in Taiwan have intensified further.

The most typical case is Na Ying, also nominated for Best Female Singer; she didn't receive a permit and couldn't attend the Golden Melody Awards. Warner could only say publicly that Na Ying was preparing for a concert and had no time to spare;

Hu Yanbin's album "Wen Wu Shuang Quan" released last year was nominated at major award ceremonies in Hong Kong and the mainland this year, winning every single award from Best New Artist to Best Album. Only in Taiwan did he fail to get a single nomination, not even for a sham award.

Rock musician Wang Feng has become a "underground singer" in Taiwan.

He shines brighter than Na Ying, Hu Yanbin, Wang Feng, and others, plus he is internationally famous; denying him a permit is completely impossible, but subtly influencing the Golden Melody Awards is still achievable.

Zhou Yi never doubted the bottom line of that group; otherwise, they wouldn't have issued further restrictions specifically targeting singers.

Even mainland actors can get some leeway, but only the singer sector is strictly guarded, with restrictions getting stricter year by year.

Because songs and singers' influence is relatively easier to spread and more deeply interpreted, Tao Zhe's album "Black Orange" in Taiwan is a living example.

Originally, Qian Jiang had tried to secure a Golden Melody Awards performance for Zhou Yi, but given Zhou Yi's lawless behavior in the US, who knows what antics Zhou Yi would pull on stage; ultimately, the Golden Melody Awards couldn't bend the arm against the thigh and did not agree.

"They wouldn't dare play outside tricks too excessively; your current reputation is your best golden body. Besides, don't forget we still have Yao Qian."

Qian Jiang, who had been closely following the Golden Melody Awards, felt helpless about this and mentioned that Virgin Records' general manager, who loved to brand himself as fair and just.

If there were any special insider issues this time, he would definitely notify Zhou Yi privately—

"Ring-ring-ring!"

Speak of Cao Cao, and Cao Cao arrives.

When Zhou Yi reached out to pick up his phone from the coffee table and glanced at the caller ID, he deliberately flipped it over to let Qian Jiang clearly see the name—

Yao Qian.

"A-Yi, I've resigned. Remember to speak carefully. Best Lyricist, Best Composer, and others might change."

As one of the stabilizing pillars of the Golden Melody Awards judging committee since 2000, Yao Qian's opening words when specially calling Zhou Yi left both men stunned.

What the heck?

Resigned?

The two exchanged glances; Qian Jiang's face gradually darkened—

On August 1, 2003, as one of the Taiwan judging committee members for three consecutive terms, Yao Qian chose to submit his resignation. After this year's Golden Melody Awards concluded, he would resign from all his positions within the Golden Melody Awards organization.

Good news for Virgin Records: Xiao Yaxuan should be able to get nominated for the Golden Melody Awards in the future;

Bad news for Warner: from now on, they would lose a heavyweight ally within the Golden Melody Awards.

Sensing something was wrong, Qian Jiang immediately began investigating what was happening, making phone call after phone call, busy beyond measure, while Zhou Yi turned his gaze toward Professor Lai on the TV program, who seemed to be on his side—

His right index finger unconsciously rubbed his chin, his brow furrowed in thought.

The next day, 5 PM.

The chaotic and continuous red carpet segment of the 14th Taiwan Golden Melody Awards in 2003 officially began at the National Taiwan University Comprehensive Gymnasium, with fans from all sides entering orderly with tickets.

Stars appeared one by one from smallest to biggest star power amidst fans' cheers, walked the red carpet, left their artistic signatures on the signing board, and the interview segment followed convention; Zhou Yi noticed nothing abnormal.

"Zhou Jielun, Zhou Jielun, how many awards do you think you can win tonight?"

Last year, Jay Chou's "Fan Texi" received five awards totaling ten nominations; although he personally won only Best Producer as a consolation prize, he became the only peer singer capable of snatching a Golden Melody Award trophy from the peak Zhou Yi.

"How could I possibly know? I feel that having a nomination is already a form of recognition, right? Winning awards is actually not something I need to consider..."

Due to the pressure of having Zhou Yi, this great demon king, looming over his head since debut, Jay Chou, who successfully earned the title of Little Guo Tianwang this year, remained extremely humble when facing interviews.

Singers just need to sing well; the things judges have to consider are far more numerous.

"Yanzi, if you absolutely had to make a choice, which award would you most want to win tonight?"

"If I absolutely had to choose, I think it would be Best Vocal Album."

Dressed in a black French retro long dress, Sun Yanzi chuckled twice: "Because that award has the most competition, and if I win it, then I can show off and act domineering in front of Zhou Yi every day."

"..."

Isn't the point of your words about showing off and acting domineering in front of Zhou Yi every day?

"Xueyou..."

"Principal..."

"Zhou Yi..."

Since this year's Golden Melody Awards not only saw Hong Kong stars like Tan Yonglin and Zhang Xueyou, who rarely appear in Taiwan, choose to show up, but also Japanese diva Akina Nakamori and famous Korean transgender artist Hari Su came—

It can fully be said to be the gathering with the most Chinese and foreign stars since its inception, so this red carpet segment lasted a bit long.

Starting from 5 PM until the award ceremony officially began at 7 PM,

Zhou Yi's seat was in the second row, the first one to the left of the steps. Beside him sat Zhou Jie, Wang Lihong, Chen Yixun's agent, Zhang Xueyou, Tan Yonglin, and others.

Sun Yanzi sat in the second row as well, the first seat to the right of the steps, forming a perfect left-right symmetry with the male camp headed by Zhou Yi. Beside her were Liang Jingru, Karen Mok, Chen Huilin, and others; in the row behind sat female singers such as Cai Yilin and Xu Huixin.

After Yao Qian's warning about running away, Zhou Yi had already calmed his mind—he could even be said to have mentally prepared himself for the dark-horse scenario of winning only one award or none at all.

Yet in reality, the very first Best Lyricist award exceeded his expectations.

Lin Qiuli: "Night Falls" (Performer: A-Du);

Fang Wenshan: "Grandpa's Tea" (Performer: Zhou Jie);

Xiao Huangqi: "You Are My Eyes" (Performer: Xiao Huangqi);

Zhou Yi: "Mom and Dad", "Clear Rain Above", "Fireworks Cool in Yi".

On the first award, Zhou Yi, who faced three opponents, won Best Lyricist with "Mom and Dad" under the announcement of the two presenters, Zhang Zhenyue and Yang Naiwen...

?

Zhou Yi's brow furrowed imperceptibly—

What's going on?

Didn't Yao Qian say there was no Best Lyricist award?

(End of this chapter)