Chapter 544: Everyone Gets What They Need and the Chuunibyou Soul of Daily Life

"Is that so? Alright, alright, I understand. Thank you. Come to Hong Kong when you have time; I'll treat you to a meal."

Hong Kong, TalentBang Model Agency.

The agent hung up the phone, the curve of her smile unable to be suppressed any longer, laughing with extra joy—

"Janice, congratulations, you've been selected by Warner. Remember to go for the audition."

Shortly after, she went directly to find Wen Yongshan, who was undergoing model training with Yang Ying, a sister she had just gotten close to.

Because they were of similar age, the two who entered the agency one after the other were intentionally packaged as a pair of young model sisters, focusing on the freshness and thrill of the sister duo. Over these few months, they had gradually risen in fame within Hong Kong's young model circle, and their appearance fees had risen from three or four hundred per event to seven or eight hundred.

However, because Wen Yongshan herself was still in school, setting aside the time needed for training, there weren't many activities she could participate in.

"Really?! Thank you! I will work hard!"

Wen Yongshan, upon receiving the agent's notification, couldn't hide her surprised expression: "I will definitely work hard to pass the audition, definitely!"

Nearby, Yang Ying, who had also signed up but wasn't selected, felt a sourness in her heart toward her partner of just a few months of combined performances.

Who in all of Hong Kong didn't know the metaphysical nature of Zhou Yi's MV? It might not really become a hit, but...

What if it did?

In the entertainment industry, you never fear the ten thousand possibilities, only the one in ten thousand.

In that instant, a thought even sprouted in her heart to trick Wen Yongshan into sleeping with Zhou Yi; that way, she would have a handle on her—

After all, Wen Yongshan was only 15 years old this year.

But as soon as this vicious thought emerged, it was immediately strangled by her reason.

If it were someone else in the Hong Kong entertainment circle, it would be fine; 15 wasn't an age that needed protection, and once you entered the entertainment industry, it meant you were prepared. But Zhou Yi was different.

This guy was well-versed in the law; with Wen Yongshan's meager skills, she wouldn't even be able to keep her underwear on in front of him. If she were exposed, her path forward would be difficult.

Having just witnessed the bizarre and colorful nature of the entertainment industry, she held a very humble attitude toward a big shot of Zhou Yi's caliber.

Chen Qiaoen felt the same way.

Although she had become slightly famous in Taiwan last year for hosting a program, after being blacklisted by her company this year due to contract renewal issues, she had been frantically spinning in circles. She hadn't appeared in public for several months; if this continued, she would eventually be forgotten.

For this reason, she signed up for Zhou Yi's MV audition on a friend's suggestion, because Warner was recruiting actors.

"Let me tell you, just seize the opportunity to stir up a scandal with Zhou Yi. Even if it becomes real, you won't lose out. The reputation of being the Guo Tianwang's wife is enough to let you shine brightly. Then, use that reputation to negotiate a contract with the executives; it would be beneficial for you too.

"Look at Fan Bingbin from the Qiong Yao Company before; after breaking the contract, how famous is she now..."

After telling her friend the good news about the audition, the other person's suggestion made Chen Qiaoen's heart stir with desire.

She was already 24 this year, an age that was the golden period for actresses and hosts. If she didn't take advantage of her current youthful state to save up some retirement funds, then when she grew old and faded, it would truly be for nothing.

Moreover, there was Fan Xiaopang, a living example, standing right there.

She didn't ask for Zhou Yi to write a song; she didn't need to bloom in film, television, and music like Fan Xiaopang with a single song called "The Couple Sitting at the Alley Entrance." She just needed to borrow his tiger skin to wave the big flag, and that would be okay.

Thinking this, she looked down at her assets, which could be considered substantial compared to young female stars in the domestic entertainment industry...

Give it a shot, turn a bicycle into a motorcycle!

…………………………

"Turn into what? Why doesn't Qiong Yao look for someone from her own company?"

The Imperial Capital, Qin Lan's home.

Qin Lan, who had also received the agent's notification, was obviously very dissatisfied with Qiong Yao's attempt to get her to act as a mediator.

Although the role of Zhihua in "My Fair Princess 3" being given to her was indeed a sign of Qiong Yao's favor, this nakedly transactional style made the filter she had for this writer, whom she loved in her childhood, shatter completely in her heart.

Yes, Zhou Yi was very handsome and had great influence, but this arrangement made her feel very uncomfortable.

"There's no way around it; who else but Zhou Yi has this kind of energy right now? If Zhou Yi doesn't speak up, who knows when "My Fair Princess 3" will actually be broadcast. Just do it for yourself, Qin Lan; you don't want your first drama with heavy roles to become a money-losing stockpile, do you?"

The agent pleaded earnestly: "Although Zhou Yi likes to play around, there are no messy rumors of coercion against him in the circle. You just represent Qiong Yao and lower your head; maybe this matter will just pass.

"What people are left in the Qiong Yao Company now? Sister Xiao Yan has flown away. You can't ask her to bring Lin Xinru over; she didn't act in it. Asking Zhou Jie? That wouldn't make sense either."

Thanks to the virtuous governance of Qiong Yao and her daughter-in-law and other executives, their family-style small workshop was now on the verge of disintegration—big stars were leaving or scattering, and everyone was in a state of panic.

On top of that, "My Fair Princess 3" was currently being blocked, which further accelerated the steps of those whose contracts hadn't expired yet to leave.

"... Does he really have that much energy?" Qin Lan, after a moment of silence, couldn't help but raise doubts.

She had read quite a few books, but wasn't Cheng Long also one of the faces?

He didn't have this kind of treatment, did he?

"If you could become the public face right now, you could do it too."

The agent suggested a "if you're so good, you do it" approach: "Do you know that we have only just connected with the world? The public face and window we display to the outside are very important, and Zhou Yi happened to step right into this wind, becoming the only winner in the mainland entertainment industry.

"The evaluation of Zhou Yi from above is that it's good for young people to be vigorous and energetic, showing plenty of spirit.

"What do you think?"

Zhou Yi is already walking like a crab outside, yet the mainland still considers him vigorous and energetic; that is enough to explain everything.

Seeing Qin Lan still silent, the agent added another sentence: "According to news within the circle, Zhou Yi is actually quite easy to talk to. You just talk to him; it's not like you have to go and deliver yourself. Zhou Yi has a good reputation in this regard."

Having a good reputation is acceptable.

"Besides, you are a legitimate university graduate who passed the college entrance exam cultural subjects; you are considered a high-talent student. Maybe you have something in common with Zhou Yi."

Qin Lan: "..."

Damn it!

I, who learned accounting at Shenyang University of Technology, am worthy of colliding with someone who studied law at Peking University?

Qin Lan looked at her agent with the eyes of someone looking at an idiot, full of concern.

"What kind of look is that?"

Central Academy of Drama, on campus.

Tang Yan, who didn't go home during the holiday but was seizing the opportunity to rehearse in hopes of grabbing a chance to perform on the Olympic stage, upon receiving the news that she was also selected, faced her best friend's strange gaze and immediately proudly raised her head: "What do you mean by how much money? This shows I naturally have the look of a star, right?"

The reason she signed up was very simple—she wanted to brush up her credentials for herself.

"The chief director of this year's Olympic eight-minute segment is Zhang Yimou. He has a good relationship with Zhou Yi; previously, Zhou Yi wrote the promotional song for his film 'Hero.' With this, once I participate in Zhou Yi's MV, adding this to my resume will surely make Director Zhang's team pay more attention to me..."

Tang Yan's reasoning was very logical.

Moreover, looking across the entire Central Academy of Drama, the only female student with experience performing in a Zhou Yi MV was the senior sister Cheng Hao, who had already graduated—and Cheng Hao's 'Wan Ren Mi' had recently taken the entire country by storm.

Although she had already retired from the entertainment industry, the moment she made a comeback at the concert triggered a frenzy in mainland Chinese internet public opinion.

What if?

What if such good luck would descend upon her in the future as well?

As for talking about climbing Zhou Yi's high branch, Tang Yan was quite clear in her own mind about her situation—

How many dishes did you have to drink to get like this?

She had lived in the urban area of SH since childhood; the sharpness of the up-and-comers passed down through neighbors' gossip had worn her ears almost calloused.

"Amitabha Buddha, please bless me and let me succeed in the audition."

Tang Yan, with her hands clasped in prayer to the heavens, specifically bowed toward the north: "Zhou Yi, if you let me succeed, I can even set up a portrait of you at home and worship it every day..."

Zhou Yi, far away in Tokyo, Japan, inexplicably felt a chill down his back and couldn't help but sneeze—

"Achoo!"

"What's wrong, Zhou Yi Jun? Do you have a cold? Should I brew some medicine for you? I always keep a first-aid kit at home."

Misa Yuzuki, who had her hair tied in a ponytail, stopped her hands on the keyboard and asked with concern.

Admittedly, her home was ten thousand miles away from this small theater.

The fan meeting was starting tomorrow; if Zhou Yi's voice had a problem at this moment, that would truly be a terrible ordeal.

"It's nothing; I guess some Wang Ba is muttering about me behind my back again. Don't wait until the day after tomorrow for me to come back and find out who it is."

Zhou Yi rubbed the tip of his nose, waved his hand indifferently, and amidst Misa Yuzuki's very regretful gaze, resumed the final round of rehearsal.

The next day, August 15, Friday, Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo.

As one of the most core districts in Japan, the elites gathered here were mostly the upper class of the entire Japanese society.

Although Arakawa Yui had moved to Tokyo for some time due to her modeling career, she rarely came to this place.

She did not particularly like the atmosphere here.

But this time, for her idol, she still stepped onto this land whose rhythm she felt was suffocating—

At 2 PM, Arakawa Yui, punctually bringing her free ticket to enter the venue, carried a pilgrim's heart and entered the small theater together with a senior from the magazine company.

Thanks to Japan's developed idol system, even in Chiyoda Ward, many small theaters suitable for close communication between fans and idols had been built; these were generally used for various thank-you festivals and similar events.

The stage was surrounded on three sides, with seats fanning out continuously outward—

The seats in the very front were so close to the stage that there were only two steps' distance.

According to Warner's official data, this small theater today accommodated 1,200 veteran fans, and more importantly—

"Upon entry, you will receive a random Zhou Yi album, plus water bottles, keychains, Q-version dolls, pillows, posters, photo books, and other merchandise, all free of charge..."

This slogan, which was not originally written on the Warner official website, reflected in the eyes of every fan the moment they entered, instantly igniting the surging emotions in the fans' hearts—

"Nandemonai?!"

"Zhou Yi-sama is the best!"

Japanese fans, who had never tasted such fine grain, exclaimed with surprise one after another; even Arakawa Yui was no exception. After receiving the free keychain, doll, and album, she was so excited her face turned red, and she shouted along with the main crowd—

She had also seen friends chasing stars; in situations like this, it was generally not completely free.

Either the album had to be bought on-site, or the merchandise had to be paid for, but Zhou Yi had managed to make everything free; wasn't this the embodiment of sincerity?!

"Gakki, what album did you receive? I opened the box and got Zhou Yi-sama's debut album 'Zhou Yi'!"

"Let me see, mine seems to be... 'Forever Young'?"

Finding the method of randomly distributing boxes and everyone exchanging what they drew very interesting, Arakawa Yui pressed her tongue against the corner of her mouth. After opening the blind box packaging of the album, she discovered it was none other than the English second album that had now conquered the entire European and American music charts.

The Fuji TV staff responsible for recording this fan meeting operated the cameras, the lens sweeping precisely over every face in the venue, faithfully recording their surprised expressions after opening the blind boxes.

Before long, accompanied by the band members led by Misa Yuzuki taking their respective positions and beginning to play, the gaze Arakawa Yui directed toward the main stage was filled with longing—

She longed to see the idol who inspired her.

At the appointed time, the lights in the small theater suddenly dimmed, and on the large screen in the venue, a personal promotional film of Zhou Yi produced by Fuji TV appeared for the first time—

"He is the Emperor of Pop Music in the Chinese music scene, having reached the summit upon his debut!"

Accompanied by the stirring accompaniment of the Misa Yuzuki band on site, a generous and surging narration voice rose up, and the large screen subsequently displayed the layouts given by major Chinese newspapers when Zhou Yi first debuted, among which was highlighted the newspaper headline depicting Zhou Yi dragging a scythe and 'slaughtering gods to prove the Dao.'

"He is the representative figure of Asian football at the World Cup! He is the first man in Asian history to score a goal in the World Cup final!"

The scene flashed and switched to the scene of Zhou Yi performing at the World Cup, especially highlighting the dashing image of him scoring a goal with a shot in the World Cup final.

"He was born with endless storms, burning the entire world with fire that never extinguishes!

"His eyes shimmer with the light of a lion; every step he takes makes the world tremble, as if declaring the birth of an Emperor to the music scene!"

China, Japan, South Korea; USA, UK, Canada, France, Spain...

Scenes flashed and switched rapidly one after another; accompanied by the band's increasingly stirring prelude, on the music charts of every country, the songs signed by Zhou Yi kept rising in rank—until, reaching the top spot!

"He once suffered attacks from demons; some wanted to drag him into the deepest depths of hell;

"He ended the domination of the Western music scene, leaving all hypocrites with nowhere to hide!"

Since his debut, all the negative news reports Zhou Yi had encountered gradually converged into mountains, pressing down on the silhouette of him walking alone against the light in the screen!

"Spanning four continents and over a hundred countries, topping dozens of authoritative music charts and radio charts, countless trophies...

"His authority does not come from these unsolvable achievements, but from that heart that never surrenders! That resolute and strong gaze! That persistent pursuit of dreams!"

Achieving a breakthrough of zero for Asian pop music at the Grammys, defeating 50 Cent in the Billboard battle, knocking out Eminem, capturing Madonna, defeating Linkin Park, and even stepping on Michael Jackson!

Figures one after another constantly overlapped into that silhouette standing against the light—

The next second, the doors opened!

"Ladies and gentlemen, let us welcome the first person to end the American music Wang Zuo! The leader of the 21st-century pop music scene! The eternal hexagonal demon king of the world music scene! The supreme and holy Emperor of Asian Pop Music!!!"

"Zhou Yi!"

The next second, accompanied by the explosive drumbeats and accompaniment of the chorus of "Natural," Zhou Yi suddenly descended from the sky. After a flip, he landed steadily on the ground, spreading his arms like a king surveying his territory, accepting the cheers from the entire venue—screams so loud they nearly tore the theater roof off!

"Zhou Yi!"

"Zhou Yi!!"

"Zhou Yi!!!"

"Zhou Yi!!!!"