Chapter 649: Dao Lang: ?

As the most anticipated heavyweight guest in the Spring Festival Gala's popular song category, Zhou Yi caused the next four performances to lose all their rightful brilliance—

Tian Zhen and the group of sports stars singing "Seize Every Moment," the crosstalk sketch "Such Guidance," the dance "Pretty Little Flower Girl," and Huang Hong's sketch "Brothers"—they were all forced to become "sacrificial lambs" to Zhou Yi's brilliance.

After Huang Hong's sketch ended, the audience offered only the usual applause; genuine laughter was scarce, and many quietly hummed the tune of "Congratulations on Your Wealth."

Of course, they knew it themselves.

As Huang Hong descended the stage after his performance, he passed Zhou Yi's seat and deliberately extended his hand to greet him with a friendly smile.

Huang Hong, who had once briefly reached the peak of the Zhufeng summit with his sketch "Playing Cards," knew better than anyone else whether a work was truly good—he wouldn't be confused.

The reason he still appeared on the Spring Festival Gala despite being past his peak was not only because no one else could replace him, but also because the director's team preferred stability—newcomers were worse than Huang Hong, so why not keep using him?

After all, the Spring Festival Gala isn't a training ground for newcomers; it's a stage for those who've already achieved fame and glory to showcase themselves.

After changing back into a wine-red trench coat, Zhou Yi didn't leave—he returned to his seat and continued as an audience guest.

By tradition, performers could leave the CCTV building immediately after their act to go home and celebrate the New Year with family, but Zhou Yi's parents hadn't come to the capital this year, and Cheng Hao had also returned home for the holiday—so going home would mean doing nothing but watching the Gala anyway; it made no difference, better to stay and watch live.

"When are you two going on stage to sing?"

Having finished his own performance, Zhou Yi chewed on a grape, turned to Sun Yanzi and Jay Chou, who were growing increasingly nervous as time passed.

"It's pretty late—around 11 p. m., I think."

Sun Yanzi, counting on her fingers to estimate the time, calmed herself: "If I remember right, it's after Zhao Benshan's group."

"That's fine."

Zhao Benshan, the king of Spring Festival Gala sketches after Chen Peisi and Zhu Shimao, remained highly anticipated this year as he teamed up with Fan Wei and Gao Minxia for the sketch "The Water Delivery Man."

It told the story of a seamstress who scrimped and saved to fund her son's overseas studies, lying to him that she'd found a wealthy new husband so he could focus on his studies—until he suddenly returned home wanting to meet his new father, leaving her panicked, so she rented a water delivery man as a temporary stand-in.

To be honest, the script's foundation was average among Zhao Benshan's works, especially after adding emotional and familial elements; the humor relied entirely on the three veteran performers' stage delivery.

Yet even so, Zhao Benshan delivered two viral catchphrases—

Misinterpreting "study mummy" as "study auntie," and the tongue-twister: "Bright moonlight before my window, frost clings easily to the glass."

Zhou Yi had thought he wouldn't laugh, but when Zhao Benshan actually delivered them in his comedic tone, he couldn't help bursting out laughing.

After another ten performances, it was finally Jay Chou's turn to sing "Dragon Fist," and Sun Yanzi's turn to sing "Meet."

It was awkward: as a mainstream pop ballad, "Meet" still managed to resonate with some in the audience thanks to its lyrics and Sun Yanzi's unique vocal style;

Jay Chou's "Dragon Fist" saw him flailing around on stage for ages pretending to fight, while the audience remained nearly silent…

Even though Jay Chou had done his best to enunciate clearly and used the pre-recorded backing track, lip-syncing ensured the performance's polish.

For the live Spring Festival Gala audience, his hip-hop music was still too ahead of its time.

Didn't understand, but respected.

That was more or less the sentiment.

Out of respect for the "Music Little King" and his status as a Taiwanese singer, the audience still gave the customary applause after his performance.

Afterward, Ado and Sister Xiao Yan's duet "Warmth" also failed to stir any significant reaction—or leave any memorable impression.

Young viewers watching at home tallied it up: it seemed this year, Zhou Yi had once again monopolized the popular category of the Spring Festival Gala…?

"Damn, this year's most popular Spring Festival Gala pop song vote is going to be Zhou Yi's ass leading by a mile again."

"I don't even want to vote for him—it's just that the competition is so terrible."

"Can we vote for 'Good Luck Comes'? I really don't want to see Zhou Yi's ass start showing off again."

"Isn't 'Good Luck Comes' not in the pop song category?"

"Then how is Zhou Yi's 'Congratulations on Your Wealth' eligible?"

"Yeah, why not?"

"Shit!"

With everyone clearly seeing how dominant Zhou Yi's Spring Festival Gala performance was this year, many petty haters resorted to alternative tactics, shifting praise to Jay Chou—or, at the very least, to Sun Yanzi and Ado, the two Singaporean artists.

After all, Sun Yanzi's massive hit last year—no, this year—"Meet" wasn't written by Zhou Yi!

That's worth praising!

Win!

"Sun Yanzi fans, you've got to step up—do you want your idol to live forever in Zhou Yi's shadow, forever dependent on him?"

"Fuck off!"

"Actually, that makes some sense—Sun Yanzi had hits even without Zhou Yi."

"You're a Xiao Yaxuan fan, right? Get lost!"

"I'm not!"

"Get lost!"

Fans who staunchly upheld the "Dual Stars" banner immediately counterattacked upon sensing any shift, even exposing "traitors"—labeling anyone trying to stir up Sun Yanzi's fanbase as Xiao Yaxuan fans!

Don't ask why—Xiao Yaxuan is Sun Yanzi's direct rival.

On New Year's Eve, these fans still held their posts on the frontlines of online anti-hate (and anti-scam) campaigns, their love (hatred) for their idol (enemy) touching—unaware that the stars they fought for, sacrificed time and energy for, were now gathered together drinking beer and grilling skewers, celebrating the arrival of 2004—

"Happy New Year! Cheers!"

Sun Yanzi, holding a beer, devoured meat with gusto, her lips still bearing the mark of a scorching metal skewer burn, ecstatic.

The Gala was over; after fasting all night, she could finally eat.

Just like back in their pre-debut days, Jay Chou, who had been fanning the charcoal grill, flicked his bangs aside and wore a genuine smile: "Happy New Year—haven't all of us gathered like this in ages. Too bad Shao Han isn't here—if she were, we'd be complete."

Recalling their pre-debut barbecue party, it had been just the four of them—no, wait, there was one special guest: Xiao Yaxuan, who had shown up the next day to visit Zhou Yi.

He had cleverly pretended to suffer from gastroenteritis from eating too many skewers to cover for Zhou Yi.

"Shao Han is still filming, right? The last time I spoke with her, she said Fumao kept assigning her idol dramas." Sun Yanzi, who had tasted the bitterness of acting, deeply regretted it.

"No, she's starting to do both idol dramas and albums this year."

Zhou Yi casually popped open a beer and poured himself a glass: "Even busier."

The power of idol dramas needs no elaboration; Zhang Shaohan, who finally found his footing and earned the nickname "Electric-Eyed Cult Leader," has at last reaped rewards after hardship, achieving a dual-track career in idol dramas and albums.

No choice; after all, he isn't a biological daughter.

The newly released album isn't a studio album but a greatest hits collection—featuring every song Zhang Shaohan has sung since his debut and all the insert songs from the idol dramas he acted in.

Led by Zhou Yi's "Fable," it sold quite well locally in Taiwan thanks to its popularity, with hopes of surpassing 180,000 copies.

"A-Yi, are you sure you're coming to the 'Unparalleled' concert in the Imperial Capital this year?"

Zhou Jielun, having downed a few bottles, was already slurring his words, yet he still confirmed with Zhou Yi: "If you don't have time, don't force yourself."

To be fair, he is a man who values loyalty.

Although Zhou Yi hasn't invited him to the concert yet, he doesn't think it's because Zhou Yi looks down on him—every guest who has appeared at Zhou Yi's concerts so far had a reason, and no one could replace him.

The only thing to blame is the approval process on his side; they wouldn't let Zhou Yi pass.

Otherwise, if Zhou Yi were to hold a concert in Taiwan, wouldn't he be a lock for the guest spot?

Unfortunately, the visible future is that with Zhou Yi's fourth album "Gui Cang" released, it's even less likely he'll hold a concert in Taiwan.

Had Zhou Yi not made a name for himself in Europe and America, they might have gone so far as to ban him outright and pull his albums from shelves.

No choice; the man that the fourth album commemorates is someone capable of completely breaking their defenses.

"You've come all the way to the Imperial Capital; how could I not come? I'll definitely be there to support you."

Zhou Yi set down his wine glass and replied to one New Year's text message after another amidst the faint sound of fireworks outside: "Provided it's in the second half of the year. In another week or so, I'll have to set off for the United States."

……………………

"Really?"

"How could I lie to you? Zhou Yi is definitely going. There's the Grammys in the US; after that, he has to go to Japan for the China-Japan Song Festival. Who knows if he'll get an Oscar nomination. If he does, he'll have to fly back to the US for the Oscars."

On New Year's Eve, as the manager, Li Songqiang, while eating the New Year's Eve dinner, gave Dao Lang a clear yet hopeful answer—

"This means Zhou Yi won't appear domestically for at least one, even two months in the future, and that is your opportunity. As long as you surpass him on even one chart this month, it will be a breakthrough of zero in the Chinese music scene."

Since Zhou Yi topped the Chinese music scene, no one has successfully challenged him. Although we are now at the tail end of Zhou Yi's album sales period, considering the uniqueness of this man... a victory could be written about at great length!

Moreover, Dao Lang not only has an opportunity; the possibility is very high.

"The First Snow of 2002" has too much destructive power.

No matter how fierce "Blue and White Porcelain" is, it's an old song released over two months ago; it's time to describe it as "lacking follow-through," whereas Dao Lang's songs have just been released.

If Warner has the guts, they should just compile a new single from Zhou Yi to sell, right?

"But, this 'Gong Xi Fa Cai'..." Dao Lang frowned.

"Rest assured, Warner won't make 'Gong Xi Fa Cai' into a single. Look at Zhou Yi's previous Spring Festival Gala songs; which one was released as a single?" Li Songqiang, with a cigarette in his mouth, smiled with seven parts certainty and three parts elegance.

This is what they call plotting within a command tent; do you understand the weight of calculating without a single oversight?

January 22, 2004, the first day of the Lunar New Year.

On this exceptionally festive day, Dao Lang, who had left home to develop his career in the Imperial Capital, took a deep breath of the morning air. Before he could even step out, he heard a very familiar song coming from outside the window—

"I wish you prosperity, I wish you brilliance~

"Invite the best to come, ask the bad to leave

"Too many guests is never a problem~~~"

He knew this song well; Zhou Yi had just sung it on last night's Spring Festival Gala—

Huh?

Wait, what's going on?

"Damn it! Warner has no martial ethics! 'Gong Xi Fa Cai' was actually recorded as a single???"

Lacking connections with major formal record companies, Li Songqiang, who didn't know Zhou Yi had already completed the recording at Warner before the New Year, panicked.

They had invested a lot of capital to promote Dao Lang, planning to sneak in during Zhou Yi's dormant period; how could you break the rules and release a single?

Zhou Yi even recorded a simple, festive music video.

Zhou Yi, where is your pride? Where is your persistence?

What the hell happened?

On the 22nd, "Gong Xi Fa Cai" was officially sent to major radio stations and audio-visual channels as a single, and uploaded to the Warner official website, blooming and bearing fruit in various forms—

Four days later, the 26th, the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, Monday.

"Gong Xi Fa Cai" destroyed all obstacles with unstoppable momentum, even including Zhou Yi's own "Blue and White Porcelain," and forcefully topped the new weekly Zhou Bang positions on the Fengyun Bang and other charts.

Dao Lang, who had surged to number 2 on the Bang last week, regressed this week, stuck at number 3...

More critically, in terms of dissemination medium, "Gong Xi Fa Cai" was practically viral in its spread...

On the streets, in supermarkets, everywhere that celebrates the New Year or can celebrate the New Year, without exception, the presence of "Gong Xi Fa Cai" was indispensable...

"I give up! I went to the supermarket today to buy some gold coin chocolates, and 'Gong Xi Fa Cai' has almost brainwashed me!"

On Tianya, user "Free Beaver 14" posted the first thread of the New Year, angrily denouncing Zhou Yi as inhuman—

"On Zhou Yi's Decline: Starting with Writing Brainwashing Hit Songs"

"This time I support the Beaver; he didn't talk nonsense. I was playing with rice at the supermarket yesterday, and the broadcast was looping Zhou Yi's 'Gong Xi Fa Cai'; there wasn't much 'Good Luck Comes'."

"My house is right next to the supermarket! Right next to it! Who understands the pain of listening to that damn 'Gong Xi Fa Cai' for 18 hours out of 24 every day? Zhou Yi, please stop your supernatural powers; no matter how good a song is, it can't withstand single-loop repetition!"

"To be honest, this song is too ridiculous; my parents are humming it today..."

"Mainly because this song is free, so everyone loves using it quite a bit."

"I'm from Shanxi; a boss here wants to pay 3 million to invite Zhou Yi to come sing 'Gong Xi Fa Cai'. You can imagine how widespread the spread of this song is..."

"I was wrong; when Zhou Yi really writes such vulgar songs, he is truly better than Dao Lang..."

Dao Lang, who was monitoring the direction of online public opinion under his manager's arrangement, slowly typed out a question mark: "?"