Chapter 95: The First Encounter of the Two Zhus

"This hype makes me feel embarrassed just reading it. Qian Jiang, be honest: how much of this media coverage is bought press releases from the company?"

In the capital, at Warner's rest room.

Zhou Yi, having put down the newspaper, instinctively stretched a finger, then casually tossed the papers featuring photos of his brilliant night onto the coffee table.

Qian Jiang, noncommittal, shook his ample general's belly and set aside the invitation contract in his hand: "We definitely bought some, but believe me, the company didn't buy much.

"The rest is media following the trend on their own; the company naturally couldn't stop it. This is all about the heat.

"Most importantly, now that you are the hottest singer on the mainland, many media outlets are eagerly awaiting to see if you can achieve something at the upcoming Golden Melody Awards on the Treasure Island.

As Zhou Yi's manager, Qian Jiang was clearly not swept off his feet by the current praise; instead, he calmly analyzed the pros and cons for Zhou Yi.

Under the strong public relations efforts of Warner and Coca-Cola, Zhou Yi's personal album "Zhou Yi" from last year ultimately could not be excluded; the Golden Melody Awards officials stated that Warner's registration for the album "Zhou Yi" was valid.

Zhou Yi himself subsequently received permission to travel to the Treasure Island and appear on the Golden Melody Awards stage.

"Based on your achievements last year, making the Golden Melody Awards shortlist is a foregone conclusion; the only question is how many categories you will be nominated for.

"Also, there has always been an implicit saying at the Golden Melody Awards that the hottest candidate is bound to fail. Your sales and popularity last year were too brilliant; if this year's judges don't favor you, no amount of public relations on our part will help.

Since Zhou Yi had already secured the Grand Slam of the mainland pop music scene, Qian Jiang, just in case, didn't speak definitively, giving him a preventive shot in advance.

As an important witness to the Treasure Island music scene's rise, the Golden Melody Awards judges so far, while having different preferences, can at least ensure a certain degree of fairness.

This is also the reason why the Golden Melody Awards can currently surpass the Ten Best Chinese Songs Awards and the Jade Solid Gold Best Ten Music Awards of Xiangjiang, vaguely becoming the leader of the Chinese music scene awards.

Among these, the typical representative of "the hottest candidate is bound to fail" is Tao Zhe.

As a representative figure who pioneered the R&B trend in the Chinese music scene, his blockbuster album "I'm OK," which sold like crazy in the local Treasure Island market, was nominated for five major awards but ultimately won only the Best Album Producer award.

Zhou Yi even specifically listened to the album songs that defeated Tao Zhe and brought home the trophy; he could only say that the judges' taste indeed had a huge impact.

"It won't happen this year. My public opinion pressure is too special; at the very least, they will definitely award me the Best Newcomer Award.

Regarding Qian Jiang's concerns, Zhou Yi, on the contrary, was very open-minded.

Due to special reasons on the Treasure Island side, this year's Golden Melody Awards would actually force the judges to put aside their colored glasses regarding mainland singers' songs.

The fact that Na Ying was able to defeat Wang Fei, Mo Wenwei, Zhang Huimei, and Sun Yanzi to bring home the only Golden Melody Award for Best Female Singer in the mainland music scene so far is an example.

This was a solid demonstration of hard power, and also the capital that allowed Na Ying to maintain a big-sister demeanor in the mainland music scene ever since.

Due to the extremely strict confidentiality measures, even Warner had no way to learn the relevant information in advance.

In fact, due to the approaching date of the Golden Melody Awards ceremony, since Zhou Yi won the Grand Slam of the mainland music scene, entertainment media on the Treasure Island side had been spontaneously reporting news about him.

The Golden Melody Awards officials were also quite troubled by this.

If they weren't careful, they would ruin the credibility of the award they had worked so hard to build.

March 29, 2001, a day collectively watched by the music scenes and fans across the two shores and three regions.

Because on this day, the Golden Melody Awards officials finally announced the shortlist for the 12th Golden Melody Awards according to custom.

Warner personnel immediately compiled all information regarding the two artists' nominations and delivered it to Zhou Jianhui's desk at the fastest speed—

"Sun Yanzi is personally nominated for Best Pop Music Vocal Album, Best Mandarin Female Vocalist, and Best Newcomer, three major awards..."

Zhou Yi, who had returned to the Warner (Treasure Island) office building after many days, sat with Sun Yanzi in the general manager's office, listening to Chen Ze Shan and Qian Jiang's respective situation reports.

"As for Zhou Yi..."

Upon learning that she had been nominated for three major awards in her debut, Sun Yanzi's face immediately lit up with joy; however, upon hearing Qian Jiang's slightly hesitant voice, her heart tightened instantly, and she instinctively turned her head to look at the silent man sitting beside her.

Zhou Yi, with his fingers interlaced in front of his chin, raised his head slightly, tapping the back of his hand alternately with his fingers, his expression remaining as calm as a clear spring.

"Best Newcomer, Best Album Producer, Best Arranger, Best Composer, Best Lyricist, Best Pop Music Vocal Album... a total of six major awards."

Qian Jiang, unusually nervous, swallowed hard and reported the awards Zhou Yi was nominated for with some disbelief—

"Zhou Yi!"

Sun Yanzi, far happier than hearing about her own three nominations, jumped up on the spot, shaking the man's steady shoulders with a brilliant smile, and spoke as if making a loud proclamation: "I knew it! I knew it!"

As the most anticipated award ceremony of the music scene this summer, after the Golden Melody Awards shortlist was announced, news releases from various parties were released accordingly—

"The Strongest Duo of the Millennium Music Scene: Male Zhou, Female Sun!"

"The Two Combined Nominated for Nine Major Awards: The Terror of Warner's Twin Stars!"

"Fair and Just Golden Melody Awards? Warner's Zhou Yi Nominated for Six Major Awards, the Most Nominations of This Year's Golden Melody Awards!"

"Zhou Jianhui's Discerning Eye: Zhou Yi and Sun Yanzi, Walking the Path of Heavenly Kings and Heavenly Queens!"

"..."

Fans who learned that their idols were on the shortlist were also jubilant, except for Elva Hsiao, who was somewhat depressed because she did not register this year due to Yao Qian.

Especially after seeing that Sun Yanzi, who had debuted last year, was nominated for three major awards.

Under Warner's overwhelming marketing, a fan of Jay Chou discovered a blind spot—

"Wait a minute, why do I feel like all the awards my Jay Chou was nominated for clash with Zhou Yi's?"

Because Jay Chou had publicly spoken up for Zhou Yi on a TV program, his brilliance last year was not completely overshadowed by Zhou Yi. Precisely because of this, when people reviewed the complete shortlist, they were startled to discover that this young man named Jay Chou was only nominated for two fewer awards than Zhou Yi—Best Arranger and Best Lyricist.

Of course, if Fang Wenshan, who was nominated for Best Lyricist on Jay Chou's behalf, is counted, then Jay Chou was only one Golden Melody nomination for Best Arranger behind Zhou Yi.

"This is impossible?! On what basis?! In terms of sales, vocal skills, album production, and looks, how does Jay Chou compare to Zhou Yi?!"

"Jay Chou still has to rely on Fang Wenshan; my Zhou Yi relies entirely on himself!"

In the local Treasure Island market, Zhou Yi fans who learned about this in the newspapers immediately expressed great confusion.

Fans of the "Two Zhus," who were harmonious just a day ago, fell into an eerie silence immediately after the official Golden Melody Awards shortlist was announced.

The first meeting between Zhou Yi and Jay Chou on the Golden Melody Awards shortlist delivered a heavy blow to the harmonious atmosphere between their respective fans!

PS: Regarding the issue of extra updates, I see many people asking, so let me explain in detail.

Due to work reasons, I need to go on a business trip; this was also written in the pre-publication remarks.

Therefore, my personal holiday starts on the 6th, so my extra updates will begin on October 6th~

PS: Because I've been on a business trip these past few days like I'm taking revenge, my updates will be later than usual, so I might as well finish two chapters and send them together.

(End of this chapter)