Chapter 64: I Want to Challenge Him

There was still quite some time before the grand finale, as the preparations required time and some regional divisions had yet to complete their rounds. Chen Xiangxin, the chief director of "Star Motion 1+1," was routinely checking on the casting progress in each region when his attention was captured by the stage of the champion from the Jinghua division.

“What’s this person’s name?” Chen Xiangxin asked the regional manager, eyes fixed on the screen.

“Lu Zhou. His performance in the third round was outstanding, and his creativity was impressive. It was the first time I’d seen anyone brave enough to use a Loopstation in a life-or-death PK round like this,” the regional manager replied, a trace of pride on his face as if he himself had been the one performing with the Loopstation.

“You know, with a Loopstation, if anything goes wrong live, it can be a disaster. He dared to use it in the regional competition—he’s got guts. There aren’t many people in the country who can handle it so skillfully,” the manager added.

“Why does he look familiar? I feel like I’ve seen him somewhere before…” Chen Xiangxin racked his memory, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t recall where he’d seen this person.

“He’s the original singer of that hit song ‘First Love’ from a while back, and he also participated in the trending dating show ‘Exchange? Exes.’ He’s been quite buzzworthy online lately,” the manager reminded him, seeing the director struggling to remember.

“Oh! That’s right! I remember now, I’ve seen his clips online,” Chen Xiangxin tapped his forehead, realization dawning. “Getting old, my memory’s not what it used to be.”

“A young man with both ideas and talent—I like him,” Chen Xiangxin folded his arms, nodded thoughtfully in appreciation as he watched the performance on the screen.

“Let’s skip him straight past the finals and into the variety show,” Chen Xiangxin suddenly exercised his privilege.

A chorus of surprised “What?” erupted around him.

Without explaining, Chen turned to the casting director in charge of recruiting star singers, asking, “How’s it going on your end? How many singers have agreed to participate?”

The casting director, caught off guard, pursed his lips and was silent for a moment before responding, “So far… only two have confirmed.”

“Why’s it moving so slowly? Are they unhappy with the appearance fee or is it something else?” Chen pressed.

“Most of the refusals aren’t about the fee…” The casting director scratched his nose, choosing his words carefully. “From what I’ve gathered, most of them aren’t satisfied with the format of our show—they’re unwilling to participate.”

“Specifically, what don’t they like?” Chen Xiangxin frowned.

“Full live vocals, amateurs and established singers on the same stage—these things make them uncomfortable. Some singers are known for their high standards in the industry, and maybe they feel sharing the stage with unknown musicians lowers their status.”

“There are others who don’t like the idea of a stage with no post-production tuning. I’m guessing they’re afraid of a live mishap damaging their reputation—they don’t want to take that risk.”

“We’re still actively reaching out, and I’ll do my best to communicate the advantages of our show to them,” the casting director explained honestly.

“Established singers always have so many concerns. Try targeting those with less of a celebrity complex—they’ll be more open to it,” Chen suggested.

Then, glancing at the screen, he said, “Take Lu Zhou’s performance and edit a version shot from the audience’s perspective—leak it online.”

“Let those industry singers see it for themselves. They shouldn’t be so prejudiced against independent musicians, assuming they lack talent or sophistication. Does this look unsophisticated to you?” Chen jabbed his finger at Lu Zhou’s face on the screen.

“It’ll also let those singers who are too afraid to face an unedited live stage reflect on themselves. If a contestant from the preliminary rounds can face it fearlessly, why can’t they? They’re professionals, but they lack the courage even to face the stage. That’s truly disgraceful!”

Chen Xiangxin grew more animated as he spoke.

The casting director listened, breaking out in a cold sweat.

Good heavens, only Director Chen would dare say such things. I certainly can’t be the one to pass on that message…

And so, Lu Zhou found himself trending on Weibo once again.

This time, it wasn’t because of clips from the dating show, but because a stage video from the "Star Motion 1+1" preliminary rounds had been uploaded online by someone, and since Lu Zhou had already been the focus of much online gossip, the video quickly went viral.

Eventually, it became a trending topic on the hot search list.

[Kneeling, are we sure this isn’t a studio recording, but a full live take?]

[I’m stunned—first time I’ve seen someone use a Loopstation with bamboo flute, pipa, guzheng, and erhu!]

[Aaah! That’s my man! So talented!]

[Why is it that someone this versatile has languished in the industry for a decade? Is it his problem, the industry’s, or our aesthetic standards?]

[Such terrifying skill—what kind of competition is this? If he doesn’t take first place, it’s simply unfair!]

…

Lu Zhou hadn’t expected his audition stage to suddenly go viral online.

Nor had he expected the video to spread so widely in music circles, drawing the attention of major record companies.

Many singers in the entertainment industry were now discussing him.

“Who’s this Lu Zhou?”

“A former trainee signed by Jinhua Entertainment.”

“Trainee??? You sure?”

“I had the exact same doubt when I first heard.”

“Seems pretty talented. I want to challenge him.”

“Do you know how to use a Loopstation?”

“No.”

“Then how are you going to challenge him…”

“I never said it had to be with a Loopstation. There’s more than one way to play music. What show is this? I want in.”

…

Lu Zhou’s trending topic nearly made the higher-ups at Jinhua Entertainment blow a fuse.

Liu Yali got an earful.

“The company spent nearly ten years painstakingly developing such an outstanding talent! And before we even started making money off him, you just let him go? What kind of talent manager are you?”

“I don’t care what you have to do—get him back on our roster!”

Liu Yali: …She felt like dropping to her knees.

…

The five members of the Chasing Light Youth Group were left utterly stunned after watching Lu Zhou’s trending performance.

Was that really Lu Zhou?

When had he become so formidable? Had he been hiding his strength all along?

They’d always looked down on him for riding the wave of a dating show to boost his fame, convinced he’d fade into obscurity once the show ended.

But now, with this new trending audition from a music show, also involving Lu Zhou, they curiously clicked in and were instantly left speechless.

Was this really the same Lu Zhou they’d once known?

The female cast members from the dating show were equally astonished.

Li Jiayan watched Lu Zhou’s competition video and was moved to tears.

She found herself thinking: The boy I once loved has finally become the man I hoped he’d be.

…

Qi Jiajia, after seeing Lu Zhou trending, started watching his stage on loop, biting her lower lip and grinning uncontrollably each time, her eyes shining with stars.

This—this was the thrill of being a fangirl!

Through this performance, she seemed to glimpse Lu Zhou’s dazzling future, and this man was someone she could actually reach!

What could be more exciting than that?

…

Chu Yao watched Lu Zhou’s trending video with her dog in her arms, a smile on her lips. Stroking the dog’s head, she said, “I may not understand music, but my intuition tells me this man is extraordinary. Don’t you think so, Xiao Huang?”

Xiao Huang barked twice.

…

Ye Fangfei only learned of Lu Zhou’s competition stage because her manager showed it to her.

She hadn’t cared much at first, but after watching, she couldn’t help but raise her eyebrows. “Not bad at all.”

Her manager’s eyes lit up. “Right? How about making him your junior?”

Ye Fangfei: “Huh?”

The manager grinned slyly. “The higher-ups really want to sign him. Can you help out?”

Ye Fangfei: “I’m not exactly close to him. How am I supposed to help…”

Manager: “Aren’t you two about to film another dating show together? Find a chance to help persuade him.”

Ye Fangfei: …

Meanwhile, Director Lin Jiale of "Exchange? Exes" was overjoyed at Lu Zhou’s sudden trending topic from the music show auditions.

Lu Zhou’s rising popularity meant the dating show’s ratings would rise as well! What a boon!

A dark horse—an undeniable dark horse had emerged.