Chapter 131: Commissioned Creation

The onlookers, who had been watching the spectacle from the sidelines, suddenly erupted, flooding the platform with comments.

"You big fraud, how dare you even claim to be wronged?"
"What right do you have to ask for 'instruction' from three masters?"
"Get out of the entertainment industry!"
...

The three songwriters who had been tagged were naturally following the commotion and soon provided their responses.

Qu Ping: "What do you mean by 'instruction'?"
Yan Jun: "I look forward to this bet you speak of."
Han Dongli: "A young person with such confidence—this seems interesting. Let's hear it."

"Heh," Lin Qihua smiled, continuing to update his social media platform: "Since the three masters have doubts about my creative ability, and the public also suspects that I am not the original creator of these songs, how about this? Shall we have a themed songwriting competition?"

Qu Ping: "I'm listening."
Yan Jun: "..."
Han Dongli: "..."

Lin Qihua: "It's simple. The three masters can agree on a theme in advance. Based on that theme, I will compose a song on the spot. We can hold it at the Xiangzhou TV Station, where I can compose in front of the three masters to ensure no one thinks I’m using a ghostwriter. The song I compose will serve as my encore performance on the 'Singer' stage. Of course, if the three masters are interested, you are welcome to compose a song on the same theme as well, allowing everyone to enjoy different styles based on the same subject and offering a fascinating performance to the national audience. What do you say?"

Qu Ping: "Such immense confidence. I suddenly feel that my previous comments were a bit hasty."
Yan Jun: "On-the-spot composition? You're looking to slap us in the face, aren't you?"
Han Dongli: "I don't have that kind of talent, but I am very interested in this live composition idea."

Lin Qihua: "Perhaps the three masters could collaborate? Integrating three different styles would surely be fascinating. Let’s treat this as a fun game, shall we? I am willing to accept the masters' strict judgment."

The three remained silent, hesitant to agree. As fellow creators, they knew exactly how difficult on-the-spot composition was and knew they lacked the ability to do it themselves. At the same time, Lin Qihua's boldness suggested he was completely certain of himself. At the very least, it proved he possessed a certain degree of creative talent; otherwise, wouldn't he just be inviting humiliation?

The netizens, who loved a good spectacle, grew excited and began urging the three songwriters to accept the challenge.

"Three masters can't even take on one fraud?"
"He's just playing hard to get. Once you agree, he'll be exposed. Go for it, masters!"
"Themed composition, how exciting! I want to see it. Masters, accept the challenge!"
"Exactly! A mule or a horse, just take it out for a walk. Live composition, masters set the theme, and they supervise it on-site. Whether he's a genius or not will be clear at once. What's the point of all this guessing? He's already offered such an unfair proposal, and you're still hesitating?"
"To the person above, you clearly don't understand the difficulty. Composition requires inspiration. A song usually requires long periods of contemplation and fragmented creation, perfected during a chance moment. On-the-spot composition is a high-level challenge! Even the three masters wouldn't be confident in that."
"Bullshit! He dares to propose such harsh conditions and accept anyone's supervision, yet you're afraid to accept? Who's the real fraud? Who's the one without confidence?"
"Right. Although I still hate him, he has the guts. Regardless of whether it's a tactic, this is a feasible way to verify on the spot if he truly has talent. The masters set the theme, one against three, live supervision, and a performance as an encore—why hesitate? Isn't it definitely not him? Isn't it certain he can't handle multiple styles? Isn't he too young to have that kind of life experience? If that's the case, why not take the stage?"

The noise and chaos continued as netizens argued, all hooked by Lin Qihua's whimsical proposal and eager to see the showdown between the four.

By comparison, the other topics that had been hyped up suddenly became insignificant. Indeed, all the previous back-and-forth lacked evidence. The netizens, raised on a diet of "chicken soup" and soft articles, had long since developed immunity. While they might be stirred by public opinion, they would eventually cool down and realize the inaccuracies. Just as Galaxy Entertainment and "Morning Star" had insisted, there was no decisive evidence. No video proof for the claims that he harassed female artists; no recordings to prove his lack of professional ethics; and no songwriter had stepped forward to claim, "I am the real creator of such-and-such song."

Was Lin Qihua's background that powerful? "Morning Star" had long since provided a detailed explanation. During his time on "Singer," it was revealed that Lin Qihua's mother was a famous guzheng performer and artist, and his father was a highly educated university professor—an undeniably intellectual family. It was hard to believe such a family would raise a morally bankrupt artist. Furthermore, could such a background force a talented songwriter to willingly surrender their glory? Don't joke around—if you can't use power to coerce me, why would I give up a chance for fame and fortune? A song like "Little Luck" could conservatively earn over ten million in download royalties alone, not to mention the skyrocketing fame and awards. If it were you, would you give that up?

Now, Lin Qihua had proposed the simplest and most intuitive way to resolve the matter and prove himself. Why was no one daring to accept?

Are we, the audience, blind?

As the three masters continued to delay their acceptance, public opinion gradually fermented and began to shift in Lin Qihua's favor.

"Operation successful," Lin Qihua high-fived Yu Fengqin and the others.
"It wasn't easy. For the first time, the netizens are starting to sympathize with us," He Li sighed.
"Using a brick to lure out the jade, and beating the grass to startle the snake—well played, truly brilliant," He Yanlin glanced at Lin Qihua with admiration. "But behind this lies a firm belief in your own strength. Without that, everything is just a reflection in the water or a castle in the air, ready to collapse at a single push."
"Don't worry, I wouldn't have proposed it if I wasn't confident," Lin Qihua said steadily. "Otherwise, I'd just be lifting a rock only to drop it on my own feet."
"As long as they don't dare accept, it proves they are guilty and know you truly have the talent. If they do accept, we must produce a song of sufficient quality. Setting a theme on the spot—is that really okay?" He Li asked, worried.
"Don't worry, I have confidence in myself," Lin Qihua said firmly. Yes, he had confidence in himself, and even more so in the nebula in his mind. Given some time, he could definitely compose it.

This move had greatly relieved the pressure on Galaxy Entertainment. Perhaps the opposition was in urgent communication with the three masters, hoping they would accept the challenge; otherwise, things would remain at a stalemate. Would the three masters accept? Everything remained an unknown.

Lin Qihua and Yu Fengqin exchanged a smile, though they wouldn't tell anyone that Qu Ping had only stepped in after being requested to by Yu Fengqin, all to lead to this very situation. Yan Jun and Han Dongli were unexpected bonuses, but even without them, other songwriters or critics would have emerged because Qu Ping had already opened the door. It was the perfect setup to push the situation forward and further pressure Lin Qihua. Unfortunately, Lin Qihua had cast aside the other dynamics and played a winning hand, a checkmate that forced both himself and his opponents into a showdown. If Lin Qihua proved himself, the other rumors would naturally collapse. If one thing was fabricated, couldn't the rest be as well? Without credibility, who would believe their stories?

Yet, what if Lin Qihua failed to compose the song? Then he would truly be branded with all those labels and driven out of the entertainment industry.

It could be said that Lin Qihua was taking a much greater risk. Who could guarantee they could successfully compose a high-quality piece of music on the spot based on three masters' chosen themes?

It was precisely for this reason that the audience demanded the three masters accept. The man had hung himself over a cliff, and yet you still dare not take the final step—why is that?

This move was a double-edged sword that could hurt others as much as oneself. Could Lin Qihua withstand it?

The stalemate took a new turn at nine that evening.

A newly verified social media account tagged all four parties and posted a message: "Since things are at a deadlock, if everyone trusts me, why don't I act as an intermediary?"

The message created a massive stir. Who was this? It was none other than Cheng Dinglong, the honorary president of the Pop Music Association, a famous veteran artist, singer, and songwriter who had dedicated his life to the stage and had personally ushered in the era of reforms in the music industry. He was a man of great virtue and prestige, deeply respected by all walks of life.

The fact that he appeared in such a manner stunned everyone.

How could the three masters remain arrogant now? They quickly commented under his post: "We are willing to act according to the teacher's wishes."

Lin Qihua also quickly expressed his reverence; the old man had provided a perfect assist.

Cheng Dinglong: "Since young friend Lin has proposed such an interesting way to verify his identity, I am very curious to see the outcome. In that case, I suggest that the three masters and I travel to Xiangzhou. This Thursday, we shall broadcast the competition live on Xiangzhou TV. If you trust my professional integrity, I shall set the theme, which will be released directly on the social media platform. Then, young friend Lin will compose on the spot. Regardless of the result, everyone must abide by the final judgment. If the three masters are interested, they may also compose on the spot, and I shall judge their work as well. Does anyone have any objections?"

Qu Ping: "None."
Yan Jun: "None."
Han Dongli: "None."
Lin Qihua: "None."

Cheng Dinglong: "In that case, let us meet at Xiangzhou TV this Thursday at 10:00 AM. I assume Xiangzhou TV will grant me the favor of arranging a live broadcast?"

As if they would dare refuse! They were desperate for it. What a massive draw! They immediately mobilized all their resources to get it done.

The onlookers were completely ecstatic. What kind of day was this? Even a veteran like Cheng Dinglong had been drawn out. It was too interesting, too anticipated. It felt as though the drama was reaching its climax.

In a study in Yanjing, Cheng Dinglong typed the final character and gave a wry smile. "I've really used up all my old prestige this time. Are you satisfied now?"

From behind him came a bell-like laugh. "Thank you, Grandpa Cheng."

"Hmph, I want to see what kind of person could make our lovely fairy lose her heart."

"Grandpa Cheng is joking," the girl said dismissively. "I just can't stand the way some people act. Besides, with his talent, he will create many songs that people love. It would be a pity if he just left like that."

"That is true. The entertainment industry nowadays... it really needs a good cleaning. What has it become?"