Huayu: Starting from the top talent show

Chapter 456 The Transformation of Role Positioning and Identity Responsibilities
"Always on my mind, always on my mind, mind." As the last note of the song gently fell, the lingering melody gradually dissipated in the silence.

On the screen, Shen Juan let out a soft sigh of relief and calmly began the cheering segment that only big-name singers are allowed to have.

"Yesterday I saw a nurse from Wuhan draw a sunflower on her protective suit online, but she looked extremely haggard. At that moment I suddenly realized that true courage is not about never getting tired, but about knowing the difficulties and still being willing to plant hope."

“We always say that the universe will eventually reach heat death, and that humanity is as insignificant as a drop in the ocean, and that many things are destined to happen and cannot be changed. But look, right now, tens of thousands of viewers are watching this live charity performance launched to fight the epidemic, hands of different countries and skin colors are making heart shapes with their hands in front of the screen, and countless research teams and medical staff are racing against time to analyze the virus and research vaccines. Aren't these connections and bonds that transcend national borders the most correct answer to fighting against the elusive fate?”

"Admittedly, pessimists may always be able to maintain absolute rationality and accurately predict the outcome; they are always right. But optimists are writing stories; they are always moving forward."

"Therefore, we must remain optimistic about the future, because pessimism is meaningless and will only bring us more negative energy. I would rather choose optimism, even if it is wrong, than choose pessimism, even if it is right."

"After all, the meaning of life is never at the destination, but the journey itself. So if possible, please push the endless boulder like Sisyphus, who was punished by the gods, and be reborn again and again as it rolls down! When we choose to embrace the process rather than the result, then every step we take is actually writing our own epic of heroism against absurdity."

In this scene, although there were no high-definition close-up shots like those at a large awards ceremony to project this divine face onto the big screen, and no cheers and screams from fans to adorn the stage, countless people were still moved to tears even through the screen.

Excellent music combined with heartwarming words is indeed more powerful than any fancy visual effects!
Shen Juan looked directly into the camera, meeting the gaze of the audience.

Aside from a smile, there were no other expressions on his face.

Silence does not diminish warmth; indifference conceals passion.

He has long since transcended the screen, becoming an eternal starlight that illuminates the world of countless people, bringing them tenderness and emotion.

Tian Tian, ​​not Huang Chengzi: [Why do I like you? I've asked myself this question many times, but I still don't know the answer. I only know that I want to see you every day, I always think about you, and I want to share everything with you. When I can't see you, I stare at your photos in a daze. Even if that's all I can do, I feel that all the troubles in the world have nothing to do with me, because at that moment I am truly happy.]

Actually, I like your voice and personality more than your looks. I like your quirky sense of humor and dry wit, and I like your occasional little romantic gestures. But what are the standards for liking someone? Liking someone is simply liking someone. It means that I'm happy when I see you happy, and I'm sad when I see you sad. I'm easily swayed by your emotions. It's a pure emotion without any impurities. It means that I sincerely hope you are happy and doing well, and it won't change my feelings for you because of the gossip around me.

I hope you can share more about your life with me. I love hearing about the interesting things that happened today, and I love listening to your rambling complaints about someone or something. I love seeing your most authentic self. I want to be with you forever; actually, I need you far more than we realize.

After watching Shen Juan's performance, Sister Tian immediately logged into her well-known fan account and posted this Weibo.

Not long after Shen Juan's performance ended, the eight-hour global charity concert came to a close.

Countless people around the world watched the entire Shen Juan charity performance through various means and channels.

So, those who were moved or amazed couldn't wait to flock to various social media platforms and video websites to vent their indescribable excitement.

Because of a sense of duty, Alex didn't have a stage this year, but this benefit performance made up for it perfectly. Whether it was the Chinese song "The Nameless Man" or "Good Days," we could feel his overflowing sincerity! His talent and voice are simply a magnificent treasure bestowed upon humanity by God!

[This time, my family really broke down. Who understands how I cried under the covers at 2 AM? How could he write about the ordinary with such passion? How could he sing R&B so ethereally? Suddenly, I felt like I was listening to "Best Part" again. Juan Ge wasn't lying! His blood type is definitely R&B!!!]

[Good Days is absolutely amazing! The moment the intro started, I was instantly chill! The forest, maple leaves, little bridge, flowing water, seaside, clear sky, and drifting clouds are just so beautiful—a truly magnificent song! I hope my future boyfriend will have such great taste!]

[I was worried that I'd be criticized for disrespecting my seniors by putting big names like Jacky Cheung, Andy Lau, Wang Fei, and Na Ying in the opening act, but after the actual performance, I realized that the ones left were all big names like Jackie Chan, Lang Lang, Dwayne Johnson, Taylor Swift, and Ariana Grande! Haha, no worries then, I'm just a user of the "face-saving fruit"!]

[They all went to the US, but Kris was the only one not invited. How could Shen Juan be so mean! Wasn't it enough to give him a concussion and cause him global social death? He even had to take away his chance to perform at a benefit concert?]

So where's Bago? Didn't he used to call Shen Juan "little brother" all the time? Shen Juan even performed as a guest at Bago's Las Vegas concert last year, why aren't they interacting anymore? Could they have really fallen out? (A marketing account has reported that Vajuan and Warren became enemies over a game of Texas Hold'em.)

From "As You Wish" to "The World Gave Me" and then to "Ordinary People," Shen Juan has showcased his talent for songwriting to the fullest. From sunflowers on protective suits, to pessimists moving forward like optimists, to Sisyphus pushing a boulder, to heroic epics of fighting against absurdity, even his comforting words possess a unique philosophical beauty. So who is still saying that Shen Juan only writes saccharine songs that go on from Monday to Sunday? Does mindlessly piling up flowery language and turning lyrics into poetry mean you can write good lyrics?

[I'm a netizen, and I just watched the live stream with my British roommates. They sang along to "The Nameless Man" the whole time in broken Chinese, haha! While the whole world was waiting for him to sing an English song, he etched Chinese music into the history of global charity performances with a Chinese song. That's a true national icon!]

Tears shed at 2 AM are worthless, but Shen Juan is worth a river of tears from me! From an unknown trainee to headlining a global charity concert, he always does things that carry more weight than singers or top celebrities! His statement, "I'd rather choose optimism even if it's wrong," sent chills down my spine—it's so true! Isn't human society driven forward by these optimistic idealists? That's probably why he can attract both fangirls and an old-fashioned guy like my dad, making them all stop and watch him. He's exceptionally talented, ambitious, and possesses a dazzling personal charm!

The tenderness in his eyes when he sings is captivating, and when he speaks, he instantly transforms into an international superstar. What touches me most is that he even wrote a song to encourage medical workers and donated money to those in difficult circumstances. This clear-headedness of "I'm famous all over the world, but I haven't forgotten my roots" is truly mesmerizing!

[Before, I would get defensive when haters called me a "data worker," but now I just want to say, so what if I'm Shen Juan's data worker? I'm happy to be! Only by following an idol like this can you understand that true fandom is about him shining brightly while you become a better version of yourself. Meeting Shen Juan is my luck!]

A true idol isn't about controlling comments and dominating charts; they're about allowing people from different countries and speaking different languages ​​to see themselves in their songs! I suddenly remembered his interview with foreign media last year where he said, "Chinese culture taught me to respect the ordinary." It turns out he's always kept his roots in the soil, yet he's letting the whole world see his blossoming. Those who say he's just pretentious should really reflect on their words. Shen Juan may be arrogant, but he doesn't look down on ordinary people like some celebrities do.

Now I suddenly understand why Alex became a leader among Generation Z. Perhaps there was some marketing hype involved, but after today's benefit performance, I have to pay him my respects. He absolutely deserves it! While other singers are still considering their commercial value, he's already thinking about what he can do for the world. No wonder his fans say that following him is witnessing the birth of a legend. This man is truly striving to become a symbolic icon of our time!

then
Almost all the performers who were invited by Shen Juan and had the honor of appearing at this global charity event, especially the celebrities from East Asia, shared their thoughts through their respective social media accounts and expressed their gratitude to Shen Juan, who invited them and was also the initiator of the charity performance.

Although the charity performance ended in the early hours of the morning in East Asia—two in China and three in Japan and South Korea—many Japanese and Korean celebrities, such as Masaki Suda and IU, not only stayed up but also excitedly posted on Weibo in China, as a way of showing goodwill and paying homage to Shen Juan.

Tian Jie, Xiao Xiao, Xiao Ye, Wang Chuan, Xiao Hu, and others also followed suit, posting their pre-prepared messages that seemed to express gratitude to Shen Juan for his contributions to the anti-Japanese cause, but were actually subtle declarations of love and affection. They were essentially using this method to compete in a battle of wits on Weibo!
Then there are well-known "Shen fans" like David Tao, Lin Junjie, Xue Zhiqian, G.E.M., and Han Hong, who need no further explanation.

No matter what they posted on Weibo, Shen Juan would personally interact with them in the comments section, teasing and bantering back and forth.

This time was no exception.

As the initiator, and since there were no night shoots today, Shen Juan could stay at the hotel and follow the live stream updates.

Subsequently, pop diva Na Ying regarded Shen Juan as their most admired and beloved junior in the music industry.

Shen Juan immediately expressed his gratitude and then said that they would meet again in the capital after the situation was under control.

Brother Fly, one of the Four Heavenly Kings of Hong Kong Island, said that he had a very memorable phone call with Shen Juan and humbly said that the younger generation is formidable. Shen Juan has now surpassed the height of his career achievements, and they, the old-timers of the last century, have never been an obstacle to his progress.

Faced with such overly flattering praise from a senior that might even spark controversy, Shen Juan could only occasionally feign humility.

He has always only compared himself to singers of his own time.

As for this kind of discussion about the historical status of the music industry, which is usually done by fans and netizens, it's generally something that fans and netizens discuss.

Master Lay was still marketing his rhetoric about the power of China, which Shen Juan laughed off, finding him quite amusing.

Jackson continues to play the role of his fervent fanboy, and Shen Juan doesn't mind people flattering and fawning over him.

Giant C's desire to break into the American music scene grew stronger, and he wanted to become someone like Shen Juan. Shen Juan only hoped that he wouldn't rely on marketing to fool the public like in the original timeline, but that would probably be a bit difficult in this timeline, since Shen Juan had already given the Chinese public a basic introduction to Western music.

(Perhaps because of his past record, I always feel that every song is paying homage to Western classics. Anyway, if you are interested, you can listen to his 21 song "Desire" and Bonsai's "Starboy". I can only say that the intro drum beats are a bit similar.)
In addition, this live-streamed charity performance, which attracted global attention due to its star-studded cast, also generated hot news and trending topics in many countries, especially in Europe, America, and the Asia-Pacific region.

Chinese media focused on Shen Juan speaking and singing Chinese songs on a top-tier global platform, regarding the charity performance as a landmark event in the "internationalization of Chinese culture and entertainment," and touted it as a successful export of Chinese culture to boost morale among the Chinese people.

On the 5th, multiple news programs, including the prestigious CCTV Evening News, gave special reports on the matter, emphasizing Shen Juan's role as the initiator and his speech after the performance. They called him a role model for artists in the new era and called on young people to learn from him, as if using Shen Juan as material in college entrance examination essays would earn them extra points.

Although Shen Juan felt it was a bit fake.

Just as Yao Ming single-handedly brought the Chinese men's basketball team to a height that was beyond their own, Shen Juan also brought the Chinese music scene to a height that was beyond their own.

This kind of boasting is like a bubble; it bursts as soon as you poke it!
Apart from him, the vast majority were rotten fish and shrimp.

But in this special period, these bubbles are indeed needed to provide people with spiritual and psychological comfort.

Moreover, it was also very beneficial to Shen Juan himself.

With official endorsement and authoritative certification, who wouldn't want it?

So Shen Juan didn't say much.

Just agree honestly.

After all, these titles and honors may seem like useless empty names, but in reality they are get-out-of-jail-free cards that help you take the fall and block bullets.

Nobody wants to not wear multiple layers of resurrection armor.

Foreign media then mainly mentioned Shen Juan's identity as a member of the WHO and his contributions to fundraising by using his influence, portraying him as a role model for celebrities to take on social responsibility, and saying that his speech after the performance was enough to move every audience member.

At the same time, the charity concert, which raised more than $2.5 million and attracted nearly 20 billion online viewers, was called "LiveAid of the 21st century" (a cross-continental charity concert in 1984 that brought together legendary figures in rock and pop music to raise funds for the famine in Ethiopia, Africa), and was praised for making a significant contribution to uniting people around the world to overcome the pandemic!
Shen Juan's global influence and international reputation were further enhanced through this marketing opportunity.

It can only be said that even the most hating Chinese people and the most critical fans of Shen Juan now have to admit the harsh reality:

Western celebrities, accustomed to being aloof and superior, now regard him as someone who needs to be taken seriously and should not be easily provoked.

The Alovers, fiercely protective of their master, are like a sword hanging over each of their heads, ready to strike at any moment!

What are the options for artists from East Asia who want to expand overseas, achieve international success, and build global recognition?

Then Shen Juan is the insurmountable obstacle they cannot avoid.

Therefore, without a doubt.
Shen Juan has transformed from the former "Pride of Asia" into a figurehead and leader. He doesn't need to be adept at social maneuvering to unite others; people will naturally gravitate towards him because of his strength.

In mid-April, the shadow of righteousness had not yet dissipated.

At this point, about a week had passed since the charity performance ended, and Shen Juan left the Qingdao production team and came to Wuxi.

He has to record an episode of "Please Take Care of My Refrigerator" here tomorrow.

So tonight I met with the production team at the hotel to discuss the recording content for tomorrow.

Zhou Ye replaced Wang Jiaer as the host.

The guest star on the same flight is Zhang Gaoji, who recently gained immense popularity with "Joy of Life" and is expected to become a specialist in male-oriented dramas.

Zhang Ruoyun, like a Marvel actor from Disney, signed a series of binding agreements with Tencent, making him practically family.

And Go Ice is a variety show produced by Tencent.

So when Tencent heard that the "Go Fridge" program had successfully invited international superstar Shen Juan to be a guest on the show, they immediately called Zhang Ruoyun, clearly wanting him to get as much traffic and popularity as possible from Shen Juan, so as to help the subsequent TV series tied to him continue to have high ratings.

Shen Juan had no thoughts about this obviously malicious arrangement.

One reason is that he doesn't care.

After all, given his current status and influence, appearing on any program in the Chinese entertainment industry or sharing the screen with any other celebrity would be considered a way to boost their popularity and generate revenue.

If you cling to fleeting popularity like a miser, that would be far too unfree.

It lacks the vision of a superstar.

On the other hand, there's Zhang Ruoyun himself.
He was actually quite interested in getting to know him.

Based on his memories of his past life, he seemed to have no major flaws in his personality or character, and could be considered a normal person in the chaotic and shady entertainment industry.

So after the pre-recording meeting organized by the production team, Shen Juan took the initiative to approach Zhang Ruoyun and, under Zhang Ruoyun's flattered gaze, added him as a WeChat friend.

Then, taking advantage of the night, Shen Juan and Zhou Ye, having nothing to do, decided to go to Nanchang Street, a famous tourist attraction in Wuxi, to relax.

The water of the ancient canal flows slowly, and Nanchang Street, illuminated by lights, exudes a hazy, antique beauty.

The two, wearing masks, walked side by side on the cobblestone path. When their eyes occasionally met, they were filled with relaxation and anticipation.

Is this your first time here?

"This is even my first time in Wuxi."

"Me too."

"Yay! I got your first time again, Juanjuan!" Zhou Ye couldn't help but hug Shen Juan's arm tightly and shout happily. In the eyes of passersby, she might just be a little girl who was acting coquettishly with her boyfriend, but in Shen Juan's eyes, Xiao Ye at this moment was like a carefree and happy little dog.

"It's forbidden."

"You're forbidding me!"

Shen Juan was charmed by her cuteness and couldn't help but chuckle. "I heard from Xiao Xiao that you've been studying cooking at home lately?"

Zhou Ye nodded with a smile: "I even asked her to record a video! I plan to edit it and post it as a vlog!"

Shen Juan raised an eyebrow slightly: "Another whim?"

Zhou Ye feigned anger: "How could you deny my desire to be a virtuous wife and loving mother like that! Juanjuan, you're so mean!"

Is it bad?

"The kind of bad that's really, really bad!"

"So, do you prefer me better or worse?"

"It doesn't matter, it's all the same to me." Zhou Ke raised her face cutely and looked at Shen Juan seriously.

"Ok?"

"No matter what, I like you!"

The two bickered as they passed by stalls selling food, snacks, and handicrafts. Perhaps because the lockdown had just been lifted, the streets were not very crowded and there were few customers. However, this provided the two, who did not want to reveal their identities, with a perfect opportunity to go on a date and take a walk like ordinary people.

Suddenly, a pottery shop caught their eye. The shop was filled with all kinds of ceramic products. Zhou was also attracted by a delicate and cute ceramic cat. He picked it up and played with it. The ceramic Hakimi was curled up in a ball, tilting its head, and the milky white glaze had a warm luster.

Seeing how much she liked it, Shen Juan said softly, "So you prefer cats to dogs? Little Pot must be feeling unwell."

"Xiao Pen is Sister Tian's dog, not mine!"

Why didn't you say this when you stole Sister Tian's dog?

"Was that stealing? I picked it up! I thought the dog was pitiful, and no one would want it if I left it on the ground, so I brought it into my room to raise it. Besides, even if we take a step back, we're still roommates! She's an irresponsible dog owner, so I don't think there's anything wrong with me being nice to the puppy!"

Shen Juan laughed, "Are you sure there's no problem? Anyway, Sister Tian has complained to me a lot about how you're always idle and lazy, only good at petty theft. She also said that whenever she can't find her dog, she immediately runs to your room to search for it, and she can find it in your room almost every time."

"Isn't there still a 10% chance that it won't be with me?" Zhou Ye blushed and felt a little guilty, but still tried to remain calm.

She said that the remaining 10% was because you took the dog out, so your actual probability of stealing the dog is 100%.

"Why does she love gossiping about others behind their backs so much?"

"A hen!"

After Shen Juan finished speaking, he thought for a moment and added with a smile, "It's probably because she cares about you a lot, so she doesn't want to express her dissatisfaction to you in person and ruin your relationship and this hard-won harmonious atmosphere. You should also know what kind of personality Sister Tian has, so just go with the flow."

He was happy to step in and mediate the conflict between the BIG3 fish in the winter, and to promote friendship. After all, it didn't matter how fiercely the fish fry fought between the bottom and middle layers of the pond, or how turbulent the battle was, as long as the upper layer, which was closest to the surface, had to maintain a calm and dignified appearance.

"Juanjuan, you're trying to beautify her image in my mind again," Zhou Ye pouted slightly and complained softly.

Is this really an attempt to beautify the image?

"I don't think she's as good as you say."

"But you three seemed to be having a good time when you went shopping!" Shen Juan winked at Haki, who was still stubbornly deceiving himself, his eyes full of amusement. "And didn't they give you a nickname? If I remember correctly, it's called the Sanlitun Three Sisters?"

After a moment of silence, Zhou replied in a somewhat resigned voice, "Are you happy and satisfied with such a harmonious harem?"

But she saw Shen Juan simply smile gently at her, then lower his voice and whisper in a tone only the two of them could hear, "Xiao Ye, you know I don't consider knowing so many girls an honor, because for me, knowing you is my most important achievement, so..."

"I'm only satisfied when you're happy."

Zhou Ye looked at Shen Juan with a complicated expression.

Although she was very reluctant to admit that she had been so easily captured by Shen Juan and fallen in love with him.

But this is an obvious fact.

In principle, she does not accept sharing love with others.

But in front of Shen Juan, she was willing to break her bottom line.

The reason is simple: he deserves it.

There's no other reason than it's worth it!

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(End of this chapter)