The battle for traffic in Chinese entertainment

Chapter 543 A Perfect Day

In the elevator.

It was so crowded that not even a mouse could sneak in, yet two girls were chatting away as if no one else was around.

"Is Xu Xing really dating Taylor Swift?"

"Huh? No!"

"Xu Xing's album's last song is 'Daylight,' and Taylor Swift's previous album 'Lover' also had 'Daylight' as its last song. They even collaborated on two songs in a row. Just now, Taylor Swift was very angry on Twitter, defending Xu Xing against the album leak. They really have a close relationship."

"Wow! That's actually quite possible. Didn't they say Xu Xing likes dating younger men?"

Everyone else in the elevator was silently waiting to get to the first floor, but these two were showing off how high-end and trendy their conversation was.

It's really hard not to complain about Wang Yu.

They think they're so sophisticated, but they're actually incredibly low-class. If they're really bored, why don't they just perform a performance of pouring mineral water over their heads?

"Isn't the last song on the album a Japanese song?" a male voice suddenly rang out. "Isn't it 'Daytime'?"

Although Low has only one syllable, it has three letters, and it finally couldn't resist jumping out and combining them, right?

Wang Yu couldn't help but roll her eyes.

People who don't keep quiet in public places like elevators have really no manners!

A spirited young man swayed and jumped out, and two spirited young women immediately kissed him.

"The last English song I sang was 'Daylight,' while the Chinese and Japanese songs were bonus tracks on the deluxe editions."

"That's it."

"Hmm, 'Daylight' is really good. Compared to the previous Chinese song 'Night Wanderer,' it's actually a bit..."

"Yes, it's really good. I've seen a lot of people online criticizing Xu Xing, saying that he's Japanese. There's no need for him to add Japanese songs that are so good, while Chinese songs are just so-so."

"Hahahaha!"

The Low trio burst into laughter.

"I think 'Night Wanderer' is a really nice song, it has a very dreamy feel to it," the woman in the corner couldn't help but exclaim passionately. "And it incorporates elements of traditional Chinese opera, a song like this would better represent China in the West!"

Then another voice spoke softly.

"You've all finished listening? I just found the resources and haven't had a chance to listen yet."

Discussing pirated resources so enthusiastically in public...where's your shame?!

Ta-da!
We've finally reached the first floor!
"Hey! It's a song from Xu Xing's album!"

Wang Yu, who had just squeezed out of the elevator, almost fell headfirst to the ground.

Someone was blasting music from their phone at the elevator entrance, and everyone around them was staring at them like they were idiots, while the guy had this smug look on his face.

[Seasons change and our love went cold, feed the flame cause we can't let go. Run away but we're running in circles, run away, run away...]
Time has passed, and our love has cooled. We long for it to reignite because we can't bear to let go. We try to escape, but we're trapped in an endless cycle of trying to escape...

"Circles!"

"This song is great too!"

"Dude, you're awesome!"

...How is that awesome?
Wang Yu ran away at top speed.

Low is contagious.

In less than ten minutes, this office building became a hundred times less appealing... and the entire capital city became a hundred times less appealing!
I just ran out of the building.

"Xu Xing's album is being released ahead of schedule!!!"

Screams erupted nearby.

Wang Yu suddenly wondered if Li Chenxi's Iron-Blooded King Oyster Mushroom had been going door-to-door in office buildings promoting king oyster mushrooms and had infected everyone.

It's just one album per celebrity!

How could it be like a world war, with everyone talking about it?

Everyone has gone insane—

Ok!

Wang Yu withdrew the disdainful look she had given him and stopped slandering everyone.

There are probably quite a few normal people out there. Not many people would act so crazy in broad daylight, so it makes perfect sense that it's Li Chenxi.

"Uh, uh... Yu Bao, why did you come down for dinner so early today?"

Li Chenxi jogged over and asked sheepishly.

Wang Yu didn't bother to look at her anymore, because standing next to her was Li Lili, that... unfaithful—no, despicable—not quite, not quite not at all, well, just despicable!
Secretly flirting with her current best friend—the words "despicable" and "shameless" are insufficient to describe it!

Having not seen her for many years, Wang Yu was secretly pleased to see her former best friend become so despicable and vile.

Wang Yucai was utterly speechless about Li Chenxi.

Her best friend was arrested and imprisoned by her idol, but her feelings for that person only became stronger.

Now he says he won't talk to Li Lili anymore, but he still spends lunch with her every day!
A sweet dinner date!!!

In fact, Wang Yu felt that Li Chenxi had betrayed her to a degree that was not much less than that of Xing Chu!
"hungry."

Wang Yu responded coldly.

Li Chenxi shamelessly followed.

"Let's eat together, it's on me!"

"Self-respect."

"Um... Lili and you still have some misunderstandings."

"Self-respect."

"Okay, hey, Yu Bao—"

"nausea."

"Alright, alright, Wang Yu, let's celebrate together! The 'Lucky' album was leaked; this is retribution for his many evil deeds!"

"..."

"Hahaha! Don't you feel like I'm rational and clear-headed now, baby!"

“…” Wang Yu looked up at the sky and sighed, “Nonsense.”

Looking back, Li Lili didn't come over with Li Chenxi; she just stood there, watching from afar.

Li Chenxi, who turned around with her, saw that Wang Yu, who was standing still, was also a little embarrassed and was hesitating about what to do. Wang Yu patted her on the shoulder.

"Go eat with her. I bought the food and brought it upstairs. Didn't Xu Xing's album come out ahead of schedule? You're both fans, so let's work together to boost sales. You guys do your thing. Hurry up and go, she's leaving soon."

"Um... okay, but I'm not an king oyster mushroom."

"Mmm, you're not."

at last!

It's quiet now!
Sometimes you just suddenly fall into Xu Xing's vortex. Even though you're determined to treat it with a normal attitude, you still can't help but feel annoyed.

"I'm dying of laughter online. Domestically, everyone's basically saying that Cai Jini leaked Xu Xing's album because she wanted 'Stay' to stay at number one for a few more weeks, and the album leak would affect the subsequent singles. Internationally, the most talked-about person is Ya Ya, the one with 'Driver's License' and 'Good 4 U,' a very popular newcomer in the US, but Xu Xing's 'Stay' has completely overshadowed her."

"If Hsu Hsing's album is released normally, and she tries to get a number one single, there's basically no chance she'll get a number one single. That's why there are still rumors that she leaked Hsu Hsing's album. And like Billie Eilish before her, she's a signed artist under Hsu Hsing's American label, New Vision, and they're both Hsu Hsing's juniors, heavily promoted by the label. So she has both the motive and the ability to commit the crime. Overseas fans have already started photoshopping posters to arrest her."

"Is it really that abstract? Hahaha!"

"A while ago, Ya Ya was accused of betraying Taylor Swift by trying to curry favor with Kim Kardashian. Taylor Swift has a feud with the Kardashians because of Kanye West, and Ya Ya has always claimed to be a Taylor Swift fan. Taylor Swift even retweeted and recommended Ya Ya's hit song 'Driver's License.' Now Taylor Swift's fans are fanning the flames, and other Western fans are also having fun. Rumors are flying everywhere, the most ridiculous one being that Ya Ya stole Xu Xing's album and leaked it because she was jealous that Xu Xing was dating Taylor Swift."

"When Billie Eilish was still a nobody, Xu Xing specifically mentored her, and Billie later thanked Xu Xing at the Grammys. As for Ya Ya, compared to Billie, she has the advantage of being Asian, yet Xu Xing has almost never shown any appreciation for her. Ya Ya even seemed to have subtly criticized her in an interview, saying that she had always worked hard and never doubted herself even without the help and recommendation of big shots."

"So she was criticized by fans of Starry Night and Billie Eilish before, but she also reposted Xu Xing and Taylor Swift's performance at the Grammys, using exaggerated words like 'dreamy' to describe it, and even seemed a bit infatuated. Many people thought she was projecting Taylor Swift's image onto Xu Xing and fantasizing about collaborating with her, so they gave her a persona of being in a sadomasochistic relationship with Xu Xing. It was just a joke, but she also seemed to like related comments, although it could also be a photoshopped image, which is really funny."

"Hahahaha! Xu Xing is so popular in the US! Even their hottest new singers are trying to use her for marketing!"

"Yeah, she's just riding on the coattails. She's been criticized a lot in the Western entertainment circles in China, and everyone thinks she's very scheming and trying to ride on the coattails of Xu Xing and Taylor Swift. She also has plagiarism controversies. In short, she's really dramatic. The picture of her arrest was originally photoshopped by 2B Bar, but it spread overseas faster than it did in China."

"Hahahahaha!"

"But it was just a joke, it's impossible that she really leaked it. Actually, I really feel that Xu Xing is being suppressed by Europe and America this time. There are also haters online saying that Xu Xing deliberately leaked the song to create hype, which is really infuriating."

"what!"

"Xu Xing's influence is enormous. So many young people in Europe and America are fans of Xu Xing, feeling that she's very different from American idols, just..."

Ugh!
at last!

Wang Yu finished lunch before she vomited.

The company was playing Xu Xing's songs, so there was no way I could buy food to eat at home. As soon as I sat down in the restaurant, a king oyster mushroom sat down next to me.

The most prominent characteristic of King Oyster Mushroom is its excessive self-awareness. It feels that the whole world revolves around its lucky charm, and that everyone will be interested in no matter how boring the topic of its lucky charm is.

His companion was so bored that he didn't even know how to play the straight man anymore, and the laughter was getting more and more awkward, but King Oyster Mushroom was still talking non-stop.

Even a few fabricated comments by online trolls that have no more than 500 views are discussed extensively by Xingbaogu as if they've discovered a new continent.

Give the king oyster mushroom a sympathetic look and head back to the company!

Or, could we dawdle a little longer?

Want to take a walk?
But taking a walk outside at midday in the middle of summer is just too stupid.

Back to the company!
[I don't want to know, if you're playing me, keep it on the low, cause my heart can't take it anymore. And if you're creepin', please, don't let it show, oh baby, I don't want to know...]
I don't want to know the truth. If you're toying with my feelings, please keep quiet, because my heart can't bear it. If you've betrayed my sincerity, please don't show it. I really don't want to know the truth...

Many people have asked this question: if they had a choice, would they choose to not know? — Thankfully, there are far fewer people in the company gathering to listen to music than before.

However, half an hour had passed, and they still hadn't finished listening.

Without any bias, his singing skills have improved a lot—though it's also possible that his auto-tuning techniques have become more advanced.

The Grammy performance was highly praised worldwide, but it was later revealed that it was pre-recorded.

Well, it's impossible for Wang Yu to completely ignore Xu Xing.

Xing Xin said from the beginning that she would manage the game like she would manage a celebrity.

The most popular stars of this era, no matter how they got to where they are today, inevitably pulsate with the spirit of popular culture and can inspire many people.

Wang Yu was indeed inspired.

A rotten person's sincerity is actually disgusting, a saint's sincerity is both fake and boring, and a saint's selfishness is the most deadly.

Although Xu Xing's situation was likely driven by the selfishness of a scoundrel, the carefully crafted image of a superstar presented others with the selfishness of a saint. That's why so many people couldn't escape the deception he created... for example, Xing Xin.

"Sister Wang! Buy the ticket!!!"

A voice suddenly rang in my ears.

Wang Yu was almost startled. Her bewildered expression caused everyone who looked over to burst into laughter.

"W-what?"

"Happiness God's new album! We promised everyone would buy a ticket! It's officially released now!"

"No, you can't force everyone to buy it. The company shouldn't have that kind of atmosphere."

"Uh...no, just kidding, I didn't force anyone. I just think Sister Wang is rich, buying an album wouldn't be difficult for her. By the way, Sister Wang, you seem to know a lot. Which fandom are you from? I really want to know, I know the whole company! If you've already stopped being a fan, who were you a fan of before?"

"..."

Wang Yu is really annoyed by these self-proclaimed enthusiastic female fans who only make people feel awkward!
Speechless and holding his forehead.

"I've stopped being a fan of Yoona. She's already working. Don't you think it's boring to still be a fan? I'm not rich, but I can afford her album. Here, I bought it. Are you satisfied now?"

"Huh, no badge popped up. I didn't buy the previous 'I Remember' album. It turns out Sister Wang really isn't a fan of Xu Xing!"

"..."

"Um, I won't bother Sister Wang any longer!"

Once the person in front of her slipped away embarrassedly, and those who had all looked over looked away, Wang Yu's furrowed brows finally relaxed, and she began to mentally unleash a torrent of complaints:
I'm not clean anymore! I spent money on my mistress again!!!

In my haste to get rid of the king oyster mushrooms, I impulsively did something I'll regret for the rest of my life.
"Hey, why does this song sound so familiar?"

"Which old song did you sample?"

"It really is."

"This song, 'Creepin', is really good! It's much better than the previous song, 'Popular'!"

"They're both good, but I think 'Popular' is better!"

"Popular is definitely more interesting."

“I just love listening to ‘creepin’, you guys are just pretending.”

"what?"

"Hahahahaha!"

I'm impressed; they even listen for a while and then share their feelings...

I picked up my phone again, opened QQ Music, and glanced at the album that I would regret for the rest of my life. They still had 5 songs left to listen to.

Vomited.

Well, I did say you could get a refund—never mind.

If it's discovered that you've refunded money, your colleagues might think you're a jinx. While that might be true, it's best to avoid doing things that could negatively impact your relationships with them.

The next song is "Save Your Tears," a collaboration with Ariana Grande... So, everything in the entertainment industry is fake. All that talk about a deep-seated grudge between him and Ariana Grande's manager, the scooter, is just a publicity stunt.

Then came "Blinding Lights," which had already broken numerous records overseas, followed by "Daylight," which seemed to have a romantic connection with Taylor Swift, and finally, Chinese and Japanese songs.

It didn't seem too difficult to get through!
Surfing the internet!

#Xu Xing's new album "One Day" released ahead of schedule#
#Xu Xing's new album was maliciously leaked#
#TaylorHsuCollaboratesAgain#
#Taylor Swift angrily denounces her song in support of Hsu Hsing#
#One Day has reached the top of the world charts#
#One Day: A Documentary Destroyer#
Okay, okay!

Today, you can have the entire internet!
Reasonable!

You're the most popular!
Ariana Grande has great singing skills. Is it possible that Hsu Hsing hooked up with her and then forced her to collaborate on the scooter?

But it has nothing to do with me.

The phone rang suddenly.

You can go outside to answer the phone now!

Yes, it's Mom calling!
This really is her biological mother!!!

"No, the office was playing music and it was really noisy, so I only answered the phone after I came out... Um, um, I know... I didn't. I was indeed considering it. The feedback from the closed beta was good, and if it's still good after the open beta, I'll work on it for a while longer and then go get my diploma. Sister Xin also advised me... You've called Sister Xin so many times, aren't you worried... It's really just that the company is in its early stages, and I've just started working. There's so much to do at the company, and so much for me to learn... I wasn't in the mood to go to school at the time... Okay, okay, um, um~ Ah???? No! Are you my real mother? Why do you suddenly want me to go on blind dates???? How old am I? I... No! Comrade Liu Caixia! If you want a grandson, go adopt one yourself... I'm still a young girl! A beautiful young girl! And what era is this, still going on blind dates??? If you mention blind dates again, I won't answer your calls! I..."

What was supposed to be a happy phone call turned out to be... just like today, a wonderful day when I woke up, and suddenly it became incredibly frustrating.

Fortunately, she is her biological mother after all, and after Wang Yu made her stance clear, she promised not to mention it again.

I hung up the phone and went back to my office.

After sitting down, Wang Yu realized that the music had stopped playing and it was lunchtime.

Another beautiful day has begun!
Hmm...like going back.

Actually, Lili has been wanting to apologize to you. She genuinely didn't know you were sent to jail by Xingchu; I never told her before. And because I didn't tell anyone, she thought you just suddenly stopped liking Xingchu. Then you two had another argument, and she couldn't help but use Xingchu to mock you.

[Besides, Lili isn't a king oyster mushroom (a type of mushroom in Chinese folklore). She explained that she just has other king oyster mushroom friends who have always wanted her to be one, but she's never agreed and has always insisted on liking Im Yoona. Honestly, what's so great about idolizing a star like Im Yoona who's been out of the spotlight for so long? Why does Lili keep liking her? Is she really just liking Im Yoona? Or is she just liking you, the one who likes Im Yoona along with her?]

[Lili told me she regretted it. She said if she had known you would really cut ties with her because she didn't want to stop being a fan of Yoona, she would have pretended she no longer followed Yoona either.]

[Let me explain "pretending". A normal person wouldn't suddenly dislike Yoona just because Yoona didn't do anything to her, even though she was a big fan a second ago, right?]

[Lili has already admitted that she was wrong, are you still unwilling to forgive her?]

I'm totally convinced!

Whether former best friends can get back together is a natural thing, why should you be here to advise like a matchmaker?
If Li Lili really wanted to apologize, why didn't she come up to me and apologize at noon?
And is Li Lili really a good person now?

Li Chenxi used to be quite normal, but ever since she met Li Lili, an old friend, she calls her "Xingchu" (meaning "lucky girl") like she's a treasure, and she's always smiling and friendly.

The little girl, who was originally a bit slow to react but quite cute, has been transformed into something increasingly abstract by her deceased friend.

Too lazy to reply.

Li Chenxi didn't send any more messages.

And so another beautiful day has come.

Take a short break.

To work.

Just before the end of the workday, Xing Xin called to say that she hadn't finished her work and couldn't make it back to the company, so she asked Wang Yu to help her organize some documents and send them over.

work overtime!

Wang Yu likes to work overtime!

The only problem, which happened many times today, is that the company started playing Xu Xing's songs again after work.

However, you can't blame anyone else for this, because playing music while working overtime at night has become part of the company culture.

But once Wang Yu is focused on her work, she no longer notices what music is playing around her.

Li Chenxi, with a playful grin, sat down.

Ignore her.

After efficiently finishing all the work, it was already past 7:30. In the sweltering summer of Beijing, the sky was already darkening.

"Baby, we can finally go home!"

"Could you please stop calling me 'baby'?"

Wang Yu said helplessly.

Li Chenxi nodded vigorously.

"Okay baby."

"..."

Wang Yu was speechless.

Li Chenxi laughed loudly.

She really enjoys disgusting herself... Wang Yu felt she should think of ways to disgust her.

He cursed the lucky one?

But perhaps Xiaoxi enjoys the abstract style more now.

...Wait, why are there still people talking about sex in the elevator so late after get off work?
They were two older women, and they were not young.

"Xu Xing's album has achieved astonishing results."

"His fans must have been provoked, what's it called again? Torture fans? Yes, that's it, they were really tormented."

"It was a blessing in disguise."

"Xu Xing is now truly the pride of China."

Such corny chatter.

Li Chenxi, who was clinging to her arm, kept winking and making faces at her. Wang Yu really was...

"Not only is he a source of pride for China, but also a source of pride for the yellow race and for Asians. In fact, it wouldn't be wrong to call him a source of pride for the entire world, because Xu Xing is currently the most popular star in the world."

The two women turned their faces away in disbelief.

Li Chenxi was even more shocked.

Wang Yu smiled slightly, grabbed the arm of the wooden figure Li Chenxi, squeezed between the two elder sister statues, and went straight out of the elevator.

Unfortunately... a smile was met with further challenges.

My old friend Li Lili was waiting in the hall.

Wang Yu didn't stop walking. She grabbed the staggering Li Chenxi and walked straight over to Li Lili, who had initially pretended to be calm but quickly became alarmed.

Hello, old friend.

"...What the hell?"

"Let's go, celebrate your birthday. Isn't that what you're all about?"

"..."

"A perfect day? Your idol releases an album early on your birthday, and an old friend takes the initiative to mend the relationship. Yes, she still remembers your birthday. Are you touched? Are you happy? I've had enough. You keep stirring up my emotions with things I already consider insignificant. Do you think you can provoke me? Do you think I'm a fragile person? In fact, I just find it ridiculous."

Wang Yu crossed his arms, his aura reaching its peak.

She felt that she was the strongest version of herself in three years, even stronger than she was three years ago.

"No, wasn't it because you were being too sensitive and unreasonable before?"

After hesitating, Li Lili felt that she should still fight back.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

ONE DAY

the night we met——Lord Huron
Intentions — Justin Bieber
I like me better —Lauv
Eastside — Halsey & Khalid
stay——The Kid Laroi&Justin Bieber
as it was—Harry Styles
circles——Post Malone
popular——The Weeknd
creepin'——The Weeknd
save your tears——The Weeknd&Ariana Grande
blinding lights——The Weeknd
daylight — Harry Styles
Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Night Tour – Zeng Kechun
Daytime - King Gnu
(Edited after publication, does not count towards the word count.)
(End of this chapter)