After offending capital, my songs became more and more popular.

Chapter 207 Love truly requires courage to face the six-eyed flying fish

"I really want to live another five hundred years!"

As the last line of lyrics fell, Shen Ming'en's performance officially came to an end.

"Oh!!!"

"Oh hoo!"

"Let me borrow another five hundred years from heaven!"

"Overthrow the Qing and restore the Ming!"

"Return my vast lands to me!"

……

At this moment, all sorts of cheers completely filled the stage. It seemed that wherever Shen Ming'en was, there would always be a group of crazy fans like this. And the reason why the audience was so frenzied today was certainly not without reason...

The vitality of the work "Borrowing Five Hundred Years from Heaven" lies in its resonance with the Chinese people's dual yearning for "grand narratives" and "individual value".

From Qu Yuan's "Though I suffer nine deaths, I will not regret it" to Yue Fei's "Return my rivers and mountains," Chinese culture has always admired heroes who "defy fate with their own strength."

The phrase "borrow another five hundred years" precisely perpetuates this narrative.

He allowed ordinary people to project their own fantasies of "breaking through limitations" onto the emperor's ambition. Whether it's academics, career, or ideals, who hasn't longed for "more time" to complete unfinished tasks?

This is simply a collective obsession with "heroic narratives"!

The "emperor" in the lyrics is ultimately trapped in "time anxiety," which is actually a metaphor for the "essence of power." The greater the power, the more one fears losing it; the more one controls, the more limited one feels.

This paradox of "the strong are the weak" allows contemporary listeners to experience both an epic feel and the emptiness behind power through music!

Just as modern people, in their pursuit of success, eventually realize that the end of desire is still the fear of "not having enough time".

Ultimately, the appeal of "Borrowing Five Hundred Years from Heaven" lies in the fact that it is not a song that "praises the emperor," but rather, through the emperor's voice, it fully expresses the predicament of all "idealists."

We are all racing against time, trying to use our limited lives to fulfill our infinite aspirations.

This dilemma will always resonate in different eras.

Based on this...

It's no surprise that Shen Ming'en's song is so popular.

The stage for the "Music Journey" program wasn't a covered one; it was a completely open-air square in the heart of a small village. When Shen Ming'en finished singing, the cheers from the audience seemed to threaten to tear the sky apart...

Wow, they're so enthusiastic!
The online live stream chat was flooded with messages:

Come on! How about a 50/50 split?

【Come on, come on, I'll give you a chance. Let's see if you can go toe-to-toe with this guy, Harkin!】

[What the hell is this "50/50"? Faced with absolute power, they'll only get crushed!]

[These voting results are going to be really impressive...]

……

As the audience erupted in enthusiasm, the host walked onto the stage, microphone in hand. He began the program, thanking Shen Ming'en for his performance, reading the advertising copy, and inviting Kong Ze up...

"Teacher Kong Ze, it's time to go up and hear the results of the PK." The staff member said.

To be honest, when Kong Ze heard the notification, his face... it was absolutely hideous.

This so-called "result" is obviously "known". So what difference does it make whether you look at it or not?
Kong Ze had watched the phenomenal hit variety show "Chinese Music Awards" before. Back then, he was quite puzzled when he saw that after each performance, the guests were unwilling to go on stage to see the results. He thought, "Is it really necessary?"

Now it's my turn, and I'm finally experiencing that feeling!
The outcome is already known; who the hell wants to go on stage and be laughed at?
Aren't you ashamed?!
There's nothing I can do...

Now, it's not up to Kong Ze to simply not go on the show if he doesn't want to.

Under the mocking gazes of Bai Ying, Xu Qiu, and others, Kong Ze reluctantly stepped onto the stage...

Xu Qiu never learns his lesson. He just got a beating from Kong Ze, and now he's still talking about it:

"I wonder how badly Kong Ze will lose this match..."

This guy's true colors are really real. He was calling me "Brother Ze" a moment ago, but after Brother Ze beat him up, he started calling me by my full name.

However, no one refuted this statement...

Because almost everyone knows that Kong Ze will probably lose even worse than Bai Ying did in the last match!
It's not that "Loyalty to the Country" is inferior to "Borrowing Five Hundred Years from Heaven," but Shen Ming'en's performance in this scene was simply outstanding. He also has some "personal grudges" with Kong Ze, and fans will definitely support him unconditionally.

Under such intense public scrutiny, Kong Ze reluctantly approached Shen Ming'en.

At that moment, their eyes met in mid-air. Kong Ze was somewhat insecure and dared not look at Shen Ming'en, as if he was afraid that Shen Ming'en would give him a mocking look.

After all, he had once "provoked" Shen Mingen in this way when he left the stage after his own performance.

What Kong Ze found extremely insulting was that Shen Ming'en merely glanced at him before immediately looking away, as if he had simply seen him by chance, showing absolutely no interest in Kong Ze and simply "ignoring" him.

"Squeak..."

At that moment, Kong Ze's back teeth and fist were all making a cracking sound!

He was so angry that he was trembling all over!

But do you think that's the end of it?

The real "insult" has yet to begin!

"Alright, let's take a look at the voting results between this mysterious teacher and Teacher Kong Ze!"

"Please look at the big screen!"

At the host's command, the program staff immediately displayed the results of the competition between Shen Ming'en and Kong Ze to all the viewers.

To be honest, before seeing the results, most people, including Kong Ze, the audience, and the production team, were already somewhat prepared...

Even so, after the results were officially "announced," they still couldn't help but gasp in shock!
no way……

Who can blame them when the voting results presented to all the viewers were so outrageous and absurd!
On the big screen, it was clearly displayed that:
[Kong Ze: 91 votes!]

Shen Ming'en: 908 votes!

In the vote of 1,000 people, Shen Ming'en received more than 900 votes, while Kong Ze didn't even get 100!

Even if you include that one "abstain" vote, Kong Ze still won't break 100!

【puff……】

Despite being prepared, countless viewers still couldn't help but burst out laughing the moment they saw the result, with the live chat flooded with comments:
Where are Kong Ze's fans? Come out and give them a thumbs up...

[Is this what you call "50/50"?]

[You dare to say you're evenly matched with Shen Ming'en?]

[Not even broke 100, what a slap in the face, hahaha...]

[Bai Ying at least broke 100!]

……

"puff……"

Xu Qiu and Bai Ying backstage burst out laughing. No one had expected Kong Ze to be so thoroughly outmatched by Shen Ming'en, receiving less than 10% of the vote!
"Teacher Ming En is really terrifying..." Bai Ying couldn't help but exclaim, "The pressure is too intense!"

Kong Ze's performance tonight was actually quite remarkable. Even a top-tier singer probably wouldn't dare to say they could crush Kong Ze with over 90% of the votes.

But Shen Ming'en did it without hesitation!

His imposing presence was like that of a Nascent Soul ancestor standing before a group of Qi Refining cultivators in a beginner village, inspiring awe and making them hesitate to approach!

"Oh ho!"

"We won! We won!"

Luo Luo and Yao Shuli were very happy, and the production team wasn't exactly sad either. After all, when Shen Mingen crushed Kong Ze with such an exaggerated score, the number of viewers online at the same time in the live broadcast room broke through again, reaching 45 million!

The audience was very enthusiastic when they saw a good performance, and thus, a world where only Kong Ze was injured was achieved.

On stage, Kong Ze's face was ashen; he couldn't even keep a straight face in front of the camera...

Have no idea……

Who the hell would have thought this outcome would be so outrageous?!
If the production team isn't even going to act, at least they could try to get him some votes, even just over a hundred would be fine!
"Squeak..."

His fists clenched so tightly they cracked; he could no longer bear the humiliation. Kong Ze gritted his teeth, turned around, and left the stage.

"Oh……"

"Hahaha……"

But the audience wouldn't let him off the hook, and kept egging him on.

Kong Ze was also a god; because he was so angry, he didn't watch his step and tripped and fell as he left the stage...

"puff……"

This once again amused the audience.

Some people online even said:
[Kong Ze: A crack in the ground! I need a crack in the ground! Let me crawl into one!]

[Kong Ze: I'm going to use all my savings to buy a rocket! I want to escape this planet!]

……

Amidst laughter, the competition between Shen Ming'en and Kong Ze came to a complete end.

In the end, Shen Ming'en won both matches.

After finishing his work, Shen Ming'en rubbed his hands as he walked off the stage and went to the front of the audience seats, where security personnel were maintaining order, to wait for Yao Shuli to appear...

In fact, Shen Mingen's plan was quite good. He took on two opponents at once and won two rounds in a row. Even if the other two singers couldn't be relied on, Yao Shuli would definitely be able to take the lead.

You'll win no matter what.

They've helped Yao Shuli in every way.

But what happened next left Shen Ming'en with no choice but to...smile bitterly...

……

"Okay, thank you both for your wonderful performances. Now let's welcome the next singer, Ms. Yao Shuli, to perform her work!"

After Shen Ming'en and Kong Ze left the stage, the host began the program and cued Yao Shuli.

Under such intense public scrutiny, Yao Shuli, wearing a strapless long dress studded with rhinestones, slowly walked onto the stage.

On stage, Yao Shuli is tall and slender. Her fair skin appears even more translucent under the spotlight. Her exquisite and elegant face perfectly highlights the beauty of an Eastern woman. Words like graceful, noble, and dignified seem to accurately describe Yao Shuli.

"oh……!!!"

The cheers from the audience reached another peak the moment Yao Shuli appeared on stage. Countless people were taking photos and videos with their phones. If nothing unexpected happens, Yao Shuli's outfit will probably dominate the trending topics again tonight.

It's worth mentioning that the director of the "Music Journey" program casually turned the camera to Shen Ming'en, who had already come off stage and was waiting...

Under the cover of night, Shen Ming'en crossed his arms over his chest, looking youthful and energetic in his sportswear. Even though his face wasn't visible and he was wearing a mask, the camera could still capture his dark, deep eyes, which never left Yao Shuli.

Beneath the half-mask, Shen Ming'en's lips involuntarily curled into a slow smile. The screen on the "Sound Journey" stage was thus split in two, one half showing Shen Ming'en and the other half showing Yao Shuli.

On stage, she was glamorous and beautiful; off stage, he wore a smile.

At this moment, the two seemed to complement each other, and a feeling called "romance" began to spread wildly in the air!
"Oh!!!"

"Ahhhh!!!"

"What the hell is this sweet?!"

"Who the hell spewed diabetes all over my face?!"

"Aaaaaaah, I'm going to swoon over this sweet treat!!!"

……

At that moment, the crowd went wild.

The live stream chat was flooded with comments, and one viewer said something like this:
[Sigh, what a pity. It's a historical theme, so it's unlikely there will be any songs related to couples. Otherwise, if it were like the Cantonese theme of "Chinese Music Awards" back then, and they released a song called "Courage," wouldn't that have been a huge hit?]

How did Shen Mingen and Yao Shuli's "Mingli CP" become so popular?

Wasn't it all because the "Chinese Music Awards" program gave Shen Ming-en a Cantonese challenge, and Yao Shu-li sang "Yong," a song written by Shen Ming-en, and the lyrics of that song ignited the fire?
"Others never agree with it, and they don't even allow it according to reason, but I still devote myself to it and don't feel the pain."

Even now, this lyric is still talked about by many people, and on short video platforms, many people are still editing photos of the two of them at the time and adding this melody to get a lot of views.

Shen Mingen and Yao Shuli shared the stage and appeared in the same frame for the first time in a long time. She sang on stage while he smiled in the audience. It was just a pity that...

Today, the theme of the program "A Journey Through Time" is "History".

Back then, someone said: "It would have been great if the topic was a love song..."

In that case, they'll really have to eat their fill of this candy today.

But just when everyone thought this song was the only "flaw"...

Having reached the center of the stage, Yao Shuli took a deep breath, picked up the microphone, and suddenly said:
"Today... a very good friend of mine came to the show, and I wanted to change the song for him, a song that might not help our team win, but one that I really wanted to dedicate to him."

As she said this, Yao Shuli's pretty face, covered in makeup, couldn't hide a slight blush on camera, but she still mustered her courage and used all her strength to cast her gaze toward Shen Ming'en's location offstage.

"Oh……"

"Fuck! Fuck!"

"No way, no way, Yao Shuli, are you really that brave?!"

"Love-obsessed? My Ah Li is love-obsessed too!!!"

The scene went wild!
In the moment when countless cheers drowned out the scene, Yao Shuli, blushing, forced a smile and said to Shen Ming'en:

"Courage, this is for you."

Love truly requires courage, even when facing a six-eyed flying fish.

……

(End of this chapter)