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

Chapter 89 The Lonely Warrior

"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"

Although what Potato, the Daji, said angered Director Niu, and he almost punched her in the face with his fist, Director Niu still managed to maintain some semblance of leniency.

他 说:

"Whether or not Shen Mingen is eliminated is not up to you. I am the show's director. If I say he won't be eliminated, no one can eliminate him!"

In the eyes of Niu Zhi, the current chief director of "Chinese Music Awards", Shen Ming'en is definitely the person closest to him. This godfather is comparable to his own father in his heart. He will not easily let go of such a thick and strong cash cow...

Not only him, but all the capital that sponsors their program will not agree to this.

Those investors, eager to capitalize on Shen Mingen's popularity, were even willing to risk being reported to expedite the launch of the "Chinese Music Awards" program, demonstrating Shen Mingen's importance to them. If Niu Zhi were to eliminate Shen Mingen at this juncture, it would undoubtedly offend those people to no end.

Both morally and logically, Niu Zhi cannot agree to this!
“I’m not afraid to tell you the truth,” Ma Ling said, not surprised at all. Haji Ling shrugged and said to Niu Zhi in a sincere tone, “I haven’t told the company about the contract at all. Right now, our company, your company, and a whole bunch of other companies that want to cooperate with him are all waiting for his reply…”

“He won’t cooperate at all unless you change the contract. If you don’t put him down, he will always think that his personal abilities are so outstanding that everyone will bow down to him.”

“If this continues, I can’t handle it anymore. Nobody will benefit. Your company may have made a very considerable profit in the short term, but you’ve offended everyone in the industry.”

Ma Ling couldn't keep it a secret any longer. When the truth came out, the "Chinese Music Awards Center" and its parent company would truly be "keeping all the profits to themselves."

People are more concerned about inequality than scarcity. No matter how popular your show is, your competitors will be envious!
It's a society based on personal connections, and the relationships within the entertainment industry are incredibly complex. The world inside and outside the industry are two completely different worlds. The total value of the entertainment industry might not even be comparable to that of a large corporation, but if you offend all the bigwigs in this industry, you'll find it extremely difficult to move forward in the future.

Just like Principal Koo's science fiction movies back then, were they really that bad?
Even if it's terrible, it's still better than some of those disgusting, idiotic idol romance movies that are released for Valentine's Day, right?
But the box office was truly a complete flop...

what is the reason?
It's just because I didn't pay my respects to the powerful!
They're all in the same circle; it's incredibly easy for them to trip you up, especially someone like Director Niu who works behind the scenes and doesn't have much fan support...

"...You think I can afford to offend those sponsors?!" Director Niu's face was contorted with rage. He had already considered what Ma Ling had said, but the problem was that he was now in a similar predicament!

Not eliminating Shen Mingen would offend industry capital, while eliminating him would offend giants outside the industry. Neither he nor his company could afford to offend either!

To be honest, Director Niu regretted not having foreseen Ma Ling's intentions beforehand. If he had realized it earlier and spoken to the sponsors, they could have easily crushed Ma Ling.

They wanted to crush Ma Ling as easily as crushing an ant.

Ma Ling's nose is itchy, she's faking it so well!

"Don't worry," Ma Ling had obviously anticipated the predicament Niu was facing. She stepped forward, patted Niu on the shoulder, and said earnestly, "Elimination is just to make him realize reality and know what's what. I assure you, I can train him in a week at most. Next week, you can find any excuse to bring him back. You'll earn just as much money as you'd like, maybe even more!"

The word "temptation" seems to have been placed in every word Ma Ling uttered, each word a gem, each one piercing the depths of Director Niu's heart.

This woman completely saw through Director Niu; he felt like he was completely naked in front of her...

What she said makes sense!

Given Shen Mingen's current popularity, eliminating him would trigger a new and even more terrifying surge of online traffic, both from netizens' opinions and his own statements on various platforms!

At that time, the "Chinese Music Show Center" program will truly become a phenomenal hit variety show!

Then the production team can create a scenario where they "bring Shen Ming'en back under pressure," giving the audience a moment of satisfaction and making them feel that their voices have had an effect, while also boosting their popularity.

Why! Enjoy! But! Not! Do!
It's easy to explain to the sponsors that it's all about generating more buzz and making more money. After all, those outside investors only care about money. As long as they can make money, they don't care how they operate or how they make money.

"...How do you know he'll obediently listen to you?" Despite knowing everything, Director Niu couldn't help but ask the question.

Others may not know who Emperor Ming En is, but Director Niu knows him all too well!

This father never plays by the rules. You can't be forceful with him; you can only gently nurture him with warm water in your hands!

The problem is that if they eliminate him and he refuses to cooperate, they'll end up pleasing neither side...

"Don't worry," Ma Ling nodded confidently, "As long as you cooperate, I have plenty of ways to help you."

"Couldn't you have discussed this with me beforehand?!" Director Niu couldn't help but complain.

To put it bluntly, Hajiling still treats him like an outsider!

At this moment, although Director Niu still held opposing views, his attitude was noticeably less forceful than before...

Jin Kou has loosened his grip.

"Next time, next time for sure." As clever as Ma Ling was, she immediately gave Director Niu a way out.

"You want a next time?!" Director Niu glared at Ma Ling, then turned to look at the audience...

Shen Ming'en had already come out from there.

A hint of melancholy flickered in his eyes, and then he couldn't help but sigh silently...

In the past, although it was a hopeless situation, Shen Ming'en was always able to turn the tide. His ultimate hunter, the Ultimate Hunter II, swept through the battlefield and reversed the overall situation. He never looked back before achieving victory.

But this time...

Director Niu felt that Shen Ming'en was truly powerless to reverse the situation.

This time, no one was prepared. Ma Ling suddenly pulled this move, and they were all caught off guard, let alone Shen Ming'en.

"That's fine too..."

Standing on the high platform, Director Niu stroked his chin, a thoughtful expression on his face. In fact, he also felt that Shen Ming'en was getting a bit arrogant and didn't respect the production team anymore. It was said that he had even publicly reprimanded the production team staff a while ago, acting like he was a leader...

Suppressing him and dampening his momentum isn't necessarily a bad thing.

Whether it's him or the investors, all they ever need is a tool to make money. It's always better to use it as soon as possible than to beg him for everything. Director Niu understands this principle.

What's more...

Look at the comments section next to you. There are a lot of trolls there trying to stir up trouble and criticize Shen Ming'en. Even if there is public pressure, eliminating him at this point wouldn't be too much of a problem.

In short, at this moment, they are all waiting for Shen Ming'en's performance to end so they can eliminate him.

At this moment, the matter was finally settled!

At this moment, looking at Shen Ming'en's face below the stage, Ma Ling could almost picture her bowing her head and submitting to her...

Just thinking about that scene makes me happy!
Very exciting!
……

"Oh!!!"

On stage.

When the host finished reading Shen Ming'en's name, the entire stage was completely ignited.

When Shen Ming'en, dressed in a red and white performance outfit, jogged onto the stage from the entrance, the entire audience erupted in cheers.

At that time, even the frantic chatter in the online live stream was replaced by cheers.

The audience is just like capital; not everyone is a fan or involved in fandoms. Many viewers only care about whether the show is exciting or not, or whether the songs are good or not. What does it matter to them whether you're popular or not?
As one of the most anticipated guests on "Chinese Music Awards", Shen Mingen always has an audience wherever he is!
This is the current appeal of Emperor Ming'en!

People say that good looks are good for you, and this is perfectly embodied in Shen Ming'en. With the help of his management team, Shen Ming'en has made great progress in his makeup and styling. The clothes he wears are custom-made by high-end brands, and the workmanship and fabric are obviously of high quality. His thick, black hair is styled in a simple side part, and the foundation is not heavy, only slightly sharpening his features. His face, with a faint smile, looks confident and composed.

Just look at her current state; she's completely different from when she was nobody!

Shen Ming'en now clearly has a bit of starlight surrounding him.

"Okay, stop..."

Seeing the cheers from the audience growing louder and louder, Shen Ming'en had no choice but to wave at a girl who attended every show not far away, holding the microphone:
"Hey beautiful lady over here, keep your voice down. People who don't know better will ask you how much money you're getting paid for such a loud voice."

"Hahaha……"

The audience burst into laughter.

Everyone was at peace at that time, and Shen Ming'en seemed unaware of the crisis.

At that time, on the high platform in the control room, Ma Ling looked at him with the utmost mockery.

At this moment, Haji Ling never expected that in the next short 10 minutes, she would be slapped in the face again and again!
During the brief interaction between Shen Ming'en and the audience, a member of the production crew brought him a computer for playing backing tracks. Having never rehearsed, Emperor Ming'en plugged in a USB drive and started adjusting the tracks. Notably, Potato, who witnessed this, frowned and asked Niu Zhi next to him:

"He's not playing the piano this time?"

If I remember correctly, the song Shen Ming'en was going to sing had a very prominent guitar accompaniment, and Ma Ling thought he was going to play the guitar and sing it himself.

"He didn't say," Director Niu shook his head.

The production team had specifically asked Shen Ming'en if he needed any instruments, and they were also going to prioritize him for lighting and stage design if he needed anything, but Shen Ming'en flatly refused, firmly stating that he would treat everyone the same as before and wouldn't receive any special treatment. "You've heard his demo, there's nothing wrong with it," Director Niu said somewhat sarcastically, "You've been so careful, we weren't on guard, let alone him. If anything goes wrong, I'll eat my words!"

“…I didn’t say I thought there would be any problems.” Ma Ling rolled her eyes.

Director Niu is right. It was precisely because she had heard the demo secretly recorded by the staff through the wall that Ma Ling was so at ease during this performance...

It's worth mentioning that on stage, Shen Ming'en was adjusting the music while telling the audience, "This song is a bit special; it might not be the kind of love song you usually listen to..."

When he said this, the audience didn't have any special reaction; in fact, their anticipation only intensified.

Ma Ling and the others on the platform didn't react much either, mostly thinking that Shen Ming'en was just using this to build anticipation...

Just a minute or two later, after completing the preparations, Shen Ming'en clicked the "play" button, and immediately, the melody, carried by the sound system, accurately reached everyone's ears.

"Woooo..."

"Dong dong..."

The crescendoing melody and the occasional drumbeats are easily distinguishable, though the intro is admittedly a bit low.

"..."

The audience didn't react much; their anticipation was palpable as they quietly awaited to see the full scope of Shen Ming'en's new work, all eagerly waiting for the performance...

But the production team next door was completely dumbfounded!

Ma Ling: "???"

Director Niu: "???"

The entire production team: "???"

Everyone looked completely bewildered. Haji Ling turned to look at Director Niu, her 24K titanium alloy eyes wide open in disbelief!
She asked incredulously, "Why does this sound like the melody of the demo you showed me?!"

The song Shen Ming'en secretly recorded by the staff through the wall was, to be honest, quite noisy and somewhat blurry...

But it's undeniable that his song has such an addictive melody and such a crisp guitar accompaniment; you can recognize it instantly!

The melody of that song gives people a feeling of a sunny summer, but now Shen Ming'en is going to sing this song in his performance...

It gives people a feeling of a gloomy, oppressive, rainy day.

It's a completely different type of song from the demo I secretly recorded!
"This... I don't know either..." Director Niu's lips twitched, and he turned to look at a staff member not far away, loudly questioning, "Xiao Zhang, are you sure this is a song?"

"This……"

The staff member who secretly recorded Shen Ming'en's demo audio was also completely bewildered. He almost burned out his CPU before managing to say something:
"Is it...possible that he changed the arrangement?"

That's true. A demo is just a sample, an initial version of the idea. It's impossible for every song to be exactly the same as the initial version.

But the problem is...

"The musical styles are completely different, and you call this an arrangement?!" Ma Ling's lips twitched as she loudly questioned.

Even if the demo and the final version of a song are different, even if there are some changes to the arrangement, it's impossible to completely change the style, right?!
The very tone has changed from the very beginning; it feels very much like...

They changed the song on the spot!
Is this even possible?!
In the studio, all the staff members looked completely bewildered...

How could they possibly know what Shen Mingen, this living father, was thinking, or why he changed the song at the last minute?

That moment...

Ma Ling's heart, which she had already swallowed, was once again in suspense.

My little limp eyelids started twitching, and they started twitching uncontrollably!
Wait a minute... things are starting to take a turn for the worse again!

……

"All……"

"They are brave."

"The wound on your forehead, your differences, the mistakes you made..."

On the quiet, tranquil stage, with a modest accompaniment, Shen Ming'en stood in the center, microphone in hand, and softly sang:

"All……"

There's no need to hide it.

"Your tattered doll, your mask, your ego..."

Unlike his previous performances, Shen Ming'en's performance in this show immediately created a strange sense of oppression...

There were no lights on the stage, which was something Shen Ming'en had specifically requested. If he couldn't achieve his goal of making it glamorous, then his request for something plain was a piece of cake. The staff had no reason not to comply with his request.

The dim lighting combined with Shen Ming'en's deep voice created a very oppressive feeling.

The audience was caught up in that feeling, so for a moment the atmosphere at the scene was anything but pleasant...

But the subtle narrative quality in Shen Ming'en's singing deeply resonates with everyone.

"They said that we should tame every monster by bringing light..."

"They say, stitch up your wounds, nobody loves a clown..."

"Why be lonely? No, not glorious..."

"Humans are imperfect, and that's what makes them worthy of praise..."

"Who says those covered in mud are not heroes?"

When Shen Ming'en sang this part...

Many people actually had a look of sudden realization in their eyes.

At the time, comments like these floated across the live stream:

[Wait... why does this sound like a love song between a man and a woman?]

These lyrics are a bit profound; they sound a bit like...praising certain people?

[Wow, who says someone covered in mud isn't a hero... I suddenly thought of firefighters!]

[Wow, they were rescued by firefighters just a couple of days ago!]

[Could this song be a tribute to firefighters?!]

[Pfft... Hajime, you're really something!]

[You know what, you really shouldn't say! If that's true, I really won't criticize him anymore!]

……

Many people already understand the melody of Shen Ming'en's song and what kind of meaning it expresses.

There is no doubt that this song is definitely not one of those awful love songs about relationships between men and women that are not exactly sweet but are definitely sickeningly cloying.
Secondly...

This song is very likely a song that praises those who silently protect us, such as firefighters and medical staff!

When you hear the line "Who says those covered in mud aren't heroes?", just hearing that lyric, many people can almost picture the mud-covered faces of the firefighters battling floods!
Having just survived a fire, Shen Ming'en's rendition of this song and his lyrics is absolutely perfect!
For a while...

Online public opinion has begun to improve dramatically!

Hajiling, in the control room, was completely dumbfounded and bewildered.

Your mother!

I've gone to such lengths to get this detailed, and you, Hakeem, still manage to mess things up for me?!
Are you a human being?

……

(End of this chapter)