Huayu 2002, I'm going to dominate the music scene!

Song Mo wasn't too angry about this hype; in the world of fame and fortune, such things are always unavoidable.

However, he couldn't help but complain about the nickname "Little Jay Chou of the North and South": "What is this nonsense? I'm Little Jay Chou of Yanjing, and he's Little Jay Chou of Shanghai? Does that mean I'm Qiao Feng of the North, and he, Murong of the South, is at a disadvantage? At least I'm a true hero, and he has to be a true villain."

Hearing Song Mo's witty remark, Xu Yuan was both amused and exasperated. After sighing, he said, "These days, influenced by martial arts novels, everyone loves to create these kinds of rankings. This time, fans and the media have accepted this claim, but I don't think it's good for you. Hu Yanbin's sales are in a completely different league from yours; forcing them together is like you're at a disadvantage."

Song Mo shrugged. "Anyway, the 'Little Jay Chou of Yanjing' has already taken over my head. If another 'Little Jay Chou of the North and South' comes along, it won't matter. There are plenty of lice to worry about."

Although he said that, he immediately made up his mind that he had to get the money from Hu Yanbin for his next album. His song "Red Beauty" was good and he had to get it.

At this moment, Bi Xiaoshi also spoke up. He looked at Song Mo and said, "To turn this situation around, we must rely on the new album. After we get the overseas release of 'Pen, Ink, Paper and Inkstone' sorted out, let's start preparing for the second album."

Song Mo nodded. A musician, especially a singer-songwriter, can only completely shed the label of "Little Jay Chou" through music.

But in Song Mo's opinion, musically, his albums are quite different from Jay Chou's; he even changed his vocal style for "My Territory." To be honest, his junior colleague should really be called "Little Jay Chou." First, both are very good at R&B love songs; second, both are very good at composing; and most importantly, both like to wear hats—isn't that irrefutable proof? Yes, definitely!

"I'll prepare for the new album properly once I'm done with this busy period," Song Mo said with a sigh.

The release of new albums in those days was much faster than in later years. For example, Sun Yanzi released two albums this year, and Song Mo's "Pen, Ink, Paper and Inkstone" was released in June. Generally speaking, a new album should be released in February or March of the following year. For newcomers, the market is still fresh about them, and releasing albums at a fast pace can quickly lock in fans.

"Okay, you can prepare that later. For now, let's get the promotion for 'Pen, Ink, Paper and Inkstone' sorted out. I owe a lot of favors to the various radio stations this time, and now that you're back, you'll have to make a trip to them again," Bi Xiaoshi continued.

"That's natural." Song Mo nodded. For the next few years, radio remained the most important platform for promoting songs, so maintaining good relationships was crucial.

For these major radio stations, Song Mo, this newcomer who suddenly appeared out of nowhere, is still very effective at attracting viewers, after all, he is quite novel.

Over the next few days, Song Mo started appearing on various radio stations, including Beijing Traffic Radio's "Smooth Sailing" and CCTV's "The Sound of Music"...

The DJs' questions were similar to those of the reporters, but the atmosphere was much more relaxed. After all, the radio station is a place for playing music, and Song Mo would sing a song live on every show, which was much more effective than talking.

The "Smooth Sailing" program on Yanjing Traffic Radio is broadcast live at 4 PM.

In late July, Beijing was so hot that people didn't want to go out. Most students on summer vacation stayed at home, enjoying electric fans, popsicles, and listening to the radio.

Yang Mi lay on the sofa in the living room, tuned the radio to Beijing Traffic Radio, and turned the volume down to a level that just covered the roar of the range hood in the kitchen.

Her mom was cooking, and her dad hadn't come home from get off work yet; this was the most relaxed time of her day.

She first learned about Song Mo a few months ago from gossip she saw in a magazine.

The magazine, based on a few photos, claimed that the mysterious man was two-timing, dating two actresses.

When she looked at the magazine full of speculation and conjecture, she immediately sensed something was wrong.

Because she was so familiar with that tone; it was exactly the same sarcastic tone the girls at her school used when they gossiped about her modeling career.

As she had predicted, the parties involved came out to clarify. Song Mo, Fan Binbin, and Gao Yuanyuan all issued statements saying they were just friends.

It was then that Yang Mi learned that the tall man who was photographed pulling Fan Binbin along was named Song Mo, a signed singer with Ocean Butterflies Music and A-Du's junior.

Later, she saw bits and pieces of news about him: appearing at autograph sessions with A-do, preparing his own album...

Then nothing happened. She was busy taking pictures of GG, going to school, and dealing with final exams, so she didn't pay much attention.

Until late June.

At that time, Beijing was not yet fully reopened, and Yang Mi was stuck at home, spending her days aimlessly on Tianya (a Chinese online forum).

One day she came across a post with the headline: "Ocean Butterflies' newcomer Song Mo releases album against the trend, selling 3,000 copies and teaching the industry a lesson."

Out of curiosity, she clicked on it and found it full of sarcastic remarks.

"A newcomer releasing an album at this time? Who gave him the courage?"

"Three thousand copies? That's hilarious, not even a fraction of Jay Chou's earnings."

"Ocean Butterflies is throwing away all the money A-Du has earned."

Yang Mi scrolled down several pages, and the comments were almost unanimously negative. Some people called him a gigolo, while others said he was good for nothing except for his looks. The more she read, the angrier she became.

After reading through these comments, she realized that none of them had ever heard of Song Mo's albums, yet they could rattle off names of him so easily.

Her father noticed something was wrong because of her sullen face that day. After some questioning, Yang Xiaolin learned that his precious daughter was angry because a singer was being scolded.

However, he and Yang Mi have always had an equal relationship, so he didn't blame her for not making the decision. Instead, he chuckled and said to her, "Since you think others are talking nonsense, do you really understand those songs? Maybe they really are that bad?"

Seeing her father's winking and gesturing, Yang Mi suddenly felt less angry. She couldn't help but ask herself, "What am I even angry about? Do I really understand Song Mo and his songs?"

The answer was naturally no, but Beijing was still under lockdown at that time, so she couldn't buy the album even if she wanted to.

Fortunately, the radio station was still broadcasting normally, and she started paying attention to the new song recommendations on the station. Luckily, she heard a familiar name on the first day.

"The next song I'd like to recommend is from the album 'Pen, Ink, Paper and Inkstone' by newcomer Song Mo. The song is called 'Happy Worship'."

As soon as the intro started, the electronic beat burst out from the radio, immediately captivating Yang Mi.

The melody was so unique; it wasn't one of those sentimental love songs, nor was it one of those melancholic rock ballads. Instead, it had a rhythm that made you want to move along. After the song finished playing, she paused for a few seconds, then quickly memorized the title.

The next day, she stayed up late at the radio station, and this time she heard "Jiangnan." As soon as the xiao (vertical bamboo flute) and guzheng (zither) began to play in the prelude, she leaned back on the sofa and closed her eyes.

The melody flowed over like water, unhurried and gentle, and she memorized the lyrics after only one listen.

"Circles and circles, day after day, year after year, me..."

She silently repeated it to herself several times, feeling that the person who wrote this must be a very gentle person.

The third day's show was "My Territory." The moment the line "In my territory, you have to listen to me" came out, Yang Mi immediately sat up from the sofa.

It's too arrogant, too cocky, but she likes it.

That flamboyant, indomitable spirit is exactly like her own temperament.