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

With Song Mo's "Brush, Ink, Paper and Inkstone" reaching 1.2 million copies sold, the mainland media naturally exclaimed in surprise once again.

"Yanjing Little Jay's album surpasses 1.2 million copies, becoming the first million-copy album in mainland China this year!"

"Little Jay Chou Song Mo creates a miracle, with 1.2 million units sold, standing out from the crowd!"

But after the initial shock, people stopped paying attention. In most people's eyes, selling 120 million copies of Song Mo's album was already the limit.

And most importantly, Jay Chou, the Asian pop star, is coming.

With Jay Chou's arrival came the attention of Hong Kong and Taiwan media, as the dismal state of the Chinese music scene this year is evident to all.

The only thing worth mentioning is the sudden emergence of Song Mo, a newcomer. The most crucial point is that this newcomer is even called "Little Jay Chou," making it hard for them not to pay attention.

Although Song Mo's sales of 120 million copies were impressive, Hong Kong and Taiwan media didn't take this newcomer seriously at all.

Song Mo's album has not yet been officially released in Hong Kong, Taiwan, or overseas. To these media outlets, a newcomer without sales in Taiwan or Hong Kong is still considered a mainland singer, no matter how well they sell in mainland China. Don't mistake "mainland singer" for a mere statement; in this context, it's utter contempt.

Apple Daily's entertainment section published a short article with the headline: "Mainland Jay Chou Sells for 120 Million? Hong Kong Residents Laugh Out Loud: Only Parallel Imports Get This Much Buying!"

The article sarcastically stated, "It's said that this Song Mo sold 1.2 million copies in mainland China, but we're curious whether that number is inflated. After all, everyone knows the sales figures for mainland China. And without sales certification from Taiwan and Hong Kong, how can it be considered a true blockbuster? The real sales exceeding one million will probably have to wait for the official Jay Chou album, 'Ye Huimei.'"

The Oriental Daily News went even further, using a highly aggressive headline: "The Real Jay Chou Strikes Back! Mainland Imposter Song Mo May Suffer a Devastating Blow!" The article sarcastically stated: "Another little Jay Chou? In recent years, at least eight or ten little Jay Chous have emerged in mainland China, but they've all faded into obscurity. There's only one real Jay Chou, and his new album is coming soon."

Taiwanese media were not to be outdone. The United Daily News ran a headline in its entertainment section: "The real Jay Chou is about to arrive, and the counterfeit Jay Chous are scared out of their wits!" The article mocked Song Mo and Hu Yanbin together, saying that the "Little Jay Chous of the North and South" were nothing but two knock-offs, and that once Jay Chou's new album was released, these people would be exposed.

The Liberty Times went even further, with a headline that read: "Dimensional Reduction Attack! Jay Chou's 'Ye Huimei' Will End the Myth of Piracy in Mainland China!", stating bluntly that Song Mo's million-selling album was worthless in front of the genuine pop star.

The media's harsh words really angered Bi Xiaoshi. To be honest, Bi Xiaoshi wasn't that annoyed by the nickname "Little Jay Chou of Yanjing" before.

After all, this title, like "Junior Brother A-Du," had at least been used in previous promotional campaigns.

But now, he truly feels like he has thorns in his back, a fishbone stuck in his throat, or sitting on pins and needles.

He suppressed his anger and summoned Song Mo and Xu Yuan.

"The overseas release of Xiao Song's album must begin now. We can't wait any longer."

He looked at Xu Yuan: "Contact headquarters and ask Teacher Lin to cooperate. Song Mo's album needs to be released in Singapore and Malaysia first, and then distributed to Taiwan and Hong Kong as soon as possible."

Xu Yuan nodded, but frowned: "I will discuss this with Teacher Lin, but Lao Bi, there is a problem. Song Mo can only go to Singapore for promotion; he can't go to Taiwan."

Bi Xiaoshi's expression turned even uglier; he certainly knew what Xu Yuan was talking about.

Due to unilateral restrictions imposed by Taiwan, it was impossible for mainland artists to go to Taiwan for promotional activities at that time.

Given the record industry in Taiwan, without real people personally promoting the records, relying solely on distribution would be at least half as effective.

"I know," Bi Xiaoshi said, "but we have to do it no matter how difficult it is. Even if the results are not good, it's better than doing nothing."

He is now full of resentment towards the Hong Kong and Taiwan media. For him, the decision to sign Song Mo was the beginning of a desperate gamble.

Song Mo's performance did not disappoint him; he sold over 120 million copies in just one and a half months, a feat that has allowed Ocean Butterflies Music in mainland China to establish itself.

Song Mo naturally became his precious darling, and now he was like an old mother, seeing everything about Song Mo as good and not allowing anyone to say a bad word about him.

Song Mo listened to the two talking without interrupting. He knew that it was better to release the product overseas sooner rather than later, while the novelty and buzz were still there, as the publicity would be better.

However, the challenges are significant, the most pressing being the direct competition with Jay Chou's "Ye Huimei" in the Hong Kong and Taiwan markets.

Did Song Mo have confidence at this moment?

That's obviously not true at all. On the one hand, Jay Chou is now a top Asian pop star, and his popularity was built up over three albums.

On the other hand, he really couldn't get past Taiwan, as it was their home turf, and he had no chance of winning no matter how he looked at it.

But this is something you know is impossible, yet you have to do it anyway.

If you can't compete, you can't compete. You can't lose this spirit. Besides, this is just the beginning. Winning first doesn't mean you've won.

"Then it's settled. I'll make some preparations and go to Singapore in a few days." Song Mo nodded to the two of them.

Just as Ocean Butterflies was busy preparing for its overseas release, Jay Chou's "Ye Huimei" finally arrived.

On August 10, more than 8 radio stations across Asia simultaneously premiered the first single, "In the Name of the Father," from the album "Ye Huimei," setting a historical record.

According to incomplete statistics, 800 million people worldwide listened to this song simultaneously. Therefore, this day is known as Jay Chou Day by his fans.

When Jay Chou's album was released, Song Mo and Gao Yuanyuan went to a record store and contributed two copies to the sales.

The music store was filled with Jay Chou posters, the largest of which was hanging on the wall directly opposite the entrance.

Looking at the familiar poster, Jay Chou is seen wearing a retro suit and sitting in an old-fashioned chair, the whole scene full of the texture of an old European film.

No wonder some people say this is Jay Chou's most handsome cover photo.

He couldn't help but sigh, "I guess at this point, he completely fell in love with the feeling of old Europe."

Seeing Song Mo staring at the poster, Gao Yuanyuan asked curiously, "What? You like this style too?"

Song Mo shook his head. "It just feels pretty special."

"I really don't know what you were thinking. You were being criticized like that, and you still dragged me to buy his records," Gao Yuanyuan complained.

"It wasn't him who criticized me, but those snobbish Hong Kong and Taiwan media outlets. Even if it weren't Jay Chou, but any other singer who's about to release an album, they might have dragged me out as a target. Who told me to be so easy to bully right now?" Song Mo was quite self-aware.

Hearing Song Mo say this, Gao Yuanyuan sighed, "That's just how it is in the industry."

"So," Song Mo said, "we still have to listen to music. I'm really curious about Jay Chou's album."

The two didn't linger after buying the records. By this time, they had both become somewhat famous and were considered celebrities, so it would be troublesome if they were recognized.