He was in college, but his songs were at the Grammys.

On the first weekend of May, an unusual excitement seemed to permeate the air on the Jiangxi Arts University campus.

The chat history in the composition department's class group has long been flooded with topics about "Big City, Small Love" and the new talent rankings.

[Li Yue]: "Everyone, hurry and check the newcomer rankings on KuYue! Chen Ming's 'Big City, Small Love' has climbed to eleventh! This morning it was still outside the top fifteen!"

[Wang Haoran]: "I saw it! The view count and comments are rising so fast!"

[Zhang Wei]: "Our school's students have a lot of influence! The campus walls, WeChat Moments, Weibo hashtags—everywhere is recommending 'Big City, Small Love'!"

[Bai Xier]: "I've been listening to this song on repeat for two days now, and I really can't get tired of it."

[Tang Yuan]: "Absolutely! This is my brother Ming! @Chen Ming, brother Ming, come out and accept our worship!"

[Zhou Xu]: "But to be honest, the ranking is still a bit low. The quality of this song is so good that it would be well in the top three."

[Liu Qian]: "Did the promotion for 'Brilliant Galaxy' start too late this time? I saw that the songs ranked higher started their promotion at least half a month in advance."

[Zhao Lin]: "It's normal for the launch to be late; Chen Ming only sang this song last week. But let's recommend it more often; every little bit helps!"

The students' discussions were enthusiastic and sincere, and many spontaneously shared links to "Big City, Small Love" on various social media platforms, accompanied by promotional captions such as "A masterpiece created by a genius from our school," "You won't regret investing in it," and "Your ears will be pregnant with joy."

Art students are already active on various social media platforms.

Their spontaneous dissemination has created a force to be reckoned with among the people.

However, as Zhou Xu said, relying solely on reputation within the campus makes it extremely difficult to achieve a leap in ranking on the fiercely competitive list of newcomers.

The top ten spots are still firmly held by newcomers from the three giants, Tingxian, Mohai, and Xingji, with a clear data gap.

Time slipped quietly into Friday night.

While most students were already fast asleep or staying up late watching dramas or playing games, a "nighttime raid" targeting music charts quietly began.

Just after midnight, many night owl netizens suddenly discovered that the splash screens of their favorite music apps, homepage recommendations, popular playlists, and even the featured images on some entertainment news platforms had all been replaced with a fresh poster.

Against a backdrop of blue sky and white clouds, a boy in a white shirt is shown in profile holding a guitar, with the song title "Big City, Small Love" and the singer's name "Chen Ming" prominently displayed next to him.

Galaxy Entertainment has launched a full-scale promotional campaign for the "Seed Route".

With concerted efforts across all channels, the promotional copy precisely captured the core highlights of the song.

"Jiang Yi's Top Student's Original Sweet Song"

"The official version that everyone's been asking for is finally here!"

"The most healing sound of this spring."

The popularity and positive reputation accumulated from previous campus videos are now being precisely amplified and driven by a professional promotional matrix.

Following a day of spontaneous recommendations from netizens, a wonderful chemical reaction began to occur between the recommendations and the official promotion.

Comment section for the song "Big City, Small Love" on Kuyue Music:

"I got this from a campus video shared by a classmate! The official version has a much better arrangement! It sounds great!"

"I was recommended this by a guy on the splash screen in the middle of the night, and I couldn't leave once I clicked in. I've already set it as my alarm for waking up early."

"The voice is so clean, and the lyrics are so sweet. It instantly cured my overtime work emo."

"I've already shared it in the family group chat. My mom said this young man sings really well, and told me to ask him if he has a girlfriend [doge emoji]"

"Seriously? Are all the newcomers this obsessed these days? A talented singer-songwriter who's also handsome?"

The number of views, favorites, and shares began to soar at a visible rate.

The song's ranking also quietly climbed from eleventh to tenth, then ninth...

On Saturday morning, when many people woke up and habitually checked their phones, "Big City, Small Love" had already firmly established itself in eighth place on the newcomer rankings, and its data growth was still rapid.

The atmosphere in a small WeChat group specifically for newcomers debuting this month to communicate has started to become somewhat subtle.

"Where did Chen Ming come from?! He's suddenly eighth on the newcomer rankings! That's terrifying, guys! I'm seventh, I feel like my butt is going to be in danger!"

"I'm going to blow your chrysanthemum out, hahaha, I went to listen to 'Big City, Little Love,' it's really good!"

"Don't even mention you being seventh, I'm scared even if I'm fifth. His data growth is inhuman. I heard he does all the lyrics, music, and arrangement himself, which is terrifying."

"I feel that the only ones who can really sit back and relax are Shen Yuewan of Tingxian Entertainment and Sun Hong of Xingji Entertainment, who are ranked first and second. Their battle for first and second place is not over yet. I don't know how many resources their companies have invested, but they have always been far ahead."

The competition for this month's newcomer rankings is actually quite fierce.

Shen Yuewan, who ranked first, and Sun Hong, who ranked second, are both top new talents that their respective companies are focusing on cultivating.

The quality of the two songs is not much different. Shen Yuewan's song is her own composition, and the quality of the song is very high. It is the song she is most satisfied with to date.

Sun Hong's songs were composed by senior composers from his own company.

The two remained neck and neck, with Shen Yuewan's new song taking first place one moment and Sun Hong's new song taking first place the next.

In addition, both companies are top-tier entertainment companies with no shortage of resources and are unwilling to let their artists lose to the other.

Therefore, the resources invested are quite enormous.

They have long since moved beyond the realm of newcomers.

These two are now not only on the newcomer charts, but their songs have long been ranked in the top fifty of the overall new song charts, regardless of whether they are new or old.

Seeing this situation, another record label, Mohai Records, simply gave up on competing for first and second place and focused on keeping their own artists in the top ten.

Anyway, even the worst situation isn't as bad as a dazzling starry sky.

That's why the others in the group felt that only the two of them could sit back and relax.

The two of them saw what the people in the group were saying at that moment.

I immediately popped up and left a comment.

[Shen Yuewan]: "Family, please don't jinx it! It's not certain yet, and having a tagalong following me around is really annoying."

[Sun Hong]: "Tch~ You're the one who's just following along. We're evenly matched, okay? I've won first place before too."

[Shen Yuewan]: "Waaaa~ Can Brother Sun Hong give me first place?"

[Sun Hong]: "Get out of here!"

[Sun Hong]: "But don't be too jinxed, let's be humble!!!"

That's what the two of them said.

But deep down, I didn't actually feel much of a sense of crisis.

The companies behind both of them are among the top entertainment companies in the Chinese music scene.

While Chen Ming is backed by another top-tier company, Brilliant Star Galaxy, its performance has been lackluster in the past two years.

Unlike the company behind them, which can be described as booming.

The company spent so much money on them and employed so many people, wasn't it all for the sake of climbing the charts this month?

Anyway!

The advantage lies with me!

......

That afternoon.

The sky is falling!

The advantage is gone!

Star Trail Entertainment Company.

General Manager Sun's office.

Sun Hong charged into the room with a flesh-filled impact, then slid in with a smooth tackle, quickly kneeling in front of Boss Sun and grabbing his leg.

"Mr. Sun, save me!!! I'm going to be sodomized!!!"

Mr. Sun: ? ? ?

What kind of outrageous and inhumane words are these!

If you didn't know better, you'd think StarTraces Entertainment was involved in some kind of butt-selling business!

"Speak like a human being!" Mr. Sun pushed Sun Hong away from his feet with a look of disgust.

Why is this kid so impulsive?

Not composed at all.

Sun Hong dusted off his trousers and stood up, saying in a serious tone, "Mr. Sun, my song's second place on the newcomer chart is in jeopardy!"

Despite being full of confidence, he felt that Chen Ming could not surpass him.

But I still check the rankings of Chen Ming's songs from time to time.

Just this afternoon.

He suddenly noticed that Chen Ming's song "Big City, Small Love" had entered the top four of the newcomer chart!

Furthermore, both songs are only tens of thousands of plays away from surpassing the song ranked third.

Given the current popularity of Chen Ming's song, these tens of thousands of views will only be a matter of minutes.

This increase is absolutely terrifying.

Keep in mind that this is the list of newcomers.

It's not some new song chart.

to be honest.

The data growth of some ordinary veteran singers' new songs may not even be as fast as that of Chen Ming's songs.

Although his songs currently have more than two million more plays than Chen Ming's.

But Chen Ming only hyped it up for two days before releasing the song!

His songs still lead by a wide margin.

But the data growth rates are not at the same level at all!

Now the advantage is no longer his.

He had no choice but to be anxious!

Upon hearing this, President Sun patted Sun Hong's shoulder silently with a look of comfort, and lit a cigarette, saying, "You kid, you're really not steady. Your biggest enemy right now is Shen Yuewan, you know that, not some Chen Ming."

"It's not Mr. Sun! Chen Ming isn't a newcomer at all! His songs have grown at a monstrous rate!"

"Hey, young man! Since you're worried, let's pull up the data and I'll analyze it for you."

As he spoke, Mr. Sun brought up the chart of new songs on his computer, his tone brimming with confidence: "No one understands the Chinese music scene better than me!"

The next moment, data for various songs appeared in front of the two of them.

First: "Illusory Day", by Shen Yuewan.

Second: "Summer Night Breeze", by Sun Hong.

Third: "Big City, Small Love", by Chen Ming.

Sun Hong let out another wail, vividly covering his buttocks, his voice filled with deep despair.

"Oh no! Holy crap, Mr. Sun! He's already fucked Lao San's ass! I feel like my ass is doomed too!"

The cigarette that Mr. Sun had just put in his mouth slipped down his chin, his face full of surprise.

"Holy crap?!"

"No way! This is what they call a newcomer?! Is this what Song He meant by 'no good prospects'?"

Even Mr. Sun, a veteran of the music industry, couldn't help but feel puzzled, pointing at the computer screen in a daze.

They actually managed to break into the top three of the newcomer song chart in just one morning?

Are they still human?

Song He, that sixth brother!

Sun Hong remained silent.

He just looked at his manager with a sad expression.

Finally, he cautiously called out, "Uncle~"

Mr. Sun's face immediately hardened: "I've already said! Use your job title when you're at work!!!"

Sun Hong was even more heartbroken.

Seeing his nephew's expression, General Manager Sun couldn't bear it. He took a deep breath and waved his hand, saying, "Don't panic, little Tong! Uncle, ptooey! This manager will definitely protect your chrysanthemum!!! Men! Activate the 'sacrifice the pawn to save the king' tactic!"

The so-called "sacrifice the pawn to save the king" tactic, as the name suggests, means abandoning all resources invested in the company's other new artists on the music charts and instead focusing all those resources on the best-performing song.

Help them achieve the best results.

Logically speaking, this tactic would not be used under normal circumstances.

After all, once this tactic is implemented, it means sacrificing the interests of other singers.

But in situations like this now.

The company also had to sacrifice the interests of other singers.

Compared to the interests of other singers!

The company actually doesn't want to see its old rivals return to their former positions.

The Brilliant Galaxy should just stay as half-dead as it was a couple of years ago!

On the other side...

Shen Yuewan, whose song is currently ranked first, is enjoying a delicious meal.

Agent Zhou said with a smile, "We should have secured first place this month."

Looking at the table laden with food, Shen Yuewan felt it wouldn't be appropriate to open champagne halfway through, so she hesitated and said, "Really, Sister Zhou? Wasn't Sun Hong pretty adamant about it?"

Agent Zhou waved her hand dismissively, saying professionally, "Both of our companies are top-tier entertainment companies. Once the gap widens, it will be very difficult for the other to catch up. The only thing we need to be careful of now is that Sun Hong's Star Trail Entertainment might launch a sneak attack at the end of the month, lacking any sense of sportsmanship!"

"Besides, since you write and sing your own songs, our company's initial resources for you are definitely higher than the initial resources that Starry Sky Entertainment gives to Sun Hong."

"The reason why the game is so close and evenly matched right now is actually because the company is doing it on purpose."

"What if we surpass them by too much, and they feel humiliated and become hostile, then they insist on fighting us to the death?"

"After all, the song Sun Hong sang is not that different from your song."

Shen Yuewan's agent was right.

An original singer-songwriter is worth far more than a singer who simply performs vocals.

Therefore, the initial resource cap set by Tingxian Entertainment, where Shen Yuewan worked, was much higher than the resources that Xingji Entertainment provided to Sun Hong.

Based on the current popularity gap between Shen Yuewan and the second place winner.

She should be firmly in first place this month.

Shen Yuewan heard these remarks.

Finally, I felt relieved and scooped out a spoonful of cake, happily putting it into my mouth.

He looked very happy.

But just then...

The phone rang.

It's a call from the marketing department of Tingxian Entertainment.

Sister Zhou smiled and glanced at Shen Yuewan, saying, "It seems like good news has arrived from the company. Maybe we've pulled even further ahead of Sun Hong."

While stuffing sweets into her mouth like a little hamster, Shen Yuewan nodded repeatedly like a chick pecking at rice, saying "Mmm-hmm-hmm."

Sister Zhou answered the phone with a smile.

But just as the other party's voice, filled with confusion and shock, rang out...

Sister Zhou's smile vanished abruptly.

"Holy crap! Sister Zhou! Starry Sky Entertainment has gone mad! They suddenly changed all the recommendations to 'Summer Night Breeze,' and now Sun Hong is number one! Plus, there's gossip saying that Sun Hong is the nephew of Starry Sky Entertainment's general manager, Mr. Sun!"

Shen Yuewan stared blankly at Sister Zhou, whose smile had frozen.

Something is wrong!

Something is definitely not right!

She suddenly realized that the pudding in her mouth wasn't sweet anymore.

Could something have happened?!

Shen Yuewan quickly swallowed the pudding in her mouth and asked anxiously, "What's wrong, Sister Zhou?"

Sister Zhou rubbed her temples, her tone filled with helplessness and frustration: "StarTraces Entertainment is insane!"

"They've switched to a 'sacrifice the pawn to save the king' tactic! They're going to fight us to the death!"

Upon hearing this...

Shen Yuewan's expression froze.

I glanced at the already opened champagne, then at Sister Zhou, then at the champagne again, then at Sister Zhou again, then at the champagne again, then at Sister Zhou again...

Sometimes actions seem to be more effective than words.

Shen Yuewan seemed to be asking Sister Zhou, "Didn't we agree that it was a sure thing?!"

Sister Zhou felt a little awkward under Shen Yuewan's gaze.

She had planned everything perfectly, but she hadn't anticipated that Sun Hong was a person with connections!

Damn!

"Don't worry! Since they have no sportsmanship, we'll stop acting! I'll ask the manager right away, and we'll fight them head-on!!!"

that's it.

Two top entertainment companies have suddenly started a war of the century!

All the newcomer recommendations have been changed to Shen Yuewan and Sun Hong.

......

Netizens are also happy to watch this drama unfold.

I also want to see who will ultimately win first place.

But gradually.

Netizens noticed something was wrong.

How can this be a battle between the first and second place teams?

Why is the gap between third place and first and second place getting closer and closer?

The industry insiders were stunned.

"Holy crap! Who is Chen Ming?! What kind of person is he?! How could he survive a battle between two major companies?!"

"What kind of god is this?! His data is still skyrocketing despite being attacked by two companies?"

"Hey buddy! Listen to String Entertainment and Star Trail Entertainment, stop arguing! If you keep fighting, you'll both be gone!"

"This guy is unbelievable! He's pushing himself despite pressure from two major entertainment companies!!"

"I just searched for this guy, and in some forgotten corner, 'Brilliant Galaxy' is truly insane! There are 'Big City, Small Love' characters everywhere!"

"I've made some inquiries, and it seems that Brilliant Galaxy has restarted the Seed Project after a year's hiatus!"

"??? Unfortunately, I'm not well-educated, so I can only say one word: awesome!"

"..."

The Seed Project!

That proves that the Brilliant Galaxy has placed all its hopes for this year on Chen Ming!

Absolutely terrifying!

Tingxian Entertainment also realized how terrifying Chen Ming was.

Emotional Star Entertainment suddenly went crazy, not because they wanted to mess with their own Shen Yuewan, but because they were driven mad by Chen Ming!

Cottage!

The two companies seem to have reached some kind of tacit agreement, desperately trying to shake off Chen Ming's pursuit.

But this seems to have become a delusion.

Sunday morning.

"Big City, Small Love" tops the list.

The top spot on the newcomer ranking has changed hands.