Free Web NovelChapter 448: Chapter 249: Finally, It’s Time to Settle the Score
Chen Jincheng had already been planning to use the overpowered nature of "Girl" to utterly crush Master Yu. Hearing Xue Qian, he said hurriedly, "Old Xue, don’t worry about it. Since Master Yu wants me to perform before him, then I’ll perform before him."
Xue Qian was stunned. "Lao Cheng, I know your single has far outsold his, but that’s different from a live stage performance. You know Mao Mao, right?"
"His country ballad also broke ten million in sales, but when it came to the stage competition, he was eliminated in the second round."
"You can say Master Yu is pretentious and a bit arrogant, but he’s definitely no slouch, especially in stage competitions. I even lost to him once."
Chen Jincheng knew what he was worried about and said with a smile, "Old Xue, just because you lost to him doesn’t mean I will."
"..." Xue Qian said awkwardly, "Lao Cheng, I acknowledge your skill. Your performances of those songs are master-level. But a live performance is about stage presence, and it’s also related to the song’s style."
"I have to admit, Master Yu is a master in that respect. If he weren’t so self-absorbed, always trying to prove he’s better than everyone and pulling exaggerated stunts people can’t stomach, his reputation wouldn’t be this bad."
"Chen... Boss, Teacher Xue is right!" Li Suwan couldn’t help but chime in.
Because Xue Qian was right.
Take Master Yu’s songs, for example. The talent was there, but he insisted on tying them to things like fighting cancer or protecting the environment. He set his sights so high that he forgot the purpose of music is to create resonance.
He makes a song feel like a mage performing a ritual; what do you expect people to connect with?
The only ones who can connect with it are your fans, looking through the filter of idol worship.
And his fans were something else, too. If someone said they didn’t like it or didn’t get it, they’d be mocked for not understanding art, for having no taste, and for being a bunch of plebs.
So, anyone who identified with Master Yu was cultured, and anyone who didn’t was a pleb! Is that how it works?
Take another anti-cancer song, "The Mortal World." Now *that’s* what you call art. It doesn’t rely on rituals; it creates resonance purely through music.
But Chen Jincheng simply said, "Old Xue, the truth is, you still don’t understand the song ’Girl’!"
"???" Xue Qian was baffled. ’I’ve heard the song, for crying out loud. I even analyzed it. Neither the lyrics nor the composition is top-tier. It’s leagues below "Can’t Help Falling in Love" and "Little Dimples."’
’It’s worlds apart from "Trajectory," even.’
Chen Jincheng smiled teasingly. "Old Xue, ’Girl’ might be my weakest song in terms of lyrics and composition, but it’s also the one that best represents me. When you pair the song ’Girl’ with my persona as the ’internet’s number one scumbag’ and the ’Ancestral Master,’ it creates a whole different vibe."
"For example, if that Boss Ma says ’I don’t care about money,’ or that Boss Liu says he’s ’face-blind,’ is it the same as when a regular person says ’I don’t care about money’ or ’I’m face-blind’?"
"????" Xue Qian was clearly taken aback by this.
’He understood what Lao Cheng was getting at, but wasn’t it a bit much to compare himself to those two titans of industry?’
Still, he asked one last time, "Are you sure you’ll be fine performing before Master Yu?"
"Yeah, no problem." Chen Jincheng nodded with certainty.
Only then did Xue Qian nod and say into his phone, "Producer Hu, since Master Yu wants to pull this stunt, just let him have his way. Lao Cheng and I have no problem with it."
On the other end, Producer Hu had already heard Chen Jincheng’s words over the phone.
He never expected this Chen Jincheng fellow to be so self-assured.
’I’ve heard "Girl," too. While it’s true that it has a special feeling when sung by this "Ancestral Master," its live performance would be no match for Master Yu’s song, "King."’
’But this is good, too. We can get a favor from Master Yu’s side. Then, if there’s a show in the future that Xue Qian is too busy for, we can ask him to fill in.’
With that in mind, he sent a message to his boss: "Boss, Xue Qian and Chen Jincheng’s side has no objections."
Then, he nonchalantly walked into a private room. Inside, he could see his boss, along with Master Yu and his assistant.
When his boss saw him enter, he glanced over. Seeing him point to his phone, the boss also checked his own phone and saw the WeChat message.
The next moment, the boss smiled.
Compared to Master Yu, they naturally cared more about Xue Qian’s opinion. After all, Xue Qian was one of their own at Sujiang TV, whereas Master Yu was affiliated with Jiangsu and Zhejiang Satellite TV.
If the two networks had an event, Master Yu would definitely go to Jiangsu and Zhejiang Satellite TV, and Xue Qian would definitely come to Sujiang TV.
Now that Xue Qian had no objections, things were simple. He smiled warmly at Master Yu and said, "Teacher Fa, you know our station has a good relationship with Teacher Xue, and we invited this person through him..."
Master Yu immediately said, "Director Lin, I know this puts you in a difficult position. Just consider it a favor I owe to Sujiang TV. In the future, if Sujiang TV needs anything, I’ll definitely be there."
Hearing this, the director continued to feign difficulty, saying, "Well, since you put it that way, I can’t possibly refuse you, Teacher Fa."
A smile finally appeared on Master Yu’s face.
Although he now owed a favor, he had ultimately achieved his goal.
He had been brutally humiliated by an influencer like Chen Jincheng before. This time, he had to even the score. Owing a favor was worth it.
He wanted to show everyone that when it came to live stage performances, an influencer like Chen Jincheng was nothing before him.
The meal ended, and everyone went their separate ways. Master Yu immediately went back to prepare.
