Chapter 130: Has Talent Triumphed Over Capital?

The host stood on the stage, finished scoring, and then called He Shuyuan back.

Although He Shuyuan had stepped off the stage, he hadn’t left; hearing the host call him snapped him back to attention. His expression unreadable, he walked back toward the stage.

Unconsciously, sparse murmurs began to ripple through the audience.

“Who did you vote for?”

“How about you?”

“I voted for both, but I regret it a bit.”

“Same here. He Shuyuan’s singing was really soothing, but after hearing Tang Zhichu, it just felt more powerful.”

“Doesn’t matter anyway; our votes are just a reference. By the way, is Tang Shen really that impressive on music platforms? He’s already directly competing with He Shuyuan?”

“Stage presence, image, singing skills, songwriting — seems like he’s better in all those areas. Damn, I don’t dare say more!”

Tang Zhichu and He Shuyuan stood on either side of the host, the three of them simultaneously glancing at the huge screen behind them.

One seventy-six versus one eighty-five!

Tang Zhichu narrowly won.

As the result appeared, warm applause spontaneously broke out in the hall.

Some in the audience felt relieved; since each person could only cast one vote after both performances, there was some leniency. Usually, when the first performer isn’t overwhelmingly popular, they at least get one vote for courtesy.

But backstage, many musicians wore solemn expressions.

Since the audience votes weren’t a landslide, the psychological pressure on Su Yuanchao was manageable.

“Both songs were especially beautiful. Let’s leave the final decision to Teacher Su Yuanchao. Please, Teacher Su, take your time to consider carefully,” the host said.

Su Yuanchao didn’t respond immediately but continued reading the two A4 sheets containing the lyrics of the songs.

In fact, Sun Zhe hadn’t approached him for any discussion; they had known each other since their school days.

There was no need to find him or talk; that tacit understanding existed naturally.

Yi Yun, this emerging platform, had always been weak in copyrights. Su Yuanchao had established himself there, and Sun Zhe had helped him a great deal. Calling it a strategic partnership wouldn’t be an exaggeration.

It was indeed Sun Zhe who recommended Su Yuanchao for this show.

This was where Sun Zhe was better than other musicians—he knew how to cater to his friends’ preferences.

Though Su Yuanchao had been absent from the stage for a long time, he had never let go of it in his heart.

“Old trees greet spring”—a phrase imbued with romanticism.

“It’s truly difficult. Please give Teacher Su a little more time to think,” the host smiled and reminded, noticing Su Yuanchao’s prolonged silence.

He Shuyuan wasn’t overly worried; he seemed rather at ease.

Though he wore a youthful face, he was actually in his early thirties and had seen a lot. Perhaps Su Yuanchao would be momentarily caught up in sentiment, but in the adult world, interests always outweigh emotions.

He felt a bit relieved, but also a little as if he shouldn’t have listened to his teacher, Sun Zhe.

---

Relieved that the teacher’s arrangements were appropriate, but reflecting that he shouldn’t have chosen this project. He didn’t know if Tang Zhichu was good at folk music, but he definitely wasn’t.

Using your weaknesses to challenge others is unwise.

Tang Zhichu didn’t think much of it. He merely glanced up toward the second floor, where he had been betting on one thing all along.

“Cough, cough,” Su Yuanchao finally made a sound.

Seeing everyone’s eyes on him, he said, “Wind and moon are hard to unravel, separations and reunions are not frivolous. In the end, climbing towers only misleads youth; freedom sooner or later disrupts the rest of life. I believe that in Huaguo folk music, no work will surpass the level of these lyrics in the near future.”

This sentence felt both like a declaration to the audience and a statement to himself.

Indeed, would one really give up a piece almost named after oneself?

“I’m especially pleased to sit here and listen to two young people sing folk songs; it feels like I’m being told a fairy tale that perfectly fits me. Both are excellent—not just flattery. I hope you continue to work hard on your creations. This project is funded by myself, and naturally, I will make a choice.”

At this, Su Yuanchao exhaled with relief and stood up: “Not meeting before the mountain was already a misfortune of nature; not meeting after the mountain would be an even greater regret in life.”

As he spoke, the audience began to applaud. He Shuyuan furrowed his brow. The musicians backstage edged closer to the screen, seemingly unable to believe it.

“So, your choice is?” the host confirmed once more.

Su Yuanchao smiled and said the name: “Guo Yuanchao!”

He Shuyuan’s body wavered slightly, but thanks to his stage experience, his face did not reveal shock.

Wasn’t this arranged by the teacher?

So, what was he being pretentious about? In the end, there was no plan at all?

Tang Zhichu bowed in thanks.

Su Yuanchao tried to detect some astonishment on Tang Zhichu’s face but saw none; instead, he saw disbelief on He Shuyuan’s.

Su Yuanchao suddenly laughed. Before deciding, the burden was heavy.

After deciding, he felt extremely fortunate. Luckily, he was clever; otherwise, he would have added another regret to himself.

Although Sun Zhe introduced Su Yuanchao to the show, it was Yu Hua who made the final call.

Everyone was a businessman. Who you do business with is business.

After Sun Zhe’s introduction, Su Yuanchao met Yu Hua. Just before going on stage, the two tested each other.

“I, Yi Yun Music, want the copyrights to your program’s works. Can we talk?”

If it were another director, Su Yuanchao would have been kicked out outright. Did Penguin not have a music platform? Wouldn’t that be splitting the audience?

But Yu Hua was different. If you counted strictly, his authority was no less than the head of Penguin Video.

Yu Hua’s position was simple: he could grant it, as long as the price was right.

For matters others couldn’t decide, if it benefited the show, Yu Hua was willing to take charge.

Cross-platform promotion was good for both musicians and the program. As for extra payment, that was just a means to limit rival channels.

And if anyone internally had objections—would Yu Hua be afraid?

---

Though they hadn’t discussed details yet, a rough intention had been formed.

Just because of this, Su Yuanchao dared to be a little capricious.

Otherwise, he might still be agonizing over whom to choose.

Choose He Shuyuan? His conscience wouldn’t allow it. Someone had already written a rare masterpiece using his name.

Choose Tang Zhichu? Sorry, old friend.

As for interests? Sorry, Yi Yun was already flourishing. Entertainment companies naturally held no advantage over platforms.

Once the pros and cons were weighed heavily enough, Su Yuanchao felt he could speed up his decision.

But one thing annoyed him—that young man surnamed Tang didn’t seem surprised at all. Was he not scared?

“I’ve been classmates with Sun Zhe since middle school!”

After their photo together on stage, Su Yuanchao asked Tang Zhichu, “You don’t really want me to sing this song, do you?”

Implicitly, he was asking if Tang didn’t want him to choose him.

Su Yuanchao held a grudge about that lyric, “not meeting after the mountain.”

Tang Zhichu glanced at him; with his long hair, he looked more like an older sister than Yu Hua.

Tang Zhichu whispered, “You’re too indecisive.”

Su Yuanchao glared. “You really dare to say that!”

“Go look at the lyrics. I’ve praised you so much, and you’re still hesitating? If this gets out, neither of us will have a future.”

Su Yuanchao was momentarily stunned, then burst out laughing.

When leaving the stage, Su Yuanchao insisted on adding Tang Zhichu on WeChat. In his words, “This decision might lose one friend, but if I don’t make another, that would be a huge loss.”

As Tang Zhichu pushed open the backstage lounge door, a big bald man suddenly grabbed him up.

“Awesome! This was meant to win!”

“Brother Tang, you’re incredible!”

“I’m already numb to hearing this; folk music can still be written like this?”

Glancing around, it was obvious that many eyes no longer exchanged polite smiles but truly shone with admiration.

Their perspective wasn’t complicated—they thought Tang Zhichu’s victory was purely because of his work.

In such an environment, it was like wrestling with the mainstream forces of Tianhe and winning with talent.

The younger ones saw this as talent conquering capital, like a youth slaying a dragon—how exhilarating!

(The End of this Chapter)