There's nothing new under the sun.
The siege of Dazzling Silverfire and Sahara against the Starlight Entertainment couldn't escape the industry's watchful eyes.
As for the root cause?
Even someone with half a brain could tell it's because of Zhao Yingge!
Before, the Big Three were simultaneously competing for Zhao Yingge, using every trick in the book. In the end, Zhao Yingge chose Starlight. How could Silverfire and Sahara swallow that bitter pill?
So now, the counterattack begins.
In this industry, many have a keen sense of smell.
At the slightest stir in the circle, they can detect the hidden scent of gunpowder.
But speaking of it again.
Watching the three major entertainment companies in Qin Prefecture fight has long become a spectator sport for many industry insiders.
If there's no conflict between the Big Three, it would be seen as abnormal.
November is for the Newcomer Rankings.
December is for the siege of Zhao Yingge.
The Big Three are here to prove that they never disappoint the masses.
Stirring up trouble, causing a ruckus!
As for Silverfire and Sahara teaming up, it's not all that unusual. Among the Big Three, such situations often occur.
Sometimes it's Silverfire and Sahara together.
Other times it's Sahara and Starlight.
In any case, if anyone from the Big Three tries to outshine the rest, it will trigger a joint forces from the other two, pulling them down from their pedestal.
Because of this, discussions among industry insiders abound:
"This time, Silverfire and Sahara's alliance is squarely aimed at Starlight."
"They've timed it perfectly."
"Zhao Yingge is in a tough spot; she can't change her schedule, and if she does, it'll have to be pushed to March next year."
"In March, the yellow flowers will have withered."
"That's right, the hype around Zhao Yingge's champion song 'Rising Star' won't last until March, so she's left with no choice but to face it head-on."
"It's looking grim for Zhao Yingge."
"Mobilizing two A-list singers, Silverfire and Sahara have certainly boosted Zhao Yingge's profile."
And so on.
The media didn't stay idle either.
Many news outlets reported on the matter immediately, with all headlines focusing on, "In January, Silverfire and Sahara: Who Will Claim the Crown for the Top Track?"
In the eyes of the industry, Starlight had already become the cannon fodder.
Not many people were betting on Zhao Yingge's comeback. The influence of A-list singers and a top-tier composer is no laughing matter.
Meanwhile, within Silverfire.
Chen Zhiyu was feeling a bit emotional, and he complained to his agent, "I had planned to release a new song in March next year, but suddenly the company decided to have me go head-to-head with a new artist next month. Did they even ask for my opinion?"
Chen Zhiyu, the frontline singer sent by Dazzling Silverfire to take down Zhao Yingge.
His agent advised, "You can't fight the company's decisions. We can't refuse. But Queen Xi said you won't be at a loss. Next year, you'll have a concert at the Qin Prefecture Grand Theater."
"I understand the reasoning, but I'm still not happy," Chen Zhiyu grumbled.
Chen Zhiyu coldly snorted, "After all, Zhao Yingge is the champion of 'Rising Star.' Suppressing her like this is a blow to my reputation. Her fans will remember this."
The agent chuckled, "Her fans can't compare to yours."
Chen Zhiyu raised an eyebrow, "Well, this better be a one-time thing. Also, make sure the company promotes it well. Zheng Liang from 'Sahara' will be releasing a song in January, and I don't want to lose to him."
The agent quickly reassured him, "Of course."
From the moment Silverfire and Sahara sent their frontline singers, the battle for the next month's top track was already detached from the Starlight Entertainment.
In response to this, apart from Zhao Yingge herself, her fans were probably the angriest group. Many of her supporters, after reading the media reports, criticized Sahara and Silverfire for teaming up to suppress the newcomer. They accused them of using underhanded tactics. However, Sahara and Silverfire had seen their fair share of ups and downs in the industry. They didn't pay much attention to the fan outrage and simply explained the situation as a "coincidence" in their public statements.
...
In the midst of the controversy, time passed slowly. With the eyes of countless people in the industry on them, January finally arrived, marking the official start of the battle for the top track of the month.
At the beginning of the month, both Sahara and Silverfire released their frontline songs.
Zhao Yingge's "Flammable and Explosive," performed as scheduled.
In the morning, Chen Zhiyu, who was in a hotel, immediately opened his favorite music app and searched for the new song by Zheng Liang, Sahara's competitor.
For Chen Zhiyu, as long as he defeated Sahara's Zheng Liang, the top track for January would be within his grasp.
Zheng Liang's new song was called "Caramel," just like Chen Zhiyu's song. The promotion was visible on the app's homepage.
Putting on his headphones and listening to Zheng Liang's song, Chen Zhiyu's mood suddenly became somewhat uneasy.
He thought the other guy's song was pretty good.
In a situation where both Chen Zhiyu and Zheng Liang had similar popularity, the determining factors for the outcome of this battle were actually the audience's taste preferences and the cast of the two songs.
He was about to exit the media player.
Suddenly, Chen Zhiyu saw "Flammable and Explosive," recommended on the homepage. He smiled, "It's actually on the homepage too. It seems that Starlight hasn't given up yet. They even gave such prominent recommendations."
While his earphones were still on, he casually clicked on "Flammable and Explosive."
The song began with a violin ensemble, instantly creating a spacious and lonely atmosphere, followed by a change in tone while singing, carrying a hint of laziness and helplessness:
"Hoping I'll go mad, but hoping I won't be alone,
Thinking I'm so cool, yet thinking I'm carefree on my own,
They want me to be sunny, they want me not to sway,
Mocking my emotions, still my heart is cast in gray..."
Chen Zhiyu's mood inexplicably became a bit tense. His previously relaxed expression gradually disappeared.
What feels wrong?
At this moment, the song in his earphones continued, still with that altered tone, gradually amplifying with the resonance of the instruments:
"Granting me a dream, then waking me too soon,
Sleeping by my side, but leaving me marooned,
Loving me for who I am, loving me undressed,
Watching me perform my song, my heart, it's so distressed..."
The unsettling feeling grew stronger.
Chen Zhiyu stared at the song, his body slowly tensing up. At this moment, the altered tone in his earphones suddenly disappeared, replaced by a clear and hoarse voice that instantly reached deep into his heart:
"Wishing I were like smoke, wishing I were charming, lazy,
Seeing my wild side, my wit, it doesn't faze me,
They want me to be lovely, they want me unblinking,
Wishing me happiness, yet wishing me not to be sinking..."
"Mesmerized by my allure, by my eyes that lose their way,
Desiring my sincerity, by my gaze that leads astray,
Running with me, or standing by my side, you'll be my friend,
Praising my hidden beauty, for it never meets its end..."
Chen Zhiyu was startled as if he had been scared. He clenched his fist tightly and then tried to relax, only to grip it again.
For a moment, he felt like he was sitting on pins and needles.
The lyrics, music, and performance were all naturally impeccable. The violin danced chaotically, the piano played solo, the sorrow was splendid, and the whole song's style was explosively stunning!
"It's over."
As if going through a long suffocation, Chen Zhiyu suddenly had this thought flashing through his mind and couldn't help but take a deep breath.
The song had just a few seconds left.
The hoarse voice seemed to be at ease:
"Please find me charming, and let my passion seep through,
I can be in full bloom, or feeling short of air, it's true,
It's all about my beauty, and my craving for the trance,
Blaming me for endless years without a carefree chance."
The song ended.
Chen Zhiyu sat dumbfounded in front of the computer.
At this moment, his manager happened to come in and, seeing Chen Zhiyu in a dazed state, asked curiously, "What's wrong with you?"
Chen Zhiyu acted as if he hadn't heard and let out a dull laugh. He looked at the song by Sahara. Somehow, an unusual emotional resonance seemed to have occurred with someone. Suddenly, he had a fierce expression:
"They are all in for some competition!"