The Show Premiered

At noon on July 30.

The four songs recorded in the professional studio found by the production team went live simultaneously in the "Best Songwriter" section opened by Penguin Music.

The show had yet to air, but the internet was already buzzing.

The stingy Penguin, which had always been obsessed with making money, was finally generous for once. Although downloads were unavailable, it provided the highest-quality audio sources.

They were free for everyone to listen to.

The other platforms were green with envy.

Even though it was free, this was an incredibly successful form of internal synergy within the company.

It could bring a huge amount of traffic to Penguin Music.

As the audio sources were uploaded, they instantly exploded across the internet!

Although there were only four songs, hardly enough to satisfy anyone, those who had already been following the show were still thrilled.

Just as expected, all four songs went viral beyond their usual circles.

Other than Xue Lin, who had been an unknown amateur with barely any fans, the other three had some degree of online fame.

Of them, Zhong Yutong had the largest fanbase.

She had also promoted it beforehand in her fan groups and vlogs.

In just over an hour, her vote count had already surpassed fifty thousand.

She was far ahead!

Song Dao came in second.

Although Kong Xi and Hu Wei had recently become hugely popular, and Lin Fei's comeback had somewhat reduced Song Dao's buzz, Brother Dog still had no shortage of fans.

Those looks-obsessed fans even mobilized every connection they had to get people to vote on Penguin Music.

As a result, Song Dao had more than forty-three thousand votes as well.

Zhao Qi, who ranked third, did not have a low vote count either—more than thirty-nine thousand.

On one hand, he had several million followers across the major platforms.

On the other hand, his management company had begun throwing its weight behind him.

Some artists from Qiankun Entertainment were cheering on their talented and handsome junior brother on their respective social media accounts.

Xue Lin had it the worst.

It was practically painful to look at.

She only had a little over two thousand votes in total.

Part of it was because she was an amateur, but the bigger reason was that the folk-style song she had written did not suit her sweet voice.

It was not that a sweet voice could not sing folk songs, but it could mask the storytelling inherent in folk music itself.

Before the show had even aired, her song's comment section was already flooded with all kinds of unpleasant remarks.

That was the internet age for you. Any person or dog could get online.

Some people who were unhappy with their lives especially loved making others miserable online.

They never considered anyone else's feelings, unless one day they faced the same kind of attacks themselves.

Even then, they might not wake up to it. They would only feel wronged.

—Why was everyone targeting me?

On the production team's side.

Xue Lin was feeling somewhat down.

Even with all kinds of delicious food spread out before her, she had little appetite.

Everyone was having a meal together this time.

Seeing her like this, Zhong Yutong, who was temporarily ranked first, took the initiative to sit beside her.

Taking her hand, she said, "Linnie, don't lose heart. The show hasn't even aired yet. We have fanbases, so there really haven't been that many votes from ordinary viewers.

"Once the show airs, believe it or not, with that adorable face of yours—so cute I want to take a bite out of it—you'll instantly gain tons of fans.

"Your votes will naturally rise then!

"Besides, within three days at most, your Brother Song Dao will kick me off my throne at number one...

"Of these four songs, his is still the best!"

As she spoke, she shot a glance at Song Dao across from her.

Song Dao was somewhat speechless.

Everyone else laughed.

"I mean it," Zhong Yutong stressed. "There's no need to even talk about Brother Dao's singing skills. The key is that his emotional delivery is seriously incredible!"

Zhao Qi smiled on the surface, but inwardly he was unconvinced.

What incredible emotional delivery? That was just the instinct of a simp!

He did not believe Song Dao's lousy song could beat the song he had written, Huazhou, unless the listeners had absolutely no taste!

Zhong Yutong's relaxed and humorous tone made Xue Lin laugh. Then she said, "Sister Qi told me before that I'm not suited to this style, but I wanted to give it a try anyway. In the end, I messed it up. I'm fine—I'm just afraid people will attack Sister Qi afterward."

"What storms hasn't your Sister Qi weathered?"

Sun Meiqi lifted her chin and puffed out her chest as she said, "How could such a tiny matter hurt me? Aren't there plenty more songs coming up? Go back to your comfort zone. Our Sister Flower Combination needs to fight harder with every battle! Defeat them! Defeat Teacher Song Dao!"

As she spoke, she waved her fist at Song Dao.

Everyone laughed again.

Afterward, Ma Shen and Li Jun comforted her as well.

Although the old man liked joking around, he was very kind to youngsters young enough to be his granddaughters.

"You're still in the process of finding your path. With your qualities, you'll find it soon enough."

He could not help sighing. "People these days are too eager for quick success. I hope young creators like you won't be so impatient. Take it slowly."

Xue Lin thanked him sincerely.

Lin Fei nodded as well. "That's right. Take it one step at a time. Learn from Teacher Song—steady and methodical."

Song Dao: "..."

I'll just take that as a compliment.

Over the next few days, the group continued eating, drinking, and having fun, though there was a slight change in who was hanging out together.

The person spending time with Lin Fei, Song Dao, and Sun Meiqi changed from Xue Lin to Zhong Yutong.

Ever since recording that song, the famous influencer seemed to have become interested in Song Dao, and her attitude toward him had grown more intimate.

After reflecting painfully on her failure, Xue Lin decided to return to her comfort zone and make sure she wrote a truly stunning song.

Ma Shen and Zhao Qi did not join them. They only occasionally chatted with everyone when they returned to the old western-style house at night.

As for Li Jun, the old man had somehow gotten himself a fishing rod and would head to the small lake behind the house whenever he had nothing to do.

He was just as carefree!

After several days of buildup, Song Dao's "Don't Say You Don't Care About My Tears" really did turn out as Zhong Yutong had predicted.

It successfully climbed to first place in the section.

It once again sparked heated discussion online.

Although there were only four songs in total, their respective comment sections were already lively. Even Xue Lin's song had received more than thirty thousand votes.

The comments had also shifted from all kinds of initial mockery to people beginning to analyze it seriously and rationally.

There seemed to be quite a few professionals among the listeners, offering fair suggestions, along with some fans who had come over from Sun Meiqi's side.

Since Sun Meiqi had not heavily promoted it on her personal account, not that many people had come.

Still, it was finally showing some signs of improvement.

It was just still far too weak compared to those ranked ahead of her.

Song Dao, who ranked first, had already surpassed five hundred thousand votes.

That did not mean five hundred thousand people had heard the song. The actual number was likely over a million, perhaps even more.

Even if it was only a casual vote, plenty of people could not be bothered to do it. (I'm talking about you. Get with the program.)

Zhong Yutong remained in second place, with just over four hundred thousand votes.

But Zhao Qi was biting at her heels. This young heartthrob had more than three hundred seventy thousand votes as well.

August 9.

Saturday.

The first episode of Best Songwriter would premiere on Tencent Video at eight o'clock that evening.

It was officially airing!

No one returned to their rooms.

Everyone sat on the sofas in the old western-style house's large living room, facing an enormous projector screen.

Advertisements were playing on it.

The coffee table was covered with fruit, pastries, snacks, and drinks.

But hardly anyone touched them.

Because watching their own show would also become material for the upcoming episodes.

Variety shows nowadays were very different from those in the past. Their biggest feature was that they were no longer so "proper."

Especially a laid-back variety show like Best Songwriter.

With several camera crews pointed at them, no one felt comfortable taking out their phones to play with, so they could only chat while they waited.

As the show began airing, the barrage comments instantly exploded.

They were dense and overwhelming, like a landslide and tsunami!

Everyone's faces lit up with delight.

Sun Meiqi even held out her hand to Song Dao beside her.

Helpless, Song Dao gave her a high-five.

Lin Fei, sitting on the other side, glanced over and a faint smile curled her lips.

The lively barrage comments meant countless people, just like them, had been waiting for this show to air.

Even Li Jun, the old man, understood that much.

"I can't do it. There are too many, I can't see clearly." He put on his reading glasses and strained to look.

No one else spoke either, all of them seriously reading the barrage comments.

"Hahaha, Sister Fei is still the same! She hasn't appeared in public for so many years, yet she's still so beautiful!"

"My god, how does Sister Fei maintain herself? Why does she look even younger than before?"

"I saw her in the earlier behind-the-scenes clips. Sister Fei is really gorgeous! Her relaxed vibe is off the charts—I love her so much!"

"Brother Dog looks great on camera! I'm dying, why is he so funny? Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river—one day, I'll be the chief director too! Hahaha, this is way too funny..."

"Song Dao is so handsome. I love his face!"

"Zhao Qi is the most handsome!"

"Zhong Yutong is so pretty. Who's that girl beside Sun Meiqi? She's so adorable!"

"Did the production team choose the contestants based on looks?"

"Ma Shen came too? Hahahaha..."

"The production team really knows how to stir things up!"

But amid those comments, some less harmonious voices were mixed in—

"Why does it feel like this show has no big names aside from Lin Fei?"

"Yeah, Ma Shen and Sun Meiqi are passable, but who's that old man?"

"I've never seen him before. Is he famous?"

"Never heard of him!"

Whether in the barrage comments or the comment section, this kind of sentiment quickly began to grow.

But another wave of voices immediately spread through the comments.

"You don't know Li Jun?"

"Someone actually hasn't heard of this old master?"

"Are you kidding? Go ask those Heavenly Kings and Queens whether they know him!"

"He may not be a singer, but I dare say that everyone in the Chinese music scene, without exception, has to respectfully call him Teacher Li when they see him!"

"You're treating a hall-of-fame songwriter like some nobody? Do you know how many Heavenly Kings, Heavenly Queens, and top-tier stars he has trained?"

"Ignorance isn't scary. What's scary is being too lazy to even look him up!"

"Although Sun Meiqi's status is slightly below Lin Fei's, if it weren't for 'Lovesickness,' and the two of them took commercial gigs at the same time, it would be hard to say whose fee would be higher!"

"Everyone says Ma Shen is second-tier, but does anyone know that every one of his concerts sells out and that he can hold dozens of them a year?"

All that could be said was that there were still knowledgeable viewers among the audience, which allowed the production team to relax after their hearts had just leaped into their throats.

The old man sitting on the sofa naturally saw those barrage comments too, but there was not the slightest hint of displeasure on his face.

At his level of standing in the industry, he truly had no need to care about such remarks.

Besides, he was a songwriter. It was perfectly normal for people not to recognize him.

As the show continued, it soon reached the part where Lin Fei, wearing a face mask with an expression of being forced to work, went looking for Song Dao.

Then the two of them quickly decided to go out for a meal...

The barrage comments immediately shifted in tone again.

"Wait, can someone tell me—is this a music variety show? Could this actually be a food show?"

"A Taste of Xia Kingdom: Huazhou Edition. I just finished eating, and Lin Fei and Song Dao have made me hungry again!"

"Why is Song Dao making Sister Fei pay?"

"My stomach's bad! So what?"

"Can't you tell that Sister Fei totally spoils Song Dao?"

"The slacker duo has even led the neighboring Sister Flower Combination astray. Two perfectly gorgeous women have been turned into little foodies attending a food show with you two."

"Did you see Teacher Ma's slightly awkward expression when he was facing Sister Fei and Song Dao?"

"Teacher Ma: The production team gave us too much."

"Zhao Qi seems to really look down on Brother Dog. Too bad your song can't beat his!"

"This old gentleman is hilarious. He actually teased Heavenly Queen Lin Fei on the spot and urged her to find a boyfriend... Hahaha, I'm dying!"

"I'm laughing so hard I'm crying. The two slackers treated this like a food show, Teacher Li Jun treated it like a fishing show. Everyone came here for a vacation, right?"

After some people had explained things earlier, those who came later already knew this old gentleman's identity and standing in the industry.

If an ordinary person dared to tease Lin Fei like that, they would have been flamed into shutting down on the spot.

But now, all the teasing felt far more good-natured.

This show was genuinely so much fun.

From beginning to end, it was almost entirely lighthearted and cheerful.

Of course, the scenes of Ma Shen and Zhao Qi disagreeing during the creative process and refusing to concede to each other were pretty entertaining too.

These days, whether something was real or fake often did not matter that much. Everyone was just here for a good time.

And Xue Lin, the young girl whose votes had previously been extremely low, finally gained quite a lot of favorability.

"I was wondering why she sang a song like this. So she wanted to push herself."

"Sun Meiqi already told her it didn't suit her, and this little sister still dared to do it? Well, this spirit of daring to challenge herself deserves encouragement."

"My Tongtong is so outstanding. Even though I've already heard the song, watching her creative process now, I have to admit she's truly talented."

"Comparing talent with Brother Dog? He wrote a song in just over ten minutes!"

"Brother Dog really is kind of badass. He's released three songs so far, and every one of them blew up."

"Give me a break. Writing a song in just over ten minutes isn't that hard, especially with assembly-line products like his. People have even livestreamed themselves writing songs like that on Carrier Pigeon."

"Come on, then. Write one that becomes this popular and let me see."

At the end of the show, during the contestant performance segment, the sight of Song Dao sitting upright on the piano bench, playing and singing at the same time, once again set the bullet comments ablaze.

No matter how those mainstream voices judged him, Song Dao's image as a young, talented, tall, and handsome man had been displayed through this show.

During the following critique segment, Ma Shen's neither-too-harsh-nor-too-gentle comment also sent the bullet comments into an uproar.

Supporters said Teacher Ma had nothing wrong with what he said; it was very fair.

Opponents said people could create whatever they liked. Who were you to judge just because you didn't like it?

Amid all the noise, as the first episode came to an end—

Best Songwriter became a hit!

The kind of hit that exploded everywhere.

Song Dao also became famous along with it.

If he had previously only been relatively popular online and had broken out of that circle to some extent,

then now, with Lin Fei personally backing him, Song Dao had truly begun to gain something called "nationwide recognition."

That night, nearly every trending topic across all major online platforms was dominated by "Best Songwriter."

[Lin Fei and Song Dao's completely relaxed chemistry]

[Sun Meiqi and Xue Lin's Sister Flower Combination]

[Li Jun, the hidden hall-of-fame master]

[Ma Shen and Zhao Qi arguing over creative differences]

[Li Jun urging the Heavenly Queen to find a boyfriend on the spot]

[Best Songwriter explodes upon premiere]

[Best Songwriter is a food show]

This program, which countless netizens had dubbed "the most unserious music variety show in history" the moment it premiered, completely exploded.

Its popularity instantly crushed everything else.

The four mentors and four contestants were all wildly popular.

--

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