Chapter 30

Yin Xian may not care much about the music awards, but he is very concerned about *Infinite Challenge* and *Café Prince No. 1 Shop*.

Although Yin Xian won two Best Newcomer awards, on stage he only sincerely thanked his company, parents, and seniors, making very conventional remarks.

This probably also had a bit of his own selfishness in it. After all, the latter two were where he truly put in effort. As for the music... well, he still felt a bit guilty towards PSY.

Therefore, the MBC Entertainment Awards and the Acting Awards became the things Yin Xian was most concerned about at the end of the year.

The first to take place was the Entertainment Awards.

The so-called Entertainment Awards are to honor all MCs and guests who have worked on variety shows broadcast by the TV station over the past year, recognizing their efforts.

In 2006, the revamped *Infinite Challenge*, which MBC had high hopes for, burst with tenacious vitality, sweeping away the lackluster state of the first two seasons. It not only began to gain increasing attention but also pioneered a new genre of wild and real variety shows. As a reward for this innovation, the main MC, Yoo Jae-suk, won the Entertainment Award last year.

This year, *Infinite Challenge* went even further, with all MCs nominated for the final "Grand Prize," including Yin Xian, who had only been a part of the show for half a year. He was nominated for his outstanding performance in the music festival and the later longest-running special on ballroom dancing.

So when the seven MCs of *Infinite Challenge* appeared on the red carpet, they immediately received the loudest cheers from the audience.

Among them, the most attention was on the MCs Yoo Jae-suk and Park Myung-soo, known as the No. 1 and 1.5 MCs.

At the end of the red carpet, during the interview, Yoo Jae-suk gave a long speech expressing gratitude and humility, and then, still not satisfied, wanted to continue. Yin Xian and Park Myung-soo, who had been waiting impatiently, each grabbed one of Yoo Jae-suk's arms and walked him inside. Then, Jung Jun-ho and Jung Hae-gon immediately reacted, each lifting one of Yoo Jae-suk's legs. Haha and No Hong-chul pretended to be security guards, one hand covering their ears as if listening to instructions from their earpieces, the other hand as if preventing reporters from taking photos, and followed the five men into the award ceremony hall.

This scene was captured by the reporters present and became the most classic moment of the award ceremony that year.

As the most successful variety show of the year, *Infinite Challenge* remained the focus of various cameras after entering the venue.

With the start of the award ceremony, this attention continued to rise.

When the Best Screenwriter Award was given to PD Kim Tae-ho of *Infinite Challenge*, the celebration reached its first peak.

Just as they had carried Yoo Jae-suk into the hall, several people grabbed Kim Tae-ho's limbs and carried him to the stage, then "threw" him onto the stage.

"His success is built on our suffering." Haha was the first to snatch the trophy from the petrified award presenter and hand it to Kim Tae-ho.

"He is simply a devil." No Hong-chul snatched the trophy from Haha and continued.

"We don't believe a word he says now." Jung Hae-gon also took the trophy and said a sentence.

"Even though we still follow his instructions." Jung Jun-ho played the role of a good-natured fool.

"But that doesn't stop us from cursing him for not finding a wife while we do it." Yin Xian took the trophy and said fiercely.

"Even if he does find a wife, they will be separated for a long time." Under Kim Tae-ho's direction, Park Myung-soo and his girlfriend's long-term separation was often used as a joke, and he resented it the most.

"But it is also he who made *Infinite Challenge* a success, and he deserves this award." Yoo Jae-suk concluded and handed the trophy to Kim Tae-ho, who was still lying on the ground.

The entire award ceremony hall burst into laughter. To receive such "affirmation" from the MCs, Kim Tae-ho truly deserved the award.

The next award that the *Infinite Challenge* team was particularly concerned about was the Best Newcomer.

Because Yin Xian was nominated. In fact, no one doubted that Yin Xian would win the Best Newcomer. After all, he was also nominated for the final Grand Prize.

Yin Xian was well aware of this situation, so when the award presenter stepped onto the stage, he quietly moved his chair back and leaned to the side. He didn't want to be carried up there.

Sure enough, when the award presenter smiled and announced Yin Xian's name, the MCs immediately tried to carry him up. But to their surprise, Yin Xian was even faster, and almost in a flash, he ran up to the stage.

This scene was faithfully recorded by the camera.

Naturally, the entire audience burst into laughter.

Breathless, Yin Xian took the trophy and, pretending to be shaken, pointed at the round table where the *Infinite Challenge* team was sitting and said seriously, "Alright, I've got the trophy, you can all sit down now."

The entire venue burst into laughter again.

"This Newcomer Award means more to me than the final Grand Prize." Yin Xian began his acceptance speech. "Alright, I admit, it's because facing the other six seniors, and even seniors like Lee Soon-jae, I have no ambition for the Grand Prize."

Yin Xian's honesty once again earned laughter from the audience.

"To express my gratitude, I first want to thank my agent. If it weren't for you threatening me with a knife to force me to appear on variety shows, I would never have had the courage to accept the challenge of *Infinite Challenge*. Next, I want to thank Yoo Jae-suk, under whose leadership *Infinite Challenge* is a united whole. Long live Yoo Jae-suk of *Infinite Challenge*!"

The audience burst into laughter again. Haha and No Hong-chul also responded, shouting "Long live!"

"Next, I want to thank the other five MCs for your care. Especially Park Myung-soo, who secretly tore my clothes during the ballroom dancing special. I will never forget it. Finally, and most importantly, I want to thank MBC for giving me the opportunity to participate in *Infinite Challenge*. Thank you!"

Applause broke out, and Yin Xian walked off the stage with his head held high.

However, as soon as he went backstage, he was immediately attacked by Park Myung-soo...

The subsequent award ceremony was relatively calm, and the *Infinite Challenge* team gradually faded from the spotlight.

Like the calm before a storm, everyone was waiting for the announcement of the Grand Prize.

In fact, the other MCs of *Infinite Challenge* knew that the Grand Prize was essentially a contest between two and a half people.

Yoo Jae-suk and Lee Soon-jae, the national MC and the national grandpa. Well, Park Myung-soo barely counted as half?

The rest were just there to accompany the prince.

But this still excited everyone. After all, even a nomination was a great honor for these comedians, no less significant than an Oscar nomination for an actor.

Finally, the moment of the final showdown arrived.

The entire venue entered the most tense state of the evening.

Two cameras, one focused on the still smiling national grandpa Lee Soon-jae, the other on Yoo Jae-suk, whose smile was gradually stiffening.

The MBC Entertainment Department head, who was responsible for presenting the award, softly announced, "The winner of the 2007 MBC Entertainment Grand Prize is... Lee Soon-jae!"

Almost instantly, the *Infinite Challenge* MCs looked a bit disappointed.

"... and the *Infinite Challenge* team!" The head's deep breath brought the MCs back from hell to heaven.

Although the seven were extremely excited, in the presence of a senior like Lee Soon-jae, they remained restrained, inviting him to walk to the stage first.

"I am very grateful to MBC for this Grand Prize, but I think today's main character is not me, so I won't say much more." Lee Soon-jae took the trophy and said with a smile, then bowed and walked off the stage as the *Infinite Challenge* MCs bowed.

The stage now belonged to *Infinite Challenge*.

Each MC came to the microphone to give their acceptance speech, turning the award ceremony into a celebration for *Infinite Challenge*.

This celebration continued from the MBC studio to the restaurant, then to the KTV...

When Yin Xian woke up the next morning, his memory was completely fragmented.

In a daze, he only remembered a group of men laughing, crying, and drinking together.

Yin Xian, who had lived two lives, found it hard to understand this state.

But he felt a deep sense of genuine emotion and blessing.

Suddenly, he remembered the melody that came to his mind while looking at the stars in the sea during his first *Infinite Challenge* recording. He wanted to record it.

So, overcoming the headache from the hangover, Yin Xian got up, washed his face, and found the sheets of music he had gotten from the sound engineer on the deserted island, planning to go to the recording studio.

But just as Yin Xian was about to leave, the phone rang.

Yin Xian picked up his phone and frowned at the unfamiliar number.

"Hello." Yin Xian answered the call politely.

"Hello, is this Yin Xian?" A woman's voice came from the other end.

"Yes. Who is this?"

"Hello, Yin Xian oppa, this is Taeyeon from Girls' Generation. I got your number from Yoon-a, and I'm sorry to bother you."

"Oh, Taeyeon, what can I do for you?"

"Do you remember the OST you wrote for a drama?"

"OST?" Yin Xian frowned, then remembered: "Was it *Hong Gildong*? Did they ask you to sing it?"

"Yes. I'm recording this song at the company's studio now. Knowing it's your work, I thought it would be presumptuous to ask if you have time to guide me..."

"Sure... now?"

"You have time? That's great. I'll wait for you at the company's entrance." Taeyeon sounded very happy.

"Alright, I'll be there in about 15 minutes." Yin Xian checked his watch.

S.M. Entertainment, as a giant in the Korean music industry, was a name Yin Xian had heard in his previous life. Although he had lived in Gangnam for a long time and passed by S.M.'s entrance many times, he had never been inside.

This was the first time Yin Xian entered this famous star-making factory, which looked a bit shabby on the outside.

If there was one difference from LOEN, it was that there were always many fans waiting for their idols at the entrance of S.M. Especially with the return of TVXQ to Korea, the power of the largest fan base in Asia was not to be underestimated.

So when Yin Xian drove to S.M., it caused a stir among the fans. But thanks to the selfies taken in the Mnet backstage, the sasaeng fans did not go overboard.

"Yin Xian oppa, you're here." As soon as Yin Xian entered the hall, he saw Taeyeon standing respectfully to one side.

If it weren't for the fact that Su Xiubin from his previous life was a half-fan of Taeyeon, giving him a clear understanding of her personality, he might have thought this small, doll-faced girl was as polite and well-behaved as Seohyun...

But Yin Xian wasn't going to fall for it!

"Sorry, I kept you waiting." Yin Xian didn't show any "I've seen through your disguise" attitude, but responded politely. After all, there might be Girls' Generation fans among the many fans outside.

Then Yin Xian followed Taeyeon to S.M.'s recording studio.

In the studio, Yin Xian met the famous music producer, Yoo Young-jin, a legendary figure who had written countless hit songs and was the true driving force behind S.M.'s success.

"Yoo Young-jin senior is here, why did you call me, Taeyeon? This is just going to make me look bad in front of a senior!" Yin Xian seemed to be scolding Taeyeon, but in fact, he was subtly flattering Yoo Young-jin.

"Yin Xian, you're too polite." Yoo Young-jin seemed to happily accept Yin Xian's compliment. "Taeyeon, prepare and go in and sing the song."

"Yes, teacher." Taeyeon bowed obediently.

It was clear that Taeyeon was deeply afraid of Yoo Young-jin...

After about a minute of preparation, Taeyeon went in to sing.

Yin Xian listened with headphones, completely absorbed.

Although his memory from his previous life was of her singing, Yin Xian didn't expect that the song he had written, which seemed a bit hasty and immature at the time, would sound so different from his original version when sung by her.

It was the feeling of a girl softly confiding her longing.

As he listened, Yin Xian's gaze became unfocused.

At that moment, he felt as if he had fallen in love with this girl again, or rather, for the second time if you count his previous life.

When the song ended, Taeyeon, seemingly unaware of Yin Xian's daze, came out of the recording booth.

"How did it sound, Yin Xian?" Yoo Young-jin's tone was calm, but his pride and confidence were evident.

"Very good." Yin Xian slowly came to his senses and simply said two words.

"Can you give some specific advice, Yin Xian oppa?" Taeyeon suddenly asked.

Damn, is this girl starting to pick a fight with me? This thought immediately crossed Yin Xian's mind.

Then, looking at Taeyeon's wandering eyes, he confirmed his suspicion.

So Yin Xian took a deep breath and began to think seriously.

"If I have to give advice, although Yoo Young-jin senior's instrumental arrangement is perfect, I still believe the prelude and the latter part should be dominated by the piano." Yin Xian said hesitantly.

Yoo Young-jin nodded, neither confirming nor denying.

"As for the singing style..." Yin Xian looked at Taeyeon and, feeling mischievous, said, "You can be a bit less subdued and more lively."

"Subdued... lively... what do you mean?" Taeyeon didn't understand.

"This is something you have to feel, not just be told." Yin Xian said with a knowing air.

"Yin Xian makes a lot of sense." To his surprise, Yoo Young-jin nodded. "As the songwriter, you're right. I've heard Taeyeon sing this a few times, and I always felt something was off, but I couldn't quite put my finger on it. Now I see what you mean."

Taeyeon looked at Yin Xian in disbelief. She had worked with Yoo Young-jin for a long time, even seen him produce albums for BoA, but she had never seen him so seriously praise someone...

"Think of it this way, have you ever had a crush?" Yin Xian thought for a moment and organized his words.

"No..." Taeyeon looked at Yoo Young-jin warily and shook her head firmly.

Oh, right, S.M. is famous for not allowing its artists to date...

"Then... imagine a character. You secretly like a boy, but he doesn't know, and you don't dare to let him know. You even feel that he might like you a little, but you're afraid to ask, fearing you'll lose everything... Yes, that's the feeling you've found. Then, when he occasionally does something nice for you, you feel a little touched and a bit happy."

"Oppa, do you think I sang it a bit too mournful?" Taeyeon thought for a moment and summarized what she understood.

"Mournful is not wrong, but it lacks a sense of not giving up. It lacks the strength to keep going." Yin Xian followed Taeyeon's train of thought. "No one gives unconditionally, even in love. It's the small returns that keep you going."

"Wouldn't that make the song feel off?" Yoo Young-jin suddenly had a concern.

"That's why I suggest using the piano." Yin Xian said.

Yoo Young-jin immediately understood.

Then they used the computer to generate a new arrangement.

"Wow, S.M. really is S.M.! Is this the latest software?" Yin Xian looked at the software Yoo Young-jin was using with envy. This was very expensive.

"The latest. How about it, Yin Xian, do you have any expertise in this?"

"I know nothing about instruments, I rely entirely on the computer for composing." Yin Xian said a bit embarrassed.

While chatting with Yin Xian, Yoo Young-jin didn't stop working.

Soon, the arrangement was done.

Taeyeon, who had understood Yin Xian's meaning for nearly twenty minutes, entered the recording studio again.

"If I get closer

If I get closer to you

What would you think

I don't have the courage

If you leave

If you leave me

How will I say goodbye

I can't help but be afraid

..."

Yin Xian listened to Taeyeon's voice through the headphones and was stunned.

When the song ended, Yin Xian was speechless.

"This song will be a hit." Yoo Young-jin looked at Taeyeon and Yin Xian with a hint of jealousy. Although he was confident in his songwriting and lyric writing, he had never experienced something like this in his long career in music.

It was a simple melody and simple lyrics, but this young girl sang it in a way the songwriter himself had never imagined. He completely understood why Yin Xian was in a daze. It was a true sense of happiness.

Perhaps when Yu Boya met Zhong Ziqi, it was a similar feeling?

And for Taeyeon, Yoo Young-jin was a bit jealous. He had tried her with some of his own songs, but she had never sung them with such feeling.

What was this?

"Taeyeon." Yin Xian dropped the honorific, "If I write a song, you can't refuse to sing it, okay?"

"Yin Xian oppa..." Ta