Chapter 21

Humming a tune, after taking a shower, Lin Zai Shan stood in front of the mirror and started to groom himself.

Fortunately, yesterday he had complained about his long hair being too hot and had it cut, making him look much more spirited.

His current hairstyle was the short, neat silver fox style from the old movie "The Disciple" in his previous life, featuring Andy Lau.

In the mirror, under the distinctive and spirited hairstyle, Lin Zai Shan's thin face had gained a bit of flesh, no longer as sunken as before.

In the past few days, he had been eating a lot and feeling energetic, gaining at least 10 pounds, finally not looking so frail, though he was still quite thin.

Compared to the old man, the biggest change in Lin Zai Shan was his particularly vibrant and positive spirit. His complexion had improved a lot, though his face was still a bit sallow, it was no longer so sickly.

His eyes were still deep, but no longer listless. Instead, they concealed a great passion for this new world in a calm and composed manner.

Flipping through the wardrobe, there were no formal clothes.

The old man had bought expensive and formal clothes, including tuxedos, but had long since thrown them away.

Now, the clothes in the wardrobe were all very casual, not even a pair of formal dress pants, let alone formal leather shoes.

For an interview like "The Strongest Singer-Songwriter," Lin Zai Shan wanted to dress more formally to make a good impression on the program team.

But it was too late to go out and buy anything now. He didn't have enough money in his wallet to buy formal clothes.

When Sun Yuzhen called, her tone was very urgent, telling him to "certainly" arrive at Oriental TV within half an hour.

In his previous life, Lin Zai Shan had participated in some TV show auditions or interviews, but none of them had been so tight on time.

Since he was under their roof, he had nothing to complain about.

Whatever they required, he would try his best to meet it.

In the end, he wore the most formal clothes he could find in the wardrobe—a fitted long-sleeved white shirt on top and the only pair of jeans without holes, a pure black style, which was still quite decent.

Rolling up the sleeves of the shirt, he slung his old guitar over his shoulder, slipped on a pair of black leather sandals barefoot, and rushed out the door.

Just as he stepped out of the house, his phone rang.

It was Sun Yuzhen calling.

Lin Zai Shan frowned, thinking, "No way, how can the program be so urgent? Are they going to do a test recording today?"

"Hello, Zhenzi?"

While locking the door, Lin Zai Shan answered Sun Yuzhen's call.

"Uncle, have you left yet?"

"I just stepped out. Don't worry, I'll take a taxi and be there soon."

"No need, no need. You don't have to take a taxi. I'll ride you there. I'm already downstairs."

"Ah?"

Lin Zai Shan was taken aback and said, "Alright, I'll come down right away."

Taking the elevator to the ground floor, as soon as he stepped out of the building, he saw Sun Yuzhen sitting on a green and white motorcycle, wearing a white shirt and beige pants, waiting for him with her low-heeled brown leather high heels on the ground.

"Uncle, get on quickly!"

Sun Yuzhen waved at Lin Zai Shan, looking quite anxious. She had left the studio in such a hurry that she hadn't even put on her helmet.

"You guys sure are sudden with this interview."

Lin Zai Shan swung his leg over the motorcycle and sat down next to Sun Yuzhen without much ceremony.

He didn't hug Sun Yuzhen's waist but sat upright, gentlemanly, with both hands on the handlebars behind the motorcycle seat.

"Today, the team needs to finalize the final list of participants. The 59 official participants have already been decided, and we just need to select the last official slot." Sun Yuzhen explained as she rode the motorcycle.

"Am I going to interview for the last official slot?"

"Yes. You've already been selected for the shortlist. There are five shortlisted participants, and the last slot will be chosen from among you five."

Sun Yuzhen continued, "You don't need to be too nervous. Even if you don't get selected, it doesn't mean you won't have a chance to be on the show. If any of the 60 participants suddenly fall ill or have other issues and can't participate in the recording, the team will still call on the shortlisted candidates. Just do your best today. With your talent, you'll definitely make it to the official competition. Even if you don't, you'll be at the top of the shortlist."

Lin Zai Shan understood the situation.

Actually, with his pure musical talent, he definitely wasn't in the shortlist category.

His musical talent was more than enough to qualify for the official competition.

The "The Strongest Singer-Songwriter" team must have been concerned about his negative image, which is why they placed him in the shortlist category.

Now that he had the opportunity to face the team directly, Lin Zai Shan would seize it, hoping to win them over with his renewed charisma and extraordinary musical talent, aiming to enter the official competition directly without lingering in the shortlist.

Waiting for opportunities was truly unpleasant.

In his previous life, Lin Zai Shan had experienced such waiting many times, and he really didn't want to go through it again in this life.

Soon, Sun Yuzhen brought Lin Zai Shan to the Oriental TV building.

It was 3:30 PM, and the heat was unbearable.

Wiping the sweat from his forehead, carrying his guitar case, Lin Zai Shan entered the Oriental TV building with Sun Yuzhen.

They took the elevator straight to the 10th floor.

While the elevator was ascending, two female media workers secretly glanced at Lin Zai Shan a few times.

Lin Zai Shan's appearance had changed significantly from a few days ago. Although he still looked like an uncle, he no longer gave off the impression of a depressed and down-and-out man.

Ding.

The elevator arrived.

Sun Yuzhen led Lin Zai Shan to the office area of the Entertainment Group 3.

Jia Xiaoliang, the youngest staff member who had joined Entertainment Group 3 last month, told Sun Yuzhen that PD Park had already gone to the 3rd floor music department with Team Leader Kui Yu and Team Leader Niu Li to interview a shortlisted singer.

Someone had arrived even earlier than them!

Sun Yuzhen was surprised and quickly took Lin Zai Shan down to the 3rd floor music department.

Upon arrival, they met Liao Bo coming out of the music department's meeting room.

"Brother Bo!"

"Hey, you guys are here, that's fast."

Liao Bo looked at Lin Zai Shan next to Sun Yuzhen, his eyes lighting up. He hadn't expected Lin Zai Shan to look so spirited after getting a haircut!

Three days ago, Sun Yuzhen had invited Liao Bo to dinner with Lin Zai Shan, introducing them. At that time, Lin Zai Shan still had his overly casual long hair.

Liao Bo wasn't a straightforward person; he had a bit of a cunning side, but his character was still decent. After that dinner, Lin Zai Shan and Liao Bo became friends.

At this moment, after greeting Liao Bo, Lin Zai Shan asked, "Someone arrived even earlier than us, who is it?"

"A female singer. She happened to be at the station to receive a notice and came down after getting the call. She has already finished her interview."

Sun Yuzhen asked with concern, "How did it go?"

"Let's just say it was okay. Personally, I don't think she'll make it to the official competition. I still believe in Uncle Lin's chances of advancing." Liao Bo had felt Lin Zai Shan's musical talent and admired his abilities.

"Thanks for the good luck. If I make it to the official competition, I'll treat you to a meal!"

"What do they usually test in the interviews?" Sun Yuzhen asked Liao Bo.

"For the female singer just now, Director Ma mainly tested her ability to write lyrics and compose music on the spot. As you know, 'The Strongest Singer-Songwriter' selects all-around musicians who can sing and compose. In the future recordings, there will be segments where participants need to write and compose music on the spot. From what I know, some of the works submitted by the participants were written by others. Director Ma hopes the participants have the ability to compose music themselves to ensure the quality of the show."

Sun Yuzhen said confidently, "If they test writing lyrics and composing music, Uncle Lin will definitely pass. He's the best at it!"

"Uncle Lin's musical talent is definitely not a problem, but the program team might be picky."

Seeing no one around, Liao Bo lowered his voice and told Lin Zai Shan, "Director Ma will likely test your ability to compose music on the spot. I'm not sure if others will be difficult with you. Uncle, I hope you can understand our position as media workers. You know your past history isn't great."

"I understand." Lin Zai Shan nodded in understanding.

"Anyway, be mentally prepared."

"I'm already prepared."

"Then go in quickly. The judges are all there. I came out to use the restroom. I won't chat with you anymore. I'm still holding it."

Liao Bo smiled awkwardly and hurried to the restroom after parting ways with Lin Zai Shan.

"Uncle, are you really ready?"

"I'm ready. This isn't a campaign speech or a real recording. I have nothing to be nervous about."

Lin Zai Shan was indeed not nervous, but Sun Yuzhen was quite anxious.

She nodded at Lin Zai Shan, giving him the most supportive and confident look, then turned to knock on the door and led Lin Zai Shan into the music department's meeting room.

In the meeting room, Park Dae-cheng and Ma Xiaodong were discussing the female singer who had just been interviewed.

The female singer's singing was decent, and she had a good topic, but her creative ability was limited, and Ma Xiaodong wasn't very satisfied.

Seeing Sun Yuzhen bring in a silver-haired middle-aged man with a guitar, Park Dae-cheng and Ma Xiaodong stopped talking.

The head of the program promotion team, Niu Li, the head of the story team, Kui Yu, and Ma Xiaodong's 27-year-old female assistant, Liu Mengmeng, all immediately focused their attention on Lin Zai Shan.

This uncle's simple but unique appearance was quite attractive to these unmarried women.

"PD Park, Director Ma, this is Lin Zai Shan."

Sun Yuzhen introduced Lin Zai Shan to everyone.

Lin Zai Shan lowered his posture and gave a slight bow to the people at the meeting table.

"Please take a seat."

Park Dae-cheng gestured to the seat opposite the meeting table, indicating that Lin Zai Shan could sit there.

Sun Yuzhen poured a cup of water for Lin Zai Shan and then sat next to Kui Yu to avoid any conflict of interest, not sitting next to Lin Zai Shan.

Park Dae-cheng introduced himself and Ma Xiaodong briefly, not bothering to introduce the other staff members.

Lin Zai Shan nodded in greeting to Park Dae-cheng and Ma Xiaodong.

Park Dae-cheng gave a good first impression. He was very approachable, not as strict and arrogant as one might imagine a main PD to be.

To Lin Zai Shan, Park Dae-cheng looked quite cheerful, somewhat like a middle-aged, weary version of the Korean actor Cha Tae-hyun, a face that gave a sense of familiarity from another world.

Ma Xiaodong also gave Lin Zai Shan a sense of familiarity from another world.

This director, who was five years older than Lin Zai Shan, with black-rimmed glasses and long hair, looked a lot like the musician Gao Xiaosong from his previous life, or more accurately, like the short and stout version of Gao Xiaosong.

Unlike Park Dae-cheng's approachability, the music director clearly put on an air of superiority.

When Lin Zai Shan greeted Ma Xiaodong, Ma Xiaodong sipped his coffee, glanced at Lin Zai Shan with a sideways look, like an old Buddha, maintaining a high and mighty attitude.

Lin Zai Shan didn't remember this fat music director, but Ma Xiaodong hadn't forgotten Lin Zai Shan.

Twenty years ago, as popular rock singers, the two had not only had verbal spats in the media but also had a physical fight in a bar.

In that fight, Ma Xiaodong's nose was broken by Lin Zai Shan, and he had scars on both eye sockets.

Back then, Ma Xiaodong was quite thin and handsome, completely different from his current obese appearance.

Being severely disfigured and beaten up at the peak of his handsomeness, it's no wonder Ma Xiaodong and Lin Zai Shan had a deep-seated grudge.

Lin Zai Shan had long forgotten these incidents.

The time had been too long, and the old man had beaten up too many people.

Reading the fragmented memories of the old man, Lin Zai Shan even doubted whether the old man had a violent tendency in his youth.

At the slightest provocation, the old man would resort to violence.

The number of men he had beaten up was probably not as many as the women he had been with, but it was close.

After taking a sip of water to moisten his throat, Lin Zai Shan, at Park Dae-cheng's invitation, gave a brief self-introduction to everyone.

He briefly mentioned his past glory and downfall, focusing on his current dedication to music and his hope that the program team would give him this opportunity to showcase his musical talent, thereby adding luster to "The Strongest Singer-Songwriter."

Lin Zai Shan's attitude was calm, determined, and confident, without any arrogance, which surprised Park Dae-cheng and the others.

They hadn't expected the once rebellious and talented rock star to have been transformed by time.

Ma Xiaodong also hadn't expected Lin Zai Shan's personality to be so smoothed out.

It seemed that prison had a significant impact on a person.

For some reason, Ma Xiaodong felt a bit sympathetic towards this old man who had experienced the golden age of rock with him.

"Don't say too much." Ma Xiaodong told Lin Zai Shan, "We've all heard your music. 'Wheat Field' from 20 years ago is well-known, but that's past glory. The new song you submitted, 'Butterfly,' I listened to it, and the style has changed a lot. You're now into R&B. Did you write this song yourself?"

"I wrote it myself. After so many years of沉淀, I didn't stick to just rock. I learned many other styles of music. I believe I am very suitable for this new program."

"Whether you are suitable for the program is for us to judge, not you." Ma Xiaodong put on an air of superiority, feeling provoked by Lin Zai Shan's confidence.

Lin Zai Shan nodded awkwardly, indicating that he understood.

Park Dae-cheng said, "I believe PD Sun has already told you. Our program is looking for the strongest 'singer-songwriter.' Participants need to be able to sing and compose and have the ability to create on the spot. We called you here to see if you have good on-the-spot creative ability."

"I understand. Give me a topic, and I can start creating right away."

Lin Zai Shan didn't want to waste time. He believed that music would speak louder than words.

Park Dae-cheng looked at Ma Xiaodong, "Director Ma, why don't you give the topic? You're the expert."

Ma Xiaodong had initially felt sympathetic towards Lin Zai Shan, but seeing the strong confidence in Lin Zai Shan's eyes, he felt particularly annoyed, reminding him of the rebellious Lin Zai Shan who had beaten him up years ago.

Lin Zai Shan's current situation was his own doing, a result of his character, and he deserved it!

Thinking about this, Ma Xiaodong no longer felt sympathetic towards Lin Zai Shan.

He had let Lin Zai Shan's music pass because "Butterfly" was indeed well-done, and he had a talent-cherishing attitude.

The conflict between him and Lin Zai Shan had been long ago, and he didn't want to dwell on it.

But now, seeing Lin Zai Shan and feeling his inexplicable confidence, Ma Xiaodong realized that he still hadn't gotten over it.

With this change in mindset, Ma Xiaodong felt annoyed and even found Lin Zai Shan somewhat annoying. He didn't really want to give Lin Zai Shan this opportunity to advance.

Glancing at his assistant Liu Mengmeng's desk, he saw an unopened can of cola.

He picked up the can with his fat hand and placed it on the table.

"Create a song or a piece of music with 'cola' as the theme," Ma Xiaodong told Lin Zai Shan.

The meeting room fell silent, and everyone was stunned.

Park Dae-cheng thought Ma Xiaodong was joking, "Director Ma, we're short on time. Don't joke around. Give a proper topic."

"I'm giving a proper topic, 'cola' as the theme."

Ma Xiaodong's attitude was serious, and he told Lin Zai Shan, "Do you think 10 minutes is enough? You don't need to create a detailed piece, just a demo."

Everyone was shocked!

Ma Xiaodong wasn't joking!

He really wanted Lin Zai Shan to create music with "cola" as the theme!

What kind of topic is this!

It's worth noting that the topic Ma Xiaodong had given to the female singer just now was "love"!

Now, giving "cola" as the topic to Lin Zai Shan, where was the creative space?

Everyone suddenly realized: Ma Xiaodong was deliberately making things difficult for Lin Zai Shan!

It seems the rumors about their past conflicts were true!

Sun Yuzhen was so angry that she clenched her fists under the table.

If she had a more aggressive personality, she would have been cursing in her head!

Not to be so difficult!

How can you create a song with cola? Are you making an advertisement?

Sun Yuzhen held her breath, wanting to speak up for Lin Zai Shan.

But before she could, Lin Zai Shan had already responded to Ma Xiaodong.

He unzipped his guitar case, which was standing by the meeting table, took out the old guitar with a faded surface, and held it in his arms.

"I don't need 10 minutes. I already have inspiration."