Chapter 71

Lin Zai Shan had thought before that after introducing himself, there would definitely be an awkward scene.

But he didn't expect it to be this awkward!

This was a complete cold field!

Clearly, the public image of that uncle in the past was even worse than he had anticipated.

A bitter and helpless smile appeared on Lin Zai Shan's face.

This world had not yet entered the era of self-media.

That uncle in the past, even though he had many humanistic highlights, never had the opportunity to speak up and prove himself.

All the media united to smear him.

The most heart-chilling thing was that those media outlets were very familiar with the psychology of the masses. They knew exactly how to write to create a social image for an artist that would be despised by thousands, without making anyone feel a hint of sympathy for him.

That uncle's personality was indeed too stubborn, never needing anyone's sympathy.

When others smeared him, he would fight back, and when he was angry, he would even resort to physical violence!

The media people he had beaten, if not a hundred, were probably in the dozens.

Wasn't it just about paying money? He could afford it!

During the time when he was the richest, just for the compensation and settlement of beating media people, he had to pay out over a million.

A million in that era was equivalent to tens of millions now!

At that time, there were even sinister media people who made a living by smearing Lin Zai Shan and getting beaten, becoming small tycoons.

Using money to beat the media brought this uncle too much negative publicity.

Many of the young reporters who were beaten by Lin Zai Shan in the past are now the chief editors or deputy chief editors of top entertainment media.

Their history of being smeared has become a negative example that entertainment media are proud of—this is the outcome of opposing them!

Water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it.

In an era when artists lacked the ability to speak out for themselves, entertainment media could be said to have a hand that could cover the sky.

No artist dared to easily attack the entertainment media, at most only attacking a few hostile entertainment media, which was already quite impressive.

Even now that the internet is widespread and public figures have platforms to speak out, most artists still dare not oppose the media.

After that uncle became a sensation, in the golden age when entertainment media had the most power, he arrogantly and recklessly attacked all entertainment media, using the strength of an ant to tirelessly and relentlessly oppose the entire entertainment media. This was absolutely a legendary feat that no one had done before and probably no one would do after.

Perhaps among all social groups, only the artists who were also constrained by the entertainment media still had a bit of sympathy for Lin Zai Shan.

But unfortunately, Lin Zai Shan, this big cannon, did not spare even his peers, blasting away without mercy, making even the artists hesitant to sympathize with him easily.

The world has changed.

After so many years, the environment in the industry has improved a lot.

But Lin Zai Shan, the most famous and tragic public enemy in the history of the Chinese entertainment industry, still carries a negative energy that makes people wary.

Even though he had just played the emotional card of the old guitar as suggested by the story team, touching the audience and the mentors on the scene.

Now, as soon as his true identity was revealed, it still caused a storm of controversy and a cold field.

It can be seen how difficult it is to overcome the mountain of negative history in front of him.

Fang Qingtian had long anticipated such a situation, sighing and complaining to Diao Yuehan: "Lin Zai Shan's singing and songwriting are both excellent. Why didn't you give him a new identity when you insisted on having him perform? Just not saying he is Lin Zai Shan would have been fine! Wait until everyone accepts him again before revealing his identity."

Diao Yuehan nodded in acceptance, but in her heart, she replied: Do you think Lin Zai Shan would be the kind of person willing to re-emerge under a pseudonym? Besides, if his identity was not revealed from the beginning, it might cause even greater controversy when it was eventually dug up in the future!

"What do you think we should do now? Cut all the scenes that could cause a spike in ratings!" From Fang Qingtian's tone, it was clear that he really liked Lin Zai Shan's performance just now. He urged Diao Yuehan: "Quickly get Park Dae-cheng to prompt the mentors to save the scene! What are you standing there for?"

Park Dae-cheng had already switched to the earpiece channels of the four mentors, and his assistant had provided a solution. Just as he was about to prompt the mentors to start a new topic,

Li Zongheng, who was immersed in his own world, came back to his senses.

The master hadn't participated in a variety show recording for a long time, and he was a bit slow in his reaction.

Only now did he realize how awkward the situation was.

He did not agree with Lin Zai Shan's past behavior, but from this song "Hills," Li Zongheng could clearly feel that Lin Zai Shan had undergone a tremendous change.

This change was not something that could be faked with a hair dye; he had truly changed, from the heart.

For such a talented musician who had turned over a new leaf, the Chinese music industry could not afford to miss out, nor could it close the window of opportunity for him to shine again.

As he himself said, 24 years ago, he did not play the right tune with that old guitar.

But now, it was time for him to play the tune of his life again.

Looking at Lin Zai Shan, Li Zongheng smiled kindly and said, "You've changed a lot, young man."

In this field, perhaps only a fossil-level senior like Li Zongheng could call Lin Zai Shan a young man.

Lin Zai Shan smiled warmly and nodded.

Seeing Master Li speak, the staff, including Park Dae-cheng, felt a surge of joy! If Master Li could chat with Lin Zai Shan, everything that happened just now could be edited out! They could directly cut to Li Zongheng asking Lin Zai Shan if he was the original singer of "Wheat Fields," and then Lin Zai Shan's response, followed by the current conversation between Li Zongheng and Lin Zai Shan!

"Master! I love you to death! Please say a few more words! Keep the heat of the scene going!"

Park Dae-cheng was excited and praying in his heart.

All the staff were praying.

A figure like Li Zongheng, standing at the top of the music industry and looking down on the entire industry, would not care if Lin Zai Shan brought him negative publicity.

He knew what Lin Zai Shan needed most now.

With the mindset of a senior cherishing talent, Master Li spoke up for Lin Zai Shan: "You've had a very controversial life, but you can still return to the stage and present such a sincere and weighty work. I am proud of you."

"Thank you, teacher."

Lin Zai Shan was deeply moved. For a long time, no one in the industry had dared to speak up for him. Now that Master Li had taken the lead, this was absolutely a ray of light piercing through the darkness of his life!

"The title of your song 'Hills' says it all—life's ups and downs, the twists and turns of fate, all the scenery, are actually on the mountain. At 20, one starts climbing the mountain, and the joy is evident; at 30, the scenery is at its best, but the journey's fatigue is also gradually showing; at 40, one reaches the peak, and after seeing the world, one starts to think about the second half of life; after 50, one faces death, and the ultimate questions are no longer a joke. All the things one has loved gradually become eternal in one's consciousness. Such music, I don't need to evaluate it. It is a mirror, reflecting the current you and offering itself to every person with a story."

Li Zongheng's deep understanding and high praise for "Hills" gave many people on the scene a small shock!

Especially after Lin Zai Shan had been revealed, Master Li still lifted and praised this public enemy, which truly moved and impressed the audience!

Zhou Qinghua could tell that Li Zongheng was clearly supporting Lin Zai Shan!

Does this mean that Lin Zai Shan is really back? Is the target going to push this "old newcomer" again?

With Master Li taking the hit, and also giving face to Li Zongheng, Zhou Qinghua also praised Lin Zai Shan's music, making the atmosphere on the scene more lively.

Luo Benxiong, seeing Master Li taking the hit, also followed suit. But Guan Yaling still dared not say anything, as she needed to be cautious to avoid causing trouble for the company.

The audience, who had been overwhelmingly criticizing Lin Zai Shan, began to change their mindset as they saw Li Zongheng leading the praise for him.

Many people started to re-evaluate the lonely and weathered white-haired uncle on the stage.

Bai Ge was deeply moved and whispered to Lu Chen, "Uncle Chen, I love Li Zongheng!"

"I also love Li Zongheng!"

For so many years, no one in the industry had dared to speak up for Lin Zai Shan, and Lu Chen was almost moved to tears!

"Do you remember? When you were 18 or 19, almost 20 years ago? We had a meal together and talked about creation and freedom. You always said you wanted to be your own master." Li Zongheng reminisced about the past and started talking to Lin Zai Shan.

Lin Zai Shan racked his brain to think, but he couldn't remember this. It had been too long, and such things were never important to the original uncle, so he never remembered them.

At this moment, Lin Zai Shan should not pretend to deceive the sincere Master Li, so he could only smile bitterly and say, "I'm sorry, teacher, I can't remember many things from the past."

"It's okay, it's better to forget. Some things, if they should be forgotten, should be forgotten."

Li Zongheng smiled gracefully, not minding, and continued, "I'm talking about this now because I feel from your renewed music creation that you can finally rationally 'be your own master' and create freely. I like your current creative mindset. It's a precious thing, and I hope you can persist."

Lin Zai Shan humbly accepted the advice, but his heart was also tightening.

"Hills" was not his work; it was a masterpiece that Li Zongsheng had poured his life into!

Now, another Master Li was talking to him about creation. If he asked some deep questions, Lin Zai Shan would not be able to give him an answer!

Fortunately, Li Zongheng did not make things too difficult for Lin Zai Shan. He knew the pressure Lin Zai Shan was facing, so he tried to support his comeback and return as much as possible, hoping to help Lin Zai Shan truly get back on the right path of music and make new contributions to the entire Chinese music industry.

"How many things must a person do, and how many days must they endure, to achieve the luxury of 'being their own master'? You didn't know back then, but now you should be very clear. For a musician, the freedom to create, to do as one pleases without overstepping boundaries, is the most precious and rare thing. You must cherish it."

Lin Zai Shan nodded in acceptance.

Combining his own life experiences, Li Zongheng continued, "In our industry, many people never escape the shackles, pressures, goals, the need to please others, pretense, and the effort to appear casual. When will they truly achieve the freedom of 'being their own master'? It is too expensive for us. It requires the experience of traveling through mountains and rivers, the mindset of having seen the world, the skills of a half-life in the industry, the innate talent, the inspiration that is hard to come by, and the habit of enjoying this work. Now, to some extent, I see these things in you. Your past, as you said, has brought you a lot of pain, but you don't need to be stuck on it. Remember, without your past, there would be no present you. Forget the past and move forward. On behalf of myself, welcome back."

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【Kneeling for recommendations!】

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