Chapter 98

Sun Yuzhen blushed sweetly, feeling embarrassed to speak as Lin Zaishan asked her.

"Getting in and out of the car, getting in and out of the car—there's really nothing much to talk about. Some things are better left shrouded in mystery, to be revealed only when you truly experience them. Imagining it—may not be a bad thing."

"Okay."

Sun Yuzhen responded quietly, stretching her legs out and supporting herself with her hands on the fine sand, relaxing her body as if a great weight had been lifted, though she still felt a bit unsatisfied.

"Do you not understand Cantonese very well?"

"Um, I can only understand the general idea."

"Then I'll sing a Cantonese song for you."

"Is it related to this competition?"

"No. It's related to the things you want to hear about."

"Ah?"

"The song is called—'Crack'."

Lin Zaishan said the title in Cantonese, and Sun Yuzhen repeated it phonetically: "La-Hei?"

"Crack—means a gap or a crack."

"Gap?"

"According to your artistic young lady's terminology—it's called 'Crack'."

Lin Zaishan spoke very subtly, leaving it to Sun Yuzhen to figure out the meaning. She should understand it.

Sun Yuzhen thought for a moment, and her legs, which had been stretched out, immediately came together again.

How could this uncle write such a song? And in Cantonese. Could it be for his ex-girlfriend from Guangzhou? It wouldn't be too vulgar, would it?

When Lin Zaishan started playing the guitar and sang the song with a deep and gentle voice, all of Sun Yuzhen's vulgar thoughts were instantly washed away.

Lin Zaishan's magnetic voice left a memorable musical impression in her heart—

...

Dear one~

You seem like a vase filled with my loyalty~

Dear one~

You only play the noble role~

...

Is it possible~

That one day I will see through your expression~

I have been waiting~

Dear one~

I know there must be a crack in your heart~

...

Let me open up~

Drift into a journey~

Holding your hand~

...

But you always~

Frown~

Perhaps this is not the right moment~

Still hoping for the future~

...

When I am willing to give everything to understand you~

To reduce the gap between us to the minimum~

When all the decorations are torn away and I suddenly see the crack~

...

The scenery inside attracts me to delve into you~

To transform the tug-of-war between us into something charming~

When the new world opens up and merges with you and me~

...

...

In another world of the Chinese music industry, many works subtly described intimate matters.

Even "Red Bean," if you listen carefully, has subtle descriptions, like the line: "... We tremble together~ We will understand~ What is gentleness~"

And Sun Yanzi's "What I Miss" has: "... I remember you behind me~ I remember my trembling~ I remember the surging feelings~ The most beautiful fireworks~ The longest embrace~"

Many rock singers have written songs with even more explicit descriptions.

This "Crack" by Wong Yiu Ming is one of the best works of this type in Lin Zaishan's mind.

Even though Sun Yuzhen could only understand the general idea, she still sensed the beauty behind the red veil from Lin Zaishan's magnetic and gentle voice.

To write such a matter into a song and make it so beautiful and moving, this uncle is truly talented!

...

The next morning.

Lin Zaishan met with Park Dae-sung at the Oriental TV station.

Park Dae-sung still felt regretful about Lin Zaishan's insistence on choosing the Butterfly Team.

However, there was no rift between Park Dae-sung and Lin Zaishan.

Park Dae-sung wanted to have a private chat with Lin Zaishan to give him a heads-up.

The production team had been promoting "The Strongest Singer" and had communicated with various entertainment media.

The veteran entertainment reporters, who had been in the industry for over a decade, were shocked when they heard about Lin Zaishan's comeback!

They found it hard to imagine that the once notorious troublemaker was back and would appear on the most important music show on Oriental TV. They didn't understand what Oriental TV was trying to do.

These veteran reporters, who had never experienced Lin Zaishan's wildest and most popular years, had all heard about him as a typical black figure in the industry.

Many of their superiors, the first batch of entertainment reporters, were paparazzi from the golden era, and many had conflicts with Lin Zaishan.

Oriental TV was about to push out such a controversial figure, and these familiar reporters didn't know what to say or what to do.

For a figure like Lin Zaishan, who was a unique and explosive presence in the industry, they didn't dare to write anything without consulting their leaders.

After gauging the attitude of the entertainment reporters, Park Dae-sung was a bit worried about Lin Zaishan's comeback.

If the media united to attack Lin Zaishan, digging up his past and causing a strong backlash, Oriental TV might not be able to protect him.

Even though the head of the arts department, Fang, liked Lin Zaishan's performance, if a storm of negativity hit, Lin Zaishan's future on the show would be uncertain.

At this moment, Park Dae-sung felt it was necessary to have an open and honest conversation with Lin Zaishan. He suggested that if many media outlets attacked him and dug up his past, Lin Zaishan should maintain silence and endurance, and not fight back against the media.

This might seem unfair, but the storm would eventually pass.

The production team was willing to stand by Lin Zaishan and would do their best to help him change his image.

They hoped that Lin Zaishan would also make his greatest effort to show a renewed life, using his old guitar to play the right path and not look back.

As the program's chief producer and director, Park Dae-sung's patient and reasonable advice deeply moved Lin Zaishan.

The production team had treated him well, and he naturally wanted to reciprocate.

Lin Zaishan was mentally prepared for the coming storm.

What was coming would eventually come, and there was no escaping it.

He just needed to focus on his music, and not worry about the rest, as worrying wouldn't help.

Silence is golden.

He would wait until the right moment to unleash his true strength and change the world.

...

The first episode of "The Strongest Singer" was successfully screened in the No. 1 screening hall of Oriental TV that morning.

The innovative format of the show left the 100+ industry insiders and 200+ social group members who attended feeling fresh and interested.

The harmonious interaction of the four mentors, the strong musical foundation, and the diverse performances of the carefully selected singer-songwriters made the content of the show particularly rich and engaging.

Aside from Lin Zaishan, who was the biggest highlight of the first episode and was not easily discussed, the industry insiders gave the production team a very consistent opinion: this new music show was a level above traditional music shows. When it officially aired, it would definitely cause a viewing craze.

The positive feedback from the industry insiders was very encouraging for the production team, but they could also sense that a storm targeting Lin Zaishan was quietly brewing.

Competitors wouldn't let such a controversial figure go. They were just avoiding the topic for now. Once a media outlet started attacking Lin Zaishan, many others would likely follow.

...

October 24th.

One week before the band competition.

That evening, Lin Zaishan was conducting an intensive rehearsal for the Believers band in the rehearsal room at Dongyi University.

Zhang Hao had a severe cold and was just starting to recover, so Lin Zaishan didn't let him sing much, focusing on resting his voice.

Lin Zaishan took over as the lead singer, leading Bai Ge and the others in the rehearsal.

The Huayin Laotong group had not yet responded about whether they would collaborate, so Lin Zaishan was still rehearsing the first three songs with the Believers band.

...

Who has bound me with a jade lock~

Never to be free~

Who has clad you in golden armor~

Trapped in fire and water~

...

Lin Zaishan was singing "Heaven Above."

When he reached this part, Li He's bass rhythm was slightly off, but Lin Zaishan didn't stop singing. He gestured to Li He to continue playing and not be affected.

At this stage, Lin Zaishan didn't easily interrupt the children's playing, instead letting them correct their own mistakes to avoid making the same errors during the actual performance.

Zhang Hao and his girlfriend Jin Mengyi returned with dinner for everyone.

Knowing that Lin Zaishan had a big appetite, they bought four large bags of takeout, enough for at least 15-16 people.

Lin Zaishan, smelling the food, quickly ended the rehearsal and had everyone eat first, resuming practice later.

During dinner, Jin Mengyi excitedly shared a piece of news: "I finally found out who the superstars are for the closing ceremony of the arts festival. They are really superstars!"

"Who? Is it the legendary Liu Yayan?"

"No, even bigger than Liu Yayan!"

Jin Mengyi, no longer teasing, excitedly said, "It's Empress Li Xiaoni! And 7ove!"

"Cough—!"

Lin Zaishan, who was eating his boxed meal, choked and sprayed food when he heard Li Xiaoni's name!