Volume One, Chapter 103: That Was Really Cool

"You are a rapper too, and he is a rapper as well!"

"You are all rappers, while I am not a rapper at all!"

...

When they had been hurling obscenities at him, Jiang Yu had already decided to use this song to give them a baptism by fire.

Though the song was packed with references they would not understand, it made his stance clear enough.

First: he had never once said he intended to enter this world.

Second: even if he was not one of them, he was still fully qualified to be their teacher.

Third: let the fanatics of this circle understand that their idols were worth nothing before him.

Fourth: Yang He had come to him before, hoping he could use his ability to bring about some small change in this world.

Since words were for gentlemen, the simplest and most brutal answer was to crush them outright.

"Chinese rap nearly died in your hands before!"

"If I do not rap, you lot would still be sitting at home!"

From the judges' table, Chen Tong watched Jiang Yu with naked admiration.

He had taken part in both of Jiang Yu's shows, and so he knew the backstage story in even greater detail.

Ever since Jiang Yu left the competition, none of the other trainees' songs had been able to reach his ears. After returning home, he had listened to Jiang Yu's music instead.

In all his years in the business, he had never seen a young man so overflowing with talent.

So many styles, and Jiang Yu could handle every one of them.

So young, so handsome, so gifted.

If he did not become famous, then no one could.

...

"I wrote this song, 'Campaign,' to save your lives!"

The faces of Abin of the Red Flower Society and A-Gou were darker than storm clouds.

Of course they knew about it. Guan Zongyuan had mentioned it when he told them the show could resume filming, and they had discussed it in private as well.

They had never imagined that whether rap could continue would one day hinge on some so-called genius singer who had appeared from nowhere, and worse, a contestant kicked off a talent show.

As rappers, they had their own pride, and they were naturally unwilling to accept Jiang Yu. When they later heard he would become a guest mentor on the program, their discontent only deepened.

They had already agreed that even if Jiang Yu had not come on to critique them, they would still have taught him a lesson.

Yet they had never expected him to be this fierce, this direct, cursing out everyone in the scene before so many people, without even resorting to the vulgar language they might have used as an excuse.

Only then did they understand the true reason Jiang Yu had quit Idol Two and a Half Years.

If Jiang Yu had joined their show instead, perhaps they would never have had a chance to stand out at all.

Though Jiang Yu kept saying he was not a rapper, no one doubted him in the least. With that level of talent and that kind of singing skill, there was nothing to dispute.

At that moment, Abin and A-Gou felt as though they had been struck by lightning.

In their own slang, their turf had already been smashed to pieces.

But they had absolutely no room to fight back.

The audience below was screaming themselves hoarse.

Meanwhile, Su Muyu gazed up at that brilliant figure onstage, her large eyes full of laughter.

The director had originally wanted to give her a seat somewhere else, but she refused; this spot put her closer to him.

If one looked carefully, Su Muyu was even swaying along with Jiang Yu's rhythm.

Anyone who knew her well would have been shocked enough to swallow their tongue at the sight. How could Su Muyu possibly make such a motion?

"The heavy snow was meant to bury you!"

At last, the final line was delivered.

After Jiang Yu finished singing, he did not even spare the two embarrassed men onstage a glance. He simply turned and went backstage, then looked at Su Muyu and smiled.

"It's over. Let's go."

Once they left the studio, Su Muyu handed him a bottle of water.

"That was very cool just now."

"I thought you were going to scold me once I got offstage. I seem to have provoked people again."

Su Muyu shot him an amused, reproachful look.

"You know that yourself, and you still dare to say it? Aren't you afraid the broadcast will stir up more abuse later?"

"Small matter."

Jiang Yu grinned, then grew serious.

"By the way, what's the story with that woman, Mei Mei? Does our company have some feud with her?"

"I don't know. I've already had Xiao Zhu look into it."

Su Muyu shook her head, then said lightly, "All I know is that she's about to lose her job."

Her tone was gentle, but the words themselves were rather frightening.

"By the way, did you prepare this song in advance?"

Jiang Yu smiled and shook his head.

"Actually, I prepared a different song. But those Abin and A-Gou types really know how to push their luck. You think I was going to let them off?"

Su Muyu laughed.

Just then, his phone rang.

It was Xiao Zhu, her assistant.

Su Muyu answered and spoke for a few moments before hanging up.

"The woman named Mei Mei has been investigated."

Hearing the name, Jiang Yu's eyes darkened slightly.

"Which company is behind her? Don't tell me Shining Star Entertainment is still scheming."

Su Muyu shook her head.

"There's no one behind her. And Shining Star Entertainment would never use something this stupid."

No one behind her?

Jiang Yu said nothing, only looked at her in confusion.

Su Muyu could not help but laugh.

"She's just a female star who's about to fade out. Seeing how hot you are, she wanted to ride your momentum and pull a little trick."

Speaking of it, the whole thing was equal parts infuriating and ridiculous. Xiao Zhu had told her everything over the phone just now.

In truth, there had never been any feud between them at all.

It was simply that Jiang Yu had been extremely popular lately, and Mei Mei wanted to borrow some of that heat.

The truth left Jiang Yu with a wry smile.

This was truly beyond expectations. He had thought the two companies were at each other's throats, when in fact she had only wanted to piggyback on his popularity.

He could not help but laugh in disbelief. So there really were people who left their brains at home and forgot to bring them out.

Just then, another call came in.

Su Muyu answered it.

"Director Guan, what is it?"

"Nothing. Just let it air as it is. Don't cut it recklessly."

After hanging up, Su Muyu laughed.

"Guan Zongyuan called to apologize. He also said that after this, that woman will be blacklisted by the station."

"Serves her right for trying to gain an advantage and losing more in the bargain," Jiang Yu said, shaking his head.

"The director also specifically asked about you. He wanted to know whether this segment could be broadcast."

"Well now, when did I get so impressive that even a television director has to ask for my opinion?" Jiang Yu said with an easy smile. "Looks like I'm slowly getting stronger."

"Mhm."

Su Muyu answered softly.

The man before her had already created too many legends. Since graduating in July and until now, little more than three months had passed, yet he had already become someone impossible to ignore.

She found herself staring at him in a daze.

...

Back at the recording site, the audience, guests, and contestants had already left.

Guan Zongyuan happily hung up the phone.

The effect on site had been excellent, but he had worried Jiang Yu might not want the footage released, so he had been torn for a long time and finally had no choice but to call Su Muyu.

He had not expected her to mind at all. With that, the finale of his program was practically perfect.

His assistant had never seen their boss in such a mood before, so he asked curiously, "Boss, you're a big director. Why are you so afraid of Jiang Yu? Didn't he only take part in Idol Two and a Half Years?"

Guan Zongyuan sighed and handed him Jiang Yu's profile, while also telling him about what had happened before.

The assistant stared at the profile in stunned silence. He had never imagined that such a young man could build such a dazzling resume in just three months, let alone that the survival of their show would depend on Jiang Yu's rescue.

After a long pause, the assistant said, "Director, in that case, why don't we invite him to the new show we're preparing as well?"

Guan Zongyuan's eyes lit up at first, but then he deflated.

"What kind of show are we preparing?"

"A dating show."

"Do you know who I just called?"

"Don't know."

"If you don't know, then stop giving me terrible ideas!"

Guan Zongyuan slapped the brim of his assistant's cap.

"If we put Jiang Yu on a dating show, I suspect he'll die even more miserably!"