Volume One, Chapter Sixteen: Great Works and the Market Are Not in Conflict
Hearing the students’ discussions, Li Gang was stunned and opened his phone. He had noticed the song “Bare Face” before and had already asked the marketing department to see if they could follow up and sign the artist. He hadn’t expected the boy on stage to be the one.
Su Ling beckoned with her hand, and her assistant came over. “President Su.”
“Prepare the contract I mentioned, and contact Jiang. See if he’s interested in our company.”
She made no effort to conceal her voice. Li Gang heard her and his expression darkened.
Seeing Li Gang’s reaction, Su Ling barely suppressed a laugh. “President Li, since you’re not interested in Jiang Yu, our Huayue Entertainment is prepared to sign him.”
Li Gang feigned indifference, but then took out his phone and sent a message: “Prepare a B-level contract for me, I want to sign someone.”
On stage, Jiang Yu had not stopped.
“The river of time flows into the sea, and finally we walk separate paths.”
“No harbor is a permanent stop.”
“In my mind, there’s a crossroad where the phoenix flowers bloom.”
“There, I have my most cherished friends.”
Everyone held their breath, watching Jiang Yu play the piano and sing, afraid that their voices might break the spell.
Zhao Yiyi had finished her performance and returned to the audience. She bit her lip, watching the radiant boy on stage.
She had been with him for two years. Yet, why did he feel so unfamiliar, as if she’d never known him at all? Such talent—why did he only reveal it after their breakup? Was it deliberate?
“Flowers bloom and fall, sometimes joyful, sometimes lonely.”
“It’s comforting that at a certain moment in life, we went through it together!”
“The river of time flows into the sea, and finally we walk separate paths.”
“No harbor is a permanent stop.”
“In my mind, there’s a crossroad where the phoenix flowers bloom.”
“There, I have my most cherished friends.”
“For my most cherished friends.”
The performance ended slowly amidst muffled sobs.
Jiang Yu stood and bowed slightly to everyone.
Unlike previous performances, applause did not come immediately. The audience remained immersed in the emotion of the song—even the host hadn’t reacted yet. After all, they were in their senior year.
But just as everyone was lost in emotion, a sudden scream echoed.
“Get down!”
“What’s this nonsense you’re singing? It’s garbage!”
“Get off the stage!”
In such a quiet environment, these few harsh voices stood out sharply.
As the singing ended, a few audience members began shouting and making a scene, even standing up and shaking their fists, trying to stir the crowd.
But as they kept shouting, something felt off—they had shouted several times, but no one joined them. Instead, there were many unfriendly gazes, fists clenched in their direction.
Zhao Yiyi covered her cheek. These were people sent by Li Jiang to retaliate against Jiang Yu, but did they have no brains, couldn’t they read the room?
“Get out now!” Zhao Yiyi whispered.
That triggered the surrounding students.
“Get out!”
“Which class are you from? When the graduation party is over, you’ll be exposed!”
“Go! Leave!”
The troublemakers trembled, their legs shaky, and slunk out of the graduation party.
Once they left, the hall erupted in thunderous applause, roaring to the heavens as if hands might break from clapping.
Screams followed.
“Jiang Yu! Jiang Yu!”
“Jiang Yu is the coolest!”
The audience shouted wildly, many female students’ eyes sparkling with hearts.
“Even a boy like this gets dumped? The girl who dumped him must be an idiot.”
Zhao Yiyi’s face darkened at the mocking voices around her and she slipped away amid the chaos.
Jiang Yu bowed once more to everyone and exited the stage.
At the leadership table, Yang He watched Jiang Yu leave and couldn’t help but praise, “Old Ning, this student is excellent!”
“I may not know much about singing, but I know he sang right into my heart. Who hasn’t been young? Really reminds me of what we were like thirty years ago.”
Ning Anbang laughed heartily. “Full of emotion—a great song. I plan to buy it and make it our university’s graduation season anthem.”
“That’s perfect. Your campus has so many phoenix flowers—what school could be more fitting?”
Jiang Yu left the stage and saw Su Muyu waiting backstage.
“Are you waiting for me?” he asked.
Su Muyu looked at him in wonder and nodded gently. “Yes.”
Jiang Yu smiled, “You’re up next. Good luck.”
“Alright!” Su Muyu kept watching Jiang Yu’s back, her eyes shining with an inexplicable light.
“Let me borrow your car to cool off with the air conditioning. This guy’s got me sweating!”
Is this person out of his mind?
After Jiang Yu’s solo, the students remained immersed in the bittersweet mood of graduation and farewell.
For the next performer, it was agony—they simply couldn’t follow Jiang Yu’s act. Performing on stage and seeing the lukewarm reaction below was pure torment.
Finally, it was over.
The performers left the stage, faces dejected, wishing they hadn’t followed Jiang Yu—who could possibly liven up the hall after him?
But suddenly, a burst of explosive screams came from the front.
Because the next item was the speech by the outstanding graduate.
Normally, the most outstanding person at the graduation party delivers the speech. This year, who else could compete with Su Muyu? Even if she hadn’t performed.
The audience started screaming for her even before she went on stage.
“Xiao Yu!”
“Ah! Goddess!”
“Darling! Let me have your babies!”
As the nation’s sweetheart, her fans went far beyond the school—even many admirers outside.
Reporters were energized, adjusting their cameras for the perfect shots.
Hearing the cheers, Su Muyu’s lips curved upward.
“Let’s go.”
“I go with you?”
“Yes, I’m wearing high heels—it’s not easy to walk. Help me lift my dress.”
“Alright.”
Watching Su Muyu in her white gown, as graceful as a goddess emerging from water or Chang’e descending to earth, Jiang Yu couldn’t help but smack his lips—she was too perfect. That face, that figure—truly blessed by the heavens!
He followed behind her to the stage entrance.
Seeing Su Muyu’s silhouette, the audience erupted again with wild screams.
Especially the boys—their eyes glazed, as if their souls had been drawn away.
Usually, two people give the speech—the most outstanding pair at the graduation party. This year, one was Su Muyu, and the other...
The host hadn’t spoken yet.
But the audience had already begun to shout.
“Jiang Yu! Su Muyu!”
“Jiang Yu, Su Muyu!”
Jiang Yu was stunned—why was everyone chanting his name?
Down below, Yang He smiled, “Old Ning, your graduation party this year is wonderful—so much talent. That boy Jiang Yu, and the famous Su Muyu, both outstanding.”
Ning Anbang nodded, then turned to Li Gang. “President Li, it seems great works and the market don’t necessarily conflict. What do you think?”
Su Ling couldn’t hold back anymore and burst into laughter.
Li Gang’s face darkened, and he snorted coldly without replying.