Volume 1, Chapter 169: Surely No One Doesn't Have an Invitation to the Oscar Concert, Right?

Inside the control room.

As he watched this scene, Assistant Director Zhang Zheng hurriedly tried to persuade Director Liu Ming, who was standing behind him: "Director, shouldn't we step in and control this? It won't look good if the mentors end up fighting like this before the contestants even take the stage."

Liu Ming patted Zhang Zheng on the shoulder with a beaming smile: "This is exactly what we want! Haven't you noticed? For a show to generate massive buzz these days, you need controversy. What could possibly be more controversial than Jiang Yu locking horns with those four?"

"Director Liu's vision is unmatched!" Zhang Zheng immediately buttered him up, adding, "Still, Director, I think we should keep a slight leash on it so it's a steady stream rather than a full-blown brawl in this very first episode. You know Jiang Yu's temperament, and you remember the incident at the Chinese Pop Music Golden Melody Awards. What if things get out of hand and the higher-ups hold us responsible?"

Hearing this, Liu Ming pondered for a moment before finally nodding. He picked up the walkie-talkie and said, "Alright, mentors, let's calm down a bit. If this gets out, it won't do any of your reputations any favors."

Hearing the director's voice come through the microphone, Wang the Headliner chuckled. "Teacher Jiang Yu is young and passionate, and he's right—no one can please everyone."

The others did not push the matter any further.

After all, the financial backer had spoken.

Host Hua Shao also stepped in to regain control of the stage: "Now, let us enjoy the performance of our first contestant."

The format of the premiere episode featured contestants choosing their mentors, and mentors choosing their students.

As soon as he finished speaking, the chairs of the five mentors spun around.

A familiar melody began to play.

"Just like that, I was conquered by you!"

...

"Na Ying, I didn't expect the very first contestant to sing your song. This track must be over a decade old now. Choosing this song definitely makes her your die-hard fan. It seems this girl is hoping to become your student," Wang the Headliner said with a smile.

Upon hearing the song, Na Ying could not hide the smug delight on her face, though she still feigned modesty: "You never know. Perhaps she's singing my song, but wants to choose you as her mentor."

Yang Kun chimed in with a smirk: "This is what you call an artistic, musical song. No matter how many years pass, people will still love it—so much better than those bubblegum pop tunes!"

"Well said."

Jiang Yu listened to their harmonious back-and-forth. Was this what the big shots were like? They acted just like bickering elementary schoolers.

He simply offered a faint, indifferent remark: "It's not bad."

And then he fell silent.

As the song reached its climax, Na Ying was the first to slam her hand down hard on the button on her desk.

"I want you!"

Immediately afterward, the other mentors also smashed the buttons in front of them.

Seeing all the mentors turn around, the young woman on stage was overwhelmed with excitement.

Only one mentor had yet to turn around: Jiang Yu.

Until the song ended, Jiang Yu never pressed his button.

"Jiang Yu, I heard you say earlier that you thought this singer was pretty good. Why didn't you turn your chair?" Wang the Headliner asked.

Jiang Yu smiled. "Just like our chat earlier, no matter what, you can't please everyone. She sang well, but she's not my style."

A flash of mockery crossed Na Ying's eyes.

"Well, since this song is relatively artistic, it's only natural that some people don't understand it. Let's all be understanding; the type he likes is probably just like him—superficial."

Jiang Yu gave Na Ying a deep look. "Teacher Na doesn't need to lose sleep over the type of person I like. I'm a vulgar person; I'm not looking for a champion, I'm looking for a star—a dazzling, shining star."

Arrogant. Those words were far too arrogant.

Backstage, Liu Ming's face was splitting into a massive grin. They didn't even need to force a script; the organic drama was already this good.

Inviting Jiang Yu was definitively the best decision he had ever made.

Na Ying's expression darkened. "Such a braggart, talking big about stars. Are you even a star yourself that you think you can make someone else one?"

Jiang Yu glanced at her. "My song sales rank number one."

A single sentence instantly choked off Na Ying's retort. It was a fact she simply could not refute.

A look of disdain surfaced on Yang Kun's face. "Young man, you're full of youthful arrogance, but that's a pretty grand statement. What gives you the right to say something like that?"

Jiang Yu offered a slight smile. "The fact that my song sales rank number one. The fact that I can write great songs."

Yang Kun gave Jiang Yu a cold, dismissive look. "High sales for a single song don't make it a good song. What's the point of a track that lacks musicality and aesthetic value?"

Jiang Yu replied flatly, "What's the point? It hits number one."

Na Ying gritted her teeth, her voice trembling slightly. "Aside from sales, what else is it good for?!"

"It's also good for receiving an invitation to the Cameron Oscars Music Gala," Jiang Yu said softly, gently covering his mouth. "I recall that several of our esteemed mentors also attended the Weibo Night."

"Since you teachers' works possess such high musicality and aesthetic value, surely you must have received invitations to the Oscars Music Gala as well?"

A fatal blow.

Which singer in the world didn't want an invitation to the Oscars Music Gala? Yet, those award panels simply didn't look their way.

Seeing the reactions of the group, Jiang Yu put on an expression of utter astonishment.

"Oh, you don't mean to tell me... surely nobody here failed to get an invitation to the Oscars Music Gala, right?"

"How can people who couldn't even secure an invitation to the Oscars Music Gala sit here questioning someone who actually got one? Some people surely don't actually think they have the qualifications for this, do they?"

Jiang Yu's remarks sent the audience into roaring laughter.

Meanwhile, the faces of the mentors on stage turned livid, leaving them completely speechless, as none of them possessed such an invitation.

Jiang Yu was utterly ruthless. Using that specific event to shut them down was nothing short of a dimensional strike!

Their minds echoed with just those few words: Oscars Music Gala.

...

Finally, the recording of the episode came to an end.

Jiang Yu walked out of the recording hall with an icy expression, his mood visibly sour.

Although those people hadn't gained any real advantage during this episode, it was now abundantly clear that they were deliberately targeting him.

This show was truly proving difficult to film.

Wu Kenan stepped forward. "Brother Yu, how did the recording go? Did they give you a hard time?"

Jiang Yu shook his head, bypassing the question entirely to say only, "I'm a bit tired. Let's go back and rest."

Sensing that Jiang Yu was in a foul mood and choosing not to pry, Wu Kenan simply nodded in understanding.

Upon returning to his room, Jiang Yu did not step out again, barely eating a few bites of dinner.

That night, Wu Kenan gathered Guo Qiang, Liu Bin, and Wei Hualing together.

"What on earth happened in the recording studio today?"

All three sighed and kept silent.

"Spit it out! Are you trying to give me a heart attack?"

"I'll tell you!" Guo Qiang recounted the entire incident to Wu Kenan.

Hearing everything that had transpired, Wu Kenan's eyes burned with fury.

"Those washed-up hacks! How dare they treat Brother Yu like this? I'm calling Boss Su right this second!"

Back in his room, Jiang Yu lay on the bed, trying to calm his ruffled spirits.

At that moment, his phone rang.

It was Su Muyu.

Seeing her name on the screen finally coaxed a genuine, heartfelt smile from Jiang Yu. "Hello. Little Yu!"

"The recording today actually went quite successfully."

"Who told you that?"

"Hey, don't worry, I'm fine. I'm not wronged—isn't part of the money we earn hazard pay for putting up with nonsense?"

"What kind of man do you think your boyfriend is? If I'm pushed too far, just watch how I handle them!"

"Haha, the recording is done for today, and I've already rested. I'm catching a flight back tomorrow. I miss you."