Volume One, Chapter 35: "A Delight for Both the Refined and the Common"

In just a few words, everyone was stunned. From the moment Jiang Yu entered the Bubble Round to his participation, barely an hour had passed, and he had already written such a song? Not only the audience but even the judges on stage were astonished.

Chen Tong’s mouth hung half open. Song Changying was equally shocked. Xu Kun looked on with a mocking expression, as if watching a clown—how could any singer compose a song in just an hour? Among them, only Su Muyu’s eyes brimmed with faith.

“Have you watched every play from start to finish? Has each day been so unforgettable?”
“Expressions at dinner may be thoughtful, not adept at conveying with eyes and brows.”

He began to sing, the familiar voice resonating, but compared to his previous song, “Why Not,” this one was less lighthearted and more composed. The song went on.

“Always hoping, always disappointed, aren’t days all like this?”
“Vulgar bravado, elegant arrogance, aren’t they all just a façade?”

At this point, everyone sensed something was off. Vulgar bravado, elegant arrogance. Vulgar, elegant? Xu Kun’s expression grew cold; he never expected Jiang Yu to strike back so directly.

People recalled Xu Kun’s earlier criticism of Jiang Yu’s song as vulgar. Was this a direct retort, or simply a coincidental song? The singing continued.

“They say,”
“Quickly compose a love song for all tastes,”
“Fit for the parlor, and the kitchen too, just like the girl I’ve always sought,”
“Quickly compose a love song for all tastes, solve the riddles, then climb the charts,”
“If alleys and lanes all broadcast it, its charm becomes self-admiring.”

Jiang Yu’s tone grew lighter and carefree. The melody was beautiful—absolutely beautiful. But the lyrics were deeply meaningful. Everyone’s minds flashed with certainty—this was a pointed response to Xu Kun’s remarks. Vulgar, elegant, popularity—each line countered directly.

Now, they were convinced: Jiang Yu had composed this song on the spot. Incredible.

Xu Kun’s face darkened, disbelief filling his eyes. How could this be? Meanwhile, Chen Tong and Song Changying’s faces flushed, veins popping on their necks and foreheads as they suppressed laughter. In their hearts, they had only one assessment of Jiang Yu: a prodigy—a true prodigy.

The song continued, growing from lively and carefree to passionate.

“Whose story has substance?”
“Both vulgar and elegant stand bold and proud,”
“Blood-soaked drama or pure snow scenes,”
“All invite my gaze—how generous!”

People felt numb. Goosebumps rose. With so many songs in his backpack, he could sing whatever he pleased—what business was it of theirs? If they had the talent, let them show their own “backpack.” Whether a song is vulgar or elegant, only the singer decides. Who were they to judge?

Jiang Yu was the only one in this world who truly belonged to those people. No one else had the right to judge—except for “Chicken Too Beautiful,” let them say what they will.

Everyone understood: this was Jiang Yu’s answer to Xu Kun, his attitude made clear. He stopped just short of pointing at Xu Kun's nose and cursing, “Who do you think you are, old man?”

“Quickly compose a love song for all tastes,”
“Write with spirit, make it easy to sing along,”
“Fit for the parlor, fit for the kitchen,”
“Just like the girl I’m searching for.”

A true song for all tastes.

Backstage, every singer was in shock. Wang Linkai looked incredulous, muttering that it was impossible. Liu Bin and Guo Qiang watched Jiang Yu on stage with adoration and excitement.

Liu Bin’s inner thoughts: “Yu Bro is unbelievable!”
Guo Qiang’s inner thoughts: “Wow, is this real talent? Is this genius? No, this is prodigy—must cling to him!”

Backstage, the staff were silent as night. Never had they seen such talent—a singer who composed a song in just an hour, and now, contestant and mentor at odds, the show’s topic exploded.

Yan Ming grinned ear to ear: “I never expected this kid to be so talented, what a surprise!”

The camera returned to the recording area. The song continued.

“No life is fit for all tastes,”
“The plot’s twists and turns make people long for more,”
“In the midst of absurdity, glimpses of weary faces.”

These lines immediately won over Chen Tong and Song Changying, the two veteran artists. What is vulgar, what is elegant? Some people criticize others as vulgar, forgetting that they themselves are not elegant. Unable to distinguish their own vulgarity or elegance, what right have they to judge others? Is it not just absurdity?

“When nerves are touched, one must know to applaud,”
“Don’t say you don’t care or expect anything,”
“Too detached, whether hit or win, the feeling is the same.”

Finishing the last verse, Jiang Yu pressed his lips together, smiled faintly, and looked at Xu Kun, shaking his head gently. Xu Kun’s face darkened even further.

Those last lines were clearly aimed at him. When nerves are touched, one must applaud. The whole song pointed at Xu Kun, and in the end, demanded applause.

When the music ended, the room erupted in cheers. Everyone applauded, Chen Tong and Song Changying as excited as the audience, clapping enthusiastically. Su Muyu wasn’t as exuberant, but the flush on her palms showed how hard she was clapping.

Helplessly, Xu Kun had to clap as well—the camera was right in front of him! Xu Kun never imagined he’d be forced to applaud one day. A shadow crossed his eyes: "I absolutely won't let you have an easy time on this show."

The audience shouted:

“Amazing, wow, Jiang Yu is so cool!”
“He deserves all the likes!”
“He’s a superstar—this is real singing, finally a proper singer!”

The music stopped. Not only Chen Tong and Song Changying, but even Su Muyu—seasoned veterans of the entertainment industry—knew that, although the song was highly topical, it was not the time for questions. After all, the subject was sitting right there; offending him face-to-face would be too much.

Chen Tong said: “Jiang Yu, you didn’t disappoint me. I really like it! I give you 95 points!”
Song Changying: “No doubt about it, Xiao Jiang, impressive—95 points!”
Su Muyu raised her scoring card directly, clearly showing 95 points.

Now only Xu Kun was left. Everyone looked at him. Xu Kun gritted his teeth; no matter how dissatisfied he was, he could not act out again. He scribbled two strokes on his scoring pad and raised it: 90 points. Although the lowest, it no longer mattered.

Advancing to the next round.

Amid enthusiastic cheers, Jiang Yu returned to the contestants’ waiting area. Liu Bin and Guo Qiang rushed over.

“Yu Bro, you’re incredible!”
“Damn, writing a song in an hour—Jiang Yu, you’re awesome!”

The other contestants chimed in intermittently. With someone this talented, of course they wanted to befriend him—he might write a song for them one day.

“Jiang Yu, you sang well.”

Just then, even Wang Linkai came forward.

“I write songs too, and I have some experience in composition. We should definitely collaborate more.”

Jiang Yu’s performance in the Bubble Round had made Wang Linkai sober up. Jiang Yu’s talent exceeded his expectations; both songs were masterpieces. Even if the boss had asked him to compete, he had to admit he was outmatched. Not letting things get too tense might actually lead to Jiang Yu writing a song for him.

Jiang Yu glanced at him coldly. He was the one who started trouble, and now, seeing he couldn’t win, wanted to make peace? Who did he think he was?

“Idiot.”