Chapter 165: Ji Ni Tai Mei, Ji Ni, You’re Really Too Beautiful
It was approaching midnight.
《 Singer 2025》 The audience dispersed.
Lin Yuan followed the crowd, walking through the exit corridor.
His ears were filled with the various evaluations and discussions of this episode of 《 Singer》 from the “judges” around him.
“Shi Daifu sang really well. It feels like when she encounters a good song, she’s no weaker than Fancia.”
“It’s Chi Ye who’s strong. Didn’t you see? 《 Devil from Heaven》 wrote, composed, and arranged it. He did it all himself. Hu Ye is truly a renaissance man.”
“NONONO, do you know that he also wrote and composed 《Lights of a Thousand Years》? That’s Shi Shi’s representative work too.”
“Before, I didn’t believe others when they said Hu Ye was a schemer, but now it seems he really is too much of a schemer.”
“…”
Of course, Lin Yuan paid more attention to the evaluations regarding 《Huo Yuanjia》 and Chi Ye eliminating Xiang Tiamo today.
His attention was on the two “arguing” girls before the competition started.
Because the two girls were near his position, they were also not far away as they left.
But the two were no longer discussing whether Taro or Diga was stronger. One was jumping up and down excitedly, while the other silently followed.
“Why aren’t you talking? Don’t tell me you’re mad about supporting an idol?”
The lively girl frowned.
The silent girl remained silent, and after a long while, shook her head in disbelief, “I just don’t think Chi Ye could have possibly won against Xiang Tiamo.”
“…He won because he won. 《Huo Yuanjia》 is very good. Ye Zi performed better than Xiang Tiamo today. Is there a problem?”
The silent girl said, “I just feel he won undeservedly. That so-called Chinese style… honestly, I can’t appreciate it.”
The lively girl originally wanted to comfort her companion, but upon hearing this, she was a little displeased, “How can you be such a sore loser?”
“In your eyes, is everything from the West good? Setting aside today’s competition results and works, just talking about the Chinese style Ye Zi mentioned, can you honestly say that song isn’t good? As a music enthusiast, shouldn’t you be happy about the birth of this style?”
The silent girl didn’t speak, but she felt an inexplicable resistance and rejection in her heart.
The reason for her attitude was simple: she used to be Ji Hemming’s fan… and now she’s somewhat of a “nostalgic fan.”
Yes, she showed her “Ji feet.”
And what was the relationship between Chi Ye and Ji Hemming before?
Other bystanders might have been fooled, but their group of “former” loyal fans each had their own channels and paid attention to their idol daily. Naturally, they knew that their idol’s incident was almost certainly caused by Hu Ye.
Ultimately, it led to him being imprisoned.
Their idol himself said Chi Ye framed him, and how could their idol lie?!
Therefore, as her companion guessed, she not only liked Western things but also harbored hostility towards Chi Ye from the very beginning. This was determined by their past “stance” and couldn’t be easily changed.
As for why she was so “devoted” to Ji Hemming… it was naturally because before his passing, their idol was always hailed as the “Endorsement King” of the internal entertainment circle, the artist most sought after by the international fashion industry.
Yes, it was still because of Western culture.
Before their idol’s incident, he was always the top streamer with the highest “prestige.” He even personally brought Western “hip-hop culture” to China, and 《The Rap of China》 was a hit show back then.
Their group of fans always called themselves “Meigeni,” and although it meant “every you,” it more importantly represented that they sincerely felt that being Ji Hemming’s fan was a prestigious thing.
This fan nickname sounded prestigious!
It was N times more high-end and classy than the other three groups, and Hu Ye’s fans calling themselves “Little Yezis” was truly low-class!
The silent girl was initially attracted to Western culture, and then because of Ji Hemming’s “prestige,” she became a fan of Ji Hemming.
But today… the “international heavenly queen” she always considered to have explosive prestige actually lost to Hu Ye, whom she looked down upon the most.
And it was because of some darn Chinese style… What Chinese style? Was it self-proclaimed? Was it as influential as Western musical culture?
She was very angry, she didn’t accept it, she felt that the 《Singer》 program team had a black curtain, and that Xiang Tiamo had suffered a great injustice.
So, after returning home, she immediately logged into the QQ group, which was the official fan group left by Ji Hemming after his death. Normally, countless fans of Ji Hemming would “form cliques for warmth + diss Hu Ye” here.
Today, the group was still lively, and the messages were refreshing at N times the speed of before. The silent girl looked at it, felt relieved, and eagerly sent a message as soon as she opened it:
【Meigenis, who understands? Today, that low-life Hu Ye could actually win against Xiang Tiamo. The 《Singer》 program team is so corrupt! 】
As soon as the message was sent, the group, which had been enthusiastically discussing, suddenly fell silent.
Immediately after, an administrator sent a message:
【No insulting people, okay? Chi Ye performed well today, it wasn’t a black curtain, right? 】
The silent girl: “???”
At this moment, she noticed that the group was actually sharing music, and they were listening to Chi Ye’s EP album 《Reboot》 from before.
And the topic of discussion in the group was about Chi Ye’s appearance, facial features, physique, talent… and other such debates and scoring.
Yes, Ji Hemming’s official fan group was actually discussing Chi Ye’s “advantages”!
The silent girl was dumbfounded.
She didn’t understand what was happening. The administrator who just spoke used to be one of the people who hated Hu Ye the most, just like her…
【Don’t you know? 】
A group member who usually had a good relationship with the silent girl typed with some sadness: 【It was officially announced today that Brother will be sentenced to at least fifteen years in prison. I don’t know if it’s true or not, but… he’s not coming out. 】
The silent girl was stunned again.
Yes.
Brother wasn’t coming out… Ji Hemming was completely finished.
Months had passed since his arrest. Ji Hemming’s case and its severity had attracted international attention… He was also a Canadian national, and he… he didn’t even have a chance to return to “his own country.”
【Is such a scumbag really worth us continuing to stan? 】
Another group member jumped out, saying for the first time words that made all the fans dazed.
Scumbag… Ji Hemming was indeed a scumbag. Before his incident, they could deceive themselves. After his incident, they could still barely deceive themselves. But now that the case has been finalized, and more than a dozen victims have “petitioned” with solid evidence, how could they deceive themselves?
So-called “brainless fans” were merely in an information cocoon, just willing to deceive themselves. But when they truly came to their senses, normal people still constituted the vast majority.
Therefore, Ji Hemming’s fans, who had “persisted” for several months, finally began to waver.
At this moment, they opened their eyes and the first thing they saw was Chi Ye, who was explosively popular tonight, had experienced various “tragic events” since the beginning of the year but never complained, only “strived for self-improvement” and kept getting better.
They opened their eyes and the first thing they saw was Chi Ye, Chi Ye’s past, and his current “strength.”
Then, they suddenly realized… it seemed, perhaps, roughly… possibly… Chi Ye’s appearance was more favorable than Ji Hemming’s. He was really handsome, more handsome than Ji Hemming.
And his physique completely eclipsed Ji Hemming’s. He was half a head taller than Ji Hemming, and…
Unlike Ji Hemming, he had representative works. He had the backing of a “hit drama,” and even his current musical talent and ability had gained “public recognition.”
A person like this was ten thousand times better than Ji Hemming. Why should they continue to be fixated on a “dead person”?
Opening their eyes to see the world, they felt the vastness of heaven and earth!
……
Chi Ye specifically chose this time to be on 《Singer》, it wasn’t accidental, it was intentional.
Sister Qianzi’s evaluation of him was correct. He was indeed very goal-oriented in his actions. To put it crudely, he liked to play mind games and calculate against others.
But Chi Ye didn’t think it was wrong, because that’s how you should treat opponents. He never provoked people who hadn’t offended him.
Going on 《Singer》, to promote new songs + help Jin Sui promote her movie + gain exposure + timed to exploit Lao Ji’s downfall.
Earlier, through Jin Sui’s connections, he had inquired about Ji Hemming’s “official announcement” date. Tonight, everything was just right.
The popularity was there, the “meat” was eaten, and Teacher Shi also gained some exposure.
–Other competitors, various young actors, like Lao Peng, how can you compete with me?
Before you’ve even reacted, “they” will see me first.
“Chi Ge, according to the information from the marketing department, the fan growth rate has accelerated. We’ve captured the market share left by Ji Hemming…”
In the supermarket, Keke followed behind Chi Ye, speaking softly.
“Mm, anything else? What are the reactions of others?”
“…Several parties have reacted. They are also marketing, but their popularity can’t compare to ours now… Several major manufacturers have already contacted us, and they seem to be interested in cooperation.”
Keke paused. There was one more thing she didn’t dare to say because Shang Youshu was right in front of her, but she felt particularly happy thinking about it – Chi Ye’s star power had upgraded.
After Lao Ji’s downfall, with several explosive hits breaking through the circles, Chi Ye’s star power had become even higher than before, a small step up.
And she had watched, almost with her own eyes, how Chi Ge accomplished all of this. To be honest… behind the scenes of the program, it was pure calculation.
Others came to sing, but Chi Ge came to “start a business.”
Chi Ye nodded and sighed, “Ji Ni Tai Mei!”
“Ah?”
Keke was stunned, “What?”
“It’s nothing.”
“…Right, Chi Ge, regarding 《Huo Yuanjia》 and the Chinese style… there’s a lot of controversy right now…”
Keke was about to continue speaking.
Chi Ye suddenly waved his hand, “We’ll talk about it when we get back.”
Sister Shang, who was wrapped up like a zongzi ahead, turned back and beckoned to him, “Come here, come here, it’s right here!”
Chi Ye: “…”
He was also heavily bundled up at this moment. As he walked over, he asked, “If what you recommend isn’t good, don’t blame me for not taking you to gossip next time.”
“Oh my, why don’t you trust me?!”
Sister Shang was very displeased, feeling that Chi Ye was “insulting” her experience as a foodie.
Yes, after this episode of 《Singer》 ended, Sheng Ning didn’t “wait” for Chi Ye to come out and left first, clearly not wanting to see Chi Ye’s triumphant smugness.
Sister Qianzi was “publicly humiliated” and refused to budge. Teacher Shi rushed to prepare the new song Chi Ye had arranged.
Only Chi Ye had a little time. After arranging his work for the next episode tomorrow, he had to fly back to the 《Big Shot》 film crew. He might as well bring back some local specialty snacks for the Empress Dowager.
So, after leaving, he happened to spot Sister Shang peeking, and they hit it off.
Of course… Chi Ye came out with Sister Shang this time for other business purposes.
“Are you reliable? With your experience as a little marksman, can you really recommend something good to me?”
Chi Ye looked at the shelves in front of Sister Shang, filled with local snacks and specialties from Xiangnan. They were all bright red, looking very appealing.
“Chi Ye! If you call me a marksman again, I’ll shoot you!”
Sister Shang, by nature, had a good temper, and after becoming familiar with Chi Ye, she had no airs at all, unlike other girls who cared so much about their image.
So, upon hearing Chi Ye mention Splatoon, she was very indignant, “Please, I’m Sister Shang, a ‘foodie’ who has tasted everything in the world! Are you listening or not!”
Chi Ye: “…What is it?”
“Spicy Fish Tail!”
Sister Shang pointed proudly at a packaging bag, “You said Xia Xia likes spicy food, right? This is good, this is definitely spicy enough!”
Chi Ye glanced at it doubtfully, feeling something was off, “…Spicy enough? How spicy?”
Sister Shang thought for a moment and said, “Very, very spicy.”
Hearing her tone, Chi Ye was dumbfounded, “You haven’t eaten it, have you?”
“Who says I haven’t eaten it!” Sister Shang became anxious, “After I ate it last time, I woke up the next day feeling like I’d been… I…”
Chi Ye: “???”
Sister Shang realized and her face turned red, stammering, “It was… someone forcefully fed me food, and it was numbingly spicy. I needed to drink something sweet…”
“Right, I’ll recommend this to you. Next time you interact with Xia Xia, remember to @ me!”
Chi Ye: “…Stop explaining, I heard it all.”
Shang Youshu lowered her head, her feelings complicated.
“Sister Shang, you really have a life.”
Chi Ye praised, “A woman like you who has such a life should be offered assistance… Hmm, do you have any schedule openings at the end of the year?”
“Hmm?”
Shang Youshu was startled and then regained her senses, “Why are you asking about my schedule?”
Chi Ye smiled, saying nothing.
……
Meanwhile.
At the 《Singer》 program team’s hotel.
“Ha, Chi Ye can even beat Xiang Tiamo now, huh.”
Teacher Na returned to her room angrily, slamming the door shut. Hua Yichen, who was right behind her, almost had his newly fixed nose shattered by the door.
“Chinese style, what is Chinese style? With his star power, he wants to start his own school?”
Teacher Na was very angry because Chi Ye’s popularity on 《Singer》 had now completely overshadowed her!
And before, she was the sole core topic of 《Singer》!!
#Old Lady Guarding the Nation# was stolen, popularity was stolen, and now he’s not even giving her the crumbs. The hot search list is full of Chi Ye, not me, Ying Zi!
It wasn’t easy for Ying Zi. Her reputation had been poor for many years. She finally got such an “opportunity to whitewash,” only for it to be snatched away by Chi Ye.
This person is too malicious!
Moreover, she fundamentally did not approve of Chi Ye’s so-called “Chinese style,” nor did she believe Chi Ye could win against Xiang Tiamo with the so-called “Chinese style.”
I didn’t even dare to choose him as an opponent, and you beat him. Doesn’t that make me look like trash?
How could I possibly acknowledge you.
“Honestly, I can’t really appreciate that Chinese style either.”
Hua Yichen nodded along, then looked down at his phone, “Mm… but we don’t need to worry, the company called.”
Teacher Na was startled.
……
In the supermarket.
Chi Ye and Sister Shang were carrying two large bags of “specialties.” Chi Ye glanced at the “fish tails” in Sister Shang’s bag, “Aren’t you afraid of being… that again?”
Sister Shang remained silent, “If you say it again, I won’t have any schedule openings.”
