Chapter 95: Live Out A Second Life
Three days after being written into Yu Wei’s book, Tong Yulu leveled up her status…
Artists level up based on four evaluation metrics: representative work, authoritative awards, commercial value, and media exposure. She definitely doesn’t have the first two, but these past few days, she’s reached the extreme on the fourth one.
During this time, the company’s full operations and capital’s big hands were indispensable, but in the end, it was Yu Wei’s book that gave her massive exposure.
Without Yu Wei, none of these other things would have come her way. The company promoting her was just going with the flow, and the data explosion was riding the momentum.
This feeling of turning stone into gold was something Tong Yulu had never experienced before. In school, she was a good-for-nothing poor student; after the talent show, she was a barely-debuted good-for-nothing. Getting to this point today was all thanks to luck.
Although this level-up was also due to luck, the difference was that this time, the luck was no longer illusory and ethereal—she could seize it…
“What are you doing?”
Before the performance segment of Music Blind Box began, Yu Wei, who was sitting in the guest seats thinking about the plot, was suddenly patted on the shoulder by Tong Yulu next to him.
“Want to touch my koi.”
Tong Yulu smiled apologetically, a hint of satisfaction swirling in her eyes. This visible and tangible luck was really nice—mom wouldn’t have to worry about her career luck anymore.
“This is a major program site, don’t mess around…” Yu Wei was a bit speechless. Male and female stars still needed to watch their image in public—what did all this tugging look like?
Of course, even in private.
Actually, these past two days, there were already rumors about his relationship with Tong Yulu. As the first real-name certified female star to appear in his novel, Tong Yulu was crowned with the title of “First Wei Girl.”
Some netizens thought there was something between them, but it didn’t stir up much waves. What era is this? Daring to spread rumors without evidence? At least come up with some chat records.
Chat records—had to believe it…
“Don’t worry, I know my limits.”
Would you say Tong Yulu wants to hype a scandal with Yu Wei? Absolutely she does. Scandal-hype in the entertainment industry is commonplace, all for popularity.
Yu Wei was such a big sweet pastry—wanting to ride his popularity was human nature.
But Tong Yulu definitely wouldn’t do that. First, out of respect for Yu Wei; second, she knew hype wouldn’t get her far.
Moreover, she felt like Yu Wei had someone in his heart…
While the two were chatting idly, Meng Han and Su Xinnan finally finished touching up their makeup and entered together with the four civilian contestants.
Although this episode was filmed at the sports base, Yu Wei hadn’t run into either of them at all these past few days, which logically shouldn’t be the case.
Su Xinnan was in the indoor project area, so not running into her was still reasonable, but Meng Han and he were both outdoors—not seeing each other for five straight days was a bit off.
No matter how big the sports base was, the program team’s filming crew was still very eye-catching. Not even crossing paths once made it hard not to suspect deliberate arrangement by the program team, intentionally staggering their filming times.
There’s a conspiracy…
“Little Deer has been a trending search regular lately—almost more popular than me.” Su Xinnan half-jokingly greeted them, especially marveling at Tong Yulu’s recent popularity.
The internet’s development is great. In the era when she debuted, getting popular meant fighting for it yourself, seizing every opportunity to get on television. Not like now, where you can easily blow up online.
But she wasn’t unbalanced inside, just amazed at the speed of era development. Yu Wei’s one book had promotion stronger than many film and television dramas…
Might as well stop crowding to act in costume idol dramas—mess it up and get scolded. Just join Yu Wei’s novel as a supporting role right there; you can get popular and have memes.
A few days after experiencing athlete life, the changes in all four were quite obvious—not a transformation, but their vibrant energy was visibly fuller.
Healthy routine, consistent exercise plus mindful eating—mental state was bound to improve.
Except for Meng Han. His exhaustion was written all over his face, dark circles heavy like they could drag a person down, stubble like dry grass jutting from cracked lips, looking even a bit disheveled.
Compared to the other three, Meng Han looked more like a damp otaku who’d holed up in an internet cafe…
Though he didn’t look very spirited, he maintained a weirdly manic energy, peaking when facing Yu Wei—eyes turning green and all.
After recording began, as usual, they entered the interview segment. Yu Wei and the others’ statements were surprisingly consistent: athletes’ lives are filled with hardship, effort, and persistence—they deserve respect, except the national football team.
If it were before, their words might seem a bit official, but after simply experiencing athletes’ daily training, these statements felt very sincere.
The athlete friends’ evaluations of them were also high: ordinary people’s physical fitness can’t compare to athletes’; their willingness to stick it out was already quite good.
Could only say the Music Blind Box program team has good taste—no arrogance from the stars, no special treatment nonsense.
“I believe everyone here gained something from these days of training. No more chit-chat—let the music convey the experience, let the songs carry the stories. Alright, please begin your performance!”
Among the four guest groups this episode, only Yu Wei’s group was solo. Actually, Xing Chao originally planned to chorus with him—performing on the same stage with an idol has commemorative significance.
But after hearing Dream Chaser’s Heart, he still decided on solo… This song was too hard to sing; singing with a pro would highlight the contrast sharply.
Long-distance runner—no strong teamwork there. He wanted to do the best he could.
Yu Wei admitted he initially wanted to “torment” the readers a bit, but during the subsequent days of song practice, he was convinced by Xing Chao’s sincerity and seriousness.
As a non-professional, his emotion for music was very genuine, because in the monotonous day-after-day training, only music accompanied him.
In three episodes, Qi Luo An and Lin Yuting came for Yu Wei, but Xing Chao joined the program just because he liked singing—by comparison, he was the purest one.
Yu Wei not joining the chorus couldn’t help anyway, so he could only quietly cheer him on.
Tong Yulu made big progress this episode. As opening guest, she used a Blossoms song centered on heroic women to perfectly interpret the essence of the female gymnast—soft yet valiant, great entry point.
They say popularity nurtures people—Yu Wei really believed it now. After getting popular, even her song taste improved a lot…
By contrast, Su Xinnan following right after was a bit mediocre, mainly due to coordination issues—completely failed to capture the original song’s layers.
This episode’s development was unexpected—who’d think the girl group good-for-nothing Tong Yulu would outshine Su Xinnan right off the bat?
“Brother Yu, I’m going up first!”
Before taking the stage, Meng Han gave Yu Wei a meaningful glance. Being looked at like that, Yu Wei instantly got it—this was a challenge.
Ever since he wrote Meng Han’s song in the novel, the guy had wanted to spar with him. Thought this episode wasn’t suited for Smog so he’d drop it—didn’t expect such firm attitude…
Couldn’t hold back anymore—time to battle right now!
All lights suddenly dimmed, only a beam of cold white follow spot piercing the darkness, fixed on the bronze longbow at the stage center.
Drummer’s low three thuds like ancient war drums, pipa wheel-fingering slicing through air, dense as arrow rain pouring down.
This song’s opening had max epic feel—Yu Wei had zero prior impression… Not just him, no one else on-site had heard this song.
Prelude of traditional music and electronica exploding together—this was Meng Han’s original new song Hou Yi for this episode.
No wonder Meng Han had been elusive these days—turns out he was brewing a big one.
Yu Wei’s mood was complex. Before, he always targeted ahead of time; this time he met a tough opponent. The entertainment industry wasn’t just him making new songs—others did too, and quality no worse.
Meng Han’s thinking was simple: since Smog couldn’t be done, like Yu Wei, he’d drop a new song on the program.
New song vs. new song, original vs. original.
Song hadn’t even started, but the audience smelled thick gunpowder. They clearly saw it too—Teacher Meng Han wanted a head-on clash with Yu Wei.
He could write novel plots freely, but reality showdown would tell.
On stage, Meng Han formally appeared; the archer was his bassist, providing some chorus and backing vocals.
Yu Wei didn’t know if this guy was really talented or just for show—bass wasn’t audible anyway…
“Snap bamboo! String bamboo!—Flying dirt chasing flesh!”
Ballad’s roar mixed with distorted guitar, Meng Han’s first note dragged the audience into primal hunting grounds—bloody and wild.
This was an ancient hunting folk song, perfect fit for opening a bow-and-arrow themed song. This creative ability really had something.
Amid bass low-frequency tremors, Meng Han crouched simulating drawing bow, roar mixing true-false vocal cord friction into angry tones, like arrow fletching breaking wind.
“Hundred paces out, willow leaf trembles; ten-ring bullseye carved into a crown.”
Audience gasps unfinished, Meng Han swung his arm, electronica “whoosh” exploding, just like arrow hitting bullseye.
This song’s completion was too high—lyrics, arrangement, intent all stunning. Hard to imagine Meng Han wrote it in a week.
They say Yu Wei has strong creative ability, but Yu Wei knew his own ingredients. This was real creation—anyone who makes it in entertainment isn’t simple, let alone a talented person like Meng Han.
In Chinese rock music domain, he was the undisputed master…
On stage, in sudden silence, Meng Han dropped to one knee, sweat drops into mic amplified to thunder, soft mixed voice reciting bow-and-arrow precept:
“Aimless shot, arrow blind; purposeful bow, soul unswerving.”
Honestly, the pressure Yu Wei gave Meng Han was huge. For this song, he raced against time, gave his all—these days he barely slept well.
Creative ability is forced out. He wouldn’t call this song his peak, but it should rank top three in his works.
For a singer his age, this breakthrough was like living a second life!
No method—he was hard-pressed into it…
Only after trying a week of creation did he realize how terrifying Yu Wei was. Writing one song the same way, he was dog-tired—this kid still had time to cause trouble and write novels?
This gap gave him immense pressure, but also let him break through in anxiety.
Melody pouring, strong mixed voice D5 sustain with metal vocals weaving, proclaiming undying arrow soul from myth to arena, cold weapon to Olympics.
Really liked one line from Hou Yi: Freljord will unify again.
