Chapter Sixty-Nine: Mao Yi’s Album Sells Out, The Voice’s Second Season Premieres

Mao Yi burst energetically into Jiang Yun’s office.

“Teacher!”

Mao Yi was panting heavily.

Jiang Yun sat calmly in his chair, speaking unhurriedly, “What’s the matter?”

“Teacher, I have great news!”

Jiang Yun laced his fingers under his chin. “Don’t keep me guessing. Just say it.”

“It’s like this, teacher—my digital album sold thirty thousand copies in a single day!”

Jiang Yun was a little surprised. Without any promotion at all, the album had sold thirty thousand copies.

He opened Weibo and quickly found the reason. “So many people are spontaneously promoting your album!”

“Hehe!” Mao Yi grinned foolishly.

“Just in time—I have a notice here. You can attend an event.”

Mao Yi was taken aback. “What event?”

“‘Happy Little Camp.’ You can go and participate.”

“Alright, teacher!”

Mao Yi’s album had brought him a modest surge in popularity.

Jiang Yun paid no further attention to the matter. He opened the Azure Sword website and began browsing the reading activity feed.

“Wow, someone actually tipped me a rocket.”

Linghu Chong: “Author, your literary foundation is superb. This ‘The Smiling, Proud Wanderer’ is written so well—I really like it. Nowadays, it’s rare to see anyone write traditional martial arts novels!”

Jiang Yun replied to this reader named “Linghu Chong”: “Thank you for your support!”

Then Jiang Yun closed the backend page.

The next day would be the broadcast of the second episode of “The Voice of Huaguo.” With nothing pressing to do, Jiang Yun decided to take it easy for a day.

He put the matter aside, but the popularity of Mao Yi’s album continued to ferment.

Zhang Yang was a bartender.

On this day, Zhang Yang went to work as usual.

Suddenly, a new song played in the bar.

“When you walk into this hall of joy,
Carrying all your dreams and thoughts.”

…

“A toast to the morning sun, a toast to the moonlight,
Awakening my yearnings, softening the cold window.”

…

Zhang Yang was moved. He hurried to the bar and looked at the cashier. “Xiao Tan, what’s the name of this song?”

Xiao Tan replied, “‘Dissolving Sorrow!’”

“Who’s the singer?”

“Mao Yi, lyrics and music by Jiang Yun.”

“Jiang Yun, Jiang Yun…” Zhang Yang repeated the name under his breath.

“Alright, I got it!”

He left the bar, his face set with determination.

Li Ge was also a bar staff member, but he was the resident singer.

The bar manager approached him.

“Manager, what’s up?”

“There’s a guest who requested ‘Someone Like Me.’”

“‘Someone Like Me’…” Li Ge muttered.

“What’s wrong? You don’t know the song?”

“Give me two minutes!” Li Ge took out his phone and searched for the song.

He put on his headphones and began to hum along.

Two minutes later, Li Ge gathered the band and started performing the song.

“Someone as outstanding as me,
Should have lived a brilliant life,
How come, after more than twenty years,
I’m still adrift in this sea of people?”

“Wow!”

The audience applauded enthusiastically.

“Someone as timid as me,
Always holding something back,
How could I ever have considered,
Throwing everything aside for someone?”

…

When the song ended, Li Ge’s eyes were red.

Many in the bar secretly wiped away tears.

“Whew—”

Li Ge took a deep breath as the intermission began.

He pulled out his phone and searched for detailed information about the song.

“Jiang Yun?”

Li Ge was shocked—this song was also created by Jiang Yun?

He started searching for information about Jiang Yun.

The profile said that Jiang Yun had taken less than half a year to rise from a third-rate celebrity to a top-tier star.

The story was inspiring.

As he read, Li Ge quietly took Jiang Yun as a role model and made a decision in his heart.

The next morning, Jiang Yun got up early, washed simply, and got himself ready.

Li Lulu had prepared the car and drove Jiang Yun to the company.

When Jiang Yun arrived, Dai Quan was in the midst of training.

Tian Zhen, Zhou Lun, and Wang Feng were waiting for him.

“Jiang Yun, I can’t believe it! You actually founded your own company!” Zhou Lun exclaimed.

“Compared to your studio, Brother Zhou, mine is just a small operation.” Jiang Yun smiled.

“You’ve got guts, daring to start your own company!” Tian Zhen folded his arms. “We can only manage a studio.”

“So, have you decided on the theme song?” Wang Feng asked.

Jiang Yun smiled. “I’ve had it ready for a while.”

He signaled Li Lulu to bring out the files.

Li Lulu handed three folders to Zhou Lun and the others.

They opened the folder. “‘No More Hesitation?’”

“Yes,” Jiang Yun nodded with a smile.

“It’s a Cantonese song.” Tian Zhen hummed softly as he looked at the sheet music. “We still have time. Let’s rehearse.”

“Wait, I have another song that I think is even more suitable!” Jiang Yun said. “Of course, it’s up to all of you.”

“Another song?” Tian Zhen frowned. “Let’s see it!”

Li Lulu took out three more folders from the drawer and handed them over.

The three read in silence, exchanged glances, and Zhou Lun said, “Let’s go with this second song.”

“Alright,” Jiang Yun smiled.

The four began rehearsing the theme song.

At 7:30 p.m., in the studio.

Yang Yang stood center stage with a microphone. “Welcome, everyone, to ‘The Voice of Huaguo,’ hosted by Tomato TV!”

“This program is proudly sponsored by Kidney Treasure Tablets.”

Yang Yang’s voice was full of passion and infectious energy. “Now, let’s invite our four mentors to the stage to perform our theme song—‘The Undefeated Hero!’”

The beat kicked in, the stage lights flashed wildly.

The silhouettes of Jiang Yun and the others rose slowly from the lift.

Tian Zhen, swaying to the music, held the mic and sang, “For the dream in my heart, fighting through blood and storm like a raging wind, the night will give way to light.”

Wang Feng’s rock voice rang out: “The undefeated hero,
Scars are the sparks of courage,
Let’s fly to a farther sky.”

Zhou Lun sang with deep emotion, “Open your arms, let your heart burn on this journey, the future lies ahead.”

Jiang Yun sang, “A land of love, the road to success, confidence never yields.”

…

“Wow!”

As the song ended, a thousand audience members broke into thunderous applause.

Viewers on the live streaming platform filled the screen with comments.

“This song is on fire!”

“Epic! Legendary!”

“So good +1”

“So good +10086”

In the studio, the four sat in red chairs.

The show officially began.

“Let’s welcome our contestant He An to the stage.”

The four mentors sat with their backs to the stage.

A gentle melody started.

He An, with a shaved head, sang tenderly.

…

“Everyone’s eating, chatting, and laughing,
What a joyful night,
I’m in the farthest corner,
Smiling to fit in,
The onion at the bottom of the plate is like me,
Always just seasoning,
Secretly watching you,
Secretly hiding myself.”

When the chorus arrived, He An sang with heartfelt emotion, “If you’re willing to peel back my heart, layer by layer, layer by layer.”

“Click!” Tian Zhen was the first to turn.

“You’ll find out, you’ll be surprised. You are my most suppressed, deepest secret.”

“Click!” Zhou Lun turned as well.

“If you’re willing to peel back my heart, layer by layer—”

“Click!” Jiang Yun turned too, leaving only Wang Feng facing away.

On the live streaming platform, comments began to fly.

“Why? Why didn’t Wang Feng turn? Even Jiang Yun turned!”

“You don’t get it—Wang Feng sings rock. He An’s style doesn’t match his.”

Yang Yang walked onto the stage. “Our contestant He An has won three turns from the mentors. That’s a great result.”

“Teacher Wang Feng, you can turn now!”

Wang Feng turned around. “Whoa!”

Startled, he said, “I expected such a tender song to be sung by a suave guy, but it’s a big bald man!”

“He An, your image really surprised me. Is this what they call contrast beauty?”

Wang Feng set down his microphone. Jiang Yun spoke, “He An, please choose your team!”