Chapter 171: I Advise You to Be Kind

Su Chen's words were undoubtedly a resounding slap to Cai Xukun's face!

What does it mean that Chinese music is inferior to foreign music? What does it mean that foreign music is the trendsetter?
Absolute nonsense!

Our Chinese music has always been the benchmark for the development of world music!
Whether viewed from the historical perspective of musical development or its standing in the world of music, it is indisputably number one!

Concerts favored by foreign upper classes still perform classic Chinese compositions, and renowned foreign composers continuously flock to China in search of inspiration.
Yet, a proud Chinese person, on a mainstream national variety show, could naturally utter such words claiming that Chinese music is backward.

This is undoubtedly something that makes Chinese compatriots blush with shame and foreign audiences laugh their heads off!
Therefore, Cai Xukun could no longer maintain his original smile; his expression darkened fiercely in that instant!

Suppressing the urge to curse outright, he said through gritted teeth, "Even if what you said is true, what good does it do?"
"The current atmosphere in the domestic music circle is precisely like this—taking Europe, the US, Japan, and South Korea as the trendsetters. Where is there any originality of our own left?"
"So, is it really that hard to admit the facts? Are empty talk and daydreams all it takes to be good?!"
"This is why Chinese songs can never surpass foreign ones!"

Faced with Cai Xukun's blustering and fierce demeanor, Su Chen had no intention of coddling him.
He chuckled lightly and replied, "From a market perspective, the current popularity and market share of Mandopop cannot compare to those of Europe, the US, Japan, and South Korea. But I believe this is because the aesthetic standards of the public have yet to be properly corrected."
"Just because domestically produced songs aren't as catchy as foreign ones, you claim that domestic musical concepts are inferior to foreign ones?"
"To summarize it simply: this is the typical excuse of a bad workman blaming his tools. In my opinion, joining the winning side because you can't beat them is the behavior of a coward."

Su Chen's words once again ignited the live audience and the bullet comments in the livestream.
For no other reason than that Su Chen dared to speak the unvarnished truth. His remarks virtually dissed almost all mainstream bandwagon-jumping singers of recent years, enough to provoke public outrage!

Yet, while these words might incur the wrath of the singing circle, they undoubtedly resonated deeply with the audience and made their blood boil!
It's not that the audience prefers Europe, the US, Japan, and South Korea; it's just that you lot, who are supposed to be role models, fail to sing any decent Mandarin songs whatsoever!

Su Chen's words directly stripped away the glossy exterior and rotten core of the current music industry, exposing its utter corruption to everyone's eyes!
At the same time, it reawakened the dormant sense of patriotism and self-reliance hidden within each of their hearts!

"Well said! This is practically the ultimate internet mouthpiece!"
"Who wants to listen to that foreign garbage from Europe, the US, Japan, and Korea? I can't even understand the neighboring language! Damn it, it's just our own people failing to step up!"
"But isn't Su Chen's statement a bit too sweeping? That area-of-effect damage is completely maxed out!"
"I just want to say, the only people who find Su Chen's words relatable are spineless bootlickers like Cai Xukun, right?"
"Oh, oh, oh! Kun-kun was just stating some facts, how did he become a bootlicker? Can't some fragile-hearted people even handle the truth?"
"Exactly, exactly! If you're so capable, you go up and sing. What's the point of bickering on the internet? In reality, you probably aren't even worth a single strand of Kun-kun's hair!"
"Personally, I feel that even if what Cai Xukun said might be true, as a public figure, making such guiding remarks is ultimately not a good thing."
......

Cai Xukun, who had never been trained in fierce debate, had his face flushed red by Su Chen's words.
For a moment, he didn't even know how to refute Su Chen!

However, the heated discussions online and in the venue, along with the vocal support from his fans, the IKUNs, filled Cai Xukun with strength once again!
This was the power of believing in Kun!

Cai Xukun quickly gathered his thoughts and bluntly blurted out, "Contestant Su Chen has said so much, but it still hasn't changed reality, has it?"
"Besides, in my opinion, 'Blue and White Porcelain' is not a traditional-style song at all. And is there any song on the market featuring traditional opera elements or operatic vocal techniques that actually sounds good? Or can it possibly surpass English songs? I suppose there isn't any, right?"
"Doesn't all of this prove what I said?"

Cai Xukun wore a smile, feeling that victory was already in his grasp.
No matter what incredible achievements you rattle off, I'll just throw out the classic: 'Do you have a League of Worlds Championship title?' How do you plan to handle that, my friend?

Could Su Chen possibly summon a championship out of thin air and talk about a 'promising future'?
That would simply be too ridiculous!

Therefore, Cai Xukun believed that as long as he stuck to this argument, no matter how much Su Chen said, it would be meaningless.
And Su Chen thought so too.

However, he had no intention of continuing the verbal debate—he was going to take action!
Faced with the situation Cai Xukun considered invincible, Su Chen picked up the microphone and asked Young Master Liu, "Young Master Liu, can I sing another song?"

"Of course, this song won't count toward the competition scores. I just want to let those who have been kneeling for too long stand back up."

Su Chen's words plunged the entire venue into silence, which was immediately followed by a complex mixture of cheers, discussions, and skeptical voices.
It also caused Cai Xukun's smiling, gentle, and handsome face to turn completely pitch black!

Before Young Master Liu could even seek the director's opinion regarding Su Chen's question, Wu Tong's voice came directly through his earpiece.
"Agree to it. If he needs time to write a song, give him the time!"

After a brief moment of surprise, Young Master Liu relayed the director's answer to Su Chen.
Young Master Liu said, "Of course you can!"
"But this time, Contestant Su Chen, which song do you want to sing? Or should we give you some time so you can write another—"

Before Young Master Liu could even finish his sentence, he saw Su Chen reach his hand into his jacket pocket.
From it, he pulled out a stack of folded A4 papers.
These papers were densely covered in handwriting, just like the ones Su Chen had handed to the band members earlier.

Seeing this, Young Master Liu couldn't help but ask, "Contestant Su Chen, what is this..."
"Oh, these few songs are just some pieces I casually wrote while being bored in the backstage area just now. Coincidentally, they are also in the traditional style, complete with the operatic vocal elements required by Mentor Cai Xukun."
"I didn't expect these songs would come in handy so soon."

Su Chen smiled. Meanwhile, everyone who heard his remarks had already gone completely numb from the top of their skulls down to the soles of their feet!
What do you mean by 'casually wrote out of boredom backstage'? And damn it, it's several songs?!
Is writing songs really that easy? Please don't crash the entire livelihood of professional musicians!
Su Chen, I advise you to be kind!

At the same time, Su Chen picked up the stack of songs in his hand and flipped through them, seemingly pondering which one he should perform next.
High-quality operatic vocals...
Su Chen's eyes lit up, and he directly selected the topmost document from the stack.