Chapter 185: The Bread Man

Meanwhile, at the mentor's panel.

Cai Xukun watched Su Chen, who had been silent for several seconds, and eventually smirked.

That little brat doesn’t know what to do now, does he?

Hahaha!

The company’s tailor-made script really comes in handy!

Let’s see how much longer you can keep up that stubborn act. Say one more word, just one more, and I’ll show you.

Hahaha!

If there weren’t so many cameras on site, Cai Xukun was ready to mock Su Chen thoroughly.

Don’t ask if it’s cruel to kick someone when they’re down—when your enemy falls into a well, you throw down the biggest, hardest, sharpest stones to vent your anger!

But just as Cai Xukun imagined thousands of ways to humiliate Su Chen, picturing tens of thousands of staged kneeling poses, Su Chen suddenly spoke.

“Mentor Cai Xukun, I think you’ve misunderstood something.”

Su Chen’s words made Cai Xukun’s smirk freeze, confused.

What trick is this brat trying to pull now?

Wouldn’t it be better if he just stood there quietly as a backdrop?

That was Cai Xukun’s thought, but unfortunately, Su Chen was not the type to stand obediently and take the blows.

Facing the audience and judges, but deliberately not looking at Cai Xukun, Su Chen said, “We’re on a show right now, and I’m a contestant in a talent competition.”

“It’s normal if your words are directed at me; I can understand that. What I don’t get is why you keep emphasizing that the entertainment industries of Europe, America, Japan, and Korea are better than the Chinese music scene.”

“According to you, you spoke sincerely just now, worried that I might go astray, and that your company made you aware of this issue.”

“Then, Mentor Cai Xukun, this mindset from you and your company is truly dangerous. If the leader is crooked, the followers will be twisted. Our Chinese music industry needs to establish its own confidence and identity.”

In the audience, upon hearing that Su Chen wasn’t ensnared by Cai Xukun’s words, Cai Xukun’s agent felt uneasy.

Because, in her imagination, the script she had just taught Cai Xukun was enough to handle anything.

It wasn’t that the tactic was invincible, but who could react so quickly on the spot?

So she hadn’t expected Su Chen to turn the tables, nor had she taught Cai Xukun how to respond to such a situation!

Trouble!!!

In an instant, Cai Xukun found himself on the defensive again.

“I... I...” Cai Xukun hadn’t even opened his mouth when Su Chen interrupted him again.

That familiar feeling sent him back to an hour ago, his body trembling involuntarily.

Not again?!

No way, is this going to happen all over again?!

Please, no!!!

Cai Xukun felt like he was about to be diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder!

But evidently, Su Chen wasn’t going to let this opportunity to utterly defeat a fallen foe slip away.

“Mentor Cai Xukun, though I’m still a novice in the music industry, a rookie, and perhaps my thoughts are immature in your eyes,” Su Chen began.

“But as a Chinese person, I believe that no matter what, I should never worship foreign cultures blindly.”

“When I stepped into this industry, my biggest dream was to let the whole world hear my voice, hear my Chinese language!”

“But if, after becoming famous, I have to cater to foreigners and sing what they deem the musical standard, I simply cannot do that.”

“If the price of fame is to forget one’s roots, then I truly cannot pay it.”

“Mentor Cai Xukun, this is what you call caring for me, wanting me to avoid the wrong path, but have you ever considered that I really don’t respect the path you’re on?”

“I fear that my children and their children will be pointed at and scolded, ‘Look at them, they’re all descendants of translators!’”

The moment Su Chen spoke those words, it was a knockout blow!

The entire venue gasped sharply, accelerating global warming in the process!

It wasn’t just the studio—viewers in the livestream also instinctively swallowed hard, trembling as their fingers flew over the keyboard.

“Damn?! Su Chen is really bold, huh? Do you think the capitalists might assassinate him overnight?”

“Bro upstairs, you’re brave too. If I were a capitalist, you’d be the first to go!”

“What are you guys talking about—assassinations? How old are you? This is a socialist society; we’re safe!”

“...Hey upstairs, how old are you? Where are your guardians? Don’t you know you need to teach kids what dump trucks and bread trucks are? It’s dangerous for kids to go out like this!”

“Sorry, sorry, I apologize on behalf of my son!”

“Can you all stick to the topic? I thought Cai Xukun made sense earlier, but after hearing Su Chen, I feel like I’ve been mentally manipulated!”

“Damn it, but I also want to say, I didn’t raise my son well, and I feel partially responsible for my grandson!”

“6.”

...

The livestream was abuzz with discussion, while on stage, Su Chen did not let up, continuing to promote the idea that Chinese pop culture is the greatest.

After all, Su Chen might not have the energy to care about other fields, but in the industry he works in, he has both reason and responsibility to make this small patch of land better.

Su Chen spoke, “Actually, whether before or now, Chinese pop culture has never faded. Little do people know, at foreign concerts, many are listening to China’s ‘Camellia’.”

“Whether in Europe, America, Japan, or Korea, people try every means to learn from us, but these treasures are discarded by our own people. That’s wrong!”

“Here, I ask everyone to open your phones or computers, go to your browsers, and search why Chinese music enjoys widespread influence and recognition worldwide.”

“Your browser will tell you the reasons!”

“1. Large population base: The Chinese-speaking regions include China, Singapore, Malaysia, and others, with a massive Chinese population. Because of this, the Chinese music market holds enormous potential, attracting many music creators and investors.”

“2. Diversity and innovation: Chinese music encompasses a rich variety of styles, including pop, rock, folk, R&B, electronic music, and more.”

“Artists incorporate their cultural backgrounds and personal characteristics into their creations, giving Chinese music a unique charm and innovative spirit.”

“3. Transnational development: Many Chinese music artists have successfully entered international markets through cross-border collaborations and overseas promotion.”

“For example, some Chinese singers hold concerts and music festivals abroad, collaborate with foreign artists on recordings, raising Chinese music’s international profile and influence.”

“4. Cultural heritage and expression: Chinese music can deeply express the essence and emotions of Asian culture while preserving traditional musical elements.”

“Whether in lyrics or melodic arrangements, it resonates deeply with listeners, giving Chinese music a unique emotional expression.”

“So, since you’ve opened your browsers, why can’t you say Chinese pop culture is the greatest?”