CHAPTER 119: CHAPTER 115: TRIPPY MANEUVERS, ARE YOU KIDDING ME?

Who releases singles one after another like that? Once the initial excitement fades and potential buyers listen to them calmly, who would pay if the music isn’t good? Are they just relying on fans? Fans are just reliable moneybags, ready to be harvested at any time, right? This first wave is aimed at the general public. If they can’t secure this, how foolish would that be? Do they really think their entire album is filled with great songs?

In their eyes, Xu Qingqiu Studio’s approach had already become synonymous with foolishness.

An unprofessional label had been firmly affixed to their heads.

They were just like naive newbies, always thinking their own things were the best, that everything was great. They championed equality—a common problem among newcomers. Xu Qingqiu might not have been a newbie, but her studio was releasing an album for the first time. This was a true newbie move, full of idealistic thoughts. But was reality really like that? How could it be possible? Even among five fingers, there are differences in length, let alone an entire album. Who dares to guarantee that every song is excellent, that every track will be loved by listeners? No one dares to say that, which is why bundle marketing is the most suitable strategy. Unfortunately, a small studio with no foundation has no experience in this area. It looked like they were going to pay tuition for this album.

No matter how industry insiders critiqued, the songs still had to be listened to.

At least the fans and the general public weren’t thinking that much; they excitedly opened the album page one by one.

Many people didn’t understand what it was all about when they saw the name, but they were still ready to click and listen right away to see how it was.

"Every time, staying strong while wandering alone"

"Every time, not showing tears even if it hurts a lot"

"I know I’ve always had a pair of invisible wings"

"Taking me to fly, flying over despair"

Another inspirational song?

That was everyone’s instinctive reaction. It was indeed in line with the theme; the main message was about chasing dreams and perseverance.

Fans were overjoyed, eager to add the song to their playlists.

This was especially true for those going through low points in life, the majority of whom were students.

"BOO HOO HOO! I love President Xu so much! Knowing that I failed my crucial exam, she released an album just to comfort me. I’m so touched!"

"As a student, bring on the final exams! With President Xu’s voice supporting me, so what if my belt breaks!"

"I’m about to cry! Xu Qingqiu told us through an entire album that as long as you persist with your dreams, work hard, and never give up, one day your dream will come true."

"I’m in the midst of tribulation. I’ve already added it to my playlist, ready to put this song on repeat. Time to cheer myself on! Let’s go!"

"She was bullied by people at her company, forced to break her contract and pay a penalty. She was isolated, smeared, censored, and toyed with by the production crew. Even so, President Xu still tells us to persevere, that dreams will certainly bloom. Do you love an idol like that?"

"Xu Qingqiu! I’m your fan for this lifetime! You are my spiritual pillar!"

The fans’ overwhelmingly positive reviews came without any organized effort, as they spontaneously started promoting the new song and album.

Soon, the internet was filled with the presence of fans and overwhelmingly positive reviews.

And it was different from before. In the past, everyone was just paying lip service, often ridiculed by haters and rival fans as a ’Queen’ without works, or as ’orphan fans’ of an artist with no productions.

But now, they could proudly stand up and say, "Our idol has productions! Don’t believe me? Listen to this!"

Yes, Xu Qingqiu’s journey had been full of obstacles, and it hadn’t been easy for her fans either.

Before her contract was terminated, haters constantly spread rumors that she was engaging in various under-the-table dealings—

smearing her name, fabricating rumors, slandering, making personal attacks. Some people even rushed on stage to harm her.

The fans always stood at the forefront, tirelessly explaining on her behalf, clarifying misunderstandings, blocking hate speech from detractors, and managing the comments sections.

Some even assigned shifts around the clock to monitor Xu Qingqiu’s Weibo page. They would immediately bury any hater’s comments they saw, terrified that their idol would suffer even the slightest harm. They also spontaneously wrote letters and sent gifts to comfort, guide, and support her.

But Xu Qingqiu had no works to show. No matter how strong the fans were, how many could endure being in such a passive position for one or two years?

Yet they endured, and their perseverance finally paid off.

Just like the lyrics of this song:

"I finally see all the dreams blooming"

"The youthful voices chasing after them are so loud"

"I finally soar, gazing with my heart, fearless"

"Wherever there’s wind, let’s fly that far away"

The strength, relief, pride, and full-bodied emotion in her singing moved the fans so unexpectedly that tears flowed freely.

Only they could truly understand the difficulty of the journey they had all been on; only they had witnessed those dark, sunless days.

They were accustomed to all sorts of unpleasant things in the industry and had seen many who were once at the pinnacle take a final leap from a rooftop.

They were terrified that Xu Qingqiu might become one of them.

Fortunately, none of that happened. Everything had been worth it.

While fans reveled collectively, feeling the powerful and unyielding strength Xu Qingqiu conveyed, and while the general public were unexpectedly moved by the shared inspirational emotions and the vibrant life force in her music, the industry insiders, in contrast, became utterly dumbfounded.

It was simply that these industry people went from initial surprise, to confusion, to mockery, and then, after listening to the songs,