CHAPTER 65: CHAPTER 61: SOARING HIGH, THE BAFFLED ENTERTAINMENT CIRCLE

As the online discussion heated up, more and more people learned that Xu Qingqiu had released a new song.

While some were optimistic, naturally, others couldn’t help but sneer.

"Is she rushing to make money now that she’s hot?"

"Of course, didn’t you see? There’s no album yet, and she’s already released a single. The greed is just too blatant, isn’t it?"

"She finally got on a popular show. Shouldn’t she seize the chance to milk her fans for money? What if she can’t release an album? Wouldn’t that be a huge loss?"

"Didn’t I say this woman isn’t simple? People say she’s naive, but I find her very shrewd."

Xu Qingqiu, of course, couldn’t see these sarcastic comments. She hadn’t thought about any of that; she simply liked the song and wanted to sing it.

Of course, she also wanted to maintain her popularity, but mainly, it was a response to some earlier criticisms.

You say my ’Queen’ title is unearned, don’t you?

You mock me as a ’Singer’ who doesn’t sing, right?

Then let me prove it to you. I can sing, and I can do it well!

Another reason was the loud clamor from her fans. The songs she performed on the previous show were only available as live versions, and not a single official version existed. While her old songs were still on the music platforms, they had nothing to do with her anymore. Even though those songs gained a lot of downloads as her fame rose, she didn’t make a penny from them.

As the fans put it, why should she work so hard to rise to fame again and still make money for her previous company?

Of course, she should release a new song for her fans to buy. At the very least, it would give them a way to show their support, right?

Regarding the previous few songs, it wasn’t that she didn’t want to record proper versions; it was because there was an agreement with the show’s producers that no new versions of those songs would be released during the broadcast, other than the original and live performances from the show.

Aside from the first performance, "The Original Dream," she didn’t even have original versions for the rest, so they were just left on hold.

"Ready to start. Lower the lights a bit, and weaken the overhead light..."

"Good, like that."

"Okay, change your pose..."

In the photography studio, Xu Qingqiu followed the photographer’s directions, constantly changing poses. Once a shot was done, she had to hurry and change outfits to continue shooting.

Shooting for a magazine spread wasn’t usually that troublesome. However, the photographer seemed particularly inspired upon seeing her, turning what was supposed to be a shoot for one outfit into three.

And the magazine’s team had agreed to it.

All things considered, this was a good thing, so Xu Qingqiu certainly wouldn’t refuse, even if it meant more hard work for her.

Chu Tian wasn’t idle either. Well aware of the murkiness of the entertainment industry, he couldn’t let his guard down for a moment.

Li Chunhua had gone to negotiate song matters and wasn’t here. Xu Qingqiu only had Yiyi and him, her two assistants, by her side.

Yiyi had to be ready at Xu Qingqiu’s side at all times to assist, while Chu Tian needed to watch their surroundings and handle other tasks.

Because no one knew when a hidden photographer might pop up while she was changing, or if someone might suddenly splash jam, red wine, or coffee on her clothes.

Don’t think that high-end competition is always glamorous and full of cunning. Sometimes the most disgusting things are these lowly tactics.

They were shooting for a fashion magazine today, and every piece of clothing was expensive. If anything were to be damaged, compensation aside, Xu Qingqiu would carry a stain within the fashion world.

Such incidents had happened before. So, Chu Tian, unexpectedly not shirking his duties, paid close attention to the surroundings. While Yiyi helped inside during the outfit change, he guarded outside, not letting anyone approach.

They finally made it to the end. It was already two in the afternoon. The appointment for the next program was at three o’clock. The three of them didn’t even have time for lunch before rushing off.

"Boss, I’m so hungry..."

"Sorry, Chu Tian. I didn’t expect to suddenly shoot three outfits today. Hold on a bit longer; you can buy something to eat once we get there. Tonight, I’ll treat you all to a great dinner, promise."

"..."

He had just casually complained, never expecting Xu Qingqiu to apologize so earnestly. It made Chu Tian feel quite embarrassed.

"It’s fine, it’s fine. I’m not hungry anymore."

How could he not be hungry? He hadn’t eaten all day. Wasn’t he starving?

But his words seemed to cheer Xu Qingqiu up a lot.

She glanced at Chu Tian through the rearview mirror and, for some reason, started to smile, not even sure herself what she was happy about.

"Wow, let’s welcome today’s blockbuster guest, Xu Qingqiu!"

"Welcome, welcome!"

"Wow, Teacher Xu, you’re just too beautiful, aren’t you? Even more gorgeous in person than on TV. I’m so jealous."

"Diva Xu is really popular these days. Her gracing our show really brings honor to us."

"Of course! And today is also the day Teacher Xu releases a new song. Tell me loudly, what’s the song called?"

"’So Proud’!"

Sitting in the audience, Chu Tian watched the bustling stage and already started to cringe.

He had recorded plenty of these variety shows in his past life. People not on stage might not realize that sometimes, for the so-called ’variety effect,’ it could be truly cringeworthy—so cringeworthy you’d want to curl your toes. Many times, he had recorded these segments through gritted teeth; managing his expressions was particularly exhausting.

"Speaking of this song, we want to ask Teacher Xu if she knows what kind of results it has achieved since its release?"

"Ah? What results?"

Xu Qingqiu genuinely didn’t know. When they went over the script earlier, she had been asked, and she said she didn’t know. So, the program team didn’t tell her, claiming her reaction would be more genuine when she found out on stage.

Thus, by the time she was on stage, she really had no idea how the song was doing. Having been busy all morning and then traveling, she simply hadn’t had time to check.

"It looks like our Teacher Xu doesn’t know yet. So let me tell you, this song..."

"This song, since its release this morning, has accumulated over 650,000 total plays on the Aiyue platform alone!"

"Total downloads of 230,000!"

"Number one on the weekly new song chart!"

"Number one on the weekly hot song chart!"

"Number eight on the monthly new song chart!"

"Number seven on the monthly hot song chart!"

"..."

As this series of achievements was announced, not only Xu Qingqiu but even the audience members were astonished.

Although these audience members were just extras here for a free meal and about a hundred or so bucks a day, such results were explosive no matter how you looked at them.

The song had been out for less than twelve hours and already had over 600,000 plays. What was the standard for a smash hit? A play count of over one million within 24 hours. This song was almost at that standard. Plus, with so many number ones and high rankings even on the monthly chart, given more time, it seemed this song might even dominate the charts, right?

It wasn’t just the live audience who was surprised; those in the industry who kept an eye on music platform charts were even more astonished.

"What the hell? Where did this killer song come from?"

"Xu Qingqiu? Is the Queen really that fierce?"

"No need to look any further; it’s another song by Youmeng. Does anyone know this person, Youmeng?"

"Find Youmeng’s contact information now, right away! I don’t care if you have to steal or rob, even if you have to go to Xu Qingqiu’s house and ask. Within three days, I want that person’s phone number. Hurry up!"