"What? You don't have a driver's license? Then how did you get such good skills?"
Huang Mao was stunned when Wang Shu told him he didn't have a license.
The moves Wang Shu had just displayed were something many seasoned drivers with years of experience couldn't pull off.
Yet, this guy claimed he didn't have a license. It was almost unbelievable.
After practicing the driving test maneuvers a few more times, Wang Shu left the driving school's training grounds.
On the way back to the hotel, he received a call from Li Lang.
"Boss, you need to write me another song. I've successfully made it to the finals, but this season of 'The Voice' has some tough contenders!"
Li Lang said on the phone. He had just advanced to the finals today, but it was thanks to Wang Shu's song, "Old Boy."
He couldn't quite understand why there were so many excellent contestants on the show this time.
Usually, this program didn't attract many established, strong performers. It mostly featured unknown or rising newcomers.
But unexpectedly, this season had many already famous singers participating.
And they all brought their own original works. According to the show's scoring system, original songs naturally received more points than covers.
If Li Lang hadn't had "Old Boy" from Wang Shu, he would have likely been eliminated.
So, as soon as the competition ended today, he immediately called Wang Shu to write him a new song.
Otherwise, he would surely face a disastrous outcome in the next round.
"Alright, I got it. I already have a new song ready. I'll send it to you right away. Check your inbox."
Wang Shu sped up his pace towards the hotel, then took out his laptop and paper to start writing a new song for Li Lang.
For singers like Li Lang, who were entering their middle years, overly youthful songs weren't suitable. Therefore, Wang Shu decided to write "Xi Hai Qing Ge" (West Sea Love Song) for him.
It was important to remember that the author of this song was Dao Lang, who had once been immensely popular across China but was consistently dismissed by the mainstream music scene.
Yet, even as those so-called renowned singers labeled him vulgar and unsophisticated, Dao Lang continued to showcase his musical talent to the nation with his sheer ability.
Among his works, "Xi Hai Qing Ge," which had moved countless people to tears, was a classic.
Wang Shu had a profound connection with "Xi Hai Qing Ge," which was why he decided to give it to Li Lang to sing.
He felt Li Lang's demeanor was a good fit for Dao Lang's style, embodying a middle-aged melancholy. Moreover, he believed Li Lang could interpret the song with greater depth.
After all, a middle-aged man, recently betrayed by his wife and facing hardship, was best equipped to convey the song's sorrow.
Once Wang Shu finished writing the song, he sent it directly to Li Lang, who was just leaving Hunan TV.
Upon receiving the song from Wang Shu, Li Lang immediately opened WeChat and meticulously read through it.
After finishing the entire song, Li Lang's eyes involuntarily welled up.
As a musician in his middle years, he deeply resonated with the song.
This song had, in essence, spoken directly to his heart.
"Wang Shu, oh Wang Shu, what have you experienced to be able to write such a song?"
Li Lang looked at the lyrics and couldn't help but marvel again.
Although Wang Shu had already given him countless moments of shock, seeing this song still left him speechless with awe.
His boss, Wang Shu, was just a young man barely out of his teens, yet he could casually produce songs so sincere and moving.
Both the lyrics and the melody were of the highest caliber.
He couldn't guarantee everyone would like this song, but he was certain that those who did would love it dearly. This song would stand the test of time and eventually become a classic.
Unlike those fleeting pop hits that faded into obscurity after a brief period of popularity.
"Thank you, boss. I will definitely bring back a championship for you this time!"
After reading the song, Li Lang replied to Wang Shu.
Initially, he wasn't entirely sure he could win the competition. But after seeing this song, his confidence soared.
At least, this song was guaranteed to win the hearts of countless middle-aged and older listeners.
Young people might not fully grasp the song's emotions, but those who had weathered life's storms and the passage of time would undoubtedly connect with it.
Leaving Hunan TV, Li Lang immediately found a music studio and began practicing the song.
It wasn't until the day of the competition that Li Lang emerged from the music studio. Though his hair was greasy and his beard unkempt, his face was alight with excitement, not a trace of fatigue.
For days, he had been practically living in that music studio, eating, sleeping, and attending to basic needs only when absolutely necessary, dedicating all his time to practicing.
Now, he had mastered the song thoroughly.
Upon arriving at the recording venue, Li Lang sat calmly in his seat.
Beside him were singers who already possessed a certain degree of fame.
"I really don't know what the company is thinking, sending us to participate in this show!"
"Exactly. Our current status isn't suitable for this program at all. If it weren't for the contract, I wouldn't be here!"
Two singers, already moderately well-known in the music industry, whispered their complaints beside Li Lang.
It was clear they had been compelled by their company to join the show. There were six finalists, and besides Li Lang,
most of the other contestants were under the umbrella of Qian Yin Group.
"General Manager Ji said we can't let that kid win."
At this moment, a female contestant glanced at Li Lang sitting beside her and said to those next to her.
"They sent us here just to deal with one newcomer? Is that necessary?"
The others also looked at Li Lang beside them, their faces filled with confusion.
"At our level, it's unreasonable to bully a newcomer. Yet, the company has sent dozens of contestants to deal with an unknown newcomer. Isn't this simply making a mountain out of a molehill?"
"That might not be the case. Do you know whose singer he is?"
The female contestant said meaningfully.
"Whose singer?"
Everyone was taken aback, their faces full of bewilderment.
"Wang Shu!"
The female contestant replied directly.
"Wang Shu? That name sounds familiar."
"Isn't he that genius songwriter who's been shaking up the music scene recently? A young man in his twenties who's turned the industry upside down. I heard the company tried to recruit him before, but he didn't even give them the time of day, which is why the company is targeting him now."
"I actually quite like Wang Shu's songs. I even wanted to approach him to buy a song. I didn't expect him to be so bold, daring to confront Qian Yin Group head-on."
"I knew it. The song he performed in the last competition was so good. His works in the preliminary rounds were quite average. It turns out Wang Shu, that influential figure, was backing him."
The contestants suddenly realized.
No wonder Qian Yin Group had sent so many of them to participate in this competition. It was all to suppress Wang Shu's artists.
But this seemed like an overreaction. Even if Wang Shu's songwriting was extraordinary, his artists weren't necessarily the same.
Any one of them could easily handle this unknown individual named Li Lang. Sending so many of them was a waste.
"Brother, I suggest you withdraw from the competition!"
At this moment, a contestant walked up to Li Lang and said mockingly.
"What? Why should I withdraw?"
Li Lang asked, confused. He didn't understand what these people were implying.
"I'm just giving you some good advice. Look at the other contestants next to you; who isn't more famous than you? Let's put it this way: we're all from the same company, so it doesn't matter who wins. And this time, our mission is to prevent you from getting any ranking."
The contestant said directly to Li Lang.
"Even if you're from the same company, and even if you're very strong, I don't believe you can stop me from winning the championship."
Li Lang said calmly. He wasn't sure why they were targeting him.
But he wouldn't easily back down. He had promised his daughter he would become a superstar, and no one could stop him.
"What a stubborn little worm. You'll regret this later. I don't believe you can come up with an even better work today than last time!"
Seeing that his persuasion was unheeded, the man shook his head helplessly.
"No need for you to worry. Today, I will definitely deliver a better performance than last time. None of you can stop me!"
Li Lang smiled and looked at the contestant.
"This guy is so arrogant. Let's see how he handles himself later!"
"Exactly. Does he really think he's some kind of genius singer? At his age, he's still dreaming of becoming a king."
"This uncle is too confident. Where did Wang Shu find such a talent? But it's normal, who else would stand with Wang Shu against Qian Yin Group!"
The Qian Yin Group contestants beside them chattered away without restraint.
In their eyes, Li Lang, this middle-aged man, was simply too conceited.
The music industry certainly valued singing skills, but it wasn't something anyone could just dabble in. This kind of older man was completely out of place among them, these young talents.
Furthermore, they believed that a middle-aged man wouldn't understand the current trends and styles that young people liked, making it a pipe dream to achieve a high score.
They also wondered what kind of vision Wang Shu possessed to sign a middle-aged man and have him participate in a talent show.