Behind the scenes of the "Time Music King" program.
On the balcony of the fifth floor.
John, the chairman of INS Entertainment, and Wright, the person in charge of the program's organizer, were leaning on the railing, smoking.
Both looked out at the Parisian night view, silent.
The smoke drifted into John's eyes, making him close them, a tear rolling down his cheek.
Compared to the overwhelming cheers outside, the atmosphere here was extremely heavy.
"Why didn't you do as I said?" John rubbed his sore eyes and said in a deep voice.
"Do you think tampering with the finals wouldn't be discovered?" Wright said lightly.
"So what if it's discovered? At least he can't win so smoothly," John snorted coldly.
"I've done what I can, and I won't do what I can't," Wright shook his head with a wry smile.
Although he was the general manager of "Time Music King," the program was supervised by all the top entertainment companies in the world, with a notary public present.
Having the competition venue in the United States, leaving the showdown between Sean and Ting Yu, and causing Ting Yu's in-ear monitor to malfunction during the competition.
This was the extent of what Wright could do.
As for John asking him to cut off Ting Yu's microphone signal during the finals,
Wright thought John was crazy.
The audience wouldn't pay too much attention to a malfunctioning in-ear monitor, as long as Ting Yu didn't mention it, it wouldn't be blown out of proportion.
But cutting off the microphone signal was different. Suddenly losing sound while singing was not the singer's problem, but the organizer's. Even though Wright and John had a good relationship, he didn't want to take the blame.
Because the consequences of doing so might damage the program's reputation, it would be a loss outweighing the gain.
"The moment Ting Yu defeated Sean, no one could have stopped him from winning the championship," Wright sighed.
Once prestige reaches a certain level, even capital cannot control it.
Ting Yu's global popularity was too terrifying, and no one could stop so many people from voting.
"With Ting Yu winning this championship, the Chinese music scene will definitely seize the Western market. Do you know how much I will lose?" John took a deep breath, the cigarette butt in his finger trembling slightly. He was very unsettled.
"That's your problem," Wright smiled, crushed the cigarette butt on the railing, and threw it into the nearby trash.
"We are all Americans," John said in a deep voice.
"But I am also the general manager of 'Time Music King'," Wright spread his hands with a smile.
As an American, he naturally preferred to see the United States win the championship.
This would not only lead to better cultural output but also allow them to continue dominating the global music scene and become the trendsetter for pop music.
Instead of waiting for Ting Yu to become a global superstar and for his preferred Chinese style to become the trendsetter.
But he was also the general manager of "Time Music King."
He could help the United States within the rules and even make small adjustments, but he definitely couldn't openly target Ting Yu.
"Hmph," John snorted coldly, threw the cigarette butt on the ground, and stepped on it with his toe.
He stopped talking to Wright.
He turned and walked back inside.
At this moment, the director of the artist department of INS Entertainment inside saw John's unhappy expression and quickly averted his gaze.
"What are you standing there for? Come back to the company with me!" John glanced at him indifferently.
"I... I have something to do, so..."
"Come back to the company with me!"
Before the director of the artist department could finish, John interrupted him.
John's tone was unquestionable.
The director of the artist department felt a chill in his heart and a trace of fear.
John didn't say anything further but walked towards the door. Seeing this, the director of the artist department gritted his teeth and finally chose to follow.
Wright watched John's retreating back and couldn't help but shake his head helplessly.
...
The most luxurious five-star hotel in Paris.
"Sir, your private room is here," the waiter said, then turned to leave.
Su Yu pushed open the private room door and was suddenly stunned.
It was pitch black inside, the lights weren't even on.
He was about to turn back to ask if the waiter had made a mistake.
*Snap!*
The lights in the private room suddenly turned on!
"Congratulations on your return after winning the 'Time Music King' championship!" Lin Yanyu came out from the corner holding a cake.
"Congratulations to Brother Yu for dominating the global music scene!" Gong Ju Ren held a party popper and cheered.
"Teacher Ting Yu, congratulations on your championship!" Jiang Xiao E congratulated him.
Others also applauded and cheered.
Su Yu smiled and responded one by one, finally focusing his gaze on his parents.
"Good boy, you didn't disgrace us Chinese people!" Su Zhen Guo gave Su Yu a thumbs up.
His tone was full of pride.
"Stop standing there like an idiot. You said you didn't eat dinner, you must be starving. Come, let's eat and chat," Zhang Gui Zhi's eyes were slightly red. She was genuinely happy for her son's great achievements, but as a mother, she was more concerned about his health.
"Okay," Su Yu took a deep breath and nodded with a smile.
Even though he had won the championship on the "Time Music King" stage, he felt no surge of emotion. But seeing so many relatives and friends happy for him and caring about him, Su Yu was deeply moved.
...
At the banquet.
Several members of the singer group were still very active.
Especially Gong Ju Ren, he was the life of the party. With him around, there was no fear of awkward silences.
Sometimes, even with the best of friends, as the gap in status widens, there will be a sense of distance.
But the members of the singer group had grown up with Su Yu. They understood Su Yu's personality very well and knew that he was not the type to flaunt his status. Even now, Su Yu was still the same boy, unchanged in the slightest.
"Little Gong, get ready. I'll release an album for you in a few days."
Su Yu took a sip of his drink and said to Gong Ju Ren.
Gong Ju Ren, who was still talking animatedly, was stunned when he heard Su Yu's words.
"An... album?" He found it hard to believe.
An album contains more than a dozen songs.
And Su Yu's current status is the top producer in the world!
What merit do I, Gong Ju Ren, have to deserve this!!
"Brother Yu, I love you!!" Gong Ju Ren suddenly rushed to Su Yu, knelt on the ground, hugged his thigh, and was so excited that tears streamed down his face.
Jiang Xiao E and Li Xin Yan also looked at Gong Ju Ren with envy.
It had to be said, Su Yu really doted on this kid, but in everyone's eyes, Gong Ju Ren was also worthy of being doted on.
"Damn it, you're wiping your snot on my pants!" Su Yu kicked Gong Ju Ren away and then glanced at Jiang Xiao E and Zhang Wei. "The same goes for you all. I have plenty of time later. I'll release an album for each of you."
"Thank you, Teacher Ting Yu!" Jiang Xiao E's beautiful eyes lit up, and she quickly thanked Su Yu.
"Haha, thank you, Brother Yu, for the album!" Zhang Wei took a deep breath, suppressing his excitement.
Su Yu was now the top producer in the world!
The value of just one of his songs was immeasurable. Now he was directly offering albums, and when the albums were released, not only the domestic entertainment industry but probably all singers in the world would be envious!