Entertainment.
John's top-tier sound system on Blue Star was playing the prelude to "Hotel California."
He had originally bought this equipment to enjoy the finest music and melodies.
He used to listen to Sean's songs, finding the clarity of the guitar and the richness of the drums to be the most beautiful melodies in the world.
But now, hearing this song, he suddenly felt as though the money spent on his equipment hadn't been wasted.
This guitar melody was simply mesmerizing, especially played through his top-notch equipment, drawing him in so deeply he couldn't break free.
On Earth, "Hotel California" was an absolute classic among classics.
It was also called "the dedicated song for headphone testing" by many.
Anyone who knew their stuff would definitely choose this song to break in new headphones after purchase.
"Hotel California" had been the first for countless headphones, thus earning its reputation.
Of course, this song was a classic for more reasons than just that; its arrangement was the pinnacle of the industry, truly the ceiling. One could get lost in it even just listening to the accompaniment.
This was why, after more than two minutes of prelude, no audience member felt impatient.
"Fuck!" John slammed his fist on the table, "Why is the intro so long!!"
He couldn't stand it any longer.
Forcing himself to stop his feet from tapping along to the rhythm, his face contorted as if he had eaten something foul.
The Director of Operations tugged awkwardly at the corner of his mouth, unsure how to respond.
Generally, pop music intros lasted around ten seconds, as any longer might make listeners impatient and switch the song. But this "Hotel California" used nearly half the time of a normal song for its intro. The guitar solo not only didn't feel annoying but was incredibly captivating, one could describe it as picturesque!
...
Cheers from the audience below surged wave after wave.
This was a top-tier auditory feast of guitar melodies.
It was also a live performance of textbook-level arrangement.
When two minutes passed.
Finally.
The host, Lei Bao, leaned slightly closer to the microphone.
"On a dark desert highway, cool wind in my hair,
(Driving down a dark desert highway, cool wind blowing through my hair)
Warmsmellofcolitasrisingupthrough'theair...
(The heavy scent of marijuana permeating the air...)"
The atmosphere remained comfortable and immersive.
Lei Bao's voice was slightly husky; he used to sing heavy metal rock with explosive power.
But this shift in style had no sense of awkwardness. Instead, that husky, smoky voice was full of charm.
As the lyrics appeared, the audience gradually became immersed in this dreamlike journey.
However, many discovered that the song's lyrics were not so simple.
"My head grew heavy and my sight grew dim,
(My head grew heavier, and my vision blurred)
I had to stop for the night.
(I had to stop to find a place to stay overnight)"
The lyrics painted vivid pictures. Unlike the passionate rock music prevalent in the US, the dreamlike lyrics recounted a history of rock music that was difficult to speak of.
Early American music was filled with freedom and rebellion.
The prosperous rock scene led rock musicians to become increasingly decadent and hedonistic.
Money and desire permeated the entire rock industry.
Women, drugs, and promiscuity became synonymous with rock music.
And the lyrics of this song were an artistic re-enactment of that lifestyle.
"This could be heaven or this could be hell,
(This could be heaven, or this could be hell)
Then she lit up a candle and she showed me the way.
(Then she lit a candle and showed me the way)"
As the song continued.
In the lounge area beside the stage.
The JS band could no longer sit still.
The smiles on their faces had long since vanished, replaced by intense solemnity.
From the moment the song information appeared, their feeling of crushing the competition vanished.
And then the stunning prelude further plunged their hearts to the bottom.
"Why would Ting Yu help them write a song?" Captain Ackerman's voice trembled slightly with disbelief.
The other band members were also bewildered.
"It's hard for me to accept that a second-rate rock band could get a new song from Ting Yu."
"What right do they have?"
"Has Ting Yu gone mad? His status allows him to write songs for global superstars, yet he's writing for Leopard?"
Everyone questioned.
Ting Yu's reputation across Blue Star was currently extremely high. Very few singers were qualified to sing his songs. Many world-class singers had publicly stated they would agree to any terms if Ting Yu would write for them.
Many Western singers even actively learned Mandarin to cover Ting Yu's songs.
Choosing to write for a second-rate band instead of those top-tier singers was indeed hard for many to accept.
"Uh... you've all overlooked something," the guitarist beside them suddenly spoke softly.
"What?" Captain Ackerman and the others turned their gaze towards him.
"Leopard band is part of Dynasty Entertainment, and Ting Yu has a deep connection with Dynasty Entertainment..."
Despite Ting Yu's immense popularity, few people investigated his background. At most, they searched for his songs. The guitarist, however, had several Chinese friends, so he knew more than the others.
He briefly explained Ting Yu's relationship with Dynasty Entertainment.
The others finally understood.
"Why the hell didn't you say so earlier!" Captain Ackerman was losing his composure.
Ting Yu's relationship with Dynasty Entertainment was inseparable. In that light, it wasn't strange for him to write for Leopard band.
But he hadn't known that before!
If he had known earlier, he wouldn't have been so smug!
"Uh... I only just remembered. Does it matter if I said it earlier or later?" The guitarist shrunk back, "We can't possibly stop Ting Yu from writing for Leopard..."
Ackerman glared at the guitarist.
If you had said it earlier, I would have been more humble!
Just now, he had been so arrogant, acting as if he was "crushing fish," and even saying things like he was "bullying you foolish people."
Thinking back now...
Ackerman's toes involuntarily curled and gripped the ground.
No wonder the Leopard band members had such strange smiles when they took the stage!
No wonder they didn't seem very angry when I was showing off.
Thinking back now, his own expression at the time was truly embarrassing!
If he had known they would sing Ting Yu's song, he would never have been such an idiot and shown off like that!!
...