Chapter Fifty-Four: The Golden Melody Awards (Part One)

Chapter Fifty-Four: The Golden Melody Awards (Part One)

Zhang Le had sung four songs, but everyone knew those four songs were simply a means to woo girls. To put it bluntly, it was all just for fun. If Yang Xin’er hadn’t uploaded those four songs, and if Zhang Le hadn’t later re-recorded and released them on music websites, probably no one would have realized that, besides composing and writing lyrics, he could also sing. And there would never have been the later sensation that was “Fleeting Fireworks.”

Receiving nominations for songwriting and composition was something Zhang Le could understand, since the pieces he offered up were classics from his previous life. It was only natural that most of them would be nominated for Song of the Year.

But Best Newcomer?

Zhang Le found it both funny and exasperating. He had no idea how the Golden Melody Awards determined their winners. If he were actually to receive Best Newcomer, wouldn’t they feel it was a bit of a farce?

He had never considered himself a singer, nor had he ever planned to pursue anything in music. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have turned down so many commercial gigs, pouring all his energy into film instead. Even after his songs became massive hits, he never took the chance to package himself or boost his fame—he simply never thought of developing that side of his career.

What’s more, he never expected that his current appearance fee for commercial performances had soared to four hundred thousand. Although this was still a far cry from Yang Xin’er’s nine hundred thousand, it was remarkable for someone just dabbling in the field! To reach such a price just by playing around—inside, Zhang Le imagined a whole flock of llamas charging by.

A nine-hundred-thousand appearance fee was absolutely top-tier among singers; even the biggest superstars rarely hit a million. In his previous life, when “The Voice” was at its peak, the highest fee for a mentor was only nine hundred and twenty thousand.

Four hundred thousand—Zhang Le was genuinely surprised. Previously, the highest offer he’d ever received for a performance was just two hundred fifty thousand, and that was when “Waiting to Return” was a box office hit and “Fleeting Fireworks” was all the rage.

No wonder so many people risk everything to break into show business, no wonder people in the industry plot and scheme just to get famous. So this is how quickly the money pours in!

On December 20th, the Chinese Golden Melody Awards ceremony was held.

The Golden Melody Awards in this world carried significant weight—arguably the most influential and authoritative music award in Huaxia. Though it faced its share of criticism each year, it hadn’t degenerated into the farce that it had on Earth in Zhang Le’s previous life, where it became just another stage for major music companies to divvy up the spoils.

Zhang Le and Yang Xin’er kept a low profile, rarely appearing in the media unless work required it. But whenever they did appear before the cameras, they flaunted their relationship more openly than anyone else, never shying away from intimate gestures.

This time was no different.

Hand in hand, they walked the red carpet at the Golden Melody Awards ceremony, facing the cameras with composure, their intimacy unchanged. There was an unmistakable sweetness in their smiles.

As the youngest couple in the entertainment industry, they constantly found new ways to display their affection. This time, they truly dazzled everyone. Perhaps, among countless awards ceremonies and red carpets, these two had set a new precedent.

No one expected that the two of them would show up in matching couple’s outfits!

Striding down the red carpet in their matching attire, they instantly outshone every other celebrity’s ensemble. Those baring cleavage or backs, flaunting thighs, or wearing see-through dresses—compared to Zhang Le and Yang Xin’er, they were simply outclassed.

It was nothing more than an ordinary set of matching clothes, a simple look, but it radiated their youthful energy. On the dazzling red carpet, they might not have been the most glamorous or glittering, but no one could deny that their appearance left the deepest impression.

What does it mean to be dazzling, to shine? Whatever draws the most attention—that is true brilliance. The outlandish costumes of others were mere attempts at spectacle.

After seeing endless formalwear, a change of pace was refreshing.

“Your outfits today are quite unique—very refreshing,” the host outside the venue said to them with a smile.

“Thank you!” Zhang Le and Yang Xin’er replied, smiling.

Their outfits were ordinary, but in the context of this extraordinary event, they naturally stood out. Of course, they weren’t trying to attract attention for its own sake.

Zhang Le disliked suits and ties. Yang Xin’er, wanting to match him, agreed, and the two simply wore a specially designed pair of matching outfits. Walking the red carpet in them didn’t feel the least bit out of place.

“You’ve both received several nominations—best of luck tonight,” the host continued.

“Thank you!” they both replied with a smile.

For nominees, short interviews before entering were customary. Zhang Le and Yang Xin’er were the most prominent duo at the ceremony, drawing intense media and public attention, so naturally, the host asked a few more questions.

“Which of your nominations would you most like to win?” the host asked.

“All of them!” Yang Xin’er replied with a laugh. “Am I being greedy?”

“And you, Mr. Zhang?” the host turned to Zhang Le.

“I’ll be happy as long as I don’t go home empty-handed. I’m easily satisfied,” Zhang Le answered with a smile.

“Best Female Singer or Most Popular Female Singer—which would you prefer?” the host asked Yang Xin’er.

“I like both,” she replied with another smile.

“Then I wish you both all the best,” the host said with a smile. Yang Xin’er’s diplomatic answers were as expected; he didn’t press further, as he couldn’t spend too long on just the two of them.

“Le, Xin’er!” As they entered the venue, someone called out to them—a familiar voice.

Yang Xin’er, of course, knew plenty of people in the music industry. But Zhang Le—he barely knew anyone even in the entertainment industry at large. There could only be one person calling to both of them.

“Run-ge!” Zhang Le greeted with a smile.

“Surprised to see me here? I’m a singer too, you know,” Zhou Run said with a grin.

Zhang Le smiled but said nothing.

“These years, I’ve been busy with films—not much singing. But I can still serve as an award presenter,” Zhou Run said, then turned to Zhang Le. “I’m planning to release an album next year. Otherwise, people will forget that I, Zhou Run, am a singer too. Le, how about writing me a couple of songs?”

“Of course, Run-ge. What style do you want?” Zhang Le replied.

“I’ll leave it to you. Just getting songs from you is enough—I wouldn’t dare be picky. I know you’ve turned down plenty of people, including some of my old friends. If they found out, they’d be green with envy,” Zhou Run said with a laugh, pleased by Zhang Le’s prompt agreement.

“You flatter me,” Zhang Le replied. He had indeed refused many people, including several top-tier stars.

“Are you performing tonight?” Zhou Run suddenly asked.

“Xin’er is!” Zhang Le glanced at Yang Xin’er, then shook his head.

“Ah, someone’s calling me over there,” Zhou Run said, scanning the crowd. “Let’s get together after the ceremony.”

“Alright!” Zhang Le and Yang Xin’er nodded.

Before the ceremony began, people gathered in groups, chatting idly. Around Zhang Le and Yang Xin’er, quite a crowd had assembled—many were Yang Xin’er’s acquaintances, but quite a few had come for Zhang Le.

No matter how the public viewed him, within the music industry, Zhang Le had earned quite a reputation—especially after the Golden Melody nominations were announced, further cementing his musical talent.

Best Newcomer aside, Best Composer and Best Lyricist were weighty honors. Especially in the Song of the Year category, he alone had five nominations—a truly dazzling achievement.

And now, Zhang Le’s songs had reached new heights of popularity.