sovbooks Chapter 56 Like an Old Friend
Chapter 56 Like an Old Friend
What merit or ability does Chen Fan possess to obtain a ticket to such an international competition as a newcomer who has been in the industry for less than half a year?
Reporters immediately swarmed around, bombarding him with questions:
"President An, why did you choose Chen Fan? He has only been in the industry for a short time and his international recognition is practically zero."
"President An, based on his abilities, Chen Fan is simply not qualified to participate in this kind of international competition. Did you choose him because you reached some kind of consensus?"
"Mr. An, your son Andy and Chen Fan are getting very close. Has he been lenient with them?"
The reporter's questions were sharp and incisive, but An Shihuan showed no sign of anger on his face. Instead, he answered each question seriously.
"International recognition isn't something you're born with; it's something you earn."
"Hasn't there been a saying circulating online for a long time, 'self-indulgent'? The ones we've been eyeing haven't gained much international recognition!"
"A consensus has indeed been reached. Mr. Chen Fan received the invitation to participate first, and then chose to cooperate with Xinghe Media. We look forward to his even better results!"
"In addition, my son Andy is indeed very close to Mr. Chen. To my shame, it was Andy who recommended him to me time and time again."
"Andy has recommended Chen Fan to you many times. Does that mean you didn't like Chen Fan at first?"
"No, I think highly of him."
He laughed and said, "True international recognition is not about seeking approval by other people's standards, but about reclaiming the honor that belongs to you."
This statement is powerful and resounding.
The moment froze, and Chen Fan walked onto the stage.
He was thinner than when he last appeared, and his black suit looked oversized, but he looked even more radiant.
She wasn't wearing makeup, and her eyes still had the dark circles from staying up all night, but that's what made her even more captivating.
An Shihuan handed him the microphone and stepped aside.
Chen Fan stood in the center of the stage, with three hundred pairs of eyes watching him, and the live broadcast camera transmitting the scene to millions of netizens.
He glanced at the audience and said, "President An, thank you for Xinghe Media's trust."
The scene was somewhat amusing. The reporters had their cameras and microphones ready, just waiting for Chen Fan to show off his arrogance, but he ended the battle with a single sentence.
"I will let certain people know."
He glanced at the camera, as if declaring war through the screen, "Chinese music doesn't need their approval."
The entire room fell silent for a second, then erupted in applause.
The live stream chat exploded instantly:
"Aaaaaah, he said it! He said it!"
"Chinese music doesn't need their approval! I've waited far too long to hear these words!"
"Did you hear that, haters? We don't need your approval!"
"Only someone with real substance can make such a statement! Chen Fan is awesome!"
"This is what the Chinese music scene should be like!"
Before the press conference even ended, the trending topics list was once again flooded with posts about the pandemic.
#Chen Fan Signs with Xinghe Media#
#Chen Fan's Chinese music doesn't need their approval#
#Global Competition Chinese Language Division#
Chen Fan's Weibo followers reached five million within an hour after the press conference ended.
The company wanted to assign Chen Fan an assistant, but Chen Fan refused.
He needs time to adjust, so let's leave it for now.
Upon learning this, An Shihuan readily agreed and simply provided Chen Fan with a nanny van before leaving.
Yun Duo, who had come with them, was scrolling through her phone, grinning from ear to ear: "Brother Fan, the comments section is full of encouraging messages! Those haters don't dare to show their faces!"
Chen Fan hummed in agreement and put his phone back in his pocket.
After Ge Mingyue finished handing things over with An Shihuan, the two returned to their respective cars.
"Are you nervous?" Ge Mingyue asked with a smile in her eyes, showing no sign of worry.
Chen Fan asked knowingly, "What's there to be nervous about?"
"That's a global competition! It's in Paris, with judges from twelve countries, and it's broadcast live worldwide!"
Before Chen Fan could say anything, Yun Duo said nervously, "I'm nervous! Sis, please don't say anything!"
Chen Fan found it amusing, and after thinking about it seriously, said, "A little."
"Only 'a little'?"
"Actually, not at all."
He looked out the window at the shadows of the trees receding as the car moved forward and said, "But wouldn't it seem arrogant if I said I wasn't nervous at all? A little humility is appropriate!"
Ge Mingyue was truly speechless at this point.
Chen Fan is truly someone who "gets out of breath the moment you say he's fat."
Shaking her head and chuckling, Ge Mingyue steered the conversation back on track: "Just perform normally. I'm confident you can do it."
Chen Fan turned his head and looked at her with a surprised expression.
Why are you so surprised?
Looking back, Ge Mingyue said, "I analyzed the reasons for the elimination of the previous singer. Putting everything else aside, his talent wasn't as high as yours."
"If you pass the test in terms of hard work, you'll also have the talent to go for it."
As Chen Fan listened to her earnest analysis of his strengths, he blurted out, "No, Ms. Ge, I thought you signed me because you trusted me. Turns out you've analyzed me thoroughly?"
Ge Mingyue remained calm and composed: "After objective analysis, my confidence in you has greatly increased!"
At this moment, Yun Duo interjected, "Brother Fan! Brother Fan! I'm your biggest fan, I never analyze the pros and cons!"
Chen Fan said helplessly, "This won't do! You'll be easily fooled with just a few words when you go out!"
"Success depends on three things: 'favorable timing, advantageous location, and harmonious relationships'," Ge Mingyue said. "When the right timing comes, you'll have the right people. As for the advantageous location, it's unpredictable. If you have it, great; if you don't, you can't force it."
"I can't find any other reason for you to lose."
Chen Fan was once again impressed by Ge Mingyue; this woman was indeed quite capable.
Turning her head, she saw Yunduo looking completely bewildered and thought to herself that the Ge family was really too casual about raising their child.
The big ones excel in everything, while the small ones don't care about anything; they're worlds apart.
The three of them, with a mixture of anger and harmony, headed to the accommodation arranged for Chen Fan by the company.
At the same time, Wang Junhai turned off the press conference live stream.
On the screen, Chen Fan's words still echoed in his mind: Chinese music does not need their approval.
His finger hovered over the mouse for a long time.
My phone rang, and the caller ID showed: Anderson.
"Mr. Wang, did you see it?"
"Um."
"They chose the World Series."
"I know."
"This is a good thing."
Anderson's tone rose slightly, "Win against them on our home turf, win fair and square."
Wang Junhai was silent for a moment, then said, "Could we arrange for Thomson to be a judge?"
There was a pause on the other end of the phone: "You don't need to worry about that. We have people on the judging panel."
After hanging up the phone, Wang Junhai walked to the window.
Outside the window, the night was already deep.
He found it increasingly difficult to see the road ahead.
Twenty years ago, he stood on the international competition stage for the first time.
There were seven foreign judges in the audience. After he finished singing, the judges gave him the lowest score.
"The technique is acceptable, but it lacks an international flair."
He couldn't sleep that night.
He couldn't understand what "international feel" meant.
Isn't a pure accent enough?
Isn't impeccable technology enough?
Later he understood that "international style" is not about how high or accurate your singing is, but about whether you can sing "their way".
"Chen Fan," he said in a low voice, "you will lose to them, just like I did back then."
After saying that, he picked up his phone and sent Anderson a message: I want him to lose, not just a narrow defeat, but a crushing defeat! A complete and utter defeat!
The other party quickly sent a message: As you wish.