Chapter 62.2
Thank you Butter and FistFullofDollars for your ko-fi donations
This scandal continued to ferment in the evening. Netizens on Weibo satirized and criticized Shen Xingsui for being ungrateful for his ex-brother. In less than two hours, the person involved, Jian Zhi, posted a Weibo.
At first glance, theres nothing controversial about this post. But if you read between the lines, theres quite a lot of implication hidden within. After all, this was a post that Jian Zhi made with the help of his PR team.
: Music is the transmission of the soul, regardless of time and place. Thank you for liking my songs, and I am very happy that someone can play my songs happily. I hope everyone will pay more attention to my future works.
Simply put, Jian Zhi basically said, This is my song, and its okay for you to do a cover for it. I dont mind, Im a generous person so I will forgive you.
The comment section of this post was flooded by positive comments from his fans:
[Zhi-ge is really kind.]
[Those plagiarists are really dogs.]
[Im looking forward for your next release!]
In comparison, Shen Xingsui was immediately judged as the guilty party by Jian Zhis fans. They were quickly full of performative policing as if theyre at the peak of morality. They bashed him, called him names, and some were even brazen enough to twist facts to dirty his reputation.
However, beyond many peoples expectations, Shen Xingsui was also not silent this time. After Jian Zhis Weibo post was released, he also posted a Weibo soon, and even directly mentioned him:
[@ I agree that music is the transmission of the soul. Every soul is unique. This piece was given life by its creator, and so I must thank you for your effort to disseminate it to the public way ahead of me. I hope you can focus on your own work in the future.]
This post was very tough, cut directly to the point, and full of gunpowder1itching for a fight / provocative.
And under the Weibo post, Shen Xingsui released the second half of the chorus, which he also played himself. The tune blends perfectly with the first half, which was elegant and beautiful.
This turn of event baffled the netizens.
[Wait, what do you mean?]
[Didnt Shen Xingsui copy Jian Zhi?]
[So, Jian Zhi copied Shen Xingsui instead?]
If this reversal was the truth, then it was beyond shocking. These two were brothers once upon a time, after all!
Shen Xingsuis fans have been scolded before. Many people say that their idol a plagiarizer and morally bankrupt. This, of course, made his fans uncomfortable as hell. Now, theres a chance that everyone was going to change. They grasped this life-saving straw, then flooded their idols post with words of encouragement and defense.
[I knew that Suisui would not do this kind of thing.]
[We have heard Suisuis original composition and arrangement all the time, and even saw the process with our own eyes. He is very capable by himself, so why would he plagiarize something so well-known?]
[Think with your brain, people!]
[Yeah! He can even make an awesome arrangement of someones unpolished composition in one afternoon! Do you want a copy of this video?]
[Jian Zhi, as an older brother, you actually secretly copied your younger brothers original work. Is the whole family bullying Suisui like this? Disgusting.]
Of course Shen Xingsuis loyal fans would fight for their idol once Shen Xingsui made that post. While theyre mostly a peaceful bunch, theyre not going to take any undeserved beatings lying down. Silence was only leading them to slaughter at this time.
However, Jian Zhi has been a popular star for many years, his spot in this industry was solid. After all, his fanbase was much larger than Shen Xingsui, and theyre more loyal. Of course theyre going to believe Jian Zhis words. So, when they read Shen Xingsuis Weibo, it only added fuel to the fire. Their hatred intensified.
[How did this become your song?]
[Wheres the evidence?]
[Dont touch our gege!]
Then, Shen Xingsui released the second half of the song. Since this controversy was very hot, many netizens latched on to this the moment it was posted.
[Not gonna lie I prefer Shen Xingsuis version of this continuation.]
[My favorite part of this song was actually the chorus. I always skipped the second half so I can immediately hear the chorus part again.]
[Yup, I agree with that. It feels like two different songs stitched together.]
[Lol, so its not only me who skipped directly to the chorus?]
[Now that I hear this version, I do agree it feels like a complete song!]
However, this is just the opinions of neutral netizens. Jian Zhis fans, however, said that Shen Xingsuis version was shit, and continue their bashing. They couldnt wait for the day that Shen Xingsui would be stricken down by karma.
They believed Jian Zhi would win in the end.
The next day, in Hengtong Building.
Shen Xingsui had originally made an appointment with the music team of Mountains and Rivers. He came in to continue the discussion about the theme song.
He had pulled an all-nighter the day before, pouring his heart out to finish his image of the song. The story was a tragedy, and he knew how to amplify the anguish and the poignant emptiness of the movies ending.
When the production music team saw him, their expression was a little weird.
Shen Xingsui gave them the music score he wrote and asked, Its probably like this. Do you think there is any problem? Anything to change?
The head producer hesitated, but still said, Suisui, your composition is very good, and it meets our requirements. Thank you for your hard work. Even when something like this happens, you can still write the score. B-but our director still has the final say. Because of this controversy, he decided that hiring you might affect the movies reputation. Although you are really talented, but we dare not use your song.
Oh.
These people welcomed him warmly yesterday. But today, after that shitshow, they turned cold in just one day.
Shen Xingsui sighed a little and said, Then the director doesnt plan to use my song?
Sorry. The producer was also very guilty. He didnt want to see this talented young mans dreams dashed like this. But he couldnt do anything. Its not completely impossible. If you want, you can leave the music score here. If theres a hope in the future, we will contact you again?
Shen Xingsui saw the producers eyes and immediately understood. His heart froze, and his body felt numb. It wasnt painful nor uncomfortable. Surprisingly, he accepted this result calmly.
Thank you for your kindness. Shen Xingsui bowed as he took his music score. I wont trouble you any more, I wish you success in your work.
The producer wanted to say something, but Shen Xingsui decisively turned and left. He even closed the door gently on the way out. There was no grievance or redundant explanation, as if they really had an ordinary chat and then said goodbye.
The person behind him said, Actually, I think the director will be satisfied with the version he wrote. He is really a creative composer. I personally dont think we will find such a satisfactory song if we contact another composer in the future.
The producer silently nodded.
In fact, he really didnt want to let go of such a brilliant composer. However, Jian Zhis agent contacted him, saying that if he rejected Shen Xingsui, the singers younger brother Jian Anran would compose original music for them, and Jian Zhi himself would sing the theme song for free. The director saw this golden opportunity for publicity and he couldnt refuse it. Compared with the far less famous Shen Xingsui; Jian Zhi, who was more popular, was of course the better choice. Even the producer had to agree that refusing Jian Zhis offer wasnt profitable.
But
Inexplicably, when he saw the closed door, regret rose in his heart. Its as if he had missed something very important.
In another music room of this building, a middle-aged man who had been sleeping with a hat on raised his head. He glanced at the production team through the window. With a sarcastic smile, he scoffed. He recalled the brilliant composition of that disgraced young man.
The music sparked something inside of him.
That young mans name was Shen Xingsui, yes?
Maybe he could try cooperating with him.
Also, happy Aprils Fools day! Im too tired to create a fake chapter, honestly.