Why bother writing songs? Fast forward to the "Don't Laugh Challenge"

Chapter 77: Let Xia Shen go up and set off some earthy fun?

How could it not be dreamlike? He's been in the industry for so long, and he's never been to a live show even once.

It's not that no one has invited him to hold live performances or tours.

Yes, there are some, and quite a few at that.

But
Well, most of them don't really meet the company's standards. They're always asked to do gigs at shopping mall openings or hotel events.

Even if he is invited to hold a special tour, it's all for offline commercial venues.
Yes, that's right, it's Shang K.
It's like the kind of thing where you touch and sing.

After all, he started out doing local pop music, and his style is very popular with those big shots who drive Cadillacs. He is often invited by business owners to perform in offline pop music venues, and he even goes on chain tours, one stop after another.

Although the asking prices were all quite high, and some were even exceptionally generous, with one session approaching a million, it fully demonstrated the power of the Bathing Emperor.

However, the company still considered the need to project a high-class image and ultimately did not agree.

Just kidding. Although the company is forced to make its artists do this kind of abstract stuff, it doesn't mean the company is giving up. They have their own ambitions, but they are just constrained by the market for the time being.

If someone were to actually act in something like this, it would truly be a stain on their reputation.

Take Tian Min as an example. Doesn't Tian Min also do this kind of thing? But she doesn't go to these low-end venues for gigs. In fact, she just held her first offline concert not long ago.

Well, although the prices inside are cheaper than outside.

But it's also clear that the company does have ambitions.

As a result, Xia Shen never had any performance experience.

And now they're telling him that he'll be promoted to Ultra in one go?

What's so special about this? To give you an example, imagine you're playing a game, and before you even leave the starting area, you've entered a level 100 dungeon for the first time.

Just kidding, this kind of world-class stage with international standards, you'd only see it in a million-word novel on the internet, right?

His first match was of this caliber.
"Nervous?" Old Chen asked, squinting as he saw Xia Shen standing there in a daze.

"Nonsense." Xia Shen snapped out of his daze and murmured, "How can I not be nervous? Let me show you."

His palms were now completely sweaty.

Old Chen looked down and exclaimed, "Hey! You're sweating? Don't move!"

After a while, Old Chen brought over two bright red objects, which turned out to be two collectible walnuts.

Old Chen shoved two walnuts into Xia Shen's hands: "Here, help me rub them for a bit."

Xia Shen: "."

Old Chen's joke actually eased Xia Shen's tension considerably.

Old Chen then said, "What's there to be nervous about? Isn't this the opportunity we've been waiting for? There's no need to put too much pressure on yourself. You're just an opening guest. As long as you maintain an average level, that's enough. You don't need to act amazing. Hurry up and finish your presentation!"

Of course, it would be great if you performed exceptionally well, and the effect would be even stronger, but I advise you to keep a calm mind. Look at who you are sharing the stage with; they are either among the world's top 100, top 10, or even the top performers.

At best, no, you have absolutely no chance of outshining them. You're destined to pale in comparison. There's no need for you to perform exceptionally well. Keep going, don't stop.

All you need to do is put on a decent opening performance in front of everyone, and you'll be considered successful. That will change everyone's perception of you. Then, just follow the plan we've discussed, and you'll be officially on the path of a serious musician.

"I know, it's just an instinctive reaction," Xia Shen nodded as he played with the walnuts.

From the very beginning, he never intended to suppress the big shots on the same stage, because it was simply impossible.

He's been a well-established figure for so many years, with so many fans around the world; he's a true international star. What makes him so special, compared to him, a nobody like Karami?

Even the opportunity to be the opening guest was something he fought for himself in July, and normally, he wouldn't even get the chance to be the opening guest.

The reason he got the chance this time is simply because the event was held in China, and they needed a figurehead to curry favor with the Chinese market and promote cultural tourism, to demonstrate their focus on the Chinese market and their support for Chinese musicians. That's why it was his turn!

The tension you feel now is just a reaction that everyone would have. Actually, you'll feel much better once you adjust your mindset.

"Keep it up, just don't cause any trouble, stay calm! That's the most important thing!" Old Chen patted Xia Shen on the shoulder: "Don't forget, my life or death is in your hands, your old brother is counting on you."

Before leaving, he carefully took the two walnuts, saying, "Okay, give them back to me."

Pat pat pat——

Halfway there, after they had already left the house, Old Chen turned back, leaned against the doorway, and peered inside: "Oh, right, here's a 200 yuan red envelope. Can you delete the video of me drinking and chewing on a telephone pole last time?"

"No."

"300!"

"No need to discuss."

"Don't go too far!"

"Send it to the company group chat immediately."

"father!"

"Okay, I'll delete it right away." Xia Shen nodded quickly.

Immediately after Old Chen walked away, he picked up his phone again to look at the related information.

The news of Ultra's China event was revealed, and shortly after, Ultra's official China account announced that he would be the opening guest.

Just as Lao Chen said, the poster was indeed released, not even waiting until the next day, but appearing on the spot.

It's conceivable that by the time they received the news, everything had already been finalized on the other side, and only after everything was completely settled did they inform them in July.

A large poster was posted directly on the trending topics list.

As always, Ultra features the power bank logo, this time in purple as the main color, with a cool purple meteorite pattern. The meteorite is covered with laser xenon lamps, along with the words 'Ultra music festive'.

And below: China - Shanghai World Expo Park.

Special guest speaker: Xia Shen (SKYINDEEP).

Even his AKA suffix was given a personalized font, making him look even more like a world-class music producer. Combined with the Ultra logo, the poster really looks impressive.

“Squid is a good choice.” Xia Shen nodded.

but
Once you look at the comments section, it doesn't look so good anymore.

The comments section is now in complete chaos.

"Holy crap, Ultra is opening a store in China?! Is it really coming?"

"I'm in Shanghai!! I absolutely have to go!!"

"Damn! I was sent to America to handle visa applications for Chinese citizens. No wonder so many foreigners have been flocking to Shanghai to apply for tourist visas lately. I see."

"????"

"What the hell? I can understand Ultra coming to China, after all, it really should have been coming, but why the hell is Xia Shen opening the show? What the hell is Xia Shen?!"

"Why choose someone who makes lowbrow music instead of one of China's many talented music producers and DJs, or so many respectable producers who have performed abroad?"

"What's Xia Shen going up there for? To throw a tirade? Does that even match his class?"

At the same moment, a group chat also exploded.
(The novels have different world settings; this world is for plot purposes, and the "Top 100" refers to the level before the value of the rankings declined.)
(End of this chapter)