Chapter 52: A Path Less Traveled

Friday morning, 8:50 a.m.

Zhang Qiyang, wearing his “flamboyant” black T-shirt, arrived at Xingdu TV ten minutes early for rehearsal.

Before the rehearsal officially began, director Luo Tao invited Zhang Qiyang to the meeting room for a brief discussion.

Present at the meeting were Luo Tao, Zhang Qiyang, Qin Xueyang, as well as the show's executive director Xiao Meiyun and music director Chen Dahai—five people in total.

Holding the sheet music for “Flamboyance,” which Zhang Qiyang had faxed over two days earlier, Luo Tao got straight to the point: “Yang, the piece you’ve submitted for this week’s competition—we’ve held a meeting about it. To be honest, the teachers on our team think your choice is a bit too risky this week. This song really takes an unorthodox approach.”

“Unorthodox?” Zhang Qiyang sipped his coffee and glanced at Luo Tao.

Luo Tao explained candidly, “Everyone understands what this song is trying to convey. It mainly paints the psychology of a minor figure in the entertainment industry—someone overlooked, doomed to a life of mediocrity but unwilling to accept it, desperate for recognition, and thus growing ever more flamboyant, more bitter, more despondent, ultimately morphing from grievance to resentment.”

“Exactly,” Zhang Qiyang replied. “That’s precisely the kind of extreme, but deeply resonant, little person I wanted to portray. Isn’t this the reality of the industry today? If you’re not flamboyant, don’t create hype, then who pays attention to you? After these years in the business, I feel this acutely. Don’t be fooled by my special background—if I don’t stir things up, if I’m not flamboyant, do you think anyone would care about me? Society’s been warped for a long time. I’m singing this song to satirize such a reality.”

Xiao Meiyun zeroed in on the point: “That’s it—the problem lies there. The song’s satire is too biting. People will read it as a criticism of society at large. Those with ulterior motives might feel you’re not just targeting the entertainment industry, but the entire oppressive social structure.”

“Of course I am satirizing society,” Zhang Qiyang declared. “You said it yourself—this is a repressive society. As a musician, as a public figure with a sense of responsibility, shouldn’t I speak out and poke fun at it?”

At that, Qin Xueyang nearly spat out her coffee, staring at Zhang Qiyang in disbelief.

For a moment, she wondered if she was still dreaming in her hotel room.

She surreptitiously pinched her leg through her jeans—ouch!

She wasn’t dreaming. This was real.

Zhang Qiyang had actually uttered such brazen words!

She blushed for him, embarrassed on his behalf.

Qin Xueyang couldn’t bring herself to meet the eyes of the three program executives across from her.

Xiao Meiyun, Luo Tao, and Chen Dahai were all left speechless by Zhang Qiyang’s response.

Never in their wildest dreams did they expect the son of the richest man in China to have such a thick skin!

He could give any celebrity famed for their shamelessness a run for their money.

He actually dared to claim he had a sense of social responsibility. If he really cared about social responsibility, he wouldn’t have shocked the whole country with that disaster on last week’s show.

Now he suddenly remembered social responsibility? Where was it before?

Had it not been for last week’s scandal with “New Feces,” the production team wouldn’t be stopping Zhang Qiyang from performing “Flamboyance” this week.

In fact, when they received the sheet music and rough demo for the song on Thursday, the production team was blown away!

It was a rare, genius work capable of tugging at the heartstrings—a showstopper destined to astonish all who heard it.

The lyrics were saturated with gloom, and from words to melody, the piece exuded a wicked energy. Coupled with Zhang Qiyang’s uniquely haunting voice, it was a match made in heaven.

And given Zhang Qiyang’s special background, performing such a song would be explosively topical!

Unfortunately, last week’s performance of “New Feces” had already sparked enormous controversy.

If Zhang Qiyang were to sing another dark, overtly negative song now, debates about him and “My Song” would rage in every corner.

Rivals and ill-wishers would seize the opportunity to launch a new round of attacks.

“My Song” was at the height of its momentum, drawing everyone’s attention.

But the higher you fly, the harder you fall.

The production team now had to tread with utmost caution.

They feared that a single misstep could ruin the brilliant prospects of this season’s “My Song.”

That was why they had called Zhang Qiyang in—for a meeting to persuade him to shelve the song for now and save it for calmer times.

After exchanging a glance with Luo Tao, Xiao Meiyun spoke: “Yang, you know the current climate—there’s a lot of negative buzz around you and our show. From both your perspective and the show’s, we suggest you don’t sing ‘Flamboyance’ this week. It’s an unforgettable work, no doubt. Teacher Dahai gave it the highest praise.”

At this, Chen Dahai nodded in agreement.

Xiao Meiyun continued, “But considering the possible repercussions, we recommend you choose a more uplifting piece for this week’s competition—reinvent yourself in the eyes of the audience. Teacher Dahai has been working these past few days to find songs that suit your voice and style. Here—”

She slid a song list across the table to Zhang Qiyang. “These are the songs Teacher Dahai recommends for you this week. See if any appeal to you.”

Zhang Qiyang glanced at the list, then turned it face down. “I appreciate the show’s concern, and I understand the thoughtfulness behind your suggestions. But I insist on singing ‘Flamboyance.’”

Qin Xueyang frowned and, under the table, tugged on the hem of Zhang Qiyang’s T-shirt, quietly urging him to reconsider—not to act so stubbornly.

If he didn’t cooperate, the production team might make things hard for him!

But Zhang Qiyang was resolute. He brushed off Qin Xueyang’s hand and began to reason with the three executives: “Here’s how I see it—whatever song I sing now will stir up controversy. I’ve looked at the songs you picked for me—they’re indeed upbeat and full of positive energy. But if I sing them, I guarantee people will accuse me of hypocrisy, of trying to whitewash myself. The backlash could be even worse, painting me as fake and insincere, and that could harm both myself and the show.”

His words gave the three across from him pause.

Thinking it over, they realized he was right. Zhang Qiyang’s controversial image on their stage had already been established. At this point, whatever he did would spark debate. Even if he sang the national anthem, people would probably criticize him.

“In that case, I might as well set off a firestorm—let the controversy rage ever more fiercely. You all know better than I do that in this industry, it’s far better to be controversial than to be ignored. Just like in ‘Flamboyance,’ if I fall silent and play nice, the audience will lose interest, and those who love drama will stop watching. Rather than perish in silence, I’d rather erupt—keep erupting, until I become the grand entertainer described in my song. That benefits both you and me. Don’t you agree?”