Chapter Ninety-Two: A Storm of Public Opinion Sparked by a Poster (First Update, Please Subscribe)

On the way back to Shengyin Courtyard, Zhao Shu still could not stop marveling. “It is really well written. Far too well written. I may not be much of a literary man, but your two lines, Xiao Wang, only grow richer the more I taste them. Still, if you do not reveal your name, might someone steal your poem and claim it as their own?”

Never underestimate human nature.

Some people will do anything for fame.

And Wang Mo’s poem, A Generation, was more than enough to make someone instantly renowned.

Before Wang Mo could speak, He Zhixing glanced over at Zhao Shu and said coolly, “Who would dare? Do you really think I do not exist?”

Zhao Shu said, “What if someone does?”

He Zhixing replied, “Even better. That way I can see their true colors sooner and deal with them sooner.”

After saying that, he suddenly looked at Wang Mo. “Xiao Wang, this poem is excellent, but have you grown too disappointed with reality?”

With He Zhixing’s experience, it was easy to see that the poem brimmed with dissatisfaction toward the world, even casting it as something dark. Though the second line expressed a longing for light and a pursuit of it, the poem still revealed a tragic vision of life.

Zhao Shu hurried to explain on Wang Mo’s behalf. “I can understand how Xiao Wang feels. He was once a dazzling top idol adored by the masses, only to be destroyed overnight by online abuse. If not for his own efforts, he would probably have already been shelved by his company. How many people could endure that kind of reversal? I imagine it was precisely this kind of experience, this kind of inner journey, that led Wang Mo to write A Generation.”

Wang Mo silently gave Zhao Shu a thumbs-up.

Big brother no, old sir, your explanation is brilliant.

I had not even figured out how to explain where A Generation came from.

And you have already given such a perfectly reasonable answer.

As expected, He Zhixing let out a long sigh after hearing it. “Indeed. Xiao Wang’s experiences, so far beyond those of his peers, have shaped his state of mind. That is also why he could write Facing the Sea, Spring Blossoms before, and now A Generation. If it were anyone else his age, I fear they would struggle to find such inspiration.”

Beside them, Zhao Shu raised an eyebrow. “Facing the Sea, Spring Blossoms?”

He fell into thought.

“That jumping incident that caused such a stir not long ago, and that live-streamer rescue incident you told me about, and your saying that China had produced a genius poet... so those were all Xiao Wang? In that case, the ‘West Tower’ you have always been talking about is Xiao Wang?”

Smack!

He Zhixing slapped himself on the face. Look at his mouth.

He had let it slip by accident.

And with Zhao Shu’s sharp mind, he had instantly guessed Wang Mo’s other identity.

He Zhixing looked awkward. “Old Zhao, since you have figured it out, let it be. Just make sure not to spread it around.”

Zhao Shu said unhappily, “Relax. My mouth is tighter than yours.”

He Zhixing: “...”

One misstep brings a lifetime of regret.

How had he just blurted that out?

...

Zhao Shu did not go into He Zhixing’s home for a visit, and instead turned back halfway to the Central Conservatory of Music.

Wang Mo followed He Zhixing back to his residence.

To Wang Mo’s surprise, he finally met He Zhixing’s granddaughter.

As soon as the door opened, he saw a chubby little darling of three or four years old, with pigtails and a little red dress, dart out from inside. Running as fast as she could, she shouted, “Grandpa, Grandpa is home!”

The sight of her made Wang Mo feel almost breathless.

Old sir?

This is your granddaughter?

This is the fan you told me about?

You cannot be serious, can you?

He Zhixing saw Wang Mo’s confusion. Holding his granddaughter in his arms, he laughed. “This is my youngest granddaughter. The one I said liked you is my second granddaughter.”

Second granddaughter...

That means there is a eldest granddaughter too.

You have quite a few granddaughters.

He Zhixing pointed at Wang Mo. “Tongtong, call him big brother.”

The little girl was not shy at all. She looked at Wang Mo and called sweetly, “Hello, big brother. Big brother, I will give you candy.”

As she spoke, she pulled a lollipop from her pocket and handed it to Wang Mo.

Wang Mo immediately took a liking to the little girl. After accepting the lollipop, he smiled and said, “Thank you, Tongtong. Next time, big brother will bring you a present.”

Tongtong blinked. “Really?”

Wang Mo said, “Of course it is true.”

Tongtong clapped her hands in delight. “Wonderful! Then you have to come quickly next time.”

Behind Tongtong, an elderly woman in her sixties emerged.

Wang Mo had already done his homework, and quickly stepped forward. “Grandma Cai, hello. I am Wang Mo.”

The woman who came out was Cai Lan, He Zhixing’s wife, and also a professor at Qingbei University, though she was now retired at home.

Cai Lan looked Wang Mo up and down, then nodded in satisfaction. “You are vigorous, with an extraordinary bearing, and a fine young man. Old He has good judgment. You are a good child. So long as you conduct yourself with integrity and sit upright, you need not care about the rumors online.”

“Thank you for your guidance, Grandma Cai.”

Wang Mo answered respectfully.

That evening, Wang Mo stayed for dinner.

Cai Lan’s cooking was excellent. Though there were only four people, she still prepared five dishes and a soup, leaving Wang Mo so stuffed that his stomach bulged.

At the same time, Wang Mo’s relationship with Tongtong advanced by leaps and bounds.

In just one or two hours, Tongtong had clung to Wang Mo and refused to get down, like a little sloth, much to He Zhixing’s sour displeasure.

Wang Mo felt secretly pleased and thought to himself: as expected, girls, no matter how old, all like handsome men.

...

Outside.

While Wang Mo was eating dinner, the program team of Singer Style suddenly released an announcement on Weibo:

“The third season of Singer Style is here with a bang, and has already been scheduled for 8 p.m. next Saturday. Be sure to lock onto Tomato TV then and experience the singers’ unique brilliance. @Singer Style Production Team, @Tomato TV, @Singer Style Season One, @Singer Style Season Two, @Luo Ning, @Jiang Shihan, @Zhou Jingyi, @Hao Mingxing...”

Below the announcement was a promotional poster for the show.

After the announcement went out, its promotional effect, combined with the overwhelming popularity of the first two seasons of Singer Style, propelled the news to the very top of Weibo’s trending charts in just over ten minutes.

Countless netizens and fans swarmed in.

“At last, you are here.”

“Aaaaaah, my third season is finally here.”

“I want to see Jiang Shihan.”

“This season, Luo Ning is absolutely going to be the champion.”

“My god, so many big stars are taking part.”

“So many top celebrities in the third season? My goodness!”

“...”

Because the program team had tagged more than thirty singing celebrities this time, the lineup was formidable.

First-tier stars: 2.

Second-tier stars: 4.

Third-tier stars: well over a dozen.

Even the singers below the third tier were all popular or currently trending names.

In other words, not a single weak performer was taking part in Singer Style this time.

One could say the least prominent among them was Hao Mingxing, because he had only become famous a few months earlier. He rose on the strength of a single song, Whatever, and became a hit singer overnight.

Even in the comments, many people were saying:

“Is Hao Mingxing the weakest one?”

“Definitely. The others are all seasoned veterans in the music world. He is the only newcomer.”

“No choice. Whatever was just too huge.”

“The key is, he only has one song. How is he supposed to survive on the show?”

“He will be out in the first round.”

“Hao Mingxing was probably invited because the show saw how wildly he has been trending these past few months, and because his voice is rather distinctive. But relying on just one song, he cannot last long.”

“...”

Then, amid all the discussion, many people noticed the poster released by Singer Style.

On the exquisitely designed poster, the two first-tier singers, Luo Ning and Jiang Shihan, one man and one woman, stood squarely in the center.

Behind the two first-tier stars stood five others: Zhou Jingyi, Chen Tie, Fu Zichen, Liu Meng, and Hao Mingxing.

At first glance, many people did not notice anything unusual.

But soon after, someone rubbed their eyes.

Huh?

Something is off.

Why is Hao Mingxing in the second row?

Why is he placed in the second row of the poster?

Good heavens.

The second row is all second-tier singers. What right does Hao Mingxing have to stand alongside these top second-tier names?

The entertainment industry is a place that places great emphasis on ability and seniority.

Especially on a program poster, where everyone’s position strictly follows skill, status, experience, and background.

The stronger ones are placed in front.

The weaker ones are placed behind.

But the Singer Style poster had actually placed Hao Mingxing in the second row, alongside a group of second-tier singers.

After the initial shock, netizens began flooding the page.

“Did the designer put him in the wrong spot?”

“What the hell, Hao Mingxing standing with Zhou Jingyi, Chen Tie, and the rest of those big names?”

“Tomato TV, what are you doing?”

“I do not mean to look down on Hao Mingxing, but is this poster not a little ridiculous?”

“I admit Whatever is very good, but Hao Mingxing is standing behind a whole lineup of third-tier singers. Which of them is not more famous than he is? Which of them does not have a bigger status than he does? Putting Hao Mingxing in the second row, can he even stand there?”

“Clumsy hype.”

“...”

In particular, many fans of the second- and third-tier singers were dissatisfied.

You put Hao Mingxing together with our idols. What are you trying to say?

That our idols have the same status as Hao Mingxing?

Or that our idols only have Hao Mingxing’s level of ability and fame?

Displeasure.

Anger.

Frustration.

If you do not understand that feeling, let me give you an example: if a poster were to place Jay Chou alongside some little singer who had only just become known, Jay Chou’s fans would explode too.

Driven by the fans, the matter’s popularity finally spread in full force.

[An argument erupts over the Singer Style poster]
[Hao Mingxing lined up beside a host of second-tier singers?]
[Hype or strength?]
[One poster ruins Hao Mingxing’s public image]
[Where does Hao Mingxing get his confidence?]

At that moment, even Cloud Sea Media was caught off guard. A single poster had actually pushed Hao Mingxing into the center of the storm, and the public uproar was now showing signs of exploding.

The key problem was that this wave of public opinion was extremely unfavorable to Hao Mingxing.

Some said he was arrogant.

Some said he was riding hype.

Some said that after becoming popular, he had let it go to his head.

At Cloud Sea Media, Hao Mingxing’s agent, Zheng Lai, had a dark and stormy face. While pulling out his phone to make a call, he said angrily, “What the hell is Tomato TV doing? Does the Singer Style team want you to die faster? They actually put you in the second row of the poster. This is pure and simple using you to generate heat, while the one being sacrificed is you!

Damn it, I’m calling the director of Singer Style right now and telling him to change the poster immediately.”

Hao Mingxing stared at the online comments and the surging trending topics.

His brow furrowed slightly, but soon relaxed again.

Then he stopped Zheng Lai. “No need to call.”

Zheng Lai froze. “Why not?”

Hao Mingxing shook his head and gave no explanation.

His gaze turned toward the window, yet in his eyes, fierce light burst forth.