All-rounder Artist

Chapter 386: Chapter 365: No Egg Remains Intact Under a Toppled Nest_1

Although Rabbit Two’s comment, “A level that keeps many lyricists awake at night” was meant to be humorous and self-deprecating, it was true to some extent. It did indeed hit quite a few lyricists hard—

Aren’t you, Xian Yu, a composer?

Why are you stealing our jobs as lyricists?

Why aren’t you sticking to your own profession? If all composers were like you, should we lyricists retire?

Or should we lyricists also learn composing?

Should we pursue a dual career in both fields like Xian Yu?

Not everyone can be as talented as you, Xian Yu. Even many maestros, when it comes to putting lyrics to melodies, still need the help of long-term collaborating lyricists.

But Xian Yu… doesn’t!

And what’s more, Xian Yu isn’t one of those composers who insist on writing their own lyrics despite producing subpar work.

His lyrics are so good they make many professional lyricists feel inferior!

Can an average person write, “In the years of my life, meeting you has depleted all my luck?”

The thing is, Xian Yu does this every time.

Every time, his lyrics mesh perfectly with the melody.

Starting from his debut song “Life Like a Summer Flower”, he began crafting memorable lines like, “Live splendidly like a summer flower, die as beautifully quiet as autumn leaves”—

Of course, the “Life Like a Summer Flower” lyrics don’t contain the latter half of that sentence.

To help listeners understand the artistic conception, Xian Yu specifically noted the latter half when he was finding buzz words to promote his composition.

Then came his song “Red Rose”.

Xian Yu actually penned the classic line, “What is unattainable is always in turmoil, the loved ones have no fear”.

These lyrics have been repeatedly quoted by modern youths, whether they like the song or not. It has even become the signature of many, often recited like a mantra after breakups due to third-party involvement.

And this doesn’t even cover all of Xian Yu’s slightly less influential, but still brilliant lyrics!

Hence, many lyricists are distressed.

There’s an old saying, “Do not challenge my profession with your hobby”.

Xian Yu’s profession is obviously composing, yet his demonstrated lyric-writing capability can virtually kick countless lyricists out of their jobs.

At this point.

The biggest solace to the lyricists would probably be the fact that very few composers are as talented at writing lyrics as Xian Yu is.

Also, on the Tribe blog and various forums.

With everyone paying attention to “Next Year, Today”, the issue gradually evolved into a public discussion about Xian Yu’s historically exceptional lyrics.

“Come to think of it, the lyrics of every song Xian Yu has released are amazing. The thematic lyrics of “Easy to Ignite and Explode”, for example, have won me over.”

“The lyrical dialogue stretching across two versions of the same melody is totally rad.”

“Not everyone can do it like that. Otherwise, why not just write a few alternative sets of lyrics for one melody. Xian Yu alone is capable of releasing a new set of lyrics for “Ten Years” in the Qi language and getting everyone to download it once again.”

“Even Xian Yu wouldn’t dare to do this frequently, I presume. Two sets of lyrics for one song, both of them becoming hits – that’s quite a feat.”

“Rabbit Second Teacher’s review has indirectly proven how professional Xian Yu’s lyrics-writing is.”

“…”

Intense debates over Xian Yu’s lyrical prowess had been going on for some time, and this time seemed more like a breakout after a long period of fermentation.

However, the most frustrated ones are not the lyricists, since most composers still need professional lyricists to work with. There’s only one Xian Yu, after all.

As for the musicians involved in the September season’s competition, they face two Xian Yus!

Just within a few hours, “Next Year, Today” broke the one million download mark, making its way directly into the top ten of the season’s list!

Then, the next day came.

The inscrutable composer, who was betrayed by the season’s list as fifth, woke up pleasantly. He felt he had slept like a log and felt extremely refreshed.

His work was only ranked fifth, but the company’s expectations for the song were actually to make it into the top ten.

Making it to the fifth position was a great reward.

But his expression instantly froze when he saw the ranking on the season’s list.

Why am I sixth now?

He was stunned for several seconds before scrambling to find out the reason. Three seconds later, the truth lay bare before him.

Xian Yu’s “Ten Years” – the Qi language version – had parachuted in.

This song, simply by changing its lyrics and adopting the alias “Next Year, Today”, had risen to the fourth place overnight, pushing him and the original fourth positioner down!

“He occupies two of the top five spots? Are the listeners stupid, or do they just have too much money!?”

This unknown singer felt like Xian Yu had driven past with a steamroller, crushing a bunch of people. Realizing something was wrong, Xian Yu drove the steamroller back…

The singer was close to cursing, but his hand didn’t stop. He hastily clicked on “Next Year, Today” to listen to it once.

After listening, he stopped speaking.

This song… fine, maybe he was the one who was stupid.

He then turned his malicious gaze to all the songs ranked below “Ten Years”. The unknown composer cracked a triumphant smile.

When the nest is upset, none of the eggs are spared, the explanation says. This phrase usually implies that when a collective suffers, individuals or parts cannot avoid being affected.

In simpler terms, we’re all doomed.

Similar sentiments were shared by several other contemporary musicians who were in the same predicament.

As for Ling Feng, who was ranked second, he was mentally prepared after listening to the song last night. Seeing the result the next day, he wasn’t overly upset or depressed. He just felt a little under the weather due to catching a cold the night before.

As expected, it’s Xian Yu.

What about parachuting in?

What about having two different sets of lyrics for one song?

Isn’t he still wreaking absolute havoc as usual?

Until the 14th of September, “Next Year, Today” reached the second place on the seasonal list with six million downloads. Every song released during the same period dropped one rank, marking the end of the bloodbath.

Behind this bloodbath was the further deterioration of what the music circle calls ‘Ichthyophobia’.

Of course.

Within Starlight, exclamations from the composing colleagues on other floors were inevitable:

“Is that even possible?”

“With one melody and two sets of lyrics, he simultaneously seizes the top two spots?”

“Who the heck can still claim that Sun Yaohuo couldn’t become a sensation?”

“Even if Sun Yaohuo was a pig, Xian Yu could probably still lift him to the heavens!”

“We can’t quite put it that way. Sun Yaohuo’s ability to sing in Qi language is unexpected. There aren’t many singers in the company who can do that.”

“Why does it feel like Sun Yaohuo is on the fast track to reaching the top tier?”

“Securing the first and second places in a single season, that record is good enough for Sun Yaohuo to brag for a few years.”

“We worried about whether the ninth floor could complete the company’s task earlier. Now let’s worry about ourselves. The tears of envy are literally flowing from my mouth.”

“…”

Probably only Jin Mu, the agent who best understands Lin Yuan’s strength, wasn’t surprised at all. He looked at the top two songs on the list and smiled.

There couldn’t have been a better return than this.

A true king must return by triumphantly stepping over heaps of beaten foes.

———————

ps: I would like to recommend a highly entertaining novel, “My Filial Piety Has Deteriorated”. The intro is quite long, so I won’t use up your chargeable word count here. I’ll leave it in the author’s note section. If you’re interested, feel free to check it out.