The opening of China Entertainment Group gave Jay Chou a head-on confrontation

Chapter 932 Science Fiction Film: "Rebirth: I Became the King of the National Football Team"

To be fair, regardless of whether the Golden Melody Awards' insistence on inviting Hu Defu is as conspiracy theorists speculate, Zhou Yi will proceed according to his predetermined plan.

This is a perfect spot to take the blame.

After all, no matter how much restrictions are lifted in the future, he will still have to wait until at least 09, or even 10 or 11, to visit the island and say goodbye to his Taiwanese fans.

Although the island officially opened up the three links and began accepting registrations at the end of 08, venues still needed to be applied for and gatherings needed to be approved, which took a lot of time.

Nayoung, who had no real threat, waited in line for approval for nearly two years before finally making her debut at the Taipei Arena on July 24, 2010. This marked her return to the Taiwanese music scene after an eight-year hiatus, making her the first mainland Chinese singer to perform at the Taipei Arena.

Not to mention that he has a criminal record, it's not impossible for him to be detained until 2012.

All things considered, the gap period is quite long, so they'll definitely have to do some superficial work to shift the blame.

As for the mainland, at least there will be a farewell concert to appease people, and we will try to apply for the Bird's Nest stadium, which just hosted the Olympics, so that we can bid farewell in glory.

Of course, for fans who are still unaware of all this, what they care about most is how many of Zhou Yi's seven nominations will be awarded at this year's Golden Melody Awards—whether he will continue to suffer from the "behind-the-scenes manipulation" of the previous year.

Zhou Yi also received numerous nominations at last year's Golden Melody Awards, but in the end, he shared the award with his senior, Luo Dayou, taking home a total of two trophies.

What if Hu Defu also tries to "sink together" this year?

"I already said something about the Golden Melody Awards last year, so there's no need to comment on it again."

The next day, Zhou Yi, as expected, was stuck in traffic at the company gate while driving to and from get off work.

Faced with the swarm of reporters, Zhou Yi sighed: "Besides, I don't know Mr. Hu. I don't even know the answers to the questions you ask me about him."

I understand—Zhou Yi is arrogant and looks down on Hu Defu!

Reporters, who had all picked up their pens to take notes, continued to surround him, and the topic gradually became more and more sensational: "Zhou Yi, do you think it's more likely that Yan Zi will win the Golden Melody Award for the third time this year, or that Xiao Yaxuan will win the award on her first attempt at the Golden Melody Awards?"

After winning the Golden Melody Award for Best Female Vocalist twice last year, Sun Yanzi became the youngest female singer in the history of the Golden Melody Awards to win the award twice. If she wins the Best Female Singer award again this year, she will break the record again and become the first female singer in the history of the Golden Melody Awards to win the award three times.
As for Hsiao Ya-hsuan, she has the potential to become the first female pop diva in the history of the Golden Melody Awards to win the title of Best Female Singer with a dance music style.

In addition, their complex relationship with the I Ching has made them incredibly popular.

Zhou Yi wasn't fooled. Instead, he retorted, "Are you discriminating against the other nominees for Best Female Singer?"

???

The reporter was momentarily speechless.

What kind of thing is considered discrimination?
You're quick to label people; have you been abroad for too long and been assimilated?
The reporter, clearly unwilling to give up, wanted to ask more questions, but a huge, burly man with a potbelly walked in, immediately blocking their microphones—

"Alright everyone, alright, please stop gathering for interviews. A-Yi still has work to do."

With a strong, powerful push, the agent who provides the artist with the greatest sense of security completely blocked the reporters, leaving them only able to watch helplessly as Zhou Yi disappeared from sight under the protection of his security detail.

"These people are really clueless. Why are they asking about the Golden Melody Awards? Shouldn't they be asking about your new World Cup song?"

Qian Jiang, who had caught up with Zhou Yi by jogging, was cursing under his breath, his words filled with disdain for the group of reporters who only knew how to ask gossip questions.

As May arrived, it was time for Zhou Yi's new song "Try Everything," which served as a major promotional campaign for Coca-Cola, to be released. A little over a month was all it took to maximize its buzz and connect with the World Cup.

Coca-Cola takes this song very seriously.

Thanks to Zhou Yi's solid reputation built through hard work and genuine effort, and even before the song's official release, a global pre-release campaign was launched, employing a carpet-bombing approach—

You may not know the name of this song, but you should know that this catchy and inspirational song is related to the I Ching and the upcoming World Cup.

This is enough.

Logically, the topics of these reporters should have been football and the World Cup. However, with the World Cup still a month away, and domestic football enthusiasm having diminished considerably due to the Chinese national team's early exit, this situation has arisen.

Compared to the World Cup, which is still some time away, the public is clearly more concerned about the controversial Golden Melody Awards.

"Who would have thought that at this time, the domestic media people who care most about my new song are actually sports media like Sports Weekly?"

On the contrary, it belongs to Tiangang.

But thinking about it, it makes sense—culture and sports are closely related, so it's normal to report on them; after all, they're somewhat connected.

"Your promotional video is about to be released, and the discussion will definitely increase then."

................................................

"What? It's out already?"

"Yeah, I watched it. It was pretty well made and quite inspiring, but it felt a bit unrealistic."

May 10, 2006, Wednesday, Guangzhou, University Town.

Wang Herui, whose mind was already at the internet cafe even before get out of class ended, looked at his roommate's mysterious demeanor with some doubt: "Is this unrealistic?"

Can you imagine the Chinese national football team playing against Brazil in the World Cup final?

"What the hell?!"

Wang Herui, who had just turned on the machine, was startled and yelled, "How much fake alcohol did you drink?"

"You'll have to ask the I Ching about that."

My roommate shrugged: "Go watch the official World Cup ad video 'Try Everything' released by Warner and Coca-Cola. It came out right on time at 10:08 this morning, fresh off the press."

Although it's described as a global promotional song, its release date wasn't based on US time like the English album; instead, it was based on the release date in China.

"..." Wang Herui, still somewhat skeptical, put on his headphones and quickly started searching on Baidu.

Because this song is Coca-Cola's World Cup promotional song, it's free; it appears on the official website and with any simple search.

"CCTV, CCTV, you are now broadcasting the 2030 World Cup final, between the Chinese national team and the Brazilian team..."

The opening lightning strike, a truly spectacular opening lightning strike.

After last year's disappointment, a scene that Wang and Rui never dared to imagine unfolded before their eyes—

In this promotional video, the Chinese national football team not only made it to the World Cup, but also fought its way through the competition and reached the World Cup final right away.

Coca-Cola has quite a few Brazilian football stars under its umbrella, enough to form almost half a team, and these guys are just there on what looks like a somewhat artificial football field—

As for the opposing Chinese national football team, only Zhou Yi had his face shown; the others were just temporary Chinese models.

Facing the dream trio of Brazilian superstars Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, and Kaká, Zhou Yi in the short film almost single-handedly put up a fight against them...

With nimble footwork and dreamlike shooting, the number 10 on his back is exceptionally dazzling.

Science Fiction —

This is so sci-fi!

"Holy crap! This video makes me want to laugh so much!"

Before the song's intro even started, Wang Herui, who had just watched Zhou Yi and several Brazilian superstars showing off on the field, couldn't hold back any longer.

Is this a plot that even a human could come up with?
Have you forgotten how the Chinese national football team was swept by Brazil in the group stage in 02?

Oh—that's why the World Cup is set for 2030, right?
"Zhou Yi, number 10, is the first Chinese player to win the Ballon d'Or, and also the first Chinese player to win the Ballon d'Or in world football history. He is undoubtedly the core player of the national team..."

As the commentator's excited narration continued, the scene that followed seemed familiar to Wang Herui—

A football-themed music video for "Unstoppable".

A child running on the green field, a child who looks a little thin. He has excellent football skills, but because of his weak physique, he is repeatedly kicked around like a ball on the field.

Repeated failed trials, repeated flashbacks of the scenes.

Trials, youth training, signing a professional contract to officially become a first-team member—one match after another, one goal after another.

In each moment of confrontation between Zhou Yi and the Brazilian players, flashbacks of the past would appear, accompanied by a melodious prelude—

“ohohohohohoh~~~”

Zhou Yi, the player who once proclaimed himself unstoppable in "Unstoppable," has received a sequel—

While he dominated at the club level, he struggled with the national team, suffering a defeat in his first World Cup appearance in 2010.

On that disappointing night, Zhou Yi tasted the bitterest tears of his life.

He led his team to successfully break through and enter the World Cup finals, but was eliminated with a record of 3 goals scored and 7 goals conceded in the group stage.

I messed up tonight, I lost another fight.

"I'm still messed up, but I'll just start again."

I keep falling down, I keep hitting the ground.
I always manage to get back up and see what's next.

Heartbroken fans, tears of resentment, accompanied by an uplifting song, the scene shifts to Zhou Yi gritting his teeth and continuing to lead the team in the fight—

No rainbow appears without rain.

Repeated defeats did not break Zhou Yi's iron will. The inspirational songs, coupled with images of his daily training and matches, were heartwarming.

Looking back at how many perilous situations you've overcome, you've already done a great job, even though you're exhausted. Don't give up on yourself or be impatient for quick success. As long as you've done your best, you'll have no regrets.

Even if you make countless mistakes while trying, don't be discouraged.

"No, I won't leave. I want to try everything."
I want to try even though I could fail.
I won't give up, no I won't give in.
"ohohohoh~~~"
"Try everything (give it your all)~~~"

2010年世界杯的失败、2014世界杯的失败、2018年世界杯的苦涩、2022年世界杯的惊艳、2026年世界杯的突破——

From age 20 to 36, Zhou Yi single-handedly carried Chinese football through its low point, never giving up until 2030 when he finally ushered in the golden generation of the national team, leading this 40-year-old veteran to the finals...

All of this stems from trying everything.

Don't ask why Brazilian players like Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, and Kaká are still playing in 2030, or why Zhou Yi is still so young. It's all symbolic and metaphorical.

A 15-minute inspirational commercial thus came to an end in the final round.

Zhou Yi scores a goal, Brazil scores a goal —

The final result was not announced.

Wang Herui was dumbfounded: "Could this be a Chinese-exclusive version of an advertisement?"

That's fucking sci-fi.

Has Coca-Cola really gone to such extremes in its efforts to please the Chinese market?

(End of this chapter)