I started to become more self-disciplined at the age of 30

Ready for a show?

Jiang Chen looked at Haili, frowned slightly, and asked, "Isn't there still six days before the performance?"

Haley, Oldman and others also frowned after hearing Jiang Chen's words.

What Jiang Chen meant by this is...

He hadn't prepared for the performance at all.

Oldman asked bluntly, "So, you're totally unprepared, are you?"

Jiang Chen nodded and answered truthfully: "Yes, I'm not ready yet."

Oldman took a step forward, stood in front of Jiang Chen, and continued: "Then you know that other contestants have been busy preparing for their first performance recently? Several guest performers are also working hard to prepare, but you have only just reported to the program team for the first time, and you haven't prepared for the performance at all!"

"Mr. Jiang Chen from China, so, what are you doing here? Are you traveling to North America? Have you rented a fleet of luxury cars to take you on a tour?"

Oldman had just seen the grand ceremony when Jiang Chen arrived at the scene. He was indeed shocked, but he did not believe that Jiang Chen really needed such a ceremony. He thought that Jiang Chen might have deliberately rented a fleet of luxury cars to see him off in order to hype and elevate his status in the program crew.

Oldman has seen too many tricks like this in North America.

At several large-scale evening parties in North America every year, celebrities and artists will try to find ways to add halo to themselves. Customized dresses, customized fleets of luxury cars, etc. are all routine operations.

There were also things like falling down and exposing oneself in front of the media, deliberately slowing down in the media channel, etc.!

In order to increase their exposure, many celebrities in the entertainment industry will stop at nothing.

The entertainment industries around the world are no exception to this.

Oldman also doesn't mind Jiang Chen and other contestants using their own ways to increase exposure, create hype, etc. If the contestants become more popular, the program team can also benefit.

but……

Oldman couldn't accept that Jiang Chen was unprepared for the performance.

And now there are only five or six days left until the first live performance.

The other contestants have already begun preparing for their performances since coming to North America and joining the program team. Every day there are contestants practicing their movements on the stage.

Jiang Chen is making his first appearance now.

Oldman even wanted to ask the Chinese copyright holder to replace a player.

Oldman doesn't want to cooperate at all with contestants who are not serious about the performance and don't cooperate well with the program team.

Hearing Oldman's impoliteness, Guo Haitao hurriedly stepped forward to smooth things over, saying with a smile: "Director Oldman, I'm sorry, sorry! I apologize to you on behalf of Jiang Chen. He is indeed busy with other things, so please forgive him, he didn't mean it. Besides, five or six days may be a bit stressful for others."

"But for Jiang Chen, five or six days is enough time to prepare for a performance."

After hearing what Guo Haitao said, Oldman looked a little better, but he still looked at Jiang Chen and said unceremoniously: "Mr. Jiang Chen, many people in China have high hopes for you, don't let them down!"

Jiang Chen nodded to Oldman, knowing that Oldman had no ill will towards him and was just discussing the matter. He nodded gently and said lightly, "I know."

Seeing that Jiang Chen's expression was always relatively calm and stable, Oldman didn't know whether what he said was useful. He felt like a clown, so he turned around and left immediately. He had many other things to do and couldn't pay too much attention to Jiang Chen alone.

He was just worried that Jiang Chen would not prepare well for the performance and if he was eliminated early, the production team would lose the huge market with the largest population like China.

Haili said to Jiang Chen: "Jiang Chen, you should prepare well for the performance and don't let us down!"

After saying that, Haley hurriedly followed Oldman's steps and comforted him, worried that Oldman would be angry and would do something against Jiang Chen.

Haley whispered to Oldman: "Mr. Oldman, Jiang Chen has his own reasons for doing this, don't be angry!"

Oldman stopped and looked at Hailey carefully, and whispered: "Haili, I have worked with you several times. I know you are not a person who is biased towards a certain player, especially the Chinese player. You are even less likely to deliberately favor him. But now you have been defending Jiang Chen from China. Can you tell me why?"

"Based on what I know about you, you should be angrier than me, but you're not!"

Haley smiled bitterly, and in order to prevent Oldman from making mistakes, he decided to tell him some information, and whispered, "Do you know Trins?"

Oldman was stunned for a moment, then his expression became serious and he nodded, "Of course I know. He is the largest shareholder of the largest media group in the United States. He also owns many top sports teams and has assets of over 100 billion US dollars. He is also our top boss!"

Haley continued, "It's good that you know! Mr. Trins has reminded me several times not to embarrass Jiang Chen. Moreover, he has hinted, intentionally or unintentionally, to let Jiang Chen win the championship in our show!"

Oldman's eyes widened in shock and he exclaimed, "Sharp?? Let him win the championship? Why?"

Oldman couldn't understand it at all.

As the owner of the program's copyright in North America, Trins will definitely earn hundreds of millions of dollars more if a North American player wins the championship.

Now that Terrins is hinting at letting Jiang Chen win the championship, does that mean handing over hundreds of millions of dollars in profits to the Chinese copyright holder?
How can this be?

Could it be that Hua Xia’s copyright company is solely owned by Terlins?
If the Chinese copyright holder wins the championship, can they keep all the prize money? They don't have to share it with shareholders like in North America?
Haley patted Oldman on the shoulder and said softly, "It's true, but I didn't agree. I want to make this show a sustainable brand, so it must be open and fair, without any shady dealings. At least in the first few years, it must be fair, otherwise it won't work."

Oldman was still staring blankly with his eyes wide open, obviously still digesting the news. After listening to Haley's words, he said, "Indeed, even if Mr. Trins hinted, we must ensure the healthy development of the program itself! So, there can be no shady dealings! But, what exactly is Jiang Chen's identity? Why did Mr. Trins specifically say hello?"

Haley shook his head: "I don't know for now, but what is certain is that Mr. Trins did it because of Jiang Chen personally, not for any other reason! Because when he talked about Jiang Chen, his tone was very respectful. This means that he wanted Jiang Chen to win the championship, perhaps because he wanted to show his goodwill to Jiang Chen."

Giving up hundreds of millions of dollars just to show favor to Jiang Chen?

Oldman couldn't understand.

In North America, where capital is paramount, those big capitalists will not easily give up even a dollar, so how could they casually give up hundreds of millions of dollars to show goodwill to a young man from China?
Why?
Neither of them could figure it out.

but.

They both knew that there must be a huge power behind Jiang Chen that they were unaware of, a power that even their bosses were afraid to please.

Then they can't take Jiang Chen at will.

Oldman even regretted that he had used such a harsh tone when speaking to Jiang Chen just now.

Oldman, who knew the rules of survival, immediately turned and walked towards Jiang Chen's lounge. Hailey was startled, and hurriedly turned around and chased him and asked: "Oldman, what are you going to do?"

Oldman shook his head and said nothing. He just walked to the door and was about to push it open, but his hand stopped in front of the door handle and then knocked on the door gently.

After hearing the sound of Han Qing coming in, Oldman opened the door, walked in and saw Jiang Chen sitting there. Guo Haitao and Luo Sheng were talking cautiously beside Jiang Chen.

Han Qing, Yan Ruyu, Pu Yuexi, Chen Xiaojia, Li Wen, and Wang Jing all sat quietly by the side. Jiang Chen was in the middle, like the center of the world.

Seeing that everyone was looking at him, Oldman smiled and said, "Sorry to bother you. Jiang Chen, I spoke a little harshly just now because I was really worried that you were not prepared for the performance and would be delayed. If you were accidentally eliminated early, your loss would be too great."

Haley was relieved to see that Oldman didn't say anything excessive and just came to apologize, and she also echoed, "Yes, the production crew is under a lot of pressure recently."

Jiang Chen glanced at the two of them, nodded slightly and said, "I understand, I don't care."

Oldman smiled and said, "That's great! Then you should have a good rest and prepare for the performance. I am looking forward to your performance this weekend."

Jiang Chen: "Thank you!"

Oldman smiled and nodded at Jiang Chen, then turned around and prepared to leave.

However, Jiang Chen suddenly said, "By the way, Director Oldman, I want to sing my own song, is that okay?"

Oldman stopped, looked at Jiang Chen, and asked doubtfully: "Is this your own original song?"

Jiang Chen nodded: "Yes, I never sing other people's songs, I only sing my own works."

Oldman frowned slightly: "Is it a Chinese song?"

He was worried that if Jiang Chen sang a Chinese song on the North American stage, he would be a Muggle.

The scene might be very awkward then, as most people simply won’t understand.

Jiang Chen shook his head: "English song!"

Oldman breathed a sigh of relief, but still frowned slightly. For a contestant who grew up in China and went abroad for the first time, singing an original English song on the largest performance stage in North America, it seemed like he was showing off his skills in front of an expert.

He advised, "My personal suggestion is that you can cover a well-known old English song, which will make it easier to get recognition. As far as I know, several contestants are planning to do so. However, you need to discuss with us in advance which song you want to cover. We will communicate with the copyright owner and obtain the cover copyright as soon as possible, and then you can perform on stage."

After hearing this, Guo Haitao and Luo Sheng both looked at Jiang Chen. They had just been persuading Jiang Chen to sing a well-known old English song so that there wouldn't be too much risk.

This is also the choice of almost all other players.

For the first performance, everyone played it safe.

but.

Jiang Chen said in a positive tone: "I don't sing other people's songs, I only sing my own works. I just want to know, is it allowed to sing your own original works on the show stage?"

Oldman saw Jiang Chen's seriousness and nodded helplessly, "Yes, it is the freedom of every contestant to sing any song. Whether it is original or a cover, it is all fine! However, originality has risks. When we competed in the North American region, two original contestants were eliminated early because their new songs were not recognized by everyone."

Jiang Chen said confidently: "That's them, not me!"

Haley smiled and said, "I know that all the songs you sang in Hua Xia were original works, including a great English folk song that I really liked. Since you want to sing your own original songs, then go ahead and do it. I believe you will surprise us."

Jiang Chen nodded to Haili: "Thank you!"

Oldman stopped trying to persuade her and nodded, saying, "You are free to sing any song you want. I look forward to your new work."

Jiang Chen nodded and said thank you to Oldman.

Oldman then turned and left with Haley.

As the two walked out of Jiang Chen's lounge, they both frowned.

They didn't expect Jiang Chen to be so strong.

Don't discuss it with them at all.

When other contestants are choosing songs, they will discuss and communicate with them, listen to their professional opinions, choose the most suitable songs, and change to the most suitable style for performance. The program team will also make appropriate stage arrangements based on the contestants' choice of songs and performance styles.

Only by close cooperation and communication between the two parties can the best and most satisfactory stage effects be achieved.

This was the first time they had met a contestant like Jiang Chen, who didn't listen to their opinions, didn't communicate with them, and insisted on his own original ideas!
If it weren't for the attitude of the big boss above, they wouldn't even want to cooperate with Jiang Chen.

Haley said softly: "This is his own choice. If he is eliminated early, it is also his own choice. It has nothing to do with us!"

Oldman nodded and said, "Yes! We just need to do a good job on the show and ensure that it is fair and just! He was eliminated because of his lack of ability, and there is nothing we can do! Mr. Trins can't say anything either."

Haley nodded, but her brows were slightly furrowed, and her eyes were still flickering with thought and doubt.

She was still wondering why Terins wanted to show his kindness to Jiang Chen?
Are you willing to give up hundreds of millions of dollars in profits for this?
Under normal circumstances, many top capital giants would fight for hundreds of millions of dollars in profits.

……

Guo Haitao and Luo Sheng were both somewhat helpless and mentally prepared for Jiang Chen to be eliminated sooner rather than later.

after all……

A Chinese contestant who is completely unknown in North America is singing an original English song. Moreover, after coming to North America, he did not cooperate with the publicity and hype at all and hardly appeared on camera...

This debuff is fully stacked.

"You don't have confidence in me?"

Jiang Chen asked Guo Haitao and Luo Sheng with a smile.

The two of them shook their heads hurriedly.

Luo Sheng explained: "No, we all believe in your creative ability and talent, but we are worried that the audience in North America may not be able to appreciate it. Although the voting audience is selected from the ten major regions, and each region has a hundred of its own audiences, the majority of the audience is still from Europe and the United States."

Han Qing, Yan Ruyu, Pu Yuexi, Chen Xiaojia, Li Wen, and Wang Jing all nodded at the same time.

"We have confidence in you!"

Chen Xiaojia said in a firm tone.

Jiang Chen smiled slightly: "That's good, I have already reported to the program team, then we will go back and rest, and prepare for the performance in two days."

Guo Haitao and Luo Sheng almost lost their balance. (End of this chapter)