The Road to Superstardom: Starting as a Singer

Back in the hotel suite, Madeline handed the tablet to Huang Weijie with a satisfied smile on her face.

"Jace, the response is fantastic! I never knew you were so popular in your country!"

Huang Weijie took a look and saw that they were all reports from domestic entertainment portals.

"International music star Jace Huang arrives in Beijing today, greeted by hundreds of fans at the Capital Airport" — Sohu Entertainment

The report detailed the scene when Huang Weijie emerged from the VIP passage: "...Wang Weijie, dressed in a light gray casual suit, appeared surrounded by his team, looking radiant despite the long flight. Facing the fans who had been waiting for him, he took off his sunglasses, smiled, and waved, eliciting screams. The fans held homemade signs such as 'Pride of China' and 'Welcome Home,' maintaining order while displaying high enthusiasm..."

"Baby Boys Return Home in Triumph, American Idol Craze Takes Land in Beijing" — Sina Entertainment

This report is even more interesting, as it directly alludes to Hong Kong celebrities.

"...At a time when most domestic artists still take pride in 'venturing overseas,' this 16-year-old boy has gone against the grain—returning to China in a high-profile manner after achieving chart success in mainstream European and American markets. His sunny and healthy image, along with his professional team, stands in stark contrast to the scandal involving a certain Hong Kong star earlier this year. This may indicate a new shift in the domestic market's definition of 'high-quality idol'..."

"More Than Just 'Baby': Jace Huang's Musical Journey" — NetEase Entertainment

NetEase News focuses on Huang Weijie's early experience studying under Chen Jingming and later pursuing further studies in the United States.

"...It is understood that although Jace left home at a young age, he speaks fluent Chinese and has a deep appreciation for Chinese culture. His return to China to participate in Olympic-related activities is a testament to his..."

The photos accompanying the report captured him smiling and waving from multiple angles in the passageway cordoned off by security personnel.

The fans' young faces were filled with pure excitement and adoration.

Huang Weijie put down the report and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window.

The lights along Chang'an Avenue meander like a dragon, and the capital city on the eve of the Olympics exudes a vibrant confidence. But beneath this confidence, the desire for "international recognition" remains clearly palpable.

A young Chinese man who had left his name on the Billboard charts returned at just the right moment, like a pebble precisely thrown into the center of a lake.

Undoubtedly, news of Huang Weijie's return to China spread quickly throughout the country.

Photos of fans greeting him at the airport spread across the media and the internet, making him an instant focus of media and public attention.

This year, China has experienced too much; too many people and too many forces need a medium to divert attention...

"Not just the media!"

Madeline pulled up the data on her tablet and added, "Your number of followers on Baidu Tieba (Chinese online forum) has increased by 40,000 in just a few hours. Discussions about your return to China and 'Baby' are flooding major music forums. And..."

She paused for a moment, then continued, "Three new high-end endorsement deals, two variety show invitations from TV stations, and an invitation to a cocktail party from a top domestic director's studio."

"We'll decline all offers for now and stick to the original plan." Huang Weijie turned around, his tone calm. "We have limited time, so let's use the remaining time to record the song."

Huang Weijie really wanted to take it on; it was all about the money.

But he knows even more that his most important task right now is his album. If it weren't for the Olympics, he wouldn't have been in such a hurry to return to China.

So, aside from recording "Beijing Welcomes You" tomorrow and participating in the CCTV gala on the 29th, Huang Weijie plans to dedicate most of his remaining time to the album.

Aside from "Baby" and "What Makes You Beautiful" (a duet with Taylor Swift), he can record his solo parts for the remaining six songs here first, and then combine them when he returns to Los Angeles.

"Okay, we've received new responses to the offers we've already made." Madeline swiped the collaborations on her tablet. "Nike has given a clear answer: for global ambassadors, we need to observe the market performance of your new album, but for the China ambassador, we can sign you right now."

"Tell Nike I'm only considering global contracts. But I'm open to attending their launch event. By the way, when is it?"

Aim high and you'll get the middle; aim for the middle and you'll get the low.

Huang Weijie had his sights set on the global market from the very beginning. If he signed an endorsement deal for the China region now, then once he returned to Los Angeles, other brands would naturally not offer him a global contract.

But even though I refused, attending the press conference was a way of giving them face.

This will make subsequent cooperation discussions go more smoothly.

Of course, Huang Weijie had another purpose.

During his trip back to China, in addition to participating in official events, he also planned to make an appearance at a suitable commercial event.

Whether or not a cooperation has been reached is not important; what is important is letting others know what level Huang Weijie is at present.

in the country, Nike's product launches are a good fit for him.

At least now, being able to attend Nike's launch event in China is considered a sign of being a top-tier celebrity, especially in the sports and fashion industries.

"It's July 25th, there's still a week left," Madeline replied, then added, "Since you're planning to attend, I'll talk to them and see if they can promote you during this time."

Huang Weijie nodded. A few casual words from an international company like this are much more reliable than his extensive advertising.

"Is there anything else?"

"Wang Zhonglei, general manager of Huayi Brothers Music, and Wang Changtian, chairman of Enlight Media, both plan to invite you to dinner tomorrow."

Huang Weijie pondered for a moment: "I'll see Wang Zhonglei tomorrow at noon and Wang Changtian in the evening."

"OK."

……

The next morning at nine o'clock, Huang Weijie and his party arrived at the National Television Station.

Outside the recording studio where the music video for "Beijing Welcomes You" was being recorded, a lively scene unfolded, with familiar or semi-familiar faces gathered in small groups.

Huang Weijie recognized several figures at a glance.

Among the artists are veterans like Han Hong and Zhou Huajian, as well as currently popular artists like Nicholas Tse and Huang Xiaoming.

Most of them were accompanied by assistants, but their entourage was far less impressive than Huang Weijie's.

His group, consisting of his agent, assistant, two security guards, and coordinator—a total of five or six people—drew through the somewhat old corridor, attracting considerable attention.

The domestic celebrities who were exchanging pleasantries stopped talking and turned their gazes toward them.

There was pure curiosity, professional scrutiny, and a hint of distance due to the foreign team in their gaze.

"Is that the singer who sang 'Baby'? He looks even more stylish in person than in the music video..."

"Quite a large entourage! How's your English?"

"Sure, not at all~~ What's with that expression?"

"It's nothing. I just don't know how good his Mandarin is. Will he be able to handle recording later?"

……

A murmur rippled through the room.

Huang Weijie showed no outward expression, but a complex emotion quickly swept through his mind.

It felt strange. Abroad, he felt no pressure when facing those future superstars, and even dared to pin them down.

But now, under the subtle scrutiny of his fellow countrymen, he felt a slight tension.

That's really strange...