Rock and Roll: Glorious Years

"What? This, this, this... what kind of operation is this? Bian Lang and the others..." Overwhelmed by a mix of emotions, Xia Yuxi had completely lost the ability to think.

Being in the entertainment industry, he simply couldn't understand why someone would give up the opportunity to continuously appear on variety shows just to sing a song they liked.

After standing there stunned for almost 10 seconds, Lao Zhao stood up and gave a thumbs-up towards the screen: "Awesome! Beyond is awesome! Bian Lang is awesome!"

"Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Bian Lang, I'm totally sold! This is fucking rock and roll!"

"That was a really good performance! I'm impressed! Bian Lang, awesome!"

The audience below the stage then realized:

"Yeah, this is a cover song competition. Shouldn't Bian Lang and the others be covering Xia Yuxi's 'Rain and You'?"

"Has anyone heard of 'Rain and You'? Is it an adaptation of that song?"

"Are you stupid? The band already apologized and withdrew from the competition, so it definitely wasn't a modified version of Xia Yuxi's song!"

"Huh? Does that mean we won't see them in the next game?"

"Bian Lang, it's good that you withdrew from the competition. We'll be waiting for you at Dadonghai Night Market!"

Seeing the situation was about to spiral out of control, Niu Bo cleared his throat to quiet the audience before continuing, "Thank you, Beyond band. I think it was a very rock and roll choice! Thank you for bringing a classic performance to our show and the audience. But rules are rules. Since you chose to break them, you must bear the consequences. I'm sorry, you can no longer participate in the rest of the competition!"

No sooner had he said that than someone raised their hand from the music critics who had been silent until now.

Seeing that someone was drawing attention, Niu Bo naturally steered the conversation in that direction: "Although you won't be able to participate in the later rounds of the competition, I believe our audience still wants to hear what music critics think of your work."

As soon as he finished speaking, a staff member handed the microphone to Bai Dao, who had raised his hand. Only then did Bian Lang get a clear look at the music critic who had previously supported him; behind his thick glasses, there was a hint of tears glistening.

Taking the microphone, Bai Dao composed himself before slowly saying, "From a professional standpoint, I despise your rule-breaking behavior. But as a musician, I deeply respect your choice! In my opinion, this is the choice you should have made, and it embodies a classical heroism that is so rare in this era."

He spoke with great emotion and passion, but those who didn't understand him thought he was putting on a show. Those who did understand him agreed in their hearts, but wouldn't say it out loud.

Immediately afterwards, another music critic took the microphone and sternly rebuked, "I think your behavior is extremely unprofessional and completely unworthy of this stage."

Seeing that someone was about to cause trouble, Niu Boyi stopped them and gestured for Bian Lang on the stage to respond.

Bian Lang, who had heard and seen this kind of thing before, picked up the microphone and said in a gentle voice, "The reason we didn't choose 'Rain and You' is because we don't like it. Musical preferences are a very subjective thing, so it has nothing to do with whether you are a professional or not."

This music critic, Liushuiji, is a professional at doing dirty work, and he wouldn't stop now that he had the chance: "So, can I take that to mean you all have a contemptuous attitude towards this type of song?"

Bian Lang wouldn't be a rock musician if he didn't fall into these traps: "Music itself doesn't have different levels of quality, but the people who make music do. In your eyes, we rock musicians might be the lowest of the low, but you, a music critic, don't evaluate the music itself, instead you're rambling on about other things. Who's more unprofessional here!"

Upon hearing this, the rock music fans in the audience erupted in applause and cheers.

Xia Yuxi's fans, on the other hand, were speaking out in defense of their idol:

"What gives him the right to look down on Yu Xi's work?"

"Exactly, exactly! They can't adapt Yu Xi's works themselves, so they resort to these kinds of tactics to gain sympathy!"

Meanwhile, Xia Yuxi in the dressing room was on the verge of exploding. He hadn't gotten any of the benefits he'd planned out, and now Bian Lang was openly saying on stage that he didn't like his song! How could he possibly accept that…

But he really couldn't say anything now. Creating a persona was one aspect, but the main thing was that, to him, this song was indeed several levels above his own. For a moment, he even considered covering it, but when he remembered that it was Bian Lang's song, he decisively stopped.

"Bian Lang, I, Xia Yuxi, will remember this grudge. I'll make sure you get a good beating!"

On the other side of the set, Liu Shuiji was about to speak when the production team cut off his microphone.

Niu Boyi then steered the conversation towards the mentors: "Professor Liu, I've seen you standing here for quite a while. What's your evaluation of this piece?"

"Musically speaking, I would call this song the most beautiful collision between rock and ballad. This should also be your original song, right? How did you come up with the idea of ​​singing such a sad love song in a rock style?"

"A friend of mine broke up with his girlfriend, and it was a rainy day, so I thought of this song." This made Mu Mian extremely nervous, but luckily Bian Lang stopped the car just then.

Liu Yao nodded and didn't press further. After noting down the two names, he turned the conversation to Lin Yaorong: "Ah Rong, let's leave the lyrics to you, the expert, to judge."

Lin Yaorong, picking up where he left off, said directly: "As a musician from the Cantonese-speaking region, I first want to express my gratitude to the Beyond band for being able to hear songs in my hometown dialect on the show! As for the lyrics, I can only say that this song has captured the essence of the nine tones and six registers of Cantonese. I really like it, and I hope we can collaborate sometime!"

Bian Lang sincerely responded, "I also hope to have the opportunity to collaborate with Teacher Lin."

When it was Pan Jianhu's turn, he took the microphone and said, "Musical taste is a very personal thing. I think as musicians, we have a responsibility to create conditions for audiences to hear different kinds of music, and I think Beyond did a great job in this regard. I hope you can stick to your musical dreams!"

Long Qianwen said a few simple, innocuous words, and Bian Lang and the others thanked the audience again and left the stage.

Before they even got back to the lounge, the group was pulled away by the production crew for a post-interview in the corridor.

The interview was completed more than an hour later. The reason for the long delay was that these people were about to withdraw from the competition and leave. In addition to the group interview, individual interviews for each of them also needed to be arranged.

As they left the recording studio, a scene they hadn't expected unfolded: on the way to the parking lot, the median strip was lined with fans waiting for them.

Banners and flags proclaiming "Rock and roll will never die!" and "The Chinese musicians who understand us best!" filled the cordon.

Upon seeing Bian Lang and the others emerge, everyone began chanting the names of Bian Lang, Mu Mian, and the Beyond band. Bian Lang and Ouyang didn't seem to mind the scene. The other three, who hadn't experienced anything like it before, were momentarily unsure how to react.

"Go up and sign autographs! What are you standing there for? The fans have been waiting for so long!" At Bian Lang's call, the band members all sprang into action.