Returning to Taiwan in 2000 as a patriotic artist

Chapter 11 Firmly Uphold the Reunification of the Motherland

"However, please let us keep the identity of our special guest a secret for now."

"There will be a surprise for everyone when the show airs."

His gaze fell on the sheet music next to the electronic keyboard: "What's that? Can we take a look?"

"Of course." Gu Bei walked over, picked up the sheet music, and handed it to A Liang.

Ah Liang took it and glanced at it, his expression changing from casual to serious: "Fairy Tale? Is this a new song?"

He glanced at the lyrics on the sheet music and casually hummed a few lines, "I've forgotten how long it's been since I heard you tell me your favorite story..."

"This song sounds like a completely different style from 'Lovely Woman'."

The microphone was handed to Gu Bei's mouth.

He nodded at the camera. "It's a new song. I'm still working on it; it's not finished yet."

"Lovely Woman" is a relatively light R&B song with a strong rhythm, suitable for young people.

"Fairy Tale" is a slow, lyrical song that tells a story about dreams and reality.

"About dreams and reality?" Ah Liang keenly grasped this key phrase. "Could you elaborate?"

"Uh~" Gu Bei scratched his head, looking a little embarrassed: "I want to wait until after the song is released on July 15th before telling the story."

"Alright." Ah Liang looked regretful. "I'm really looking forward to seeing what kind of story this will be, and whether it will be named 'Fairy Tale'."

He handed the microphone to Gu Bei again, "I heard that 'Lovely Woman' is being distributed for free?"

"Yes." Gu Bei nodded.

Why choose to offer it for free?

"It's free so that more people can hear good music."

Ah Liang nodded: "So, what are the plans next?"

"Yes." Gu Bei paused for two seconds before revealing his true trump card to the camera:

"Lovely Woman" is just the first song.

"Next, I will team up with Jay Chou to release three more songs that are also free and of no lower quality than 'Lovely Woman'."

"After the four songs are released, I will open pre-orders for the entire album on the official website."

"The album contains 10 songs and will be sold at a 6% discount to recoup various costs."

"Wow~ This news is really explosive!" Ah Liang clenched his fist with an exaggerated expression.

He suddenly pointed to the person sitting next to the electronic keyboard: "Is that Jay Chou you mentioned, Gu Bei?"

Gu Bei cooperated by introducing, "It's Jay Chou, our studio's partner."

"Oh! It's Jay Chou, the one who sang 'Lovely Woman'!" Ah Liang walked over and handed him the microphone.

Jay Chou looked up, his eyes slightly nervous beneath his baseball cap: "Hello everyone, I'm Jay Chou."

His voice was muffled, with a distinctive nasal quality...

It even trembled slightly.

Looking at his expression, Ah Liang smiled and said, "Jie Lun, are you very nervous?"

"Yes... a little bit, I guess." Jay Chou nodded honestly. "While you were interviewing Gu Bei, I kept sneaking peeks..."

"Wow! You're so cute!"

"Don't be nervous, just treat it like a normal chat." Ah Liang sat down next to him. "I saw online that you used to work as a general assistant at Alfa Company?"

Jay Chou remained silent.

Three seconds later, he gritted his teeth and admitted, "Yes!"

Noticing that Jay Chou's expression was off, Ah Liang signaled to the photographer to pause filming.

Then he walked up to Gu Bei, lowered his voice, and said, "My next questions might be a bit pointed. If you feel they're inappropriate, I'll ask something else."

"Let Jeremy decide for himself," Gu Bei said decisively. "We are partners, he has that right."

"Thank you, Gu Bei." Jay Chou was genuinely moved.

He nervously clenched his hands and whispered, "Go ahead and ask."

"Okay." Ah Liang nodded approvingly, gesturing for the staff to turn on the camera:

"Some people say that the 50 songs you wrote at Alfa Music are all garbage, and not a single one will sell..."

What's your opinion on this?

This is indeed a very pointed question.

For people of this era, it's a fact that those 50 songs were rubbish, and it's also a fact that none of them sold.

It is a fact that the films "Tears Know" (which was previously sold to Andy Lau), "Nunchucks" (which was sold to A-mei), and "Ninja" (which was sold to A-mei) were returned.

Everyone was pessimistic about Jay Chou and was mocking him.

Unfortunately, Gu Bei is a reincarnated person and knows how popular he will become in the future.

"I think it's alright." Jay Chou's voice was low, as if he was trying his best to defend himself: "'Lovely Woman' is in the 50 songs."

"And there's 'Black Humor,' 'Tornado,' 'Starry Night'... and many, many more..."

"I think they're all great."

A hint of pity flashed in Ah Liang's eyes, sensing that the questions that followed might be very cruel to this young man.

He took a deep breath and pressed on, "Everyone online is criticizing you."

"I'm criticizing your singing for being unclear."

"You became famous because of the 'Jade Girl Leader' Zhou Tianhou."

"I'm saying you're not even qualified to sing."

"They're saying all the songs you write are garbage."

"Do you have anything to say about this?"

"I...I don't have anything to say." Jay Chou lowered his hat brim with a sense of inferiority.

He didn't know what to say.

Even he himself felt that the success of "Lovely Woman" was thanks to Vivian Chow.

"I have something to say." Gu Bei couldn't stand it anymore.

He grabbed the microphone and stood in front of the camera.

The photographer's eyes lit up immediately, knowing that the highlight of the show was finally about to appear, and he devoted himself even more seriously to filming.

In front of everyone, Gu Bei put his arm around Zhou Jielun's shoulder and said, word by word:

"Jay Chou's songs aren't bad, they're just too ahead of their time."

"He is no worse than anyone else."

"He simply lost to the times."

"Clap clap clap clap clap..." The whole audience burst into enthusiastic applause.

Ah Liang took the microphone and clapped at the camera, saying, "What Gu Bei said was truly inspiring."

"Alright, everyone, our interview with Jay Chou has come to a temporary end."

"Next, we'll be interviewing..."

Ah Liang's gaze swept around the studio. "Where did Fang Wenshan go?"

"He locked himself in." Jay Chou scratched the back of his head sheepishly.

The camera followed his footsteps to the door of the room.

"Wenshan, the crew of 'Super Sunday' is here to interview us, would you like to come out for a moment?"

"I'm busy, don't bother me," Fang Wenshan's angry voice came from inside the room.

Jay Chou smiled awkwardly at the camera: "That's just how he is, very stubborn."

"Whenever I get to a crucial moment in my creative process, I lock myself in, and no one can call me."

"That's a real shame," Ah Liang said, shrugging helplessly.

The recording of the program is not yet finished.

The photographer pointed the lens at Gu Bei, but A Liang's voice came from off-screen: "At the end of the program, our special guest wants to ask you a question."

"Huh?" Gu Bei paused for a moment, then nodded. "Go ahead and ask."

The camera didn't move away; instead, Ah-Liang asked off-camera, "What are your views on cross-strait relations?"

This is a very sensitive issue.

At this moment, Gu Bei staked his entire future: "We are all born of the same root, why are we so eager to destroy each other?"

"My grandfather's greatest wish was to return to the mainland to find his relatives and acknowledge his ancestors."

Therefore, I firmly support the reunification of the motherland.

"Okay, thank you for your answer." The camera returned to Ah Liang, who raised the microphone and waved: "Ladies and gentlemen, our program has to end here."

"Super mission complete."

Every step leaves a trace.

"I'm Ah Liang, see you next time."

Just as A-Liang was about to finish work, Gu Bei suddenly called out to him.

"Brother Liang, wait a minute."

Ah Liang turned around: "What's wrong?"

Gu Bei glanced at Jay Chou: "Want to hear Jay Chou sing 'Lovely Woman' live?"

Ah Liang's eyes lit up: "Really?!"

Jay Chou paused for a moment, then suddenly looked up.

Gu Bei nodded to him, a slight smile playing on his lips, and raised his fist forcefully: "Go for it."

Jay Chou took a deep breath, walked to the electronic keyboard, sat down, and placed his fingers on the keys.

Everyone in the studio fell silent.