Returning to Taiwan in 2000 as a patriotic artist

"Okay, Wanqing, we've arrived."

After hanging up the phone, Gu Bei led Zhou Jielun into Zongshi's photography studio.

The lights are bright here, and the recording set is ready.

More than two hundred audience members sat below the stage, some holding up homemade cheering signs with the two characters "Gu Bei" crookedly written on them.

Others held up exquisite posters, featuring a profile shot of a woman in a dragon robe from the "Yellow Race" music video.

The fan club includes many of Jay Chou's fans, most of whom are college students.

"Jay, is it nervous about your first time on a variety show stage?"

Backstage, Gu Bei helped Jay Chou straighten his baseball cap, which was pulled down too low.

He could clearly see that the other person's fingers were trembling slightly, and his palms were sweaty. In just a few breaths, the baseball cap had been pulled down three times.

"Hey, Gu Bei, are we going to get yelled at later?"

Jay Chou's voice was so muffled that it was almost inaudible. He simply placed his fingers on his thigh and began to play a certain melody.

"Even if Wu Zongxian had ten times the courage, he wouldn't dare let this kind of person in."

Gu Bei handed over two tissues: "Don't worry."

"Welcome to today's 'Guess Guess Guess'!"

As the familiar opening remarks began, Wu Zongxian, dressed in a pink T-shirt and cotton pants, walked briskly onto the stage with his signature, slightly exaggerated smile on his face.

The lights of various colors on both sides suddenly burst forth, and the dazzling light enveloped the entire venue.

A brand new piano in the center shines brightly!

The more than two hundred audience members immediately joined in applause and cheers.

The roar of "Brother Xian" and "Aya" surged through the entire venue like a tidal wave, creating an atmosphere as enthusiastic as a concert.

The production team had already announced that they had invited two VIP guests today.

The two hosts were already in place.

"I guess, I guess, I guess, I guess..." Wu Zongxian deliberately dragged out the last "guess," and only stopped abruptly when the audience's emotions were at their peak.

"It's really, really special that you two are visiting the hotel today!"

"One of them is a patriotic singer who became an overnight sensation in Taiwan!"

"The other is a rookie king who is both criticized and loved by many!"

"Does anyone know who they are?" Wu Zongxian deliberately slowed down his speech, leaving the answer suspenseful!

Meanwhile, cheers of support erupted from the audience: "Gu Bei! Gu Bei! Gu Bei!"

"Jay Chou! Jay Chou! Jay Chou!"

When the audience's shouts reached a critical point, the lights went out, and the entire stage was plunged into darkness.

Just when everyone thought there had been a stage accident.

"Da da da"

"Da da da"

The sound of two leather shoes stepping on the ground rang out.

Immediately afterwards, two spotlights were turned on, enveloping the piano in the center of the stage.

Suddenly, two figures appeared there!

Jay Chou sat on a stool, his slender fingers resting on the piano keys.

Gu Bei sat down next to him, holding an electric guitar.

"Do..."

Suddenly, the piano prelude began.

Immediately following this is the timely insertion of accompaniment and electric guitar.

Jay Chou closed his eyes, a hoarse voice escaping his throat: "I'm sad because I've been holding it in for so long, because I've thought about it too much, it's all in my head..."

"You said that a bitter smile is always with you, and being together is a bit of a struggle. Should you divorce me now?"

"I don't want to think too much about it. I think I must have misheard or misunderstood."

"Please, I think there's something wrong with your head..."

During the chorus, Jay Chou's voice suddenly rose: "I don't understand your dark humor, you figured it out but then you stumped me again. You've been thinking about breaking up for a long time, haven't you? I don't want to expose you... Oh!"

"Take it as a joke you made, but you've figured it out and then you've stumped me again. Saying goodbye, you've thought about it for a long time, haven't you... I'm defeated by your dark humor!"

As the last note faded and the lights came back on, Gu Bei was the first to applaud.

Immediately afterwards, thunderous applause erupted throughout the venue.

"Wow...it sounds really good!"

Aya was the first to react, clapping her hands and jumping up from the host's seat, "Jay, you're so amazing! I'm almost moved to tears!"

"They really put their heart into it." Another host, Ah Xiang, also gave a thumbs up, his eyes slightly red, and clapped his hands vigorously.

Wu Zongxian walked to the center of the stage, made a "quiet" gesture to the audience, and then turned to face Jay Chou:

"Ladies and gentlemen, the person standing next to me is none other than the rising star who has been frequently topping the charts recently thanks to 'Lovely Woman' and 'Black Humor'... Jay Chou!"

The audience erupted in applause once again.

Wu Zongxian looked at Jay Chou's hat brim with a sincere yet complex expression on his face.

He suddenly changed the subject, his tone softening: "Jerlen."

Jay Chou sounded a little nervous and embarrassed: "Brother Xian."

Wu Zongxian took half a step forward and, in front of more than two hundred audience members and cameras, bowed at a ninety-degree angle:

"Jackson, Brother Xian said a lot of things he shouldn't have said on the show a few days ago."

"That was all for the sake of the show, I hope you don't take it to heart!"

"I'm so sorry!"

His words immediately created a subtle atmosphere.

Some audience members' smiles froze.

Others were whispering amongst themselves.

After all, in the program that aired last Sunday, Wu Zongxian publicly said that Jay Chou "has unclear speech, is not handsome, and sings terribly"!

She also said, "I tried to persuade him not to leave, but he just wouldn't listen."

These clips are still circulating widely online.

The whispers from the audience grew louder and louder.

Occasionally, a few words like "Really apologizing?" or "Brother Xian really went all out this time!" could be heard.

Jay Chou clenched his fists, his nails digging deep into his flesh, and his lips parted slightly.

After a moment, he lowered his head, letting the shadow of his hat cover most of his face.

"Brother Xian, it's okay, I didn't take it to heart."

Jay Chou's voice was still muffled, but it seemed to carry a sense of relief.

"Once you become famous, you'll find that everyone around you is a good person!"

So... what Gu Bei said was true!

After I became famous, I was surrounded by kind people!

Wu Zongxian paused for a moment, then smiled somewhat awkwardly: "Jie Lun, you've really grown up."

His smile held a hint of sadness, knowing that his relationship with Jay Chou was merely that of ordinary friends.

Aya skillfully took over the conversation, defusing the tense atmosphere that was about to spiral out of control: "Alright, alright, let's stop getting sentimental."

"If I keep feeling this bad, I'm going to cry."

Ah-Xiang also jumped in to control the situation: "That's right, that's right, it's rare for Brother Xian to be so sentimental, you guys quickly hand me some tissues to wipe it off."

"Hahaha......"

A burst of good-natured laughter erupted from the audience.

"Alright, everyone, don't be sad!" Wu Zongxian turned to face the audience, resuming his usual teasing tone:

"Let's interview this...very special newcomer: Mr. Gu Bei!"

Gu Bei stood up from beside the piano, walked to the center of the stage, and was not intimidated at all.

In the audience, someone held up a sign that spelled out "Yellow Race" with glow sticks, which shone brightly in the audience.

Upon seeing Gu Bei emerge, many people screamed excitedly, "Ahhhhh..."

"Gu Bei, we love you!"