Chapter 8: Bai Di

Huoshaoyun, fully named Huoshaoyun Music, is a company. Contrary to its name, it doesn't produce music. It's a music platform, essentially a music player.

In Qinzhou, there are myriad music players, yet Huoshaoyun ranks among the top three in terms of users.

Ranking in the top three in any industry is a notable achievement, much like the trio of entertainment giants in Qinzhou: Shinhwa Entertainment, Nathan Entertainment, and Tianguang Entertainment. Together, they are often humorously said to represent the entire Qinzhou entertainment sector—a statement that holds some truth.

Huoshaoyun collaborates with these giants. Whenever any of the Big Three release new songs, Huoshaoyun is a primary platform for the debut.

Today.

As the workday ends, the bustling office fills with employees chatting and winding down. This is their happiest time of the day.

"There's no suspense in this month's season standings," one remarks.

"Tianguang has secured the top spot, and the data for the following songs are stable. But the download numbers for the tenth and eleventh places are close. I wonder who will win in the end."

"The eleventh spot is a Nathan song. Can Shinhwa hold onto the tenth position?"

"The Big Three are indeed powerful. This month they've claimed the top ten spots in the season rankings. Other companies can only pick up the scraps."

"In an era where music reigns, the best composers are contracted by the three giants. This talent monopoly reinforces the notion that they represent Qinzhou's entertainment industry."

At that moment.

The office phone rings. Supervisor Li Jianzhong answers, receiving orders from the other end: "Shinhwa Music's Thirteenth Division has a new song to release. I've sent the sound file to your email. The song is called 'Eliminate Sorrow' and must be pushed online by eight o'clock tonight. Use Shinhwa's provided copywriting and posters."

"Got it!" Li Jianzhong replies, hanging up. His expression drops as he looks at his nervous colleagues and sighs, "We've got work. Shinhwa's releasing a song."

The office erupts in groans.

"Overtime again!"

"Why is Shinhwa releasing a song now, near the month's end?"

"It's not like this song will hit the top ten of the season charts. It's probably a newcomer's debut."

"Exactly," Li Jianzhong confirms, looking at the song information. "The lyrics, music, and arrangement are by someone named Bai Di, and the singer is Lin Shouzhuo. Both are newcomers."

"Bai Di?" An employee glances over, intrigued by the name. "That sounds grand. Is he sure he can live up to it?"

"Bai Di? The emperor of emperors?"

"Are you sure it's not Baidi?"

"How did he come up with such a name? Does he think he's Qu Dad?"

"And the singer's name is Lin Shouzhuo. These two complement each other perfectly—one name is grandiose, the other humble."

"Enough joking!" Li Jianzhong interrupts angrily. "Let's listen to the song!"

The office falls silent. Li Jianzhong decompresses the sound file and plays it over the speakers.

Silence.

The pipe organ begins, slow and melancholic, creating a somber atmosphere. Li Jianzhong feels a growing sense of powerlessness.

A guitar joins in. A deep, rich voice follows, narrating gently.

"When you enter this joyful place Carry all the dreams and thoughts on your back Various colors of makeup on different faces No one remembers what you look like Three rounds of drinking with you in the corner Stubbornly singing a bitter song Listen to it being drowned in the noise You pick up the glass and say to yourself..."

The unique voice, combined with the light melody, possesses an inexplicable healing power. The office grows quieter, the sun outside slowly setting. The singing, soft and shallow, resembles a trickling river, flowing into their hearts.

Li Jianzhong feels entranced. The song lacks frequent changes and virtuosity, yet feels like a soothing talk, calming his mood.

Then, the chorus begins.

The tune remains plain, yet not quite. Li Jianzhong listens intently, resonating strongly with the lyrics:

"One cup to the rising sun, one cup to the moonlight Awakening my longing, the gentle cold window So you can fly against the wind without looking back Don't be afraid of rain in your heart and frost in your eyes One cup to the hometown and one cup to the distant place Keep my kindness and encourage me to grow So the road between north and south is no longer long The soul no longer has nowhere to rest..."

Though Li Jianzhong hasn't tasted alcohol, he feels tipsy. His mind calms, perceiving the world through sober, drunken eyes.

The whistle sounds. The carefree youth; the complacency of youth; now, reaching middle age, unable to control the past or present.

A song can create a world, and Li Jianzhong is immersed in it. This song resonates universally, from melody to lyrics. The office is silent, with only the singing flowing like wine.

"A toast to tomorrow and a toast to the past Supporting my body has made my shoulders thicker Although I never believe in the so-called mountains are high and rivers are long, Life is short, why should we dwell on it? One cup to freedom and one cup to death Forgive me for being ordinary and dispel the confusion Well, I always leave the venue in a hurry after dawn The sober people are the most ridiculous..."

The past is fleeting.

When people reach middle age, they face choices, often feeling burdened. Young people striving for life feel powerless, realizing their dreams are not burdens but heart-held desires. They accept their ordinariness, even if filled with sorrow, and reconcile with themselves.

Eight glasses of wine.

Respect life.

The song's last notes linger, with guitar and organ echoing. Whether self-deprecating or self-relieving, it leaves a warm tone in the heart.

"The sober people are the most ridiculous."

The office remains quiet, filled with a mix of relief and helplessness, yet a warm, sunny undertone prevails.

"Boss," an employee says, "There's one more sentence."

Everyone gathers around, reading aloud:

"Cut the knife to cut off the water, and the water will flow again… Toast a glass to relieve sorrow, sorrow will become worse..."

The signature reads "Bai Di."

Li Jianzhong counts the lyrics, then smiles: "This Bai Di made me Drunk only with his words . Let's go out for a drink tonight."

"Boss, are you okay?" someone jokes.

"I'm fine. Let's get drunk tonight!"

"Strong!"

"But this song... it's heartbreaking... The chorus broke my guard..."

"It's warm, like being healed. The whistle especially."

"This song is like mild wine that gets you drunk slowly. It hurts initially, but the pain ends, and comfort follows... wait, did I say something odd?"

"Look at the smile on my face."

"Let's arrange the headline recommendations!"

"Don't rush. We're working on it. Bai Di's name is grand, and the song is brilliant. Even the promotional copy is exceptional. He has the talent to back his name."

"Damn! Weren't you laughing at him too?"

"I thought the name was too grand, but the song is excellent. The combination of lyrics and music is almost perfect for a lyrical slow song. Let's not delay. Everyone's getting poetic!"

Qinzhou.

Eight o'clock in the evening.

The nightingale's first cry.

Huoshaoyun's "Eliminate Sorrow (Xiaochou is the OG song)" goes online. Other platforms partnering with Shinhwa also launch the song simultaneously.

As the song's promotion begins, Huoshaoyun's employees finally leave work, some humming "Eliminate Sorrow."

Before turning off his computer, Li Jianzhong glances at the season rankings, murmuring uncertainly:

"Is there any suspense in this anymore?"

Everyone looks puzzled. While the song moved them, it was still a debut by newcomers released late in the month. It shouldn't...

Right?