Chapter 133: Su Bai, We Are Proud of You

After much deliberation, the group finalized the company name: Magic City New Force Media & Entertainment Co., Ltd. They then mapped out several major initiatives to generate buzz for the new venture:

1. Hold Su Bai’s debut concert, with the first stop set for the Beijing Bird’s Nest.
2. Release Su Bai’s first solo album.
3. Make a surprise guest appearance on Tengfei Entertainment’s "Light of Tomorrow" to boost Su Bai’s exposure. (Su Bai had already intended to attend, but the others were unaware; when Wang Lin proposed it, he readily agreed. Originally, he was to attend as Yang Mimi’s supporting guest, but now he would participate as an official invitee of the production team. He would simply have to explain this to Yang Mimi later.)
4. Participate in "Who is the Singer," the most prominent variety show in the music industry.

Su Bai had long wanted to join "Who is the Singer," but when initially invited, he was offered only a backup spot with no guarantee of performing. For the sake of his professional positioning, he had declined. A singer’s debut strategy is vital; being branded a "backup" from the start could easily leave the public with the impression that his talent was inferior to the regular cast. Now, however, the situation was different. His reputation had soared, and his talent was widely recognized. Crucially, he had distinguished himself among numerous entries for the Palace Museum’s cultural promotion campaign, earning the title of Cultural Ambassador. This achievement served as a definitive stamp of approval. Furthermore, Wang Lin and Zhou Yanran guaranteed they could lobby the show’s producers to have Su Bai join as a "transfer student."

Su Bai realized he still knew too few fellow singers—only Xue Qianqian, and even that was merely an acquaintance. Expanding his professional network would be highly beneficial for his career. Of course, Wang Lin and Zhou Yanran also believed that interacting with peers would help refine his craft—though, in truth, Su Bai had already reached the pinnacle of his art.

He couldn't help but chuckle internally. While others trained for decades to master their skills, he had a "cheat code." With a flick of his finger, he possessed abilities that rivaled—or even surpassed—their lifelong efforts. It was maddening, surely, but that was the advantage of having a system. Naturally, he kept these thoughts to himself; exposing the system would be disastrous.

Yet, participating in these activities remained valuable. There was one thing the system could not provide: life experience. Only through experience comes insight, and only with insight can a song truly resonate. While his technique and vocals were already perfect, the "soul" of a song required his own emotional investment. His hits "Lonely Warrior" and "Dragon Scales of Heaven and Earth" were massive successes precisely because his past life as a soldier allowed him to deeply understand the former’s mindset, and his dual lifetimes gave him a profound appreciation for patriotism, allowing him to breathe life into the latter. He knew other songs might only have a fleeting shelf life—perhaps a summer or a decade—but he believed that songs like "Dragon Scales of Heaven and Earth," tied to the cultural legacy of the Palace Museum, would endure for generations.

5. Participate in the Palace Museum’s 600th Anniversary commemorative events. (This was treated as the highest priority.)

At the Palace Museum’s cultural promotion office, the atmosphere was electric. Zhang Mingke clenched his fists in anticipation; after waiting so long, the moment had finally arrived.

"Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one!"
"The Palace Museum cultural promotional film is live!"

The launch of the film cemented Su Bai’s status as the Cultural Ambassador. With only one month left until the 600th anniversary on September 10th, the staff entered their busiest period. Along with the film, an official announcement was released: on the day of the anniversary, CCTV News would broadcast an eight-hour exclusive special on Palace Museum culture. The broadcast would guide viewers through the vast history of the Forbidden City, witness the grand opening ceremony of its main gate, explore the Qianlong Garden, investigate the Changyin Pavilion theater, observe artifact restoration, and walk through the poetic life of Su Dongpo.

For 600 years, the Forbidden City had witnessed the evolution of history and the shifting of eras, as well as the rise and fall of twenty-four emperors from the Ming and Qing dynasties. Though it had once faced decay, the efforts of generations of conservators had restored its vibrant vitality. Experts, alongside Professor Wang Shen, would guide viewers through "time and space" to the accompaniment of Su Bai’s singing.

As the CCTV announcement spread, media outlets reposted it en masse. Su Bai’s fans were ecstatic. Many wanted to shout, "Who else could command such an honor?" But having learned from past "fandom" controversies, they remained disciplined. They refused to be used by others or provide ammunition for those with ill intentions. They were proud of Su Bai, but they chose to offer their support in silence, avoiding arrogant or inflammatory remarks.

Under the promotional video, a unified refrain appeared: "Su Bai, we are so proud of you!" A brief sentence, yet it carried the weight of a thousand emotions.