Chapter 178: People Within the Game, Affairs Within the Game, and the Game Itself

There are still nine projects left; surely not a single one was prepared?

Among those present, more than a few proud souls couldn't help but clench their fists.

Stand up?
No.
This was a grand chess game, and not just anyone was qualified to enter, or they would be ground into dust.

Charge in blindly first and figure it out?
Their seats seemed glued to their trousers, impossible to budge.

Zige felt he would never forget this scene. He suddenly felt that rap battles where artists dissed each other were child's play. Even underground rap battles were just kids playing house.

Where was this?
The hottest show on Penguin Video right now.

In the past, Zige had experienced moments of friction with other production teams. At first, he would drop harsh words at most, turn around and leave, and then wait for the production team to offer him a graceful way out. That in itself was already a remarkable feat.

Even now, he still felt his blood run hot, but he could no longer pull off those stunts. Wasn't everything negotiable?

The person beside him stood with hands in pockets, sweeping his gaze across the musicians first, then across the production team.

No one answered.

That kind of oppressive force was a momentary, disorienting abandonment of subjectivity.

Someone glanced at Sun Zhe, letting out a silent sigh for the old fox.
No wonder he hadn't stopped He Shuyuan from stubbornly choosing Bai Xiwei. If he hadn't chosen her, they would have been the ones facing Tang Zhichu in this setting. At least in terms of the rules, the only remaining winners' circle was the Stellar Alliance.

Liu Xingyun also looked at Sun Zhe. In the past, he hadn't understood why He Shuyuan and Qiu Zhen came to the show at the same time—wouldn't Tianhe Entertainment usually send at least one powerhouse outward?
Now he understood. This was to share the pressure for Tianhe.

Liu Xingyun's mind raced. If standing up could give Tang Zhichu a boost, he wouldn't mind; the crux was that whoever stood up now would likely be aiming to suppress Tang Zhichu.
It was exhausting and thankless. For the first time, Liu Xingyun found making a choice so difficult that beads of sweat began to form on his forehead.

"How about this..."

No one told the host what to do, but as the host, he had to take control of the room.
However, before he could finish his sentence, Tang Zhichu interrupted him once more.

"Let's keep it simple. Forget about the winners' and losers' brackets. As long as any of you feel confident in a category, feel free to stand up and let's all have some fun together. Just like the poem the host recited earlier: *Listen not to the wind piercing the trees and beating the leaves; why not whistle and chant as you stroll along at ease.*"

Tang Zhichu still wore a smile, his tone carrying an unexpected note of encouragement.

On the second floor, Yu Hua burst out laughing. "Look at that, he's even worried about us losing face, telling everyone not to overthink things."

Qian Zhonghuai looked at Yu Hua. "Old Yu, can you stop making sarcastic remarks?"

Yu Hua's gaze instantly turned sharp, radiating an unforced majesty as he pointed downward. "Sarcastic remarks? Take a look. The program I poured my heart and soul into creating—what has it been reduced to by your meddling? Don't think you're the only one who can waltz into a board meeting."

Qian Zhonghuai fell silent.
He was in the wrong.
He had thought he was overestimating Tang Zhichu, but upon arriving, he realized there was a gap between reality and his imagination.
Why was this young man so calm in such an environment?
The underlying logic must be that he understood everything.

Yu Hua had pulled strings; changing the tasks was definitely his doing.
Yet Qian Zhonghuai could not reprimand him. This episode was a giant cake, and Yu Hua was the primary baker. The bigger the cake, the greater the platform's returns.

Qian Zhonghuai withdrew his gaze from the scene below and slowly said, "Give me a summary report afterward. I can go to the board of directors once more."

Yu Hua's expression softened. "Don't bother seeing me out."

Qian Zhonghuai left without looking back.
He had come for the interests of the platform, but things had spiraled far beyond the trajectory he had anticipated.
His departure meant he was delegating full authority to Yu Hua. If things went too off the rails, the blame would fall entirely on Yu Hua.
Why did he mention going to the board again?
Every debt has its debtor, every grievance has its perpetrator.

Downstairs, a heavy silence still lingered.

Chen Siyang had already stood up, her eyes filled with worry.
At first, she thought it was just a bit of variety show effect, a joke.
Yet, the atmosphere had completely shifted.

Could they really do this? Old Tang!
Won't he offend a lot of people?
What should she do?
Before the rules were cast aside, the gun barrels were at least pointed at the Stellar Alliance. Now that the rules were discarded, the gun barrels were pointed at everyone in the room.

Far on the right, Bai Xiwei withdrew her gaze from Tang Zhichu.
She suddenly realized that by asking her to pick a project, Tang Zhichu had also been looking out for her.
At least in this setting, she—someone who already had a project—was kept out of the crossfire.

He Shuyuan lowered his head and chuckled softly.
Present in the room, aside from Wildfire Alliance's own people, only Bai Xiwei and himself were outside the pressure zone.
As sacrifices to commercial competition, ordinary people were one thing.
Was Tang Zhichu someone who would bend the knee so easily?

He Shuyuan felt profoundly grateful. If not for his cleverness, he would have ended up alienated by both sides.
Take Qiu Zhen, for instance; his head was lowered lower than anyone else's.
Why?
Because the moment he raised his head, he would see Zhan Zihua in the corner.
Zhan Zihua was practically dancing with excitement.

Qiu Zhen had no choice either. He Shuyuan would rather choose Dahua Mobile's project and go head-to-head with Bai Xiwei just to avoid Tang Zhichu—why on earth should he be the one to step up?
Hadn't Teacher Sun Zhe refrained from going up yet? Wasn't Liu Xingyun holding his ground?

A romance theme, Tang Zhichu plus Chen Siyang, and you still expected to win and eliminate him?
That was simply brazen shamelessness!
Damn it, and Chen Siyang too—why couldn't you have visited the set a little earlier or a little later, instead of showing up right now?
Who knew what Tang Zhichu was plotting?

It was not until this moment that Yu Hua's voice finally came through the host's earpiece.

The host let out a massive sigh of relief. "Ahem... well, everyone, my stomach feels a bit uneasy. Let's take a five-minute break first. I'm sorry, truly sorry. We'll resume recording in five minutes."

During the five-minute break, almost no one moved, nor did anyone converse.

An image had taken deep root in everyone's minds.
That was the absolute dominance Tang Zhichu seemed to display in music, leaving no room for dissent.
Saying it aloud might cause disbelief, yet it had truly happened.

Shen Jianxin let out a faint sigh; he had read deeper meanings into the situation.
Tang Zhichu had done it on purpose, deliberately suppressing everyone at this juncture.
Unconvinced? Let's fight it out.
Got no one? Apologies, but this is the strength I, Tang Zhichu, possess.

Given the influence of the many musicians present, their rising status in the industry would have a greater impact than any blockbuster work Tang Zhichu could release.

Only then did Qiu Zhen raise his head, and the moment he did, he caught sight of Zhan Zihua in the corner.
Zhan Zihua was gesturing for him to check his phone.

Chen Siyang took a few steps forward as well, worry etched all over her face.
Tang Zhichu slowly shook his head at her, which finally made her stop.

The five minutes passed quickly, yet felt agonizingly slow.

The host returned. He didn't even need to prompt the run-of-the-show; everyone was already dead silent.
"Apologies, let's resume recording."
"According to the rules, the Wildfire Alliance is in the losers' bracket. Little Tang, do you wish to forfeit your right of first choice for the projects?" the host asked Tang Zhichu.

Tang Zhichu didn't stand up, but he nodded.

"Very well, the choices are reversed. The Stellar Alliance has priority in selecting a project. Teacher Liu Xingyun, who will you send into battle for this round?"

The host's return immediately dragged everyone's attention back to the rules.
Why hadn't they done this earlier? Because the chief director hadn't nodded.

Tang Zhichu raised no objections. Yu Hua had laid down a cushion for him, swapping out all the projects and replacing them entirely with romance-themed ones.
Tang Zhichu understood the play.
So he put on a high profile—he didn't mind being high-profile for once.
At least when others tried to bully you, they would have to think twice.

The host stepping back was a signal: Yu Hua had gotten what he wanted.
Giving Tang Zhichu a boost had also fulfilled his own objective.
Tang Zhichu glanced up at the second floor, thinking to himself that when it came to playing dirty games, these executives truly excelled.

Liu Xingyun didn't look at the members of his own alliance; at a time like this, even a glance toward their collapsing stronghold was an immense pressure. Just as he was preparing to stand up himself, Qiu Zhen stepped forward first.

"I'll go."

Everyone froze, turning to look at Qiu Zhen with complex expressions.

Qiu Zhen was remarkably decisive. "I'll choose the fifth spot on the ranking—the promotional song for the movie *Sunflower Love*."

On the surface, Qiu Zhen merely looked solemn.
In reality, both of Qiu Zhen's hands were drenched in sweat.

He had checked his phone; Zhan Zihua had sent him numerous messages.
The most useful one instructed him to choose the promotional song for *Sunflower Love* because the director was a newcomer and Tianhe Entertainment was one of the production companies. If the pressure became too unbearable, Zhan Zihua could guarantee a tie as the outcome.
In other words, even if neither side chose in the end, the Wildfire Alliance would still accumulate two losses.

However, that wasn't the main reason that moved Qiu Zhen.
Aside from Zhan Zihua's messages, Yu Hua had also sent him one:
*"He Shuyuan didn't even dare to touch Tang Zhichu; why won't you give it a try?"*

These words struck Qiu Zhen at that exact moment like a bolt from the blue, waking him from a dream.
Indeed, was He Shuyuan formidable?
Hadn't he suppressed him for years?
Yet when facing Tang Zhichu, he had flinched.
No matter how complex the reasons, at its core, it was cowardice—a fear that he wouldn't be able to beat him, or worse, that he actually would.
Why shouldn't he give it a try?
If he didn't try, wouldn't he be admitting that he truly was inferior to He Shuyuan?
Regardless of the outcome, the mere act of stepping up meant that from then on, whenever he faced He Shuyuan, he would always be the superior man.
*You're so great? Why didn't you dare to fight Tang Zhichu?*
*By what right are you considered the number one brother?*

Beneath Qiu Zhen's calm exterior, waves crashed violently in his heart.
He felt a sense of sudden enlightenment.
Stepping up this time wasn't just an ordinary move; it was the stepping stone to his own rise.
Tang Zhichu was suppressing him—so what?
At least he had the guts to face him!
Could the keyboard warriors say the same?
Damn it!
You might win against me, but I refuse to submit!
I am just that badass!

The host didn't care about any of that. This time, he genuinely felt he had had enough; please, no more sudden twists, he was truly exhausted.

"Qiu Zhen from the Stellar Alliance chooses the fifth-ranked project: the promotional song for Director Wei Hongsheng's movie *Sunflower Love*. Wildfire Alliance, do you accept the challenge?"

The moment the host's words fell, Tang Zhichu stood up.

Both stages were locked in, and the task-revealing recording came to an end.

Everyone cast complex glances toward Tang Zhichu, sharing a silent consensus in their hearts.
From now on, any musical showdown involving Tang Zhichu required heavy praise in advance.
Otherwise, how could one explain why they had backed down?
Why chicken out?
That was my idol; facing your idol isn't cowardice.
That's called respect.
In case Tang Zhichu genuinely became a supreme grandmaster one day, this was also a front-row witness account.

At the same time, many people turned their gaze toward Qiu Zhen. Someone inexplicably called out "Brother Zhen," while another cupped their fists in salute.

Qiu Zhen's face flushed slightly, his heart still racing with excitement.
Seeing the looks of admiration from the others, Qiu Zhen felt all the more validated for having stood up.
He even glanced at He Shuyuan, inwardly concluding that Tianhe's top spot was truly about to change hands.

*"Looking back on the desolate place where I came from, turning to go, there was neither wind and rain nor clear skies."* Shen Jianxin suddenly recited a line of poetry with a sigh.

Zige and the others looked over at him.

Shen Jianxin chuckled. "What are you looking at? Just calming my own nerves. Zhichu, you really need to step up your game—it's lonely at the top."

Tang Zhichu shrugged. "Driven to it by circumstance, nothing more."

Zige chimed in, "You call this 'nothing more'? If I were in your shoes, I'd die of sheer joy!"

Yun Miao rolled her eyes at Zige. "You don't know a damn thing."

Tang Zhichu didn't linger in idle chatter, instead walking toward the right side of the room.

Liu Xingyun was still sitting there, motionless.
Hearing movement beside him, Liu Xingyun snapped out of his reverie and found that Tang Zhichu had seated himself right next to him.

Liu Xingyun smiled and took the initiative to speak. "It's fine, I understand."

The pressure brought by Tang Zhichu had first been directed at the Stellar Alliance. As the founder of the alliance, he had remained silent during the very first confrontation.
How would the audience view that when it was broadcast?
By not standing up, he had actually given Tang Zhichu a genuine boost, allowing Tang Zhichu to achieve a position of musical supremacy over everyone present.

Among those present, the true veterans and heavyweights had their excuses: Sun Zhe had a reason because He Shuyuan had stood up, and Pu Jingshi followed Sun Zhe's lead—since the big brother hadn't moved, the second brother moving carried little significance. Bai Xiwei had her own project, and Guo Long was in her group, so he wouldn't draw much focused attention.

Only Liu Xingyun had been at the epicenter of the pressure. Choosing not to stand up had a genuine element of saving face, acting almost as a voluntary stepping stone for Tang Zhichu.

Tang Zhichu owed him gratitude; he wasn't someone who didn't know etiquette.

"Teacher Liu, come to my company. Just hold an honorary title."

Liu Xingyun stared in surprise. "Your company?"

Tang Zhichu nodded. "Wildfire Media, registered just recently."

Liu Xingyun first frowned. The name Tang Zhichu chose already revealed a multitude of implications.
*Will the Wildfire rise once the music show ends?*

"I'm already old," Liu Xingyun said softly.

Tang Zhichu shook his head. "I need you."

Liu Xingyun trembled slightly. He looked at Tang Zhichu, and after a long moment, a smile bloomed on his face. "Alright, thank you."

"It is I who should thank you."

Tang Zhichu stretched lazily and stood up.

Watching Tang Zhichu's retreating back, Liu Xingyun felt a sudden moisture prickle his eyes.
Perhaps this was the true meaning of inheritance.

Tang Zhichu truly understood everything.
At such an age, with such a shrewd mind, it was no wonder Penguin Short Video attributed the surge in Douyin's daily active users to him.
With his talent, did he really need someone like him?
To bolster his prestige? Didn't Wildfire already have Shen Jianxin?

However, by becoming one of his own people, Liu Xingyun had a valid reason for not standing up.
The audience might not understand, but for a man of Liu Xingyun's age, whether the audience understood or not carried little meaning.
What about industry insiders?
To be reduced to silence by Tang Zhichu's pressure—how would one survive in the industry afterward?
If they were on the same side, then it was all part of a game. Everyone was an insider playing an insider's game, and everything was resolved within the circle.

In the early August night sky, a crescent moon hung high, veiled by clouds the color of the night.
Unlike Chongqing, the night breeze in Chengdu still carried a refreshing coolness.

Chen Siyang walked quietly beside Tang Zhichu.
Neither of them spoke.

From Chen Siyang's perspective, Old Tang and the production team certainly had friction.
Yet, strangely enough, it looked more like Old Tang was bullying the production team.
People like Sun Zhe, Pu Jingshi, and Liu Xingyun—were they not major veterans and mentor-level figures?
Then there were He Shuyuan, Qiu Zhen, and Bai Xiwei.
He Shuyuan and Qiu Zhen had been top-tier heavyweights within their companies, requiring polite greetings upon sight.
Bai Xiwei was even one of the representative figures of Mandopop female vocalists, possessing both artistic strength and commercial traffic.

Yet they were all living in the dormitories, while Old Tang alone resided in a small villa.
The crucial point was that Old Tang had just been harsh with them, and none of them had dared to talk back.
In Chen Siyang's eyes, that was nothing short of intimidation.

"Old Tang."

Tang Zhichu snapped out of his thoughts. "What is it?"

"It's just... of course we shouldn't let people bully us, but we shouldn't bully others either. That's not right." After hesitating for a very long time, Chen Siyang finally managed to voice those words.

Tang Zhichu was taken aback at first, then chuckled. "Alright, we won't bully others. Do you think I'm a bad person?"

Chen Siyang shook her head, speaking with utmost earnestness, "Don't overthink it, why would you be a bad person? You definitely have your reasons for doing this, even if I don't quite understand them. Maybe right now you're even thinking in your heart that I'm being silly, but I still wanted to share my perspective with you, even if it's just a reference point."

Tang Zhichu's gaze softened. He reached out and took Chen Siyang's hand.
Cool to the touch, yet soft.

"Accompany me for a few more days."

"How many days is 'a few more days'?"

Tang Zhichu gently shook their clasped hands. "How about for a lifetime?"

Chen Siyang didn't blush away. Instead, she tilted her head in a thoughtful posture, walked a few more steps, and then declared, "Don't speak without thinking; I'm going to take that seriously."

Tang Zhichu replied with equal sincerity, "I meant it seriously, too."

Chen Siyang began rummaging through her phone.

Tang Zhichu: "What are you doing?"

Chen Siyang: "I'm recording your voice. If you go back on your word, I'll play it back for you."