Volume One: A Meteoric Rise Chapter Sixty: As the Prelude Sounds, Step Up to Claim the Prize

“Now, let's welcome contestant Chen Jing to perform his original song, 'Nocturne.'”

As host Cai Lun finished speaking, the stage lights instantly dimmed. The audience could no longer see the stage clearly, only a vague blur of figures moving swiftly across it. Unsure of what Chen Jing was doing, they watched in confusion.

But they didn't have to wait long. After a dozen seconds, the piano’s melody suddenly rang out, while the spotlight snapped on, illuminating the figure at center stage. There sat Chen Jing beside a grand piano, playing with elegance, the lively and graceful melody echoing throughout the venue.

“This melody… it's…” Even just hearing the intro, Huang Wenhao was utterly stunned. He turned, intending to say something to Wei Guoqiang, only to see Wei Guoqiang staring wide-eyed at Chen Jing onstage, as if he were witnessing a miracle.

Huang Wenhao’s lips moved, uncertain of what to say, his gaze complex as he watched Chen Jing play with deep feeling. He thought, this man might just turn the world upside down tonight.

Su Tingting was also gaping in surprise, genuinely flustered within. Could Chen Jing really have written this song? Was it worth offending such a composer for the sake of a new artist at her company?

As a professional singer, one often has only a general sense of whether a song will resonate with the public, but no one dares claim a song will definitely become a hit.

Yet, some songs are exceptions—some melodies instantly capture hearts, making listeners fall in love at first hearing. Chen Jing’s “Nocturne” was such a song.

Just from the intro, Su Tingting and her companions could confirm: this song would unquestionably become a sensation, and not just any hit, but the kind that would win awards and establish legacies—a classic destined to be sung for generations. It was the dream song for any singer. Who could have guessed that such a masterpiece would come from a newcomer who had debuted less than two months ago?

These were the thoughts of those in the music industry. The live audience, however, had simpler reactions. Their first thought: impressive—Chen Jing actually played the piano, and he could write, play, and sing his own music. No wonder he was called a musical prodigy. Their second: damn, this melody is fantastic!

Indeed, just hearing the intro, every audience member had already fallen for the song. That was the charm of “Nocturne.”

“Big brother’s playing the piano—he looks so handsome and elegant. Mom, did you see?” Wang Youxuan truly believed her brother was the brightest star in the world.

Chen Jing’s hands moved nimbly over the keys, and as the prelude’s rhythm carried him, he leaned close to the microphone mounted on the piano and began to sing softly:

“A swarm of bloodthirsty ants
Drawn to decaying flesh
I watch, expressionless
The lonely scenery…”

Hearing Chen Jing’s rap, the audience erupted in cheers once more.

“This… it’s rap?” Wei Guoqiang exclaimed in surprise.

Huang Wenhao was equally bewildered. He hadn’t expected such a melodious intro to be followed by rap—it felt strange.

The two exchanged glances, arriving at the same conclusion: perhaps Chen Jing was still too young. With such a perfect melody, wouldn’t it be better without rap?

That was their initial impression as Chen Jing began to sing. But as they listened further, something changed.

“…
A crow sits eerily silent on the branch
Quietly, quietly, it listens
To my black coat
Trying to warm your ever-colder memories…”

Chen Jing’s singing continued. The audience was at first uneasy with this style—it was hard to describe, initially feeling odd, even indistinct. Yet, as they listened, they found themselves enjoying it more and more. Perhaps this was exactly how the song was meant to be sung.

Once they accepted his style, combined with the moving melody, they completely fell for the song. But that was only the beginning—Chen Jing was about to win over every heart in the room.

“…ah, in the desolate graveyard
Even growing old, I still love you…”

As the rap section concluded, the prelude melody returned. Chen Jing took a deep breath, unleashing his ultimate move.

“Playing Chopin’s nocturne for you
To commemorate our dead love…”

With the perfect, moving melody and Chen Jing’s exquisite, heartfelt vocals, the audience was utterly swept away.

“Ah!!!”
“That was amazing!”
“Chen Jing, I love you!”
…

Not only was the live audience in a frenzy, but viewers watching the livestream were conquered as well.

“Boss Jing is insane!”
“Anything Chen Jing releases is guaranteed quality!”
“My mom asked why I was watching the livestream on my knees. I showed her Chen Jing’s performance, now she’s kneeling beside me watching too.”
…

On the Voice of Huaxia streaming platform, the barrage of comments was so dense that anyone who turned on the chat couldn’t see Chen Jing’s performance at all—but that did nothing to stop them from listening.

“…
The feeling of your heartbeat
Still so warm and close
I miss the mark of your crimson lips~”

Finishing the first chorus, Chen Jing suppressed his excitement, watching the audience cheer wildly for the song, his face breaking into a radiant smile.

As Chen Jing’s previous-life idol, Jay Chou’s “Nocturne” was nothing short of a legend. The year it was released, it swept nearly every music award, a testament to its greatness. As the saying goes: when the intro plays, you step up to claim your prize. Anyone familiar with the song could not help but hum along when they heard its prelude—that was its irresistible charm.

In his previous life, Chen Jing too had been conquered by this song. In this life, it was his turn to bring this masterpiece to the world. He would prove that no matter which world, Jay Chou’s songs would always be cherished and pursued.

Thinking this, Chen Jing sang again:

“Those dragonflies with broken wings
Scattered through the forest…”

“Wow~ Big brother is so handsome, and the melody is just too beautiful! Mom, mom, look, big brother’s looking at us. He’s really looking at us!”

Wang Menglan hardly needed her daughter’s reminder—she was fully immersed in Chen Jing’s performance, and she too saw him glance their way.

Chen Jing hadn’t expected that a casual look around could actually find Wang Menglan and her daughter. He hadn’t had time to contact them beforehand, so he didn’t know their seating, but a glance caught Wang Youxuan waving furiously.

Looking their way, Chen Jing’s eyes met Wang Menglan’s gaze, yet his lips kept singing with deep emotion:

“Playing Chopin’s nocturne for you
To commemorate our dead love
And for you, I hide my name
Playing the piano beneath the moonlight…”

Wang Menglan watched Chen Jing singing to her with such tender affection, and felt her heart surrender. She recalled all the moments she’d shared with him, and her cheeks flushed red—uncertain whether from excitement or shyness at her own thoughts.

“Chen Jing! Chen Jing! Chen Jing!”

The chorus rose again, and everyone was mad for the pianist on stage.

Backstage, Xie Weiyu’s expression was complex. She knew she had lost, and this time, thoroughly and without regret. She finally accepted the truth: she and Chen Jing were not on the same level, and the gap between them was vast.

Seeing the audience’s response, Lin Zitan jumped with joy, “Oh yeah! Chen Jing is incredible! We’ve got this in the bag!”

Beside her, Ling Ruohan sighed, “With this song, Chen Jing’s future works will be even more sought after.” Then, pretending to be upset, she added, “Looks like I lost the bet—my next album is doomed!” As for the consequences of losing, Ling Ruohan had long since put them out of mind.

Lin Xi was watching her phone, streaming the Voice of Huaxia show. She was checking the online reactions to Chen Jing’s performance. Seeing the flood of praise in the comments, she had no worries.

Lin Xi turned off her phone and looked up, smiling faintly at Ling Ruohan’s words, then gazed quietly at the heroic figure on stage. If nothing unexpected happened, she believed the music world ahead would belong to Chen Jing.

On stage, “Nocturne” was drawing to its final passage.

“…I use beautiful rhymes
To describe love that has been utterly plundered…”

Even the most beautiful song must come to an end. Chen Jing’s fingers danced, pressing the last key, and the music faded gently.

“Wow!!!”

The audience’s emotions lingered, unable to calm, as they continued to applaud Chen Jing with all their might.

The lights came up again and the host returned to the stage.

Cai Lun immediately turned to his co-host, “Wen Wan, did you feel it after hearing Chen Jing’s song?”

Wen Wan replied with a smile, “Feel what?”

“The charm of music—did you feel it?”

“Haha, if you mean that, you’re asking the right person.” Wen Wan instantly switched to fan mode, looking at Chen Jing with admiration: “Chen Jing’s songs are full of emotion, and the lyrics tell a story. His singing brings us a feast for the ears.”

Hearing Wen Wan’s praise, Chen Jing could only smile wryly.

Thankfully, Cai Lun interrupted her, teasing, “Stop, stop! We know you love Chen Jing’s music, but you can’t campaign for him like this. Let’s hand things over to the professionals for their critique. Now, let’s invite our three judges to give their comments on Chen Jing’s performance.”

(A tribute to: Jay Chou’s “Nocturne”)

Author: Surely no one failed to guess this song, right? Just seeing the chapter title should have been enough. This is Jay Chou’s iconic track. When the intro plays, you step up to claim your prize. If you didn’t guess it, you’re not a true fan.