Chapter 20: A Sensation

“Heh, you have no idea what the value of a talented songwriter truly is, do you?” Li Zixuan pushed up her glasses and sneered. “Just look at those top-tier songwriters—wherever they go, they're honored guests. Their reputation in the industry is nearly equal to the kings and queens of pop. Awards come their way in droves, and money flows in effortlessly.”

“To say nothing else, last night’s ‘Has Anyone Told You’ moved countless people to tears and attracted a host of curious guests tonight, didn’t it?” Li Zixuan went on. “But tonight was something else entirely. ‘Dreaming of the Tang Dynasty’ sent the whole crowd into a frenzy. Do you remember ever seeing anyone who could stir up the audience to such a fever pitch? Such excitement? Frankly, ‘Dreaming of the Tang Dynasty’ will become the signature treasure of the ‘Tang Dynasty’ bar. People will flock here just to witness its brilliance. Imagine how precious that is. If it were performed on a grand stage, I guarantee tomorrow every entertainment headline would be about this song, and it would shoot up the music download charts. With just these two songs, he’d never have to worry about food or clothing for the rest of his life. So tell me, letting go of such a gifted singer-songwriter, a star of immense potential, shouldn’t ‘Huayi’ regret it deeply?”

“Alright, enough about that. This song is just too powerful. Girls, let’s have a drink.”

“Cheers.”

For the rest of the night, Lin Qihua didn’t perform ‘Dreaming of the Tang Dynasty’ again. He dutifully completed the evening’s set with the band, but the earlier performance had been so dazzling that every appearance was met with thunderous applause. When he sang ‘Has Anyone Told You’ again, the audience was electrified—the atmosphere was beyond lively.

By the end of the night, more than a dozen tables sent “flowers” to the band. Lin Qihua led everyone around the venue, thanking the guests for their generous support. The result was that none of them had much rest, spending the night running back and forth.

“This feeling—amazing.” That was Liu Xing’s verdict. Despite their exhaustion, he was clearly exhilarated. It was a rare privilege for the band, and everyone was overjoyed.

“Yeah, people even asked for our autographs,” Haizi said, unusually excited. “Feels just like being celebrities.”

“Haha.” Everyone laughed.

“This is the reward for true talent, you see?” Ah Hui cast a deep look at Lin Qihua, who sat quietly drinking water, his heart stirred. “Think about it—why did no one care about us before, and now we’re adored by thousands? It’s simple: we sang well and made them happy. So they gave us the recognition we deserved. That’s all there is to it. And who brought us these rewards?”

“Qihua,” they replied in unison.

“No need to be so formal,” Lin Qihua waved with a smile. “We’re a band. No matter our roles, every achievement is earned together.”

“We all know that, so there’s no point in you being modest,” Ah Hui grinned for the first time, relieved by the band’s newfound success. “Let’s all grab a late-night bite together—my treat.”

“Yeah!”

The night grew deeper, but the sensation sparked by the ‘Tang Dynasty’ bar was only beginning. First to react was the underground music scene—countless musicians heard the news.

“Haha, Qihua’s caused another sensation.” On the sprawling lawn of a grand villa, Han Dong took a sip of wine and laughed happily. “Even I didn’t expect this kid to have such immense energy. Last night’s song was impressive enough, but tonight’s ‘Dreaming of the Tang Dynasty’—that’s going to shame everyone in the circle. His talent is simply unmatched.”

“Your little brother—one word, incredible.” A young man, tipsy and slurring, sat down. “He’s a force to be reckoned with!”

“Heh, don’t get too attached. This kid won’t linger in this scene for long—he belongs on the big stage, trust me,” Han Dong said seriously.

“Alright, no need to repeat yourself. I’ll pass your message around. Everyone goes by the rule: talent is king. With your warning and his backing, there’s nothing to worry about.”

“That’s good. Just worried he’ll attract too much attention, but thankfully his supporter isn’t one to be trifled with. As long as he stays out of trouble, there shouldn’t be any issues,” Han Dong muttered.

“Alright, let’s drink. After all the excitement tonight, I’m exhausted.” The others laughed. “This villa—wow.”

“No matter how you look at it, it’s not ours. Don’t get your hopes up. But Dong, you could consider it—if you were willing to let go of your pride, you could have as many villas as you liked.”

“Get lost,” Han Dong laughed and cursed.

The next day, a video titled ‘A Legendary Song Appears at the Bar—“Dreaming of the Tang Dynasty” Stuns All’ was uploaded to the famous video site Haitang Online. In just one night, it racked up nearly a million views and was still climbing fast.

Clicking in, the first sight was a blaze of flames, almost searing the eyes. Then came wave after wave of electronic music and screaming vocals, bombarding viewers’ ears and igniting the crowd—a scene of such fiery passion it was hard to imagine.

Below the video, the comments exploded:

First post: Another clickbait, tired and indifferent.

Second post: You must be out of your mind. I was there—the rhythm had the whole place jumping, haha!

Third post: Quietly clicked in and watched—seven whole minutes, yes, seven minutes, with not a second wasted. From the intro to the end, each moment was more thrilling than the last. I wish I’d been there; absolutely blown away!

Fourth post: Let me provide a more professional analysis. Although the quality isn’t perfect, and the singer wore a mask, obscuring his true face, none of that diminishes my admiration. The stage effects at the start felt like everything was burning, like fire sweeping through and consuming all. If you were there, you’d be instantly swept up in the energy. The intro is long, but essential—it sets the stage. The guitar solo was superb, the effect flawless, then the lead vocals entered, followed by the rest. It started slow, then picked up speed and pitch, with four short lines full of personal emotion. The final line, ‘In my dreams, I return to the Tang Dynasty,’ stretched out with a chilling, strange timbre, perfectly capturing the feeling of the Tang era. Afterward, it’s a barrage of high notes, almost without pause. The lyrics are grand and unique, distinctly Chinese. Yes, this is Chinese-style rock. Even without a full studio recording, it’s clear that this is a rare rock song, the likes of which haven’t been seen in years—straight to the soul. I envy those who were there; the experience must have been unparalleled.

Fifth post: You can hear this band live at the ‘Tang Dynasty’ bar—not just this song, but ‘Has Anyone Told You’ is equally worthy of applause.

Sixth post: Begging for a full studio version—why can’t I find a download anywhere online?

Seventh post: It’s probably a brand-new release from a new band. Give it time, and it’ll be available. I listened myself and my mind is still buzzing—so intense, I feel like I’m burning up.

Nth post: Tonight I’m heading to ‘Tang Dynasty’ bar to catch this band live—anyone else coming?

Lin Qihua had no idea that this video had drawn countless clicks; he had underestimated the song’s impact. If not for people intentionally or unintentionally overlooking his name, and thanks to the mask, he hadn’t been exposed. Still, it was only a matter of time—whether he would be recognized, he couldn't say.

Last night, the members of ‘Hellfire’ ate late-night snacks until nearly four in the morning. Except for Lin Qihua and Nana, the other three were thoroughly drunk. Lin Qihua called a cab and stuffed them inside, then took Nana home, returned to his own place, and finally slept—nearly five in the morning. When he woke, it was already noon.

“Honestly, I’ll never join in again,” Lin Qihua muttered, rubbing his aching head. Though it was hard to refuse group activities, once was enough. As a celebrity, maintaining a regular routine was vital; otherwise, the heavy workload would wear down his health and cut his career short. In the past, the entertainment industry was more laissez-faire, focusing only on results and not imposing restrictions. Many artists, after becoming famous, lacked self-control and often ended up embroiled in various scandals—most frequently involving alcohol and sex. So, in modern times, there’s a whole list of precautions for artists. Before becoming a top-tier star, companies impose some discipline to keep them in line, though it varies by individual. The key is that from the training camp onwards, artists must learn how to care for themselves and prolong their careers, with protecting their health as the core—maintaining their voice, keeping a regular schedule, and so on. Second-tier stars and above even hire nutritionists and massage therapists to ensure peak condition.

“You’ve become famous now,” Han Dong said as he got up. Watching Lin Qihua busy with lunch, he leaned against the door and talked about last night’s ‘Hellfire’ sensation. “Now you’re the hottest thing in the Sandao Bend scene. Several bands admitted they can’t match your performance on that song and acknowledged your band’s status.”

“Oh? And then?” Lin Qihua replied, chopping vegetables.