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"Teacher Lu Chen!"
Just as Lu Chen was heading toward the backstage area, a nimble figure darted over and blocked his path!
Thankfully, Lu Chen had quick reflexes and stopped in time; otherwise, they would have collided head-on.
"You are...?"
The person who blocked his way was a young woman in her early twenties. She wore a bright red down jacket adorned with the 72H Grasslands Music Festival logo. Her looks were average, but her ponytail gave her a youthful, energetic vibe, and the few freckles on her face added to her charm.
A press badge with an anti-counterfeit tag hung around her neck, and behind her stood a cameraman.
The ponytailed girl was clearly very excited. Her eyes were wide with enthusiasm, and she thrust a microphone toward Lu Chen, rattling off her questions like rapid fire:
"Hello, Teacher Lu Chen, I'm a reporter for Trend Online's Entertainment Channel. Could you tell us what songs you've prepared for the festival? Do you have plans for a new album this year? Is there going to be a sequel to 'Autumn in My Heart'? And can you comment on your relationship with Chen Fei'er...?"
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, hold on!"
Lu Chen was nearly overwhelmed by her barrage of questions and quickly made a "stop" gesture.
Wearing a wry smile, he said, "Can you ask one question at a time?"
Trend Online was one of China's largest web portals and a major tech company based in the Capital City, now publicly listed on NASDAQ. Its influence was undeniably significant.
So Lu Chen felt he had to show at least a bit of respect, even if the reporter came off as overeager and inexperienced.
Dealing with the media was an art, one Lu Chen was still learning.
The ponytailed reporter's face flushed bright red. She took a deep breath and apologized sheepishly: "I really love your music… and your TV dramas too. I'm a big fan."
She knew she'd gotten a little carried away earlier, and quickly explained herself to avoid upsetting Lu Chen.
Celebrities may dislike reporters, but they're often much more forgiving toward reporters who are also loyal fans.
It was a little trick passed down from her senior colleagues, but in her case, it wasn't just a tactic. She truly was a fan of Lu Chen.
During the recent media frenzy around Lu Chen and Chen Fei'er's relationship reveal, the two stars had mysteriously disappeared, refusing interviews and letting the story cool off. But that didn't mean the topic had lost all value.
For a rookie like her, being able to grab Lu Chen for an interview at the 72H Music Festival felt like a massive scoop falling from the sky.
She was so excited, she'd almost forgotten how to speak properly. If she scared him off, the exclusive would vanish into thin air!
Her explanation seemed to work.
Lu Chen smiled and said, "Since you're a fan, go ahead, what would you like to ask?"
Just then, Wang Jing interjected, "Lu Chen, let's head in and run a soundcheck."
Lu Chen nodded. "Alright, I'll be there in a bit."
The 72H Grasslands Festival didn't allow the use of backing tracks; everything was performed live. Artists could bring their own band or use one arranged by the organizers.
As for larger instruments like drum kits and synthesizers, they were usually provided by the organizers unless a performer had special preferences or a bit of gear-related OCD. Transporting full sets of equipment for every band would be too troublesome and would delay transitions between sets.
Smaller instruments like guitars and basses were typically brought in by the performers themselves.
The organizers also provided multiple identical equipment setups for bands to rehearse with ahead of time, so they could get comfortable and ensure their performance wouldn't be impacted.
Nirvana Band was no exception. Even though this was their home turf in Capital City, they didn't insist on bringing their own gear, just a few guitars and basses. So a warm-up session was definitely in order before hitting the stage.
As soon as Wang Jing and the others walked off, the young reporter from Trend Online couldn't hold back any longer.
"Teacher Lu Chen, is this your first time participating in the 72H Music Festival?"
Lu Chen replied, "Yes. I've actually wanted to visit Capital City for a long time just to see this festival. I never expected I'd be on the stage myself one day. So for me, this is a really new and exciting experience."
"And… have you prepared any new songs specifically for the festival?"
The 72H Grasslands Festival was a stage filled with emerging indie singers and bands, many of whom were incredibly talented. Unless it was a tribute, they rarely performed covers, they took pride in originality.
And at 72H, original work was not only respected but celebrated. Even the talent scouts sent by entertainment companies were eager to discover fresh voices and new creations.
The current domestic pop music scene is in dire need of fresh, original talent. Many music lovers, and even everyday listeners, have long grown tired of the endless stream of formulaic, upbeat bubblegum pop.
Originality is king.
That's the main reason why the 72H Grasslands Music Festival, despite its strongly non-mainstream nature, has been able to command such massive influence.
And Lu Chen built his career precisely on originality. The campus folk wave he sparked had a huge impact both within and outside the industry. His string of original compositions earned him widespread acclaim.
If Lu Chen showed up at 72H just rehashing old hits, it would definitely let a lot of people down.
But Lu Chen wasn't going to disappoint anyone.
"I've prepared two new songs, both of which will be premiered here, live!"
The ponytailed reporter beamed. "That's fantastic! We're really looking forward to them. Will you be releasing a new album this year?"
Without hesitation, Lu Chen replied, "Yes, I'll definitely be releasing my second solo album this year!"
That was a certainty. Once the renovation work on his new studio in the Art District was complete and the recording room became operational, he would begin production immediately.
Whether he's filming dramas, movies, or anything else, music has always been his foundation.
"Lu Chen!"
"Mr. Lu Chen!"
"Teacher Lu Chen!"
Just as Lu Chen finished answering the ponytailed girl's second question, a group of six or seven reporters came rushing over, each dragging a cameraman, surrounding Lu Chen with microphones and recorders pointed straight at his face.
The Trend Online reporter wasn't the only media rep covering the 72H Music Festival; entertainment outlets across the board had sent journalists, all looking to dig up stories.
Seeing her exclusive with Lu Chen, the other reporters swarmed in like bees to honey. In a blink, more than a dozen people had gathered around, crowding so tightly that Lu Chen could barely move.
Sensing trouble, Li Feiyu quickly stepped in to shield Lu Chen, while the event's security staff rushed over to restore order.
But none of that dampened the reporters' enthusiasm. They shouted question after question, vying for Lu Chen's attention.
Unfortunately for the ponytailed girl who had landed the first scoop, her smaller stature meant she was quickly shoved out of the way. Frustrated, she stomped her foot, but there was nothing she could do.
Snagging an interview is a blood sport. And when it comes to high-profile celebrities, positioning is everything. Compared to the seasoned veterans from WeChat News, Entertainment Weekly, and other outlets, she was still a greenhorn.
She was upset, but someone else was even more bitter.
"Heh, latch onto a Heavenly Queen and suddenly you're hot stuff."
On the eastern side of the festival stage, not far from the backstage area, a large section of grass had been roped off with caution tape. Within it stood over a hundred tents, with groups of singers lounging in the gaps between, many of them cradling guitars.
This zone was reserved for traveling indie singers and bands from across the country, partly to save them money, and partly to provide a space for artists to mingle. Here, you'd often find groups chatting about life, drinking, jamming, and sharing stories about music.
Because of the proximity, Lu Chen being swarmed by reporters was clearly visible to many of these performers.
Some just glanced and returned to their own musical worlds. Others looked on with curiosity or envy. And a few showed outright disdain, or even contempt.
Among one such group, about twenty vagabond singers had all turned toward Lu Chen. One skinny young man with long, dark skin and shoulder-length hair sneered: "This world still runs on looks, huh?"
His words drew immediate agreement: "Yeah, being handsome gets you ahead. We weren't lucky enough to be born with pretty faces, so we've gotta fight our way through the hard way."
"Hmph! In terms of skill, can he even compare to our Brother Gangzi? What's that soft, folksy crap worth? Real vagabond singers sing rock!"
"Too bad today's fans only care about pretty faces. Entertainment companies are scrambling to sign all those fresh-faced pretty boys."
"Haha, guess we're just the old cured meat now!"
"Tonight's performance, Brother Gangzi will show them how it's done!"
"Back in the day, when Brother Gangzi was still on top…"
The "Brother Gangzi" they spoke of was Shi Gang, the lead singer of Wednesday Band.
Formed in the early 2000s, Wednesday Band had five members and started out as a pure rock group.
They made their name at a previous 72H Grasslands Music Festival, Shi Gang's original performance of Ballad of the Earth caused a sensation and was hailed as a breakout moment for domestic rock.
They were later signed by Gem Records and released two successful albums, evolving their style from hard rock to a more blended, softer genre infused with other elements.
But their popularity didn't last. Later works lacked impact, and disputes with Gem Records led to a contract termination. Shi Gang and his team moved south to continue their career.
Even so, every time the 72H Music Festival extended an invitation, Wednesday Band never failed to show up.
And this year, Shi Gang and Wednesday Band had brought a carefully prepared set.
(End Of The Chapter)