After taking advice, I became a top male idol.

Chapter 36: The Voice of China's ratings explode!

Yanjing Broadcasting and Television Station.

Director's office.

"Director Xia! Look at the real-time viewership chart! It's skyrocketing!"

Xia Xue took the data sheet and glanced at it, then was stunned. "3.1%..."

Xia Xue leaned back in her chair and rubbed her temples.

"I never expected this, I never expected that this season of The Voice of China would find such a gem."

In this era of booming online variety shows, a TV variety show is considered popular if its ratings exceed 1%, and a hit if they exceed 2%. And exceeding 3% is absolutely phenomenal!

"This is the highest variety show ratings record for our station in the last five years!" the assistant director exclaimed excitedly. "Lin Zhixing is simply our show's lucky charm!"

"It's not just about ratings."

Xia Xue quickly calmed down, tapping her fingers on the table. "How's the online viewership?"

"Even more outrageous!"

The assistant director swallowed hard. "The real-time popularity on Tencent Video has exploded! The number of comments is three times that of the last episode! Especially the part where Lin Zhixing sang 'Red Silk,' the number of online viewers crashed the server for five minutes! The tech department is cursing, but why do I find it so enjoyable?"

"Great! That's wonderful!"

Xia Xue made a quick decision: "The current hype isn't enough; we need to add fuel to the fire."

"Strike while the iron is hot! Tell the PR team to double the budget! Buy marketing accounts, buy press releases! Push it hard!"

"Also, edit the clip of Elder Jiang voting into a short video, and title it—'Veteran Artist Votes with Tears in His Eyes: This is the Backbone of the Chinese People!'"

The assistant director acknowledged the order, then hesitated for a moment, "Um... Director Xia, Director Wang from Xinghuang Entertainment just called again. He sounded quite soft-spoken, asking us to help suppress the buzz surrounding Lin Zhixing, saying... there's a risk of negative public opinion."

"Pressure heating?"

Xia Xue scoffed, "Has Xinghuang lost his mind? Lin Zhixing is my cash cow now, the guarantee of high ratings! Anyone who dares to touch him is going against me, going against the ratings!"

"Tell Xinghuang, trying to suppress the hype? No way! If they're unhappy, tell them not to send anyone next season! My show doesn't need those few freaks!"

"Or offer a sponsorship fee of 100 million! Otherwise, forget it!"

"Understood! I'll get right on it! Director Xia is so awesome!" The assistant director accepted the order and left.

Xia Xue leaned back in her chair, let out a long sigh, and murmured to herself, "Lin Zhixing, oh Lin Zhixing, you've given me so many surprises. Since you can fly, then I'll send you a gust of wind and see just how high you can fly!"

......

Meanwhile, in another corner of the entertainment industry.

Tianyue Entertainment.

The music in the spacious dance studio was deafening.

As the "crown princess" of Tianyue Entertainment, one of the top entertainment companies in China, Zhou Xuan is practicing her dance frantically in front of the mirror, her back soaked with sweat.

She has a sweet face with a classic "first love" look, big, bright eyes, and two shallow dimples when she smiles.

With fair and radiant skin, a petite yet curvaceous figure, she's the kind of person you'd want to protect at first glance.

She is Tianyue Entertainment's "Sweetheart Queen" this year, following a youthful and energetic route, with a clear and sweet voice, and naturally attracting attention.

Just recently, she released her new single, "Summer Sparkling Water".

The company spent millions on promotion, determined to help her reach the top of the new song chart.

In fact, she did achieve that.

Last week, "Summer Sparkling Water" topped the charts.

However, the champagne hadn't been opened yet, and the seats hadn't even been warmed.

Less than five hours later—

It got exposed!

Moreover, it was exposed so thoroughly that not even the taillights could be seen!

Zhou Xuan abruptly turned off the music, sat down on the sofa panting, and grabbed a towel to wipe her sweat.

She picked up her phone, looked at the charts on Tencent Music, and her face turned extremely grim.

New Song Chart #1: "Red-Clad Lament (Live Version)" - Lin Zhixing

Second on the New Song Chart: "The Lone Warrior" - Lin Zhixing

Third on the New Song Chart: "Summer Sparkling Water" - Zhou Xuan

"This...this is just too much!"

Zhou Xuan threw her phone on the sofa, completely exasperated. "Where did this monster Lin Zhixing come from? Doesn't he ever need a break? One hit a week! Does he even care about anyone else's life?"

"I prepared this song for three months and promoted it for a month, and then I sat for five hours straight to get first place? Why is my life so miserable!"

The manager next to him also looked helpless: "There's nothing we can do. All the attention is on 'The Voice of China,' especially on Lin Zhixing. His song 'Red-Clad Lament' is like a nuclear bomb. Whoever releases that song is doomed."

"What am I supposed to do?" Zhou Xuan was on the verge of tears, "My music promotion plans are all messed up."

"Let's lay low for a while," the manager sighed. "Right now, the whole internet is flooded with posts about traditional Chinese style songs and opera-style vocals. Our kind of sweet songs aren't popular anymore. And I heard that many singers who were originally scheduled to release songs this week have announced postponements, just to avoid Lin Zhixing."

"Avoid him?" Zhou Xuan's eyes widened. "Is he really that scary?"

"Terrifying? You didn't watch last night's show, did you?"

At that moment, the door to the dance studio was pushed open.

Chen Xi walked in carrying a bag. "Sister Xuan? Still practicing?"

She is also a contracted artist with Tianyue Entertainment.

"Xi Xi!" Zhou Xuan grabbed her as if she'd seen a savior. "You're also on Ye Lan's team! Tell me, what's the background of this Lin Zhixing? Did the company buy his data? How can he be so popular?"

Chen Xi recalled the stunning stage last night, the fiery red figure, and the embrace that made her heart race, and a blush involuntarily rose on her face.

"Buying data? Sister Xuan, you're overthinking it. Brother Zhixing doesn't even have a management company right now, where would he get the money to buy data? It's all genuine organic support."

"How is that possible!" Zhou Xuan exclaimed in disbelief. "He's just a contestant who's come back from a talent show, where would he get so many fans?"

"You'll know once you listen to the song."

Chen Xi took out her phone and opened the live video of "Red-Haired Girl". "I was there last night, and the scene... I really will never forget it in my life."

Video playback.

When that operatic tune rang out, Zhou Xuan's previously defiant expression crumbled.

Although she sings sweet songs, she still has a good ear for music.

"This Peking Opera singing..." Zhou Xuan murmured to herself, "It's absolutely amazing!"

"Yes," Chen Xi exclaimed. "You didn't see it, but even Old Jiang applauded. The audience went wild. You can only feel a tenth of the impact through the screen."

As Zhou Xuan listened to Chen Xi's description and saw Chen Xi's adoring, even slightly infatuated, expression, her anger gradually turned into helplessness.

Even the company's own artists have become fans?

What's the point of fighting?!

Looking at the names on the list, Zhou Xuan suddenly thought of something.

No company?

Zhou Xuan asked Chen Xi again, "Are you sure he's a single man right now?"

Chen Xi nodded. "Really, he doesn't have a company. Xinghuang Entertainment terminated his contract before."

"Hmph, this kid's not bad, I've got my eye on him!"

Zhou Xuan suddenly snapped her fingers, her gloom vanishing and replaced by a sly smile. "Xi Xi, do me a favor and make an appointment with Lin Zhixing. Tell him I have something good to offer him."

"Huh? Sister Xuan, what do you want to do?" Chen Xi asked warily.

"Don't worry, we won't eat him."

Zhou Xuan, hands on her hips, laughed triumphantly, "Since we can't beat him, then let him join us! As long as I recruit Lin Zhixing and have him write songs for me, becoming my go-to lyricist and composer, topping the charts will be a piece of cake! Hahahaha! I'm such a genius!"

Chen Xi felt inexplicably uncomfortable.

But she didn't dare to refute it, and just forced a smile.

......

Lin Zhixing was unaware that he had become a "feared ghost" in the eyes of his peers.

Little did he know that he had been targeted by the heiress of Tianyue Entertainment.

"Achoo!"

He sneezed again.

"That's strange, why does it feel like the whole world is talking about me?"