Perfect Superstar.

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'Wave Blog' is the largest blogging platform in the country and serves as one of the most significant battlegrounds for new media discourse. 

Even the slightest spark on this platform can be amplified, spreading like wildfire. 

The site is also teeming with marketing accounts and online trolls. Whenever a hot topic arises, these entities often jump in, either fanning the flames or exploiting the chaos for their own gain, regardless of their direct involvement. 

The initial trigger for the controversy surrounding Lu Chen's elimination from 'The Strongest Singer' was undoubtedly Stray Cat's blog post. However, what truly ignited the firestorm were three official statements issued by 'The Strongest Singer' program team under Xiangnan TV. 

The first statement was released at 11:02 PM on July 27. Its content was brief, dismissing Stray Cat's blog post as baseless nonsense not worth addressing and warning certain individuals against maliciously stirring up trouble. 

Just 20 minutes later, at 11:22 PM, 'The Strongest Singer''s official blog published another post, providing a detailed rebuttal to Stray Cat's claims. 

This second post ironically seemed to contradict their first. 

In this post, the program team emphasized that the audition process for 'The Strongest Singer' was open and fair, leaving no room for shady practices or bias against newcomers. 

They proudly stated that the show had made an indelible contribution to the original music scene in the country, helping countless talented creators rise to prominence. 

As for Lu Chen, who had participated in the auditions, the program team expressed regret at missing out on such a talented creator. They acknowledged that 'In Spring' was an outstanding original song. 

However, Lu Chen did not perform 'In Spring' during the auditions but chose another piece instead. His performance at the time failed to impress the judging panel, leading to his elimination. 

This, they argued, highlighted the fairness and rigor of 'The Strongest Singer', which was the key to the show's skyrocketing ratings. The program's reputation, they declared, could not be tarnished or slandered. 

The truth, they claimed, was just that simple. 

The program team issued a stern warning to Stray Cat, demanding that the blogger retract their post, issue a public apology, and take steps to mitigate the damage. They also reserved the right to pursue legal action. 

Xiangnan TV, the undisputed leader among regional satellite TV stations, had a powerful PR and marketing team. Their response to crises was swift and decisive, aimed at extinguishing potential issues before they escalated. 

As one of the most influential verified accounts on 'Wave Blog' with over 10 million followers, Xiangnan TV's official blog, along with 'The Strongest Singer''s verified account, garnered massive likes, comments, and shares for these two posts. 

These included support from numerous celebrities, industry professionals, and prominent bloggers! 

The overwhelming media influence of Xiangnan TV was not something a small blogger like Stray Cat could withstand. The two posts effectively crushed Stray Cat's blog, flooding its comment section with ridicule and scorn. Both Lu Chen and Capital City TV were collateral damage in the backlash. 

At 11:55 PM, 'The Strongest Singer' program team released a third post. 

This post praised Ling Xiaoxiao, describing him as a leader among the new generation of singers, both in talent and character. 

It highlighted that his original works perfectly matched his youthful charm and personality, which contributed to his immense popularity and loyal fanbase. The post concluded by wishing him great success in the upcoming national finals. 

The post also tagged Ling Xiaoxiao and his fan club, the "Xiaoxiao Support Team." 

The Xiaoxiao Support Team, which boasted over 100,000 members, was highly active on 'Wave Blog'. 

Ling Xiaoxiao responded two minutes later with a simple smiley face and the words "Thank you." 

His fans, however, were far from subtle. Under the coordination of their fan club leaders, they swarmed into Stray Cat's and Lu Chen's blogs, launching relentless attacks that continued from midnight into the morning. 

Lu Chen was bombarded with vitriol, leaving him figuratively drenched in insults. 

Since the three official posts from Capital City TV were published after Lu Chen had finished his livestream, he remained unaware of the situation until his morning workout, when Li Feiyu brought it to his attention. 

Li Feiyu was outraged, slamming the table as he exclaimed, "These brain-dead fans are completely unreasonable! Stray Cat wasn't wrong at all. In terms of talent, skill, and even looks, you leave Ling Xiaoxiao in the dust!" 

Lu Chen couldn't help but laugh. 

Ling Xiaoxiao was from Huhai, a 21-year-old graduate of the Music Department at Huhai Media University. With delicate features, fair skin, and a trendy sense of style, he embodied the popular "fresh-faced idol" image currently dominating the entertainment industry, making him a magnet for fans. 

In terms of appearance, Lu Chen and Ling Xiaoxiao were entirely different. While Ling Xiaoxiao had a delicate and fashionable charm, Lu Chen exuded a tall, handsome, and sunny disposition. 

Directly comparing the two was difficult, as public aesthetic preferences varied greatly. 

However, when it came to height, Lu Chen undeniably had the upper hand. While Ling Xiaoxiao was rumored to be only 1.67 meters tall (and reached 1.72 meters with height-increasing shoes), Lu Chen stood at an impressive 1.82 meters barefoot. 

As for musical talent, Li Feiyu had even more to say: "Look at this post! It claims that Ling Xiaoxiao's three songs are plagiarized from tracks by the Korean boy band KDK from their 2003 and 2005 albums. Many parts are blatantly copied. How can he call himself a leader of the new generation?" 

The 'Greater China Music Library' mainly registers domestic original works, but international works can also be registered through agencies, ensuring copyright protection. 

However, due to weak enforcement of anti-piracy measures in the country, many foreign artists from Europe, Japan, and South Korea rarely register their works in the 'Greater China Music Library'. The limited financial returns and high registration and maintenance fees discourage them from defending their rights. 

This loophole has allowed many in the domestic entertainment industry to emulate or outright plagiarize international trends. While ethical individuals pay for cover licenses, others shamelessly copy and rebrand the works as their own, promoting them through assembly-line packaging and marketing strategies. 

This fast, cost-effective model is seen by many entertainment companies as a magic weapon for success. 

Fast songs, divine tracks, earworms, rap… Whatever trends abroad immediately influence the domestic scene. 

The rampant use of this same "magic weapon" has severely damaged the country's original creative power. Aside from a few top-tier songwriters, most mid- and lower-level creators struggle to make ends meet, often forcing them to leave the industry altogether. 

There are insightful voices within the country calling for a revival of original music. Some even claim that the laissez-faire attitude of Europe, Japan, and South Korea toward copyright is deliberate— a slow-acting poison aimed at stifling domestic originality! 

While this theory might lean toward conspiracy, the pervasive trend of imitating and plagiarizing Western, Japanese, and Korean styles is an undeniable reality. 

However, idol fans rarely care about such matters. Their focus is on their idols' looks, scandals, gossip, and talents like energetic singing and dancing— nothing more is required! 

Of course, many media outlets and musicians oppose this trend. Those who lived through the golden age of pop music in the 80s and 90s, when classics emerged one after another, feel deeply discontented with the entertainment industry's growing obsession with foreign trends after the initial novelty wears off. 

The fact that 'In Spring' reached the top of the original sound charts is proof enough of this sentiment. 

This is an era of transformation— a time when popular music is experiencing both its worst and its best moments! 

And Lu Chen is right at the heart of it! 

---

Li Feiyu said, "A lot of posts and blogs accusing Ling Xiaoxiao of plagiarism have been deleted. Xiangnan TV's influence is really something. Big Chen, should we post something to fight back?" 

He had come to the workshop early, only to discover through a WeChat group that Lu Chen's blog was under attack. After painstakingly piecing together the whole story, he was furious. 

Not only did 'The Strongest Singer' eliminate Lu Chen during the auditions, but now they were trying to shift the blame. The insinuations in their third blog post were glaringly obvious to anyone paying attention. It was outright infuriating! 

Li Feiyu had already blocked and reported numerous accounts in the comment section, but the sheer volume of attacks was overwhelming. His frustration was palpable. 

Fight back? 

Lu Chen thought for a moment and calmly said, "Don't rush. Let me figure things out first." 

Li Feiyu was exasperated. "They've come to slap you in the face! If you don't respond, what kind of man would you be?" 

Lu Chen couldn't practice "ninja patience" either. 

But stepping into this industry meant facing its storms and challenges. Simply losing one's temper would achieve nothing. On the contrary, it could provide ammunition for critics and worsen his position. 

Counterattacks were necessary, but the key was delivering them effectively. 

After all, he was up against the formidable Xiangnan TV. Without hard evidence, mere words wouldn't give him the upper hand in this public opinion war. 

Moreover, the stance of Capital City TV was crucial. If they hadn't responded yet, charging in recklessly would only make him a convenient target for further attacks. 

Li Feiyu hesitated and asked, "Should we at least shut down the comment section for now?" 

Closing the comment section would prevent people from posting insults, offering some peace of mind. 

"No need!" 

Lu Chen firmly rejected the idea. "Let them curse. The more vicious they are now, the more satisfying it'll be when we turn the tables later!" 

He pulled out his phone and dialed a familiar number. 

Lu Chen had a strong hunch that this situation was 90% orchestrated by a certain someone. He had anticipated this moment. 

Now it was time to demand an explanation. 

"I thought you'd call me last night…" 

On the other end of the line, Chen Jianhao's voice came through, chuckling. "Didn't expect you to take so long. I'm a little disappointed!" 

--- 

'(End of Chapter)'