Chapter 163: A Fierce Exchange of Words with Old Man Zhou Wan

The competition for the Golden Bell Awards remained fierce.

“Dusk” was garnering over a hundred thousand votes daily, and that was without any promotion.

The song “Dusk” sent shockwaves through the music scene.

Along with another track, “Faith,” it left all lyricists and composers pale in comparison.

On the eve of the Mid-Autumn Festival, the Postman emerged unexpectedly, becoming the brightest star in the music world.

But the Postman’s impact was far from over.

Because Peach Baby released a single!

The single was titled “Huangmei Opera”!

“Huangmei Opera” was a Mandarin pop song performed by Murong Xiaoxiao, with lyrics and composition by Tian Yilong and He Xin, arranged by Huashun Culture, and included in the album “Love Trade,” released on September 10, 2010.

The Postman introduced “Huangmei Opera” to this world, marking the first fusion and collision between traditional opera and Mandarin pop music.

Once released, both opera aficionados and lay listeners fell silent in awe.

Of course, Peach Baby used her alternate account for the release, adopting the stage name “No Durian.”

Her voice in the single was enchanting, imbued with a rich operatic tone:

“Since childhood, my parents have told me

Huangmei opera is not easy to sing

Imitating the gestures of the elders

I fulfilled my wish

...

Where is my beloved now?

Leaving home to save Li Lang

Unexpectedly, the imperial examination’s top scholar

Wore a red robe

With a hat adorned with palace flowers, so fresh and new

This is a classic melody

Intoxicating, how can I forget?

How I long to return to those youthful days

Singing along with the music

This is a classic melody

Taking me back to that world

How I wish to continue this love with you

No matter how many storms lie ahead

Just like this opera

...”

Especially the line—“Leaving home to save Li Lang, unexpectedly, the imperial examination’s top scholar, wore a red robe, with a hat adorned with palace flowers, so fresh and new...” —

That authentic, professional operatic style instantly won over many listeners.

“Hey, a newcomer named No Durian just released a new song. Wait, this song... why does it have operatic vocals?”

“What kind of singing technique is this?”

“What’s going on? My DNA is reacting; I feel this song is amazing!”

“I usually don’t listen to opera, but this song is really good!”

“That operatic style is incredible!”

“So songs can even take this form? My goodness, my world has opened up. Let me check who wrote and composed it.”

“No way, the Postman!!”

“The Postman!!”

“Is the Postman human or divine?”

Once released, the single “Huangmei Opera” attracted widespread attention.

The unprecedented fusion of traditional culture with pop music brought unimaginable impact and shock to this world.

It was, without a doubt, a game-changing blow!

Wu Shaodong, a legendary lyricist from Red Queen Entertainment, listened to the song, his eyes vacant: “So songs can be like this... I’ve had an epiphany!”

Lin Dao’an, a hall-of-fame musician, was silent for a long time after listening, then muttered almost madly, “This Postman, is he human or god? Is he human or god?!”

Within just two days of its release, the single “Huangmei Opera” soared to sixth place on the must-listen charts, rapidly catching up to new songs by Liu Ruyun and Chen Feng.

Both Chen Feng and Liu Ruyun remained silent.

Because this was yet another trump card!

Did the Postman’s talent know no bounds?

“Yang Tao, use Peach Baby’s account to promote this song,” Shen Xian said.

Peach Baby hesitated a bit: “Won’t that... look bad?”

“No worries, it’s your own account, and you’re not charging for it,” Shen Xian reassured her.

Heeding Shen Xian’s words, Peach Baby began promoting the single through her account.

With a follower base of ninety million, the promotion exploded, and the song quickly surpassed the new releases by Liu Ruyun and others, climbing to third place!

In other words, the top three spots on the must-listen chart were all taken by the Postman.

Kyoto.

Zhou Yanshi was lying on a recliner, basking in the sun. Next to him was a multimedia player emitting the crooning sounds of opera.

Growing impatient, he casually switched it off.

The playlist had the same handful of tracks on repeat, and he was tired of them.

“These people, if they don’t strive for progress and keep fighting over fame and fortune without focusing on creating pure content, it’ll be very hard to promote drama and opera,” Zhou Yanshi sighed.

His eldest son, Zhou Xingzheng, hurried over holding his phone. “Dad, listen to this song.”

Zhou Xingzheng was the national inheritor of theatrical culture, chairman of the Opera Association, secretary of the Party Committee at Kyoto Drama Academy, and a deputy minister-level official.

“I’ve never liked listening to songs,” Zhou Yanshi opened his eyes. “Look at today’s music, all whining without cause!”

“Especially that Postman’s song recently, so annoying—always about love and feelings, so tiresome!”

“Dad, I still suggest you listen to this one,” Zhou Xingzheng said.

Before he could continue, Zhou Wan’s father, Zhou Xingjian, approached.

Zhou Yanshi sat up, interested. “Oh? What song is it?”

Zhou Xingzheng promptly played “Huangmei Opera” on his phone.

“Just another pop song, boring,” Zhou Yanshi said, lying back down and closing his eyes. “Take it away.”

But when the song reached its climax, the line “Leaving home to save Li Lang” instantly made him open his eyes.

That flawless operatic voice seemed to lift the lid off Zhou Yanshi’s mind.

He sat upright abruptly, listening intently. “This is...”

“Yes, a first-ever fusion of pop music and traditional opera, creating a completely new genre!” Zhou Xingzheng explained. “And the creator is that Postman you dislike!”

Zhou Yanshi took the phone, squinting to read the lyrics carefully, then exclaimed in admiration: “I underestimated this Postman. He’s truly talented to think of combining traditional opera with pop music!”

Zhou Xingjian added, “This Postman has talent, but unfortunately wastes it on love songs and sadness all day. It’s a complete waste!”

“The story this song tells is also quite interesting. Maybe it could be adapted into an opera. If only we could hear it on Da Shou’s birthday,” Zhou Yanshi mused. “But with only a few days left, there’s no time to write the script or rehearse. Forget it, don’t bother.”

“I’ll give it a try,” Zhou Xingzheng thought to himself, deciding to immediately arrange for someone to contact the Postman to purchase the rights and adapt it into an opera.

The old man was already ninety years old; they couldn’t deny him this wish, could they?

After returning to his office, Zhou Xingjian logged into TikTok and dug out an old account he rarely used.

The account had over two million followers, verified under the name “Purple Qi Comes from the East,” identified as a writer. The bright orange V badge was striking. This was another of his pen names.

What?

You want to know why he had so many pen names?

Even Lu Xun had several.

What’s strange about an author having three or four pen names?

Nowadays, who doesn’t have a handful of aliases?

“Purple Qi Comes from the East” held a certain influence in literary circles, though few knew it was the pen name of Xue Shuai, a Nobel Literature Prize nominee.

He found the Postman’s account and left a comment under the “Dusk” video: “Young man, don’t get lost in these lovey-dovey songs. Promoting traditional culture won’t kill you. You’re not incapable of it. Why waste your time on these meaningless laments? Think carefully about my words—these silly love stories won’t make you gain an ounce of growth.”

“Who’s Purple Qi Comes from the East? What a bold comment!”

“Isn’t that the great writer Purple Qi Comes from the East?”

“He’s actually criticizing the Postman!”

“A traditional writer roasting a composer? Interesting.”

Soon, Purple Qi’s comment was liked and pinned to the top by fans.

Shen Xian noticed the comment quickly, surprised to attract the attention of a traditional writer. He replied politely: “Hello, great writer. Do you have any issues with me?”

Purple Qi promptly responded: “Stop writing those pointless sad love songs. Your path isn’t there. Promote traditional culture more. None of your sentimental songs are listenable to me.”

Shen Xian frowned at once.

Isn’t this traditional writer meddling a bit too much?

He immediately shot back: “What’s it to you?”

“Private chat,” Purple Qi said, then sent the Postman a direct message: “Young man, don’t go astray. Follow the right path!”

Damn!

Could Shen Xian stand for this?

He immediately launched into a fiery back-and-forth.