The next day, the buzz about the signing event still hadn't died down, and another hot topic was quickly rising—tonight's Hua Country's Strongest Voice.

After the last competition, everyone was dying to see this one. After all, they knew that every competition brought a new song from Gu Xingyi, and they were all incredibly catchy!

Since Gu Xingyi had appeared, their playlists had never lacked good songs.

In recent days, some bold media outlets online even spoke up, saying that Gu Xingyi was the person sent by heaven to create a new era in the music industry!

Netizens agreed with this, thinking that this time, it was truly a case of a hero creating the times. Rather than saying that talent defeated capital, it was more accurate to say that capital could no longer suppress talent!

Gu Xingyi, with his talent, had turned the entire music industry upside down.

If he succeeded in taking down Tianmei Entertainment this time, he would become the first person in history to shake the foundations of a giant company with just his own efforts.

In Jiang City, at Xingyao Entertainment, Gu Xingyi and Xia Xiyao had just arrived at the company when Yang Chenglin came to find them.

"Mr. Gu, Ren Xiaoyao passed the interview. However, his job position is still to be decided. I think there are two positions that suit him. One is the head of the security department. He knows a lot of people in this area, and it would be good to have him lead the team."

"The second is your assistant. Based on his previous work experience, he could do well in management and liaison, and his related qualifications are solid."

Yang Chenglin said, handing Gu Xingyi the interview materials for Ren Xiaoyao.

Gu Xingyi took the materials and looked at them seriously, then suddenly raised his head to ask.

"Do you know why he was let go from his last job?"

Yang Chenglin nodded.

"I asked. He couldn't stand some of the behavior under the table by his boss, and most importantly, he couldn't stand how his boss bullied the newcomers. So, he was let go. With that kind of character, it really doesn't suit the workplace."

"I see. That's good. At least his values are right, and his character seems decent." Gu Xingyi said as he flipped through the materials. After finishing, he looked up again and asked, "Do you know about his family situation?"

"I didn't ask, but he requested that he could only start work after 9 a.m. He can work late at night, but from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., he has to go home. Of course, he said the salary could be lowered, but the time issue is non-negotiable."

Gu Xingyi nodded thoughtfully, then raised his hand and returned the materials to Yang Chenglin.

"Let's keep the salary standard. Let's ask him if he's willing to be my assistant. If not, the head of the security department will work too. Ask him what he thinks."

Yang Chenglin took the materials, frowning slightly, but she didn't say anything. She just nodded and left the office.

Xia Xiyao also looked over, a bit confused, and asked curiously.

"Is there something special about this person? You seem to value him."

"I don't know, it's just... Yesterday I saw his daughter, and the way he acted, I just had a bad feeling. I hope I'm just overthinking. We'll know more once we get to know him."

Gu Xingyi shook his head, his face a bit heavy.

Yesterday, he had sensed something off. What bothered him was Ren Xiaoyao's words—he hoped that one day, he could let Nini see her favorite jiejie.

And because of this, he traveled all this way, even though he wasn't sure if he'd be able to meet Xiao Nainai. That felt a bit unusual.

What could be the reason behind his urgency?

Gu Xingyi wasn't sure. Yesterday, he and Ren Xiaoyao had just started talking, so they hadn't reached those topics yet.

...

Time passed quickly, and it was now 8 PM. Hua Country's Strongest Voice Episode 4 was upon them.

The highly anticipated first performance of the night had begun, with Tianmei Entertainment sending a top-tier singer to perform an original love song.

This love song had the netizens nodding in approval, acknowledging that the level had indeed risen. Tianmei Entertainment was finally starting to put in some real effort!

However, even though the standard had reached the top level of the old music scene, unfortunately, netizens were still more excited for Gu Xingyi's songs.

There's a saying: "You're good, but he's better!"

There's no harm in comparison. This generation of lyricists and composers had reached their peak, but when compared to Gu Xingyi, all other lyricists and composers had to step aside.

Finally, it was Xingyao Entertainment's turn to perform. The audience was delighted to discover that yet again, Xingyao Entertainment was introducing new talent—this time, a duo!

The last surprise from the new duo, Feng Xiaoxiao and Yi Shuihan, had already left a huge impression. To their surprise, this time, it was another duo, and it was the folk singers who had been exposed on the internet before.

Wang Xinyi and Wu Peiling!

The familiar high stools, the familiar white T-shirts and jeans, the familiar guitar, and the girls.

Clearly, they were preparing to perform a folk song.

The audience couldn't help but become excited. None of the folk songs they'd heard so far had broken through into the mainstream. Could this one bring them a different experience?

The music began, and the song title appeared on the big screen. Wu Peiling gently strummed the guitar while Wang Xinyi swayed slightly, sharing a smile with her.

This beautiful scene made both the live audience and the online viewers subconsciously calm their hearts.

The music was pure, the singers were pure, everything was just right.

They looked at the big screen, and once again, it was a song written by Xingyao, performed by: Landlord's Cat.

And the song title on the screen fit the folk genre perfectly.

Cloud Smoke Turns to Rain.

With the music and guitar, Wang Xinyi softly began to sing, her voice pure, penetrating the heart.

   "Your goodnight, it's an unconscious pity~

   I stay up late, treating insomnia and dreams~

   That handwritten letter, left at the bottom of the suitcase~

   I didn't have time to give it the meaning of the journey~"

All the listeners who heard this voice found their hearts quietly settling. The song seemed to have a kind of magic that calmed their inner turmoil.

This was the unique charm of folk music!

Folk music has three themes: love, ideals, and the distant future.

These are the deepest desires in everyone's heart. At this moment, everyone who heard the song thought back to the dream they once hid in their hearts.

These dreams might have been about the one they once loved, the ideals they had long lost, or the hopes crushed by reality.

These things, once obtained and then lost, were now awakened by Wang Xinyi's voice.

   "If everything has turned to cloud smoke and rain~

   Can I become the mud, and once again stain you~

   If life is just a passing movie~

   (Oh) let me wake up from a sweet dream once more~

   How I wish to see you again~

   Even if it's just a fleeting glance before we part~

   The silhouette under the streetlight~

   The forest path that stretches further and further~"