Chapter Fifty-Four: This Is Not Retreat, But a Challenge!
Speechless!
Countless composers and industry professionals felt as if thunder was exploding beside their ears. Heaven knows what waves were stirred in their hearts the moment they saw that name.
While the official results from the "Forbidden City" program had yet to be announced, almost everyone had a final candidate in mind.
But none of them was No Word.
The comment section erupted instantly.
“How could it be No Word?”
“No Word? Damn!”
“Where did this guy spring out from?”
“That’s right, I never heard No Word took part in the theme song submission for this event.”
“Wasn’t Old Fan’s ‘Soul of the Palace’ supposed to be the winner according to the votes?”
Composers and professionals in the music world alike were utterly dumbfounded.
Especially Fan Shen, the author of "Soul of the Palace," who was left in a daze for a long while.
As a top composer in the industry, he had his channels for information. Just yesterday, he’d received the inside scoop: his "Soul of the Palace" had ranked first in the final vote.
So, barring surprises, his song was already set to become the theme.
But the unexpected came anyway.
“Where’s my first place?”
“My confirmed first place?”
How could it disappear after a night's sleep?
Fan Shen’s eyes were full of bewilderment.
Of course, compared to Fan Shen’s confusion, the industry, after their initial shock, exploded.
Because this was No Word’s third song!
Across the internet, countless people had been eagerly awaiting No Word's third song.
No one expected him to dedicate it to the theme of "Forbidden City."
So.
The lively debate over who would secure the theme song for "Forbidden City" instantly shifted.
“Is this it? No Word’s third song is this?”
“I’m so disappointed—No Word actually teamed up with the authorities.”
“It looks like No Word is playing it safe, but in truth, he’s surrendered to the singers.”
Many saw through it at once: No Word’s collaboration with the officials for the theme song was out of fear his third song might flop, so he took the safe route.
If another composer’s piece had been chosen for "Forbidden City," people would simply offer their congratulations—the program’s requirements were indeed high, and being selected meant the composer had formidable talent.
But No Word was different.
He was at the very heart of the heated debate about whether composers are merely tools.
Industry insiders judged: his third song could, to some degree, impact the future status of composers.
If the third song became a hit, a bit of hype would inevitably elevate the composer’s standing.
If the third song was ordinary, composers would remain obedient tools.
After No Word released "Invisible Wings," more than a month had passed without a new song. Most assumed he was preparing something spectacular to astonish everyone.
But who could have guessed!
No Word went off to write a theme song for CCTV’s program!
And CCTV’s theme songs—especially for documentary programs like this—bring fame, prestige, and respect... but never popularity!
Just ask yourself:
How many official, old-fashioned documentary theme songs have ever become hits?
None!
Not a single one!
A song without popularity, no matter how excellent, is still a failure.
So, most believed No Word had given in to the overwhelming public pressure, lost his nerve, and surrendered.
Many composers felt uneasy about it but couldn’t say anything; after all, they weren’t even as accomplished as No Word, so what right did they have to judge?
But...
Such a golden opportunity.
This was a chance for composers to turn things around.
And No Word let it slip away.
Perhaps,
Composers really are destined to remain mere tools forever.
...
Yunhai Media.
Liu Zhengwen was flipping through Weibo in his office.
Of course he caught wind of the online discussions immediately.
But the man who usually flew into a rage was surprisingly calm this time.
Because ever since he heard the electronic demo of "Dragon Scales of Heaven and Earth," he knew: once released, this song would catch fire!
With its superb lyrics and melody, overflowing with patriotic emotion and beautiful imagery, it was bound to explode in popularity.
“Ha, shortsighted fools!”
Seeing the flood of comments accusing Wang Mo of cowardice and playing it safe,
He sneered.
But quickly closed his mouth.
It seemed—perhaps—maybe... when he first heard Wang Mo was submitting a theme song for "Forbidden City," his own reaction had been just like these netizens?
...
On the internet, however, there was someone who thought differently.
Zhou Peng!
Yes, that guy who listened to "Whatever" with HD820 headphones.
No Word's first song made him aware of this phenomenal composer.
No Word's second song turned him into the "Discoverer No. 1" group admin for a month.
In fact, the entire debate about whether composers are mere tools was ignited by his Bilibili channel "Three-Generation Foxman." It brought him a million new followers and made him a major creator on the platform.
Having tasted success, Zhou Peng kept a close eye on No Word's moves.
Yet, since No Word released "Invisible Wings," there had been no news for over a month.
Now, at last, No Word’s third song had arrived!
“Here’s my chance!”
Like a shot of adrenaline, Zhou Peng opened Bilibili and logged into the "Three-Generation Foxman" account.
In an instant,
A new essay took shape.
Titled: "No Word’s Third Song: Conquering CCTV’s Theme—Playing It Safe? Retreat? No! I Say It’s a Challenge!"
A punchy headline—provocative at first glance.
Truthfully, Zhou Peng’s confidence in No Word’s third song as the "Forbidden City" theme was shaky, but after the previous viral video, he’d grasped the essence of short-form content: to gain traction, an uploader must go against the grain.
So he absolutely couldn’t follow the mainstream; he had to offer a contrary perspective.
The content:
"Today, CCTV’s grand documentary ‘Forbidden City’ ended its three-month call for submissions and announced its final theme: No Word’s ‘Dragon Scales of Heaven and Earth.’
Everyone assumed this meant No Word lost confidence, played it safe, retreated.
They all believed he’d grown timid, anxious, afraid.
But I don’t see it that way.
No Word gave his first song ‘Whatever’ to a universally recognized failure to sing—was that cowardice?
He entrusted his second masterpiece ‘Invisible Wings’ to a newcomer nearly abandoned by the company—was that cowardice?
He released his song five days into the month—was that cowardice?
With two songs, he created miracles deemed impossible, and with his actions, he’s shown us that his life contains no cowardice, no fear—only challenges.
So, I boldly declare: No Word’s journey to the ‘Forbidden City’ theme is not a retreat, but a challenge to the impossible!
He intends to use a theme song for a documentary—thought by everyone to be a niche, cold subject—to create yet another miracle deemed impossible by all.
Just wait!
Don’t jump to conclusions so quickly.
On the day the theme song’s MV airs, we might witness No Word deliver a whole new shock!"
Edited.
Click.
Send.
Zhou Peng truly grasped the essence of self-media; as soon as this highly controversial video went live on "Three-Generation Foxman," a tidal wave ensued, and the comment section instantly exploded.