"I'll bet fifty cents that Best Male Singer and Best Female Singer are definitely going to my Chen and my Fei!"
"Take your fifty cents home and buy a popsicle. Don't you know being the overwhelming favorite is exactly why people lose? It's far from a done deal!"
"My Chen's Best Male Singer award might be a stretch, but your Fei should have Best Female Singer locked down."
"I can't even talk to you people. If those two awards go to someone else, I swear I'm never watching the Golden Melody Chart again!"
"Stop arguing, everyone. The results aren't out yet."
The Lu Chen livestream room on Whale TV was buzzing with heated debate. Plenty of fans firmly believed that Best Male Singer and Best Female Singer were practically guaranteed, but just as many weren't so sure. Some were even convinced neither of them would win.
Why?
Because it was impossible for an awards ceremony of this size to be completely free of behind-the-scenes politics. And this wasn't the first time Lu Chen had faced industry snubbing.
Winning would be incredible, but even if he didn't, there was no reason to be disappointed. Lu Chen's talent didn't need a trophy to prove anything.
It was better to keep expectations realistic.
As the debate wore on, quite a few fans began dialing back their hopes.
Maybe Best Composer or Best Lyrics would be enough.
Just as Lu Chen had said, they simply didn't want him walking away empty-handed. Six nominations without a single win would be too embarrassing.
While the online debate raged, Lu Chen and Chen Fei'er walked hand in hand into the main auditorium of the National Centre for the Performing Arts and took their seats.
Lu Chen had actually visited the venue earlier that year, back in February.
He had attended the Asian Chinese Music Awards then, earning four nominations and ultimately taking home two Golden Lark Awards: Best Newcomer and Best Composer.
That had also been the final edition of the Asian Chinese Music Awards before its merger into the Global Chinese Music Awards.
Still, Lu Chen remembered the glory of that night vividly.
Those two Golden Lark Awards had established his standing in the Chinese pop music scene.
And back then, his relationship with Chen Fei'er hadn't been officially revealed yet.
In a way, the National Centre for the Performing Arts was his lucky spot.
So this time, with six nominations to his name, how many trophies would he walk away with?
Lu Chen was eager to find out.
The main auditorium held 5,000 seats. Lu Chen and Chen Fei'er were seated on the right side of the second row, surrounded by familiar faces.
Tan Hong, Liao Jia, Li Xing, and Su Yingying were all powerhouse figures in the industry.
Lu Chen also spotted Liu Gangsheng, who smiled and waved at him, a gesture that drew curious glances from the surrounding crowd.
Tonight was truly a grand gathering for Chinese pop music.
By 7:30 p.m., all 5,000 seats were filled. Under the brilliant lighting, cameras positioned around the hall captured every detail.
The massive stage screen slowly lit up, displaying the golden lettering "Global Chinese Music Awards Ceremony." Billowing dry ice mixed with dynamic light beams to create an ethereal backdrop.
Soft background music swelled, and the venue quickly quieted down.
The hosts made their official entrance onstage.
As usual, the lineup consisted of prominent CCTV personalities. The familiar four-person team, two men and two women, was instantly recognizable to the audience.
"Distinguished leaders and honored guests!"
"Dear friends here in the auditorium and viewers watching from home!"
"Good evening!"
"..."
The voices were familiar, yet all 5,000 guests, including the megastars in the front rows, listened attentively to the hosts' poetic opening remarks.
As the final line delivered, thunderous applause echoed through the hall.
The ceremony kicked off with a grand song-and-dance performance.
Interestingly, the opening act used Lu Chen's *I Love You, China* as its theme song, rendered by a renowned classical vocalist.
Her vocal technique was every bit as impressive as Lu Chen's. Blending bel canto precision with raw emotion, she brought out the deep patriotic resonance of the track, immediately raising the energy in the room to a fever pitch.
"That's a fine song you wrote," Tan Hong said, turning toward Lu Chen. "You should write a few more like it in the future. It'll do you good."
At the previous Asian Chinese Music Awards, Tan Hong had received the Lifetime Achievement Award. He had since largely stepped back from the industry, rarely appearing in public.
Though he held no nominations for this inaugural ceremony, he had come to show his support after receiving an invitation. His seat happened to be right next to Lu Chen's.
Lu Chen took the veteran's advice to heart. "I will, Big Brother Tan."
Lately, his shift into TV and feature films had left him with less time for singing and writing songs.
However, he hadn't forgotten his roots. Plans were already underway for his third solo album, set for release around mid-next year.
His first solo concert was also officially on the schedule for Lu Chen Workshop.
Tan Hong smiled and patted his shoulder. "You've always done exceptional work. Just keep going."
Lu Chen nodded firmly.
As they spoke, the opening performance wrapped up. The four hosts returned to center stage to announce the night's first award.
The inaugural honor of the Global Chinese Music Awards was Best Newcomer of the Year.
Five nominees were up for the award, all rising talents who had made a major splash in the mainland, Hong Kong, or Taiwan music scenes over the past year.
After a few moments of suspenseful commentary, veteran singer Yue Zhao'an finally delivered the verdict.
"The Global Chinese Music Award for Best Newcomer of the Year goes to..."
"Xiao Yao!"
The moment the name was called, four of the five nominee photos vanished from the giant screen, leaving one enlarged portrait in the center. Confetti rained down from above as celebratory music filled the hall.
"Congratulations, Xiao Yao!"
In one section of the audience, a group jumped up in excitement, hugging and cheering.
The camera swept across the crowd before locking onto a young woman, displaying her tear-streaked face on the main screen.
Applause swept through the hall.
She made her way onstage, accepted the trophy, and delivered an emotional acceptance speech thanking everyone who had supported her.
Next came the second category: Best New Group of the Year.
Among the five nominated acts was the Little Tiger Group, which had only formed earlier that year.
Sister Li was sitting in the third row alongside her son and the group members, just a dozen meters behind Lu Chen and Chen Fei'er.
She was visibly tense, so consumed by anxiety that she didn't even notice Lu Chen and Chen Fei'er looking back at them with encouraging smiles.
Liao Jia was tasked with presenting the award. True to his straightforward nature, the veteran star skipped any dramatic pauses, tearing open the envelope and pulling out the card.
His eyes scanned the paper.
Then, he announced three words:
"Little Tiger Group!"
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(End of Chapter)
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