Chapter 149: Twelve Trophies!

“Xiao Jiang, why are you spacing out? Hurry up and go receive your award!”

It was only when someone reminded him that Jiang Lun snapped back to reality. “Oh, right!”

Liu Nan and Zhang Run also came to their senses, smiling as they congratulated him, though each harbored their own thoughts.

Though Zhang Run maintained a smile, he truly wanted to slap himself. What a jinx he had been—his earlier polite remark had unexpectedly come true; the award really had gone to Jiang Lun.

Liu Nan was somewhat worried too. With a newcomer like Jiang Lun suddenly rising, would the Best Male Singer award still be his to claim?

But then he reconsidered: Jiang Lun had already secured Best New Artist; the judges wouldn’t give him another award. Could Zhao Run win it instead?

Both men watched Jiang Lun step onto the stage, their feelings a tangled mix of anxiety and resignation.

At previous award ceremonies, Jiang Lun’s acceptance speeches were brief but heartfelt: he thanked his company and team, his parents and family, fans and friends, his girlfriend, the judging panel and organizers, even Zhang Run and Liu Nan, as well as everyone present that evening.

Who would he thank this time?

Hesitating slightly, Jiang Lun took the trophy from Dai Weiwei’s hand. “Thank you, Teacher Dai. Thank you, Hua Ge Chart!”

“Xiao Jiang, young and promising, keep up the great work!” Dai Weiwei smiled. “Say a few words, will you?”

Jiang Lun sighed, “Teacher Dai, this is already the fifth time!”

“Ha ha...” The voice echoed through the speakers, drawing laughter from the audience.

“Still, say something! Anything will do!”

Dai Weiwei chuckled, understanding how difficult this was for him.

Jiang Lun looked out at the crowd, then said thoughtfully, “Since I have to say a thank-you speech, I’ll thank myself.”

The audience froze for a moment but found nothing inappropriate in his words. After all, Jiang Lun had won so many awards tonight; no matter how many people he thanked, the one most deserving of gratitude was himself.

Many felt his words were sincere. After all, artists are much the same: no matter how many achievements they rack up or how many people they thank on stage, once offstage, they quietly take pride in their own success.

But that pride must be tempered, lest it swell into arrogance. So those who envied Jiang Lun, those who truly disliked him deep down, sneered inwardly.

“I never expected to win Most Popular Male Singer and Best New Artist right out of the gate. But honestly, these two awards don’t excite me as much as my previous Best Composer award, because at heart, I am a musician, and I love music!”

Jiang Lun continued, “As for Most Popular Male Singer, many are more deserving, but since I am Jiang Lun, the one I am most grateful to is still myself!”

With that, he turned and left the stage without even a bow.

The audience was stunned. Only after Jiang Lun returned to his seat did the applause begin—slowly at first, then swelling into a sustained ovation that lasted quite some time.

“Xiao Jiang, you’ve really taken Xiao Zhang’s spot!” Liu Nan laughed. “In past years, he topped the votes, but this year you surpassed him by over a hundred thousand!”

Jiang Lun chuckled awkwardly, glancing at Zhang Run. “Sorry, Run Ge, I didn’t expect this either.”

“Hey, no need to apologize. It’s been four years; it was time for a change. Losing by over a hundred thousand votes, I accept it wholeheartedly!” Zhang Run masked his bitterness.

He remembered how he once campaigned on Weibo, rallying fans for votes. Now, looking at Jiang Lun, who hadn’t even uttered a word about it on Weibo, fan groups, or forums, he realized how certain he had been of victory. Yet this year’s outcome was so different.

Just as Zhang Run frowned, the announcement for the Annual Best Male Singer began.

Unexpectedly, the twist came swiftly.

“The winner of the Annual Best Male Singer, Mainland division, is—Zhang Run! Congratulations!”

Upon hearing this, Zhang Run looked up in stunned disbelief, his first glance seeking Liu Nan.

“Nan Ge...”

“Cough, cough!” Liu Nan forced an awkward smile. “I’m talking to you—go up and accept your award!”

“Nan Ge...” Zhang Run now truly believed his own words. He had joked earlier that if Liu Nan won Best Male Singer again, could he give it to him? And here it was—the drama was unbelievable!

As Zhang Run rose to the stage, Jiang Lun comforted Liu Nan, “Nan Ge, it’s okay!”

“I know! Seven times already—I’m content!” Liu Nan smiled bitterly. “Xiao Jiang, don’t think I’m fragile!”

“Heh, of course not!” Jiang Lun laughed. “There’s still more to come; you’ll definitely get one!”

“No pressure!” Liu Nan waved his hand. “Anyway, the Best Live Performance award is mine!”

When Zhang Run returned from the stage, he looked noticeably better, smiling and more upbeat. He even reassured Liu Nan, “Nan Ge, the next award will definitely be yours!”

“Heh...” Liu Nan smiled, knowing the next award was Best Female Singer, and thus, not his.

After Best Female Singer Su Hong stepped down, she beamed at Jiang Lun. “Luckily you’re a male singer; otherwise, us female singers would be in trouble!”

“Sister Hong, you’re joking. I was just a bit lucky tonight,” Jiang Lun replied with a smile, feeling a little bashful.

The ceremony had lasted seven hours, with most major awards handed out. Even the Mainland Best Composer trophy found its way into Jiang Lun’s collection.

By now, Jiang Lun had taken home six trophies.

Though Liu Nan missed out on Best Male Singer, he unexpectedly received the Annual Outstanding Achievement Award in Chinese Pop Music—a first for him. This award goes to only one person each year, regardless of gender or region.

This turned his sorrow into joy, and after stepping down, he began clamoring to go out and celebrate.

According to tradition, the Outstanding Achievement Award is the final grand prize, followed only by the Top Ten Golden Songs.

Among those Top Ten hits, Jiang Lun claimed five: “Nunchucks,” “The Only One,” “Jiangnan,” “Fireworks Fade Quickly,” and “Once You.”

“Once You” was not on Jiang Lun’s debut album but featured on the soundtrack of the TV drama “The Year of Graduation.” Thanks to Jiang Lun, that soundtrack won the Annual TV and Film Soundtrack Production Award, though the trophy went to Li Ronghao and was accepted by Li Qing on his behalf.

Eleven trophies in total—a record in the history of the Hua Ge Chart.

But was eleven the end?

Many media present had already prepared headlines like: “Jiang Lun Sweeps the Board: Eleven Trophies Lead the Hua Ge Chart!” or “Jiang Lun: Writing Glory in the Hua Ge Chart with Eleven Awards!” and the like.

Yet no one expected the surprise at the very end.

The honorary chairman of the Hua Ge Chart Executive Committee, Liang Hongshen, chairman of the Jingcheng Star Media Entertainment Group and the event organizer, took the stage.

Instead of the usual closing remarks, he said, “Friends here tonight, I see many have already left. After ten-plus hours of music, it’s understandable no one can sit still. Heh, I’m nodding off myself. But I can’t leave—not because I have to give a final speech, but because I have to announce a newly established award this year—the Annual Chinese Music Style Innovation Award!”

“Huh? What award?”

“The Annual Chinese Music Style Innovation Award? That’s a mouthful!”

“What does it signify?”

“No idea! There was no hint of this before!”

“I think I know who’s getting it—style innovation... heh!”

“Could it be Jiang Lun again? Surely it must be. Who else but him?”

“There were a few pop-rap songs from other singers in the latter half of the year, but Jiang Lun was the first. And then there’s Peking Opera Rock—many have tried to imitate it, but none have done it well!”

“Jiang Lun has proven with his actions that the future of Chinese music belongs to the young!”

The audience buzzed with speculation—some were celebrities, others behind-the-scenes music industry folks, journalists, and most of all, devoted fans.

Only true fans remained until this late hour.

Jiang Lun’s fanbase was small—just one group, barely thirty people—but they all stayed.

Upon hearing the award’s name, the entire room stood, shouting Jiang Lun’s name in unison.

Those preparing to leave halted, turning back to await the final announcement.

Liang Hongshen, without any notes, declared, “This year, a new musical style has emerged in the Chinese music scene—pop rap!

Rap has always been underground music worldwide, played in every country but never breaking into mainstream markets. Yet here in our Chinese pop music world, Jiang Lun has broken that barrier!

His song ‘Nunchucks’ held the number one spot on the Hua Ge Chart for over ten consecutive weeks!

‘My Sky’ also made it into the annual top thirty!

This is mainstream recognition of this musical style and a pride for Chinese music!

Therefore, I hereby announce, with unanimous approval from the Hua Ge Chart Executive Committee, the creation of the first-ever ‘Annual Chinese Music Style Innovation Award,’ presented to Jiang Lun! Please come to the stage to accept your award!”

Previously, the Hua Ge Chart had no such award.

This year, because of Jiang Lun’s emergence and the rise of pop rap, the committee specially established and awarded this prize.

In other words, it was an award created specifically for Jiang Lun.

From the first award at noon, Jiang Lun had been going back and forth on and off stage all day. Aside from his performances, he had already made numerous appearances to receive awards. This was his nth time that night.

When he finally received this last trophy, most of the audience had already departed.

Yet this night, people remembered Jiang Lun—and his twelve trophies.

Especially his acceptance speech. He had said many things, but everyone remembered one line above all:

“Well, I am Jiang Lun, after all.”

(To be continued.)