The scene paused briefly as the camera showed the shocked faces of the audience, accompanied by helpful subtitles.

Who is he? Where am I? He's really good! Handsome, handsome, handsome!

The video continued playing, and Jiang Xueshu spoke first in her sweet and gentle voice:

"Hou Wenjie, may I ask you why you chose to participate in the music variety show 'The Rising Star'?"

Hou Wenjie seemed relaxed as he said, "Maybe it's to prove myself!"

"Prove yourself?" Jiang Xueshu played the role of a perfect straight man.

Hou Wenjie nodded and said, "Before participating in this program, I had a very difficult time."

Many people have told me that I could easily make a living based on my looks, but I insist on doing this instead!

So I'm here to prove that my talent has nowhere to go!

"So, what would you like to say to these trainees who are with you?" Jiang Xueshu asked, launching into his usual gossip segment.

Most of the previous contestants cheered on their close fellow trainees, while others shared embarrassing stories about themselves and others, and then wished everyone would live up to their dreams.

But Hou Wenjie didn't say those words in the video; instead, he said:

"What you said to the other trainees?"

First, I would like to apologize to all the trainees who participated in the competition. Please forgive me for my unruly and free-spirited nature throughout my life.

I believe that my slightest effort was already the limit on this stage.

I'll say it again: back then, I had my hands in my pockets and didn't know what an opponent was!

Boom! The audience erupted. Everyone thought he would talk about the friendship in the practice room, his dreams about music, his past setbacks, and his current aspirations.

But what did he say?

The screen exploded with comments again!

"He's back! It feels like he's back! The boss truly lives up to his domineering presence!"

"That year, I put my hands in my pockets and smashed your dog's head in! Boss, you're the most domineering one!"

"That's too arrogant! Just wait and see how you get slapped in the face. I hate people like that the most!"

"You get so extreme just from watching a variety show? You're a generator of negative emotions."

"Arrogance will eventually be punished by heaven. He'll just be a complete clown from now on. I was quite optimistic about him, but now I'm turning from a fan to a hater!"

"They put on a whole show, and this broke through our defenses. We're just waiting for Boss Hou to become all-powerful and dominate the world!"

"I'm a little worried. I hope there won't be any unexpected twists. Boss Hou, you have to pull through, or I'll be in a really awkward situation!"

"New book/game, 'Canyon: That Year, I Had My Hands in My Pockets and Didn't Know What an Opponent Was!'"

"Damn, Boss Hou hasn't even sung yet, and you guys are already trying to fleece him like this. Are you trying to cripple him?"

…

In the end, it was Yu Zhile, whose emotional intelligence was off the charts, who took over the conversation: "Then let's look forward to Hou Wenjie's wonderful performance!"

Hou Wenjie nodded: "There's a popular term now, 'single dog,' which is very unfriendly to us single people. And with Singles' Day coming up again, many people are suffering even more."

Therefore, I wrote this song, "Single Love Song," hoping that all single people will bravely face everything and break through all the shackles in their hearts!

The intro begins.

Hou Wenjie began to build up his emotions, and as the intro finished, he started singing. A voice that seemed to pierce through the soul resounded in everyone's ears.

Me, who can't hold onto love

I always just watch it slip away.

Happy people are everywhere in the world.

Why can't I be included?

Fighting alone for love

I've had enough of the bitterness of love.

People who are lost in love are everywhere.

And I am just one of them.

Love must be resilient in the face of setbacks.

Love requires affirmation and persistence.

Every single person needs to see through

If you want to love, don't be afraid of getting hurt.

Just by listening to the verses, many people already know that this is a good song.

On the screen (bullet comments).

"It's a good song, so why do I feel like crying?"

"Boss Hou has nailed this one. Just look at the arrangement of the verse, it's pretty good!"

Sigh, for no reason, I'm thinking of a girl I used to like!

"Hey everyone, weren't we having a lot of fun just now? Why are you all pretending to be sad now!"

Okay, I admit I'm surrounded by women, but what can I do? I don't know how to say no, so I really don't understand what it's like to be single!

But it's a good song!

…

Regardless of the barrage of comments, the chorus of the song had already begun to resonate in everyone's ears.

Find someone you love most and love deeply.

The person I want to love

Say goodbye to being single

A passionate and devoted lover

Heartless and ruthless people

Come give me scars

So many people are lonely

Few are happy.

Don't let love pass you by and cause you to miss out.

I was left single.

Singing love songs alone

After this chorus finished, the comments on the screen paused for a moment, and then surged wildly!

"It's confirmed, this is my signature song. I hope the karaoke bar will behave itself. Tonight at midnight, I'll be going to karaoke with my buddies to sing this song!"

"This is truly the song of choice for single people. I'm making a prediction here: within the next ten years, no song about being single will surpass this one!"

"Damn it, I was preparing for Singles' Day, but this song made me depressed. Images of my ex-girlfriend keep popping into my head, this damn sense of immersion!"

"Boss Hou, you've really put your heart into this song. It truly expresses my feelings. I don't know when I got used to being single and I'm afraid to fall in love!"

You give your heart, but they treat you like a simp, a backup plan. It's so hurtful!

"A passionate, devoted, ruthless, and heartless person came to leave me with wounds—this line is so well written! That's how people are; the more intense the love, the deeper the wounds!"

"Thanks for reminding me, Boss Hou, that it's Singles' Day after midnight tonight! I'm not sleeping tonight, I'm going for a night run and then singing this song!"

"Without a doubt, 'Single Love Song' will become a classic. This song is so catchy. Listening to it, I don't know why, I start to cry. Sigh!"

…

Before Hou Wenjie could finish singing the song, the hashtags related to him and "Single Love Song" had already become trending topics!

"Tearjerker Song: Single Love Song"

Hou Wenjie: That year, hands in pockets, unaware of who my opponent was.

"Single Aristocrats#"

"Double Eleven Festival Song"

Numerous netizens forwarded the news, and Ali.com and Sky Media, the parent company of the "Rising Star" project, also launched a top-level publicity campaign!

As soon as Hou Wenjie finished singing, the number of views for "Rising Star" surged by 40 million!

The video continues, and the camera pans to the judges' panel.

Jiang Xueshu pressed the button first before speaking, "This is a great song, Hou Wenjie, you are really talented!"

I think you must have experienced heartbreak to write a song like this!

The comments section was buzzing with excitement.

"Who dares to cause my Boss Hou heartbreak? Aren't they afraid of being drowned?"

"It's unimaginable that Boss Hou has suffered such heartbreak; it feels like only Boss Hou has caused heartbreak to others!"

"I feel like Goddess Xue Shu is unreliable. Look at those sparkling eyes of hers, could she be interested in Boss Hou?"

"Teacher-student couple, I'm totally shipping this!"

Next up was Yu Zhile, who also pressed the button: "Your lyrics are really great, I also started out writing love songs! I'm sure this song of yours will be a hit!"

We can chat after the game!

Finally, it's Luo Chen.

Luo Chen said, "Your arrangement is fine, and although the lyrics aren't particularly sophisticated, they're still pretty good."

But…"

When Luo Chen said "but," she met Hou Wenjie's eyes.

In the video, the eyes of the two people each occupy half of the screen, and at the top of the screen are their respective health bars.

This is a special effects-simulated PvP arena where Luo Chen's health bar is reduced to zero in the end.

The scene then shifts to a close-up of Luo Chen, where it's clear that he swallowed the words he was about to say.

Then the audience saw Luo Chen reorganize his words and say, "But... your singing skills still have flaws, I'm sure you've noticed them too."

I've approved you. I hope you'll bring us even more amazing performances in the future!

Netizens naturally noticed Luo Chen's pause in speaking.

The internet was bustling with activity, like it was Chinese New Year.

"Luo Chen, I still prefer to see your unruly side!"

"Actually, according to the normal rhythm, Luo Chen should say, but your singing skills are not up to standard in my opinion, so I can't pass you!"

Unexpectedly, Luo Chen chose to follow his heart. This ultimate tug-of-war was hilarious!

"Hahaha! The eye contact between Luo Chen and Boss Hou could be made into a spy drama!"

I felt like he was saying, "Hey bro, don't mess with me, I'll approve it for you!"

"You're not allowed to talk about Lolo like that! How could you people possibly understand Lolo's pure heart for music!"

"Yeah, yeah, as a leading figure in youth music, Luo Luo has never been afraid of anyone! He was just admiring a junior, and you all misunderstood him maliciously. It's infuriating!"

…

Hou Wenjie stopped reading after seeing this.

Then, Hou Wenjie's phone rang; it was a call from Boss Gao.