Anyone familiar with Chu Zhi's schedule would know that much of what he was doing this year had already been arranged last year. For instance, the tail end of July: Leo season. And the opening act of August? Also... a crossover event.
The Fuji Rock Festival, the largest outdoor rock event in all of Asia, was scheduled for late July through early August.
Over eighty percent of attendees were seasoned rock veterans. If you were even remotely well-known in Asia and could carry a tune, you were there.
Big Brother Xu Ji gave up his own performance slot to let Chu Zhi take the stage. Chu Zhi flew in from Seoul to Niigata Airport, the birthplace of the famed Koshihikari rice once sold at astronomical prices in China.
The My Love From the Stars production team granted Chu Zhi a three-day leave, which perfectly matched the festival's three-day run.
"Ah Jiu actually doesn't like competitive performances, right?" Wang Yuan suddenly said.
"Hmm?" Chu Zhi waited for her to finish.
Wang Yuan continued, "I just get the feeling that your personality doesn't lean toward flashy showdowns. You probably had a lot on your shoulders when you sang Left Hand Pointing to the Sky, didn't you?"
Did the performer, Emperor Beast enjoy competition? Of course. Standing center stage while all eyes were on him? That rush was addictive.
But since Wang Yuan had phrased it that way, Chu Zhi gave a different kind of answer.
"Once you become a celebrity, you have a responsibility to set an example. It's not about what you like or don't like."
"Ah Jiu, you're way too responsible. People like that end up exhausted," said Wang Yuan. She really lived up to her role as a devoted mom-fan, always worrying about his health.
"The Fuji Rock Festival should be fine. There's no voting or direct competition," she added. "You can just enjoy the music."
"Wait." That caught Chu Zhi off guard. From what he knew, the Fuji Rock Festival did involve competition.
Wang Yuan had attended a few times, so she knew the deal.
The Fuji Rock Festival had nine stages. Anyone brave enough could step up and act as the reigning champion on a stage. Challengers would take turns performing. The audience would then cheer for their favorite.
This was rock. No votes, no panels, just raw energy and crowd response. If you had the skill, you could hold the stage indefinitely.
"Interesting. A challenge format," Chu Zhi mused. This was way more exciting than performing and just waiting for a score. No wonder Xu Ji and Zheng Huo told him to prepare extra songs.
Luckily, just the other day, he'd drawn a winning album in a giveaway: Faith Floating in the Air.
He had more than enough songs ready, and there was always the popular pop-rock of Mayday to fall back on.
After landing, he wandered into a bookstore in the airport. In the poetry section, he found I Am a Rebellious Child, his own translated collection of Gu Cheng's poetry, now published in Japan.
Speaking of which, there was something else.
I Am a Rebellious Child had won the Yomiuri Literary Award. Though not as prestigious as the Naoki or Akutagawa Prizes, it was still a respected Tier-2 literary award in Japan.
Chu Zhi had asked the publishing house to accept the award on his behalf. He wanted to win quietly and then stun everyone later.
The festival venue was located at Naeba Ski Resort. Chu Zhi's first task was to meet up with fellow participants from Huaxia.
Zheng Huo, Chen Aigui, Wu Xi, Liao Yiwu, the band Pain Flower, and the band Facing Sky were all people he'd met during last year's Rock Night.
Back then, even Lin Xia had attended Rock Night. Now, Lin Xia had become a rising star. Still, he hadn't made the cut for the Fuji Rock lineup.
There's a saying: one day apart feels like three autumns. But when everyone saw Chu Zhi again, after just one year, it felt like a full decade had passed.
To Wu Xi and Liao Yiwu, he had once been just a talented idol singer.
Now? He was the performer of Opera 2, Left Hand Pointing to the Sky, and Chu Ci: Ode to the Orange Tree, a foundational piece for New Chinese Style music.
Put bluntly, whether it was popularity, vocal technique, or creative talent, they now had to look up to Chu Zhi. They didn't even know how to start a conversation with him.
"Brother Wu, long time no see," Chu Zhi took the initiative, breaking the ice. "Isn't your birthday coming up in a few days? Time to treat us, right?"
After last year's Rock Night and group dinner, Chu Zhi had memorized everyone's name and birthday.
Wu Xi wasn't even sure how Chu Zhi had gotten his WeChat, but somehow they'd added each other.
To be honest, Wu Xi had always had a one-sided grudge against Chu Zhi.
Ever since he was eliminated on I Really Am a Singer, he'd been itching for a rematch. First, he tried to compete through album releases, then again at Rock Night. Both attempts ended with embarrassing flops that felt more like staged accidents than actual battles.
"Ah, yeah, five days to go," Wu Xi replied. He hadn't expected Chu Zhi to greet him first, let alone remember his birthday.
"I remembered it was August 4th. Guess I got it right," said Chu Zhi.
By reaching out, Chu Zhi quickly warmed up to the Chinese rock musicians. The members of Pain Flower and the others soon realized he wasn't arrogant at all.
The festival would begin tomorrow. Tonight, they were supposed to rest, so drinks were kept to a minimum.
They met up at Uomin, a local chain restaurant in Niigata. Anyone who had eaten there knew the food was mediocre.
Especially for Ruo, the drummer of Facing Sky, who didn't eat raw food. That severely limited his options.
"Back on I Really Am a Singer, if Brother Wu hadn't given me a chance, I wouldn't have been able to perform a second song. Let me toast you," Chu Zhi said, raising his glass.
Wu Xi stood up immediately after downing it. His face was flushed, though it wasn't clear whether from alcohol or emotion.
He knew perfectly well that he had never actually bested Chu Zhi on that stage. Still, that toast felt incredibly good. Everyone here played rock music. They all understood.
"No no, Xiao Zhi is also really talented," said Wu Xi. "In this industry, once someone like him enters, no one can stop the momentum."
"I know your skill, Brother Wu. No need to say it. Let's just drink," Chu Zhi replied.
The Kirin beer wasn't particularly tasty, so no one drank too much. But Wu Xi, drunk on the good vibes, staggered back to the hotel, hugging the wall for support.
Like muscle memory, Wu Xi dialed his wife as soon as he got back. No matter how late it was, it was his habit to call her every night.
"Hey Wen Wen, guess who I ran into today?" were his first words.
On the other end, his wife Wen Wen replied.
"You're drunk again, aren't you? Drink some hot water. Or at least bottled water if there's no kettle. Was it beer or liquor? Remember to leave a bottle by the bed. You'll wake up thirsty."
"I know, I know. Just guess who I saw!" Wu Xi repeated.
"I have no clue. Who?" Wen Wen asked.
"It was our little brother, Chu Zhi. I ran into little brother Chu Zhi."
Wen Wen was puzzled. "Little brother? I thought you hated Chu Zhi. You said his songs weren't even real rock, just trash."
"Who? Who said that? Nonsense," Wu Xi slurred. "Little brother Chu Zhi's talent is undeniable, don't you know that?"
"..."
Wen Wen was silent for a long moment, then asked seriously, "Wu Xi, be honest with me. Did you just drink tonight, or did you do something else too?"
Of course, Chu Zhi didn't know about this husband-and-wife exchange. But that toast earlier? That had been deliberate.
In the entertainment world, it was easy to shut someone down with pure accomplishment—especially at his current level. But what was the point?
Wasn't it far more satisfying to turn someone who used to hate you... into a devoted "friend"?
After all, it had just been a few kind words. No cost to him. Yet now, Wu Xi was ready to pour his heart out.
Sure enough, nothing bonds men like shared drinks and a little humble swagger.
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Fuji Rock Festival (富士摇滚音乐节): Asia's largest outdoor rock festival, held annually in Niigata, Japan.
Yomiuri Literary Award: A respected Japanese literary prize, T2-tier compared to the Naoki and Akutagawa Prizes.