Volume One Chapter 49 Trending Again

Seeing those soldiers with reddened eyes, it was clear—they had truly heard the song. After exchanging a glance, Yang He and Yu Zhiwei immediately began to applaud.

“What a great song!”

Even the soldiers nearby couldn’t help but join in, their applause spontaneous. The excitement on their faces made it clear: this was a song that spoke directly to their hearts.

“Not bad, Old Yang! What’s the singer’s name?” Yu Zhiwei asked, visibly thrilled. “I’ll have someone reach out to him. We need more military songs like this.”

The conversation circled back to Jiang Yu himself.

Yang He laughed, “This young man’s name is Jiang Yu. He just graduated. I’m not sure if he’s signed with a company yet.”

“Just graduated? Perfect timing to recruit him into the Art Troupe, isn’t it?” Yu Zhiwei smiled.

Yang He wore a cryptic look. “That might not be your call.”

“Why not?” Yu Zhiwei was curious.

“This kid might become the Su family’s son-in-law—you know, that Su.”

Yu Zhiwei’s eyes widened. “Seriously? Wow, that’s some luck!”

Yang He chuckled, “Let’s leave it at that and keep watching the show.”

On stage, Jiang Yu continued singing.

“They say we’re different, but in truth, we’re the same.
All yearning for glory, all striving for honor.
They say we’re different, but in truth, we’re the same.
The same spirit flies high on the republic’s banner.
This is what it means to be a soldier!”

Wu Ning’s voice gradually faded. He looked out at everyone below and bowed deeply.

A sudden, indescribable pride swept through every soldier in the audience. Even though the song’s refrain repeated, it still sent a tremor through their hearts—whether they were present in the hall, or watching on television or computer screens elsewhere. Even the content creators, quick to sense new trends and already recording the broadcast, felt pride and awe.

This is what it means to be a child of the people’s army.

Gradually, the background music faded. The recording hall was filled with thunderous applause that simply wouldn’t die down. For other acts, applause was reserved, a mere gesture of politeness. But when “The Soldier’s Song” came to an end, the applause was altogether different—one could hear the raw emotion, the excitement that burst forth from the heart.

Some in the audience even stood from their seats. The applause was raucous but utterly sincere, ringing with genuine, unbridled feeling.

It echoed on and on, the sound clear and persistent.

After all, soldiers are perhaps the best at restraining and concealing their emotions. Normally, when attending such galas, their responses were perfunctory, as if completing a task. But tonight, after this performance, they chose to rise and cheer. In that moment, they were not souls shackled by regulation; they were soldiers, yes, but also ordinary people, moved by the power of music.

Wu Yang stepped forward, bowed to the audience, and left the stage.

In the audience, Yang He’s expression was one of pride. Jiang Yu’s performance had certainly made him stand out.

“Well? Didn’t I tell you?” he said.

“Excellent, excellent!” Yu Zhiwei nodded in satisfaction. “Could you bring that young man over to chat?”

Yang He’s eyes narrowed. “You old fox, still thinking of pulling him into the Art Troupe?”

Yu Zhiwei grinned. “With a talent like that, how could I not be tempted? Who knows—he might agree.”

Yang He smiled, then called his secretary over. “Go see if Xiao Jiang has left. Bring him over.”

The secretary nodded and headed backstage, but soon returned. “Sir, Jiang Yu has already left.”

“That rascal moves fast!” Yang He laughed, then turned to his friend. “How about I call him over tomorrow so you can talk to him?”

Yu Zhiwei hesitated. “I might not have time tomorrow. I’ve been ordered to participate in the National Day parade. Let’s wait until after the holiday.”

Yang He smacked his forehead. “I forgot! I have to go to the capital myself for the National Day gala discussions. After the holiday, then.”

...

Meanwhile, Su Muyu returned to the hotel after filming, lazily sprawled on the bed, watching TV. These galas were almost always broadcast live.

Su Ling, carrying a plate of fruit, was heading to her room when she noticed Su Muyu watching TV. “What’s got you watching television tonight? And a gala, at that!”

“Jiang Yu’s performing. I wanted to see him,” Su Muyu replied.

“Oh, Jiang Yu.” Su Ling nodded and continued toward her room. But a few seconds later, hurried footsteps echoed back into the living room.

“What did you say? Jiang Yu?”

Seeing her aunt’s wide-eyed stare, Su Muyu giggled. “See for yourself.”

Su Ling squeezed onto the couch beside her. On the screen was a dashing young man in uniform—who else but Jiang Yu?

Unable to contain herself, Su Ling threw her arms around her niece and shrieked. “Oh my god! No wonder you two were so secretive the other day—Jiang Yu made it onto the Army Day stage! Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Now you know,” Su Muyu laughed.

Su Ling tutted. “Xiaoyu, that day you went against everyone’s advice and insisted on giving Jiang Yu the S contract. I agreed, but I still had my doubts—now I see you were right all along!”

“Don’t you think it was worth it now?”

“Absolutely! He’s a born superstar. Let’s see how old Li Gang plans to compete with Jiang Yu.”

Su Muyu thought for a moment. “Auntie, I have my assistant with me—I’ll be fine. Why don’t you head back to Jiangxia first?”

Su Ling was surprised. “Why should I go back to Jiangxia when you’re still filming?”

“Jiang Yu just performed a military song. He’ll definitely need to record and promote it, so—”

Su Ling looked utterly exasperated. Her precious jade cabbage of a niece was such a hopeless romantic. “If people found out that the nation’s goddess Su Muyu is just a lovesick girl, their jaws would hit the floor.”

Su Muyu blushed but did not deny it. “Auntie, please?”

Just then, the phone rang—it was Jiang Yu.

“Hello, Auntie.”

“All right, I get it. I’ll reach out right away to arrange the recording. You really don’t give me any notice, do you?”

After hanging up, Su Ling turned to her niece. “I’ll go handle Jiang Yu’s affairs, then. If you need anything, call me.”

“Okay.”

Su Ling nodded, then glanced at the girl beside Su Muyu. “Xiao Zhu, take good care of Xiaoyu.”

Xiao Zhu, Su Muyu’s assistant, was an adorable girl. Hearing her boss’s words, she immediately flashed a playful smile. “Don’t worry, President Su. With me around, Xiaoyu will be just fine!”

...

The next day.

A new trending topic suddenly appeared online:

#What’s so different about our soldiers?#

What was happening with the people’s army?

Curious, many clicked into the trending topic and discovered it was a new military song. Interest was piqued.

In this era of singing, dancing, and rap, how could a military song become a hot topic?

They clicked play.

Wow—the background music was grand!

Impressive!

While not everyone could truly relate, many current and former members of the people’s army instantly resonated with the song.

“It’s amazing. I thought there would never be any new military songs, but this one blew me away—the lyrics and melody are perfect. It brings out the feeling of love for country and family.”

“My god, when I heard ‘since leaving home, it’s hard to see my parents again,’ the tears just came. Damn! I haven’t been home in three years…”

“Respect to you. I’ve been there too. Reporting in as a retired Marine!”

“Reporting in from Second Platoon, First Company, Third Battalion, Second Artillery Division!”

“Repost, repost!”

...