Chapter 59: The Notorious Paper Thief

1:00 a.m.

Although only an hour had passed since Zhou Ran’s album “Departure” was released, the sales figures in that short span had already astonished every major music platform. In just one hour, preliminary statistics across the entire internet showed nearly five million copies sold! Such a rapid surge left the platforms dumbfounded. They had forecasted the album’s performance, but Zhou Ran’s numbers far exceeded their expectations.

Moreover, Zhou Ran’s album now held the record for the fastest to reach one million sales across all platforms. Without meaning to, Zhou Ran had already broken a record.

And just an hour after “Departure” launched, fans began dividing into factions.

Each group passionately promoted their favorite song!

The comment sections quickly took on a strange new life.

“Our ‘Sunny Day’ brother is the true superstar, okay? You newcomers shouldn’t try to ride his coattails!”

“That’s right! ‘Sunny Day’ was Zhou Ran’s very first official stage song!”

“’Sunny Day’ is the rightful favorite!”

“Pfft! Have you no idea of ‘A Thousand Times Over’s’ power? That song pioneered the Chinese style genre!”

“Do you understand the significance of creating a new genre in Chinese music? And what about ‘Jade Table at Lantern Festival’? Don’t you know its value? Our idol’s work is about to enter the textbooks!”

“Laughable. When it comes to Chinese style songs, my ‘A Laugh in the Vast Sea’ master has to be number one!”

“Secretly taking my ‘Fragrant Rice’ home!”

A young athlete carrying a basketball quietly passes by, humming “Red Child’s Heart, Chasing Dreams!”

In Zhou Ran’s Weibo comments, the discussion was taking an almost magical turn.

But this frenzy also highlighted just how explosively popular the album was; after all, if it weren’t, who would bother discussing it? If it wasn’t a hit, it would have been tossed aside and forgotten—no one would care.

Without anyone noticing, Zhou Ran had also pulled off another feat: every single track entered the song charts.

The latest hit chart on every major music platform was completely dominated by songs from Zhou Ran’s album—positions one through twelve, all his. Many listeners who weren’t familiar with him were stunned—why were all the top songs Zhou Ran’s? Was there some kind of bug?

As for other artists who released music at the same time, they were left in despair—how could anyone compete? Zhou Ran didn’t just feast on the main course; he drank the soup as well. Hardly anyone would scroll beyond the tenth spot on the charts to look for other songs.

Lin Wei was one of the artists crushed by Zhou Ran. He had planned to release his song when there were no big names around, hoping to make some money. He’d scheduled everything, promoted his release, but then Zhou Ran suddenly announced his own new song for the same date. Lin Wei was left in tears—how could a newcomer like him survive?

It was as if a pond full of little fish and crabs had been invaded by a giant shark, devouring everything in sight.

Meanwhile, all the major music critics were frantically racing to write their reviews, desperate to catch some of the heat from Zhou Ran’s new album.

Not long after, the first review of a new song from Zhou Ran’s album appeared.

The reviewer was none other than our old friend, the “Ear Emperor.” Working at a furious pace, he managed to finish his review of “Flowers Fade Easily” in time to post it on Weibo.

In “Flowers Fade Easily,” Zhou Ran continued his signature Chinese style. I must commend him—he truly deserves to be called the pioneer of Chinese style music. Even after Zhou Ran started the trend, and countless imitators emerged with good songs of their own, they still couldn’t capture the same national essence that Zhou Ran’s music possesses.

From the first listen, I was drawn in by the opening guzheng notes. Zhou Ran’s use of instruments remains unique, always able to strike a chord deep inside.

As “Flowers Fade Easily” played on, I never grew tired of it, no matter how many times I listened. The classical melody, combined with Zhou Ran’s beautiful lyrics and composition, left an endless aftertaste. Each time I hear it, I experience something new—perhaps because each day brings new experiences.

When I listen to “Flowers Fade Easily,” I feel as though I’m immersed in that very world, experiencing firsthand the sorrow, the regret, and the longing for something out of reach.

Zhou Ran also employed a new form of Chinese style performance. Interpreted as a historical song, “Flowers Fade Easily” laments the decline of a dynasty. Through sharing this story, Zhou Ran enables listeners to relate, expressing a collective hatred of war and a sense of helplessness—humankind powerless before fate, like marionettes on strings. Viewed as a love song, it reveals his changing emotions as he waits for the one he’s always loved.

The greatest merit of “Flowers Fade Easily,” in my view, is that it doesn’t capture your heart on the very first listen as so many songs do. Instead, it requires you to calm down and listen patiently, again and again, to truly uncover its charm.

I also recommend listening to “Flowers Fade Easily” while reflecting on its background story—it adds a unique dimension. If you immerse yourself in the feelings Zhou Ran conveys, it’s as if you’re right there in the scene.

And Zhou Ran, could you write some happier songs in the future? Every time you sing one of these sorrowful pieces, even an old man like me gets swept up in the emotions and ends up in tears!

As soon as the Ear Emperor’s review was posted, it shot to the top of the trending topics and was quickly liked by many of Zhou Ran’s fans.

His words perfectly echoed their own thoughts. As they listened to “Flowers Fade Easily,” tears streamed down their faces, moved inexplicably by the characters in Zhou Ran’s stories.

Many fans messaged Zhou Ran privately on Weibo: “Damn you, Zhou Ran, you’re a tissue thief! Every time I listen to your songs I end up in tears. Can’t you sing something happy for a change?”

And while netizens were still fervently chatting online, Zhou Ran himself was already fast asleep, snoring in bed, utterly unconcerned about his album’s performance. While others spent sleepless nights anxiously awaiting results, Zhou Ran simply went to bed on time, untroubled.

Whether it was carelessness or a heart of steel, no one could say.