Kapitel 100: Change of Tune

In the midst of this tumultuous storm, something interesting was unfolding on TMY's Weibo page. The number of followers, tantalizingly close to breaking the ten million mark, began to plunge. And it wasn't a slow and steady decline, no! In just two short hours, nearly twenty thousand fans vanished into thin air!

Casual onlookers and professionals alike began to gather and observe. Although Gao Tucáo's post didn't explicitly mention anyone, it's fiery language and unwavering conviction left no room for doubt. It was the rhythm of a public confrontation!

Usually, when it came to chart manipulation and gaming the system, everyone looked the other way. But Gao Tucáo dared to call out TMY directly, and soon other influential figures and music critics followed suit, voicing their opinions on the matter.

Many criticized him, claiming he was merely a sensationalist, a scapegoat who manipulated the public's attention for his own gain. They believed he used these controversies to promote his music reviews and film critiques, seeking the highest levels of controversy.

Of course, some supporters saw him as a warrior, fearlessly speaking the truth and swimming against the current. Among his supporters, he was often referred to as the "Crusader of Weibo."

Support from fans and onlookers flooded the comments section.

"6666, Gao Tucáo, I'm starting to support you! There are so few people who dare to tell the truth these days. I always felt that something was off with this TMY. What's so great about her? She just relies on her looks and gender to make a living. Well said! I'm a fan now!"

"Exactly! This is a huge embarrassment for her, going down in flames even in a foreign market. She thought she could mess around just like in China? Now she's been taken off the charts? Serves her right!"

"As an old fan of The Rex, I wonder where he is now, what he's doing, and why there's no news from him. Why isn't he releasing any new songs?"

"I wasn't even interested in this T-whatever person. But her presence on Weibo was suffocating. I never expected her to be a fraud. People like her should be expelled from the music industry. They're polluting the air."

"Agreed!"

"She's just a kid. There's probably a whole team behind her. How can a kid write so many good songs that each becomes a hit? I don't believe it. If it were that easy to make it in the music industry, I would have been famous a long time ago. It's just a case of the old suppressing the new. The newbies don't stand a chance."

"Why do I remember that 'Future Bass' was TMY's thing? Wasn't her song 'Closer' the first Future Bass-style track? It won awards and was broadcast nationwide. Are you all deaf or just mindlessly hating?"

"If you're here to worship your master, please step aside. Always trying to worship anyone who looks good. Disgusting."

At that moment, one could see the fascinating nature of netizens.

Although some held reasonable opinions and maintained their perspectives, it was undeniable that most netizens were like reeds swaying with the wind. Countless people read these comments, witnessed the scene, and suddenly found them to be reasonable. They were filled with righteous indignation as if they were personally affected by TMY's alleged deception. They began to support Gao Tucáo's actions.

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The rhythm intensified as time went on. As the discussions unfolded online, it seemed that public opinion was increasingly leaning against TMY. Just when it seemed like the tide was turning against her, a different voice began to emerge, slowly at first and then growing louder.

"Regarding the recent incident of TMY manipulating the iTunes charts and being forcibly taken down, it's all quite intriguing. As someone currently studying abroad in the United Kingdom, I am curious. In a widely circulated online event involving a relatively unknown public figure, isn't there anyone dedicated to seeking the truth or verifying the facts? What were the intentions and motivations of those who brought this issue to light? Let me share a screenshot of my private conversation with Rlex.Future, along with his latest tweet and the 'real' iTunes chart screenshot you've all been watching."

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Interestingly, this post was originally made by a user with the ID "Westminster Rainbow Flag." The geolocation indicated that it was indeed posted from Westminster University and was no mere fabrication.

After the post appeared, it quickly caught more people's attention following the TMY controversy. Through numerous shares, it gained rapid traction.

About four images accompanied the post...

The first image displayed a Twitter private messaging box interface, resembling a foreign version of Weibo. Among the two users engaged in conversation, one was clearly identifiable as the same "Rainbow Flag" from their profile picture.

The other user, however, was a surprising revelation. The ID read: Rlex.Future, and right beside their profile picture, a prominent blue checkmark verification logo confirmed that this was indeed the real Rlex.Future!

But that wasn't the most explosive revelation. What truly shocked readers was the content of their conversation, which the "Rainbow Flag" had provided translations for.

[Rlex.Future: Dear fans in China, thank you so much for your support. I send you my sincerest greetings. I must admit, I'm surprised about what's been happening in China regarding TMY.]

[Rlex.Future: Why aren't people listening to TMY's music? Why not? I know this artist. Her song 'Closer' inspired and touched me deeply. I learned about her through a student studying in China, and since then, I haven't been able to get enough. God, when I heard her new single was released on iTunes, the first thing I did was purchase it! I believe that I contributed $15 to the questioned sales figures. I can even show you the number of times I've listened to it. I haven't stopped. She's a genius, and I love her!]

[Rainbow Flag: What about the controversy surrounding the Future Bass genre mentioned on the Hi Sh*t forum? They claim that you've created a new style of electronic music, a groundbreaking step destined for greatness. It could potentially boost your ranking in this year's Top 100 DJs. What are your thoughts on that?]

[Rlex.Future: Thoughts? I don't give a damn about those foul-mouthed kings. I've never cared to provide them with more than a passing glance. Are they talking about Future Bass? That's not even my thing. It belongs to TMY's style. When did I ever say it was mine?]

[Rainbow Flag: Oh? How should we interpret this?]

[Rlex.Future: 'Closer' is the first Future Bass track. After being captivated by 'Closer,' I fell in love with this style. After analyzing it repeatedly, I felt I could create Future Bass myself. But I admit I'm still not on the same level as TMY. After all, she's the pioneer.]

[Rlex.Future: However, I need to clear the air and show my support towards TMY. As a DJ and producer, I don't have many artists I genuinely admire. TMY is one of them. It would be a great honour to collaborate with her. I firmly believe that she will surpass my current achievements in no time. It's inevitable.]

[Rlex.Future: Although TMY's popularity in the United States isn't very high, she already has quite a few fans. It's a pity that she doesn't have Twitter or Facebook.]