"I know you're not in Amsterdam. I realized it some time ago because I drank with Silvano. I know you returned to China," Bucky spoke, his words slightly jumbled.
Usually, Bucky only called to invite someone to a party. As a friend, he might have been inadequate, but as a drinking buddy, he was perfect.
For a moment, Liu Fusu did not know how to respond. Only the sound of their breathing filled the call.
"I heard you are quitting drugs. Jack, did you succeed?" The urge from withdrawal left Bucky no room for silence, and his teeth chattered as he spoke.
Liu Fusu was painfully familiar with that subtle sound. Once, during a call with his father, the withdrawal hit suddenly. He had struggled with all his strength, nearly feeling pain in his molars. At that time, Liu Fusu thought he had controlled himself well. Now, hearing Bucky's teeth, it was all too obvious.
"Why was he asking this? Was Bucky really going to quit?"
The thought lingered briefly in Liu Fusu's mind before he pushed it away. Bucky's addiction was far worse than his own. Moreover, Bucky was a spoiled rich kid, even lazier and more reckless than he had been.
"Not successful?" Bucky asked again.
Snapping back, Liu Fusu hurriedly said, "My addiction was not severe, so I went to a rehab center for treatment. The process takes about three months. I've already achieved some control and improvement, but I still need monitoring and medication.
I've only succeeded halfway. The center's criteria for success are long-term: three years without touching it. The doctor said the hardest part is resisting relapse," Liu Fusu conveyed the doctor's words.
He emphasized that quitting alone is nearly impossible. First, one must leave the previous environment. If someone has access to drugs or knows people who provide them, even the strongest willpower is unlikely to prevent relapse beyond one or two months.
"Is the process painful?"
Bucky could not imagine going a month, even half a month, or a week without using. Just the last five days had nearly cost him his life, so he asked the question.
"Do you really want to quit?" Liu Fusu thought. Such dangerous substances are better left behind. He did not want to scare Bucky away. He wanted to say it was easy, but…
"It's really hard. Quitting drugs is harder than running a marathon, harder than squeezing into a crowded bus, harder than fasting for days. Really, really difficult," Liu Fusu recalled the past months. He added, "Quitting is harder than anything I could imagine."
"But it's worth it," Liu Fusu said.
Worth it? Bucky could not understand. He had not experienced it himself.
Yet seeing classmates who had quit successfully brought him calm, like hitting the brakes while speeding toward a cliff and closing one's eyes. One does not watch themselves drive off a cliff, so they close their eyes.
"The doctor told me to find something to occupy my mind. I chose music. Give your brain something to do or get your body moving," Liu Fusu said. He had considered swimming, but the doctor forbade it due to life-threatening risk.
"You said you were motivated by a singer. Who is it?" Bucky asked.
In truth, the stronger motivation was the anti-drug sacrifices of a narcotics officer featured in a video. Chu Zhi's music accounted for thirty to forty percent of his motivation, but Liu Fusu could not explain all details.
"Zhi Chu. Our country has quit drugs because of this song. From what I know, there are several cases," Liu Fusu said.
The tortures of withdrawal grew. Bucky felt it as if not ants but man-eating ants were gnawing at his bones and marrow, itching and stabbing. Having asked his questions, he decided to hang up quickly.
"You can do it, Bucky," Liu Fusu said finally.
After hanging up, Bucky felt the urge to call [Vulture] for more drugs. Usually, he bought from Vulture, with whom he had a good relationship, sometimes buying in bulk at a discount.
Rationality stopped him. He left his phone at home, threw on a coat, and ran outside.
Moving his body, running was the only idea that came to him.
After several kilometers, he wanted to collapse. He rarely exercised and had wasted energy earlier. Hands on knees, bent over like a cooked shrimp, back curved, gasping for air.
The withdrawal remained stubborn, but his body was so exhausted that his perception dulled, and he felt a small sense of relief. Moving his body helped.
He had not realized it had only been five days since he last used.
A record store appeared nearby. Bucky went in, wondering if they had a Chinese singer's album.
It was unlikely. After living in the Netherlands for so many years, he had barely heard of Chinese singers.
"Do you have Zhi Chu's album?" Bucky asked the clerk. The Dutch pronunciation sounded a bit like Tut.
"Yes, his new album The One Gazed Upon by Gods just arrived. I'll get it for you," the clerk said.
So smoothly? Afraid the clerk might misunderstand, Bucky added, "It's the Chinese singer Zhi Chu."
"Of course, I know it's a Chinese singer." In recent days, Chinese singer albums sold well. The clerk was used to unusual pronunciations, sometimes confusing them with Tussen or even Churchill.
The clerk handed the album to Bucky, who paid with some surprise.
"The electronic music in this album is excellent. Zhi Chu is a fantastic singer," the clerk casually added.
Holding the album, seeing the teal and ochre lines and the faint hidden eye, Bucky was a bit shocked.
Back at home, he saw the room in chaos, the result of a withdrawal-induced outburst he could not remember causing. Lamps, fans, cabinets damaged.
Fortunately, the DVD player survived. Bucky opened the album and played the first track: Waiting for Love.
The intro made him want to tap his feet.
🎵"Where there is a will, there is a way. How beautiful the world is. After the night comes the dawn, filled with wonders here."🎵
🎵"If life is full of love, obstacles in the world will disappear…"🎵
Hope? Bucky wondered. Why a question mark? He felt crazy for hearing hope in a Chinese singer's voice. Could it be his mind was muddled from past drug use?
The second track, The Nights, caught his attention:
Producer: Chu Zhi
Lyricist: Chu Zhi
Composer: Chu Zhi
Arranger: Chu Zhi
Keyboard/Electric Guitar/Electric Bass/Drums: Chu Zhi
Mixing: Chu Zhi
Recording: Dream Dragon Studio
This Dream Dragon was not the Earth band but Li Menglong's Dream Dragon, who had collaborated with Chu Zhi.
"Jack's idol Zhi Chu is just too talented," Bucky muttered. Even in his dazed state, he still felt hope, the will to keep moving forward.
The hope was deliberate. Half the album had been recorded using 60 percent Angel's Gospel plus 40 percent Voice of the First Emperor. Together, they produced conquering hope.
Even a dazed addict could feel it; Europeans certainly would.
Wake Me Up, Waiting for Love, and The Nights hit like Neptune's trident, waves descending from the skies, flooding the Mississippi to the Rhine. Europe and America were swept away.
Especially in nightlife venues, clubs, bars, and warehouse parties, the music elevated the mood. Customers were fully engaged, matching or surpassing live performances.
European listeners also raved about the three electronic tracks:
"This is the best electronic music I've heard this year, and it's made by a Chinese singer. I know, April Fool's Day is almost here."
"'One day you will leave this world, so live a life you will remember.' This lyric really inspired me."
"0:43 in The Nights, that is the best moment of the song."
"'Chu Zhi is a genius.' I know, I'm just stating the obvious that anyone who's heard this album would agree with."
"The first time I heard it at a record store, I immediately fell in love with the track. Then I looked up the singer—more than the song, he's just too good-looking."
…and so on.
After the electronic trident, the remaining tracks shifted to hard rock and pop, balancing commercial appeal with artistry.
No matter if they were Dutch, French, or German, male or female, students or elite professionals, The One Gazed Upon by Gods had a track for everyone.
The global SPO charts saw the album enter the Top 10 across Germany, France, the Netherlands, Finland, and Norway.
Album sales naturally surged. Week two exceeded week one, with 137,000 copies sold in North America, topping the Billboard 200.
Week one sales were largely supported by Asian fans; week two, positive word-of-mouth drove European and American sales.
This also reflected the state of the physical album market. Achieving first place with weekly sales under 150,000 was unheard of in the golden era of albums.
Of course, the timing also helped: no major Hollywood stars released albums during this period, or week one could have seen 200,000 to 300,000 sales.
In Europe, week two sales surged to 242,000 copies, with Norway and Finland alone contributing 150,000.
Week One Sales: 85,000 (US), 78,000 (Europe)
Week Two Sales: 137,000 (US), 242,000 (Europe)
In just half a month, over 500,000 copies were sold. For comparison, last year, the Hollywood artist with the best new album sales was Marbela, selling 2.15 million domestically. Chu Zhi's album still had untapped potential, the management team discussed.
"I think it's time to share the news," Wang Yuan said.
Old Qian nodded. "Yes. The Chinese internet has already received the news. If we don't release it officially, it will spread anyway."
In the internet era, secrets are hard to keep. Only official announcements delay the spread; fans still need time to share.
"The first English album is a huge success," Wang Yuan said. "The One Gazed Upon by Gods is difficult to replicate the insane Asian sales of Little Fruits Is Sweet, but over two million in Asia is safe. This time, it could reach five million."
"Absolutely!" Old Qian agreed.
After consensus, they called Niu Niu to start domestic promotions. The One Gazed Upon by Gods had only one version, but the company was capable of distributing it across Asia.
The management team prepared for action. Hollywood journalists loved stirring trouble. In fact, journalists worldwide feared missing out, but Hollywood reporters were the most aggressive.
When something was trending, anyone even remotely related would be questioned.
On the day The One Gazed Upon by Gods topped the Billboard 200, reporters sprang into action.
First, they caught Jerick, lead singer of the famous rock band Freezer, on vacation.
"Mr. Jerick, what do you think of Chu Zhi's new album? Do you like the three rock tracks, Immigrant Song, We Will Rock You, Friends?"
Jerick was initially confused but regained composure. "Of course I know the heat surrounding The One Gazed Upon by Gods. Even in Hawaii on vacation, the album's songs hit me hard."
"I met Mr. Chu Zhi at the Wacken Metal Festival. He was the coolest performer that night, driving the audience crazy," Jerick added.
"Mr. Leighton from the seven-man band also highly praised Chu Zhi, calling him a better singer than himself."
The performance of Tribute to the Tess River on the WOA stage had left a deep impression on Jerick. Despite the praise, he remained grounded.
Reporters were incredulous. Across the UK, everyone knew Leighton discriminated against Asians, yet he praised a Chinese singer. It sounded like a legend.
"At that time, bands like Phoenix, Young Quark, and Yang Fan were performing. I have no reason to lie," Jerick said. "Chu Zhi's talent can make him an outstanding singer. If you've seen both WOA stages, you'll understand I'm not exaggerating."
"The scream at the start of Immigrant Song gave me chills." Jerick even sang a few lines:🎵"The hammer of the gods will guide our ship to new lands, embrace the battle, sing and roar: Valhalla, here I come, we sweep everything before us…"🎵
Once reporters got what they wanted, they dispersed. Jerick, relieved, led his companion back to the hotel. His chatter was a distraction.
Technically, Jerick was unmarried. In Hollywood culture, no one cares, but his companion was married. He preferred to avoid trouble.
This strategy, moving attention eastward, soon caught seven members of the British band, Leighton in Los Angeles.
Hollywood Reporter was America's top entertainment paper, so Leighton had to show some respect.
"Leighton, are you a fan of Chu Zhi's? You praised him at WOA," a reporter asked. "What do you think of the new album?"
As a proud Englishman, he could not be a fan of a Chinese singer. He had not purchased the album.
"Mr. Chu Zhi is an excellent singer. His songwriting is worth learning. Counting Stars is expressive, and 'But those who would kill me, will give me life after' is a lyric I particularly like," Leighton said. Despite his dislike for Chu Zhi, he had to maintain a public image.
He could name tracks because they were widely played in public spaces.
He never expected a Chinese album to succeed in Europe and America. Incredible.
The album's rising popularity also attracted music critics, such as the website Pitchfork.
Originating from a blog, it counted only partially as industry insiders. They left no room for sentiment, not even acknowledging "effort without merit." Songs were judged purely by sound. Its name, Pitchfork, suggested its piercing critique.
The sharper and harsher the review, the more audience it attracted. Pitchfork was the world's most influential independent music site, releasing 25 new album reviews weekly. Its visitors alone justified advertising from companies like Apple.
Even Pitchfork, not known for leniency toward trending music, gave an unexpectedly positive evaluation of The One Gazed Upon by Gods.