HDRDTH -Chapter 44 The Aftermath of “The Lone Brave”

The aftermath of “The Lone Brave” swept across the nation like a Category-12 hurricane on New Year’s Eve.

In countless homes, before television screens, many people found their eyes turning red at that moment.

Construction workers far from home, still crouched in unfinished buildings on New Year’s Eve, biting into steamed buns;

Emergency room doctors pulling overnight shifts, so exhausted they could only nap against the wall;

Traffic police and border soldiers holding their posts through snowstorms…

As they watched the raw black-and-white images on screen and listened to Su Xi’s soul-piercing voice, they felt an unprecedented sense of resonance—and respect.

Online, major forums and message boards exploded after a brief lag.

【Damn, damn, damn! I’m uneducated so I can only say “damn” all the way! I’m a 1.8-meter-tall Northeasterner and I’m crying like an idiot under my blanket!】

【This is a true anthem of the era! No empty slogans, no fake grandeur—only raw truth that hits the soul! Su Xi is amazing!】

【A masterpiece! Who says those covered in mud can’t be heroes? I’m crying my eyes out!】

【Master Yu is insane! This song doesn’t just kill—it brings people back to life!】

【@Zhang Jieke, do you get it now? This is dimensional crushing. Your sequins belong in the trash.】

【Am I the only one who noticed the songwriter is Yu Xian?! Not only can he “fish out corrupt officials from afar,” he can also write god-tier tearjerkers? What kind of immortal is this?!】

【Compared to “The Lone Brave,” Zhang Jieke’s performance earlier looked like a circus monkey jumping through hoops. So damn awkward!】

In the CCTV backstage lounge, a loud crash echoed.

Zhang Jieke smashed a makeup mirror worth tens of thousands into pieces, his face alternating between green and purple.

Looking at the flood of mocking comments on his phone, he trembled with rage.

The millions he spent buying trending topics were instantly buried—completely drowned by the terrifying organic traffic of “The Lone Brave.”

Meanwhile, Yu Xian was in a hallway with Su Wanyi and Su Xi, just offstage, surrounded by a dense crowd of excited officials and celebrities.

“Teacher Yu! A genius! This song will definitely go down in the history of Chinese music!” a renowned musician said, gripping Yu Xian’s hand so tightly he could barely form words.

“Mr. Yu, I’m the CEO of XX Entertainment. We want to sign Su Xi at the highest level possible—name your terms!”

Yu Xian pulled his hand back, annoyed, forcing a perfunctory smile.

“Everyone, please move aside. My daughter is tired tonight and needs rest. As for contracts—we’re not considering anything for now. Excuse us, I’m in a hurry.”

Right now, all he could think about was what Wang Dafu had told him—the “world’s only, pure titanium alloy, hand-crafted” premium lure rod.

Compared to that sacred weapon, these entertainment industry figures meant nothing.

With some difficulty, and escorted by security, he finally returned to the exclusive lounge.

The moment he opened the door, he froze.

Wang Dafu was sitting on the sofa like a smiling Buddha, drinking tea.

Beside him stood Qin Yue, dressed in a sharp red windbreaker, her aura cold and refined. In her hands was a long black ebony box, held with extreme respect.

“Dad! You’re finally back! That song was insane! I was crying backstage listening to it!” Wang Dafu rushed up immediately.

Yu Xian ignored him completely.

His eyes were locked onto the black ebony box in Qin Yue’s hands.

More intense than looking at a peerless beauty.

“Mr. Yu, Happy New Year,” Qin Yue said softly, bowing slightly as she presented the box. “This is the equipment you requested. The European master stayed in seclusion for three months to complete it. I personally flew it here tonight.”

Yu Xian took a deep breath, his hands trembling slightly.

At fifty-five in his previous life, he had seen every storm imaginable. He had signed billion-dollar contracts without blinking.

But as a veteran fisherman cursed with constant empty catches, he still couldn’t remain calm in front of such a legendary piece of gear.

Click.

He carefully unlatched the copper lock and opened the box.

A faint scent of maintenance oil drifted out.

Inside the black velvet lining lay a lure rod that looked like a work of art.

The rod body used top-tier carbon cross-weave technology, its surface shimmering with deep, mysterious textures under the light.

The guides were made of pure titanium alloy—light yet incredibly strong.

But what truly stole the eye was the reel.

Precision-machined from aviation-grade titanium alloy, seamless and flawless, it produced a faint, mesmerizing “whirring” sound like a Swiss timepiece when spun.

“Perfect… this is the ultimate romance for a man!” Yu Xian swallowed hard, gently stroking the rod. The cold, refined texture made him feel almost spiritually elevated.

“Xiao Yu, seriously?” Su Wanyi sighed helplessly. “It’s just a fishing rod. Do you really have to be this excited?”

“You don’t understand!” Yu Xian shot back immediately. “This is belief! With this divine weapon, I’ll break my curse of empty fishing today! I’m going to show every fish in the world who the real Sea King is!”

At that moment, the door burst open.

Feng Dagang rushed in, hair messy, face glowing red with excitement.

“Brother Yu! Ratings broke records! The highest in ten years! The station chief just called personally to praise us!”

Yu Xian instantly dodged him, clutching the ebony box protectively.

“Cut the small talk. Old Feng, we had a deal. I gave you the song, you saw the results. Where’s your promise?”

“Don’t worry! I keep my word!” Feng Dagang slapped his chest. “The car is in the underground garage—off-road vehicle, tank full! We’re heading straight to the imperial forest reserve outside Beijing that’s been closed for thirty years!”

“Now?” Su Wanyi froze, glancing at the clock. “It’s almost midnight! You’re going fishing at this hour? Are you all crazy?”

“In the world of fishermen, there is no day or night—only the window!” Yu Xian’s eyes burned with obsession as he zipped up his worn hoodie.

“Dafu, take care of your mom and Sister Xi. Book them a hotel and let them rest. Xiao Qin, you should also rest—you’ve worked hard. When I return to Jiangcheng, I’ll make you Buddha Jumps Over the Wall!”