Prodigal System in the Flourishing City

Chapter 1329: Chapter 1330: Bishop

An unexpected turn of events occurred, and the Grammy organizers lost interest in any further delays and proceeded directly with the awards ceremony.

Something unforeseen happened.

The song ”Life” suddenly won five awards, including Song of the Year, Record of the Year, Best Contemporary Classical Composition, Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, and Best New Age Album, shocking the entire audience!

”Oh my god! So many awards?! For just one song?!”

”Yes! How long has it been since a song like this appeared at the Grammys?! And why haven’t I heard of ’Life’?!”

”I heard that the song was recommended by the Lu Group’s record label and is currently very popular in the Heavenly Dynasty, but it hasn’t reached overseas yet!”

”Does this song really deserve so many awards?!”

”Indeed! It’s not about questioning the professionalism of the Grammys, but even if a song is truly good, should it reach such heights?!”

”Five awards! So many honors for just one song?! Even the most award-winning local American music has never achieved such accolades!”

”Was there pressure behind the scenes?!”

”Impossible! Not to mention the Grammys’ professionalism and fairness, Lu Xiaobu is not yet at the level where he could exert pressure on the Grammys in America!”

”...”

Listening to the discussions below, the host smiled. They had already expected such a reaction.

”I know many of you have your doubts, so let us all listen to this astonishing song together!” the host said with a smile.

Then, the music began to play at the venue.

Unhurried yet firm, soft yet carrying explosive defiance.

The crowd nodded in acknowledgment of the arrangement, which indeed showed significant skill.

However, as the lyrics formally started and the singer’s voice emerged,

”Oh my god! What... what is this?!”

”My god! It’s amazing! This isn’t about the singer’s skills or the power of the melody; it’s an emotion!”

”Yes! An emotion from deep within people’s hearts!”

”It makes me feel like experiencing God the Father’s feeling when creating life?!”

”This brilliance, this life force! It’s incredible!”

”My god! Let’s just quietly enjoy it!”

”...”

The audience was not ignorant; they all had a certain level of musical literacy, so their understanding of this song was quite deep.

...

Quickly, news about ”Life” winning five major awards at the Grammys was reported back home.

”Hahaha! As expected!”

”Amazing! Young Master Bu is incredible!”

”I bet those Americans were shocked out of their wits!”

”6666! Young Master Bu has created another miracle!”

”A purely Chinese song achieved such a level, only Young Master Bu could do it!”

”That’s for sure! Long live Young Master Bu!”

”...”

Internationally, this song was also covered repeatedly, receiving endless praise.

However, Lu Xiaobu wasn’t very interested in this. The only reason he attended the Grammys was that a few people requested it.

His fondness for the song was merely about the song itself, so he wasn’t very interested in winning awards.

However, even if he wasn’t much interested, there were people who were very interested.

And they were the American Church.

Almost as soon as the song’s award was announced, and on the same day the Grammys concluded, the American Church extended an invitation to Lu Xiaobu.

Perhaps many people aren’t very familiar with the American Church.

To put it simply, a single number can illustrate it: in America, the proportion of people believing in religion once exceeded eighty percent.

Even the U.S. President, court witnesses before giving testimony, and immigrants to America all had a very important procedure — swearing an oath on the Bible.

Now you can see how influential the American Church is.

Of course, although they all believe in God, they’re not all of the same denomination. The main denominations include the Christian New Church, Catholic, Mormonism, and Judaism.

And this time, it was the Catholic Church, known for its strict rules and discipline, that invited Lu Xiaobu.

”Hello, Mr. Lu, our bishop is looking forward to your visit.”

Located on the busiest Fifth Avenue in New York, reportedly the largest cathedral in New York, and the very spot where the Vatican’s archbishop preached when visiting America, by the entrance of St. Patrick’s Cathedral, a clergy member warmly greeted Lu Xiaobu.

”Alright, lead the way.” Lu Xiaobu nodded and said nothing.

He was just looking first, curious about why the Catholic bishop was inviting him.

After all, he wasn’t exactly a nice person.

Entering the cathedral, it was quiet and solemn inside, whether tourists or clergy members, everyone appeared very calm.

Lu Xiaobu glanced around and said nothing.

He was an atheist but didn’t deny other people’s religions; there are many mysterious things in this world. Maybe a god really does exist; who could say for certain?

The clergy member led Lu Xiaobu through the main hall to a relatively secluded guest hall.

”Please wait a moment, our bishop will be here shortly.”

The clergy member spoke very politely.

So what is a bishop? It’s the highest leader of a regional denomination.

That is to say, apart from the unified Pope of the Catholic Church, in America, the bishop is the highest leader of the Catholic Church.

And for someone to receive a personal meeting with the bishop, naturally, they hold an unusual status.

”Alright.” Lu Xiaobu nodded, casually observing the hall.

Soon, a white man around fifty walked over: ”May God bless you.”

”Sorry, I don’t believe in God.” Lu Xiaobu waved his hand, speaking rather bluntly, even somewhat rudely: ”If you’re here to preach to me, please spare; if it’s business, then let’s avoid involving religion.”

With these words, the bishop was momentarily speechless.

He then gave a wry smile: ”Mr. Lu, aren’t your words a bit too blunt?!”

He had encountered atheists before, but none as assertive as Lu Xiaobu, who wasn’t even willing to listen.

”How should I put it? It’s quite troublesome.” Lu Xiaobu sat on a chair, twirling his thumb: ”My status is quite unique, and your position is rather special as well. If we get entangled, it wouldn’t be good for either of us, so let’s stick to the matter at hand.”

”Alright then.” The bishop smiled wryly again.

But, he thought it over and realized it made sense.

”I’ll be straightforward. Our church wishes to purchase the rights to the song ’Life’.” The bishop said directly.

”What terms are you offering? Don’t mention money; I don’t lack money. Offer something that I might find interesting.” Lu Xiaobu replied without hesitation.