The trial of Lu Tianyu, President Liu, and others proceeded steadily according to legal procedures, under intense media and public scrutiny. Although some details of the truth were withheld, the overwhelming evidence left the conviction and sentencing of the main perpetrators a foregone conclusion. This nationwide storm was gradually drawing to a close at the judicial level.
However, the flame ignited by Lin Chen with his life did not die out with the conclusion of the case. On the contrary, it transformed into countless sparks, scattered throughout society, continuing to burn and triggering far-reaching changes.
First and foremost, within the entertainment industry. The immense impact of the Xingyao incident forced the entire industry to undergo radical reforms. Many large entertainment companies publicly announced internal restructuring, re-examining contracts with their artists, abolishing unreasonable and unfair terms, and establishing ethics committees to oversee company operations. Previously considered commonplace practices such as data manipulation, malicious competition, and resource monopolies were now universally condemned. A new atmosphere advocating "the work is king" and "respect for creation" was slowly but surely taking root.
Lin Chen's "Mountain Questions" and other early works received unprecedented attention and recognition after his passing. Multiple authoritative music awards posthumously awarded him "Best Original Music of the Year," affirming the pure power inherent in his music. His story was included in art school textbooks, becoming a vivid example for exploring the relationship between art and capital, dreams and reality. The image of the boy carrying a guitar and singing in a mountain stream became a poignant symbol of perseverance and downfall in an era, inspiring those who follow to cherish talent and be wary of pitfalls.
A more profound impact lies in the awakening of public awareness. This incident served as a costly public lesson, significantly raising public awareness and vigilance regarding the dark side of the entertainment industry. Fans became more rational, resisting data manipulation and excessive marketing, and focusing more on the character and work of artists. Ordinary people also developed a stronger immunity to the manipulation of public opinion and the distortion of values by capital. A rational attitude of "not creating idols, not blindly following, and seeking the truth" began to gain more traction online.
With the help of various parties, Chen Kai rebuilt his studio and named it "Spark Music Corner." This place is no longer just a space for teaching and creation; it has become a small, public-benefit music salon, regularly hosting original music sharing sessions and industry ethics discussions, continuing Lin Chen's pursuit of pure music.
Su Yuqing received the highest honor in journalism for her outstanding courage and professionalism during this incident. However, she chose to leave her original newspaper and join a new independent media platform focused on in-depth investigations and non-fiction writing. She knows that the road to monitoring power and exposing darkness is still long, and she needs a new, freer platform.
At the heart of all these changes—Lin Chen—he still lies quietly in a hospital bed, his life sustained by machines. He missed the entire tumultuous wave that arose because of him, and he missed the quiet yet profound changes he triggered. His body is severely damaged; doctors predict that even if he wakes up, he will most likely face lifelong paralysis and speech impairment. That song that once resounded through the mountains may forever remain a lost sound.
The spark, though extinguished, has become a prairie fire.
But the boy who first ignited the flame may forever remain asleep, unaware that he has become a star illuminating the path for countless people, even though he is a fallen star.