Chapter Forty-Four: Suturing the Divine Melody

The day after meeting Lin Xinrou, Chen Nian casually tossed out a music demo, though the vocalist was Xing Fei.

“Master, do you really want to give such a good song to Lin Xinrou?” Xing Fei asked in confusion after finishing the demo.

“With your talent, Master, couldn’t you just write any song for her?”

Chen Nian smiled faintly. “This song was written casually. Just give it to Lin Xinrou.”

“Alright then.” Although she was reluctant, since Chen Nian had already decided, Xing Fei could only agree.

“By the way, is the Challenge Round for ‘Who Is the Singer’ about to start recording?”

“Yes.” Xing Fei nodded.

“Bring your senior up here. I have something to discuss with her,” Chen Nian said calmly.

“OK!” Xing Fei smiled and made an OK gesture before leaving the studio.

The Challenge Round, as the name suggests, invites powerful singers to compete and try to seize a spot. Losers are immediately eliminated, while winners take their place and continue in the competition. As the hottest music show lately, the Challenge Round is undoubtedly the most anticipated episode of “Who Is the Singer.”

Of course, most singers who participate are there to promote their songs. After all, for those who are already somewhat famous, battling with amateurs or trainees isn’t much to brag about even if they win.

But there are also some faded stars hoping for a comeback, who are willing to go all out.

Meanwhile, at Heart’s Trace Entertainment, in the artist lounge, Lin Xinrou had just listened to the demo Xing Fei brought her. Her face was flushed with excitement, and she couldn’t hide her smile.

Even Wei Ge, who had furiously opposed Lin Xinrou’s exchange of a song for the grand championship, fell silent after hearing it.

This song was incredible!

“As spring departs, hair turns white, and longing grows lonely...”

“A strand of sorrow is cut, covering the eyes in blindness...”

“Today, hearts are broken...”

“Today, we are worlds apart...”

Lin Xinrou tried humming a couple of lines, her joy irrepressible.

“Who cares about Zhou Lu or Luo Xiaoyi!”

“I finally have my own signature song!” Lin Xinrou shouted in excitement.

Forget ‘Unbreakable Love,’ ‘Under the Sea,’ or ‘Clear Skies’... ‘Parting Sorrow’ was the work worthy of being Lin Xinrou’s defining piece.

With this song, she was determined to snatch the title of ‘national goddess’ from Zhou Lu.

As Lin Xinrou beamed with excitement, Wei Ge beside her asked, “How do you plan to credit the songwriting and composition? Are you really going to name Xing Fei’s master?”

“Impossible!” Lin Xinrou immediately rejected the idea.

“Zhou Lu and Luo Xiaoyi’s songs were all written by others. Only if I claim this song as my own will it cause a real sensation!”

Wei Ge frowned. “Aren’t you afraid Xing Fei’s master will expose you?”

“He won’t,” Lin Xinrou replied confidently. “Since he’s willing to give me this song, he won’t care about such a trivial matter.”

“That’s right. It must be so! This song is mine. ‘Parting Sorrow’ is my work!”

Watching Lin Xinrou’s near-maniacal state, Wei Ge smiled and said nothing more.

As an established, gold-standard producer, Wei Ge knew that—whether it’s a song, a show, or a film—such works are like the creator’s own children, their very lifeblood.

How could anyone willingly hand over something they brought to life themselves?

If Lin Xinrou really tried this, Wei Ge thought, it would be playing with fire—certain doom.

But with the incriminating video of himself and Lin Xinrou still in her hands, Wei Ge was now more eager to see her either rise to the heavens or fall to utter ruin...

Elsewhere, in a media company’s recording studio, Chen Nian looked calmly at the woman before him. “This should be your first public appearance since you were forced to leave the entertainment industry.”

“I don’t want you joining the Challenge Round just for the sake of it. I want you to take her down on stage—”

Before Chen Nian could finish, the woman interrupted, “Don’t worry. In this music world, it’s either her or me—if I’m here, she disappears...”

Chen Nian smiled in satisfaction and nodded.

“If you have any questions, discuss them with Xing Fei. She should be pretty experienced with the show by now.”

The woman looked at Chen Nian expressionlessly. “Did you forget that I also debuted on ‘Who Is the Singer’?”

Chen Nian let out a helpless laugh. He hadn’t forgotten; in fact, he’d never known.

After giving Chen Nian one last glance, the woman turned and left the studio.

“Hey, hey, is this how you treat your boss?” Chen Nian teased.

The woman stopped, turned to look at him, and said, “Our grudges—I’ll settle them with you later.”

“And thank you for the song...”

Chen Nian smiled and said no more.

Three days later, the Challenge Round of “Who Is the Singer” began recording.

Led by Luo Xiaoyi, Chen Nian arrived at the set.

“I didn’t expect you’d recruit even her to the company. Didn’t you say you weren’t planning on entering the entertainment industry?”

He’d said he wanted nothing to do with showbiz, rejecting numerous offers.

But now, thinking back, Luo Xiaoyi realized that ever since Chen Nian’s explosive debut at her concert, every step he'd taken—while appearing forced—had, in truth, been a careful move to expand his influence.

Chen Nian chuckled. “Someone wants me dead; I have to fight back, don’t I?”

Luo Xiaoyi leaned on the railing in the audience, gazing at Chen Nian’s profile.

He was right. After his rise to fame at her concert, whether or not he entered showbiz was no longer his choice. Without proper defenses, he and his friends would eventually be drowned in the entertainment industry’s torrent.

The show began with the mentors’ performance round.

The first three mentors’ acts nearly put Luo Xiaoyi to sleep. The live audience wasn’t exactly lifeless, but their reactions were far from enthusiastic.

“Hello, everyone. Next, I’ll perform an original song, ‘Parting Sorrow.’”

When Lin Xinrou confidently took the stage and sang ‘Parting Sorrow,’ the entire venue was instantly set ablaze.

Though the song was stitched together from several others, its lyrics and composition were undeniably excellent.

Chen Nian smiled faintly, everything unfolding just as he’d expected. As anticipated, Lin Xinrou had claimed the song as her own.

Having listened to Chen Nian’s songs countless times, Luo Xiaoyi immediately turned to him, “Did you write this?”

Chen Nian didn’t deny it; he nodded.

Though curious why Chen Nian would give a song to Lin Xinrou, Luo Xiaoyi didn’t press further.