Chapter Seven: Relentless Blows

Chen Nian gently plucked the strings, and a lively prelude filled the air. Luo Xiaoyi slowly closed her eyes, savoring the song Chen Nian had written just for her.

In the audience, especially among the fans who had just returned from Aiting’s concert, necks craned in excitement as they gazed at the pair standing at center stage, faces alight with anticipation.

After listening to Lin Xinrou’s new song, they all desperately needed a piece penned by Chen Nian to cleanse their ears.

“Dearest, where are you daydreaming? What’s weighing on your heart, still unresolved?”

“We always imagine life to be harder than it is, as if others forbade us our quirks.”

“Every unique cloud must find its sky to exist.”

“We’re so used to pacing in place, yet never used to being relied upon…”

Luo Xiaoyi opened her eyes and began to sing, her voice ringing clear and sweet through the venue, dazzling stage lights illuminating her features.

Fans waved their glow sticks, hearts pounding wildly.

“Damn, it’s not just that she sings well—at times, Luo Xiaoyi on stage seems even more captivating than Goddess Lin herself.”

“It’s the emotion! Compared to Lin Xinrou, Luo Xiaoyi sings with feeling—that’s what a real singer should be.”

Some offered explanations: Unlike Lin Xinrou’s mechanical, emotionless performance, Luo Xiaoyi’s voice brimmed with the feelings the song sought to express.

At the climax, Chen Nian’s and Luo Xiaoyi’s voices joined as one.

The two gazed at each other with deep affection on stage, striking a chord with countless fans below.

“You’ve given me a love I never want to lose in this life.”

“Believing that love’s journey is as vast as the stars and the sea.”

“The beautiful story will never change; it’s fate’s best arrangement.”

“You’ve given me a love I never want to lose in this life.”

“Even if your breath is a thousand mountains away, please believe the love I give is worth your love…”

Humans empathize so easily. Who doesn’t wish for a love that would never end?

By the final notes, nearly everyone present was moved to tears.

They waved glow sticks to the rhythm; those without raised their phones, flashlights flickering in the air.

“Ninety-six, ninety-seven, ninety-nine! We’ve got it! We’ve got it! We’ve won the bet!” Backstage, Sister Mei punched the air, her eyes glued to the data sheet, shouting with excitement.

It was in this moment she grasped an undeniable truth.

The name Chen Nian would soon blaze across the music world.

When the song ended, thunderous applause erupted throughout the arena.

Chen Nian and Luo Xiaoyi exchanged a smile, stepped to the front of the stage, and bowed deeply to their fans. For singers who lived by their music, their fans were truly their lifeblood.

“Encore! Encore! Encore!”

“Chen Nian! Chen Nian! Chen Nian!”

The concert ended perfectly, but as Chen Nian and Luo Xiaoyi returned backstage, the encore chants still echoed on.

Yet Luo Xiaoyi felt no displeasure at Chen Nian’s louder acclaim over her own.

Still flushed with excitement, she said to Chen Nian, “You were incredible tonight. After this, your name will be everywhere online. When you’re famous, don’t forget about me.”

Chen Nian smiled faintly. “I have no plans to debut, but if you ever need anything, you can come to me.”

Having already experienced viral fame, all Chen Nian wanted now was to live quietly, content as a dreamless fish in calm waters.

“Why?” Luo Xiaoyi asked curiously. “Isn’t it every singer’s dream to debut, become famous, and reach the top?”

“Is that what you think?” Chen Nian replied with a question of his own.

Luo Xiaoyi was silent for a moment, then shook her head. “No. As long as I can sing on stage, as long as someone likes my songs, I don’t care about fame.”

“Exactly,” Chen Nian chuckled. “Everyone has their own aspirations.”

“We did it! We did it!” Seeing them return, Sister Mei hurried over.

“The attendance rate hit ninety-nine percent—we’ve won the bet!”

“Really?” Luo Xiaoyi cried, immediately hugging Sister Mei, who was so overjoyed she burst into tears.

They had truly poured their hearts into this wager.

Chen Nian stood quietly to the side, his face showing genuine happiness for them both.

“Chen Nian, thank you so much. Without your help, Sister Mei and I would have lost for sure.”

“Yes, Mr. Chen, we’d have been in real trouble without you. How about this—as thanks, Xiaoyi and I will treat you to dinner.”

“No need,” Chen Nian said, waving away their heartfelt invitation. “There’s something I need to take care of at home. If there’s nothing else, I’ll be on my way.”

With that, Chen Nian turned to leave.

“Oh, right—Sister Mei, could you send me the original video of Lin Xinrou’s concert stage accident?”

Since Lin Xinrou wanted to play games, he would happily oblige this so-called ex-girlfriend.

“Of course, no problem.” Though she had no idea what Chen Nian intended, Sister Mei readily agreed.

Luo Xiaoyi frowned. “Sister Mei, he said he doesn’t want to debut.”

“Leave that to me. You just need to speak up at the right moment.”

“But…”

“Xiaoyi, this industry is like that. Once you’re hot, even if we don’t come to him, other companies certainly will.”

Hearing this, Luo Xiaoyi could only lower her head in resignation.

Sister Mei was right—once you started to catch fire in this business, many things were no longer up to you.

Back home, Chen Nian transferred the video from his phone to his computer, smiled slightly, and began his usual routine…

Meanwhile, in the private lounge of Aiting’s concert, after listening to two more songs performed by Chen Nian, Lin Xinrou’s brow furrowed. Suddenly, she seized the glass on the table and hurled it to the floor.

The glass shattered instantly, fragments scattering everywhere.

By now, Chen Nian’s name was trending at number one, thoroughly overshadowing Lin Xinrou.

With her pride, such a humiliation was intolerable. She immediately pulled out her phone, intending to contact the relevant authorities to suppress the trending news about Chen Nian.

Just then, Lin Xinrou’s manager rushed into the room.

Catching sight of the broken glass, the manager paused in surprise.

There was nothing left of the goddess in Lin Xinrou now—her face was flushed, her expression twisted, the very picture of a scorned woman.

“My hand slipped,” Lin Xinrou said coolly after regaining her composure. “What is it?”

“Xinrou, bad news—someone’s gone online and exposed your mistake.”

Hearing this, Lin Xinrou’s already foul mood plunged even lower.