Chapter Forty-Three: Women, After All, Are but Mist and Smoke

"Xing Fei, you’re new to the entertainment industry, so you might not realize just how treacherous the music world can be." Seeing that the gentle approach wasn’t working, Brother Wei decided it was time to get tough with the young girl before him.

"Let me put it this way—even if the company freezes me out, as long as I refuse to yield, you won’t be able to take the ‘Who Is the Singer’ championship away!"

Xing Fei frowned at his words. Though she’d only officially debuted a short while ago, her two and a half years as a trainee had given her a fair understanding of the industry. As Brother Wei said, capital is power. If she lost the backing of Starshine Entertainment, then no matter how outstanding her performance on the show, as long as Brother Wei and Lin Xinyou—those key company figures—refused to support her, the championship would remain out of reach.

If they wished, they could edit the show in post-production any way they saw fit; it was nothing more than an idle task to them.

This realization was hard for Xing Fei to accept. She’d worked so hard, and yet, in the end, her fate could be determined by a single offhand decision from someone else.

"What do you want?" she asked, resignation in her voice.

"Sign a contract with Heartmark Entertainment—"

Before Brother Wei could finish, Lin Xinyou interrupted him.

"Let me meet your mentor!"

In terms of looks and figure, Lin Xinyou was no less impressive than Xing Fei, let alone in certain bedroom arts. Lin Xinyou was confident: as long as she met Xing Fei’s mysterious mentor, she could win him over and have him write songs exclusively for her from then on.

Brother Wei stared at Lin Xinyou in shock.

"No." Xing Fei shook her head. "That’s not up to me. My mentor isn’t meeting anyone from the industry right now."

Lin Xinyou was taken aback, then slammed her hand on the table, her emotions running high. "If you can arrange a meeting between me and your mentor, I’ll guarantee you win this season’s ‘Who Is the Singer’!"

"No!" Xing Fei gritted her teeth. Even if it meant being eliminated from the show, she would never betray Chen Nian.

Seeing Xing Fei’s resolve, Lin Xinyou had to compromise.

"Fine. Then have your mentor write a song for me. If I’m satisfied, you’ll be this season’s champion."

"One song for the top spot in a hit show—that’s a bargain, isn’t it?"

"What exactly are you up to?" Brother Wei finally lost his patience and grabbed Lin Xinyou’s wrist.

A single song in exchange for the championship of ‘Who Is the Singer’? He might not have minded personally.

But Heartmark Entertainment had made it clear: only if Xing Fei signed with them could he make a public comeback. For the sake of his own career, he couldn’t possibly agree to Lin Xinyou’s terms.

"Let go of me!" Lin Xinyou couldn’t care less about Brother Wei’s future now. If she could secure a song that would cement her legacy, she’d be willing to do anything—even die for it.

"If you really do this, I’ll call the company right now!"

Realizing Lin Xinyou had completely lost it, Brother Wei brandished his phone, threatening to call Heartmark’s top brass.

"Go ahead, I dare you!" Lin Xinyou showed not a hint of hesitation. She pulled out her phone and played a video for Brother Wei.

His eyes widened as he watched: on the screen, he and Lin Xinyou were in the throes of passion, naked together on a sofa.

"If you so much as breathe a word to the company, you can spend the rest of your life behind bars!"

"You—!" Brother Wei leapt to his feet, pointing at Lin Xinyou, his face flushed with rage, but he was speechless.

Xing Fei, watching this bizarre scene from across the table, was utterly bewildered. From her vantage, she hadn’t seen the video on Lin Xinyou’s phone. How had things turned so violent so quickly? Was this the fabled mood swing of the older generation of artists?

"Now, we’re in the same boat," Lin Xinyou said calmly. "Follow my lead, and I promise you’ll be back at the company before the year’s out."

Brother Wei still couldn’t quite believe the girl he’d personally mentored had grown so cunning. With the video in her possession, he dared not make another move and could only sit down, relinquishing control of the situation to Lin Xinyou.

Lin Xinyou sighed, then looked to Xing Fei.

At that moment, Xing Fei’s expression was that of a hapless animal caught in a melon patch—entirely at a loss for words.

"My apologies for making you witness that," Lin Xinyou said. "I hope that after you leave this room, you’ll forget everything that just happened."

Xing Fei nodded in agreement.

"As for the song, there’s no rush. Go home and discuss it with your mentor."

"Tell your mentor that as long as he’s willing to write me a song, there’s nothing I, Lin Xinyou, wouldn’t do."

"Remember, make sure you pass along my message: anything at all…"

"Alright," Xing Fei replied, nodding her assent. Though she agreed on the surface, knowing Chen Nian as she did, she doubted he’d ever write a song for Lin Xinyou.

With Xing Fei’s agreement, the three exchanged a few more pleasantries before leaving the private room. As Xing Fei exited, Lin Xinyou’s new manager, Sister Mei, patted her down to ensure she hadn’t recorded anything, then let her go.

Once outside, Xing Fei immediately contacted Chen Nian and relayed everything that had just transpired.

"What do you think?" Chen Nian asked after hearing her account.

Xing Fei pondered a moment, then replied, "Master, I think Lin Xinyou just wants to use you as a springboard. We can’t agree to write her a song. I’ll contact the show tomorrow and withdraw from ‘Who Is the Singer’!"

Part of her motive was to protect Chen Nian, but more than that, it was for herself. After witnessing his talent, Xing Fei was convinced that as long as she stayed close to Chen Nian, she would rise to the top of the industry. What was a mere singing competition compared to that?

Chen Nian smiled faintly. Though Xing Fei had her own interests at heart, her answer satisfied him.

"Tell Lin Xinyou I’ll write a song for her—and I don’t want anything in return."

"What?" Xing Fei was stunned. Agreeing to write a song for Lin Xinyou was one thing, but refusing any compensation?

As Chen Nian’s acknowledged disciple, Xing Fei knew countless people who’d recently tried to commission him for songs—some even offering eight million per piece!

Yet now, Chen Nian was willing to write a song for Lin Xinyou, with whom he had longstanding enmity, and ask for nothing?

Xing Fei’s first thought was that Chen Nian had been bewitched by Lin Xinyou. But then she reconsidered—Chen Nian was constantly surrounded by beautiful women: herself, Luo Xiaoyi, Zhou Lu, and even Wei Xi, who’d recently appeared at his side. Who among them was less charming than Lin Xinyou?

With that, Xing Fei felt reassured. At least Chen Nian wasn’t a man to be easily swayed by women. As for why he agreed to write Lin Xinyou a song, she simply couldn’t fathom it.