There were questions about why Ji Zehui made things so difficult for Xie Yang and questions about why Angry Waves was scored so low. The comments quickly spread on Weibo and various topics related to the program boarded the hot search list. The two Weibo posts of Old Text With Sharp Eyes were praised onto the hot list and various types of gossip came out one after another...
This night, Weibo was doomed to be unable to calm down.
***
Since the incident when he was awakened by Hu Biao, Xie Yang liked to shut down the phone when he slept. Once Xie Yang woke up early the next day and turned on his phone, Ji Zehui had been cursed hundreds of times on Weibo.
Ji Zehui spoke into the voice with a hoarse voice, "Did you do this intentionally? Do you know how many fans I lost tonight and how much money I spent to withdraw my name from the hot search?"
"It takes a bit of money for you to have a long memory. If you know this then you wouldn't do such a thing like holding yourself up high while stepping on those below." Xie Yang went to the dining table and sat down. "Don't withdraw from the hot search. Go to prepare a recording studio and a band. Once I finish other things today, I'll accompany you to record an official version of the adapted One Sword is Equal to Spring and Autumn. Then you will post it on Weibo and I'll say a few good words for you. Basically, you will be able to pass through this wave of black materials."
Ji Zehui didn't believe it. "So simple?"
"It's this simple. Fans and netizens are currently scolding you for bullying a newcomer and questioning your strength. I can break through the bullying material by saying a few words for you. You can clear up the material about regressing by singing a song that will break through the past. So go to bed and rest your voice. Don't drop the ball when recording One Sword is Equal to Spring and Autumn. By the way, you should contact Who is the King of Songs and say you'll help explain when the score of Angry Waves is so low."
Ji Zehui was about to blow up again.
Xie Yang raised his voice. "Why are you so anxious? Listen to me. This is also to avoid the matter of re-recording the song being exposed by others in the future. Although the audience signed a confidentiality contract before the recording, you should know how low the control power of those contracts is. In addition, there are so many staff members at B City's TV station and how many of them know that we sang it again? Can you suppress the news?"
Ji Zehui calmed down and asked, "What do you want to do?"
"Help you sell the miserable and emotional card. Okay, go and prepare."
After pacifying Ji Zehui, Xie Yang put down his phone and picked up his chopsticks to eat breakfast.
"You're helping your bully?"
Xie Yang's chopsticks paused as he looked at Qiu Xing opposite him whose expression wasn't good. He explained, "I am doing business, using his reputation to promote myself and Yang Xing for free."
Qiu Xing didn't answer but his expression still wasn't good. Xie Yang took the initiative to give Qiu Xing some snacks.
Breakfast finished and the two of them set out to visit Feng Qinglin, who was sick in his B City residence. On the road, Xie Yang carefully recalled the plot of the original book.
As the male lead of the original book, Feng Qinglin currently had little status in the Feng family. Nevertheless, he had everything a male lead should have. For example, endless money, houses everywhere in the country and endless luxury cars.
Xie Yang remembered it was mentioned in the original novel that the residence of the male lead in B City was a small villa that Qiu Jing bought in the past with her private money. Coincidentally, the female lead also had a home in this community. According to the timeline, the female lead should've already moved in.
There was a plot in the original novel where the male lead was sick and the female lead came to take care of him. This was an important turning point in the emotional development of the two people. The time when the plot occurred was after the female lead finished filming with the movie emperor. It clearly wasn't that time yet but a few days ago, the female lead appeared outside the TV station building in C City when she should be filming with the movie emperor. This proved that the plot was somewhat different from the original novel...
"What are you thinking about?"
Xie Yang's mind returned and he glanced at Qiu Xing. "I'm wondering if you can stop cutting the power off at 10 o'clock every night."
Qiu Xing's eyes contained a warning. "Do you want to stay up late again?"
"......"
Xie Yang told him, "I'm an adult and I have self-control. Staying up late previously was an accident."
"An accident that happens twice in a row will become a bad habit."
It seemed there was no rebuttal. Xie Yang shut up.
30 minutes later, the two of them arrived at Feng Qinglin's residence. The housekeeper aunt came to open the door. Qiu Xing entered with Xie Yang and asked, "What about Qinglin?"
The housekeeper replied with a smile, "He is lying upstairs. His fever is gone and Miss Mu is taking care of him. This time, it is really thanks to Miss Mu. Qinglin had a high fever the day before yesterday but I happened to ask for leave to go home. Miss Mu happened to be unable to make contact with Qinglin. She lives in the community and came to check the situation. If it wasn't for this, I'm afraid that no one would've found that Qinglin has a fever. Miss Mu also cooked congee for Qinglin this morning. She is so considerate!"
Xie Yang, "..."
Very good. Previously, he wondered if the male lead's illness had been caused by the plot of the original book advancing ahead of time. He hadn't expected it to really be the case. He looked at Qiu Xing. Was it time for Qiu Xing to meet that woman today?
Qiu Xing asked the housekeeper, "Who is Miss Mu?"
The housekeeper replied excitedly, "Miss Mu is Mu Zhouyi. She is a beautiful, big star. Qinglin previously met her in the car accident in S City. She is very good! After Qinglin came to B City, he often met her in the community. She also gave Qinglin soup that she cooked herself!"
Xie Yang looked at the red-faced housekeeper and suspected that her goodwill had been increased by the female lead's skill. Otherwise, how could a housekeeper with a normal IQ boast about an unknown person who kept visiting her sick employer?
Qiu Xing apparently noticed the housekeeper's weirdness as well and frowned at her. He didn't let her continue as he walked toward the master bedroom on the second floor. Xie Yang kept up with him.
Before reaching the master bedroom, Feng Qinglin and Mu Zhouyi's voices were heard. Feng Qinglin seemed to want to get up only to be stopped by Mu Zhouyi. Mu Zhouyi also said that she would buy vegetables to make lunch for Feng Qinglin.
Qiu Xing suddenly stopped walking and turned around to go downstairs. He walked toward the housekeeper who was chasing behind him. "Go tell Qinglin that I came."
Xie Yang glanced at the door of the master bedroom and once again followed Qiu Xing.
The two people sat in the living room. Xie Yang leaned over and poured a glass of water for Qiu Xing. "What are you angry about now?"
Qiu Xing tried to endure it but eventually couldn't hold back. He replied in a cold voice, "His career hasn't improved at all and his body collapsed first. Forget managing his health, he can't even manage the housekeeper well. It is just a high fever. Who let him lie in bed and enjoy the care of a woman who came from who knows where. The education of the Feng family is really good!"
"However, you want a person who can't even manage his body and his housekeeper to manage the Feng and Qiu families."
Qiu Xing glanced at Xie Yang.
Xie Yang poured himself a glass of water. "Once his ability can't bear the responsibility, demise will come sooner or later."
"......"
The anger slowly disappeared from Qiu Xing's body. He picked up the cup and drank the water.
10 minutes later, Feng Qinglin came downstairs alone. No signs of the female lead were seen at all.
Qiu Xing's expression was cold and he didn't wait for Feng Qinglin to open his mouth before stating directly, "Your grandmother's health is getting worse. She has already made a will and will leave you some Rongding shares and two companies. Don't think this is a small amount. At the time when she made the will, you didn't even want to call her 'Grandmother' or me 'Uncle.' She was afraid you would give too much to the Feng family and didn't dare to give you any more."
Feng Qinglin froze before blurting out, "Her will was established a long time ago?"
Xie Yang looked at the man.
Qiu Xing couldn't help saying a few words, "Or else? Wills can only be established and effective when the person is in a sound state. Your grandmother's health hasn't been good for several years. When do you think her will was established? How long ago did she set it up? Feng Qinglin, you didn't treat her as a grandmother but she has always thought of you as her grandson."
Feng Qinglin stood in place, his expression a mess.
Qiu Xing suppressed his anger. "Qinglin, I can give you what your grandmother left you in advance. I believe this is enough for you to survive the difficulties of the initial stage of establishing a business. I won't help you deal with the Feng family. If you want to earn a place in the Feng family then make your own way. My previous method was wrong. I felt sorry for you and tried my best to do it all for you." Then he got up and left. He didn't want to stay for another second longer.
Xie Yang got up and took two steps, only to stop. He glanced in the direction of the staircase before turning back to Feng Qinglin and lowering his voice. "I hope you really are sick with a sudden high fever, not that you deliberately calculated this to make your uncle feel soft. A healthy person pretending to be sick and selling misery in front of a terminally ill patient, don't you think this is too disgusting?"
Feng Qinglin's spirit returned and he glanced at Xie Yang.
Xie Yang's eyes were cold as his voice became softer, "Don't think that you can calculate against your uncle and that the Qiu family is yours. I am now your uncle's legal partner. Guess whose hands Rongding will fall into if he dies? Think about it again. If your uncle is gone, will the people in the Feng family still ignore you like they are doing now? No, they will kill you immediately!"
***
Xie Yang got in the car and found that Qiu Xing had his eyes closed. He sat down and stated, "Don't be angry. I scolded him for you."
Qiu Xing opened his eyes.
"I will help you educate your nephew. Do I get any rewards?"
Qiu Xing was stunned. Then he smiled slightly and his expression lightened. "If Qinglin was half as wise as you-"
Xie Yang took the opportunity to propose, "Then how about a divorce? There is still time for me to recognize you as my uncle."
Qiu Xing stopped and glanced sideways at Xie Yang coldly. Then he smiled grimly, "I think I've been indulging you too much recently. Zhou Miao, what are you doing? Drive home!"
***
Qiu Xing was so enraged that he locked himself in the second floor study the moment they got home. Zhou Miao wanted to cry as he looked back at Xie Yang.
Xie Yang wondered, "What is it?"
"Little boss, why do you deliberately annoy the boss? How can you ask for a divorce..."
"A marriage can be done as soon as it is settled. Why can't I mention a divorce? Besides, a divorce doesn't mean I will leave. I am willing to continue with Qiu Xing-"
"What?" It was unknown when but Qiu Xing had appeared on the second floor landing of the staircase and questioned Xie Yang.
Xie Yang looked up at Qiu Xing and decisively changed his words. "Being friends."
Qiu Xing stared at Xie Yang with a deep gaze.
"If not friends then at least business partners and roommates." Xie Yang spoke sincerely. "So is there still a need to discuss the matter of the power outage?"
Qiu Xing didn't speak for a while as he looked Xie Yang up and down coldly. Then his lips curved up and he declared, "No discussion. Xie Yang, if you want to stay up late with me here then it is impossible for a lifetime." Then he strode back to his study.
Xie Yang asked Zhou Miao, "You live in the back building. Is the power cut off at night?"
Zhou Miao's body shook and he nodded quickly and forcefully while slowly backing away. "It's cut off, cut off! It is cut off like this building! In addition, my place is small. I can't, I can't take you in." Then he ran off like his ass was burning.
This was the desperate life of a renter. Xie Yang was resigned to his fate and returned to his room.
At lunch, Qiu Xing suddenly changed his words. "It can stay on during the weekends."
Xie Yang's chopsticks paused as he wondered if he misheard. "What did you say?"
Qiu Xing had already eaten. He put down his chopsticks, wiped his mouth and stood up. He stared at Xie Yang in a condescending manner and warned, "If I find out that you stayed up all night..."
Xie Yang spoke good words. "Then you can continue to turn the power off."
Qiu Xing was satisfied and turned to leave. He only took a few steps before stopping and asking, "That person called Ji who sang with you... does he know the female star called Mu Zhouyi?"
The female lead had actually caught Qiu Xing's attention.
"I don't know. Do you want me to find out for you?"
Qiu Xing seriously thought about it before shaking his head indifferently. "Forget it. If Qinglin can't even look at women properly then there is no need for me to worry about it for him." After that, he really left.
Xie Yang watched Qiu Xing and slowly relaxed the hand that had been gripping his chopsticks tightly.
Now Qiu Xing was willing to let go of the male lead and no longer paid attention to the people around the male lead. The butterfly's wings had finally started to affect the main plot.
***
In the afternoon, Xie Yang was in a good mood and went to meet Ji Zehui, who was in a bad mood. Then he changed his mood. He suggested that Ji Zehui should climb up from where he fell, recording a solo version of Angry Waves. This would let those who questioned Ji Zehui because of Angry Waves realize that his singing skills couldn't be questioned.
Ji Zehui really wanted to hit the faces of those who questioned his singing skills and he happily accepted Xie Yang's suggestion.
"Then let's start directly. Be mentally prepared. Since I'm helping you record the song, you have to unconditionally listen to me. I'm very strict so don't complain later."
Ji Zehui inwardly wondered about how strict Xie Yang could be. It couldn't be worse than Long Shuyou.
Three hours later, Ji Zehui found that he was naive. If Long Shuyou was especially picky then Xie Yang was the nitpicking devil! Xie Yang squeezed away the sound engineer and sneered at Ji Zehui in the recording studio. "What did you just sing? Are you a hillbilly? Did you drool so much while singing that you forgot how to use your voice? Again!"
Ji Zehui took a deep breath. "Xie Yang, don't be too-"
"Think about all the people on the Internet who are scolding you and questioning your singing. Think about all your competitors who are trying their best to drag you into the mud, wanting you to fall down the alter, just like the angry waves trying to turn people over. Tell me, do you want to be crushed by them, defeated by them, stepped on completely by them?"
Ji Zehui clenched his fists.
"Come again, start!"
Ji Zehui listened to the urgent prelude and remembered all the insults and doubts on the Internet. He remembered the vicious words of the black fans. Then looking at Xie Yang's face outside the glass, he felt anger swelling rapidly in his chest. He raised his hand to hold the microphone, closed his eyes and opened his voice.
No! No one could pull him down!
Ji Zehui sang Angry Waves in one go. It was skillful, full of emotions and very infectious.
Xiao Jin happened to be looking for Ji Zehui for something. He heard Ji Zehui's singing and showed a stunned expression. The music stopped and Ji Zehui slumped down in a chair. He was sweating all over but his expression was cheerful.
Xie Yang raised his hands and clapped a few times. "Perfect, it's over. Take a break and then we'll record One Sword is Equal to Spring and Autumn."
Ji Zehui completely relaxed and almost slipped to the ground.
Xie Yang entered and stood in front of Ji Zehui. "Isn't it cool to dedicate everything to singing?"
Ji Zehui slowly adjusted his breathing and didn't speak.
"Xu Chenhao once told me the reason why he decided to retreat behind the scenes. He said that scenery in front of the stage was so prosperous and charming that he was afraid he would no longer be able to write a good song if he stayed there. Ji Zehui, now I will give you this sentence. The prosperity in front of the stage is indeed tempting but don't disappoint your voice."
Xie Yang left the studio. Then Ji Zehui suddenly raised his hand and wiped his face with it.
Xiao Jin pushed open the door and stepped in. He came to Ji Zehui and exclaimed, "Zehui, you really should listen to the Angry Waves you just sang. It is great. I haven't heard you make such a perfect sound for years."
Ji Zehui was silent.
"I just had a talk with the recording engineer. He said that Xie Yang is very professional, even more professional than him. I am now very happy that we didn't continue to be Xie Yang's enemy. I'm glad to have this cooperation with Xie Yang." Xiao Jin crouched down and stared at Ji Zehui seriously. "Zehui, no matter how I look at it, I hope you can deal with Xie Yang well in the future."
The recording of One Sword is Equal to Spring and Autumn was much smoother than Angry Waves. Ji Zehui's mood suddenly settled down and he sang every sentence very seriously. Even if it wasn't perfect, his intentions could be heard.
Xie Yang raised his eyebrows and smiled.
Once all the songs were completely recorded, Ji Zehui invited him to dinner. Xie Yang refused. He said he would go home and eat with his family.
"Wait a minute." Ji Zehui took out his phone. "You probably don't know since you're a newcomer. The best way to break a rumor is to take a group photo. Shall we take a photo together?"
Xie Yang saw Ji Zehui's dry expression and nodded.
Xiao Jin helped the two of them take a photo. Ji Zehui wanted to place his hand on Xie Yang's shoulder but he was rejected as Xie Yang shook it away.
Ji Zehui, "......"
Once the photo was taken, Ji Zehui escorted Xie Yang out. The recording took place in a studio that was a subordinate of Huangtian. Just as they reached the parking lot, they happened to encounter some people from Huangtian coming down in the next elevator.
Ji Zehui looked over and then frowned, looking sullen. Xie Yang followed Ji Zehui's gaze and saw a tall man walking with a woman in a long skirt. The woman in a long skirt next to the tall man was... the female lead. What a coincidence. Shouldn't she be taking care of Feng Qinglin?
The man and female lead saw Ji Zehui and Xie Yang and the female lead was surprised as her eyes fell on Xie Yang. The man's eyes fell on Ji Zehui and he took the initiative to speak. "Zehui, I heard that you lost two big endorsements. What's the matter? So careless."
Ji Zehui coldly counterattacked. "Yuan Pang, I heard that the theme song you sang for Hu Zheng's new movie has been criticized by fans. What happened? Do you want to say goodbye to the movie theme song circle?"
The thin and tall man called Yuan Pang smiled slightly. "Zehui, we are all from the same company. It isn't good if you're like this."
Ji Zehui sneered and said nothing.
The female lead Mu Zhouyi quickly made a noise and greeted Ji Zehui. "Brother Ji, what a coincidence that we met here." Then she glanced at Xie Yang and nodded.
The soft female voice with a bit of coldness rang through the entire basement. The voice obviously wasn't loud but it seemed to drill straight into his eardrums. Xie Yang's fingers moved and he raised a hand to press down the hat on his head. Then he also nodded toward the female lead.
This voice... should've been nourished by the gold finger.
Ji Zehui should have a slight relationship with the female lead. He converged his expression and said a few words to the female lead. Based on their conversation, Xie Yang learned that the female lead appeared here with Yuan Pang because she agreed to be the protagonist of Yuan Pang's new song.
Yuan Pang's gaze suddenly shifted to Xie Yang and he examined Xie Yang carefully. "Are you Xie Yang?"
Xie Yang nodded politely. "Hello Senior Yuan."
Yuan Pang's eyes shifted between Xie Yang and Ji Zehui. Then he gave an unknown smile and replied, "Hello as well."
The two parties exchanged greetings and were ready to leave. It was unknown if it was a coincidence or not but Mu Zhouyi, who was walking next to Yuan Pang, suddenly came to Xie Yang's side while heading for her assistant.
Xie Yang placed his hands into his pocket.
The next second, Mu Zhouyi didn't pay attention when pulling something out of her bag and waved her hands. It happened to touch Xie Yang's clothes. If Xie Yang hadn't placed his hands into his pocket then Mu Zhouyi's hand would've hit Xie Yang's hand.
It was clear that a strange wave spread from where he was hit. Something flashed in the ability core that he hadn't been able to sense since transmigrating and his mind became dull.
Xie Yang paused for a moment and glanced sideways at Mu Zhouyi.
"Sorry for hitting you." Mu Zhouyi apologized, her expression seamless.
Xie Yang slowly suppressed his emotions. "It's fine." He clenched his fingers as he spoke and strode away.
***
After dinner, Xie Yang didn't return to his room. Instead, he went to the lake and found a place with a lot of water and grass. He crouched down and pulled a grass with his hand. However, no matter how hard he tried, his ability core no longer responded.
Was it an illusion?
Xie Yang sat on the ground. He raised a hand and pressed it to his forehead, frowning slightly.
Not quite.
It was just that the awakening and upgrading of his ability wouldn't cause his mind to become dull. Instead, it would make him have a high fever. This meant the dullness of his mind must've been caused by the female lead's golden finger. However, he obviously didn't let the female lead touch his skin.
In addition, why did the female lead try to touch him? To improve his good feelings toward her? Why?
"What are you doing sitting here?"
Xie Yang looked behind him. Qiu Xing stood behind Xie Yang. Xie Yang turned his head and Qiu Xing threw his coat directly at Xie Yang. Xie Yang caught the coat, put it on and patted the ground beside him. "Sit."
Qiu Xing stared at the grass that had started to turn dry and yellow. He walked to Xie Yang's side and stood still. Then he inserted his right hand into his pants pocket and pulled out a bag of fish food.
Xie Yang unceremoniously reached out his hand.
"...Your skin is really thick." Qiu Xing handed him some fish food while warning, "Don't try to steal the fish's food."
Xie Yang smiled. He felt it was inconvenient to feed the fish while sitting down so he stood up, went to the lake and threw some food in. Soon, a fish swam over. The red and white fish scales glowed with a metal-like luster under the lights of the lake. It was very beautiful.
Qiu Xing moved beside Xie Yang and threw some fish food into the lake as well.
Neither of them spoke. After a while, Xie Yang opened his mouth. "I saw Mu Zhouyi today."
Qiu Xing's action of throwing in fish food paused.
"At that time, Ji Zehui and I finished recording a song and went downstairs. She was also going downstairs with another singer of Huangtian. Everyone met in the parking lot. Ji Zehui knew them and stopped to say a few words. She seemed to recognize me. Yes, in fact, when we talked to Feng Qinglin that day, she was hiding on the stairs."
Qiu Xing didn't speak. His eyes reflected the water and no emotions could be seen.
Xie Yang wanted to say a few more bad words about the female lead but then he thought about it and swallowed them back. "Ji Zehui might know some things about Mu Zhouyi. If you are interested then I can ask for his help."
"No need." Qiu Xing refused, throwing all the fish food into the lake. "I don't need it."
***