Chapter 1: Three Years of Silence—Has Jiang’s Talent Run Dry?

"Shen Xian, it's been three years. I really can't go on living like this anymore. Let's part ways." In the villa, Liu Ruyun stood in a black figure-hugging dress, gazing seriously at the man sitting across from her on the sofa.

Shen Xian sat in silence, staring at Liu Ruyun, caught off guard by her sudden words.

"Besides, I've switched companies. I've already signed with Queen Entertainment. From now on, let's not contact each other again." Her words were resolute and final.

Switched companies? Breach of contract?

Shen Xian's expression turned grave.

Three years ago, Shen Xian was a dazzling talent. He wrote twelve songs that became household hits, propelling Liu Ruyun to become a top-tier singer.

Shen Xian also established his own music studio. Endorsements and commercial performances poured in, making both of them a fortune.

Back then, the four leading entertainment conglomerates in the country all extended olive branches to Shen Xian, but he chose to sign with the relatively modest Yu'an Media.

Many professional musicians said that with his talent, Shen Xian could very well become the fifth Hall of Fame musician in the Chinese music scene.

But fate had other plans. Three years ago, Shen Xian returned home late one night and was involved in a car accident. He suffered a severe head injury, and his talent vanished overnight.

For three long years, there was no progress—he couldn't write a single decent song.

Without Shen Xian's support, Liu Ruyun's popularity dwindled day by day, and many accused her of rehashing old glories.

The contract with Yu'an Media had been signed under his studio's name. If Liu Ruyun left, he would be the only one remaining. But she could leave without burden; if Yu'an Media requested performances or new works and the studio failed to deliver, he would be liable for an astronomical breach-of-contract penalty.

The amount: eighty million.

"Ruyun, why?" Shen Xian looked at Liu Ruyun, his heart aching.

Three years ago, after a drunken award ceremony, he took Liu Ruyun's first time. Ever since, Shen Xian had felt indebted to her, pouring his heart into writing songs and caring for her in every possible way.

"Why?" Liu Ruyun paused, her emotions on the verge of collapse. "You actually have to ask me why?"

"Do you think you're still the person you were three years ago?"

"Shen Xian, wake up. You can't give me what I want!"

"I've waited three years for you, but you haven't written a single song in all that time. I can't wait any longer!"

"I see no hope in you. It's better for both of us to end things cleanly."

Shen Xian couldn't help but clench his fists. "Ruyun, give me three more days. I promise I can write a chart-topping song!"

Liu Ruyun looked at him as if he were mad, her gaze mocking. "Ha, I've heard those words for three years. You said the same thing three years ago. Do you think I would still believe you?"

Shen Xian felt a heavy blockage in his chest. What pained him wasn't the eighty million he might owe, but Liu Ruyun's utter resolve in leaving him.

"Shen Xian, are you listening?" Seeing his silence, Liu Ruyun raised her voice.

Shen Xian's face remained calm, but his trembling hands betrayed the storm within. "All these years, I've felt I owed you, so I tried to make it up to you."

Liu Ruyun looked at him as if he were an idiot. "Owe me? I wasn't the one who entered your room that night. You mistook me for someone else. My first time was long gone!"

"You got the wrong person and kept writing songs for me. Of course, I wouldn't clarify the misunderstanding."

Boom!

It felt as if thunder exploded in Shen Xian's mind.

Impossible! Absolutely impossible!

He clearly remembered waking up three years ago, seeing a crimson stain on the hotel’s pristine sheets. Liu Ruyun was already up, washing up with a smile as radiant as a flower.

If it wasn’t Liu Ruyun, then who was that woman?

But Liu Ruyun gave him no time to think. "Whatever happens to the studio is none of my business now. From this moment on, we owe each other nothing."

Shen Xian could no longer speak; the pain in his head was growing unbearable. Perhaps it was the pain, or perhaps her words wounded him so deeply that he began to tremble uncontrollably.

Suddenly, a flood of memories not his own surged into his mind.

"What the hell, why are there new memories in my head?"

"Whose memories are these?"

"An Earthling’s?"

The overwhelming tide of memories nearly burst his skull.

Shen Xian froze, his eyes vacant.

Liu Ruyun, seeing his dazed state, assumed he was feigning pity to win her sympathy. Her face grew even colder. "Don't look like you're on death's door. You think I'll feel sorry for you, but actually, seeing you like this only makes me more disgusted."

When Shen Xian still didn’t respond, Liu Ruyun’s voice sharpened, her gaze turning fierce. "Let me go, and let yourself go as well!"

Several minutes passed before the pain finally subsided. Shen Xian’s mind cleared, and he took a deep breath. "All right. I agree."

Liu Ruyun exhaled, relief mingling with complicated feelings.

After all, Shen Xian had been her companion for three years.

But thoughts of her future swept away any lingering emotion.

"From this day forth, no matter sickness or health, poverty or wealth, you and I will have nothing more to do with each other." Liu Ruyun said as she pointed to the door. "Now, please leave."

Shen Xian had not yet reached the door when a tall, handsome figure pushed it open and entered.

The newcomer was at least six feet tall, half a head taller than Shen Xian, impeccably dressed in a suit, his face graced with a gentle smile.

This was Chen Feng, son of a senior executive at Queen Entertainment—one of the nation’s top three entertainment companies—a graduate of a renowned overseas music academy, talented, wealthy, and accomplished. Having debuted just over a year ago, he had already amassed millions of fans with his hit "Unforgettable," and was tipped to make it into the ranks of the superstars.

Seeing Chen Feng, Liu Ruyun rose to greet him, her voice soft and sweet. "Chen Feng, what brings you here?"

Shen Xian narrowed his eyes at Chen Feng, memories lost for three years now churning within his mind, scenes flashing before his eyes.

Three years ago, the car accident he suffered—was it Chen Feng’s doing?

Chen Feng’s gaze was openly hostile as he addressed Shen Xian. "Ruyun has already signed with our company. I can give her a better future, so stop clinging to her!"

With the influx of new memories, Shen Xian’s entire aura shifted, his eyes taking on a hint of indifference. "You?"

I admit you’re strong, but I’m already playing with cheats now.

Chen Feng chuckled. "I’m a gold-certified producer too. My abilities are no less than yours at your peak! Besides, my family owns shares in Queen Entertainment. Our company alone has twelve gold-level lyricists and composers, and two Hall of Fame producers. Ruyun—I’ll make her a superstar."

He paused, then smiled again. "Oh, I almost forgot. The other three entertainment giants have all issued statements. They’ll never work with you again. In other words, you’ve been blacklisted from this industry."

Blacklisted? Why? On what grounds?

Shen Xian, already at the door, didn’t ask, but looked at Chen Feng, his gaze meaningful.

So now I’m up against the four giants of the entertainment world? Individual talent might not defeat capital, but what if I wield the talent of the entire Earth? How would you respond then?

"Wait and see." Shen Xian smiled, opened the door, and walked out, his departure unruffled and free.