Chapter 7: Idle Cloud Studio

If you remove my position as vice president, does that mean we’re not equals anymore? What kind of bizarre logic is that? Chen Rumeng was left speechless, unable to retort. She was about to say something, but when she saw the icy look in Ning Cai’s eyes, she swallowed all her words.

She knew Ning Cai’s character—she always meant what she said and followed through. Damn Shen Xian, what does he have besides good looks? Why does Ning Cai hold him in such high regard?

“Caicai, about Shen Xian…” Chen Rumeng was still unwilling to let it go.

But Ning Cai lowered her head and opened a file. “Go take care of your work. As for Shen Xian, I’ll handle it myself.”

Only then did Chen Rumeng leave, frustrated. Back in her own office, she made a call. “Young Master Su, it seems Caicai… is interested in Shen Xian…”

A deep, resonant voice responded on the other end, “Understood. That Shen Xian—I’ll destroy him!”

Shen Xian gave others far too strong a sense of crisis. Gentle, attentive, charismatic, unassuming, and, crucially, strikingly handsome. Most important of all, three years ago, he was full of talent.

What woman could resist such temptation? That was why, three years ago, Shen Xian was a thorn in many men’s sides—including Young Master Su.

…

After arriving home, Shen Xian began to review information about “Who’s the Singer.” “Who’s the Singer” was a reputable music competition show produced by a major domestic TV station, with sponsorship from several entertainment companies—including Yuran Media.

Each sponsor could recommend three singers to compete. The competition had three major awards and over a hundred contestants. Because of the large number of participants, the organizers and the director’s team decided to split it into three rounds.

Yuran Media had recommended three singers: the veteran powerhouse Liu Sheng, in his forties; the rising idol Wu Fan, who, in Shen Xian’s opinion, lacked real talent but attracted fans with his looks and popularity; and finally, Liu Ruyun.

According to Ning Cai’s plan, Liu Ruyun was the most likely to win an award. But now, Liu Ruyun had jumped ship, catching Ning Cai completely off guard.

As Shen Xian went through the pre-competition materials, he suddenly spotted a familiar name.

[Liu Ruyun will represent Queen Entertainment in the competition!]
[This is Liu Ruyun’s first PK competition since switching companies.]
[Top producer Chen Feng has prepared three new heart-wrenching ballads for Liu Ruyun, aiming for first place!]
[You all know Chen Feng’s strength, right? Those twelve golden hits—Chen Feng actually wrote them, but Shen Xian took all the credit!]
[Chen Feng has decided to pursue the emotional ballad route, and is determined to make Liu Ruyun a queen of heartfelt songs!]

So they’re taking the ballad route?

A trace of mockery curled on Shen Xian’s lips. Then I’ll start by sniping you in the ballad category! First, I’ll defeat you there and force you into the national style category—then I’ll snipe you again in that field. If you lose there and try the Cantonese category, I’ll beat you again! And if you move to rap, I happen to know a thing or two about that as well. Unless you try the English track—but that’s also one of my strengths.

With this plan in mind, Shen Xian set out. He was going to find someone—a bar singer named Wang Tianqi. Shen Xian had heard him perform before, and thought his voice had both power and uniqueness: resonant, magnetic, and explosive, with the ability to handle a wide variety of musical styles. Unfortunately, Wang Tianqi was blind and unsigned, so his talent had never been recognized. Shen Xian had also heard of his character—honest, straightforward, humble, and steady.

At ten in the evening, as nightlife was just beginning in Nanzhou City, Shen Xian entered the bar wearing sunglasses and a mask. He ordered a drink and found a secluded table, waiting for Wang Tianqi to take the stage.

The bartender glanced at him several times. What’s wrong with this guy, wearing sunglasses and a mask at night? Even in a bar?

Shen Xian ignored her stares.

Soon, a man in his thirties, supported by a fresh-faced young woman, walked to the center of the stage. He carried a guitar, sat on a high stool, and began to play and sing a folk ballad, his own accompaniment. He, too, wore sunglasses. To be honest, his performance was impressive.

Shen Xian closed his eyes and listened quietly.

Suddenly, the sound of a bottle smashing rang out. The abrupt noise silenced the previously boisterous bar. A drunken young man slammed his table and stood up. “What, can’t Zero Point Bar find any singers? Every night you have a blind guy up here singing?”

“I’ve spent millions here topping up my card, and you keep giving me this bad luck, making a blind guy sing every night?”

“Where’s the DJ? Where are the pretty singers? Get them up here!”

Wang Tianqi smiled apologetically, stranded awkwardly onstage, neither able to leave nor stay.

“Hey, blind guy, what are you still doing here? Get off!” the young man shouted.

A portly middle-aged man hurried over, plastering a smile on his face. “Young Master Chen, don’t be upset. I’ll handle it right away. Xiao Li, bring Young Master Chen a bottle of our best on my tab!”

Young Master Chen, mollified, took his seat and shot a disdainful glance at Wang Tianqi on stage. “A blind guy trying to act all artsy.”

The manager, having calmed Young Master Chen, turned to Wang Tianqi. “Tianqi, step outside with me for a moment.”

The elegant young woman supported Wang Tianqi as they walked out. Her face was pale, her smile forced, and if one looked closely, tears shone in her eyes. But she said nothing, simply guiding Wang Tianqi out.

Shen Xian followed.

Outside the bar, traffic flowed, neon lights flickered. The portly manager took out a cigarette, placed it in Wang Tianqi’s mouth, lit it for him, then lit one for himself.

He took a deep drag and exhaled a thick cloud of smoke. “Tianqi, from tomorrow, don’t come anymore.”

“I know it’s cruel, but I have no choice. I’m just an employee. The boss already decided, and Young Master Chen’s outburst was no accident. I’m afraid it was all arranged in advance.”

Wang Tianqi smiled honestly. “Manager Ma, I’m already very grateful. I know you’ve pleaded with the boss more than once to raise my base salary, but he never agreed.”

“I also know that a year ago, the boss wanted me gone, but you kept me here against his wishes.”

“I’ll stop coming after tonight. No matter what, thank you for looking after me all these years!”

The young woman lifted her head, refusing to let her tears fall. Her voice was gentle, “Thank you, Manager Ma.”

Manager Ma tossed his cigarette to the ground and stamped it out. After a moment’s thought, he pulled out a wad of cash—about three thousand—and pressed it into Wang Tianqi’s hand. “Take it!”

Wang Tianqi and the woman tried to refuse.

“Just take it,” Manager Ma insisted. “You two need the money. If you can, go to a big city and see if there’s any hope for your eyes.”

Wang Tianqi took off his sunglasses. His eyes were completely clouded, void of any light, yet two streams of tears flowed down.

“Thank you, Manager Ma.”

Manager Ma waved him off. “Take care on your way home.” He turned and stormed back into the bar, hurling his lighter to the ground in anger. “What a damned society!”

“Tianqi, let’s go home,” the young woman said softly, her voice tender as she supported him.

But Wang Tianqi didn’t move. “Xiurong, let’s break up,” he said quietly.

Li Xiurong froze, struck as if by lightning, thinking she’d misheard. “What?”

“Let’s break up. I don’t want to drag you down anymore. You’re young, beautiful, well-educated—you could marry so well.”

“If we break up, you won’t have to suffer with me anymore, won’t have to squeeze into a tiny rental flat.”

“When you see a bag or a dress you like, you’ll be able to buy it.”

He said all this in one breath, as if it took all his strength. His hand gripping the cane was trembling. Clearly, a storm was raging in his heart.

Smack.

Li Xiurong suddenly slapped Wang Tianqi across the face. Then, heart aching, she hugged him tightly and burst into tears. “I don’t want anything but you!”

“We’ll keep working hard—there’s always hope!”

“Don’t give up, please!”

Wang Tianqi tilted his head back. “But I can’t see hope. All I see is endless darkness!”

People came and went, but no one noticed the love and pain between this young couple—except Shen Xian.

He had listened to everything, and now he approached. “Wang Tianqi, I really like your voice. Are you interested in signing with my studio? The base salary is ten thousand a month.”

Wang Tianqi and Li Xiurong broke apart, looking toward Shen Xian.

“Are you blind too?” Li Xiurong asked, seeing Shen Xian’s sunglasses and mask.

Shen Xian: …

She quickly realized her mistake. “That’s not what I meant…”

Shen Xian waved it off. “I think Wang Tianqi’s voice is very promising and unique, so I want to sign him.”

Wang Tianqi spoke in a deep voice. “Ten thousand a month? What’s your studio called?”

“Xianyun Studio,” Shen Xian replied.