Chapter 117: Deceased, please burn paper for all inquiries.

Beside Wang Mo, Yuan Xiong wore an equally astonished expression. Puzzled, he asked, “What is Ye Yuanhang trying to do?”

Yuan Xiong had no time to think it through.

Over the past six months, Wang Mo, under the identity of “Wordless,” had released songs every month except November.

And Ye Yuanhang had likewise released no new song in November.

Once might have been a coincidence.

But could there really be this many coincidences?

As the saying went, anything that seemed excessively coincidental was usually the result of careful planning behind the scenes.

Thus, both Wang Mo and Yuan Xiong came to the same conclusion: Ye Yuanhang was doing it deliberately!

Wang Mo rubbed his brow. “But… what exactly is Ye Yuanhang’s purpose?”

Yuan Xiong could not figure it out either.

After pondering for a long while, he finally said, “Perhaps… Ye Yuanhang has a masochistic personality? Maybe he was born to enjoy being tormented? That’s why he deliberately clashes with you every time he releases a song?”

All right…

Although the possibility sounded rather absurd, Wang Mo still nodded in agreement.

It was the only explanation that made sense of Ye Yuanhang’s behavior.

Unfortunately, Ye Yuanhang had no idea what Wang Mo and Yuan Xiong were discussing. Otherwise, he would surely have grabbed Wang Mo by the neck with one hand and Yuan Xiong with the other, roaring furiously, “Masochistic personality, my ass! I don’t want to clash with you either! Do you think I’m willing? Do you think I enjoy it?”

He did not want this!

Ahhh!

…

The music industry.

Many people were also watching the performance of Xu Mengqi’s new song closely.

Quite a few had already keenly sensed that if Xu Mengqi’s new song performed well this time, then the film queen would very likely take advantage of the momentum and enter the music industry.

After all, many insiders knew that Xu Mengqi had long intended to make a foray into music.

And this was the perfect opportunity.

However, when everyone saw the new-song rankings, they wore exactly the same bewildered expressions as Wang Mo.

“Why is Ye Yuanhang here again?”

“Oh my goodness, Ye Yuanhang is back again!”

“What is he trying to do?”

“I can hardly believe my eyes.”

“Ye Yuanhang loves releasing songs alongside Wordless so much. Does he really enjoy being second? Hmm, he definitely does.”

“…”

Many singers who had some connection with Ye Yuanhang could not understand his actions either.

They sent him private messages one after another.

“Brother Hang, do you enjoy competing with Wordless?”

“Brother Hang, have you gotten into a showdown with Wordless?”

“Brother Hang, every time you release a song, you somehow end up going head-to-head with Wordless. Did you deliberately investigate his schedule before releasing yours?”

“Brother Hang, every other singer keeps their distance from Wordless, afraid of going up against him. Yet you face him head-on again and again. My admiration for you is like an endless river, surging without end.”

“Brother Hang…”

On the sofa in his villa, Ye Yuanhang remained frozen like a statue.

The continuous chime of incoming messages restored a little vitality to him.

But the instant he finished reading them, that tiny spark of life vanished without a trace.

Everyone who cared about Ye Yuanhang, whether singers or acquaintances, soon discovered that his profile signature had somehow been changed to:

“I am dead. Burn paper offerings if you have business with me.”

…

In the days that followed, as Eternal Spirit Romance became a hit on Mango TV, its ratings continued to break new records. It drew countless television viewers into a mysterious and otherworldly cultivation realm while also unveiling the unforgettable romance between its male and female leads.

The ending theme, Peach Blossom Promise, performed by Deng Mengqi, was swept across the entire internet by the drama’s growing popularity.

It became especially popular on Douyin, where countless influencers used it as background music, turning it into a sensation for a time.

Its popularity even surpassed that of Peach Blossom Promise in Wang Mo’s memories of his previous life, when the song had exploded across the internet.

At first, Wang Mo was astonished.

But he soon found it perfectly reasonable.

There were several reasons Peach Blossom Promise had caused such a tremendous stir.

First, Eternal Spirit Romance had become a huge hit, giving its ending theme extraordinary exposure. Even the opening theme had climbed to third place on the new-song rankings, briefly threatening Ye Yuanhang’s position as the perennial runner-up.

Second, as a film queen, Xu Mengqi possessed an enormous fan base. Her fans had also given Peach Blossom Promise tremendous support.

Third, the song was a work by “Wordless.” The mere mention of those two words was enough to attract countless music lovers.

With these factors combined, everyone understood that the new-song rankings were far from the end of Peach Blossom Promise’s journey. They were merely the beginning.

Given enough time, the song would undoubtedly make its way onto the popular-song rankings and perhaps even the classics list.

After Peach Blossom Promise became a sensation, Xu Mengqi called Wang Mo once more.

Over the phone, her voice carried both delight and coquettish charm. “Teacher Wordless, Great God Wordless, please accept this humble woman’s deepest bow and worshipful admiration.”

Wang Mo was helpless. “Sister Qi, you’re a film queen, after all. Don’t make people laugh.”

“Hmph. Last time you said you missed me, and now you’re acting all proper.”

Xu Mengqi snorted, then giggled. “Back then, I was always hearing my friends in the music industry talk about how amazing Wordless was, how miraculous Wordless was, and how every singer who worked with Wordless could soar into the heavens. At the time, I thought my friends were exaggerating. No matter how talented Wordless was, he was still only a composer. How miraculous could he be? But only today have I personally experienced what it feels like to be carried to the skies by you.”

Wang Mo coughed. “The main reason is that you sang well, Sister Qi.”

“Don’t flatter me. Do you think I don’t know my own abilities? Besides, to be honest, I had already guessed that this song would become popular. I just never imagined it would become this popular. Last time, you said I should treat you to a big meal. Go ahead and name it. What do you want to eat? Your sister’s paying!”

Wang Mo asked in surprise, “Are you in Magic City, Sister Qi?”

Xu Mengqi laughed. “That’s right. How about we meet up?”

Wang Mo thought it over, then agreed.

A film queen was personally inviting him to dinner. He had no reason to refuse.

An hour later, in a private dining room at a small restaurant in Magic City, Wang Mo met Xu Mengqi, who was bundled up like a dumpling.

Xu Mengqi removed her hat, sunglasses, scarf, and mask, then took off her thick down jacket. Only after revealing her alluring figure did she sit down and let out a long sigh of relief.

Looking at Wang Mo, who was dressed like an ordinary person, envy appeared in her eyes. “You can walk around outside dressed like that without being recognized?”

“No.”

Wang Mo smiled. “Not many people pay attention to me. Even if one or two people think I resemble that former top star, all they show is a puzzled expression. Before they can react, I’ve already walked far away.”

“Must be nice.”

Envy filled Xu Mengqi’s exquisite, beautiful face. “I dream of having a day like that—walking and shopping on the streets without any restraints, wandering through all sorts of little alleys, eating the local snacks, and browsing the various specialty shops.”

Wang Mo snapped his fingers. “Simple. Just have one spectacular downfall, like I did. After a year or so, I guarantee no one will pay attention to you anymore.”

“…”

Xu Mengqi stared at him with her beautiful eyes, then suddenly burst out laughing. “You really do have a remarkably good attitude.”

Wang Mo smiled faintly. “You flatter me.”

They were eating Hunan cuisine.

Xu Mengqi had evidently learned that Wang Mo came from Hunan Province and had deliberately reserved this restaurant.

The chef was probably a master of his craft, because the dishes tasted exceptionally authentic, earning constant praise from Wang Mo.

Xu Mengqi, however, could not tolerate spicy food at all. She had prepared a large bowl of cold boiled water beside her and dipped every morsel into it several times before putting it in her mouth.

Even so, the spice still turned both of her cheeks bright red, adding a hint of allure to her normally cool and distant face.

Wang Mo burst out laughing. “Sister Qi, don’t order Hunan cuisine next time. I’m not picky about food.”

“You should have said so earlier. Next time I’ll take you for Cantonese food.”

Xu Mengqi stuck out her tongue and fanned her mouth with one hand, trying to drive away the heat.

Wang Mo shook his head helplessly and called the chef over to add several non-spicy dishes.

Many people mistakenly assumed that Hunan cuisine was always fiery hot.

In fact, Hunan cuisine also had many famous dishes that were not spicy at all, such as steamed pork with rice flour, Chairman Mao’s braised pork, meatballs, and steamed preserved meats.

When they had nearly finished eating, Xu Mengqi suddenly said, “I asked people at my company to conduct a detailed analysis, and we reached a conclusion: if you want to make a comeback, your chances are very high.”

Wang Mo remained impassive. “Why did you suddenly bring this up, Sister Qi?”

“If you ever truly decide to return, let me know in advance. I should be able to help you a little.”

At that, Wang Mo was finally moved.

Given Xu Mengqi’s current position in the entertainment industry, how could she possibly help him only “a little”?

Especially now, Xu Mengqi had already broken free from the control of capital and established her own studio. She had even signed several well-known entertainers.

To a certain extent, she herself was capital.

Thus, if he could obtain Xu Mengqi’s help, the difficulties he would face during his comeback would be greatly reduced.

His expression became serious. “Why do you want to help me, Sister Qi?”

Xu Mengqi smiled faintly. “I want to help you because you helped me this time. But I also have a request.”

Wang Mo had already vaguely guessed what it was.

Even so, he said, “Please, go ahead.”

“You’ve probably already guessed, haven’t you? I want to make a name for myself in the music industry. So I’d like to ask you to write more songs for me. Of course, I won’t be too greedy. Two or three more songs will be enough.

“If you agree, then from today onward, I’ll stand firmly by your side and do everything I can to help you make your comeback.

“Also, if you intend to enter the film and television industry after your return, I’ll mobilize my resources to help you.

“You’ll help me establish myself in music, and I’ll pave the way for you in film and television. We’ll help each other. What do you think?”

After saying this, Xu Mengqi fixed her eyes on Wang Mo.

Wang Mo fell into deep thought.

Although Xu Mengqi had described it as mutual assistance, from Wang Mo’s perspective, he was the one gaining the greater advantage. Writing two or three songs would not be difficult for him.

The benefits he would receive, however, were immense.

In particular, Xu Mengqi’s promise to provide him with resources and assistance in the film and television industry meant that if he wanted to develop in that field in the future, his path would be virtually smooth from beginning to end.

What he was contemplating was the credibility of Xu Mengqi’s words.

After all, he had only just entered society.

Xu Mengqi, meanwhile, had spent more than a decade navigating the entertainment industry.

Their experience and worldly knowledge were on entirely different levels.

When Xu Mengqi saw that Wang Mo still had not answered, she blinked. “Are you worried I might go back on my word?”

Wang Mo nodded frankly. “That’s right.”

Xu Mengqi snapped her fingers. “That’s easy. I’ll show you something.”

With that, she opened her handbag, took out a document, and handed it to Wang Mo.

(End of Chapter)