Chapter 78: Empress Xu Mengqi

What Wang Mo had not expected was how seriously Yuan Xiong was taking this matter. The very next day at noon, Yuan Xiong sought him out again, full of enthusiasm. “Come on, I’ll take you to the crew of ‘Eternal Fate’.”

Wang Mo blinked. “Huh?”

Yuan Xiong replied, “What do you mean ‘huh’? When I say I’ll do something, I never cut corners. The crew of ‘Eternal Fate’ happens to be shooting a few scenes here in Magic City today. We should seize this opportunity to discuss the ending theme with the relevant people, and, well, have a chat with Xu Mengqi about our ideas. This is work—it can’t be taken lightly.”

Wang Mo was silent for a moment.

Yuan Xiong glared at him, seeing him rooted to the spot. “Hurry up. I’m not joking. The ending theme is a crucial matter. Even if you’re ‘Wordless’, when composing, you still need to listen to the director and producer’s opinions. You really think we’re just here for Xu Mengqi?”

“Alright,” Wang Mo nodded.

He thought to himself: No matter how much they say, it won’t change anything—the song is already finished.

Of course, appearances must be kept.

After some thought, Wang Mo asked, “Do I need to disguise myself?”

Yuan Xiong shook his head. “Just go openly. We only need to ensure confidentiality regarding the ending theme during negotiations. Naturally, Xu Mengqi will learn your identity as ‘Wordless’, but we’ve already signed a confidentiality agreement with her, so there’s no need to worry.”

“Alright,” Wang Mo understood Yuan Xiong’s intentions.

Yuan Xiong wanted Wang Mo to reappear step by step in the circles of entertainment and stardom, so that in time, people would get used to his presence. By the time he officially returned, the entertainment industry wouldn’t be so shocked, nor would it provoke fierce resistance.

It was the classic frog-in-warm-water approach—a gradual return that would avoid a dramatic backlash.

…

A few hours later.

Wang Mo arrived at a shooting location in the outskirts of Magic City, where he met the crew of ‘Eternal Fate’.

Indeed, it was a gathering of stars.

There were three actors of first-tier or above alone. The number of second- or third-tier actors was over a dozen.

What surprised Wang Mo most was that, despite the star-studded cast, not a single ‘pure traffic star’ could be seen—almost all were actors with genuine skill.

“A drama produced by a crew like this might go viral depending on luck, but the reputation will surely be solid,” Wang Mo nodded to himself.

His arrival caused a minor stir among the crew.

No one expected to encounter the infamous ‘fallen idol’ Wang Mo in such a place.

“What’s he doing here?”

“No way—is the crew going to squeeze him in?”

“Impossible! Unless Yunhai Media has a death wish.”

“Relax, Wang Mo won’t be acting in this drama. If nothing else, Sister Qi would never agree.”

“Yeah, Sister Qi wouldn’t let the investors run rampant.”

As the reigning queen of entertainment, Xu Mengqi had established her own studio, and her influence now rivaled the capital behind the production. Everyone knew Xu Mengqi demanded perfection from every drama she participated in, so there was no way someone like Wang Mo, a fallen idol, would be forced into the cast. Even if Wang Mo hadn’t fallen, it still wouldn’t happen.

There was a flurry of discussion.

Many didn’t even bother lowering their voices, letting Wang Mo hear every word.

These skilled actors, more or less, looked down on idols like Wang Mo who had nothing but looks. Seeing him here, they certainly weren’t about to show him any kindness.

Wang Mo kept a faint smile, unmoved by it all.

Even Yuan Xiong, usually hot-tempered, remained indifferent at this moment.

Wang Mo asked curiously, “Brother Xiong, they’re badmouthing me—aren’t you angry?”

Yuan Xiong replied, “Are they belittling or slandering you?”

Wang Mo shook his head. “Not really, they’re just telling the truth.”

Yuan Xiong said, “If it’s the truth, what’s there to be angry about?”

“True,” Wang Mo agreed wholeheartedly.

He hadn’t expected Yuan Xiong to mature so much after his own fall from grace.

Soon enough.

Wang Mo saw Xu Mengqi in the crew—the brightest queen in the entertainment world today.

Thirty years old.

Single.

Her beauty was undeniable.

Curves and long legs, her elegant stature paired with modest heels made her nearly as tall as Wang Mo, who stood at 1.8 meters.

Wang Mo recalled that he had only met Xu Mengqi a few times, and they were not familiar at all.

Upon seeing him, she merely glanced at him briefly before looking away.

Clearly, she did not know that Wang Mo was ‘Wordless’.

Yuan Xiong, however, seemed quite familiar with her, and the two quickly struck up a lively conversation.

After a while.

Much to Wang Mo’s surprise, Xu Mengqi turned her lovely face toward him, flashing a radiant smile. “Hello, Wang Mo.”

Her voice was melodious, with a coolness softened by warmth.

Wang Mo didn’t dare act arrogant, and quickly replied, “Hello, Sister Qi.”

Xu Mengqi glanced at the others who were still gossiping nearby, smiling. “You’ve got a strong psyche—better than I expected.”

Wang Mo replied, “If the house collapses, settle in it.”

Xu Mengqi didn’t catch the meaning at first, but when she finally understood, her eyes widened in surprise. “It seems I’ve really underestimated you before. To say such words—no wonder you’re a star brought up by Brother Xiong.”

Yuan Xiong seemed about to say something but held back.

Wang Mo shook his head. “There’s nothing about me that deserves your high regard, Sister Qi. Even before I fell, I was just another pretty face with no substance.”

“No!” Xu Mengqi countered. “To become a top idol is an ability in itself. Even if you got there on looks alone, that’s still your talent. Skilled actors look down on idols? That’s just because they don’t have the looks. If they did, they’d be even happier than you.

Take me, for example—my rise to this position is thanks to my looks. If I looked like Yuan Xiong, no matter how good my acting was, could I ever become a queen? Impossible!

So, for us stars, top-tier looks are a gift. Let others mock or sneer—it’s nothing but their jealousy.”

Yuan Xiong was stung by her words and felt like crying.

But Wang Mo was deeply shocked—he hadn’t expected Xu Mengqi to say such things.

His view of the queen was instantly transformed.

He drew a deep breath. “Thank you for your wisdom, Sister Qi.”

Xu Mengqi continued, “As for your fall, I actually regret it. It wasn’t your fault, but the fault of the environment. Nowadays, cyberbullying is too rampant. For stars in entertainment, you can’t make a single mistake in public, or you’ll be caught in a storm of online abuse. Even I live in constant fear.”

They chatted a bit more.

Wang Mo found that Xu Mengqi truly deserved her reputation as today’s most popular queen.

Her intelligence, emotional, and social skills were all extraordinary.

Even though their status was vastly different, Wang Mo felt at ease and refreshed conversing with her.

A few minutes later.

Xu Mengqi turned to Yuan Xiong. “Brother Xiong, ‘Wordless’ should be here soon, right?”

Yuan Xiong smiled. “He’s already here.”

“Alright, let’s go meet ‘Wordless’ and discuss the song,” Xu Mengqi said.

Even as a queen, she wouldn’t dare treat ‘Wordless’ lightly.

After speaking, she turned to Wang Mo. “Sorry, Wang Mo, I have some matters to attend to. Feel free to look around the crew, and we’ll talk again soon.”

Wang Mo blinked. “Okay.”

Xu Mengqi made a farewell gesture and walked ahead.

Wang Mo followed behind her.

After a few steps, Xu Mengqi seemed to sense something and turned to see Wang Mo, a puzzled expression on her face.

She didn’t say anything, only nodded and continued forward.

Wang Mo kept following.

Xu Mengqi’s expression finally turned lively. “You?”