The reporters didn’t expect that such an interesting topic would come out of the interview with Shen Xingchen. Everyone was very excited, making their eyes glimmering. 

But Shen Xingchen acted like: “If you force me again, I will die for you to see,” which made it difficult for the reporters to ask questions.

Of course, this passage was not cut off. On the contrary, it was broadcast without any form of editing, and it aroused heated discussions among netizens for a while. The issue of everyone’s debate probably also had a focus: 

[How can an inferior artist like Anran not banned already?]

[Kick him out from the group!]

[What qualifications does he have to stay in the group?]

[Actually, they have already been blocked. Their group’s variety shows, including works, have been coded or taken off the shelves.]

Many people were slow to realize that the day before last year was also the beginning of the “Starlight” survival show. At that time, Anran and Shen Xingsui were far apart, and Anran was even a bit more popular than Shen Xingsui. Now, the tables have turned. 

Jian Zhi was even more silent.

Because of the uproar of the drug thing, he was even investigated and questioned by the police.

Zhang Chi was exempted from prison because the medicine powder had been destroyed long ago. 

Since Jian Zhi’s boss was directly given a green hat by him, he was furious. And so were the high-level executives, who thought that these two besmirched their agency’s good name. They directly banned Jian Zhi permanently, even the one who once flattered wanted to disappear overnight.

When he returned to the family, Jian Kuo was angry.

“Twenty million…” Jian Kuo’s voice was high, and there were broken vases on the ground. He said between gritted teeth, “Just because of the scandal between the two of you, the market value of the company has evaporated by twenty million, and now we have to delist!”

Jian Kuo’s chest heaved up and down, and his face was flushed.

Anran, who was sitting on the sofa, just kept crying, with a small face wiping tears, and said, “Father, this is not my fault, and I didn’t expect it to be like this. It was Erge who told me at the beginning, saying it will be fine…”

Jian Zhi’s veins swelled, and he closed the door forcefully, making a loud noise.

Everyone in the living room looked at him.

“Blame me?” Jian Zhi sneered, “I asked you to give him the drug, did I ask you to lead someone to the hot spring for filming?”

Anran choked up.

Jian Zhi sat down on the opposite sofa, and he looked at Anran without a shred of familial affection. Instead, he looked at Anran like he was his nemesis. “If it weren’t for you, I would have ended up like this today?” 

“Anran,” Jian Zhi sneered again, this smile was a bit resentful, “You are really my good brother.”

Anran’s face turned pale, but he also knew that this time was definitely not the time to confront his family head-on. Otherwise he would have nothing.

“Erge, I really didn’t do it on purpose. I was also plotted by Shen Xingsui. Otherwise, why would I want to harm you? Didn’t I also get banned?” Anran wiped his tears before continuing, “Now our family encountered difficulties, we should overcome them together and find a way to unite…”

Jian Zhi was disgusted enough by him, and said, “There is a way if you really want to help. Just promise to marry Mr. Wang so we can live a little better.”

Anran said anxiously, “Erge, are you serious? Don’t you know what kind of virtue that Mr. Wang always has?”

“Didn’t you just talk about overcoming difficulties?” Jian Zhi scoffied, “Why are you afraid of Mr. Wang? Even if the Jian family goes bankrupt, you don’t care about our lives, do you? It’s not like you can still pursue your dream of becoming Fu Jinxiao’s spouse. He never liked you before, so do you think he can like you now, after all the things you have done?” 

Jian Zhi was slowly getting angrier. At this rate, he really would have died of anger, so he quickly finished his speech, “That Mr. Wang likes you, isn’t he just a little older than Fu Jinxiao? How can a rich man not be worthy of you? Let me tell you, when our family goes bankrupt, maybe you won’t even be able to find someone like Mr. Wang!” 

Anran’s face turned from green to sickly pale. He looked at his angry father, hoping that he would calm Jian Zhi down, or at least disagree with him. 

But Jian Kuo was silent for a moment, looked at him and said, “Ranran, don’t judge people by their appearance too much. Mr. Wang’s reputation is a bit bad, but I think he is really sincere to you…” 

The ugly and selfish faces of these people made Anran feel sick.

He used to think that the Jian family was very kind to him. Even when Shen Xingsui was ruthlessly kicked out by the Jian family, he didn’t think there was anything wrong with his father and brother. Now, the Jian family has shown their former colors and used the same method to persecute him.

‘So now… is it my turn to deserve it?’

Meanwhile– 

Shen Xingsui’s composing process was not smooth.

The reason was that when he woke up in the morning, he opened Weibo and saw Shen Xingchen’s interview, which inadvertently involved him and Fu Jinxiao. The comment area was full of denials and condemnations:

[These two people can’t really be together.]

[It’s against family values.]

[No, no, it’s really unacceptable.]

[They don’t match at all…]

Although Shen Xingsui told himself that these things should not be taken too seriously, his mood still affected his composition. When he was writing, what kept slipping through his mind were worldly gazes, prejudices, rain and fog that could not be melted away. These muddled his mind, like brambles catching him and drowning him into a bog. When he wrote, his emotions and mood were at an all-time low. He couldn’t bring himself to think about other positive things. 

But, he still continued on. Thankfully, the song he was working on was quite the somber one, so he could channel some of his negativity to its fullest potential. The notes were like the forest’s criss-cross of sharp branches, the lyrics were full of pointed prejudices, and arrangements were like glass shards, but flow like the river. Finally, he decided on the title of the song – “Broken Earth”

This was the song that was supposed to be a part of Hu Kaiyue’s newest album. 

After Shen Xingsui submitted the manuscript to Hu Kaiyue, it was quickly sent back. The reason given by him was very simple: it did not conform to the other song’s mood and vibe, and he hoped that Shen Xingsui could modify it. 

Shen Xingsui spent days on this song, and he couldn’t think of modifying it anymore. In his mind, this song was perfect like this. Any effort to modify it would be changing its identity. 

After thinking about it again and again, Shen Xingsui made a decision and called Hu Kaiyue to discuss the termination of the cooperation.

“Have you really thought about it?” Hu Kaiyue said with a smile, “There will be no better production and platform than mine, or is it because of… Fu Jinxiao?” 

Shen Xingsui replied, “No.”

Hu Kaiyue asked, “So, what’s the reason?” 

“Although this song is not suitable for your album, but for me personally, it is already the best I can do,” Shen Xingsui sighed lightly, “It has nothing to do with Teacher Fu.”

Hu Kaiyue probably understood.

This made him really surprised that some young people would rather give up the opportunity to cooperate in order to keep their own vision. 

“Okay, I understand what you feel,” Hu Kaiyue smiled, “There’s no need to pay for the termination fee. We agreed on two songs from the beginning, and you have already written them for me.” 

Shen Xingsui was very grateful. “Thank you “

Hu Kaiyue just said, “I owe you a favor for Zhang Chi and the villa.”

Shen Xingsui was taken aback for a moment, he didn’t think that Hu Kaiyue would mind such things.

“My nephew did something stupid and was secretly photographed near the villa. It’s all my fault,” Hu Kaiyue said to him, “So I owe you a favor. I have the right to use the recording studio in Hengtong Building. You can use it in my name.”

The recording equipment there was the best.

Hearing this, Shen Xingsui was very grateful. “Thank you very much.” 

Now that the contract with this side has been terminated, Shen Xingsui also knew that after leaving Hu Kaiyue, he could only record this song by himself. Plus, this was the first time he has tried it himself. He was unused to this, but when he thought that this would be his first completely independent song, he was somewhat happy. 

Hu Kaiyue added something before hanging up: “If you have any questions about production, you can ask me. Although we no longer have any mentoring relationship, at least on some basic issues, it’s okay to ask for my help. I’ve been making music for decades… In terms of contacts and resources, Fu Jinxiao and I are equal.” 

Actually, what he said was a bit cryptic.

So long that Shen Xingsui thought about it a little, he could understand what he meant. But Shen Xingsui just smiled and said, “I owe you a lot, thank you for your kindness.”

Hu Kaiyue had no choice but to hang up the phone.

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