Chapter 50: Earnest Words and Sincere Advice

“Of course I’m happy about making money, but tonight you… sigh.” Qin Xueyang let out a sigh so heavy it seemed her heart had died, casting a glance at Zhang Qiyang. She seemed on the verge of saying something, but with Old Zheng present, she held her tongue.

Zhang Qiyang knew Qin Xueyang was worried about some of his more “radical” words and actions that evening. Smiling, he fished a bag of spicy strips from her purse and stuffed it into her arms. “Come on, stop worrying for nothing. Everything’s under my control. You just enjoy your shrimp crackers and relax.”

Qin Xueyang was torn between laughter and tears at his words. Looking at the spicy strips in her hand, she sighed again and tore open the packaging with a “rip,” grabbing four or five pieces to chew at once. The flavor lifted her mood a little, yet she remained anxious and stifled by Zhang Qiyang’s reckless antics that night.

Earlier, while Zhang Qiyang was recording, Chen Ke had called Qin Xueyang, her tone sharp as she chastised her for not keeping Zhang Qiyang in check. Last week, Zhang Qiyang’s song “New Shit” had caused a scandal for the “My Song” production team, who had already issued a stern warning to Dongyu: one more offense from Zhang Qiyang and he’d be kicked off the show.

Chen Ke had shared this with Qin Xueyang but told her not to breathe a word to Zhang Qiyang, fearing he’d blow up and quit “My Song” himself. They both knew Zhang Qiyang despised being threatened. If the production dared to threaten him, he’d surely retaliate in an even more extreme way. It wasn’t the first time.

Neither Chen Ke nor Qin Xueyang wanted to see Zhang Qiyang and the “My Song” team fall out. Despite the controversies and public disputes stirred by his participation, his performances on “My Song” had been far superior to anything in the past. Especially in terms of his musical talent—“stunning” would be an understatement.

If he could just stay out of trouble, riding this wave, Zhang Qiyang might finally make his comeback and become one of the industry’s brightest stars. But if he kept stirring up trouble, his comeback would be over before it began.

Chen Ke was furious that night over Zhang Qiyang’s antics on Zebra Live, particularly his open provocation of the Xuanai Clan, which hinted at challenging Li Xuan—this, Chen Ke could not tolerate. After all, Li Xuan was Chen Ke’s protégé and her agency’s top star.

Compared with Zhang Qiyang, Chen Ke was undoubtedly more partial to Li Xuan. If any star or media outlet did something to harm Li Xuan’s interests, Chen Ke would be the first to stand up for her. Zhang Qiyang had provoked Li Xuan again and again, pushing Chen Ke’s patience to its very limit. Even if he was the young master of the richest family and they all worked for his family, he couldn’t keep bullying their own artists like this—it was simply brainless!

Unable to vent all her anger at Zhang Qiyang, Chen Ke called Qin Xueyang instead. On the call, she scolded Qin Xueyang mercilessly, laying all the blame at her feet. She’d warned Qin Xueyang repeatedly throughout the week: now, in the eye of the storm, she must keep Zhang Qiyang in check and out of trouble. Better yet, keep him out of the spotlight entirely and respond to all media with silence.

Qin Xueyang had originally planned to lay low for the week, turning down all of Zhang Qiyang’s engagements. But with a little coaxing from Zhang Qiyang and the 500,000 offered by Zebra, she’d risked it and accepted the livestream gig for him. And now she’d made a colossal mess of things.

During the livestream, her legs had gone weak with regret for booking it. But it was far too late for regrets. After getting an earful from Chen Ke, Qin Xueyang didn’t feel wronged at all. She felt Chen Ke was right—she deserved at least fifty percent of the blame. If Zhang Qiyang ended up being schemed against by the “My Song” team because of the livestream, or even kicked off the show, she’d bang her head against the wall in remorse.

On the way home, Qin Xueyang had no heart to join the online battles on Weibo or Dongnet, munching on spicy strips the whole way, racking her brains for how to talk sense into Zhang Qiyang. She couldn’t bear to watch him keep careening down this self-destructive path. If he didn’t stop, his comeback would be doomed.

Zhang Qiyang knew Qin Xueyang’s silence on the ride home meant she had words for him—ones she couldn’t say in front of Old Zheng. So, once they returned to the mansion, Zhang Qiyang sprawled out comfortably on the sofa and asked her, “If you have something to say, say it. It’s late, I’m tired, and I’m planning to wash up and sleep soon.”

It took Qin Xueyang a long moment to gather herself before she spoke, her voice brimming with grievance. “Young Master Yang, can you please discuss things with others before you act in the future?”

“You mean… giving away the trophies on the livestream?”

“Not just that! On ‘My Song,’ you keep changing songs without approval, ignoring rehearsals—these are cardinal sins for a live broadcast! The production team hates this kind of behavior. If you keep it up, they’ll make things hard for you!” Unable to keep her anger bottled up, she scolded him earnestly.

“Last week I went off-script in the competition to get a better stage effect. Afterwards, I explained everything to Teacher Chen Dahai and the others. Everything I did on stage was for a better performance, not to disrespect the band or staff. I told them, and they said they understood, that they wouldn’t hold a grudge. Why are you still harping on this?”

“You think just because they say they’re not offended, they really aren’t? You’re the heir to a fortune—they won’t show it on the surface, but behind your back, it’d be all too easy for them to set you up!”

“You don’t have to see people in such a negative light. I admit, there are plenty of petty people in this world, but when you’re strong enough, they can’t touch you.”

“Even if they can’t hurt you, why give them the chance? Did you know the TV station got fined by the broadcasting authority for the song you did last week?”

“I know, it’s all over the internet. But compared to a fine, I think the huge buzz and media coverage I brought to ‘My Song’ is what the producers should really care about.”

Seeing she was about to retort, Zhang Qiyang waved her off, his tone brooking no argument. “You don’t need to lecture me. I understand all the arguments, maybe even better than you. I know this industry inside out. I know exactly how to walk the tightrope and maximize my publicity. Just manage my money for me—leave the rest to me.”

“Must you always be so arrogant? You can’t be right all the time! How hard is it to listen to others for once?”

“I do listen to others. But if I think something is right, I’m going to do it, no matter who tries to stop me.”

“Even if you know it’s wrong?”

“What exactly are you talking about?”

“Take giving away the trophies, for example. Do you realize how many people you’re offending? Not just the producers—other singers will be furious too!”

“Why should they be angry? The trophies are mine—I can give them to whoever I want. What’s it got to do with them? Some athletes auction off their medals and trophies when times are tough—should they be condemned, too? Besides, these trophies were given to me by the audience. I’m just returning them. What’s wrong with that? I’m sacrificing my image to help ‘My Song’ make headlines. The production team should be thanking me, not getting mad.”

“They’ll think you’re disrespecting the competition!”

“How am I disrespecting it? I fight for the audience! That’s nobler than the other singers who only fight for their own glory. When you write the press release, just say I’m fighting for the audience—shape public opinion. Every time I win a single episode’s trophy, I’ll give it to the audience, except for the final grand prize—that one, if I remember right, is made of solid gold and worth over a million. That one I’m definitely keeping.”

“You actually dare to dream of winning the grand prize?” Qin Xueyang nearly choked from exasperation.

Zhang Qiyang counted on his fingers. “This season there have been four rounds. I competed in two and won both. I have more wins than any other singer. Why shouldn’t I aim for the grand prize? You probably think I’m arrogant again, but it’s the truth—‘My Song’ is lucky to have me this season. If they’re smart, they’ll value me more and more. So you don’t need to worry about all that nonsense. Just remember one thing: when the whole world turns against me, never doubt me, just stand firmly behind me and support me. Because I’ll prove to everyone that the world’s judgment is wrong and that I am right.”