Chapter Twelve: Wait, Is He Out of His Mind?

Within the industry, many entertainment companies were left in utter shock.

Most had believed that after “Whatever” broke into the top ten, its momentum would slow. Even if it were to climb higher, they expected the process to be drawn out and arduous. Yet, no one anticipated that in just a single day, “Whatever” would effortlessly topple seven heavyweight newcomers from the rookie chart, surging all the way to third place.

“It’s insane.”

“Even Su Qing, who originally held third, got knocked down—unbelievable.”

“This rookie is incredible. His debut song shot straight into the top three. The future is boundless!”

“Third place is probably as far as he’ll go, though. The top two… those are figures no newcomer can challenge.”

At the same time, in Yunhai Media.

The Vocal Department.

Hao Mingxing was still sweeping the floor, his expression calm. The whole place was a whirl of excitement. Every so often, someone would rush up to him, eager to share the latest news.

He heard someone say his song had entered the top fifty.

He heard someone else mention the company was now promoting his work.

Then he heard his song had broken into the top ten.

Through it all, he simply smiled and nodded.

But this time, the manager of the Vocal Department, Qian Lun, personally approached him. Seeing Hao Mingxing still sweeping, Qian Lun hurried over, trying to wrest the broom from his hands. “Mingxing, you shouldn’t be doing this!”

But he couldn’t take it away.

Hao Mingxing smiled. “There’s nothing else to do, and I find it relaxing. Give me a moment, Mr. Qian—I haven’t quite finished.”

“You…” Qian Lun looked at him, paused, and then said, “Your song has climbed to third place on the rookie chart. But those top two—they’re hardly newcomers. They’re both acclaimed figures from film and television. So, in a sense, you’ve already taken first place for the August rookie chart.”

To be first on the rookie chart—one could imagine the weight of such an achievement.

Hao Mingxing said nothing.

Qian Lun continued, “When you’re done, come to my office.”

With that, he turned and left.

Hao Mingxing watched Qian Lun’s departing figure, standing in place for a long time. Only after a while did he look away, quietly finishing the sweeping and emptying the trash into the bin on the stairs.

Then he slowly looked up, gazing out at the sky through the window.

Tears blurred his vision.

This man, always humble and unassuming, who met all with a gentle smile, now let out a low, stifled sob there on the stairwell, tears streaming down his face.

…

When Wang Mo found out that “Whatever” had broken into the top three of the rookie chart, he had already finished work for the day.

Overtime? Impossible. Not in this lifetime.

Yet, just as he left the company, Yuan Xiong called.

A few minutes later, Yuan Xiong found Wang Mo waiting downstairs.

Yuan Xiong was still in a state of shock. He never imagined that Wang Mo, with such casual ease, would write a song that soared to third place on the rookie chart.

“Could it be we’ve been approaching Wang Mo all wrong?” Yuan Xiong began to question everything.

A top-tier idol with stunning looks, and now, such talent as well.

But then again, no matter how skilled you are at songwriting, it hardly makes waves.

Yet Yuan Xiong was still delighted. After all, with this ability, Wang Mo would never starve, no matter what happened. So many idols, once their image collapses, are left with nothing—useless, just waiting for life to pass them by. By comparison, Wang Mo was truly exceptional.

“Brother Xiong, did you need something?” Wang Mo asked.

Yuan Xiong grinned. “Your song nearly swept the rookie chart—something this big, of course I had to find you! How about a few drinks tonight to celebrate?”

Wang Mo replied, “I’m up for it, but Brother Xiong, do you have any money?”

Yuan Xiong spread his hands. “All my secret savings went to you. I’ve only got thirty yuan left to my name. Thank goodness the company provides meals—otherwise, I’d have starved by now.”

Wang Mo said, “I used what you gave me to pay off my loan.”

Yuan Xiong: “So how are we supposed to celebrate?”

Wang Mo: “We’ll just drink in the cool night air—it’s refreshing and costs nothing.”

Payday wasn’t until the 10th. And though “Whatever” had broken into the top three with over twenty thousand downloads, it would still be some time before they saw any share of the profits.

Two penniless men stared at each other.

After a while, Yuan Xiong said, “Never mind. Let’s go to the supermarket, buy some discounted groceries, and cook at home. A bottle of cheap liquor should be enough for us to drink our fill.”

“Deal!” Wang Mo agreed.

After seven in the evening, the two of them arrived at the Walmart near Wang Mo’s apartment.

As it turns out, even someone as famous as Wang Mo, a former superstar, could walk the streets unnoticed as long as he wasn’t surrounded by bodyguards, assistants, or staff. With a mask, a new hairstyle, and different clothes, hardly anyone paid attention.

It was already past dinner, and the nearby vegetable markets were closed. But inside the supermarket, there were still some special deals on produce.

The only problem was that all the discounted items had been snapped up by a crowd of elderly shoppers.

Cheap, after all!

Many of them came at this hour specifically for the bargains.

With their slim builds, Wang Mo and Yuan Xiong were no match for the elderly shoppers.

“What? We can’t even buy vegetables?” Yuan Xiong stared in disbelief, having only managed to grab two bottles of cheap liquor. Drinking liquor on an empty stomach wouldn’t do.

Wang Mo snapped his fingers. “Don’t worry, Brother Xiong. Watch me!”

He squeezed into the discount section, faced the crowd with a serious expression, and announced, “Uncles and aunties, don’t buy any of the discounted fruits or vegetables at Walmart today. Avoid the discounted meat as well, and also the marinated snacks. As for rice and bread, it’s fine to purchase them today.”

His words left everyone stunned.

They looked at each other, unsure.

Several quickly put down their discounted produce and gathered around him.

“Why shouldn’t we buy, young man?”

“Is something wrong with these veggies?”

“Oh, I knew it! Nothing good comes cheap—let’s get rid of them.”

“Why?”

“Quick, tell us!”

Even a few supermarket employees were taken aback, their minds racing with thoughts of pesticide residues, excess hormones, expired goods, or missing certifications.

Without missing a beat, Wang Mo grabbed the discounted veggies, meat, and snacks that had just been abandoned and headed for the weighing counter, saying, “Because I want to buy them.”

???

!!!

What the—?

A whole crowd of elderly shoppers stared, dumbfounded, as Wang Mo dashed to the checkout with their former bargains and paid in record time.

He hurried out.

Behind him, an old man called, “Young man!”

Wang Mo stopped. “Yes?”

The old man said, “Are you out of your mind?”

Wang Mo took off running, with an equally stunned Yuan Xiong following.

…

Wang Mo’s home was an apartment the company had arranged for him. It was incredibly private. Even though he had fallen from grace, the company hadn’t reclaimed the apartment, allowing him to continue living there.

You could say, apart from a hostess, the apartment lacked nothing. Especially the kitchen—stocked with every necessity.

So, after returning with their groceries, Yuan Xiong went straight to work in the kitchen.

Wang Mo, meanwhile, cheered him on.

One had to admit, Yuan Xiong’s culinary skills were impressive. In just half an hour, he had several dishes ready: stir-fried pork, spicy diced chicken, chive and egg omelet, a plate of marinated snacks, peanuts, and pig’s ear.

The colors, aroma, and taste were all superb.

“I’m happy.”

“I’m really glad.”

“Ah Mo, to be honest, when you first fell from grace, I was terribly worried about you, afraid you’d do something drastic. So I actually placed two informants in the composition department to keep an eye on you around the clock. Thankfully, you didn’t let me down. You not only survived your darkest days—you managed to write a great song.”

Yuan Xiong was full of emotion.

“But, songwriting is a minor path. Composers just don’t have enough standing. Even if you reach the very top, you’ll never gain real fame or fortune. I’m still working on your livestream arrangements. When everything’s ready, you can start streaming.”

Wang Mo asked, “Brother Xiong, do you really think composing is a minor path?”

Yuan Xiong replied, “Isn’t it?”

Wang Mo said, “I don’t think so. In my eyes, composers and singers should be equals.”

Equals?

Yuan Xiong took a sip of liquor, regarded Wang Mo for a long moment, and then shook his head with a wry laugh. “You’re dreaming.”

Wang Mo shook his head. “It’s not a dream. It’s how things ought to be. Right now, the music world’s relationship between composers and singers is warped and unhealthy. But to me, when a composer reaches the pinnacle, he’s no less than the kings and queens of the music scene.”

Yuan Xiong laughed. “So you mean, if your compositions are good enough, even after your downfall, you could return to the top purely as a composer?”

“Exactly,” replied Wang Mo.

Yuan Xiong frowned. “Have you had too much to drink?”

Wang Mo shook his head. “I mean it.”

Yuan Xiong asked, “Is that why you chose to be a composer and wrote ‘Whatever’?”

Wang Mo nodded. “Yes.”

Yuan Xiong pressed, “Do you have any other songs?”

Wang Mo replied, “I do.”

At present, he still hadn’t released “Invisible Wings.” That song—was the very reason he spoke with such confidence.

Yuan Xiong was silent for a moment, then suddenly smiled. “If you really have that kind of talent, then go change the status of composers. Strive to return to the industry’s peak as a composer alone.”

Wang Mo said, “I will.”

Yuan Xiong hurriedly added, “Don’t take it seriously—I was only joking.”

Wang Mo shook his head. “I’m not joking.”