Scorching Popularity

[Empty street scene]

[Want to find someone to pour my feelings into]

[Making this kind of decision]

[Loneliness is my neighbor]

When Kong Xi's voice, tinged with sadness amidst the quiet, rang out, the bullet comments on the Penguin Video screen instantly exploded!

"So sad!"

"Little Yue is too pitiful!"

"Long-term companionship is no match for childhood sweethearts?"

"Feelings don't have a first come, first served rule, it's so hard!"

"This song... I'm crying to death!"

"Tears welled up."

"Wow, Xi Xi sings so beautifully, but this song is too sad, my tears are starting to have their own ideas..."

Especially when the second female lead walked alone to the small bridge, leaning on the railing and gazing at the distant sunset.

The casting for this drama is amazing; the entire cast has both looks and acting skills.

A gentle and beautiful girl, with a stunning profile, her eyes filled with a faint sense of desolation.

The song reached the part, "[Clearly it's a movie for three, but I can never have a name]".

At this moment, even Song Dao was moved, a faint bitterness welling up in his heart.

But he quickly smiled.

He knew this song was a hit!

Meanwhile.

Yan Yu, who was watching the drama at Life is Messy Studio, saw this scene on the large projected screen and tears instantly streamed down her face.

She murmured, "Before, I just thought it was a good song, but now I realize, paired with this plot, it's truly tear-jerking!"

She couldn't help it, she really couldn't.

Lin Fei, also at Feiyang Music Movement waiting for this song to appear, had red eyes and was sniffing hard.

That night, Immortal Sword Asking for Love's online and broadcast data both hit new highs.

The viewership ratings exploded!

And with it, the song "Always Been Quiet" became popular!

Without Feiyang Music Movement investing any resources, it shot into the top ten of the soaring charts and new song charts overnight!

It also entered the top ten of the newly revamped popularity index chart!

Even Song Dao couldn't help but feel a little envious when he saw the data the next morning.

This is the power of a hit drama!

It doesn't need time to settle or build momentum; it just needs to appear at the most suitable time and in the most suitable scene.

And then it becomes popular!

Major online platforms also praised Kong Xi and "Always Been Quiet" without reservation.

"I used to think she was just a very lucky young girl. Although she came from a professional background and her singing wasn't weak, Somersault Cat wasn't really good. This song is different. It's quiet, but it truly hits the heart. If Kong Xi can consistently sing songs at this level, I'll switch from being a casual listener to a fan!"

"Watching the drama last night, the moment this song started, tears just flowed uncontrollably. Afterward, I thought it might have been the plot that moved me, so I specifically went to Penguin Music to listen. I ended up crying again. Why is it like red wine? It tastes bland at first, but the aftertaste is so strong?"

"When I was in school, I had a crush on a senior brother, but he had a girlfriend, so I could only watch him from afar. Watching this drama made me feel so much like Little Yue, feeling inexplicably sad. When this song came out, oh my god, it was too heartbreaking..."

"It's been five years since I graduated from university, and I still can't forget that relationship. It's truly an unforgettable regret. Clearly it's a movie for three, but I can't have a name!"

"Many people say Kong Xi is an internet celebrity singer. Who would dare say that about her after this song?"

"Little Li, Little Fang, Little Hui, Little Xue... how are you all doing? We can make a movie with multiple people, come back, I miss you all!"

In this day and age, the ability of internet netizens to create memes is undeniable.

This song is no exception.

There were those expressing genuine emotions, and those making fun with memes. Along with the drama's explosion in popularity, "Always Been Quiet" became a massive hit.

It received rave reviews.

The word-of-mouth was so good, it made people wonder if it was fake.

Song Dao also wanted to know.

So, a few days later, he made a rare trip to the company.

As soon as he entered, he saw a group of young girls gathered together, chattering and discussing.

They didn't know that Song Dao was Water Strike Three Thousand, but they knew that this song was released by their company.

Even if we haven't met, Teacher Sanqian is one of us!

"Xi Xi sang so beautifully, I couldn't stop the tears when I saw that part."

"Teacher Sanqian is mighty, I cried too..."

"Can you ask Teacher Sanqian to write a song for me? I don't even care about the royalties!" A trainee fantasized.

"Brother Dao is here, can you create songs like Teacher Sanqian?"

"Yeah, Brother Dao, I hope you can also create this type of song. I'll follow you." A trainee said with anticipation.

Facing his enthusiastic colleagues, Song Dao smiled and responded, then arrived at Lin Fei's office door.

Before he could knock, Lin Fei, hearing movement, came out.

Seeing it was Song Dao, a smile appeared on her face.

"Please come in!"

She let Song Dao in.

Facing Song Dao's question, Lin Fei smiled and said, "There's no manipulation. I'm not stupid.

With Immortal Sword Asking for Love's high popularity, even though Xi Xi isn't a top-tier star, she still has many fans.

These people are enough to make our data look impressive."

As she spoke, she gestured for Song Dao to sit down and handed him a bottle of soda.

Lin Fei, sitting on the single sofa, was clearly very happy. "I plan to have Xi Xi stream tonight to promote that drama, gain new fans, and also promote my fellow disciple brother's new song."

The prodigal woman is quite shrewd, knowing how to leverage trends.

Song Dao looked at the beautiful young woman, who was as energetic as a girl, and pondered how to bring up the matter of the song.

Lin Fei, however, took the initiative to ask, "By the way, Teacher Song, any progress on Director Zhang's song?"

She was really just asking casually, not expecting anything.

She believed it wasn't difficult for Song Dao to write a "commissioned essay," but it would be much harder to quickly write a piece that would satisfy Director Zhang.

To her surprise, Song Dao looked at her and said, "It's done. Sister Fei, do you want to sing it?"

Lin Fei: "..."

She was dressed somewhat formally today, a black suit skirt, a white silk blouse, and black stockings.

A pair of delicate feet were clad in mid-heel sandals.

Her hair was tied up, complementing her exquisite, almost ascetic face. If she had a pair of gold-rimmed glasses perched on her nose...

At this moment, Lin Fei's small face was filled with surprise, looking at Song Dao with disbelief. "It's done?"

"Let's be clear first, no matter who sings my song, I'll only give them at most twenty percent," Song Dao said calmly, retracting his gaze.

Lin Fei let out a chuckle, amused to the point of being angry.

"What? Teacher Sanqian, are you so confident that I, who have been out of the music scene for years, would be willing to sing your song?"

Song Dao smiled, "If you don't want to sing it, you can give it to Sister Maomao. She'll definitely like it."

"Oh my, I really don't believe it. Let me see!" Lin Fei raised an eyebrow, looking at Song Dao. "If it can truly move me, I'll sing it for free!"

"That might not be good, right?" Song Dao said tentatively.

Lin Fei looked speechless.

She, who had always been emotionally stable, couldn't help but feel like hitting someone.

Why isn't this person more concerned about money?

Even talented individuals need to eat, but please, the losses you suffered from your ex-girlfriend, can you not try to make up for them with us?

Lin Fei took a deep breath and extended her hand. "Let me see the song first."

Song Dao generously handed over his phone, its casing showing signs of wear.

Lin Fei took it with a hint of distaste and looked at the sheet music on it.

A moment later.

Her expression became serious.

After a few minutes, Lin Fei looked up, her gaze towards Song Dao completely changed.

"You wrote this in the last few days?"

Song Dao nodded and said, "Actually, I had some inspiration even before you told me about this. I even wrote a short poem.

Then, by coincidence, this poem had a strong synergy with Director Zhang's 'demon romance.'

The night you sent me the materials, I had a general outline in my mind.

I've spent the last few days refining it and completing the arrangement."

Lin Fei: "..."

She couldn't believe it, but she had to.

She felt it was absurd.

What kind of musical talent was this?

This was a musical genius, wasn't it?

She had seen people write a song in a few minutes or ten-plus minutes before; Teacher Dong Hui had even demonstrated it for her on the spot back then.

But the problem was, the quality of this song was too high!

And it fit Director Zhang's movie so perfectly!

Even if he said he had some inspiration beforehand, wasn't this too much of a coincidence?

He even wrote a poem specifically for it?

People who could write lyrics usually had good literary talent; she admitted that much.

But if you said someone who could write lyrics could also write poetry, that was ridiculous.

"Can I see the poem?" She tried her best to calm her emotions.

The song Song Dao had just handed her was explosive!

No wonder he said even a senior artist like Sister Maomao would definitely like it.

He wasn't lying.

The moment she saw it, she wanted to sing it!

It was a piece she had always dreamed of having.

Even though she hadn't sung it once, a complete arrangement was already forming in her mind.

She could even imagine herself standing on stage singing it.

She was so excited, she almost wanted to cry.

Her heart churned with shock, awe, and joy.

She had to control herself.

She couldn't lose her composure in front of him.

So, she decisively changed the subject.

"Shuibo searched for Water Strike Three Thousand... Forget it, I'll find it for you."

That account wasn't even verified, and there were tons of people with similar names.

When he registered, he had to add a checkmark after his name to get it approved.

Taking back her phone, she switched to the Water Strike Three Thousand account and handed it to Lin Fei again.

Lin Fei took it and quietly read the screen: "Red beans grow in the southern land, in spring, how many branches will sprout. I wish you to pick more, this thing is most like lovesickness."

"Red beans grow in the southern land..."

After reading it once, she read it again.

Then she fell silent.

If that song had shocked her with Song Dao's talent, upgrading him from a musical talent to a musical genius, then the shock from this poem far surpassed the song!

It was only twenty characters, yet it concisely expressed complex and deep feelings of lovesickness.

Every word was just right.

It flowed naturally and smoothly.

And the title of the poem, just like the song, was Lovesickness!

If she were an uncultured singer, seeing such a poem, she would at most praise it as "really amazing, you're so talented."

But she was a graduate of Jing University.

Such a five-character quatrain written by a modern person, the charm hidden within the words was endlessly evocative, and the more she thought about it, the more amazing it became.

The impact on her was too strong!

It was unbearable, truly unbearable.

She didn't speak, and Song Dao didn't either.

He mused to himself, she must have been speaking casually when she said she didn't want any money!

You couldn't take women's words seriously.

They were the best at deceiving people.

So, he still had to give her twenty percent...

After a long while.

Lin Fei suddenly looked up, her beautiful eyes fixed on Song Dao.

"I'm suddenly a little curious."

"Hmm?"

"Is your ex-girlfriend stupid?"

Song Dao was speechless.

"What was she thinking? To give up a blue-chip stock like you for some greasy middle-aged man?"

Song Dao was indeed no longer just a potential stock.

Whether it was the song he sang at his graduation party or the astonishing talent he displayed immediately after, it was already incredibly dazzling for a young man.

"Or did you just focus on dating during those years you were together? Didn't show any talent at all?"

Lin Fei looked puzzled.

Song Dao seized on the key information and asked, "How do you know she's with a greasy middle-aged man?"

In fact, even now, many people online were still speculating about who Miao Xiu's new partner was.

The information about the car had long been dug up; it was indeed a vehicle belonging to Times Media, and the user, Lu Wen, had also been exposed.

But there was no evidence proving that the person Miao Xiu was with was definitely him.

Online comments could be irresponsible, but someone of Lin Fei's status couldn't just say things randomly.

Lin Fei was even more surprised: "Didn't you notice the news online?"

Seeing Song Dao's bewildered expression, she speechlessly took out her brand-new tri-fold phone, unfolded it, clicked on a news article, and handed it to Song Dao.

The headline was huge: Times Media Senior Vice President Lu Wen photographed in a hotel rendezvous with a young woman.

—So he was the owner of the car!