Meanwhile, in the four-person group chat:
Your Sister Cheng: Boohoo, Pear, Chen Zhuo, you two owe me mascara. I cried my eyes out.
Zhuo Zhuo Zhuo: Sister Cheng, your "Later" made me cry last time too!!
An Hui: Both songs are pretty heartbreaking. Pear, you're too ruthless. Even at forty, listening made my eyes turn red.
Pear Pastry: That's because Sister Cheng and Little Zhuo sang them so well!
Your Sister Cheng: It's because what you wrote was too heartbreaking! [crying]
Chen Zhuo already thought of Su Li as family. He was planning to post another Feibo message thanking Brother Su in a little while.
He also planned to buy Brother Su some tasty snacks and little trinkets. He had often bought things and mailed them to Su Li before. They were nothing expensive, but they conveyed his affection.
As he happily thought about it, he saw the other members of his group walking toward him.
He You put on a forced smile. "Little Zhuo, congratulations. Your two singles took first and second place. I have to say, Mr. Su really is a genius!"
There was a hint of jealousy in Yuan Jiajie's eyes. "Yeah, I have to say, having a composer as a friend really is nice. Just like that, you've got two chart-topping songs. I'm so envious."
A calculating look appeared in He You's eyes. "Little Zhuo, since you're so close to Mr. Su, could you introduce us too? We're brothers in the same group, after all."
The others chimed in, "Yeah, exactly!"
Chen Zhuo frowned. "Mr. Su? Why do I remember certain people saying Brother Su was a washed-up nobody after I came back from filming that variety show? Saying I had no self-respect, going out of my way to suck up to some bottom-tier celebrity?"
"Let me tell you, no matter who Brother Su is, I'll always treat him well, because he's sincere and genuinely cares about me. Unlike certain people who hide knives behind their smiles. Just looking at them makes me sick!"
He You glared and pointed at him. "You!!"
Chen Zhuo lifted his chin. "What about me? I give sincerity and get sincerity back. Brother Su treats me well. So what? Go ahead and keep smearing me online if you've got what it takes. I don't care!"
Without so much as looking at them, he turned and left the company to buy things for Su Li.
Su Li received a call from Tian Zhang. "Su Li, we're holding a promotional event for 'Scheming for the Realm' next week, something like a press conference. Make sure you come!"
"All right, Director Tian. I'll be there."
Promotion for Tian Zhang's "Scheming for the Realm" had begun long ago. With this promotional event coming up, many media outlets came to conduct interviews and report on it. Many fans could attend as well, most of them prominent fans of the various actors. Some even held up their phones to livestream.
The reporters' cameras clicked away as the lead actors, director, screenwriter, and other members of the production took the stage.
When it was Su Li's turn to come onstage, Tian Zhang held the microphone and announced loudly, "Next, please welcome Su Li!!"
He looked very excited as he introduced Su Li.
Su Li had been trending frequently lately and was extremely popular. Some people had even come specifically for him, and the media and fans present repeatedly turned their cameras toward him.
Today, Su Li wore a black shirt embroidered with dark red patterns, which made his skin look even fairer. He had long, narrow foxlike eyes, and his deep red lips curved slightly upward. His stunning face, paired with his all-black outfit, made him look noble and mysterious.
His air was both cool and alluring. When Su Li appeared, everyone onstage and below it could not help staring in a momentary daze.
Some fans were livestreaming. The live comments went blank for a moment, then exploded.
[Holy shit, he's ridiculously gorgeous. I think I'm turning gay!]
[I never understood why he got so popular just from appearing on a variety show. Now I get it.]
[Where did this bewitching beauty come from? Slurp, slurp.]
[Li Bao, what color sack do you like?]
[Wifey, it's too dangerous here. Quick, come into my arms!!]
[Li Bao, let Mommy give you a couple of kisses, aaaaah!]
[Hehe... Li Bao... Li Bao... hehe... (drooling)]
[Everyone, the internet isn't above the law!]
[I walked in and immediately tripped over all the underwear on the floor!]
Su Li's fans screamed wildly.
Tian Zhang was delighted to see this. Sure enough, with Su Li around, there was no need to worry about publicity. He smiled. "Looks like everyone really likes Su Li. But there's something else I'd like to mention: Su Li also personally wrote the lyrics and composed the music for this drama's theme song!"
Su Li picked up his microphone, the black-and-red gemstone ring on his left hand gleaming. He looked out at the audience. "Hello, everyone. I'm Su Li, playing Xiao Mo, the Prince of Qi. Thank you for supporting 'Scheming for the Realm.'"
[Li Bao's gaze is too mesmerizing. I can't take it.]
[Li Bao looked at me! He likes me!!]
[I was so overwhelmed by his beauty that I momentarily forgot Li Bao is also a genius composer.]
[He could clearly get by on his looks, but he insists on relying on talent.]
[Director Tian hit the jackpot. He actually got Su Li to write a theme song.]
[I've noticed Su Li wears that ring on his left hand wherever he goes. It's so pretty.]
And Director Tian had actually found a king of song to sing this theme song!
"Next, please welcome the king of song, Zhang Chengfang, performing 'True Hero'!" Tian Zhang had invited the king of song to perform at today's promotional event.
After hearing the song, the audience would look forward to the drama even more!
[Holy shit, they actually invited Zhang, the king of song?]
[Director Tian really went all out!]
[I trust the quality of Su Li's songs.]
When Tian Zhang had approached Zhang Chengfang about singing the theme song, the king of song had been puzzled. He had no connections with this famous director, did he?
But as soon as Tian Zhang said the theme song's composer was Su Li, he and his manager immediately agreed!
He knew that the genius composer Su Li was in Tian Zhang's new drama. He had really wanted to ask him for a song before, but Su Li's manager said that he would only choose the singers himself.
He had never expected his chance to come just like that! And it was an excellent piece, too. As long as the drama became a huge hit, this song would too!
When the song ended, the fans in the audience burst into applause.
The live comments flooded in as well:
[Su Li really is amazing. Listening got me fired up!]
[With a theme song of this quality, Director Tian hit the ultimate jackpot.]
[Oh my god, I'm looking forward to this drama even more now!]
[This song is so powerful! How can Li Bao write songs in every style?]
The pre-premiere promotional event for "Scheming for the Realm" could be called a tremendous success.
Almost all the top trending topics on Feibo were about the event.
#"Scheming for the Realm" premieres soon#
#Su Li creates theme song for "Scheming for the Realm"#
#Zhang Chengfang performs "True Hero"#
#Su Li's looks#
#Su Li's stunning unedited photos#
Yes, Su Li's looks alone took up two spots. His unedited photos had already spread beyond his fanbase.
[Holy shit, what's this handsome guy's name? I need to follow him!]
[He's as beautiful as someone out of an anime!]
[One of Nüwa's masterpieces.]
[Li Bao looks like he's glowing, boohoo. How is he so fair?]
In the car, Su Li looked at the photos the media and fans had posted of him online.
He turned to Yuan with a mischievous smile and asked, "Which one looks best?"
Yuan blushed. "They all look good." His master looked good no matter what, though it would be even better if only he could see him.
The day "Scheming for the Realm" premiered arrived.
The first three episodes were released on the Yiguo website on the first day.
[The plot seems really tightly paced.]
[Shi Yunle's acting is as good as ever, but I didn't expect Su Li to be this good?? Didn't people say his acting was terrible?]
[Li Bao! Is there anything you can't do!]
[The Prince of Qi is so handsome and gentle.]
[He's probably one of the good guys, right? He seems like a carefree prince.]
[Why do I feel like there's more to him?]
[My grandma walked past and glanced at my computer during Li Bao's scene. She said this young man was really good-looking.]
[After my mom saw Li Bao's viral photos, she asked me who he was. Then she started following this drama too.]
[Confirmed: Li Bao charms everyone!]
Before you continue