Chapter 294
Qi Su was asked to leave. Standing under the blazing sun, he broke out in a cold sweat.
His mind was still in a daze.
When he was sixteen, he had followed his father to a recording studio and picked up a discarded draft that someone else didn't want. He revised it, refined it continually, and after releasing it, shot to fame overnight. This laid the foundation for his reputation as a genius creator.
Having tasted the sweetness of success, he never looked back and continued down this path.
In the past, it wasn't that no one had publicly accused him of plagiarism on Weibo. However, with his massive fanbase and high web traffic, and the accusers being nothing more than obscure newcomers, these voices of dissent vanished before they could even make the news.
He had thought he could continue sailing smoothly like this forever.
Today's incident struck him like a heavy blow to the head, leaving him with no time to even react.
Just then, his manager called, sounding grave. "Brother Qi, the company just received a lawyer's letter from the production crew. They are demanding the termination of our collaboration and compensation for copyright losses."
"Furthermore, those newcomer composers and musicians have taken the company to court on the grounds of infringement."
"And the Music Association has sent a letter stating they will launch an investigation into all the musical works produced by Qi Su's studio..."
Qi Su's fingers froze in mid-air, his pupils shrinking drastically.
At the main entrance, he saw Director Fang actually walking Rong Yu out in person. "I have complete faith in the person you recommended. Once my assistant contacts Tian Tian and finalizes the lyrics, you can come to the recording studio for the official recording."
Rong Yu smiled and nodded.
Tian Tian also spoke out on Weibo.
After debuting through a talent show last year, she hadn't signed with an agency in time, causing her popularity to plummet until she slowly faded into obscurity.
After she posted the Weibo about the lyrics, her direct messages instantly blew up.
It was Qi Su's die-hard fans.
Even though Qi Su's reputation was currently in ruins, his fans wouldn't just abandon him over some public opinion. Instead, they became even more aggressive, hurling insults at the music industry newcomers who had stepped forward.
"The matter hasn't even been concluded yet, and so many people are coming out to clout-chase. Are they all crazy for fame?"
"Does a D-lister like Tian Tian even deserve to leech off Teacher Qi's fame? How shameless!"
"She actually dares to claim her elementary-school-level lyrics were plagiarized? Even Qi Su's casual scribbles are ten thousand times better than hers!"
"..."
Tian Tian's eyes were a little red.
Just this small amount of abuse was almost too much for her to bear.
Meanwhile, Rong Yu had endured constant questioning and doubt ever since her debut. Just how strong of a heart did she need to have to ignore all these remarks?
Tian Tian turned off her phone.
Right then, her phone rang. She glanced at it; it was her manager calling.
This was the manager she had signed with this year. She heard that her manager used to represent the great Best Actor, Yan Ting. After her contract with Yan Ting expired, she struck out on her own to establish a talent agency. Although the company had only been established for a little over three months and was just starting, Qiu Sang's rich experience had already earned the agency quite a reputation in the industry.
Qiu Sang offered very generous terms, giving even newcomers a fifty-fifty split. In this industry, that was almost non-existent, yet Qiu Sang actually did it.
Being able to sign with Qiu Sang was a stroke of luck for her.
"Tian Tian, wonderful news!" Qiu Sang's voice came through the phone. "Just now, the staff of that mainstream production contacted me. They specifically asked for you to be in charge of optimizing the lyrics, and the remuneration will be paid according to B-list standards!"
Tian Tian was completely stunned. "What?"
"You heard me right," Qiu Sang paused and said. "If I'm not mistaken, it should be Miss Rong, Rong Yu, who recommended you to the director."
Tian Tian's eyes instantly welled up with tears. "Can I... can I really meet Sister Yu's expectations?"
"You are already excellent," Qiu Sang said gently. "Cheer up and show off your talents tomorrow. Once this job is over, we will treat Miss Rong to a meal."
Working with a veteran composer, Tian Tian revised the lyrics and rearranged the music, elevating the entire song to another level. Rong Yu spent a day recording the track, and with that, the job was considered complete.
It wasn't until that evening that Rong Yu found out Tian Tian's manager was actually Qiu Sang.
It had been over half a year since she last saw Qiu Sang. Back then, Qiu Sang was melancholic, lost, helpless, and panic-stricken...
But now, she exuded a gentle aura. Wearing a sharply tailored beige suit without any superfluous decorations, she looked exceptionally capable and professional.
"Miss Rong." Qiu Sang greeted Rong Yu first before looking at Ji Yanting beside her. "Yan Ting, long time no see."
Her voice was very calm, devoid of any inappropriate emotions.
Ji Yanting lowered his long eyelashes slightly and gave a gentle nod. "Qiu Sang."
Qiu Sang smiled and said, "I've booked a table across the street. If you don't mind, let's have a meal together."
Ji Yanting paused for a moment. "Alright."
During the meal, Qiu Sang chatted a bit about the past.
The rapist who had brought disaster upon her was sentenced to nine years in prison for his combined crimes of rape and extortion.
Her son, Wei Xu, was kept by her side and was attending junior high school in the capital.
The mother and son never brought up the past and were able to get along peacefully.
After the meal ended and they got into the car, Rong Yu asked Ji Yanting, "A-Yan, have you let it go?"
"She has completely walked out of the gloom, so of course I've let it go too," Ji Yanting replied, his expression relaxed and at ease. "She will get better and better, and so will I."
The car drove back to the villa.
As soon as Rong Yu walked through the front door, she saw an uninvited guest sitting on the sofa.
Ji Yanting spoke up to greet her, "Great-Aunt."
Old Madam Xie sat on the sofa with a cup of tea in her hand. She glanced at Rong Yu, her gaze very indifferent.
Old Master Ji coughed and walked over to Rong Yu, whispering, "Something happened to the Xie family, and Xiaohui is feeling depressed. She wanted to stay here for a few days to clear her mind. Mom, do you think that's okay?"
Rong Yu met Old Madam Xie's gaze.
The other party's aged eyes carried scrutiny as well as dissatisfaction.
If she refused to let Old Madam Xie stay, given Yingbao's personality, he would only worry about her more. They might even meet privately and cause trouble in secret. It was really better to keep her right under their noses.
She smiled and said, "Of course."
Old Master Ji let out a massive sigh of relief.
If Mom had refused, he really wouldn't have known what to do.
He called out loudly, "Old Yu, arrange for the servants to tidy up the bedroom on the second floor."
"Thank you, Brother-in-law," Old Madam Xie lowered her eyes. "Once there is news from the court, I will move out. I won't bother you for too long."
Old Master Ji said, "How could it be a bother? We are all family. You can stay for as long as you like."
Rong Yu looked helplessly at her elderly son.
At his advanced age, how could he still be so naive?
She took a step, went upstairs, and entered her room.
Sitting on the sofa, Old Madam Xie immediately narrowed her eyes.
Wasn't that room on the second floor the master bedroom?
A girl with no blood relation is staying in the largest and best room in the entire villa?
Isn't that a bit too absurd?
"Brother-in-law," Old Madam Xie spoke slowly. "There is something I don't know if I should say."
Old Master Ji scratched his head. "Xiaohui, how about you just don't say it then."
"Even if it offends you, brother-in-law, I still have to say what needs to be said." Old Madam Xie glanced upstairs. "The Ji family only has boys, and they are all single. With so many grown men living under the same roof as an eighteen-year-old girl, brother-in-law, aren't you worried about a scandal breaking out?"
Old Master Ji didn't understand. "What scandal?"
Old Madam Xie looked up at him. "She is just an outsider after all. What if she wants to become the young mistress of the Ji family?"
"How could that be!" Old Master Ji stood up abruptly. Suppressing his anger, he enunciated every word. "Xiaohui, Rong Yu is not the kind of person you think she is. She, she... Anyway, she is a member of the Ji family. It is impossible for any scandal to happen between family members!"
Old Madam Xie frowned. "Brother-in-law, how can you trust an outsider with a different surname so much? She..."
"Enough, Xiaohui, say no more." Old Master Ji pursed his lips. "I never want to hear such words a second time!"
He threw his hands down in frustration and walked away, going into his room and shutting the door behind him.